WALKER HIGH SCHOOL
Open Doors NEWSLETTER
In this issue:
Principal’s Message
Upcoming Dates
PSD Land Acknowledgment
Field Trip Opportunity
Walker Wolves Highlights and Activities
Scholarship Opportunity for JUNIORS
PSD Updates
Counselor Corner
Afterschool Intervention
Support Staff contact information
Principal's Message
Welcome 2023!
I am so pumped about this year and all goals we have set as a school.
This school year we have been focusing on increasing student engagement, developing more academic intervention to increase student academic success, and finding ways to increase student attendance.
Currently on website we have a document posted that is called a comprehensive school improvement plan. This is something that is posted annually in order to share strategic goals that are being highlight by the school. This document does not cover all the interventions at our school but the hope is that is provides all the Walker community with a glimpse of great work that is taking place.
Over the next couple of months, I will be highlighting some interventions we currently have and how they relate to the work we do at Walker.
As a school our goal is to continue to refine our practice so that we provide students with the best level of support they need so that they find success.
Have great rest of your day Wolves! See you all Monday.
Michael Sanchez
Principal
Walker High School
Upcoming Dates:
January 12th - MLK Assembly
January 13th – 2.5-hour Early Release Day – Asynchronous Work Day
January 16th - No School
January 17th – Walker High School Self Defense class (See flyer for more details)
February 3rd – Last Day of 2nd quarter
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Puyallup School District Land Acknowledgment Statement
"As part of the Puyallup School District's commitment to partnering with our diverse communities, we acknowledge that we are on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe. We recognize the Puyallup people have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial and continue to do so today."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGnac8x-SIM
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Field Trip Opportunity
Walker students are invited to join us on a free event field trip planned for January 27th!
Students will be provided a bus to attend a dance performance by Ailey II at the Pantages Theatre in Tacoma.
Calling family chaperones. If interested, please use the QR code to complete the form for yourself and/or your student to attend!
Walker Wolves Highlights and Activities:
For the first time, Walker High School was represented at the Area 7 DECA districts competition on Saturday, January 7th at Bonney Lake High School. Senior Haven Shivertaker represented WHS as the DECA Club Delegate and placed as the first runner up in Entrepreneurship in his quest for DECA state. DECA students learn business and marketing concepts in class and compete to solve business problems in a roleplay against up to 20 other students at districts.
Area 7 includes over 300 students from Anacortes, Puyallup, Peninsula, Kitsap, North Mason, and Bethel School Districts. Congratulations on a job well done, Haven!
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Wolf Tech Robotics
Wolf Tech Robotics launched the 2023 season with the first Robotics Kickoff. We learned about the challenge and theme for this year’s competition and got to brainstorm and plan with other Puyallup Robotics teams. We are going to have a great year!
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Walker Wolves Basketball
This week Walker Wolves Basketball started it’s 2nd season. We are so proud of the hard work and dedication each one of the students has put in to prepare for the season.
We are pleased announce that we had enough students try out that we have two teams. Walker Grey and Walker Red. You can access their schedule electronically by going to Puyallup Rec Basketball Schedule webpage
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Walker Student Afterschool Activity
There is an exciting event happening at Walker on Tuesday, January 17th from 230-430 in the gym.......a Self-Defense class!!!
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Rare Scholarship Opportunity for JUNIORS!
The Corinthian Masonic Lodge has extended their scholarship to include Walker Juniors. All Juniors are eligible. The top 5 applications will be compensated! Please see Ms. Rangeloff or Mrs. Thelaner for an application and/or support in applying for this awesome opportunity!
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PSD Updates:
Seeking Feedback: Strategic Plan Draft
The Puyallup School District has been working on developing a new strategic plan that will help guide our vision and work over the next several years.
This plan will help us prioritize district actions in order to achieve our goals over the next five years. Since September, we’ve gathered feedback, collected data, and have designed a plan that is now ready for community review and input. Your feedback will help us refine and finalize a strategic plan that will inspire and educate students to reach their full potential.
Our new strategic plan will focus on five priority areas for the district:
- Academic Achievement
- Social Emotional Supports
- Staff Development, Culture, and Satisfaction
- Facilities, Safety, and Security
- Family and Community Engagement
We want your feedback! We are asking employees, families, parents, students, and community members to provide feedback on the drafted plan components. Community feedback collected through this short survey will be instrumental as we finalize the strategic plan. The survey will close on January 18 at 11:59 p.m.
START SURVEY NOW
Dual Language Program Information Events
Are you interested in learning more about our elementary Spanish Dual Language Program? We will be hosting three information event opportunities (two in-person and one virtual) in January for those interested in learning more about the program. Dates, times and locations for these events are listed below:
- January 17 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (in-person) at Dessie Evans Elementary, 7911 144th St. E. Childcare and snacks will be provided.
- January 18 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (in-person) at Karshner Elementary, 1328 8th Ave. NW. Childcare and snacks will be provided.
- January 25 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. (virtual) via Zoom. A link will be shared in early January.
All current Dual Language Program families and anyone interested in learning more about the program are welcome to attend. The same information will be shared at each event, so you only need to attend whichever one is most convenient for you.
Read more …
Fentanyl Awareness and Prevention Event on Jan. 19
The Puyallup School District has partnered with the Puyallup Police Department and Tacoma Pierce County Health Department to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Open to families and students throughout the district, this important event will take place on Thursday, January 19 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Puyallup Park Pavilion, 330 S. Meridian.
Did you know that…
- Unsuspecting teens in our community are getting counterfeit pills made from deadly fentanyl on social media.
- Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
- You can’t smell or taste fentanyl. You can’t tell if there’s fentanyl in the pills by looking at them.
- The amount of fentanyl that it takes to overdose is equivalent to 2 grains of sand.
Attendees will be provided with a presentation on fentanyl in Pierce County and engage in a community conversation about the dangers of fentanyl with law enforcement, district representatives, and health experts. Please take this short survey to help us plan for attendance and questions you may have.
Counselor Corner weekly update:
SENIORS SENIORS SENIORS! Send your Senior Pictures for Yearbook to Ms. Rangeloff – [email protected]
Our Social Emotional Focus for the month of January is:
IDENTITY/EMPOWERMENT
New Drop-in times for students with Mrs. Thelaner (School Counselor)
Starting Tuesday 10/25 I will be having weekly drop-in office hours, please pop in for the entire hour or part of the time to check in with me if you are unable to make it in. Please let me know if you have any issues with the links!
Wednesday and Friday 10:30-11:30- Virtual drop-in hours - Click here to join the meeting
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 3:30-4:30 -Virtual drop-in hours - Click here to join the meeting
Seniors, Financial Aid info:
October 1st the FAFSA ( Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens up! Even if you are unsure about college, apply. Meet with me and we can discuss/work on the application.
https://sway.office.com/nSCzBFtCupjmLrSf?ref=Link&loc=play
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Mental Health Counseling:
Students can take advantage of the Puyallup School District partnership with Hazel Health which offers free mental telehealth services for students that families can access from home, at no cost. Sign up now to connect your child to mental health services within a matter of days.
This service is no cost for PSD families. Hazel Health therapists are available to talk with your student from home using your own device to address concerns with stress, bullying, relationships, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and more.
To access Hazel Health from home:
- Go to my.hazel.co/Puyallup and click “Sign Up”
- Complete the Consent Form
- Create a Parent Account and verify your phone number
- Call (253) 215-8700 to schedule an appointment
- Mental health visits will adhere to scheduled appointment time.
All Puyallup School District students can receive up to six virtual sessions of mental health care, at no cost. Families can access services by calling Hazel Health at (253) 215-8700 or their child’s Mrs. Thelaner 253-841-8781
SEL (Social Emotional Learning) – Theme for November- Gratitude
Seniors, Financial Aid info:
October 1st the FAFSA ( Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens up! Even if you are unsure about college, apply. Meet with me and we can discuss/work on the application.
https://sway.office.com/nSCzBFtCupjmLrSf?ref=Link&loc=play
Mental Health Counseling:
Students can take advantage of the Puyallup School District partnership with Hazel Health which offers free mental telehealth services for students that families can access from home, at no cost. Sign up now to connect your child to mental health services within a matter of days.
This service is no cost for PSD families. Hazel Health therapists are available to talk with your student from home using your own device to address concerns with stress, bullying, relationships, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and more.
To access Hazel Health from home:
- Go to my.hazel.co/Puyallup and click “Sign Up”
- Complete the Consent Form
- Create a Parent Account and verify your phone number
- Call (253) 215-8700 to schedule an appointment
- Mental health visits will adhere to scheduled appointment time.
All Puyallup School District students can receive up to six virtual sessions of mental health care, at no cost. Families can access services by calling Hazel Health at (253) 215-8700 or their child’s Mrs. Thelaner 253-841-8781
Contact information:
Principal – Michael Sanchez - [email protected]
Office Support/Technical Support:
Office Manager – Heather Clarey - [email protected]
Attendance/Open Doors Office Professional– Becky Pedersen [email protected]
Data Processor – Heidi Kim - [email protected]
Enrollment Specialist - Shannon Jimenez - [email protected]
Student Support Services:
Connections Coordinator – Stephanie Napoli [email protected]
Open Doors School Counselor/Case Manager – Heather Thelaner - [email protected]
Campus Resources Officer – Marcus Young - [email protected]
Teaching/Instructional Staff:
Diploma Pathway Teacher – Rachel Wiley - [email protected]
GED Pathway Teacher – Janet Filer - [email protected]
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Creating Hope, Inspiring Potential, and Changing Lives
Puyallup School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Gordon Brobbey, [email protected], (253) 840-8863; 504/ADA Coordinator: Eric Hogan, [email protected], (253) 840-8848; Title IX Coordinator Staff: Amie Brandmire, [email protected] (253) 841-8645; Title IX Coordinator Students: Gordon Brobbey, [email protected], (253) 840-8863.