Muckleshoot Tribal School

Muckleshoot Tribal School Families,

We would like to thank all MTS families for their support in your child’s education. As you are aware, your child attending school is paramount to their academic and social development.

We are in the process of approving the school calendar 2026-2027 MTS calendar. Once the calendar has been approved by the MIT Executive Committee for Education, we will share it out with families.

The MTS Varsity Boys Basketball team will be heading to Spokane for the Washington State Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Go Kings!!!l

Holiday/Important Dates:

• Monday, March 16, 2026- Regular school day. This is a make-up day for Wednesday, February 11, 2026- MIT Seahawk Victory Parade day off.

• April 9th and 10th- Parent Teacher Conferences

• April 13-17- Spring Break, Students return to school on Monday, April 20, 2026

Attendance matters. Each day your student misses school or arrives late results in valuable instructional time that is missed. Our goal is to prepare students for success inside and outside the classroom. Time spent at school is time spent growing academically, socially, and emotionally. Your students' attendance matters. If you need support in getting your student to school we have an attendance team here at MTS that is always ready to help.

Additionally, in April our 3rd-5th grade students are focusing on test-taking strategies and practice problems to prepare for the SBA. It is important that your student comes to school on time each day so we can maximize our learning opportunities. SBA testing will occur between May 4th and May 15th, 2026.

In February, we held our Student of the Month assembly to recognize students who demonstrate integrity and maintain positive attendance. In March, we will celebrate students who are noble—someone who is honorable, brave, and kind. These assemblies will continue through May, each highlighting a different character trait:

K - Kindness (January)

I - Integrity (February)

N - Noble (March)

G - Grit (April)

S - Strong (May)

Families are welcome to join us each month as we honor our outstanding students!

As a reminder students should not be using cell phones during the school day. While students are at school the expectation is that phones are stored and silent for the duration of the school day.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the elementary admin team—Krista Yi (Principal) and Andrew Upchurch (Assistant Principal). We are committed to supporting you and working together to ensure your student's success.

Finally, if your student has received any certificate of achievement from the school you can use that certificate and turn it in for incentives! For questions, contact student.incentives2@muckleshoot.nsn.us

Dear Families,

As we move into March, we are entering an important and exciting time at school. Spring brings growth—not just in the season, but in our students as well!

This month we are preparing for our yearly assessments, May 4th through May 15th. Our staff has been working hard to ensure students feel confident, supported, and ready to show what they know. You can help at home by:

• Encouraging consistent attendance

• Making sure students get a good night’s sleep

• Supporting positive conversations about doing their best

We remind students that testing is an opportunity to demonstrate their growth and learning—not something to fear.

We are proud to share that student leadership is thriving! Students have been:

• Helping plan and lead assemblies

• Sharing their voices in school improvement efforts

• Modeling positive behavior for their peers

It has been inspiring to watch students step up and take ownership in shaping our school culture.

Our assemblies are becoming more student-driven, with leadership groups helping organize, present, and celebrate achievements. These events build confidence, responsibility, and school pride.

Students are doing an excellent job adjusting to our updated electronic device policy. We have seen:

• Increased focus in classrooms

• More positive peer interactions

• Greater engagement during instruction

Thank you for partnering with us in reinforcing these expectations at home. Your support makes a big difference.

Rick Brownell

Aloha Sports fans,

Winter sports wraps up the first week in March.

High School wrestling witnessed two boys (Tony Benson & Alfred Williams) make it to the Tacoma Dome for the state championships. They wrestled well but did not place.

High School basketball is wrapping up their seasons at state. The tournament is from March 4-7 at the Spokane Arena in Spokane. Good luck to our Kings and Lady Kings Hoop teams.

Middle School Basketball wrapped up their season on March 2nd. Our JV and varsity teams played hard every game and improved each time out on the court.

Spring sports started practice on Monday March 2nd. Spring sports are Baseball, Fast pitch (girls) and Track & Field. Middle School Track & Field begins practice on March 9th. We look forward to seeing you athletes out on the field this spring! Enjoy the warmer weather and let’s get after it.

God Bless,

Ricky Daley - Athletic Director

Here are the contact information for the following people:

Elementary School Counselor - Rheza Peterson - Email: Rheza.Peterson@muckleshoot.com

Middle School Counselor - Cassie Costello - Email: Cassie.Costello@muckleshoot.com

High School Counselor (Grades 9-11) - Caroline Masga - Email: Caroline.Masga@muckleshoot.com

Success Coordinator (Grade 12 & Programs: Running Start, Skills Center, Port of Seattle Internship, Credit Recovery, Athletic Credit, Work Credit, SchooLinks) - Email: Krystal.Adolph@mucklshoot.com

Running Start Program - Allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses tuition-free.

Green River College: https://www.greenriver.edu/students/academics/running-start/index.html

**Please reach out to Krystal Adolph if you have any questions regarding Running Start or Skills Center.

Phone: (253) 569-9598

Email: krystal.adolph@muckleshoot.com

Upcoming HS Field Trips:

• Renton Technical College Campus Tour 3/13/2026

• UW Tacoma - College Planning Day on 3/26/2026

• MTC - College Planning Day on 4/01/2026

**HS Students can register for the events on their SchooLinks account

Upcoming MS Field Trips:

• PLU - College Exploration Day on 3/24/2026

**MS Students can register for the events on their SchooLinks account

At Muckleshoot Tribal School, we are proud to support our families through our Cedar Roots Pantry. Cedar Roots provides food and essential items to students and families experiencing housing instability, as well as to other families who request additional food support. Our goal is to ensure that every student has access to food so they can focus on learning, growing, and thriving. Families in need are encouraged to reach out to Ellie One Feather (253-719-3464) for confidential support.

We appreciate our student volunteers who help us stock the pantry!

Healthy Habits for a Strong Spring!

Dear Families,

March is here! As we begin to transition from winter into spring, it’s a great time to refocus on healthy habits and prepare for seasonal changes. Please review the important health updates and reminders below.

🌼 Spring Is Coming – Be Prepared!

With warmer weather on the way, seasonal allergies may begin to appear. Common symptoms include:

• Sneezing

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Itchy or watery eyes

• Coughing
  
  

If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, please consider:

• Starting allergy medications as directed by your healthcare provider

• Sending prescribed allergy medication and required forms to the health office

• Updating the nurse on any new symptoms or concerns
  
  

🧼 Cold & Flu Season Continues

Although spring is near, the cold and flu season is still here. To keep everyone healthy:

• Encourage frequent handwashing

• Cover coughs and sneezes

• Keep children home if they have a fever of 100.4°F or higher

• Students must be fever-free for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school

If your child tests positive for flu or other contagious illnesses, please notify the school office.

💚 Healthy Habits Reminder

March is a great time to refresh healthy routines:

• Eat balanced meals with fruits and vegetables

• Drink plenty of water

• Get 8–10 hours of sleep each night

• Stay active with outdoor play as weather permits

👕 Dress for Changing Weather

Spring weather can be unpredictable. Please send your child to school dressed in layers so they are comfortable for both cool mornings and warmer afternoons.

📋 Important Health Office Reminders

• Make sure emergency contact information is up to date.

• Notify the school nurse of any changes in medical conditions or medications.

• If your child requires medication at school, proper forms must be completed and on file.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health, please feel free to contact me. Working together helps keep our school community healthy and safe!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy March!

Warm regards,

Lucinda Hugdahl BSN, RN, NCSN

Our Warriors were busy in the month of February harvesting cottonwood, devil’s club, and willow! All these beautiful plant medicines are already being incorporated into classroom teachings and medicine making at all grade levels to help students continue building on their social and emotional skills.

March’s plant teaching of the month is nettle. As the frogs begin to sing, wake up, wake up!, nettle is awakening from winter, bringing the teaching of building inner strength. Nettle’s sting reminds us to pause, breathe, and observe your inner state. If you move toward this experience with love and awareness, you can build inner strength

Warriors will be out harvesting nettle in the month of March, as well as other emerging spring greens such as fiddlehead fern, red clover, and wood sorrel.

Students can sign up for Warriors Path anytime during the school year by submitting their signed permission slip. Please contact Devin Whiteaker @253.263.3661 for additional info on how your student can get involved.