Mary M. Knight

Mission (our purpose):
Our Mission is to ensure that all students have the knowledge, skills, motivation, and confidence to be successful citizens.

Vision (who we must become):
We are a community of learners and leaders united to enrich the lives of all our students.

Dear MMK Family,

As I reflect on this week, my heart is full. We just wrapped up a beautiful Veterans Day Assembly that reminded me of something special about our OWL community—we show up for what matters, we honor those who serve, and we understand that gratitude is more than a word; it's a commitment we live out together.

Watching our students from pre-K through 12th grade stand together to thank our veterans gave me chills. That kind of genuine appreciation and respect doesn't happen by accident. It happens because families like yours are raising thoughtful, caring young people who understand service and sacrifice.

This week, I've also been celebrating our October OWL Award winners and our weekly GRIT honorees. What struck me most wasn't just the grades or attendance records—though those matter—but the why behind each recognition. Our students are learning that excellence is built on daily choices: staying organized, showing up reliably, helping a friend without being asked, and maintaining a positive attitude when things get tough. That's the foundation of true success.

And speaking of success—our Owls are headed to the 1B Coastal League 6-Man Football Championship game this Saturday! The energy and pride in our secondary students right now is electric. Whether you're a football family or not, I hope you'll consider cheering on our team as they represent Mary M. Knight.

As we move into a season focused on Gratitude, I want to extend my own. Thank you for trusting us with your children. Thank you for being part of this close-knit community. Thank you for showing up

Go Owls!

Monday 11/10

• No School

Tuesday 11/11

• No School - Veteran's Day

Wednesday 11/12

• Late Start

Thursday 11/13

• 
  

Friday 11/14

• Picture re-takes

Veterans Day Assembly - Thank You! What a meaningful and memorable Veterans Day Assembly we had at Mary M. Knight! Our school came together today to honor and thank the veterans in our community, and it was truly a special celebration.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to our guest color guard for opening our ceremony with such dignity and respect. Your presence set the perfect tone for our tribute.

To the veterans who joined us today and all those who have served our country - thank you for your service, sacrifice, and dedication. Your courage and commitment to protecting our freedoms does not go unnoticed, and our MMK community is grateful beyond words.

Each of our grades did an outstanding job with their presentations, showcasing their understanding and appreciation for what our veterans have done for our nation. It was wonderful to see our students from kindergarten through 12th grade come together to honor those who have served.

Thank you to our MMK community members who joined us for this special assembly - your support means so much to our students and staff.

And a special recognition to our MMK staff for organizing and putting together such a beautiful and respectful ceremony. Your hard work made this day possible.

We are proud to be a community that values service, gratitude, and coming together to honor those who have given so much.

Thank you, veterans, for your service!

#MMKPride #VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #MaryMKnight #CommunityStrong

MMK came out on top last night against WSD! The win sends the Owls to the 1B Coastal League 6-Man Football Championship Game!

Location: Wishkah

Date: Saturday, November 15th

Kickoff: 1:00 PM

Come out and cheer on your Owls as they battle for the championship!

Dear Knight School Families,

I'm delighted to share the exciting news of our October OWL Award recipients! Each month, we celebrate students who demonstrate what it means to be a true Knight through their dedication, responsibility, and commitment to excellence.

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The Wise OWL Award

Recognizing students with no missing assignments and no failing grades

7th Grade: Camryn Koch
8th Grade: Katelynn Blanchard
9th Grade: Peyton Gonzales
10th Grade: Gabe Buck
11th Grade: Hayden Hughes, Madilyn Horn
12th Grade: Cloey Fletcher, Jax King, Chase Tupper, Layla Thomas, Layla VanBoven

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The Steadfast OWL Award

Recognizing students with perfect attendance and no unexcused tardies

7th Grade: Jaxson Blanchard
8th Grade: Dean Anderson
9th Grade: Harley Garcia
10th Grade: Gabe Buck
11th Grade: Bella Buck, Kane Dunnington, Caroline Beard, Cash King, Bleyden Jenkins, Destiny LaRance, Kylie Fischer, Katelynn Blanchard, Tarin Lovejoy, Brandon Lawrence, Camryn Koch, Bash Buck, Alivia McNair, Caleb Moran
12th Grade: Zoie Anderson, Macy Masteller, Madilyn Horn, Dillon Smith, Jude Severson, Cloey Fletcher, Preston Vogtland, Liam Jones, Myles Thompson, Maelynn Nygaard, Layla Thomas, Nicholas Wulf, Chase Tupper, Layla VanBoven

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Peak of OWL Excellence

Achieving both Wise OWL and Steadfast OWL recognition

7th Grade: Camryn Koch
8th Grade: Katelynn Blanchard
10th Grade: Gabe Buck
12th Grade: Cloey Fletcher, Madilyn Horn, Chase Tupper

Celebrating the Heart of Our Knight Community

These awards represent more than just grades and attendance—they reflect the daily choices our students are making: staying organized, completing their work with care, showing up reliably, and taking responsibility for their learning. At Knight School, we know that success is built on these foundational habits.

To our award winners: we see your effort, and we are proud of you. You are modeling excellence for your peers and making a positive difference in our school community.

To our families: if your student received an award, please take a moment this week to celebrate with them. Your recognition and encouragement make a real difference in their motivation and self-confidence.

Thank you all for the privilege of working together to support our Knights. We look forward to recognizing even more students in the months ahead!

As the principal of Mary M. Knight School District, it's one of my greatest joys to celebrate the outstanding young people in our secondary program. Each month, our staff nominates and votes on students who exemplify our school values and make meaningful contributions to our learning community. These students are our OWLs—recognizing their character, growth, and commitment to excellence.

This month, we are thrilled to honor seven exceptional students:

Kheiron Sjolie (8th Grade) demonstrates the kind of independence and accountability that will serve him well throughout his education. Kheiron takes the initiative to stay current with his classwork, proactively communicates with his teachers when he'll be absent, and ensures he doesn't fall behind. His willingness to take full ownership of his learning is truly commendable.

Natalie North (9th Grade) shows the kind of growth mindset we hope to inspire in all our students. When given the opportunity to retake a quiz to improve her grade, Natalie stepped up—and she was the only student to do so. That decision reflects her commitment to mastery and her belief in her own potential.

Gabe Buck (10th Grade) is a model of consistency and self-awareness. He stays on task, completes his assignments on time, and actively monitors his own academic progress. Students like Gabe understand that success is built through daily effort and attention to detail

Macy Masteller (7th Grade) is working with real intention and purpose. She's developed concrete strategies to manage her assignments and has been actively reducing her missing work. Watching students like Macy develop the tools they need to succeed is inspiring.

Chase Tupper (12th Grade) brings something invaluable to our school every single day: a positive attitude and genuine readiness to learn. In a world that can feel heavy at times, Chase's consistent presence and optimism make a real difference.

Maelynn Nygaard (12th Grade) exemplifies what true leadership looks like. She demonstrates ownership and perseverance in everything she does, follows through on her commitments, and manages her responsibilities independently while knowing when to ask for help. Maelynn balances a rigorous academic load with athletic commitments, maintaining eligibility while achieving above a 3.0 GPA. Her grit and dedication continue to inspire those around her.

Congratulations to all our OWL Students of the Month. We are grateful for you and proud to call you part of the Mary M. Knight family.

What an honor it is to share the outstanding accomplishments of our elementary students! Each month, our teachers nominate and celebrate students who embody our values and demonstrate exceptional character and growth. We are so proud of all our young OWLs—and we wanted to share their achievements with our entire Mary M. Knight family.

Rosalynn Austin (Pre-School) has shown remarkable growth and pride in her work since starting at Mary M. Knight! Rosalynn has improved the quality of what she creates, meets all her deadlines, and adds her own special details and extra effort. She's even learned to write her first and last names independently—a big accomplishment! Rosalynn pays close attention, learns new letters and numbers each day, and approaches her work with focus and purpose. She truly OWNS the progress she's made!

Elli Miller (Kindergarten) always gives her very best effort and takes real pride in her work. She listens carefully to directions, finishes her tasks neatly and on time, and when she makes a mistake, she knows exactly what to do—fix it and keep moving forward! Elli shows responsibility for excellence every single day.

Dominic Franco (1st Grade) is taking charge of his own learning in wonderful ways. He shows real personal accountability by reading on his own when he finishes his work early—without being asked! Dominic is putting new reading tools into action and taking ownership of both his learning and his behavior. He's developing strong work habits that will serve him well throughout his education.

Kenna Gilham-Hall (2nd Grade) shows wonderful ownership of her learning and continues to grow every day. She takes pride in tracking her own progress and always aims to improve. Kenna listens carefully to directions, works independently with focus and determination, and the quality of her work consistently reflects her effort, care, and strong sense of responsibility. We are so proud of you, Kenna!

Akari Mali (3rd Grade) is a wonderful example of what it means to show responsibility. Akari completes all her assignments on time and works her hardest at all times. She comes to school every day prepared and ready to work—without complaint. When Akari makes a mistake, she accepts it and works to fix it. Her positive attitude and commitment make her a great role model for her classmates.

Lucy Masteller (4th Grade) always shows responsibility and a positive attitude that brightens our school! She admits her mistakes and works hard to fix them, stays organized, and always comes prepared. Lucy takes initiative in every activity and goes above and beyond what's expected. The best part? She takes feedback with a smile and never stops trying her best. We can always count on Lucy!

Ryen King (5th Grade) exemplifies what it means to be responsible and thoughtful. She keeps her materials organized, completes her work efficiently and effectively, and uses her time wisely. Ryen also shows great awareness by advocating for herself—asking for help when needed and catching her own mistakes as she works. Even better, she's always willing to help a classmate out when asked. Way to go, Ryen!

Koal Reed (6th Grade) finishes his work on time and consistently seeks feedback to improve—especially with his book reports. When there are changes to be made, Koal doesn't complain; he simply makes them. His willingness to accept feedback and make improvements shows maturity and a commitment to growth.

Congratulations to all our Elementary OWL Students of the Month! You make Mary M. Knight a special place, and we are grateful for the positive energy and strong character you bring to our school every day.

Dear Mary M. Knight Families,

As we move into November, our elementary students will be focusing on Gratitude as part of our Character Strong curriculum. In our small, close-knit MMK community, we have so much to be thankful for—from the beauty of our rural Mason County surroundings to the supportive relationships we build with one another every day.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is "choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives." Research shows that practicing gratitude can increase our well-being and even our happiness! This is the first of three character traits we'll focus on this year that help our students Be Well. Throughout the year, students will develop important skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress management.

Family Activities: PurposeFull Pursuits

We encourage you to practice gratitude together as a family this month! Here are two activities to try at home:

Activity #1: Notice the Small Things

What are some small, specific things you're grateful for? Maybe it's your favorite water cup, the way the cat sleeps on the chair, or when your grandma bakes banana bread. Challenge your family to think of at least 10 small things you have gratitude for, then choose to notice them throughout the week with a smile.

Activity #2: Create a Family Gratitude Jar

Find a glass jar and place it somewhere visible in your home. Cut small slips of paper and keep them nearby. Throughout the month, family members can write or draw special people, places, events, and memories they're thankful for. Each week, add new slips to your jar. Having a challenging day? Pull out the slips and read them aloud together as a reminder of your grateful moments.

Conversation Starters

• Can you share or show what it means to practice gratitude?
• What is something you are grateful for every day?

Thank you for partnering with us to build a culture of gratitude and well-being at Mary M. Knight!

Dear Mary M. Knight Community,

This week's GRIT nominations showcase the beautiful ways our Owls are making a difference—from our youngest learners to our high school students. We're inspired by the perseverance, collaboration, and genuine kindness on display throughout Mary M. Knight!

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Community Service and Leadership

Wrylyn Fawley (1st Grade) asked to help pick up trash and spent her whole recess making our playground cleaner. What a wonderful way to show GRIT and care for our community!

Charlette Hammond (3rd Grade) has been awesome at being kind and fair. She picked up trash outside and helped make our playground a beautiful place—all while being a great friend to those around her.

Mrs. Cole's Construction Class (12th Grade) went above and beyond to help Mrs. Chambless by building her a bookshelf! Moving quickly, doing their best, and showing incredible skills, they completed this project in record time. Thank you for demonstrating what teamwork and service truly mean!

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Academic Excellence and Perseverance

Riot Coleman (8th Grade) did not give up on himself during the essay process. He pushed through his own self-doubt, used the support and encouragement offered to him, and persevered—showing true GRIT.

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Collaboration and Peer Support

Ben Curry (4th Grade) shows great collaboration by going out of his way to help classmates with techniques during sports. He's been a wonderful cheerleader for those struggling and helps them see how much they've improved!

Tommy Mataya (4th Grade) demonstrated excellent collaboration during a partner math activity. He chose to work with someone new, stayed positive, encouraged his partner through challenges, and spoke up when help was needed. Beautiful teamwork!

Lucy Masteller (4th Grade) is always happy to help when someone struggles with their work. Her kindness and willingness to support others make our classroom stronger.

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Growth, Tenacity, and Positive Attitude

Bryson McCartney (Kindergarten) has been working hard to show teamwork and persistence in PE. He's persisted through challenges and shown amazing growth—we really appreciate your effort!

Kimber Rivard (2nd Grade) jumped straight into our PE and Music classes without hesitation, showing amazing work ethic and teamwork. She's been so caring and kind to everyone—what a great addition to our class!

Stathen Rich (3rd Grade) shows Owl Work Excellence by going above and beyond in PE. He helps others understand the rules, makes sure the teacher is set, and looks out for classmates around him.

Sadie Wulf (4th Grade) has shown tenacity in PE and Music, working to come out of her shell. Volleyball really helped her shine—we've seen her put in hard work and become more confident with her abilities!

Luka Thomas (4th Grade) shows willingness and participation in wonderful ways. He's had a more positive attitude about group work, raises his hand more often, and is using his voice to share with the class. We're proud of how far you've come!

Luna Jones (4th Grade) has shown great tenacity since returning to school. She jumped right back into routines, asked questions, and was flexible with new content. We're so glad she's back!

Jadynn Smith (6th Grade) shows amazing work ethic in PE and Music. She puts all her effort into developing her abilities, tries her hardest, and reaches out when she needs help. We can see how much she cares!

Rhea Paulsen (6th Grade) is a good student who shows GRIT by always doing what's needed in school. She listens to her teacher, is on her best behavior, and works really hard.

Raegyn Ayres (2nd Grade) shows GRIT by helping others in class and being a great friend on the playground. When people feel down, Raegyn is always there to help!

Jayce Lingnau (3rd Grade) shows GRIT by listening and helping in PE, Music, 1st Grade, and our class. He helps others even when he's not finished with his own work—always helping people get ready and clean up! Thank you for being a great helper!

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Staff GRIT Award Winners

Principal Stoney is persistent in his efforts to improve student and staff outcomes. His thoughtful and strategic approach to student discipline, combined with his whole-hearted commitment to Team MMK, shows true GRIT every single day. Thank you for giving your all!

Mrs. Jewett deserves recognition because she is a great teacher who is always kind. She works hard teaching her students good things and is always there to support them.

Mrs. Thornock is really nice and supportive. She does her work properly and helps us do the same. Thank you for being such a good teacher and positive role model!

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Reflections on GRIT

This week's nominations beautifully illustrate what GRIT means at Mary M. Knight. It's not just about academic excellence—though we celebrate our focused learners and those who persevere through challenges. GRIT is also about showing up for your community, being kind on the playground, helping a friend without being asked, working well with others, and maintaining a positive attitude. Our Owls are learning that growth happens in the classroom, on the playground, and in the small moments of service and kindness we show each other every day.

Thank you to all our students, families, and staff for creating a culture where Owls genuinely care for one another and want to grow together!

Keep soaring, Owls! 🦉

🍽️ This Week's Lunch Meno

• Monday:
• Tuesday:
• Wednesday: Bison & Lentil Chili or Ham & Cheese Sandwich
• Thursday: Chicken Parmesan Sandwich or Ham and Cheese Sandwich
• Friday: Chicken Nachos or Allergen Free Sandwich

🏃‍♂️ Athletics This Week

• Monday:
• Tuesday:
• Wednesday:
• Thursday:
• Friday:
• Saturday: HS Football Playoffs vs. Wishkah

📋 Important Reminders

• No School Monday or Tuesday
• Pictures re-takes Friday

🔗 District Website: Access to district website

🔗 Skyward Family Access: Access grades and attendance

🔗 Athletic Schedules: MMK Sports Hub

🔗 Character Strong Resources: Available on district website

📧 Questions? Contact us at (360) 426-6767 or visit marymknight.com

Email: jstoney@mmk.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.marymknight.com/
Location: 2987 Matlock-Brady Road, Elma, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 426-6767
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMKOwls