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 Families,

What an exciting time to be an Owl! As we head into the week of February 23rd, I find myself reflecting on just how much is happening in and around our school — and how grateful I am to be part of such a special community.

First, I want to take a moment to celebrate. Congratulations to our Coastal 1B All-League honorees — Cloey Fletcher, Maelynn Nygaard, Andiana Ziegler, and Gabe Walters — for representing Mary M. Knight with excellence on the basketball court this season. Your hard work and dedication are an inspiration to all of us. We are incredibly proud of you! 🏀🦉

On the academic front, I want to be open and transparent with our families about something we are watching closely. As we move deeper into the second semester, we are seeing a pattern of missing and incomplete assignments among some of our secondary students. I share this not to alarm you, but because we believe that early communication and partnership between home and school is one of the most powerful tools we have. Please take a moment this week to log into Skyward Family Access and check in on your child's grades and missing work. If you see something that concerns you, please reach out — to the classroom teacher, to your child's advisory teacher, or to our front office. We are here, and we want to work with you. And never underestimate the power of a simple daily conversation with your child about school. Those moments matter more than you know.

I also want to shine a light on a group of our staff members who deserve some serious recognition — our Food Service team. On a recent non-instructional day, rather than stepping away, they chose to invest in themselves and in our students by spending the day in a hands-on professional development training led by culinary expert Chef Kent Getzin. From pumpkin muffins to focaccia to jalapeño cheddar cornbread, our team came back with new skills and fresh energy. That kind of dedication reflects the heart of who we are at MMK. Stay tuned — great things are coming to the cafeteria!

Spring is in the air, and that means spring sports are right around the corner! High school baseball, track & field, and golf kick off on March 2nd, with middle school sports beginning March 9th. If your student wants to participate, please make sure they are registered through FinalForms as soon as possible. Athletic Director Tom Kerr is your go-to for any questions.

Finally, a reminder to our families with young children — free Child Find screenings for children ages 0–5 are available right here at MMK on March 5th. Early support makes a real difference, and I encourage anyone with developmental questions or concerns to take advantage of this wonderful resource.

As always, thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your commitment to our students. We are better together — and every week, you remind me why I am proud to be an Owl.

Go Owls! 🦉

Monday 2/23

• 
  

Tuesday 2/24

• Art Club 3:00 pm

Wednesday 2/25

• Late start
• After School Metal shop Club 3:30 pm
• School Board Meeting 6:00 pm

Thursday 2/26

• After School Woodshop Club 3:30 pm

Friday 2/27

• 
  

Saturday 2/28

Dear Mary M. Knight Families,

It is hard to believe we are already three weeks into the second semester! The new year brought a fresh start for our students, and our staff is working hard every day to support each and every learner in our building. As we move forward together, I want to take a moment to connect with you about something that is important to all of us — making sure our secondary students are staying on track academically.

Over the past few weeks, we have noticed a growing trend among some of our secondary students. Missing assignments and incomplete work are beginning to impact grades, and in some cases, students are at risk of falling behind in ways that can be difficult to recover from as the semester progresses. I want to be transparent with you about this early, because catching these patterns now — rather than at the end of the term — gives our students the best possible chance to course-correct and finish the semester strong.

The good news is that there are some simple, consistent steps you can take at home to stay informed and keep your child moving in the right direction.

Check Skyward Family Access Regularly

Skyward is one of the most powerful tools we have available to keep you connected to your child's academic progress. I encourage every family to log in to Skyward Family Access at least once a week to review current grades, missing assignments, and overall progress. Grades in Skyward are updated regularly by our teachers, so checking in weekly gives you a real-time picture of where your child stands. If you need help setting up or accessing your Skyward account, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school office — we are happy to assist.

Reach Out to Teachers and Advisory Teachers

Our teachers and secondary advisory teachers are your partners in your child's education, and they genuinely want to hear from you. If you see a grade or assignment in Skyward that raises a question, please do not wait — reach out. A quick email or phone call to your child's teacher or advisory teacher can provide important context and help you understand what support your child may need. Advisory teachers in particular serve as a key point of contact for secondary students and families, and they are an excellent resource for getting a broader picture of how your child is doing across all of their classes.

Talk with Your Child Every Day

Perhaps the most impactful thing you can do is also the simplest — talk with your child. Ask them what they are working on. Ask if they have assignments due. Ask if there is anything they are finding difficult or confusing. These daily conversations not only help you stay informed, but they also send a powerful message to your child that their education matters and that you are paying attention. Sometimes students need to hear that before they will ask for help themselves.

We are a small, close-knit community here at Mary M. Knight, and that is one of our greatest strengths. When families and school staff work together consistently, our students thrive. I am confident that with your engagement at home and our continued support here at school, we can turn this trend around and set our secondary students up for a successful second semester.

What an incredible accomplishment for our student-athletes! We are beyond proud to celebrate our Coastal 1B All-League honorees!

Girls

Cloey Fletcher – 1st Team

Maelynn Nygaard – 2nd Team

Andiana Ziegler – Honorable Mention

Boys

Gabe Walters – Honorable Mention

Your hard work, determination, and heart all season long have paid off in a BIG way! Way to represent MMK with pride!

Let’s hear it for these amazing athletes!!! #AllLeague #MMKpride

We are thrilled to share some exciting news from our Food Service department that we know your students are going to love!

Recently, our MMK Food Service team took advantage of a student non-instructional day to invest in something truly special — their own professional development. Rather than simply taking the day off, our dedicated team spent the day learning, growing, and preparing to bring even better food experiences to our students.

We were fortunate to welcome Chef Kent Getzin, a culinary expert who specializes in creating school-friendly recipes and works with districts across Washington State. Chef Kent regularly leads professional trainings and presentations through our Educational Service District, and having him work hands-on with our MMK team was an incredible opportunity for our small district. His focus is on developing nutritious, delicious recipes designed specifically with K-12 students in mind — and that is exactly what our team practiced.

Throughout the day, the team sharpened their baking skills and learned new techniques across a wonderful variety of recipes, including pumpkin muffins, double chocolate muffins, blueberry cornbread, jalapeño cheddar cornbread, focaccia (in bun, bar, and pizza form!), cinnamon rolls, honey rolls, and egg frittata served with a homemade tomatillo salsa.

We are incredibly proud of our Food Service staff for their commitment to our students and their willingness to go above and beyond. The work they do every day — and on their days off — reflects the heart and dedication that makes MMK such a special place.

Stay tuned, MMK families… your students have some wonderful things to look forward to on their lunch trays!

Do you have concerns about your child’s development? ESD 113 Special Education Co-op is offering FREE Child Find screenings for children ages 0–5 in the Mary M. Knight School District and surrounding districts.

When: March 5, 2026

Time: 9:30 am – 11:00 am

Where: MMK Counseling Portable

Child Find screenings help identify possible developmental delays in areas such as speech, motor skills, learning, vision, hearing, and social-emotional development. Screenings are quick, easy, and provide families with helpful feedback and connections to resources.

To schedule: Call Mary M. Knight School at 360-426-6767, ext. 6500.

For more information about Child Find and available resources, please visit:

https://www.marymknight.com/page/resources

Early support makes a difference! If you have questions about early intervention or special education services, please contact the district for assistance.

Please share to help spread the word!

We are excited to announce that our Spring Sports season is just around the corner! This is a wonderful opportunity for our middle and high school students to stay active, build teamwork skills, and represent Mary M. Knight with pride.

Important Dates & Sports

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Baseball • Track & Field • Golf
Start Date: Monday, March 2nd

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS
Baseball • Track & Field
Start Date: Monday, March 9th

How to Register

All students interested in participating must register through FinalForms. This online system makes registration quick and easy, and ensures we have all necessary information on file.

Register now at: https://marymknight-wa.finalforms.com/

Please complete registration as soon as possible to ensure your athlete is ready to go on day one!

Questions?

Our Athletic Director, Tom Kerr, is here to help! Contact him with any questions about sports, schedules, or registration:

📧 tkerr@mmk.wednet.edu
📞 360-426-6767

🦉 GRIT Recognition — Inspiring Excellence in Others

February Theme: Leadership with Intensity

At Mary M. Knight, GRIT isn't just about what you do for yourself — it's about how the effort, care, and character you bring every single day lifts everyone around you. This month we are focused on Leadership with Intensity, and this week's GRIT honorees are living proof that our students are doing exactly that. From our youngest learners to our middle schoolers, these Owls are modeling what it looks and feels like to lead with excellence.

Matthew Hett | 2nd Grade

Matthew brings a quiet and powerful kind of leadership to his classroom each day. He approaches every assignment with care and precision — taking pride in the quality of his work and making sure every detail reflects his very best effort. During group activities, Matthew listens thoughtfully, contributes ideas, and shows up as the kind of teammate everyone hopes to have. His steady commitment to excellence doesn't just make him a stronger learner — it inspires those around him to rise too. Matthew, your GRIT shines bright! 🦉✨

Eden Johnson | 2nd Grade

Eden is a true example of what it means to lead through resilience and determination. When challenges arise, she doesn't step back — she steps forward with focus and a positive spirit that others in her classroom can see and feel. Her thoughtful, detail-oriented work speaks for itself, and her collaborative spirit makes group learning richer for everyone involved. Eden, the excellence you bring every day is contagious, and we are so proud of you! 🦉🌟

Kenna Gillham-Hall | 2nd Grade

Kenna demonstrates Leadership with Intensity in some of the most meaningful ways — by keeping herself organized, finishing her work with care, and then turning her energy outward to encourage and support her classmates. She brings creative thinking to problem-solving and helps keep her group focused and on track. Kenna doesn't just meet the standard — she helps set it for everyone around her. We are so proud of you, Kenna! 🦉💫

Nick Horn | 2nd Grade

Sometimes leadership looks like being exactly what someone needs in exactly the right moment. That's Nick. Whether he's helping a classmate work through multiplication or offering a word of encouragement when someone is having a tough day, Nick shows up with both skill and heart. Nick, your willingness to help others is a gift to your classroom community — thank you for being such a great teammate! 🦉

Tristan Persell | 6th Grade

Tristan leads by example in the most consistent and reliable way — by simply doing what needs to be done, every single day. His classmates and teachers see a young man who stays focused, works hard, and takes his responsibilities seriously. That kind of steady, dependable effort is the foundation of real leadership. Way to go, Tristan! 🦉

Audi Short | 6th Grade

Audi shows GRIT through her strong work ethic, her ability to stay on task, and her commitment to meeting her responsibilities — including getting her work turned in on time. These habits take real discipline and intensity, and they reflect a student who understands that excellence is built one choice at a time. Keep leading the way, Audi! 🦉

Charlette Hammond | 3rd Grade

Charlette exemplifies what it means to lead with both her head and her heart. She steps in to help others when they are hurting, she follows directions, she listens when others speak, and she consistently tries to do the right thing — even when no one is watching. That kind of character-driven leadership makes our school a better place for everyone. We are so proud of you, Charlette! 🦉

A heartfelt thank you to the students, staff, and family members who took the time to nominate these incredible Owls. Recognizing GRIT in each other is itself an act of Leadership with Intensity — and it is one of the things that makes our MMK community so special.

Do you know a student, staff member, or community member who is showing GRIT? Submit a nomination through our school website anytime!

🍽️ This Week's Lunch Menu

• Monday: Corn Dog
• Tuesday: Sloppy Joe
• Wednesday: Chicken Pozole
• Thursday: Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
• Friday: Pepperoni Pizza

🏃‍♂️ Athletics This Week

• Monday: no school
• Tuesday: no school
• Wednesday:
• Thursday:
• Friday:
• Saturday:

📋 Important Reminders

🔗 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