Six members of CAMP (Cubs Advocating for Mental Health and Prevention) at Sedro-Woolley High School were selected to present at the first-ever Skagit Youth Forum—a new local event created by United General District 304 and the RISE Coalition after the statewide youth forum was canceled.
Congrats to Adelyn Johnson, Lila Farnsworth, Jean Crouse, Kevin Torres, Shelby Richardson, and Carla Jimenez-Nava! These students were selected through an application process to share the incredible projects CAMP has led this year to promote mental wellbeing and prevent youth substance misuse.
From organizing trivia at lunch, creating pipe-cleaner flowers for Valentine’s Day, launching kindness campaigns, and sharing their message at classroom visits and sporting events, these students have worked hard to connect with their peers and community.
One major highlight? Their engaging, interactive presentation, which included dance moves, community Q&A, and a signature CAMP tradition—closing with a “warm fuzzy,” a kind word shared with others.
As a well-earned reward, the RISE Coalition took the students to the Woodland Park Zoo to celebrate their efforts.
On Saturday, a group of talented music students from Cascade Middle School (CMS) proudly represented Sedro-Woolley at the regional honor festival. These exceptional students spent the entire day rehearsing with their peers from across the region and capped off the experience with an inspiring evening concert for families and community members.
Their participation showcased not only their musical skills but also their dedication, professionalism, and school pride. Each student brought their best to the stage, making CMS and Sedro-Woolley proud.
Special recognition goes to the CMS band students, who stood out for their preparation and leadership. Even among some of the most skilled young musicians in the region, these students led their sections with confidence, demonstrating strong musicianship, technical proficiency, and active engagement throughout the rehearsals. Their performance was a testament to their hard work and commitment.
Participating Students:
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Addison Georgio – Clarinet
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Halden Sorestad – Trumpet
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Bentley Cole – Trombone
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Wyatt Melton – Flute
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Hayden Williams – Tuba
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Lezanna Ramos – Viola
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Isabelle Noel – Voice
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Mayra Palmas Vargas – Voice
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Ellie Arias – Voice
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Jasmine Sprague – Voice
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Judy Garcia – Voice
These impressive young musicians exemplify the spirit of excellence at Cascade Middle School.
Submitted by Kyler Brumbaugh
Cascade Middle School
We are proud to announce that Big Lake Elementary School has been recognized by the Washington State School Recognition Program for demonstrating exceptional student growth during the 2023–2024 school year. This recognition places Big Lake among just 16% of public schools across Washington to receive this prestigious honor.
Big Lake Elementary earned recognition in the Growth category, specifically for the academic progress of students from low-income households. Schools recognized in this category have at least one student group that has made some of the state’s largest annual gains across multiple measures, such as attendance, assessment scores, English Learner progress, graduation rates, or the percentage of ninth graders who successfully earned all their attempted credits.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, students, and families,” said Big Lake Elementary Principal Matt Lutes. “Our team is committed to creating an environment where every student can thrive, and this award highlights the progress we’re making together.”
The Washington School Recognition Program is a joint effort of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), State Board of Education (SBE), and the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC). Each honored school receives a banner to proudly display on campus.
“Achieving this honor is no small feat,” said Bill Kallappa, Chair of the State Board of Education. “It takes a team of dedicated educators and administrators working together to ensure that their students have the knowledge they need to be successful.”
Please join us in congratulating the Big Lake Elementary community for this well-deserved recognition. We are proud of the growth happening in Sedro-Woolley—and even prouder of the students who show up every day to learn and grow!
As the end of the school year approaches, stress levels can rise — but there are healthy ways to cope. CAMP, a student-led club at Sedro-Woolley High School, wants to remind you to take care of your mental health. Whether it’s getting outside, listening to music, spending time with friends, fishing, or playing your favorite sport, simple actions can make a big difference.
This uplifting graphic was created by SWHS senior Carla Jimenez-Nava to encourage her fellow Cubs to finish the year strong — and with self-care in mind.
Hallee Christy
Hallee Christy has been named the Sedro-Woolley High School Rotary Student of the Month for April. She is the daughter of Chase and Jamie Christy of Sedro-Woolley.
Hallee maintains a 3.81 GPA while being actively involved in Sedro-Woolley High School. Hallee has been a varsity cheerleader for 4 years of high school in both fall and winter sports, and was also named cheer captain her senior year. Hallee has also played on the tennis team, lettering 2 out of the 3 years played. She was also named Athlete of the Month in October of 2023. Hallee has been involved in the Yearbook club, being named Senior editor in 11th grade, and has been a Cub Crew mentor. She was also invited to be a Junior Marcher for the graduating class of 2024. Hallee gives back to her community by volunteering at the Helping Hands Food Bank; being a part of community engagement activities through cheer; and, dedicated 4 years to coaching youth cheer.
Hallee’s academic achievements include Department Awards earned in American Sign Language, Math, PE & Health, and Science; and also being a member of the National Honors Society. Currently, Hallee is a Running Start student, and will be graduating high school with her Associates degree in Pre-Nursing!
Outside of school:.Hallee is currently working at Village Concepts Assisted Living Community. She also does petsitting and babysitting on the side. Hallee enjoys spending time with her friends, her boyfriend, and her family. Her hobbies include snowboarding, traveling, reading, and lake days on her paddleboard. Hallee also loves to take her dog, Harper, to the dog park or to get a “pup cup.”
After graduation, Hallee will be attending the University of Arizona, having been accepted into the Direct Admit BSN program. There she will work to become an RN with her goal to eventually become a neonatal or pediatric nurse practitioner.
Micah Estes
Micah Estes has been named the Sedro-Woolley High School Rotary Student of the Month for April. He is the son of Mary and Ken Estes of Sedro-Woolley.
Micah maintains a 4.0 GPA while being actively involved in Sedro-Woolley High School. He is a varsity athlete in cross country, wrestling, and track. Micah is an active member of Poetry Club and Steam Club.
Some of Micah’s academic achievements include being successful in a number of college and AP classes, being a member of the National Honor Society, having been selected as a Soroptimist Student of the Month, and earning 5 Department Awards last year. Micah will also be earning Faculty Awards in English, Math, P.E. & Health, Social Studies, and World Language.
Outside of school, Micah loves running, watching the stars, and playing and hanging out with his friends. He also enjoys playing video games and has a special interest in engineering. Micah also enjoys spending time volunteering at the humane society and his community.
After graduation, Micah plans to attend the University of Washington while being a member of the Air Force ROTC. He will then become an officer in the Air Force, specializing in bioenvironmental engineering.
Lola Wylie
Lola Wylie has been named the Sedro-Woolley High School Rotary Student of the Month for May. She is the daughter of Crystal Wray and Nick Wylie, both from Sedro-Woolley.
Lola is actively involved in Sedro-Woolley High School. Lola has played Varsity Fastpitch all 4 years of high school with her team earning the title of 2024 State Champions. In 2023, Lola earned the Team Offensive Player of the Year award for fastpitch. That same year, the Northwest Conference awarded her with a 2nd Team All-Conference award in recognition of her offensive achievements that she had for her team.
Outside of school Lola enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also spends much of her time playing on the Venom Fastpitch travel softball team. Being on the travel team keeps Lola busy for most of the year, and it has also allowed her to travel and experience new places. Participating in travel softball has been a big part of her life since she was in 5th grade, and she says that it’s helped shape who she is today. She has a passion for traveling and feels lucky to have visited places like Mexico, California, Las Vegas, and even some cruises!
After graduation, Lola plans to attend Skagit Valley College to complete her prerequisites, and then move on to becoming a dental hygienist - which has been a dream of hers since she was in the 7th grade.
Connor Hendry
Connor Hendry has been named the Sedro-Woolley High School Rotary Student of the Month for May. He is the son of Brad and Amy Hendry of Mount Vernon.
Connor maintains a 3.9 GPA while being actively involved in Sedro-Woolley High School. Through all 4 years of high school, Connor has participated in band - lettering all 4 years, jazz band, basketball- lettering 2 years, and soccer - lettering all 4 years, while earning the title of team captain for 3 years. In basketball, Connor was given the award for Most Inspirational in 2024, and awarded as the 6th Man of the Year in 2025. In Soccer, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024, and was given an All-League Honorable Mention in 2024. Connor was named athlete of the Month in May of 2023, May of 2024, and April of 2025.
Connor’s academic achievements include earning 7 Department Awards last year in Math, Science, Social Studies, CTE, English, Spanish, and Music. He is also being awarded Faculty Awards in English, Math, Music, P.E. & Health, Social Studies, and World Language.
Outside of school Connor enjoys playing club soccer for Northwest United, which he has done for 7 years. Two summers ago, he was recruited by another team to travel to Peru to play soccer, and this last summer he was invited to play in Spain.
For work, Connor has been lucky enough to involve his passion for both soccer and basketball by refereeing throughout Sedro-Woolley and Mount Vernon for both sports.
After high school, Connor will be attending Syracuse University in New York to study Sports Analytics. With his degree he plans to work for a professional sports organization, using analytics to inform front office and coaching decisions.
Central Elementary is hosting the school's annual Art Walk. Student art will be displayed at downtown businesses through May 29. Don’t miss this celebration of creativity!
https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/o/ces/page/central-elementary-art-walk
***Please see corrected time. Event starts at 6 p.m.
Cascade Middle School invites all current sixth-grade students and their families to attend the second of the school's 6th Grade Information Nights. These evenings are designed to help families prepare for a smooth transition to middle school.
May 13 – Suggested for families from outlying schools (Big Lake, Clear Lake, Lyman, Samish) - In-town students/families may also attend if they were unable to attend the event on May 7. Parking is limited.
📍 Location: CMS Cafeteria
🕡 Time: Presentation begins promptly at 6 p.m.
🎒 What to expect:
• Select electives for 7th grade
• Learn about sports and extracurricular activities
• Hear tips for transitioning to middle school
• Take a self-guided tour with your family
🚗 Parking is available in front of the school and in the bus lanes. We look forward to welcoming you to CMS!
Families, students, and staff are invited to participate in an Epic Day of Service on Saturday, May 17 at Helping Hands Food Bank in Sedro-Woolley.
Hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, and Burlington, the event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and community members are welcome to drop in at any time and volunteer as long as they’re able.
The project will focus on revitalizing the Helping Hands Food Forest, a community garden space that supports local food security. Volunteer projects will include:
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Building raised garden beds
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Planting fruit trees and berry bushes
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Constructing a composting station
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Building a garden tool shed
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Clearing weeds and prepping soil for planting
Indoor volunteer tasks will also be available, such as assembling weekend meal bags for students (Chow Bags), creating outreach kits for families in need, and repackaging bulk food for distribution.
The event is family-friendly and open to all ages. Children are welcome with an adult, and no Rotary affiliation is required to participate.
This local service project is part of a global initiative involving more than 75,000 volunteers worldwide for Rotary’s Epic Day of Service — a day focused on making a lasting impact through community partnerships.
📍 Helping Hands Food Bank
9386 Fruitdale Road, Sedro-Woolley
🗓️ Saturday, May 17
🕘 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Drop in any time
No registration is needed. Volunteers can simply show up and lend a hand.
Come kickback with us at Starbucks for a night of snacks, drinks, games and hanging out with friends.
When: Wednesday, May 21, 5:30–7 p.m.
Where: Starbucks Sedro-Woolley
Bring your whole crew or come solo - either way, it's going to be a good time!
About RISE
Sedro-Woolley RISE is a volunteer coalition committed to enhancing the health and wellness of our community by addressing risk factors that contribute to youth substance use and other challenges. The coalition includes youth, parents, schools, businesses, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and more, working together to create a safer, healthier environment for Sedro-Woolley. RISE operates through a partnership with Sedro-Woolley School District and United General #304, supported by Washington State Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative and the federal Drug Free Communities grant.
Reminder: There will be no school on May 23 or May 26. Friday, May 23 was built into the calendar as a potential snow make-up day and is now a non-school day for students and staff. Monday, May 26 is Memorial Day.
Enjoy the long weekend and remember to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country!
Join the Sedro-Woolley High School's FFA Chapter for their 2025 Banquet, where Greenhand and Chapter Degrees will be awarded, CDE and LDE participants, chapter supporters and graduating seniors will be recognized; and the 25-26 Chapter Officer team will be installed. Dinner will be held in the cafeteria and the program will be held in the auditorium.
A strong start for students who need a little more time before kindergarten
Do you have a child who will turn 5 between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026? If so, they may be eligible for Foundations K—a full-day early learning program designed to help young learners build confidence, develop essential skills, and get ready for a successful kindergarten year.
Enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year is officially open!
Foundations K is part of Washington’s Transition to Kindergarten (TK) initiative and is tailored for students who could benefit from extra support in the areas of:
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Academic readiness
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Social and emotional development
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Fine and gross motor skills
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Language development
The program is free to eligible families and is offered at several elementary schools in our district.
Foundations K classrooms are nurturing, inclusive environments focused on hands-on, play-based learning. After completing the program, students will begin kindergarten at their neighborhood school the following fall.
🧠 Please note: Eligibility is determined through a simple screening process.
- Transition to Kindergarten is intended for children who do not currently have access to a high-quality preschool program.
- Priority is given to students who demonstrate a need for additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten.
Ready to Apply?
Applications are available in both English and Spanish.
📄 English Application
📄 Spanish Application
Have questions or need help with the application process?
Contact our Early Learning Liaison, Paula Torgeson, at ptorgeson@swsd101.org.
Let’s give every student the strong start they deserve—enroll today in Foundations K!
Summer is just around the corner, and it's time to get ready for the Central Skagit Library's Summer Reading Program! This year’s exciting theme, Level Up at Your Library, promises a fun and engaging experience for readers of all ages.
The program is completely free and offers participants the chance to set their own reading goals, with a free book to keep just for signing up. As readers work toward their goals, they can earn additional prizes and complete bonus activities to level up their summer fun.
For every reader who reaches their goal, the library is teaming up with Skagit Conservation District to plant trees throughout the county. By participating, readers will not only grow their personal reading skills but will also help contribute to a greener, more sustainable community.
In addition to the reading challenge, the Central Skagit Library has planned a variety of exciting events for middle and high school students, including a Nerf battle, tabletop games, arts and crafts, an escape room, and much more.
The Summer Reading Program will run from June 1 to August 31, and participants can register for the challenge anytime during the summer. Pre-registration is coming soon, and you can also track your progress online through the Beanstack reading tracker at skagitlib.beanstack.org.
Don’t miss out on the fun and the chance to Level Up at Your Library this summer! For more information, visit the Central Skagit Library website or stop by in person.
Families looking for a fun and creative summer opportunity for their children may be interested in the Wizard of Oz Summer Camp, hosted by the historic Concrete Theatre as part of its new Acting Up Youth Theatre program.
This weeklong camp, held July 14–19, 2025, gives students ages 8 and up the chance to explore the world of theater while preparing and performing a 30-minute version of The Wizard of Oz. The program includes music, movement, and acting, with roles for everyone who participates.
Camp Details:
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Dates: Monday, July 14 – Saturday, July 19, 2025
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Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily
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Performances:
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Friday, July 18 at 4:00 p.m.
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Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m.
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Location: Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main Street, Concrete WA 98237
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Ages: Open to youth ages 8 and older
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Cost: $200 per participant
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A $50 deposit by check is required to hold a space. Deposits will be held until April 14 and returned if the camp does not meet its minimum enrollment.
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What Families Should Know:
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Auditions will be held on the first day to assign roles, but all campers will be included in the production.
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Scripts will be distributed on the first day and should be brought each day.
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Campers should wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for movement.
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Students should bring a sack lunch, water bottle, snacks, a pencil, and sun protection for outdoor breaks.
About the Camp’s Creative Team:
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Julie Wenzel, Director – A seasoned performer and director with experience across Puget Sound and internationally.
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Missi Smith, Choreographer – A lifelong dancer with deep experience in youth theater and the performing arts.
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Jennifer Reif, Playwright – A theatre educator and director with degrees from Morningside University and Oxford University.
This camp offers a unique opportunity for local students to build confidence, express creativity, and be part of a live performance. Families interested in registering or learning more can visit www.concrete-theatre.com.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County presents: A Summer of Possibilities — Discover, Explore & Create This Summer!
Summer Activities for all ages:
- Field Trips
- Fine Arts
- Outdoor Learning
- Academic Reading
- Triple Play
- Arts & Crafts
- Summer Brain Gain
- Meals Included
Teens can also discover Summer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County!
More information about the Summer Program is available at skagitclubs.org/summer.
🎶 Calling All Young Musicians! 🎸
Looking for a place to practice, perform, or learn? Join Sedro-Woolley Arts & Music Performance (The SWAMP)—a music community sponsored by the Sedro-Woolley Y.M.C.A. Teen Center. Whether you're a beginner or ready to take the stage, The SWAMP offers a space to grow and connect with fellow musicians.
📧 Email theswampWA@gmail.com for more info!
Log Your Digital Box Tops
Many of our schools are collecting box tops... digitally! Just scan your receipt and earn money for your school!
The Sedro-Woolley School District has a preschool, seven elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools, averaging more than 4,100 students during the 2023-2024 school year. We proudly serve Sedro-Woolley and its smaller surrounding communities.
Email: swsdcoms@swsd101.org
Website: https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/
Location: 801 Trail Road, Sedro-Woolley, WA, USA
Phone: 360-855-3500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SedroWoolleySchoolDistrict/
Interim Superintendent — Brian Isakson
Exec. Director, Educational Support Services — Anthony Smith
Exec. Director, Human Resources & Student Support — Daniel Lee
Director, Student Support — Michael Schweigert
IT Director — Byron Haner (360) 855-3587
Public Information Officer – Ruth Richardson
Transportation Director – Tracy Gugel (360) 855-3504
Food Service Director – Allison Johnston (360) 855-3515
Facilities & Maintenance Director – Michael Stephens (360) 855-3505
