Mary M. Knight

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,

It is hard to believe that we have reached the final week of the 2025-2026 school year.

As I reflect on this year, I am filled with gratitude and pride. Throughout our classrooms, athletic fields, performances, activities, and everyday moments, I have watched our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. I have watched them overcome challenges, celebrate successes, support one another, and continue to develop into the young people our community can be proud of.

This week is filled with many special traditions and celebrations. From Kindergarten Promotion and our annual OWL Olympics to graduation celebrations, field trips, awards, and end-of-year activities, we have many opportunities to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of our students. I encourage families to review this week's newsletter carefully so you do not miss any of these important events.

As we close the year, I find myself thinking about the theme that has guided so much of our work this year: GRIT.

GRIT is not something that only exists inside a classroom. It is not measured by a test score, a grade, or a trophy. GRIT is the willingness to keep trying when something is difficult, to learn from mistakes, to support others, and to continue growing even when the path forward is challenging. Throughout this year, we have celebrated hundreds of students who demonstrated Growth, Resilience, Intensity, and Tenacity. Those qualities are what make our OWLS special.

My hope is that our students carry those lessons with them into the summer months. Whether they are attending camps, participating in summer school, helping at home, working, reading, practicing a skill, or simply enjoying time with family and friends, I encourage them to continue growing. Learning does not stop when the final bell rings, and neither does character.

I also want to thank our families and community. Your support, encouragement, and partnership make an incredible difference. The success of Mary M. Knight is built on strong relationships between school and home, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us each day.

To our graduating seniors: congratulations. We are proud of you and excited to see where your journey leads next.

To our students returning next fall: enjoy a safe, restful, and well-deserved summer. We cannot wait to welcome you back in August.

Thank you for a wonderful school year. Together, we have accomplished a great deal, and together, we will continue building a culture of excellence, opportunity, and OWL Pride.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer.

With OWL Pride,

Mr. Josh Stoney
Principal, Mary M. Knight School

Monday 6/8

• Football Camp continues this week 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Tuesday 6/9

Wednesday 6/10

• Late start
• Kindergarten promotion ceremony - 1:30 pm

Thursday 6/11

• Elementary field day - 12:30 - 2:30 pm

Friday 6/12

• Last day of school - 12:25 pm release

On Saturday, the Mary M. Knight community came together to celebrate the graduation of fifteen outstanding seniors: Zoie Anderson, Nolan Baughman, Deakyn Bullington, Cloey Fletcher, Logan Green, Brooke Mirka, Maelynn Nygaard, Raymond Oppelt, Carissa Reeves, Hayden Roberts, Alexandria Stamper, Chase Tupper, Jaydon Watson, Jordan Wood, and Andiana Ziegler.

The Class of 2026 leaves behind a remarkable legacy. As shared during the ceremony, this class includes state champions, team captains, students earning associate degrees, students entering military service, and students pursuing college, careers, and vocational training. They have helped shape a positive culture at MMK through their leadership, kindness, perseverance, and school pride.
Among this accomplished group, Cloey Fletcher was recognized as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, while Chase Tupper earned the distinction of Salutatorian. Both reflected on the importance of growth, resilience, and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.

The class also earned more than $21,000 in scholarships, including major awards received by Cloey Fletcher, Maelynn Nygaard, Jaydon Watson, Lexi Stamper, Nolan Baughman, and Brooke Mirka.

Coach Tom Kerr perhaps said it best when he described the Class of 2026 as one of the most accomplished classes in school history. This class includes district champions, state competitors, school record holders, a college golf signee, SkillsUSA champions, a 1,000-point basketball scorer, and members of teams that helped create some of the most memorable athletic accomplishments in MMK history.

To our graduates: thank you for the energy, leadership, memories, and pride you brought to Mary M. Knight. We are incredibly proud of each of you and cannot wait to see where your next chapter takes you.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. Once an OWL, always an OWL. 💚🦉

As we head into the final week of the school year, we have several special activities planned for our students. We look forward to celebrating a successful year of learning, growth, and achievement together.

🎓 Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony

Our Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 10, at 1:30 PM under the covered basketball shed. Mrs. Tracey will recognize our kindergarten students and their hard work throughout the year, followed by a special song performance. Families will then be invited to visit the classroom to view student work and projects while enjoying treats together. Students may be taken home by parents following the classroom visit.

Questions may be directed to Mrs. Tracey at atracey@mmk.wednet.edu.

🦉 OWL Olympics & Staff vs. Student Basketball Game (Grades 7-12)

One of our favorite MMK traditions returns on Wednesday, June 10 as students in grades 7-12 participate in the annual OWL Olympics. Student teams will compete throughout the day in a variety of activities and challenges, with the winning team earning the traveling OWL Trophy.

The day will conclude with the annual Staff vs. Student Basketball Game, where staff members take on our junior and senior students in a friendly competition for school bragging rights.

Questions may be directed to Mr. Kerr at tkerr@mmk.wednet.edu.

⚽ Elementary Field Day (Grades K-6)

Students in grades K-6 will participate in our annual Field Day on Thursday, June 11, from 12:30 PM–2:30 PM. Students will rotate through a variety of games and activities as they celebrate the end of the school year. We appreciate the support of our PTO and parent volunteers helping make this event possible.

Questions may be directed to Mrs. Chambless at lchambless@mmk.wednet.edu.

☀️ Summer Fest (Grades 7-12)

Also on Thursday, June 11, secondary students will participate in our final Summer Fest of the year. As part of our PBIS program, students use the OWL Bucks they have earned through positive behavior and demonstrating our OWL expectations to participate in a variety of activities and games throughout the day. Summer Fest is one of the many ways we celebrate students who consistently make positive choices and contribute to our school culture.

📅 Last Day of School

The final day of school is Friday, June 12, with an early release at 12:25 PM for all students.

Thank you for your partnership and support throughout the school year. We look forward to celebrating these final events with our students and families!

Over the past two weeks, our secondary team has been contacting families regarding this year's OWL Summer School Credit Recovery Program. This program provides students who have failed courses an opportunity to recover credits and stay on track for on-time graduation.

Summer School Dates & Times
📅 June 17–18
📅 June 22–25
📅 June 29–July 2
📅 July 6–9

Daily Schedule: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM

To support student success, transportation and meals will be provided each day.

Students enrolled in summer school are expected to attend all scheduled sessions. To earn credit, students may have no more than two absences and must successfully complete all assigned standards-based coursework.

If your student has been identified for summer school and you have questions about eligibility, attendance expectations, transportation, or course completion requirements, please contact:

Mr. Josh Stoney — jstoney@mmk.wednet.edu
Ms. Sarah Bell — sbell@mmk.wednet.edu

We appreciate our families' partnership as we work together to ensure every OWL has the opportunity to stay on track toward graduation and future success.

Our MMK yearbooks are officially on their way and should be arriving very soon! These books capture a full year of memories, milestones, friendships, athletics, activities, and everything that made this school year special for our OWLs.

If your family would still like to purchase a yearbook, students can stop by the high school office and see Ms. Beste during the following times:

• ⏰ Before School
• 🍎 During Lunch
• 🏫 After School

Yearbooks are $40

Please note: The office is only able to accept cash or checks for payment at this time.

We are excited for students to look back on all the moments that made this year memorable, and we appreciate your support in helping preserve those memories for years to come.

Summer is a great time for our OWLs to build skills, strengthen teamwork, and prepare for another successful year of athletics. We are excited to offer several summer camp opportunities for student-athletes who plan to participate in sports next school year.

Football Camp
Grades: Incoming 8th–12th
Dates: June 1–11
Time: 3:00–5:00 PM
Location: MMK
Jamboree: June 11 at Wishkah (vs. Wishkah and Lake Quinault) – 4:00 PM

Baseball Camp
Grades: Incoming 7th–12th
Dates: June 15–18
Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
Location: MMK

Girls Basketball – BNB Camp
Grades: Incoming 7th–12th
Dates: June 22–25
Location: Ilwaco, WA
Times: To Be Determined

Boys Basketball – BNB Camp
Grades: Incoming 8th–12th
Dates: June 29–July 2
Location: Ilwaco, WA
Times: To Be Determined

Cheer Camp
Grades: Incoming 9th–12th
Dates: July 20–23
Location: Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA
Times: To Be Determined

Volleyball Camp
Grades: Incoming 8th–12th
Dates: August 3–6
Location: Saint Martin's University, Lacey, WA
Times: To Be Determined
Sign-Ups: Contact Coach Shantel

Important Reminder: All summer camps are free for MMK students to attend. Families are encouraged to contact coaches as soon as possible to confirm attendance and help with planning and transportation arrangements.

These camps are an outstanding opportunity for our student-athletes to grow their skills, build relationships with teammates, and begin preparing for a successful 2026-2027 season. We hope to see a great turnout from our future OWLs!

Go Owls! 🦉💚

MMK GRIT Students of the Week

As we enter the final days of the school year, this week's GRIT honorees remind us what makes Mary M. Knight such a special place. Across every grade level, our students are demonstrating that GRIT is not just about achieving a goal—it's about the habits, choices, and character they show every day.

This week's nominations highlighted students who chose extra practice instead of the easy path, persevered through challenges, supported classmates and friends, demonstrated leadership, and continued growing right up until the final weeks of school. From our youngest learners preparing for Kindergarten and First Grade to our upper elementary and middle school students leading through kindness and determination, these Owls are carrying forward the culture of excellence we have worked together to build all year long.

🌟 GRIT Spotlight — Celebrating Our OWLS!

Ian Weaver | Kindergarten

Ian demonstrated GRIT by choosing additional practice to strengthen his teen-number writing skills. His willingness to put in extra effort before an assessment shows true dedication to learning and improvement.

Lucas Frostad | Kindergarten

Lucas consistently chooses practice and growth before fun activities. His commitment to building his skills first is a great example of responsibility and excellence.

Bryson McCartney | Kindergarten

Bryson continues to push himself beyond expectations, choosing extra reading practice and working toward understanding rather than taking shortcuts. His determination is paying off.

Braden Thomas | Kindergarten

Braden has shown tremendous growth in both stamina and confidence. He is beginning to recognize just how capable he is, and that belief in himself is helping him accomplish great things.

Bodhi Thomas | 6th Grade

Bodhi earned multiple nominations this week for his perseverance and determination. Whether sticking with track through the entire season or becoming the first student to complete the Rubik's Cube challenge, he demonstrated what it means to keep working until the goal is achieved.

Aaliyah McCartney | 2nd Grade

Aaliyah continues to grow academically while demonstrating kindness and friendship toward others. Her daily commitment to doing her best exemplifies GRIT.

Jackson Short | 3rd Grade

Jackson was recognized for making positive choices, supporting his peers, and being a great friend. His kindness and leadership help make our school community stronger.

Jayce Lingnau | 3rd Grade

Jayce consistently looks for ways to help others and bring positivity to those around him. His willingness to serve others demonstrates leadership through action.

Andrew Ushman | 3rd Grade

Andrew received multiple nominations for encouraging classmates, helping others learn new skills, and generously sharing his knowledge. His patience and support for others reflect both GRIT and kindness.

Jace Oakes, Levi Gonzales, Graysyn Johnston, Megan Miller, Abbi Kitchell, Addison Coppersmith, Ryen King, and Kynlee Mezzell | 5th Grade

This week's fifth-grade honorees remind us that GRIT is often found in how we treat others. Through kindness, teamwork, perseverance, positivity, friendship, and helping those around them, these students are making a meaningful impact on their classroom community every day.

🌟 Preschool GRIT Leaders

Our preschool students continue to impress us with their growth and leadership:

• Rosalynn Austin for her dedication to learning and leadership with classmates.
• Henry Backhaus for his focus, independence, and perseverance.
• Marigold Guelzo for mastering Kindergarten high-frequency words and helping lead learning activities.
• Annabelle Lounsbury for mentoring and supporting younger classmates.
• Justin Ushman for embracing new routines with determination and enthusiasm.
• Carmyn McCartney for her careful work and preparation for Kindergarten.
• Amelia Lounsbury for her curiosity, thoughtful questions, and desire to learn.

🌟 A Special Congratulations

Congratulations to Remy Guelzo, whose hard work, kindness, strong reading skills, and positive attitude continue to shine. Remy demonstrates what it means to be both an excellent student and a caring friend.

As we prepare to close out another successful school year, we are proud of every student who has demonstrated Growth, Resilience, Intensity, and Tenacity. Thank you to all of our staff, students, and families who continue to recognize and celebrate the incredible things happening throughout our school.

Keep showing your GRIT, Owls! 🦉

Summer should be a time for fun, learning, and making memories—not worrying about where the next meal will come from. Families across Washington can access free summer meal programs that provide healthy meals to children throughout the summer months.

If you are looking for a meal site near you, there are several easy ways to find one:

USDA Hunger Hotline

• English: 1-866-348-6479
• Spanish: 1-877-842-6273

Text for Information

• Text "Food" or "Comida" to 509-509

Online Meal Site Locator

• Visit: https://www.nokidhungry.org/free-meal-finder

Please help spread the word to friends, neighbors, and family members. Together, we can help ensure that every child in our community has access to nutritious meals all summer long. 💚

🍽️ This Week's Lunch Menu

• Monday: Cheeseburger Mac.
• Tuesday: Glazed chicken drumstick
• Wednesday: Sloppy Joe
• Thursday: Hot ham & cheese sandwich
• Friday: Corn dog

🏃‍♂️ Athletics This Week

• Monday: Football camp 3:00 - 5:00 pm
• Tuesday: Football camp 3:00 - 5:00 pm
• Wednesday: Football camp 3:00 - 5:00 pm
• Thursday: Football camp 3:00 - 5:00 pm
• Friday: Football camp 3:00 - 5:00 pm
• Saturday: Football camp 3:00 - 5:00 pm

📋 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