Mary M. Knight Family Newsletter

Week Ten: Own the Finish, Own What’s Next

Dear Mary M. Knight Families,

This is it: the final days of our first quarter. Quarter 1 ends on Tuesday, October 27. Fall Conferences follow on Wednesday and Thursday, October 28–29, with half-day dismissals at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, October 28–30.

Think about how far we’ve come. September was about laying a foundation: Ownership of our learning and Respect for the people and spaces around us. In October, our focus has been Taking Responsibility for Excellence, and our theme has been “Own It, On Purpose.” That means tracking our own progress, owning our mistakes, following through, and choosing improvement over excuses. Last week, we named the three habits that finish a quarter well: show up on time, stay focused and engaged, and communicate.

This week, ownership has two parts.

First, own the finish. Monday and Tuesday still count. If something is missing or unclear, there are still two days to talk with a teacher and do something about it.

Then, own what’s next. Conferences are not a final verdict on the quarter. They are a chance for families, students, and teachers to sit down together and get clear on three questions:

• Where is my student growing?
• What needs attention?
• What is our goal for the second quarter?

Quarter 2 carries us to the end of the first semester in January. The goals we set this week shape that whole stretch.

Here’s what families can do this week:

• Look at the quarter together before conferences. Check Skyward with your student. Ask them to name one thing they’re proud of and one thing they want to improve.
• Come to conferences ready to set a goal. Elementary families, book your time in Skyward Family Access if you haven’t yet. Secondary families are welcome to drop in during conference hours.
• Plan ahead for the half days. Dismissal is at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Thank you for a strong first quarter. Let’s own the finish, and own what comes next, on purpose.

With OWL Pride,
Mr. Stoney
K–12 Principal

“Looking back at this quarter, what’s one thing you’re proud of, and one thing you want to do differently in Quarter 2?”

After conferences, follow up: What goal did we set together? What’s the first step this week? Write it down and put it somewhere you’ll both see it. Students who can name their own goal are already owning what’s next.

Monday, October 26

• School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 27

• Last day of Quarter 1

Wednesday, October 28

• No late start: school begins at 8:00 a.m.
• Half-day dismissal, 12:25 p.m.
• Fall Conferences, 1:00–3:20 p.m.

Thursday, October 29

• Half-day dismissal, 12:25 p.m.
• Fall Conferences, 1:00–4:00 p.m. and 5:00–7:00 p.m.
• HS Football vs. Washington School of the Deaf 3:30 pm

Friday, October 30

• Half-day dismissal, 12:25 p.m.

Quarter 1 ends Tuesday, October 27. Conferences are where we look at how the quarter went, name where your student is growing, and set a goal together for Quarter 2.

Dates to plan around:

• Tuesday, October 27: Last day of Quarter 1
• Wednesday, October 28: Conferences, 1:00–3:20 p.m.
• Thursday, October 29: Conferences, 1:00–4:00 p.m. and 5:00–7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday–Friday, October 28–30: Half-day dismissal at 12:25 p.m.

Elementary Families: Schedule Your Fall Conference

Elementary families can book a time with their child’s teacher directly in Skyward Family Access. It only takes a couple of minutes:

1. Log in to Skyward Family Access.
2. Click the Fall Conferences tile.
3. Select your child’s homeroom teacher. You can skip specialty classes like Music or PE.
4. Pick a time and click Done Scheduling.

Have more than one elementary student? Repeat the steps for each child.

Secondary Families (Grades 7–12)

All parents and families are welcome and encouraged to drop in to meet with staff. If a staff member has a specific concern about your student, they will reach out to you directly to schedule a conference.

Quarter 1 Grades

Quarter 1 grades will be available to families through Skyward Family Access. Looking at them together before your conference leaves more time for the conversation that matters most: what’s next.

Questions? Contact your child’s teacher or the school office at 360-426-6767. Teachers can also book a time for you.

Reminder: October 28–30 are half-day dismissals at 12:25 p.m. If your family needs to arrange pickup or childcare, now is the time.

There are no school Halloween activities planned this year. If your elementary student chooses to wear a costume to school, please make sure it is school-appropriate:

• Faces must stay uncovered. No masks or face coverings.
• Nothing graphic or frightening. Our building serves students as young as PreK.

Keeping faces visible helps staff supervise and identify students safely. Keeping costumes age-appropriate means every student can enjoy the day. Thank you for helping us keep it fun for everyone.

Our October CharacterStrong trait has been Responsibility: taking action and understanding the impact of our choices. This month we defined it, practiced following through, looked at how our choices affect others, and talked about what we do when no one is watching. As Quarter 1 ends, Responsibility means one more thing: looking honestly at our results and deciding what to do next.

What this looks like at MMK:

• Turning in anything missing before Tuesday
• Looking at grades honestly, without excuses
• Naming one thing that went well and one thing to improve
• Asking a teacher, “What’s one thing I can do to grow next quarter?”
• Setting a Quarter 2 goal and choosing a first step

Conversation Starters for Home:

• What’s one choice you made this quarter that you’re proud of?
• What got in the way this quarter, and what will you do differently?
• What’s one goal you want to set for Quarter 2?

Coming in November: Lean In, On Purpose

Next week we begin our November focus, Embracing Challenges with Purpose, with the theme “Lean In, On Purpose.” In October, students practiced owning their learning. In November, we practice choosing the hard thing on purpose, through productive struggle, effort, and persistence.

Our November CharacterStrong trait is Gratitude: choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives. Gratitude is one of three traits that help students Be Well, building skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress management. When we lean into hard things, noticing what’s good helps us stay steady.

Get a head start this weekend: Set out a jar and some small slips of paper at home. Each week, add the people, places, and moments your family is thankful for. On a hard day, pull them out and read them together. More on Gratitude next week.

This week’s GRIT students fit the moment. Many were recognized for exactly what we’ll ask every student to do at conferences: set a goal, own the work, and keep pushing. That’s what Taking Responsibility for Excellence looks like.

Elementary

PreK Letter Learners | PreK
Our PreK students have been working persistently, at school and at home, to learn their letter names and sounds. Look at this growth:

• Leona Davis: from 7 to 20 letters
• Ellie Frostad: from 24 to all 26 uppercase letters, and from 2 to 22 lowercase
• Athena Lewis: from 1 to 19 letters. She’s also teaching letters and numbers to her little brother at home.
• Justin Ushman: from 14 to 23 uppercase letters, and from 0 to 11 lowercase
• Elowen Weaver: from 2 to 24 letters
• Dylan Silvan Cruz: from 0 to 3 letters, while also learning new English words. Dylan now writes his first name with ease and calls out “Bye, Justin!” to his friend at the end of each day.

That’s Ownership with Growth and Intentional Effort.

Remi Rivard | 1st Grade
After finishing the math problems, Remi didn’t wait to be told what to do next. Remi picked out a book to share with the class and practiced reading it quietly until classmates were finished. That’s using time on purpose, and caring about classmates too. That’s Ownership with Growth.

Dominic Franco | 2nd Grade
Dominic has been doing awesome work in math. He understands how numbers work and brings real effort and dedication to doing well. That’s Ownership with Growth.

Harper Finch | 2nd Grade
When a new kindergartner didn’t hear her class called for lunch, Harper noticed and walked her to the cafeteria. Small moments like this help new students feel like they belong at MMK. That’s Leadership in action.

Kenna Gillham-Hall | 3rd Grade
Kenna takes great care of her classroom, often cleaning up without being asked. She helps others whenever she can and makes sure everyone feels included. That’s Responsibility when no one is watching, and Intentional Effort.

Grace Johnson | 4th Grade
Grace leads by example every day. She brings focus and effort to every class activity, gets right back to work if she drifts off task, and celebrates her classmates’ wins, big and small. That’s Leadership with Intensity.

Matthew Mock | 4th Grade
Matthew owns his learning by getting straight to work, asking for help when he needs it, and keeping a growth mindset through challenges. His positive attitude shows classmates that it’s okay to struggle, as long as you never give up. That’s Ownership with Growth and Willingness with Resilience.

Jayce Lingnau | 4th Grade
Jayce meets with his teacher every day to work on his personal reading goals. He’s flying through everything put in front of him with a positive attitude and a hunger to learn. That’s Ownership with Growth and Intentional Effort.

Secondary

Renna Coleman | 7th Grade
Math is a challenge for Renna, but she never gives up. She stays on top of her notes and asks her teacher to repeat things when she needs to. That’s Willingness with Resilience and Intentional Effort.

Jadynn Smith | 7th Grade
Jadynn set a challenging personal goal and put in the effort to reach it. Then she kept going and exceeded it. That’s Ownership with Growth and Success with Tenacity.

Alaina Tinoco | 8th Grade
Rather than choose an easier target, Alaina set an ambitious personal goal and has made considerable progress toward it. Her willingness to aim high and keep building her skills is GRIT in action. That’s Willingness with Resilience and Ownership with Growth.

Macy Masteller | 8th Grade
Macy set a personal goal, worked consistently toward it, and went beyond what she originally challenged herself to do. That’s Ownership with Growth and Success with Tenacity.

Emmett Jones | 8th Grade
Emmett set a challenging goal and is working hard to reach it. He’s eager to move ahead when he’s ready, willing to put in extra practice when he needs it, and excited about his progress. That’s Ownership with Growth and Willingness with Resilience.

Jaxson Blanchard | 8th Grade

During an Advisory goal-setting activity, Jaxson stayed engaged from start to finish. He offered thoughtful insights about the barriers he might face in reaching his goals. His openness led to a meaningful discussion about how we choose our goals and the steps it takes to reach them. That’s Ownership with Growth and Willingness with Resilience.

Preston Vogland | 8th Grade
With games coming up, Preston checked in with his teacher several times about his grade, missing assignments, and athletic eligibility. He took the initiative to know where he stood and what he needed to do, for himself and his teammates. That’s Ownership with Growth and Intentional Effort.

Madilyn Horn | 9th Grade
Madilyn quietly takes ownership of learning by making steady efforts to improve, asking for help when needed, and doing what it takes to finish. When challenges come up, Madilyn owns mistakes and identifies the next step forward. Madilyn is also growing in setting goals and reflecting on progress. That’s Ownership with Growth.

Katelynn Blanchard | 9th Grade
Preparing for a recent Algebra 1 quiz, Katelynn approached studying with purpose. She recognized the importance of being prepared and took responsibility for her own success. That’s Ownership with Growth.

Shout-Outs

• Aaliyah McCartney (3rd): for loving to learn and helping a classmate when they’re struggling.
• Eden Johnson (3rd): for loving school and being kind to a classmate who needed help.

Keep noticing the good, OWLS.

Thursday, October 29: High School Football vs. Washington School of the Deaf, 3:30 p.m.

Thank You, Middle School Athletes

Our middle school flag football and volleyball seasons have wrapped up. Thank you to our athletes for representing MMK with effort and pride, and to the coaches and families who supported them all season. We’ll share any postseason news for our high school teams as it comes in.

Come out, cheer on our student-athletes, and help create a positive, respectful environment that represents MMK with pride.

GO OWLS!