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 Mary M. Knight Families,

As we head into the third full week of November, I find myself reflecting on what makes our school community truly special. This week's newsletter is packed with reasons to be proud of the Mary M. Knight Owls—and our hearts are especially full as we think about the dedication of our student-athletes.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Football Team

This past weekend, our football team gave everything they had on the field against Wishkah in the league championship game. While the final score didn't go our way, I want our Owl Nation to know: we are immensely proud of these young men. They left it all on the field. They represented Mary M. Knight with heart, grit, and character. The work they put in all season—the early mornings, the grueling practices, the commitment to each other and to our school—that's what defines true success. Championships are won by more than just final scores. They're won by teams who show up, who compete with integrity, and who support one another through both victories and defeats. Our boys did exactly that. Thank you for making us proud.

Celebrating Our Student Athletes

Building on that same spirit of excellence, congratulations to our five volleyball players who earned All-League honors this week. Cloey, Maelynn, Brooke, Bella, and Hayden—you represent the very best of what hard work, dedication, and teamwork look like. But I also want to recognize every athlete who wore the green and white this season. Your commitment to excellence sets the standard for our entire school community.

We're also excited to launch our wrestling program this Monday. To our wrestlers—both experienced and brand new to the sport—we welcome you. This is a program built on the principle that every student, regardless of prior experience, belongs on the mat and in our school community.

New Opportunities, New Growth

This week, Ms. Barratt launches Art Club—a wonderful reminder that growth and discovery come in many forms. Whether your student finds their passion on the court, in the classroom, or on the canvas, our job is to provide pathways for them to explore, create, and grow. I encourage every family to consider how your student might engage with one of these new opportunities.

Our Culture of GRIT

Finally, thank you to those recognized in this week's GRIT spotlight. From Brooke stepping up to manage our wrestling team, to our younger students persisting through challenging math concepts, to our staff members showing up with compassion and structure—this is what our community values. GRIT isn't about perfection; it's about showing up, trying your best, and supporting one another. Our football team exemplified that all season long.

Looking Ahead

With Thanksgiving break just two weeks away, this is a perfect time to pause and appreciate one another. Our mission calls us to be a "community of learners and leaders united to enrich the lives of all our students." That's not just a motto—it's who we are, and it's what we do every single day—in victory and in the lessons we learn from challenge.

Thank you for being part of the MMK family.

Go Owls! 🦉

Monday 11/17

• K-3 Field trip - Hands On Museum
• HS wrestling practice begins
• HS basketball practice begins
• MS basketball @Queets

Tuesday 11/18

• Art club 3:00 - 4:30 pm
• SkillsUSA 3:00 pm

Wednesday 11/19

• Late Start
• MS basketball vs. Taholah 5:30 pm

Thursday 11/20

• Running start informational meeting 5:30 pm

Friday 11/21

We're excited to announce a wonderful new opportunity for our students! Starting this month, Ms. Barratt will be offering Art Club as an after-school enrichment activity for students who love to create and explore their artistic talents.

Elementary Art Club (Grades 4-6)

• When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month
• First Session: Tuesday, November 18
• Time: 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Secondary Art Club (Grades 7-12)

• When: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month
• First Session: Tuesday, November 25
• Time: 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Important Details:

• Parents/guardians must provide transportation home at 4:30 PM
• This is a FREE after-school opportunity
• Great for students interested in developing their artistic skills

This is a fantastic chance for our students to explore their creativity, learn new techniques, and express themselves through art in a fun, supportive environment. We're grateful to Ms. Barratt for offering her time and talents to make this experience possible for our MMK students!

If you have questions about Art Club, please contact Ms. Barratt or the office. We hope to see many aspiring artists there!

Knight Nation, let's celebrate!

We are thrilled to announce that five of our Mary M. Knight volleyball players have earned All-League honors for their exceptional performance this season. These young women represented our school with skill, heart, and the true OWLS spirit!

1st Team All-League

• Cloey Fletcher

2nd Team All-League

• Maelynn Nygaard
• Brooke Mirka

Honorable Mention

• Bella Buck
• Hayden Hughes

These honors reflect countless hours in the gym, unwavering dedication to their teammates, and the character these young women bring to our school every single day.

We also want to recognize our entire volleyball program—every player who suited up this season, our coaching staff who invested in these athletes, and the families and community members who filled the stands and supported our team. It takes a village, and the MMK community showed up in a big way!

Congratulations, ladies. You make us all Knight Proud! 🔴⚪️

These achievements remind us that great things happen when small schools dream big. Go OWLS!

We're thrilled to launch our winter sports season with high school wrestling! This program is open to all interested high school students, both female and male athletes, regardless of experience level.

Practice Schedule:

• Begins: Monday, November 17th
• Time: 3:15 PM – 5:30 PM (Monday through Friday)
• Location: Weight Room

What Students Need:

Wrestling Shoes: Required for practice and competition. If cost is a barrier, please contact Shantel in the District Office — we have support available to ensure every athlete can participate.

Practice Attire:

• Mid-length athletic shorts and a t-shirt
• Clothing should be fitted (not oversized or baggy) for safety reasons
• Remove all jewelry before practice — no exceptions for safety

Transportation Note: Families will need to arrange transportation home after practice. If this presents a challenge, please reach out to discuss possible solutions.

Questions? Contact Coach [Name] at [contact info] or stop by the office. We can't wait to see our Owls on the mat this season!

Go Owls! 🦉

Exciting News for 10th-12th Grade Families!

We're thrilled to welcome Grays Harbor College to Mary M. Knight for a Running Start Information Session. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how your student can earn FREE college credit while completing their high school diploma!

📅 Information Session Details:

• What: Running Start Information Session with Grays Harbor College
• When: Wednesday, November 20th at 5:30 PM
• Where: Bingham's Classroom
• Who: All 10th-12th grade students and their families are welcome!

Whether you're just exploring options or ready to take the next step, this session will provide valuable information about how Running Start can give your student a head start on their college journey.

⏰ Current Running Start Students – Action Required!

If your student is planning to attend Winter Quarter Running Start, please note these important deadlines:

1. Schedule a planning meeting with Ms. Alex Fisher by December 9th – Don't delay! Ms. Fisher is here to help you navigate the process.
2. RSEVF form due no later than December 16th – This form is required to attend Winter Quarter at Olympic College, Grays Harbor College, or South Puget Sound Community College.

Need to schedule? Contact Ms. Fisher today to secure your meeting time!

Running Start is an incredible opportunity for our students, and we're here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

See you on November 20th!

If you or someone you know is in need of support, Washington 211 is an incredible statewide resource that connects individuals and families with essential services. From housing and utility assistance to food, transportation, healthcare, and more, 211 helps people navigate community programs quickly and confidentially.

Washington 211 is available 24/7, offering assistance by phone, text, or online search. Their mission is to ensure every Washington resident has access to the help they need—when they need it.

Explore available resources here: https://search.wa211.org/

Please feel free to share this link to help support our community!

Dear Mary M. Knight Community,

This week's GRIT nominations highlight the incredible perseverance and positive spirit that define our Owl community. From our youngest learners mastering new skills to our seniors building programs that will last for years to come, Mary M. Knight students and staff continue to demonstrate what it means to grow, persist, and support one another!

Leadership and Initiative

Brooke Mirka (12th Grade) has demonstrated outstanding initiative and leadership by stepping up to serve as the manager for Mary M. Knight's first-ever wrestling team. From the very beginning, Brooke has played a key role in helping organize and launch this new program. Her reliability, positive attitude, and willingness to help wherever needed have already made a tremendous impact. Thank you, Brooke, for taking ownership and building something meaningful for our school community!

Academic Excellence and Perseverance

Remy Guelzo (1st Grade) has been doing so well in Math! She consistently does her best work and always brings a positive attitude to learning. Keep up the wonderful work, Remy!

Goldie Krumland (3rd Grade) has been focusing really hard on her Math and Reading while doing her best in class. We see your effort and dedication, Goldie—great job!

Taylor McCartney (6th Grade) shows GRIT by refusing to give up on his work. He has been practicing his handwriting at home and working diligently on his math. We're so proud of your commitment to growth, Taylor—way to go!

Staff GRIT Award Winners

Ms. Bell shows GRIT by helping students follow all of the rules and creating a structured, supportive environment where everyone can succeed. We really appreciate your consistency and care, Ms. Bell!

Ms. Kathy has shown GRIT by genuinely helping people with their problems and making them better. Your compassion and problem-solving spirit make such a difference in our students' lives. Thank you, Kathy!

Reflections on GRIT

This week's nominations remind us that GRIT takes many forms at Mary M. Knight. It's Brooke pioneering a new program with enthusiasm and dedication. It's Remy, Goldie, and Taylor showing up each day to tackle challenges in Math and Reading with determination. It's our staff members creating environments where students feel supported, structured, and empowered to grow. Whether you're a first grader mastering addition or a senior building something brand new, GRIT is about showing up, trying your best, and never giving up on yourself or your community.

Thank you to all our students, families, and staff for continuing to make Mary M. Knight a place where persistence, positivity, and growth are celebrated every single day!

Keep soaring, Owls! 🦉

🍽️ This Week's Lunch Meno

• Monday: Chicken burger
• Tuesday: Mac & cheese w/hot dog
• Wednesday: Cheese zombie & cheesy tomato soup
• Thursday: Mandarin orange chicken
• Friday: Cheese pizza

🏃‍♂️ Athletics This Week

• Monday: MS basketball @ Queets 5:30 pm
• Tuesday:
• Wednesday:
• Thursday: MS basketball vs. Taholah 5:30 pm
• 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