Shelton schools focus on freshmen, reading

As a projected 4,150 students returned to classrooms yesterday, the Shelton School District is focusing special attention on the new freshmen at its three high schools, Shelton, Cedar and CHOICE.

The Freshman Academy is making its debut. Ninth-graders will take two trimesters of the freshmen seminar, to help them learn to navigate the transition to high school.

"Ninth grade is hard," said Superintendent Wyeth Jessee.

A major goal is to ensure freshmen end the school year with six or more credits and are on course for graduation, Jessee said. The first semester will focus on items such as how to track homework, while the second trimester focuses on the district's High School and Beyond Plan and career planning for each student.

Another major focus this school year is on reading, Jessee said.

Last school year, the district established classroom libraries in kindergarten through the sixth grade that offered 480 to 680 books in each classroom, and 250 to 350 books in Spanish in dual-language classrooms. This school year, the district is expanding the classroom libraries in grades seven through 12.

"We're really pushing kids to read ... We get books they want to read," Jessee said. The Shelton High School library last school year reported a record number of book checkouts, he said.

Everyone is invited to the district's Open House Tailgate Party hosted at 5 p.m. Friday in the courtyard behind the A building at Shelton High School, 3737 N. Shelton Springs Road.

The event includes music by DJ Tye, food, and information about clubs, athletics, teachers, classes, district services and strategic plans. At 7 p.m., the Highclimbers football team plays Bremerton High School at Jack Stark Field at Highclimber Stadium.

The Shelton School Board on Aug. 22 passed a $78.3-million budget for the 2023-24 school year. Instruction is the largest expense in the budget at 57.50%, followed by instructional support at 13.46%, central administration at 6.50%, maintenance and operations at 6.07%, the principal's offices at 5.64%, pupil transportation at 4.52%, food services at 2.80%, utilities and insurance at 2.25%, other services at 1.15%, and public activities at 0.11%.

Translation and interpretation services are available to students and parents. The district can provide an interpreter or translated documents, free of charge. For more information, call Betty Uriostegui at 360-426-1687, ext. 10541.

Winter break is Dec. 20 to Jan. 3, and spring break is April 1-5. The tentative last day of school is June 13.