Education Briefs

School bus drivers needed

The Mason County Transportation Cooperative has a shortage of school bus drivers.

In a news release, the Shelton School District states, “We understand the hardship this puts on families to provide transportation to and from school when bus routes cannot be filled. We are working hard to keep all routes running, however there are still times when routes are not running. Information about cancellations are sent through the MCTC Facebook page and robocalls. If you have not gotten a robocall when your route is out, please call your student’s school and make sure that we have the correct phone number where you can be reached.”

The MCTC buses students in the Shelton, Pioneer, Southside school districts, and the students in grades nine through 12 in the Hood Canal School District.

The news release states that “the district continues to try different types of recruitment attempts to hire more bus drivers, and we are excited about the current trainees who are working through our training program right now.”

For more information, and information on becoming a bus driver, call 360-426-3182 or email [email protected].

Hood Canal’s attendance improvements recognized

The Hood Canal School District has been recognized as one of six districts in the state selected to participate in a study conducted by the state Office of Public Instruction.

According to a news release from the district, “This honor highlights the district’s exceptional successes in improving student attendance and engagement through innovative practices and meaningful partnerships.”

The study, conducted as part of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Attendance & Reengagement Project, explores how Hood Canal developed and strengthened its attendance systems to address challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The district’s efforts have set a new standard, serving as a model for schools across the state, according to the news release.

“Our team’s unwavering focus on student attendance reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to success,” said Superintendent Lance Gibbon. “This recognition affirms the hard work of our staff, the support of the community, and the power of collaboration with our valued partners.”

The key to the district’s success has been its districtwide focus on attendance, identified as one of four core district goals. The district adopted a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support framework, which includes strategies such as monthly attendance challenges, family events and personalized outreach to engage students and their families.

According to the news release, a cornerstone of the district’s efforts is its close partnership with the Skokomish tribe. By fostering trust, hosting shared events and maintaining regular communication, the district and the tribe have created a strong bond that benefits students and families. The Tribe’s involvement includes home visits, cultural programming and tutoring services, which enhances the school’s abilities to support Native students. The Hood Canal district’s initiatives have yielded measurable results. The percentage of students requiring intensive attendance interventions had dropped by more than half, from 27% to 10%. The district states that students have reported feeling more connected to school, trusting the staff supporting them, and recognizing the importance of regular attendance.

“Our work is about more than just numbers – it’s about ensuring that our students feel safe, supported, and motivated to come to school every day,” said Principal Steven Torres.