Dear Students and Parents, With our month of testing behind us and the end of school approaching all too quickly, it is with excitement and appreciation that I write the final newsletter of the 2013-2014 school year. I would like to thank parents, students, and staff for making the testing experience a positive one for everyone involved. I look forward to seeing how our school performed on the state assessments, because I know our students had positive attitudes and did their best work.

May is proving to be a busy month with all kinds of educational field trips and fun activities planned to take advantage of the warmer weather and to enrich our students’ learning experiences.

As summer approaches and students will be out of the school routine, we would like to encourage you to instill the importance and love of life-long learning in your child.

Provide learning opportunities, take advantage of “teachable moments,” and read and read some more! It is our hope that summer will prove to be a time of relaxation, fun, and family time.

Sincerely,

Casey Demmert Principal

CONNECTION

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Students will be released two hours early, Wednesday,

May 28th. All students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.

NO lunch will be served that day.

Busses will run at dismissal time.

Keet Gooshi Heen

“Working together for school success” May 2014

Letter from the Principal...

Home & School

Counselor’s Corner

Page 2 Keet Gooshi Heen

Summer Activities

Stay tuned to the Sitka Sentinel and Community Schools website for more information on fun

events for kids. Community Schools Summer Camp information will be available starting May

9th with registration to begin May 19th. For information starting the 9th call Community

Schools at 747-8670.

Blatchley Pool will be closed this summer from mid-June to August, so

lessons will be in August only. Keep informed through Community Schools.

You’re invited to….2014 Tutu Trot!2014 Tutu Trot!2014 Tutu Trot! Sunday, May 11th from 3:00—5:00 p.m. Start / Finish at Crescent Harbor Shelter

Help the 2014 girls celebrate the end of the season at the 5k

Tutu Trot! Consider joining this free, family event as a

runner, course cheerleader, or volunteer. This year, GOTR

Founder Molly Barker will be at the 5K event! Contact

Elena at egustafson@safv.org or call 747-3370 for

more information.

Or call Diana Twaddle at KGH 966-1213 to volunteer.

5K

Bike Helmets Available

Sitka Community Hospital has generously donated bike helmets to any student who

needs one. All KGH students will have the opportunity to receive a free helmet if they

do not have a helmet or are in need of a new one. If you would like your child to

have a helmet please call the main office at 747-8395.

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Forestry F

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Tutu

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Band C

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Band

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to Old S

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Mock

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Sea D

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Mem

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4th G

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londike

Gold R

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3rd G

rade to HP

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Keet Gooshi Heen Page 4

School Assembly—5th Grade Band

The school assembly for the 5th Grade Band

Concert is Tuesday, May 13th , starting at 1:00

pm at the Sitka PAC. It will last about 45

minutes.

5th GRADE BAND CONCERT

The 5th Grade Band “Hello Summer”

Concert for families and the

community will be on Tuesday, May

13th at 7:00 p.m. at the PAC. This concert will

feature a number of small-group performances

as well as pieces played by the full band. All

are welcome to join us for this final

performance!

4th GRADERS REGISTER

FOR 5th GRADE BAND!

All 4th graders will be receiving a

“band packet” soon that will include

information about their ability on

particular instruments, general

information about 5th Grade Band,

and a registration form. Registration forms

will be due on Thursday, May 15th! Please

contact Susan Brandt-Ferguson with any

questions about 5th Grade Band (966-1237 or

brandts@sitkaschools.org).

Yearbooks! Yearbooks! Time is running out to buy your copy of the 2013-2014 yearbook. This book will save your memories for a lifetime. Give $16.00 to the KGH office and reserve your copy now.

Buy your KGH Yearbook soon, because we sell out in the blink of an eye! If your child is leaving school early, then you’ll get your yearbook ahead of time.

Hershey's Track and Field Meet for boys and girls: 9-14 years old (age as of December 31, 2014)

Monday, June 9th, 2014 at 1:00pm at lower Moller Field.

Event is free.

4th Grade—Klondike Gold Rush Day! Friday, May 23 from 8:40 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

HPR Recreation Area

The 4th grade Social Studies curriculum centers

around Alaska studies. The Klondike gold rush of

1898 was a significant event in Alaska's history.

We will be having a series of Klondike activities

to help "bring it to life" for our students and, of

course, have fun. Activities: Gold Panning, Golden

Stairs, Biscuits on a Stick, Relay Races,

and Beach Exploration.

Students will need to bring a sack lunch.

Contact your child's teacher if you are

willing to help with one of the stations.

End-of-Year Carnival

Parent Help Needed, Please!

Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School will be

holding its 10th Annual Keet Kids Carnival. On

the last day of school, each of the grades will be

going to the gymnasium to play carnival games,

dunk teachers, do a cupcake walk, and have their

faces painted. This is an exciting event and a

wonderful way to end the school year! Please

contact Susie Belisle at 623-1000 or

belle_isleh2o@yahoo.com if you would like to

volunteer. Thank You!

This event will be on May 28th

from 8:00 a.m. to

12:30 p.m.

KGH Student Activities . . .

Keet Gooshi Heen Page 5

Science Notes

As a fantastic year of science study wraps up at KGH, there is much to report and much to look forward to.

2nd Graders have been studying balance and motion in physical science. Students have enjoyed

balancing objects, then making objects rotate. In May, we will be working on another kind of

motion: rolling.

3rd Graders have been studying water in earth science and now can name many of the properties

of this important liquid earth material.

4th Graders prepared well for this year’s science SBA, and we are looking forward to results from

the test later in May. We will end the school year by wrapping up our study of magnetism and

electricity.

5th Graders are studying levers and pulleys and the advantages they gain

by using these simple machines.

5th-Grade Stream Team students have completed projects using the data they collected from the Cutthroat

Creek Nature Trail and the atmosphere station outside the school. Be sure to take a look on the bulletin board

in the main hallway to learn more about KGH’s “backyard” and our weather!

Eagle Cam: for families wishing to observe the changes occurring in the eagles KGH students have been following in the science room, check out this link: http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

Thank you to Justin Koller from the US Forest Service and Jess Gill from Sitka Tribe, with support from Marnie Chapman and the lab at UAS for making Herring in the Hallway

possible this year!

Keet Gooshi Heen Page 6

News from the LibraryNews from the LibraryNews from the Library

With the end of the year fast approaching

it is time to get library books back for

summer inventory. Parents, if you could

please send your children with their books,

that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support.

May 12th- 16th - Last check out- Overdue, lost, and damage notices and bills

will be sent home with students

May 19th-23rd -All books should be returned to the library

If you have any questions about your child’s account please call the library at 966-1202

5th Annual KGH Talent Show Sponsored by the Live Well Program and Student Success Program

Thursday, May 22nd, 6:00pm KGH Multi-Purpose Room

Any Keet Kid or group is eligible. Sign up in the front office by May 9th.

Event will feature a “Frozen” sing-along for all participants and audience.

**Performances will be limited to four-minutes each. Try-outs will be held on May 13th

after school. There will also be two rehearsals before the performance, May 20th after school & May 22nd at 4pm (required).**

Contact Alexa Sample at 907.747.8395 for more information. Adult volunteers will be

available to provide additional practice opportunities.

LUNCH MONEY

Remember to make sure your child’s lunch account

has enough money in it to go through the end of the school

year. We cannot allow any charges the last two weeks of

school. Check with the office to find out your child’s

lunch balance. Any money left in your child’s lunch

account at the end of the year will automatically transfer to

the next year, whether they are here or at Blatchley.

Pictured right: Ms. Bahrt’s 5th Grade class participating in Earth Day clean-up day at KGH

by picking up garbage around our school!

Keet Gooshi Heen Page 7

Interviews by 5th Grade Students:

Mrs. Mork in her 26 years of teaching has been loved

by many students. But at the end of this year, she will retire. Mrs. Mork’s favorite part of teaching is when students figure things out. Retiring is a hard decision and she will miss many things, including her students. That does not mean she won’t be joyous on her trip to Europe next year. When she is away from school she liked to read, play Candy Crush, garden, and travel. Her words for advice to new teachers is, “Be organized and put in many more hours than required.” “She is truly is a phenomenal teacher!,” quotes of her students. We will miss her

dreadfully when she is away!

By Fiona Ferguson and Tava Guillory

Ms. Himschoot As you may have heard, our Science teacher, Rebecca Himschoot, won a very special award. She was excited to win the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, but she felt that every teacher in the building deserved the award, too. It was thrilling to meet President Barack Obama. She felt like she was on television. As you may have heard, this award also came with $10,000. She plans on spending this money to go to Round Island to see a walrus. She has not won awards like this in the past. She loves to teach Science all day, every day. She also loves when students get their questions answered, and participate in class. Ms. Himschoot plans on teaching Science for at least 10 more years. She has been inspired by many people including Mrs. DiGennaro, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Way to go, Ms.

Himschoot!

By Hayden Hunt and Makenna Smith

Mrs. Bradshaw

“Do you have to go?!?”, said a sobbing student. Mrs. Bradshaw replied, “Don’t

worry I’m not leaving now.” “Well, in that case can we ask you a few questions?

“Sure.” She took a seat followed by Melissa and Delainey. Melissa was the first

one to speak. “So now for the questions.” Delainey spoke soon after, question one.

How many years have you taught and what are your favorite subjects to teach?

Mrs. Bradshaw took her time to answer. “Well, I’ve taught for 35 years and my

favorite subjects to teach are reading and writing.”

Melissa asked, “Question two, have you taught in any other schools or grade

levels?” She took a while to fully answer, “Ok, Huntly Proj. Hardin, Red Lodge

Mt., Metlakatla and Sitka, Alaska.” Does that answer your question? Melissa and Delainey nodded silently.

Delainey let words flow out of her mouth, “What is your favorite part of teaching?” Mrs. Bradshaw smiled,

“Boy, you guys have tough questions! Umm, seeing children get excited about learning!”

Melissa asked the next question, “Did you have any jobs other than teaching?” Mrs. Bradshaw scratched

her chin then said, “I worked in a gift shop, at a ski resort, jewelry and a clothing store.”

Delainey asked the next question, “Why did you become a teacher?” Mrs. Bradshaw laughed, “I wanted to

be a teacher since 1st grade because my 1st grade teacher was very amazing! I also played school all the time.”

Delainey asked a fairly irregular question next, “Have you noticed any changes in education over the

years?” Mrs. Bradshaw frowned, “What I’ve noticed is there’s more tests than there used to be.” She shrugged,

“At least the kids are still as nice!” She went back to smiling.

“Next question”, said Melissa, “What is the weirdest homework excuse you have ever heard?” Mrs.

Bradshaw thought for a moment and looked at her coffee, “Oh! One time a kid said that their Mom spilled

coffee on her homework and another kid said that his brother hid his homework!”

Time for our 9th question, “What are your hobbies?” said Melissa and Delainey.

“Umm…..GOLFING, reading, sewing, crossword puzzles, and writing.” said Mrs.

Bradshaw.

“Now, what will you miss about teaching?” shouted Melissa. Mrs. Bradshaw replied

with a smile, “I love the kids, once you are in my class you will always be my kid!”

Melissa speaks, “What do you think you’ll be doing after you retire?” Mrs. Bradshaw

put her hands on her hips while smiling; “Now why would you need to know that? Well,

I guess I’ll answer. I’d love to own a book store or volunteer as a classroom helper.”

Delainey asked the next question, “When did you start teaching and what grade

levels have you taught?” “Well, I taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th grade music and drama,

8th & 7th grade drama, special education, and I started teaching in 1974!”.

Ok now for our very last question, “Is there anything

else you would like to say?” said Melissa. “YES! I have

loved and cherished my 35 year teaching career and have

met many wonderful children. It has always been

challenging and rewarding. I will miss teaching and I will

miss the people of Sitka!”

“All done,” said Delainey “Thanks!” said Melissa.

By Delainey Steffes and Melissa Gibson

Keet Gooshi Heen Page 7

$16.00

Keet Gooshi Heen