Today we launched a resource called HOMESCHOOL that will allow homebound students to explore the Salish Sea during this period of self-isolation. These videos and activities can be easily deployed amid the chaos of the current moment. Also, they’re fun!    We’ll continue to add content to this page, so keep an eye out and share  Continue Reading

Please join us Outside for Grafting Fruit Trees: Workshop & Exchange  Limit of 10; first come, first served. Saturday, April 11. Workshop (1-2 pm), Scion and seed exchange (2-4 pm). Please do not attend if you are sick in any way or there’s a chance you’ve been exposed! Join Greg Meyer of Dancing Seeds Farm and friends to  Continue Reading

HOT TOPIC #1: March 15th Testing and Rumor Control COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders. TESTING A lot of people have questions about testing.  We want to highlight a few key things: First off, if you’re on Orcas or Lopez, read this excellent article from Anne Presson of the Lopez  Continue Reading

Much has been done in the very short time that our school district first learned about the coronavirus pandemic. The Superintendent and staff have been working tirelessly to develop a plan to serve our students in a tele-schooling model for at least the next six weeks. Most districts are expecting an extended loss of learning  Continue Reading

Congratulations to Friday Harbor students! Fostering a scientific competitive spirit is well underway at Friday Harbor Elementary School!  Three elementary school STEM Teams have received recognition for their work at the national level through Exploravision, sponsored by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the Toshiba Company. These three elementary school teams started projects in  Continue Reading

APPLY NOW: College Scholarships up to $2,100 Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Applications Due April 10 OPALCO’s is accepting scholarship applications from high school sophomores and juniors. Three scholars will receive a $1,000 scholarship from OPALCO and the family of Nourdine Jensen. Part of the scholarship includes an all-expenses paid trip to the Youth Rally,  Continue Reading

The Scholastics Art Competition is the largest national art competition in the country averaging nearly 340,000 student entries a year. The only two students from Friday Harbor High School who entered the Scholastics Art Competition, both received awards and recognition in the Western Region-at-Large. Senior Katie Place was awarded the Silver Key Individual Award and  Continue Reading

The San Juan County/Town of Friday Harbor Department of Emergency Management is hosting a no-cost, 8 hour training for island businesses to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies and disruption to their business. When: Tuesday March 31st, 8:30am – 5:00pm Where: Friday Harbor (exact location is to be determined) To Register: CLICK HERE  Continue Reading

On Wednesday, February 26, 2020, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold an Executive Session (closed meeting) from 3:00 pm – 4:50 pm at the school district office, and a regular School Board Meeting (open to the public) at 5:00 pm in the high school library.    The Executive Session is in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(g), to evaluate the qualifications of  Continue Reading

Bump, set, spike! This co-ed program is a 5-week skills clinic that will introduce participants to the basics of volleyball. Instructor Maureen Lamar is a former volleyball college athlete and has been coaching volleyball for over 5 years. Participants will learn the rules of the game as well as technical skills like passing, setting, and  Continue Reading

Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Applications Due April 10  OPALCO’s is accepting scholarship applications from high school sophomores and juniors. Three scholars will receive a $1,000 scholarship from OPALCO and the family of Nourdine Jensen. Part of the scholarship includes an all-expenses paid trip to the Youth Rally, a co-op leadership camp in Idaho. Applications  Continue Reading

EDC, San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild offer Value-Added 101 course Whether you grow a lot of food products or a little, value-added food processing is a great way to start – or expand – an ag business.   Farmers and food business owners can join the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) and the San  Continue Reading

Dear Community, Thank you, thank you! San Juan Island School District continues to be humbled by the amazing and overwhelming turnout to support our schools and most importantly our students. Because of your support on this week’s vote to reauthorize our capital and technology levy, we will be able to ensure safe and modernized buildings,  Continue Reading

Do you know what a tardigrade is? If not, it’s time to find out! It could soon become Washington State’s official micro-animal thanks to a partnership between students at Friday Harbor High School, Riverday School in Spokane, Jefferson Middle School in Olympia, along with Lynn Bahrych from the San Juan Islands Conservation District, and Katie  Continue Reading

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) will offer free training in plumbing basics this March, in partnership with the San Juan Island Community Foundation, the Raynier Foundation, the Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan County, Islanders Bank, and Friday Harbor High School. The course will be taught at the Friday Harbor High School  Continue Reading

Higher-wage employment can be open to many who learn the skills of business management and leadership.  The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) invites workers in the San Juan Islands to join in a Business Management & Leadership Skills course; business owners and managers are also encouraged to enroll employees.  This for-credit course will  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we find a letter to you from Summer Clark… On February 11th our community will be voting on a replacement capitol & technology levy for our schools. Vote YES for our schools! This is NOT a new tax, but a renewal of the one that has existed for  Continue Reading

The Whale Museum is holding a “Winter Birding Workshop in the San Juans” in partnership with San Juan Islands Audubon. Taking place the weekend of February 7-9, 2020, the intent is to increase birding skills through field trips and presentations. This workshop is ideal for those wishing to continue their education as a naturalist or  Continue Reading

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program highlights eight critical foreign policy challenges facing Americans each year. Held on the last Monday of the month, the annual series features a DVD on each topic, followed by a moderated discussion among the participants. Participants are asked to review the relevant chapter  Continue Reading

The first Know Your Island Walk of the new year will be on Saturday, January 25, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, starting at American Camp’s Redoubt. Mike Vouri, retired National Park historian, will lead this walk — as he did the very first walk in the series in January 2011. The Redoubt, a military defensive  Continue Reading

San Juan Island EMS is offering Wilderness First Responder Training (WFR), February 10 – 19 at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island. This training is the perfect course for anyone working in a position of leadership in an outdoor setting or for individuals who want a high level of wilderness medical training for extended personal backcountry  Continue Reading

Jedi Engineering with LEGO The Force Awakens in this introductory engineering course for young Jedi. Explore engineering principles as we construct the Ewok Village on Endor, fly through space on our X-Wings, and defend the Echo Base on Hoth. Create motorized and architectural projects with imagination and engineering to defeat the Empire. An instructor from  Continue Reading