Topic: Education
Friday Harbor Virtual Film Festival Coming October 15 – 25
Written on September 28, 2020 at 10:23 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Friday Harbor Film Festival is going virtual this year, featuring award-winning documentaries, short films, and student-made films, as well as daily livestreamed Q&As with filmmakers. All films will be available on demand for 10 days, October 15-25. Q&As will be recorded for those who can’t participate via livestream. Read about this year’s lineup Continue Reading
Community letter from SJISD School Superintendent Fred Woods
Written on September 25, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Dear Friday Harbor community, I have always loved the month of September. Many years ago, when I decided to make education a life-long career I saw an opportunity to broaden my world, allowing me to extend beyond the limits of the little town where I was raised. Choosing education as a career eventually led me Continue Reading
Skagit Valley College Continuing and Community Education is online for Fall
Written on September 25, 2020 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
Skagit Valley College’s Continuing and Community Education program (CCE) is pleased to announce new online workshops for Fall Quarter. CCE allows you to engage, connect, learn, and grow from the comfort of your home in short-term, non-credit courses. Visit the CCE Fall 2020 Course Catalog for more information. Courses are designed for people who would like to Continue Reading
Spring Street says “Thanks!”
Written on September 23, 2020 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Spring Street International School would like to thank the San Juan Island Community Foundation for hosting, coordinating, and including us in the SJICF Fair Matching Grant Program. The Fair Matching Grant Program helped us raise $4,605 that went towards preparing our school to open up safely this fall and provide our students with an innovative Continue Reading
Zoom Talk: True Animal Stories with Author Clare Hodgson Meeker
Written on September 22, 2020 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan Island Library announces that renowned regional author Clare Hodgson Meeker will host a Zoom talk on Friday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m. Meeker’s latest book, Growing Up Gorilla: How a Zoo Baby Brought Her Family Together, is a 2020 Washington State Book Award Finalist for Young Readers. Meeker will discuss writing Growing Up Continue Reading
Island Rec – Fall Virtual Lego Camps
Written on September 18, 2020 at 5:41 am, by Tim Dustrude
Island Rec has 2 Great LEGO camp options for you this season! The first, tap into your imagination from the comfort of your own home with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor and simple pieces from your own LEGO collection – all while connecting virtually with other young LEGO engineers. Students will explore their Continue Reading
Food for Thought
Written on September 10, 2020 at 7:12 pm, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Island School District’s Food for Thought Program is back at it! Though most of the staff was furloughed, Chef Andy, Ashley Spendiff and Kerri Starr are working hard to provide healthful FROM SCRATCH meals to all children in San Juan County ages 1-18 FOR FREE. Check out the school website for current Continue Reading
Outdoor Kid Pods Forming at Alchemy Art Center
Written on September 10, 2020 at 8:12 am, by Tim Dustrude
Alchemy’s Kid Pods are perfect for children and young people who want to learn, explore, and be creative- outdoors and in person! Alchemy is signing up groups of 4-5 kids on a rolling basis for personalized outdoor creative programming that includes ceramics, printmaking, drawing, t-shirt decoration, games, nature exploration, and more. Classes take place once Continue Reading
SVC is Here for You
Written on September 9, 2020 at 10:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
Skagit Valley College’s Worker Retraining program covers tuition, books, and school-related fees to help those who are Unemployed. Skagit Valley College is pleased to announce that we are offering you new options for Fall Quarter taught by our trained, experienced online instructors. Classes start Tuesday, September 22 and registration is going on now. Are you Continue Reading
Soroptimists Give $10,000 in Educational Awards
Written on September 1, 2020 at 2:34 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce its 2020 educational award winners. The Live Your Dream Award, a worldwide signature Soroptimist program, is given to a woman who is the primary wage earner in her household and enrolled in an undergraduate degree or vocational skills program. This year’s recipient is Maricela Lomeli. Maricela Continue Reading
Salish Sea Ballet Reopening For Classes September 8
Written on August 27, 2020 at 10:55 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
It’s time to register for fall dance classes! Salish Sea Ballet is offering small group in-person classes as well as virtual classes on Zoom. Our studio is spacious, well-ventilated, and follows COVID-19 protocols for safety and sanitization. We are excited to offer classes for dancers ages 3 and up. Check out our class schedule online, Continue Reading
The Whale Museum Reopens
Written on August 26, 2020 at 8:49 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
From The Whale Museum… After over 5 months of being closed, we got word that the Governor is allowing museums to open in Phase 2 (8-2020)! The Exhibit Hall and Gift Shop are open daily 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. We are diligently following every rule put in place by the Health Department and Washington Continue Reading
Griffin Bay School Virtual Fair Grant Opportunity
Written on August 14, 2020 at 10:28 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
San Juan Island School District would like to thank the San Juan Community Foundation for the annual “Fair matching grant” in support of our community! We are grateful to be included in this year’s “line up” of worthy causes that help our community stay strong and healthy. SJISD is asking for support for the K-12 Continue Reading
HOT TOPIC #29: Guidelines for Parents Considering Home Based Group Learning
Written on August 13, 2020 at 1:14 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders As we head into the second half of August, local public and private schools are pursuing a range of options for the start of the school year. This article will not be addressing the specifics of school reopening plans-that will come directly Continue Reading
Alchemy Art Center Joins Virtual Fair Fundraiser
Written on August 12, 2020 at 1:59 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
This 2020 Fair season, Alchemy Art Center is grateful to be featured in the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s Matching Grant Program! We are raising funds for the free kids arts programming we are currently offering in partnership with Island Rec and the Family Resource Center, as well as for the Kid Pod Classes we Continue Reading
San Juan Island Public Schools Fall Re-opening Plan
Written on August 7, 2020 at 10:33 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
At last evening’s special board meeting, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors approved a fall reopening plan for schools. After several months of planning with the district workgroups and steering committee, Superintendent Fred Woods recommended to the Board that the San Juan Island public schools begin the 2020-2021 school year under a Continue Reading
SJISD School Board To Hold Open Public Meeting Tonight, Aug 6, Via Zoom
Written on August 6, 2020 at 12:16 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
We hear from Maude at the School District… The San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a Special School Board Meeting on Thursday August 6, at 5:00 pm as a Zoom meeting. This meeting is open to the public. To access the Zoom meeting, please click on “Video” within the electronic Board Agenda, or call the Continue Reading
New School Reopening Guidance Announced Today
Written on August 5, 2020 at 6:19 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Governor Inslee announces education recommendations for 2020-2021 school year… San Juan County is among 5 counties in Washington State that are considered “Low Risk” for COVID-19. Plans regarding school reopening are made by the local health jurisdiction and school district. Gov. Jay Inslee, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and DOH’s state health officer, Dr. Continue Reading
Attention Parents: Alchemy Art Center Offers Kids Clay Club
Written on August 3, 2020 at 5:46 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
There is a lot going on at the Alchemy Art Center. Dear Parents, We have been looking forward to getting back to making art in person, and have some thoughts on how we can do so as safely as possible! It seems to us that school will probably not be back to “normal” in Continue Reading
FHHS Aerospace Team’s International Space Settlement Design Competition, 2020
Written on July 30, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
The Friday Harbor High School Aerospace Team is at it again! The 2020 International Space Settlement Design Competition just finished, though without travelling to NASA as in the last two years. The Aerospace Team’s name this year is “Grumbo” (think Grumman mixed with Boeing) and the Friday Harbor High School Team joined with teams from Continue Reading
Update on American Camp Visitor Center
Written on July 22, 2020 at 6:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
By Louise Dustrude When the new Visitor Center opens at American Camp next summer there will be some familiar features — the curved-trunk Douglas fir at the entrance, the small clump of black locust trees within the parking lot, and the friendly, knowledgeable National Park Service staff and volunteers to answer questions. There will also Continue Reading
SJICF Awards Nearly $150k in Scholarships, Academic Awards
Written on July 21, 2020 at 6:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Although 2020 has been an incredibly challenging school year, the San Juan Island Community Foundation carried on its tradition of awarding annual scholarships to local students. Over the last few months, SJICF has awarded just under $150k in college scholarships and awards to 39 local students for the 2020-2021 school year. 9 graduating seniors from Friday Harbor High Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Virtual Film Festival Coming October 15 – 25
Written on September 28, 2020 at 10:23 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Friday Harbor Film Festival is going virtual this year, featuring award-winning documentaries, short films, and student-made films, as well as daily livestreamed Q&As with filmmakers. All films will be available on demand for 10 days, October 15-25. Q&As will be recorded for those who can’t participate via livestream. Read about this year’s lineup Continue Reading

Community letter from SJISD School Superintendent Fred Woods
Written on September 25, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Dear Friday Harbor community, I have always loved the month of September. Many years ago, when I decided to make education a life-long career I saw an opportunity to broaden my world, allowing me to extend beyond the limits of the little town where I was raised. Choosing education as a career eventually led me Continue Reading

Skagit Valley College Continuing and Community Education is online for Fall
Written on September 25, 2020 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
Skagit Valley College’s Continuing and Community Education program (CCE) is pleased to announce new online workshops for Fall Quarter. CCE allows you to engage, connect, learn, and grow from the comfort of your home in short-term, non-credit courses. Visit the CCE Fall 2020 Course Catalog for more information. Courses are designed for people who would like to Continue Reading

Spring Street says “Thanks!”
Written on September 23, 2020 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Spring Street International School would like to thank the San Juan Island Community Foundation for hosting, coordinating, and including us in the SJICF Fair Matching Grant Program. The Fair Matching Grant Program helped us raise $4,605 that went towards preparing our school to open up safely this fall and provide our students with an innovative Continue Reading

Zoom Talk: True Animal Stories with Author Clare Hodgson Meeker
Written on September 22, 2020 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan Island Library announces that renowned regional author Clare Hodgson Meeker will host a Zoom talk on Friday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m. Meeker’s latest book, Growing Up Gorilla: How a Zoo Baby Brought Her Family Together, is a 2020 Washington State Book Award Finalist for Young Readers. Meeker will discuss writing Growing Up Continue Reading

Island Rec – Fall Virtual Lego Camps
Written on September 18, 2020 at 5:41 am, by Tim Dustrude
Island Rec has 2 Great LEGO camp options for you this season! The first, tap into your imagination from the comfort of your own home with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor and simple pieces from your own LEGO collection – all while connecting virtually with other young LEGO engineers. Students will explore their Continue Reading

Food for Thought
Written on September 10, 2020 at 7:12 pm, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Island School District’s Food for Thought Program is back at it! Though most of the staff was furloughed, Chef Andy, Ashley Spendiff and Kerri Starr are working hard to provide healthful FROM SCRATCH meals to all children in San Juan County ages 1-18 FOR FREE. Check out the school website for current Continue Reading

Outdoor Kid Pods Forming at Alchemy Art Center
Written on September 10, 2020 at 8:12 am, by Tim Dustrude
Alchemy’s Kid Pods are perfect for children and young people who want to learn, explore, and be creative- outdoors and in person! Alchemy is signing up groups of 4-5 kids on a rolling basis for personalized outdoor creative programming that includes ceramics, printmaking, drawing, t-shirt decoration, games, nature exploration, and more. Classes take place once Continue Reading

SVC is Here for You
Written on September 9, 2020 at 10:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
Skagit Valley College’s Worker Retraining program covers tuition, books, and school-related fees to help those who are Unemployed. Skagit Valley College is pleased to announce that we are offering you new options for Fall Quarter taught by our trained, experienced online instructors. Classes start Tuesday, September 22 and registration is going on now. Are you Continue Reading

Soroptimists Give $10,000 in Educational Awards
Written on September 1, 2020 at 2:34 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce its 2020 educational award winners. The Live Your Dream Award, a worldwide signature Soroptimist program, is given to a woman who is the primary wage earner in her household and enrolled in an undergraduate degree or vocational skills program. This year’s recipient is Maricela Lomeli. Maricela Continue Reading

Salish Sea Ballet Reopening For Classes September 8
Written on August 27, 2020 at 10:55 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
It’s time to register for fall dance classes! Salish Sea Ballet is offering small group in-person classes as well as virtual classes on Zoom. Our studio is spacious, well-ventilated, and follows COVID-19 protocols for safety and sanitization. We are excited to offer classes for dancers ages 3 and up. Check out our class schedule online, Continue Reading

The Whale Museum Reopens
Written on August 26, 2020 at 8:49 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
From The Whale Museum… After over 5 months of being closed, we got word that the Governor is allowing museums to open in Phase 2 (8-2020)! The Exhibit Hall and Gift Shop are open daily 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. We are diligently following every rule put in place by the Health Department and Washington Continue Reading

Griffin Bay School Virtual Fair Grant Opportunity
Written on August 14, 2020 at 10:28 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
San Juan Island School District would like to thank the San Juan Community Foundation for the annual “Fair matching grant” in support of our community! We are grateful to be included in this year’s “line up” of worthy causes that help our community stay strong and healthy. SJISD is asking for support for the K-12 Continue Reading
HOT TOPIC #29: Guidelines for Parents Considering Home Based Group Learning
Written on August 13, 2020 at 1:14 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders As we head into the second half of August, local public and private schools are pursuing a range of options for the start of the school year. This article will not be addressing the specifics of school reopening plans-that will come directly Continue Reading

Alchemy Art Center Joins Virtual Fair Fundraiser
Written on August 12, 2020 at 1:59 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
This 2020 Fair season, Alchemy Art Center is grateful to be featured in the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s Matching Grant Program! We are raising funds for the free kids arts programming we are currently offering in partnership with Island Rec and the Family Resource Center, as well as for the Kid Pod Classes we Continue Reading

San Juan Island Public Schools Fall Re-opening Plan
Written on August 7, 2020 at 10:33 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
At last evening’s special board meeting, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors approved a fall reopening plan for schools. After several months of planning with the district workgroups and steering committee, Superintendent Fred Woods recommended to the Board that the San Juan Island public schools begin the 2020-2021 school year under a Continue Reading

SJISD School Board To Hold Open Public Meeting Tonight, Aug 6, Via Zoom
Written on August 6, 2020 at 12:16 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
We hear from Maude at the School District… The San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a Special School Board Meeting on Thursday August 6, at 5:00 pm as a Zoom meeting. This meeting is open to the public. To access the Zoom meeting, please click on “Video” within the electronic Board Agenda, or call the Continue Reading

New School Reopening Guidance Announced Today
Written on August 5, 2020 at 6:19 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Governor Inslee announces education recommendations for 2020-2021 school year… San Juan County is among 5 counties in Washington State that are considered “Low Risk” for COVID-19. Plans regarding school reopening are made by the local health jurisdiction and school district. Gov. Jay Inslee, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and DOH’s state health officer, Dr. Continue Reading

Attention Parents: Alchemy Art Center Offers Kids Clay Club
Written on August 3, 2020 at 5:46 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
There is a lot going on at the Alchemy Art Center. Dear Parents, We have been looking forward to getting back to making art in person, and have some thoughts on how we can do so as safely as possible! It seems to us that school will probably not be back to “normal” in Continue Reading
FHHS Aerospace Team’s International Space Settlement Design Competition, 2020
Written on July 30, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
The Friday Harbor High School Aerospace Team is at it again! The 2020 International Space Settlement Design Competition just finished, though without travelling to NASA as in the last two years. The Aerospace Team’s name this year is “Grumbo” (think Grumman mixed with Boeing) and the Friday Harbor High School Team joined with teams from Continue Reading
Update on American Camp Visitor Center
Written on July 22, 2020 at 6:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
By Louise Dustrude When the new Visitor Center opens at American Camp next summer there will be some familiar features — the curved-trunk Douglas fir at the entrance, the small clump of black locust trees within the parking lot, and the friendly, knowledgeable National Park Service staff and volunteers to answer questions. There will also Continue Reading

SJICF Awards Nearly $150k in Scholarships, Academic Awards
Written on July 21, 2020 at 6:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Although 2020 has been an incredibly challenging school year, the San Juan Island Community Foundation carried on its tradition of awarding annual scholarships to local students. Over the last few months, SJICF has awarded just under $150k in college scholarships and awards to 39 local students for the 2020-2021 school year. 9 graduating seniors from Friday Harbor High Continue Reading