Middle School is Right Around the Corner!

Announcements

Thank you to all the students who remembered to complete and return their middle school forecasting sheets. These are due tomorrow, Friday, March 2nd. While I know the middle school takes the forms that are turned in late, the chances of students getting their first choice of class greatly diminishes if the forms are not turned in on time.

Your student should have also brought home two other reminder flyers. The first was for the Hoop-a-Thon money envelope. These are due back to the school next Thursday, March 8th. This gives the OPPO time over the following weekend to count and tally hoops for prizes. 

In addition, I sent home information about an upcoming Outdoor School information night. This will be held Wednesday, March 14, from 6:30-7:30. We will have a short presentation on the Outdoor School program, required forms, supply lists and a chance for questions and answers that evening. We encourage both parents/guardians and students to attend. The kids are excited, but also a little nervous. This will be a great chance to put their minds at ease and get everyone ready for this fun adventure!

Mini Boat Update

I also wanted to give an update on our mini-boat, the S/V Red, White, and Blue. While checking its position earlier this week, the class was disappointed to see that it was heading directly toward the Alaskan coastline (good geography lesson...it was Alaska, not Canada, as many students contended). Alas, yesterday our little boat decided it was sea weary, and drifted ashore. 

I was sad to hear the news, until Nate, our wonderful Columbia River Maritime Museum coordinator, let me know the Coast Guard was on our case! That's right. We got the full search and rescue treatment! I've included pictures of the mission below. Our vessel has not yet been recovered, but we have a volunteer who will be taking her back to sea! What a great adventure our little boat has had.




 

Here's the message from the USCG, "Captain - The S/V Red, White & Blue was located today high aground in the vicinity of Sitka Sound - pictures attached.  A salvage & refloat operation is being planned for the weekend, weather permitting.  Thanks to CDR Will Walker and his crew for locating the vessel!"
So official!

 

Look at her! All alone in the rocks! So happy to see her beautiful sail still intact.

 

If you zoom in, you can see her along the rocks.

I have not had a chance to share any of these exciting developments with the students. Tomorrow morning should yield a fun discussion, especially when considering the information we learned on our field trip to the Maritime museum about search and rescue operations!

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Ms. Kinsman