October 2023

We will ensure high levels of academic and cultural learning for every student.

We are honored to have our MTS students back on campus. This picture was taken during Summer School. We embrace the love the students have for the Muckleshoot Tribal School!

Kindergarten classrooms are doing an amazing job learning. We are so proud of them!

The year is off to a great start! Our students are adjusting to their routines, jumping into learning, and showing amazing growth already. We have been so excited to see what our students know, including our Kindergarten friends. So many of our Kindergartners came in already knowing their letters, what a great start! We look forward to seeing all their progress this school year!

Important Change to the Grading System:

This year, we have moved from a 3-trimester to a 2-semester grading system. With fewer but more extended marking periods, it is critical that you closely monitor your child's academic progress throughout the year.

Some key details about the new 2-semester model:

• Semester 1 will end on January 30, 2024.
• Semester 2 will span from January to June.

If your child is struggling in class, do not wait until report cards. Immediately reach out to their teachers for help or tutoring options. MTS will have parent/teacher conferences on October 12, 2023, and October 13, 2023.

Thank you for your commitment to your child's education.

The Department of Teaching & Learning will be hosting a variety of community-centered nights to support Math, Reading, and Science learning. These will be in addition to Culture Nights scheduled for October, December, and March. Be on the lookout for more info coming your way!

Join us for Culture Night on October 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 at MTS. This month’s theme is Water is Life.

Please welcome Claire Laurenz, Jerry Price, and Sandy Packo to the Department of Teaching and Learning.

We are looking forward to an exciting October with:

• 10/4 Open House 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm in the large gym

• 10/5 Tomanamus Community Day

• 10/9 Holiday- No School

• 10/12 Parent-Teacher Conferences Thursday 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

• 10/13

• Parent-Teacher Conferences Friday 1:00 pm -3:30 pm

• Homecoming Game 5:00 pm -7:00 pm

• Homecoming Dance 8:00 pm-10:00 pm

• 10/17

• Senior-Parent Night Meeting 4:30 pm-5:30 pm

• Senior Volleyball Night

• 10/17, 10/18, 10/19 - Elementary Pumpkin Patch (please ask teachers for the exact day)

• 10/19 Culture Night 5:30 pm-7:30 pm

• 10/23 Red Ribbon Week starts - Spirit days- Look for a flyer

• 10/27

• MS Dance 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

• MTS Trunk or Treat 4:30 pm-6:00 pm

• Senior Night for Football 6:00 pm

MTS Athletics is in full swing, if you would like to help out with our games or have areas that you feel you could be of value, please do not hesitate to reach out to steven.gray@muckleshoot.com.

October Important Dates.

Please view the following link for October Sports Schedules. The schedule is subject to change.

• OCTOBER SPORTS SCHEDULE

• Tiffany Ciunci (Attendance Specialist) 253-931-6709 Ext:3746
• Heather Williams (Parent Liaison K-4th Grade) 253-931-6709 Ext: 3740
• Tammie Anderson (Parent Liaison 5th-8th Grade) 253-931-6709 Ext: 3876
• Leona Starr (Parent Liaison 9th-12th Grade) 253-931-6709 Ext: 3751

Additional methods of reporting an absence is through School Messenger and the SafeArrival App. Call the toll-free number 833-919-2172 or go to https://go.schoolmessenger.com. We appreciate your help with ensuring your child attends school on a regular basis. Go, Kings!

As the Success Coordinator at MTS my focus is on college and career planning. As we kickoff the school year our secondary students will continue to work in the program Xello on these subjects. I also coordinate the Running Start Program, Puget Sound Skills Center Program, Port of Seattle Internships and more. Please reach out if you have any questions to Krystal Adolph at (253) 569-9598 or krystal.adolph@muckleshoot.com

Mental Health Promotion:The xʷulʼčəxʷ ʔəstalx (Tend to Your Spirit) Program serves the MTS community with a focus on suicide prevention and the development of a comprehensive mental health program that includes students, families, and staff. We work with UW’s Forefront in the Schools program to provide peer-led trainings in suicide prevention for students at the high school level, parents and caregivers, and all staff.

Our Forefront suicide prevention teams are ramping up to begin meeting and planning for upcoming trainings! If you are a parent/caregiver interested in learning more, contact Crissie. See flyer for this year’s training of the trainers: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFvA1kfjXg/ZqAyy5eV76RArAaTgMMV8A/view?utm_content=DAFvA1kfjXg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

If your student could use support and connection, please reach out to Crissie Petro at 253-281-1225 or crissie.petro@muckleshoot.com or fill out a referral form here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9HljaBHZnYByBoP6KI44tc57Z0LQL6FFuDM-SGZiiYc3X1g/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, you may also call 988 or text the word “HEAL” or “NATIVE” to 741-741.

Our Prevention Specialists, Safety Team, Family and Youth Services, and Admin team have been working hard to help address campus vape/tobacco use. In response to students vaping on campus, students will be informed to attend an after-school health class that addresses the dangers of tobacco and vaping every other Thursday from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Parents/guardians are notified at the end of each school day if their child is identified as being present when a vape sensor has detected vape nicotine or THC. Parents providing the same messaging at home can significantly support educating our students on the dangers of tobacco and vaping at school. We are working on putting together parent toolkits to help assist with this that will be available to all parents/guardians here at MTS.

Brianna Perez has also had many opportunities to meet and speak with our elementary students about the dangers of tobacco and vaping. Here are some of our 1st-grade students in action!!

Meet the 2023/2024 MTS Security Team. The security team is responsible for the safety and security for all students, staff, visitors and the entire campus. The majority of the security staff are Muckleshoot Tribal Members and former students of MTS. All security staff maintain their certifications through several trainings offered throughout the school year.

Back row L-R: Skylar Carey, Peter Lee, Josh Prather, Dontae Sarabia-Johnson & Gene Enos. Front row L-R: Sandra Courville, Anthony Ward-Moses, Rae Jansen, Aaron Grant, Allen Sutton & Jordan Giauque. Not pictured: Leondra Loggins & Jacob Joe.

Please keep your child home if they are experiencing fever, diarrhea, and/or vomiting. Before returning to school, your child must be free of symptoms and be fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medications).

Check with your child’s physician to make sure they are up to date on immunizations.

Get your flu shot. Yearly flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged six months and older.

Please call the school nurse office at 253-931-6709 x3798 if you have any questions.