Introducing "Meet our Staff" Monday! Get to know our incredible team as we kick off the first segment of this new series! Join us in celebrating the diverse talents, passions and stories that make our team extraordinary. We hope you enjoy getting to know the faces behind the scenes!
#MeetOurStaffMonday #BehindTheScenes #EmployeeAppreciation #GetToKnowUs #SWSDStrongerTogether
Meet our Staff: Joni McSpadden
In the bustling halls of Sedro-Woolley High School, there's a familiar face that has become synonymous with dedication, passion and resilience.
Joni McSpadden, an English teacher with an illustrious 18-year tenure at SWHS, is an inspiration for both students and colleagues alike.
Joni is deeply intertwined within the fabric of Sedro-Woolley. Growing up in our tight-knit community, she found her calling early on.
"I thought I would teach elementary school, but I knew from the time I was very little that I would be a teacher," she said.
She earned a BA in Education from WWU before landing back home in Woolley.
"I couldn't imagine teaching anywhere else,” she said. “This was the only district I wanted to be in."
Joni's heart has always been in education, proven by earning National Board certification in 2014.
Joni's dedication to her students reached new heights when she faced a personal battle with cancer last year. Taking a leave of absence for treatment, the warmth of her return to the school was a testament to the impact she has had on her students and colleagues.
"When I returned from my leave last year for cancer treatment...the welcome back was very special," Joni reflected.
In 2022, Joni's commitment to education was recognized when she was nominated for the state teacher of the year, reaching the finals for ESD 189. The accolades underscored not only her individual achievements but also the standard of excellence she upholds in her role as an English teacher.
Beyond the school walls, Joni finds solace and joy in the equestrian world.
"Outside of school, I show horses with my daughter. Right now, we primarily show in ranch riding at quarter horse shows," she said.
Joni’s passion for horses goes hand in hand with her commitment to lifelong learning. Taking riding lessons one or twice a week, Joni is currently navigating the equestrian world with a 20-year-old horse.
“The two of us are still learning together,” Joni said.
As Joni looks toward the future, her professional goals include renewing her National Board certificate, something temporarily put on hold during her cancer treatment.
For students who look to her for guidance, Joni offers a simple yet powerful piece of advice: "Try."
That’s a mantra that perfectly summarizes her teaching philosophy.
What does Joni hope her students take away from their time in the Sedro-Woolley School District?
“That people love and care about them, and that the world is better because they are in it.”
🚌 REMINDER: School resumes today for Sedro-Woolley School District students. 🏫 Let's embrace the opportunities, challenges and adventures that the New Year brings. We're excited to see the smiles of our students filling the halls once again!
Here's to 2024 being filled with curiosity, growth and success! 🍎📝 #BackToSchool #SWSDStrongerTogether #LearningJourney
Mary Purcell Elementary School invites the community to attend their sixth-grade "Family Heritage Night" in the Mary Purcell gymnasium on Thursday, January 11, from 6–7 p.m.
Students will be completing a family heritage poster board, a written report, have a food sample representing one part of their bloodline and will be displaying family heirlooms.
Audience members are invited to walk around, view the poster boards, ask students questions, sample food, etc.
The 57 sixth graders are excited to host this fabulous event for the first time since 2019!
Mary Purcell librarian Lisa Soneda will be building a replica of a colonial home on the stage as well!
🎉🌟 Happy New Year from the Sedro-Woolley School District! 🌟🎉
As we bid farewell to 2023 and embrace the possibilities of 2024, we extend our warmest wishes to our incredible community. May the coming year be filled with joy, growth and countless moments of learning and success for every student, family and staff member.
Thank you for being an essential part of our Sedro-Woolley School District family. Here's to a year of new beginnings, endless possibilities and shared achievements! 📚🎓✨
#HappyNewYear #SWSDCommunity #NewBeginnings
🌟 Sedro-Woolley School District Winter Break Update! 🌟
Hey SWSD community! 🎉 As we gear up for the holiday season, here's a quick update on our Winter Break schedule:
📅 December 23, 2023 - January 7, 2024
🚫 Buildings closed to the public (some staff still working)
🌐 Visit our website for staff contact information
🔓 Offices reopen on January 8, 2024
Enjoy the well-deserved break from school! Wishing everyone a joyful and restful holiday season! 🎄❄️ #SWSDWinterBreak #HappyHolidays
🔔🎉 Get ready for some festive fun this afternoon! 🎄 Clear Lake Elementary Students will be spreading holiday cheer with a Jingle Bell Parade starting at 2:45 p.m. 🌟✨
Join us as all the little elves jingle their way through town, bringing smiles and joy to all! 🎅🏻🤶🏻🎁 🚶♂️🚶♀️🔔
#ClearLakeJingleParade #HolidayCheer #JingleAllTheWay
December 21st marks the start of winter. Thankfully, here in the Pacific Northwest, rain falls more than snowflakes! 🌧️❄️
#PacificNWWinter #RainyDaysInsteadOfSnowDays
📣 Attention Central Elementary School Parents! 📣
The Parent Group meeting is tonight via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. 🕡
📅 Date: December 21
🕡 Time: 6:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Zoom
#CentralElementary #ParentGroupMeeting #CommunityUnity
🎨 Fourth graders at Evergreen Elementary School had a blast at today's special "Paint & Sip" event! 🖌️⛄️ The artists painted adorable snowmen masterpieces while sipping on CapriSuns. 🎨❄️ Stay tuned for photos of the completed projects!
Sixth-grade students transformed Charlie Huddleston's classroom at Evergreen Elementary School into an Egyptian wonderland, showcasing their incredible projects at the much-anticipated Egyptian Museum event today!
From pyramids to pharaohs, hieroglyphics to mummies, students delved into the rich history of ancient Egypt, bringing the past to life with creativity and, in some cases, mummified hot dogs that smelled like cinnamon.
Let's give a round of applause to these young historians for their hard work and dedication!
Lyman Elementary School's Winter Program is TONIGHT! 🎄✨ Join us for an evening of festive cheer on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 6 p.m. in the Cascade Middle School cafeteria.
🎶🌟 Get ready for delightful performances by Lyman students as they showcase their winter spirit! ❄️🎤 Mark your calendars, invite friends and family – this is an event you won't want to miss!
#LymanWinterProgram #CommunityEvent #MarkYourCalendars #FestiveFun #LymanElementarySchool 🏫
Don't forget, all schools will start one hour late tomorrow so staff can participate in professional development!
CMS: 8:40 a.m.
SWHS: 8:55 a.m.
SSHS: 9:00 a.m.
Elementary: 10:25 a.m.
🌟Don't forget! Tonight is Big Lake Elementary School's Winter Program! 🎄✨
📅 Date: Tuesday, December 19
🕒 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Big Lake Elementary School Gymnasium
Get ready for a showcase featuring Big Lake's talented students! ❄️🎶 Let the holiday spirit fill the air as they perform festive tunes. 🎅🤶
Bring your family and friends to celebrate the joy of the season together. 🎉 Don't miss out on this wonderful community event! 🌟 #BigLakeWinterProgram #CommunityCelebration #HolidayJoy
Wow! Sedro-Woolley High School hosted its first "Read-In" during Cub Time today. There were 38 classes that had students reading, which translated into 1,150 cookies devoured and 950 bookmarks delivered. The event, the brainchild of Kerri Carlton, was a huge success!
🎶 Join us TONIGHT for an evening filled with holiday cheer! 🎄🎉 Evergreen Elementary School's talented first and second graders are ready to spread joy through their delightful winter concert! 🌟
🗓️ Date: Monday, December 18, 2023
🕕 Time: 6:00 p.m.
📍 Venue: Cascade Middle School Cafeteria
Celebrate the festive season together with music, laughter, and the magic of childhood! 🎁🎵 #EvergreenWinterConcert #HolidayHarmony #CommunityJoy
🌟 December 18–22 is Winter Wishes Week at Sedro-Woolley High School!🌲✨
🎁 Every year, SWHS Leadership students work tirelessly to support families facing challenges during the holiday season. The students believe in the power of community and want to make sure everyone feels the warmth and joy of the holidays.
🤝 Leadership students reach out to local businesses and families to make Winter Wishes come true. The donations make a significant difference for those in need.
❤️ Winter Wishes is not just about gifts; it's about connecting families with essential resources like food and utilities. We all know the tough times life can throw our way, and this week gives students a chance to come together to lend a helping hand.
#WinterWishes #CommunityLove #SWHSLeadership #HolidayCheer
🔔🎉 Mark your calendars now and get ready for some festive fun next Friday! 🎄 Clear Lake Elementary Students are spreading holiday cheer with a Jingle Bell Parade on December 22, 2023, starting at 2:45 p.m. 🌟✨
Join us as all the little elves jingle their way through town, bringing smiles and joy to all! 🎅🏻🤶🏻🎁 🚶♂️🚶♀️🔔
#ClearLakeJingleParade #HolidayCheer #JingleAllTheWay
REMINDER: Samish Elementary School's production of Rapunzel with the Missoula Children's Theatre is TODAY, December 15th, at 6:30 p.m. in the SWHS Auditorium.
There is also a special assembly for Samish families at 1 p.m. in the Samish gymnasium.
Tickets: $2 for adults, $1 for children and seniors, or $10 per family.
#SamishElementary #Rapunzel #ChildrensTheatre #FamilyFun #SWHSAuditorium #CommunityEvent
Zoe Gensburg, a sixth-grade student at Lyman Elementary School, had the honor serving as Superintendent of the Day today! She visited Cascade Middle School, Helping Hands Food Bank, the district's transportation department and the district office. Zoe was nominated for the honor by her principal, Scott McPhee!
TY PETERSON has been named the November Soroptimist CTE Student of the month. Ty is a Senior at Sedro-Woolley High School.
He enjoys hanging out with his family and friends, snowboarding and weight lifting. Ty has volunteered with a variety of youth sports groups, including our Sedro-Woolley Youth Football League as Assistant Coach.
CTE classes here at SWHS have helped shape his future goals by showing him that engineering is a broad career path that has many different opportunities and categories amongst itself, including STEM programs.
After high school, Ty plans on attending a 4 year university, somewhere warmer than Washington, and will obtain a degree in the science/chemistry field. Congratulations Ty!
