PRINCIPAL CORNER for April 20th Tribal Welcome

Two weeks ago, our 3rd/4th students had an incredible field trip experience. As a precursor to this trip, students read and researched about Northwest Coastal Native Americans living in state. The created a mural to communicate their learning.

Initially, the mural included water, trees, and mountains of our Kitsap peninsula. Students then added the birds and animals of our region. For this Storypath unit which integrates Social Studies, Science and Language Arts, students are divided up into two Native American families which they named the Snowy Owl Clan and the Hawk Clan. Using construction paper, crayons and markers, each student made a representation of their tribal member. They learned the age and the job (hunting, fishing, wood carving, knitting, and cooking) of the tribal member they were given. The tribal members were added to the mural.

3rd grader Kenai Lesdesma is a member of the Suquamish Tribe. His sister Tehya, his grandfather (Papa), and his Great Grandfather Mr. Ted George visited our 3rd/4th classroom to share stories and tell students about the history of the Suquamish Tribe. Tehya shared a basket she had woven, a belt she made, a cedar hat and an eagle feather. She told the story of the eagle feather; if you drop it, you have to do a specific dance in front of the community.

Last week, on our very own school bus, 3rd/4th grade students travelled to the Suquamish Museum. Kenia’s Papa Wayne George led them on a tour of the museum and then invited students to eat lunch with the Elders. Each student sat next to an Elder, sharing stories. Just prior to eating, 4th grader Payton asked an Elder if they could pray before eating. The Elder replied, “Yes, we are all Catholic here.”

On this very special field trip, our students learned about the history of the Suquamish Tribe and about the present, lived experience of our Suquamish neighbors. A big thank you to Kenai, the George family and the Suquamish Elders for generously sharing their culture, both past and present, with our 3rd/4th grade students. With joy, Susan Kilbane

SPRING BREAK - SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

1. Play outside 2. Visit the library in Poulsbo or on Bainbridge Island 3. Go fishing 4. Take the ferry to to visit Pike’s Market & the 5. Go to the beach 6. Write in your journal every day 7. Go swimming 8. Visit the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and Kidimu 9. Go hiking 10. Ride your bike

A big thank you to 3rd/4th graders Kenia Ledesma, Akiles Lopez and Timmy Bomke for contributing to the above Principal Corner and Spring Break Suggested Activities list.