K-12 News & Updates

Jennifer Ketring

K-8 December E-Newsletter

Wow everyone, I can’t believe that it is already December. In just a couple of short weeks we will enjoy a much needed and well deserved break. Thank you everyone for all of your hard work to stay connected, to complete asynchronous assignments and to make distance learning the best that it can be.

During these next couple of weeks, teachers and students will participate in NWEA assessments for Math, Reading and ELA. These assessments will help us to generate baseline data to help us see where our students are now, so that we can measure how much they grow during the last remaining months of school. Administering these assessments remotely will require a little more support from parents than the normal Zoom classes, but with help from classroom teachers, these assessments will go smoothly and generate information that teachers will use to guide instruction for the remainder of the school year. Thank you for your active participation in NWEA assessments. You can download a copy of the testing schedule.   

On Friday, December 18th, PCCS K-8 will host an Elves workshop online with our students. We will meet together on Zoom at 10:30, and have a variety of activities led by our teachers. Your child’s teacher will share more information about the Elves workshop this week. Additionally, we will still have a materials pick-up on this day so that students are prepared when we return to class on January 4th, 2021. Take care everyone, stay safe, read a little everyday, hope for rain and PEACE!

-Mr. Todd


Read the Full December E-Newsletter

Jennifer Ketring

High School December E-Newsletter

As we approach the closing of 2020, our focus is on testing and assessment to establish comparative data to inform instructional decisions. CLS class time is being used to implement our NWEA (North West Evaluation Association) test sessions. MAP Growth testing helps us to be better prepared to meet our students when and where they need it the most. The data from these tests will be used for instructional decision-making and can help inform a variety of programmatic and instructional decisions including:

  • Identifying and qualifying students for various instructional strategies.
  • Guiding teachers who do not regularly make decisions on instructional program choices for students.
  • Scheduling and grouping to meet students’ learning needs.
  • Screening for special or alternative instruction.
  • Staffing and resourcing.


Quarter Two (Q2) Progress Reports have been emailed to all of our families. The First Semester will end on January 15. During these challenging times, it is very important to stay connected and schedule one-to-one meetings (Zoom or phone call) with teachers to help support class assignments. Attendance on Zoom is improving, however the assignments and homework need more focus and attention. Our academic tutor is available online and in-person for small group support on site (Covid-19 Safety Protocol). Contact the school to make arrangements.

The Mendocino County Office of Education is continuing to offer parents and teachers the opportunity for Professional Development during Distance Learning. Please connect with us for specific details to work together as partners in education. We welcome open communication and sharing strategies to help our students be successful in these challenging times. We value our family partnerships and want to continue meaningful involvement in our students education and in the life of school.

Stay Safe & Take Care,

-Michele

Jennifer Ketring

School Hoodies and Tees

School hoodies and tees are available! We have cotton hoodies, short sleeve tees and long sleeve tees in youth and adult sizes. Current group order due December 18, 2022! Check back for future order dates. 

  • Hoodies available in 2 colors. Cost: $52.
  • Short sleeve tees available in 3 colors. Cost: $22-25.
  • Long sleeve tees available in 1 color. Cost: $30.

Order Online by December 18, 2022!

Jennifer Ketring

K-12 November E-Newsletter

I’ve had the opportunity to work with many of our teachers over the dozen plus years of being a parent in the Pacific School community. From teaching electives to organizing events and chaperoning field studies, all of these opportunities allowed me to get involved and actively participate with my boys’ teachers. They also provided a chance to get know those teachers in a deeper way—these opportunities for family engagement are something I value as a parent, and now as the Executive Director.

This past Sunday, I learned that one of those teachers, Jef Schultz, passed away. Jef was teaching 4th-5th and middle school Language Arts and History when I got to know him. To me, he epitomized the spirit of our school. A place committed to creating and cultivating community. A place that encouraged students to be active and contributing members in the local and global world. A place where we could express our authentic selves. His commitment to real-world learning and his fearless spirit of adventuring in the world with the kids—these are characteristics that I truly value and am committed to keeping alive in our school.

As we prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving Break and conscious time of gratitude, I would like to honor Jef and thank him for all that he brought to our school. I am also grateful for this opportunity to help guide our school and work with all of you.

With gratitude.

-Jen

Read the Full E-Newsletter Here

Jennifer Ketring

High School November E-News

Greetings to everyone during this changing Fall season on the coast!

The transforming colors of our beautiful coastal landscape continue to restore and renew with the new seasons. What a great opportunity it has been to work with our students and families remotely whilst being able to provide the technology to meet individual needs. We are very grateful for this growth and new perspective in our school culture as we begin to embrace the dynamic teaching and learning climate we live in.

As our county has shifted from the purple to red tier, we are able to continue to plan for the hybrid model in the second semester. We take your opinions into consideration when moving forward with our planning to accommodate everyone’s needs. Please take a moment to complete our Fall Family Survey to make sure your voice is heard.

I am very proud to be a part of this new team and our Governance Council (GC). This week the GC formally approved a resolution to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a school holiday.

We are excited about our school improvements to the campus and looking to explore more options for creating outdoor learning spaces upon return to the hybrid model. Our teachers recently received grants from the Redwood Coastal Educational Fund and have decided to pool the funds for developing outdoor teaching spaces. Community service hours will be available to students interested in helping build benches and other outdoor enhancements (parent volunteers are welcome too!). Students can also receive community service hours by tutoring younger students from our neighboring Horicon School. Please contact the office for more information.

Quarter 1 grades have been mailed. Continued engagement and communication is key to student success during distance learning. As we move forward Academic Tutoring with Ms. Mazza is available for students who need extra help. Please contact me to set up one-to-one support.

“Putting the pieces back together”, will be the title of our remote mural that we recently completed. The creativity has been phenomenal and we are excited to present our art work. Stay tuned for the culmination exhibition. Our CLS Program has had some amendments that we believe will enhance the program as well as project-based learning experiences for the whole school. 

In these challenging times we have to look to the past greats for the words, like those of Maya Angelou, to help us remain thankful at all times.

-Michele, High School Director 


Read the Full November E-Newsletter

Jennifer Ketring

K8 November E-news

Hello everyone. It seems like every time that I sit down to write my note for this newsletter, I find myself thinking what a dynamic time it is to be alive and how grateful I am to be able to work with our students here in our beautiful coastal community. As we move into the change of the seasons, I embrace the cooling temperatures and look forward to the longer dark nights cuddled up near the wood stove. I am also looking forward to the rains that will eventually come and refresh and recharge our land, so that everything can begin to regrow anew.  

It is very exciting that our county has moved from the purple tier to the red tier, and we are able to begin planning for a hybrid reopening in the new year. I want to ensure everyone of our commitment to making sure that we are able to do that in a way that is safe for our students, our teachers and our families. If you haven’t had an opportunity to do so yet, please fill out our fall survey. Your opinion is important, and your voice matters.  

I know that Covid fatigue is real, and the challenges of remaining motivated with distance learning are significant. Thank you for your efforts to help your students attend all of their Zoom sessions and complete their asynchronous assignments. Please be sure to contact the office or your child’s teacher if you need to miss class for any reason.

I am proud to say that our Governance Council approved a resolution to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a school holiday.  This is one small gesture that we can take to recognize the people who have stewarded this land for thousands of years. The Pacific School is committed to working in partnership with local native people to teach our students about the accomplishments and history of the Indigenous people of this land. 

I really want to highlight Ms. Angela’s Kindness and Gratitude Challenge for World Kindness Day this month. One of the best ways that we can move through difficult times, is to recognize the many blessings that we do have in our lives, and then to share some of that positive energy with others. 

Take care everyone.  Stay safe and healthy.  PEACE!!!! 

-Todd, K8 Director


Read the Full November E-Newsletter

Jennifer Ketring

Ink Cartridge Recycling

Help raise funds for our school and recycle your ink cartridges! 

Drop your used cartridges off in the boxes at our K-8 or High School -OR- follow the steps below for mailing them directly.

  1. Place used cartridges in any old bag. Box it up and seal. A minimum of 4 should be mailed in one box.
  2. Click here to request a shipping label. Use our school’s code 31447.
  3. Mail in your box. 
  4. We receive a check!
Learn more about Planet Green Recycle by visiting their website.

Jennifer Ketring

Indigenous Peoples' Day Resolution

WHEREAS, The Pacific School recognizes the fact the town and school sites rest on land that has been and remains the land on which Indigenous people have resided and been richly connected to for time immemorial.

WHEREAS, the Pacific School values the many contributions made to our community through indigenous peoples’ knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy, arts and the deep cultural contribution that has substantially shaped the character of the local schools.

WHEREAS, the Pacific School promotes the closing of the equity gap for indigenous people thorough policies and practices that reflect the experiences of indigenous peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity and honor our nation’s indigenous roots, history and contributions.

WHEREAS, in 2011 the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, representing 59 Tribes from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California, Western Montana and some Alaskan tribes passed resolution #11-57 to “Support to Change Columbus Day (2nd Monday of October) to Indigenous Peoples” Day.”

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Governance Council of the Pacific Community School support the Recognition of the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day and urges the community to join us in this observance.

Adopted by the PCCS Governance Council on November 4, 2020

Governance Council Members:
Sienna Lampi
Kyle Robinson
Lacey Glaze
Jessica Price
Isis Skarra-Pregler-Stoffers
Michael Beattie
Casie Smith

Supported by the Pacific School Management Team:
Jennifer Ketring, Executive Director
Todd Orenick, K-8 Director
Michele Taylor-Jones, High School Director
Ben Whalen, Finance Manager
Sienna Lampi, Governance Council Chair

Jennifer Ketring

K-12 October E-Newsletter

Autumn greetings!

While many of us may be feeling the “Groundhog Day” phenomena of the moment, there are also the seasonal shifts happening all around us—shorter days, cooler nights, the anticipation of rain, and the end of the 1st quarter of school. First quarter grades and progress are being finalized. High School Report Cards and K-8 Progress Reports will be mailed in the next week.

As we move into our 2nd quarter of distance learning, we continue to adapt to meet the needs of our students and strive to offer the most engaging programs we can during remote instruction. We are looking for feedback and reflections on the 1st quarter—please complete our Fall Family Survey to let us know how we can continue to improve.

Distance learning is offering a different way to participate, but attendance continues to be a vital key to success for our students. If your student isn’t able to attend their daily virtual classes, please be sure to contact their teacher or the school directly—thank you!

Moving forward we will continue to closely monitor the County COVID updates and stay in weekly communication with the Mendocino County Office of Education. We have also reached out to the District to stay informed of their plans and will keep you in the loop with any changes to our schedule. We regularly post updates on our Facebook page, and our staff is available via email or phone with any questions.

Take care. Stay healthy.

-Jen Ketring
Executive Director

Read the Full E-Newsletter Here