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News & Announcements

Superintendent's Message 03/01/2024

Dear Chimacum Families,

It certainly doesn't feel like Spring yet. Seems like no matter how long I have Iived in the PNW, normal weather patterns are a source of novelty and disappointment! 

Among the many instructional initiatives we are working on in support of great classrooms for kids, Artificial Intelligence is in the mix. Recently we received a broad guidance framework from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction On “Human-Centered AI”. This guidance is a precursor to comprehensive direction for public schools in Washington.

AI technology seems to change every day and it is constantly in the news. There are many of us who are embracing AI in our work now- we believe there is tremendous promise. We are engaging students in meaningful classroom activities, and developing efficiencies for lesson planning and communications. These are just a few Chimacum examples:

  • 6th graders use Chatbots to develop ideas for their writing
  • Our Kindergarten teachers are using it to customize lessons and units of study for individual children
  • In the central office we use it to generate story content ideas for internal and external communications

As a district we intend to work in this new AI world with intention so that the technology doesn’t consume and frustrate us as Social Media has. Our Instructional Technology Committee, made up of teachers and administrators from around the district, is awaiting further state guidance but is ensuring that new professional development opportunities for teachers are promoted and utilized. In addition, our school board, like boards across the state, is awaiting policy guidance but relying on current policies to ensure and enforce ethical and appropriate use.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Warmly,
Dr. Scott Mauk
 

Superintendent's Message 02/09/2024

Dear Chimacum Families

This week has been Counselor Appreciation Week. I am deeply grateful for our counseling team, and all our mental health partners for their skill, dedication, and care. I hope you will join me in celebrating them!

Our attendance, discipline, and core academic data are improving across the district. Data that jumps out at me is our attendance. Our attendance rates are up and chronic absenteeism is down by nearly 20%!

These extraordinary improvements are because of all the people working hard in our system engaging students in meaningful ways. But it should not go unnoticed the critical role our counselors have played in supporting students' social and emotional needs so they can feel successful and confident.

Great things are happening in Chimacum. Spread the good word about our counseling team!

Warmly,
S
 

Superintendent's Message 02/02/2024

Dear Chimacum Families,

We are at the halfway point of the school year! It has flown by.

We are pleased to let you know that our friend and Chimacum Alumna, Nancy McDaniel, has given us permission to use a chapter from her new book Chimacum: In the Valley Near the Water on the history of the district. You can find this chapter on our website linked here.

Great things are happening in Chimacum! 

  • We are excited about course offerings at secondary and some of the many fun activities and events in our elementary schools. 
  • Many of our winter athletes are preparing for playoff competitions and spring sports are around the corner! 
  • For our community’s three- and four-year olds we will be getting registration information out about preschool and Transition to Kindergarten for fall of 2024. 
  • For more information about the 2024 Capital Projects Levy you can visit our website page linked here.

Stay tuned!

Warmly,

Dr. Scott Mauk, Superintendent