Kirk Boxleitner

kboxleitner@ptleader.com

The same Chimacum School Board meeting that saw Director Robert Bunker voted out unanimously also saw the district touting some of the positive accomplishments of its staff and students.

“It’s been an odd week, historically, for the Chimacum School Boardship,” Chair Mike Gould said. “And at the risk of censure, if there’s one three-word phrase I’ve come to hate, it’s the phrase, ‘It’s just Chimacum.’ ”

Gould railed against a mentality he sees as downgrading and dismissing the achievements of the Chimacum schools, and he criticized the news media’s recent coverage of the school district for focusing on Bunker while not devoting as much attention to the good works of its students, citing their recent milestones in academics, athletics and community contributions.

To that end, the board meeting highlighted the notable feats of Chimacum Middle School eighth-grader Robyn Weaver and Life Skills teacher Ann Abraham.

Chimacum Middle School Principal David Carthum explained how Weaver was one of 10 middle school students from East Jefferson County who studied STEM subjects at a weeklong science and math summer camp, Tech Trek, which was sponsored by the Washington state chapter of American Association of University Women.

Carthum elaborated on how Weaver engaged in hands-on pursuits of specialized subjects ranging from chemistry to cybersecurity.

“This is a big deal, because women are traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields,” Carthum said. “But we were represented at Tech Trek by one of our Chimacum Eagles.”

Abraham followed Carthum and Weaver to point out what her Life Skills students had been doing during National Disability Awareness Month in October, and beyond.

The Life Skills program works with students with disabilities, including those 18 to 21, with the ultimate goal of helping them become more independent.

Abraham praised Life Skills paraeducators Mary Andrews and Cindy Starr, among others, for helping the students collect recycling throughout the district, including working out a simple system for collection that ensures neither classroom instruction nor other operations will be disrupted.

“These are wonderful kids with great mentors,” Abraham said, noting the Life Skills students also work with job and life coaches to learn routines that can make it possible for them to obtain and maintain employment and housing.

Abraham said those lessons often are imparted through firsthand experiences, ranging from the Skookum disability services and support organization, to the Chimacum Elementary store.

“Through the school store, they can learn money skills and how to greet people,” Abraham said.

After Abraham’s remarks, the board voted 4-0 to accept the absent Bunker’s resignation, and it pledged to outline the process of filling his seat during its next meeting Nov. 14.