June is fast approaching- save these important dates.
July 1st, 2025, Dr. Christopher Granger will be Superintendent of SSD! He is asking for Community Feedback via this survey: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/984675039/welcome
SSD Summer 2025 FREE MEALS: June 30th - July 17th, Monday - Thursday, 11:00-12:00 pm, Sultan Middle School, 301 High Ave, Sultan, WA 98294.
Invitations have been mailed home for the Honors Social. It will be held on June 12th at 5pm. This event is to celebrate students who have achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher. Congratulations on your hard work Skyhawks!
A message from Coach Grady for SMS Track and Field :
"Yesterday the SMS had their last meet of the 2025 track season. And what a significant day the team had! We had massive personal records, multiple podium athletes and even a school record!
This meet is always one of my favorites to see. These last two meets of the season really showcase all the hard work, dedication and determination it takes to be a track athlete. Working hard all season to be able to leave it all out on the track one last time. For some athletes, the last time in their middle school career.
Congratulations to all the following athletes for making the podium:
-Caden Straughen took 1st in 8th grade 110m hurdles. He is also 4th all-time.
-Zander Bates took 7th in 6/7th grade 110m hurdles.
-Zayden Zimmerman placed 8th in girls 6/7 100m hurdles.
-Colton Webster placed 2nd in the 6/7 100m dash. Changing his school record to 12.09 seconds.
-Kale Koehler took 3rd in the 6/7 100m dash. He is also 3rd all-time.
-Cherish Robinson-Jones placed 5th in girls 8th grade 100m dash. 7th all-time.
-Kiah Hardy placed 4th in girls 6/7 100m dash. 2nd all-time.
- The boys 8th grade 4x1 team, Landon Hackman, Caden Straughen, Tyler McConnell and Bradley Nichols took 5th.
- Boys 6/7 4x1 team with Kale Koehler, Sawyer Jovee, Jensen Neilson, and Colton Webster took first place. This team also now has the school record with a 52.43 second race. The old school record was set back in 2012.
-Our girls 8th grade 4x1 relay with Ava Hutson, Sammy Schalo, Rosie McKenzie and Cherish Robinson-Jones took 4th place.
-Girls 6/7th grade 4x1 relay team with Ava Porter, Lucia Villasenor, Cadence Hayer, and Kiah Hardy placed 4th as well.
-Kevin Venegas placed 4th. In the boys 8th grade 400m dash.
-Kale Koehler took 3rd in the boys 6/7 20 dash. 2nd all-time.
-Kiah Hard took 2nd (4th all time) and Lyla Nicewanner took 3rd (6th all time) in the girls 6/7 20 dash.
- Jensen Neilson placed 8th in the boys 6/7 800m
-Our 4x2 8th grade boys relay team with Ryder Smith, Liam Neilson, Lucas Anderson and Caden Mellon.
-Ryder Smith took 7th place in boys 8th high jump
-Sahalee Williams placed 2nd along with Lyla Nicewanner taking 7th in girls 6/7 long jump.
-Lyndi Gaertner took first in the girls 6/7 Discus with a throw of 74ft!
-Liam Neilson took 5th and Kevin Chavez took 8th in boys 8th shot put.
-Audrianna Elder placed 7th in 8th grade discus
-Zander Bates took 6th in boys 6/7 high jump
-Sahalee Williams placed 5th in the girls 6/7 mile
- Illianna Villasenor took 7th in girls 6/7 shot put
Great job to all athletes who competed in prelims and finals. All athletes competed the season with great times and marks. Each one of you should be extremely proud of how you finished your season.
To the 8th graders, I wish you the best in your adventure moving forward in your sports, holding track at the high school. To my 6/7th graders. I hope to see you back again next season. Til then!"
It’s that time of year Skyhawks!
Time to purchase your yearbook!
If you pre-purchase your yearbook before next Monday, 6/4, by lunch, you can receive your yearbook during 1st period on Tuesday morning. After that, books will be available for purchase during student lunches Tuesday until they run out!
$30 cash or check at the SMS office.
COMMUNITY: You're Invited to Supper with the Superintendent on 6/10/25 @ 6 pm in the SMS Commons with future SSD Superintendent, Dr. Chris Granger: https://www.sultanschools.org/article/2253632
A message from our Track and Field coach, Coach Jessica Grady:
"Yesterday the Sultan Middle School Track and Field team competed in day one of finals. Some events ran a prelim meaning only the top 8 from those events will move forward to Thursday to compete for podium place and time. We had a lot of great marks along with a lot of personal records.
Congratulations to the following athletes who qualified top 8 and move forward to Thursday. These athletes have already made the podium. Now they are now fighting for place and time.
Zayden Zimmerman in the girls 6/7 hurdles
Zander Bates in the boys 6/7 hurdles
Caden Straughen in the boys 8th hurdles
Colton Webster and Kale Koehler in the boys 6/7 100m dash
Kiah Hardy in the girls 6/7 100m dash
Cherish Robinson-Jones in the girls 8th 100m dash
Kale Koehler in the boys 6/7 200m dash
Kiah Hardy and Lyla Nicewanner in the 6/7 200m dash
Kevin Venegas-Mendez in the 8th 400m dash
Congratulations to the following top 8 in their finals at todays meet. These athletes will be standing on the podium on Thursday.
Rosie McKenzie placed 5th in girls 8th high jump
Jensen Neilson placed 8th in boys 6/7 1600m run
Zavier Nolan placed 5th and Ryder Smith placed 7th in boys 8th long jump
I also wanted to take a moment to recognize some amazing PRs we ended the season with. In any running event, a second might not seem like a lot, but it is. It takes a true dedicated athlete/s to be able to shed seconds off your time.
Zander Bates was able to shed one second off his hurdle time.
Kendal Lund achieved shedding off a second and some change in her 100m dash.
Kale Koehler was also able to shed a second and a little more off his 200m time.
Caden Mellon pushed himself in the 200m dash taking a full two seconds off his time.
Kiah Hardy and Lyla Nicewanner achieved a full second off both their times pushing them to make the podium.
Kevin Venegas has taken a second off each time he’s ran the 400m dash.
Rosie McKenzie PRd by two inches in high jump claiming her spot on the podium.
Great job to all athletes who competed! Thursday will be the last meet of the season. Can’t wait to see what is in store."
Join us in celebrating our 8th graders as they prepare to move up to the high school next year. Family and friends welcome!
Sultan School District is recruiting new members for the Citizen's Facility Advisory Committee! Read more and apply here: https://www.sultanschools.org/article/2246781
ASB is throwing an End of the Year Dance with a beach theme!
SMS students, put on your flip flops and sunglasses and come dance, eat concessions, and hang out with friends to celebrate the end of the school year!
Tickets will be on sale starting on June 9th.
It’s back! #SUNBucks is a grocery benefit that helps end childhood hunger in Washington state. It provides $120 for groceries for each eligible school-aged child during the summer. Starts June 2025. Learn more: dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks
#sunbuckswa #supportcareresources #summernutrition @Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Come support you SMS musicians!
There will be no school Monday, May 26th, in honor of Memorial Day.
Ways to commemorate veterans:
-Joining our local Sultan VFW to help them place American flags at veterans headstones in the Sultan cemetery on Saturday, May 24th, at 10am.
-Attend the Memorial Day service at the Sultan cemetery on Monday, May 26th, at 10am.
Why Band and Choir Are a Game-Changer in Middle School
As your child steps into middle school, it’s the perfect time to get them involved in something that brings joy, purpose, and connection to their day — and Band or Choir is the place to find all of that and more.
Being part of a music ensemble is more than just learning how to play an instrument or sing a song — it’s about joining a team that builds confidence, responsibility, and lifelong friendships. Music students learn to listen to each other, support their peers, and take pride in working toward a shared goal — all while having a ton of fun along the way!
Here’s what music does for your child:
· Social & Emotional Growth: Band and choir give students a built-in community — a place to belong. They make friends faster, work on social skills in a positive and structured setting and feel more connected to school.
· Academic Advantages: Numerous studies show that music students often perform better in core academic areas, develop stronger memory and focus, and are more likely to stay engaged in school.
· Stress Relief & Emotional Wellness: Making music helps reduce anxiety and gives students a healthy outlet for emotions — something especially important during the middle school years.
· Life Skills That Stick: Time management, responsibility, perseverance, leadership — students in music programs grow these skills naturally through rehearsals, performances, and team-based learning.
· Exciting Opportunities: From school concerts and assemblies to field trips, festivals, and community performances, students in music get to travel, perform, and celebrate their hard work in fun, meaningful ways.
And here’s something we want every family to know: If you're concerned about the cost of an instrument, uniform, or event — please don’t worry. Our school has systems in place to make sure every student can participate, regardless of financial circumstances. We have instruments to loan, scholarships for trips, and caring teachers who will work with you. No student will be left out due to cost.
Band and choir are about inclusion, teamwork, and building something beautiful together — and every child belongs here.
Give your child the gift of music — it’s an experience that supports their well-being now and sets them up for success in life.
Sincerely,
Emily Suter, your SMS music teacher.
Seated in the front row are the students who ran for our new ASB Executive Board for the 2025-2026 school year! The winners are:
President Jensen Neilson
Vice President Kale Koehler
Secretary Alaysha Nichols
Treasurer Tamia Bogan
The back row is our current ASB Board who are excited to pass the torch and move up to High School next year! Thank you ASB for all you have done to make our school a fun place to be this year!
The District and Board of Directors will be having an open-house-style retirement party for Superintendent Dan Chaplik at the Startup Events Center on June 12th, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 pm. Light refreshments will be available along with cake and ice cream! You are welcome to drop by and say hi as we wish him well after 18 years with the Sultan School District and a total of 32 years in public education. Any questions, feel free to call 360-793-9800 Ext. 1006.
Track and Field also uses athletic.net as a way to "track" stats and event details, check it out at:
https://www.athletic.net/team/29567/track-and-field-outdoor/2025
Not only does she help all our students when they're feeling they're worst but she also takes the initiative to decorate our school and make it a fun positive place to be- Jenson Sand, our Health Room Assistant, we are so grateful for you! Happy School Nurse Day!
Some fun pics from our Mountain Bike Club's first race! Thank you @nicholegaertnerphotography for gorgeous photos!
