PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles School District Multi-Age Community teachers will conduct the program’s annual public information meeting Thursday.
The meeting will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Franklin Elementary School Library, 2505 S. Washington St.
The program, commonly known as the MAC program, is based at Franklin, but enrollment is open to all Port Angeles students in the first through fifth grades via a placement-request process.
Teachers will discuss the history of the program, philosophy of multi-age education, enrichment clusters and placement procedures for the 2015-16 school year.
Request forms and informational brochures will be available at this meeting and in the office at Franklin Elementary School for students entering the first through fifth grades during the 2015-16 school year.
For more information, contact Claire Rausch at crausch@portangelesschools.org or at 360-565-1840 after 3:15 p.m.
Tax-Aide available at PA Library
PORT ANGELES — Free tax preparation and electronic filing provided by IRS-certified Tax-Aide volunteers will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
These workshops are planned for Saturdays, Feb. 28; March 7, 14, 21 and 28; and April 4 and 11.
Bring a photo ID for the taxpayer and Social Security cards for everyone on the tax return.
This year, in addition to all the usual documents needed to complete the return, also bring documentation of health care coverage for everyone on the return, including Form 1095-A, if received from the insurance marketplace.
Taxpayers at the Port Angeles Library are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
No appointment is needed.
Island celebration
MARROWSTONE — All Marrowstone Island residents, plus all those off-island who wish to honor Ray and Carolyn Lowrie as Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year 2014, are invited to attend a dinner in their honor.
The party is planned for Friday at the Nordland Garden Clubhouse, 320 Garden Club Road, with happy hour at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m.
All those attending should contact Billie Fitch at 360-379-9242 with the number coming and what to bring for the potluck.
Author Daheim
PORT ANGELES — Spend the afternoon with Northwest author and former Port Angeles resident Mary Daheim at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Daheim writes mysteries set in locations based on Washington towns and cities, as well as historical romances.
She will discuss her work and writing process and answer questions from the audience.
This is a 2014 Adult Winter Reading Program event designed for ages 18 and older.
For additional information, contact librarian Sarah Morrison at 360-417-8500 or smorrison@nols.org.
Community read-in
PORT ANGELES — In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Queen of Angels School recently held its first Community Read-In.
More than 50 people attended the event, where teachers dressed as their favorite book characters and read to children in book-themed decorated classrooms.
The work students have accomplished was showcased, and tours of the school were available.
It is an event the school plans to continue each year.
The week’s theme — “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service” — highlighted the fact that Catholic schools are not only communities themselves but are also part of the community, according to a news release.
For more information or to schedule a tour, phone 360-457-6903.
National finalist
PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles High School senior Leah Marsh has been named a finalist in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Marsh was among 16,000 semifinalists nationwide announced in the early fall.
The selection of some 8,000 Merit Scholarship winners from the group of 15,000 finalists is in progress.
Scholarship winners will be selected from the finalist group beginning in April.
Marsh is the daughter of Deborah Bopp and Greg Marsh of Port Angeles.
Airman graduates
SAN ANTONIO — Air Force Airman Murray O. Hemstreet recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio.
The airman completed an intensive eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force.
Hemstreet earned distinction as an honor graduate.
He is the son of Craig and Kristina Hemstreet of Carbondale, Ill., and grandson of Joan Hemstreet of Fallbrook, Calif., and Stuart Hemstreet of Port Angeles.
The airman graduated in 2010 from home-schooling in Anna, Ill.
Private graduates
FORT BENNING, Ga. — Army Pvt. Benjamin G. Kratz has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Benning, Ga.
During the nine-week training period, Kratz received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history, traditions and core values.
Kratz is the son of Carie Metcalf of Port Angeles.
He is a 2014 graduate of Port Angeles High School.
On sabbatical
PORT ANGELES — A Peninsula College faculty member will study English as a Second Language teaching techniques while on a sabbatical leave during the 2015-16 school year.
Sean Gomez plans to research best practices in teaching standards-based multilevel English as a Second Language, developing a curriculum to apply his findings in the college’s classrooms and training faculty in the use of the curriculum.
