School counselors play a much bigger role than many people realize. In this conversation, two longtime counselors from the Shelton School District break down what that role really looks like today — from early elementary support to helping high school students prepare for life after graduation.

Recently retired elementary counselor Brian Wirzbicki shares how counseling has evolved over the years, especially in connecting families with academic, social-emotional, and community resources. CHOICE/Cedar counselor Susie Wirzbicki explains how counseling at the high school and alternative program level focuses on helping students discover who they are, build skills, and successfully “launch” into adulthood.

The conversation covers the shift away from the old “guidance counselor” model, why counselor-to-student ratios matter, how schools balance proactive and reactive support, and why ongoing family involvement remains critical even as students grow more independent. Parents, educators, and community members will gain a clearer understanding of how counselors support the whole child — and the whole family — throughout the K–12 journey.

#SheltonSchools #SchoolCounselors #StudentSupport #FamilyEngagement #EducationMatters #MentalHealthInSchools #K12Education

As the 2026 Washington State legislative session gets underway, Jeff Slakey checks in with Drew MacEwen, State Senator for the 35th District and Deputy Leader of the Senate Republican Caucus.

MacEwen shares his reaction to the Governor’s State of the State address, raising concerns about continued tax increases, rising costs for families, and what he describes as a growing disconnect between Olympia and working-class Washingtonians. The conversation digs into property taxes, labor and fuel costs, and how those pressures are showing up at kitchen tables across Mason and Thurston counties.

The discussion also covers education funding and local school levies, including unfunded mandates placed on districts, declining test scores despite high per-pupil spending, and what MacEwen believes needs to change to stabilize K-12 education.

Later, MacEwen weighs in on public safety and governance issues, including a proposal that could allow an unelected commission to remove elected sheriffs, as well as the growing strain on county public defense systems and the need for more state involvement.

This is a wide-ranging, candid conversation focused on budgets, priorities, and the real-world impacts of legislative decisions during a short, fast-moving session in Olympia.

#WALeg #DrewMacEwen #WApolitics #35thDistrict #StateOfTheState #WABudget #EducationFunding #PublicSafety #PropertyTaxes #CostOfLiving #Olympia #MasonCounty #ThurstonCounty

This conversation steps away from policy and meetings and focuses on the person behind the title. Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jessee joins Jeff Slakey and parent Shiloh Littlesun for a candid discussion about fatherhood, growing up with an IEP, working in special education, and how those experiences shape the way he leads today. From raising his own children to supporting students with disabilities, this is a parent-to-parent conversation about trust, growth, and doing right by kids.

#WyethJessee
#SheltonSchoolDistrict
#PublicEducation
#SpecialEducation
#ParentPerspective
#EducationLeadership
#SchoolSuperintendent
#InclusiveEducation
#MasonCounty
#CommunityConversation

As Washington’s legislative session gets underway, 35th District Representatives Dan Griffey and Travis Couture sit down to discuss what lawmakers and residents can expect in the weeks ahead.

The conversation covers the State of the State address, a projected multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, tax policy debates, and how rising costs are impacting families and small businesses across Washington. The lawmakers also talk about trust in tax promises, long-term fiscal sustainability, and the challenges of affordability in one of the nation’s most expensive states.

The discussion closes with public safety concerns, including DUI enforcement, toxicology lab backlogs, and why enforcing existing laws matters for community safety. A wide-ranging look at the issues shaping the 2026 legislative session and what they mean for the 35th District and Washington State.

https://traviscouture.houserepublicans.wa.gov/
https://dangriffey.houserepublicans.wa.gov/

#WALeg #WAState #StateOfTheState #WashingtonPolitics #BudgetDeficit #TaxPolicy #Affordability #PublicSafety #DUIEnforcement #35thDistrict #OlympiaWA

Habitat for Humanity of Mason County Executive Director David Brandt joins Jeff Slakey to explain a short-term cash flow issue that may be circulating in the community. Brandt breaks down how Habitat funds its homebuilding work, why a delayed house closing created a temporary liquidity crunch, and why this is not a budgeting or mismanagement issue.

The conversation also covers the difficult decision to temporarily lay off staff, the remarkable response from employees who immediately returned as volunteers, and how the community can support Habitat during this brief transition. Habitat expects normal operations to resume once a home sale closes in early February.

#HabitatForHumanity #MasonCounty #SheltonWA #AffordableHousing #NonprofitTransparency #CommunitySupport #HabitatStrong

Mary M. Knight School District Superintendent Matt Mallery joins Jeff for an in-depth conversation about the district’s upcoming EP&O levy on the February 10 ballot and what it means for students, families, and the broader Matlock community.

The discussion starts with a look at why EP&O levies exist and how they differ from basic state education funding—especially for smaller, rural school districts. Mallery explains how levy dollars help cover staffing and programs that aren’t fully funded by the state and why local support continues to be critical for Mary M. Knight.

A major focus of the conversation is the district’s expanded Career and Technical Education offerings. From construction and welding to forestry, horticulture, and business and marketing, Mallery outlines how these programs serve as both graduation pathways and direct preparation for local jobs and industries that have long been part of life in Mason and Grays Harbor counties. He also talks about recent efforts to connect students with employers through site visits and youth-focused conversations about workforce barriers and opportunities.

Athletics and extracurricular activities are another key piece supported by the levy. The episode covers the growth of co-ed flag football, the return of middle and high school baseball, continued success in track and golf, and the pilot launch of high school wrestling. Mallery explains how expanding these options helps students stay engaged and connected to school.

The conversation also touches on steady enrollment growth at Mary M. Knight, with more families moving into the area or returning to the community, and how that growth creates both opportunities and challenges for a small district.

Mallery breaks down the specifics of the February 10 EP&O levy proposal, emphasizing that it is a replacement levy—not a new tax—set at the same rate as the current levy: $2.08 per $1,000 of assessed property value. He also explains how passage of the levy would qualify the district for approximately $500,000 in additional state Local Effort Assistance, keeping tax dollars paid by residents working locally instead of being distributed elsewhere.

The episode wraps up with details on ballot timing, community outreach efforts, and where voters can find accurate information before casting their ballots.

This conversation offers a clear, local view of how school funding works, why levies matter in rural districts, and how community support directly impacts students' opportunities at Mary M. Knight.

#MaryMKnight
 #MatlockWA
 #SchoolLevy
 #EPOLevy
 #MasonCounty
 #EducationMatters
 #CTEPrograms
 #RuralSchools
 #LocalEducation

“You’re voting about the kids and the services are for them. You’re not voting about Wyeth Jessee or the school board. You’re voting literally for resources and supports. That money goes straight to services for kids — regardless of who’s sitting in these roles.”

Superintendent Wyeth Jessee sits down to walk through the upcoming Shelton School District levy and what it means for students, staff, and the wider community. With ballots arriving in mid-January and the vote set for February 10, this conversation focuses on the facts—what the levy funds, what happens if it fails, and why timing matters more than many people realize.

Jessee addresses common questions and misconceptions he’s hearing across the community, including concerns about student behavior, district finances, and accountability. He explains how levy dollars support nurses, counselors, librarians, para-educators, athletics, activities, and day-to-day school operations that go beyond what the state fully funds.

The discussion also outlines the real consequences of a failed levy, including staffing reductions, program cuts, and the tight timelines districts face when planning budgets. Jessee emphasizes that levy votes are about services for students—regardless of who sits in leadership roles—and encourages residents to seek accurate information, tour schools, and engage directly with district leadership and the school board.

This is a straightforward, informative conversation designed to help voters make an informed decision.

#SheltonSchools #SchoolLevy #EducationFunding #MasonCounty #K12Education #CommunityConversation

Oakland Bay Junior High has changed a lot in the last few years, and this extended conversation offers a clear look at what that transformation actually looks like day to day.

Recorded on site at OBJH, Jeff Slakey sits down with Principal Marianne Marshall, seventh-grade ELA teacher Andrea Smith, and Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jessee for an in-depth roundtable discussion about how the school is creating a safer, more predictable, and more welcoming environment for students in grades 7 and 8.

The conversation covers how consistent routines, shared expectations, and common language across classrooms help students know what’s expected of them — from the moment they walk into the building to the way they engage in learning throughout the day. You’ll hear how visual expectations, “Do Now” activities, and structured classroom entry and exit routines reduce distractions and increase instructional time.

The group also talks candidly about why junior high is such a critical stage for students. Seventh and eighth graders are navigating identity, independence, social pressures, and growing academic demands, and the adults in the building emphasize relationships as the foundation for helping students succeed. There’s a thoughtful discussion about listening to students, meeting them where they are, and giving them space to find their voice while still maintaining clear boundaries and expectations.

You’ll also hear details about:

• How the cell phone policy has improved focus and behavior
• How reading instruction works in a seventh-grade ELA classroom
• The role of electives, clubs, band, and CTE classes in student engagement
• Why extracurricular activities matter for social development
• How data, assessments, and interventions guide instruction
• How families can get involved and support the school
• How levy funding supports programs that aren’t covered by basic education dollars

This is part of an ongoing series of conversations highlighting schools across the Shelton School District, aimed at giving families and community members a clearer picture of what’s happening inside classrooms and hallways — beyond headlines or old reputations.

#OaklandBayJuniorHigh #SheltonSchools #SheltonWA #PublicEducation #MiddleSchool #JuniorHigh #StudentSuccess #SchoolCulture #EducationMatters #CommunitySchools

Flight of the Blue Ox is an original Christmas radio play written by Rachel Hansen and performed by a full cast of local voices who bring Camp Grisdale to life. The show opens with Joel as the narrator, guiding listeners into a cold and stormy Christmas Eve deep in the Wynoochee Woods. Inside the logging camp, Paul Bunyan—voiced by Rich—and his steady partner Babe the Blue Ox—played by Will Stone—are settling in for a quiet night when the weather turns rough and talk turns to whether Santa - voiced by Jim, will make it through the storm.

The camp children, voiced by Ilana and Gina as Ginny and Jimmy, worry that Christmas might not come at all. Tony plays Brody, their father, trying to keep spirits steady as the storm pushes in. Erin and Scooter appear as the cook and cook’s helper, filling the camp with simple comforts as everyone prepares for a long winter night.

But everything changes when a streak of red light flashes over the Olympics and Santa’s sleigh crashes near Mount Ellinor. Jim steps in as Santa, while Fuzz voices Comet, the injured lead reindeer. With Comet unable to guide the team, Santa needs help fast. Paul Bunyan answers the call, and with Babe at his side, the two fight through wind, ice, and snow to reach the crash site.

What follows is the turning point of the story: Santa gives Babe a spark of Christmas magic, allowing the blue ox to fly. Babe lifts the sleigh into the sky and takes the lead for a full night of travel around the world, delivering gifts while Comet recovers. The children of Camp Grisdale wake at dawn to see Santa return with Babe still glowing from the journey. The play closes with the camp gathered around the great Douglas fir as Paul and Babe take in the quiet morning after a long night.

This local cast delivers a warm telling of how a blue ox stepped up when Christmas needed him most. The production blends familiar folklore, Mason County landmarks, and a classic holiday rescue story into one radio-style performance made for all ages.

#FlightOfTheBlueOx #ChristmasRadioPlay #PaulBunyan #BabeTheBlueOx #KMASRadio #SheltonWA #ListenLocal #HolidayTradition #FamilyFriendly #ChristmasStory

Operation Scrooge is coming to Mason County with a full 24-hour telethon featuring 24 local bands helping raise money for families in the Hood Canal School District and across the county. Chris Eaks joins Jeff to talk about how the idea started, what the need looks like in the schools, and how people can stream the event live on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch. They also dig into the fundraising goals, the bands donating their time, and how folks near and far can share the event and support the cause.

#OperationScrooge #MasonCounty #UnionWA #HoodCanal #LocalMusic #CommunitySupport #Telethon #PNWMusic #HolidayGiving #KMAS