Klahowya Secondary School
History
The school was named for the Chinook Jargon word "klahowya", which means "welcome". It was planned in the 1990s and opened in 1997. Originally scheduled to open in 1996, it was delayed for another year. Serving grades 6-12 (after 2016), it was the third high school in Central Kitsap School District. The first senior class graduated in 1999. In 2016, the school expanded to include sixth graders. Two years later, a new wing, auxiliary gymnasium, 13 classrooms, three laboratories, a fitness room and a second music room were opened as part of a 45,300 square feet (4,210 m) addition. A new track and field stadium was also added. On March 13, 2020, Klahowya remained closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Incidents
On March 8, 2019, a bomb scare occurred when a student brought an object with the word "dynamite" labeled on it to the office causing a lockdown to happen. Deputies later confirmed the object was a remote control car battery the student found at a park and posed no danger.
On February 11, 2022, a protest occurred in the commons against the mask mandate. The students remained there the whole school day.
On May 18, 2022, a lockdown occurred when a student was found in the parking lot with a handgun. The student was eventually arrested a short time later and the lockdown was lifted later that morning.
In June 2023, students wore shirts saying “There are only two genders” and were taken to the office by a teacher. Also, an American flag was taken down on Flag Day, but a pride flag remained. The shirts didn’t violate any rules and were deemed freedom of speech.
Demographics
In the 2023-2024 school year, 51.9% of the students at KSS were male, 47.4% were female, and 0.7% were Gender X. 0.6% were Native American, 1.8% were Asian, 0.2% were Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, 8.9% were Hispanic/Latino, 1.1% were Black/African American, 73.8% were White, and 13.5% were Two or More Races.
Athletics
Sport at KSS include:
Middle School
- Fall: Track, Fastpitch softball
- Winter: Boys Basketball, Girls Soccer, Girls Basketball, Wrestling
- Spring: Football, Volleyball, Cross Country
High School
- Fall: Cross Country, Football, Girls Soccer, Girls Swimming, Boys Tennis, Volleyball
- Winter: Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Bowling, Boys Swimming, Wrestling
- Spring: Baseball, Fastpitch softball, Golf, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Track & Field, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse
The Klahowya football team played at Lumen Field on September 17, 2022 against Tenino High School.
Etymology
"Klahowya” is Chinook Jargon. It is pronounced "Kluh-HOW-yuh", meaning “welcome.”
References
- ^ "Klahowya Secondary School". Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ "Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction". Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ "Chinook Jargon Phrasebook - Common Phrases & Words". Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ "Picturesque ground broken for Klahowya Secondary". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- ^ "CLASS OF '99: First Klahowya class starts a tradition". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "Klahowya Addition". Central Kitsap School District. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Coronavirus update: List of closures, cancellations in Kitsap County for precautions". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ Kitsap Sun. Retrieved June 2022
- ^ Kitsap Sun. Retrieved June 2022
- ^ Kitsap Sun (Subscription needed). Retrieved July 2023
- ^ 2023-24 WA State Report Card Retrieved June 2024
- ^ "KSS vs Teninno". Nisqually Valley News. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ Chinook Jargon Phrasebook - Common Phrases & Words, retrieved 2016-08-25