Circle

Circle is a cultural activity with Chief Leschi Elementary School students participating in drumming, singing, and dancing. Circle is held in our small gym for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. 

The Circle schedule is as follows:

• Pre-kindergarten through third grade students have Circle on Mondays.
• Fourth through sixth grade students have Circle on Wednesdays.
• All elementary students attend Circle on Fridays. 

We welcome parents and community members to come and visit our Circle, especially on Fridays.

Elementary Performance Group

Circle is led by the Culture teachers and the Elementary Performance Group. The Performance Group is made up of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students that show interest and talent in drumming, singing, and dancing.

Students in the Performance Group also sign Behavior Contracts and are expected to be role models in all areas of school, including academics.

Students in the Performance Group and after-school culture classes also have an opportunity to wear the coastal regalia that they have made.

Circle songs and dance

Our focus in Circle is on Puget Salish and Coastal songs. We sing songs that we have been given permission to sing from many tribes around Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. We teach our students to sing songs with respect and correct protocol.

We bring out the powwow drum one Friday per month and sing intertribal and round dance songs. Students and staff are encouraged to bring their regalia and dance.

Friday Circle

We have two special guests that make it a point to attend our Friday Circles on a regular basis: Puyallup Elder and former employee Jane Wright and Puyallup Council Member and former student David Bean. Jane and David often speak and sing for and with students to encourage them to stay in school and participate in cultural activities.

Friday Circle is also a time for announcements, awards, and special give-aways.

The elementary principal and other staff also have the opportunity to address the students about school successes and upcoming events.

Every Friday the Spirit Award is given. The Spirit Award is given to individual classes in each grade band for excellent behavior in their specialist classes, which include Physical Education, Library, and Culture.

Once a month there is also a drawing for students with perfect attendance in the previous month. The first name drawn receives a brand new bicycle and helmet. Jane Wright also brings in gift cards from the Puyallup Tribe for the next few students drawn who had perfect attendance.