September 1, 2022 

Dear Grizzly Cub Parent/Guardian, 

Prior to your child being matched up with a Glacier Peak High School Grizzly Cub for the 2022-2023 school year, it is important that the following information be shared. 

Grizzly Cubs comes from the Panther Pal program which was established over 20 years ago at Snohomish High School to bring Snohomish elementary students together with high school students. The goal of the program is to provide elementary students with positive role models. High school students voluntarily sign up to be a Grizzly Cub club member and are matched up with elementary cubs that have similar interests and hobbies. 

There will be various scheduled events throughout the school year that will be sponsored by the Glacier Peak High School Associated Student Body (ASB). It is the sole discretion of the parents/guardians of the elementary Grizzly Cub as to the activities in which the child participates. Transportation is also left up to the parents/guardians of the elementary Grizzly Cub. Any arrangements made concerning non-sponsored activities and transportation arrangements for a Grizzly Cub event will be left up to the discretion of the parents/guardians. No transportation is arranged through Grizzly Cubs with the exception of the high school lunch visit. School buses are provided for that event. Under no circumstances are high school grizzlies allowed to transport their cubs to and from events. 

Communication is the most important factor in the success of the Grizzly Cub program. It is vital that the high school Grizzly Cub and the elementary Grizzly Cub communicate with one another as to their respective intentions concerning the Grizzly Cub activities. Communication is a two-way medium and the responsibility of keeping in contact falls on both the elementary and high school Grizzly Cubs. Nobody wants a broken-hearted youngster to be stood up by their high schooler. And no high schooler wants to take time out of their busy schedule to show up for events and have their cub not show up. Phone numbers of the elementary cubs and the high school grizzlies will be provided/ exchanged so that communication can be established.  

It should also be understood that each Grizzly Cub relationship will vary in the amount of time that the two Cubs spend together. Some Grizzly Cubs and their High School Grizzly will see or talk to each other weekly, while other Grizzly Cubs may only see their high schooler once a month at the scheduled activities. It is important to remember that not all Grizzly Cubs can make all the activities. Parents/guardians, it is vital that you become involved in the Grizzly Cub relationship so that communication channels and expectations are understood by all. The only problems that have resulted in the past years have been due to lack of communication. 

Living in the Snohomish School District affords your students numerous opportunities to grow and mature in a great community. Grizzly Cubs is just one of those opportunities. When all participants adhere to the suggestions above, Grizzly Cubs becomes a very memorable part of the school year. Thank you for your support of the Grizzly Cub program and the Snohomish School District.  

Sincerely,
Sheila Proctor-Long
Grizzly Cubs Coordinator