October is upon us and yet it still feels like summer; what a fantastic start to Fall. We hope you had a wonderful weekend in the sunshine with your family and we are hoping for more sunshine on Friday, October 9 when we host our 1^st Annual EMS Fun Run. Perhaps you saw the separate email from me with specific information on how you can donate online and when your student can turn in their Fun Run envelopes. We are very excited for Friday with themes and music and lots of fun; we are excited and we know it will be a great time. Our goal is to raise $25,000 and we appreciate your support in reaching that goal.

Dance

Last Friday was also a great event as we hosted our first dance of the year. Students had a tremendous time dancing, playing sports, talking with their friends, and enjoying a slice of pizza. Thank you to all our parent chaperones and concession helpers. It was truly a wonderful event and students had a great time.

Parking

We are one month in to school and are still sorting out some of the drop off/pick up logistics and congestion. Our afternoon traffic situation seems to be improving and we appreciate everyone pulling forward in the parking lot to maximize the number of cars in the lot and minimize the number of cars on the street. You may have seen Mr. Swanson (EMS Campus Security) and I out in the parking lot in the morning as well and may have seen our whiteboards instructing drivers to please pull all the way forward and please use both Y's. We appreciate everyone's help in following these expectations as it helps us get more cars into the parking lot, thus reducing the number of cars on the street. Thank you to everyone for pulling all the way forward before opening the car door.

Parent and Student Needs Assessment

Students will be completing a Needs Assessment during Homeroom on Monday, October 5. The purpose of this assessment is to provide counselors with data so they can best support our students' social, emotional, and behavioral needs. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete and we will use this valuable information to build our Counseling programming throughout the year. As parents, you will also have an opportunity to complete a Parents Needs Assessments. You will receive an email from me on Monday, October 5 as well with a hyperlink to the survey. We will use parents' responses to recognize areas of need and generate appropriate supporting materials.

Student Health and Wellness

While the weather this weekend was warm and sunny, we know the Fall Cold & Flu Season will soon be upon us. If your student is not feeling well or is running a fever, please keep them at home to minimize the potential spread of germs here at school. We have more than 1000 students and nearly 100 staff and we do not want to expose others unnecessarily. If your student gets sick at school, one of our Health Room volunteers or EMS staff will call you and ask you to come and pick them up. We know the best place for a sick child to rest is at home in their own bed. We recognize it is difficult and inconvenient to leave work to pick them up and we appreciate your help in getting them home and better quickly. It's also a good reminder to frequently wash hands and place a small hand sanitizer in your student's backpack to help reduce the spread of germs.

Final Thoughts

Lastly, it has been a wonderful start to the school year. Students have assimilated well into the year; they are learning and working hard in all their classes and when I've conducted classroom observations with Mrs. Balicki or Dr. Rudolph, we see students engaged and participating in learning. When we ask them specifically what they are learning, they clearly articulate the learning targets and activities and can show us how that applies to other learnings. It is a testament to our students and their knowledge and it's a huge testament to our staff and their excellence. We appreciate everyone's contributions to the teaching-learning relationship. It is a true joy to see students engaged and excited and learning on a daily basis. Thank you for your role in that relationship. As always, please let us know how we can best support your student.

All my best,

Robert Johnson

Principal
Evergreen Middle School
425.936.2320

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty."

IMPORTANT DATES

Mon., 10/5 - Parent Needs Assessment Survey Begins

Tues., 10/6 - Collection of ASB "Fun Run" Donations Day #2

Tues., 10/6 - PTSA Menchie's Fundraiser; 12-9pm

Wed., 10/7 - LWSD Long-Term Facilities Planning Task Force Town Hall Meeting; 6-8:30pm at Rose Hill Middle School

Thurs., 10/8 - Collection of ASB "Fun Run" Donations Day #3

Fri., 10/9 - ASB "Fun Run"; 1:30pm

Mon., 10/12 - Picture Retake Day

Wed., 10/28 - Reflections Art Entries due by 1pm

SCHOOL NEWS

ASB FUN RUN *updated*

Our first annual ASB Eagle Fun Run is happening on Friday, October 9^th! That's less than a week away! That means we have less than a week to raise $25,000 to reach our goal. We have chosen NOT to sell magazines this year. Every penny donated stays at Evergreen and goes directly to student activities, athletics, clubs, music programs, assemblies, and enrichment. Please remind and encourage your child to collect pledges and turn them in on Tuesday, October 6^thor Thursday, October 8^thin the Commons before school.

Directions for Online Fun Run Donation

If parents would like to donate to the Fun Run online, they can do so through Parent Access. This requires you to sign in to Parent Access through the LWSD website. The steps are as follows:

Go to www.lwsd.org and click on the tab that is labeled "For Parents".
Look to the right side of the page and select "Parent Access Log In".
Sign in to parent access with your username and password.
Select "Online Payments" (link on right side of screen).
Click on student's name.
Select "Items at school".
Choose "Fun Run".
You should then be able to add an amount and donate.
Print two receipts. One for you to keep, and (if possible) one to turn in inside your child's collection envelope on Tuesday, October 6^th or Thursday, October 8^th.

*Please note: If you child has lost their collection envelope, pledges may be turned in inside any regular envelope from home. Just label the envelope with the student's first and last name, and their homeroom teacher's last name.

Thanks for helping us to reach our goal of continuing to provide great activities, sports, assemblies, clubs and other extra-curricular opportunities for our students.

Thank you! We appreciate your help and support.

Trish Miller

Evergreen ASB Advisor and Activities Director

FUN RUN NEEDS *new*

Besides donating money towards your child's efforts in the Fun Run, we also have a couple of additional needs:

1. More volunteers are needed to help with donations on Tues., 10/6 and Thurs., 10/8 and to supervise the Fun Run on 10/9. Please see the signup to volunteer.

2. We recognize this is the first year of our Fun Run and we're also asking very late but we're hoping that some of you in our parent community would be willing to procure items as prizes/donations. Both big and small items would be greatly appreciated. Please see the Procurement Letter and Form for more information.

For more info. about the Fun Run, please see the flyer. Thanks!

HOW TO CHECK YOUR STUDENT'S GRADES IN SKYWARD *new*

Attached are PDFs outlining the steps parents need to take so they can access their student's grades in Skyward. Also included is a PDF if you would like to receive email notifications about missing assignments.

EMS passed out these instructions at Curriculum Night and we wanted you to have an electronic copy of them for your files.

PICTURE RETAKE DAY *new*

If you missed one of our earlier picture days, you have one last chance on Monday, Oct. 12. Lifetouch will be taking photos during the first two periods of the day. You can pre-order photos by going to mylifetouch.com and entering the Picture Day ID: LS115706Q2. Order forms are available to the students in the school office, if you would rather pay by check or exact cash.

You may also retake your picture if you were not satisfied with your previous one. Please return any picture packet that was received when you take your new photo.

Parent volunteers who would like to take a picture for a free photo badge are welcome to come between 7:45-9:45am, as well.

PARENT NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY

You are invited by EMS counselors to offer your valuable opinion and feedback in our Parent Needs Assessment Survey. This survey will be available starting Monday, October 5 and will be available to complete for two weeks ending on Monday, October 19. Your feedback will help influence the services and experiences you and your child receive at EMS, by allowing counselors to design programming to meet those needs.

Additionally, students will also have the opportunity to give their feedback in our student-version of the survey. Students will take the Student Needs Assessment Survey on their laptops during Homeroom on Monday, October 5.

Surveys are anonymous unless you choose to indicate your name. Data received from the surveys will only be viewed by EMS Counselors.

Please look for this survey in your email inbox; we'd appreciate you taking a few moments to respond to the survey and completing it by Monday, October 19. We value your participation and look forward to working with you to best support your student.

Sincerely,

~EMS Counseling Team

Sarah Parnell (A-G); Christy Walter (H-N); Denise Ozeri (O-Z)

SCHOOL FACILITIES TASK FORCE DEVELOPS RECOMMENDATIONS, ASKS FOR INPUT

The Long-Term Facilities Task Force has developed a set of draft recommendations to help the district with the issues of overcrowding and aging facilities. They are asking for feedback from the community. The recommendations address classroom capacity issues, cost reduction, efficient use of space and other issues. They also recommend specific projects to be undertaken in the future. They have launched an online survey to gather input on the recommendations. A district-wide Town Hall meeting on these recommendations is scheduled for 6-8:30p.m. on October 7th at Rose Hill Middle School.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH ROOM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed to support office staff by assisting students in the Health Room. No experience is necessary, although you must be cleared by the district as a volunteer. Please call the school office at 425-936-2620 or contact our Health Room Coordinator, Mary Haynes (maryehaynes@comcast.net). Thanks so much!

COMMUNITY SERVICE & PRESIDENTIAL SERVICE AWARDS

Many middle school students are becoming more involved in their communities by volunteering their time and talents to support local organization. The EMS Community Service Facebook page helps students and parents find those opportunities. EMS also recognizes students who will serve more than 50 hours between June 1, 2015 and May 31, 2016. These students are eligible to receive a Presidential Service Award to be presented at a school assembly at the end of the year. Information about earning an award can be found on the Facebook page or in the attached document. Please contact Deb Zimmerman if you have any questions regarding the Presidential Service Award.

EVERGREEN ATHLETICS

1ST SEASON SPORTS *updated*

Matches/meets for this week are listed below:

BOYS' TENNIS

10.06.2015 EMS @ RMS JV Boys' Tennis (JV B)

10.06.2015 EMS @ IMS JV Boys' Tennis (JV P)

10.06.2015 RMS @ EMS Varsity Boys' Tennis

10.08.2015 EMS @ IMS JV Boys' Tennis (JV M)

10.08.2015 IMS @ EMS Varsity Boys' Tennis

CROSS COUNTRY

10.09.2015 FHMS, KiMS, EMS @ RMS @ Hartman Park

Boys' & Girls' Cross Country

GIRLS' BADMINTON

10.06.2015 RMS @ EMS Girls' Badminton

10.08.2015 IMS @ EMS Girls' Badminton

INTRAMURAL SPORTS *new*

Intramural soccer starts on 10/29 and runs through 11/10. It is after school from 2:45 - 4:00pm every day except Wednesdays. Please see Ms. Nilsen or Mr. Dowling if you have any questions.

PTSA

MENCHIE'S FUNDRAISER

Come enjoy some Frozen Yogurt while you support the EMS PTSA!

Join us on Tues., October 6 anytime between 12-9pm at the Menchie's on Redmond Way.

Enjoy some Froyo during your lunch break or take the whole family after school!

Just mention that you are there to support the EMS PTSA at checkout and 20% of your purchase will be donated to the Evergreen PTSA.

Menchie's offers nonfat, low carb, no sugar added non-dairy sorbets, gluten free, vegan and kosher options. There is something for everyone!

Such an easy and delicious way to support our school. Hope to see you there!

PTA REFLECTIONS ART CONTEST *new*

Each year, the PTA Reflections Program challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme. Themes are selected from hundreds of ideas submitted by students across the country. The 2015-2016 theme is "LET YOUR IMAGINATION FLY".

Students are encouraged to participate in the Reflections Program by submitting entries to the front office on or before Wed., October 28, 2015 at 1pm. Late entries will be returned. The program has the following categories: special artist division, dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography and visual arts.

Specific guidelines for art submissions (rules) are available here. 3-Dimensional artwork is not accepted. You can find the Student Entry Form here. Hard copy entry forms are in the front office. For specific questions, please contact Chitra Srikumar at chitra_srikumar@msn.com.

PASS THE HAT FUNDRAISER

A huge "THANK YOU" to those who have already donated to our 2015-16 EMS PTSA Pass the Hat campaign! We have raised over $18,000 of our $25,000 goal this year, not including money from affinity programs and matching donations! Our goal is to have Pass the Hat as our primary fundraiser each year.

Money donated ensures that wonderful programs supporting Evergreen students and staff can be continued. We are fortunate that many companies will match your donation... please check with yours to see if they have a matching program.

If you weren't able to give earlier, you can send in a donation to the front office with your student using the PTSA All-In-One Form.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUNDS NEEDED

Thank you to those families who have paid the yearly $5 per student fee to replenish our EPrep supplies. We are still just under $1000 short of our goal this year. If you haven't paid yet, please fill out that section in our PTSA All-In-One Form and return it with your check. Not sure if you paid or not? Please contact our EMS Co-Treasurers Jiarui Ge and Wei Tao. For more info. on EPrep at EMS, please click here.

PTSA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

The EMS PTSA is able to provide so many things for our school and kids each year. In addition, here are just a couple of the bonus benefits to you for signing up!

Great Wolf Lodge

PTA members can save up to 20% on available rates now-December 30! Upon check in, please provide your valid PTA member card. Click here for more information or call (866) 925-WOLF (9653). Promo coe: WSPTA984A

Key Arena/McCaw Hall

Get priority access to some of the best sports and entertainment in Seattle! From discounted tickets to a family event or a private suite for your friends, Key Arena/McCaw Hall has what you're looking for! Visit the WSPTA designated ticket page for more information.

SHOPPING WITH AMAZON SMILES BENEFITS EVERGREEN

Please use Amazon Smiles when doing your online shopping! Amazon gives 0.5% of your purchases to the charity of your choice... so choose the Evergreen PTSA! Use http://smile.amazon.com as the URL to get to Amazon.com. When you "Select Charity", choose "Evergreen Middle School PTSA" (Tacoma, WA) and it will remember us as your selected charity for next time. It's easy to earn money for Evergreen by shopping with Amazon Smiles!

ATTENTION FRED MEYER SHOPPERS

Fred Meyer shoppers can support the Evergreen PTSA through their community rewards program! Link your Fred Meyer rewards card to EMS PTSA and they will donate a percentage of your purchase to the PTSA. Go to Fred Meyer - My Account, Add Evergreen PTSA as your charitable organization or 87519 to select Evergreen PTSA.

EVERYTHING PARTY

Buying party supplies? If you shop at Everything Party in Redmond, Everything Party will donate 10% of your purchase price to the PTSA general fund. Please tell the cashier at the beginning of your transaction to ring it up under Evergreen Middle School. What an easy way to raise money to support the staff and students at Evergreen!

EVERGREEN PTSA WEBSITE

The Evergreen Middle School PTSA website is up and running! For the latest news on EMS happenings, please visit http://evergreenptsa.org.

JOIN THE EMS PTSA FACEBOOK PAGE

EMS PTSA invites you to join our discussion on Facebook. Click here for up-to-date notices about school activities and communicate with other Evergreen families.

EXTRACURRICULAR

RHS FOOTBALL *updated*

This week in Mustang Football:

The JV Mustangs take on Skyline at HOME on Monday night, October 5 at 6pm.

Our C Team travels to Skyline for a 6pm game on Wednesday, October 7.

The Redmond High School Varsity Football Team plays a BIG GAME against the Bothell Cougars at 7pm Friday night, October 9, at Redmond High School.

Please come out and support Mustang Football!!

MIDDLE SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE

October 10th, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 PM Sammamish Teen Center

825 228th Ave NE Sammamish, WA 98074

Parenting workshop on safety, sexuality, internet use, drugs, alcohol and communication. See the flyer for more info.

To register: http://tinyurl.com/MSSGInfo

Questions? info@middleschoolsurvivalguide.com

What is the cost? $50/single $90 double
$0 for Microsoft employees using benefits

NON DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Lake Washington School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, gender, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran, military status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:

Director of Human Resources

16250 NE 74th Street

Redmond, Washington, 98052

(425) 936-1266

Eagle Express is published by parent volunteers of Evergreen Middle School. Click here to contact us about the newsletter. For more information about the PTSA you can visit the Evergreen Middle School PTSA website at http://evergreenptsa.org.