Evergreen Eagle Express
Week of October 11, 2015 - Issue 10

 

EVERGREEN MIDDLE SCHOOL 

6900 208th Ave. NE, Redmond, WA 98053 | 425.936.2320 

 

 
IN THIS ISSUE
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
IMPORTANT DATES
SCHOOL NEWS
EVERGREEN ATHLETICS
PTSA
EXTRACURRICULAR
Join Our Mailing List!
QUICK LINKS

 

 

LWSD WEBSITE

 

EMS PTSA   

 


SCHOOL LUNCH 


TANDEM CALENDAR

 


REPORTING A SCHOOL ABSENCE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Principal          

Assistant Principal 

Assistant Principal
Katy Rudolph    

Office Manager     

Secretary to the Assistant Principal
  
Counselor (A-G)

Counselor (H-N)

Counselor (O-Z)  
 
Counseling Secretary/Registrar
 
Athletic Director    
 
Main Phone Line    
425.936.2320

Attendance Line     
425.936.2321

Counseling Office  
425.936.2326
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
 
Hello Evergreen Families!  

A huge thank you to all of the families who donated, volunteered and participated in our 1st Annual EMS Fun Run!  We had a great time last Friday with lots of enthusiastic students and staff!  We had great weather, even better music, and the best display of costumes and themes!  Some Homerooms dressed up as unicorns, others as neon, onesies, and a host of others.  It was an amazing display of color and enthusiasm and we had a great time walking and running outside, listening to great music played by our very own DJ Martineau (math teacher and music mixologist).  The purpose of the Fun Run was as much about community-building as it was about fundraising, and we are grateful through this event, we were able to do both.  We will send out a follow up email later in the week with the total amount raised and Homeroom winners; and we can say right now we are all winners and it was a huge success!  Thank you again to everyone who donated and participated.  We are so fortunate to have such a generous and supportive community.
 
This Friday will have a different theme as students have a day off from school while staff have a day on of professional development.  We have two full-day professional development days during the school year (Friday, October 16 and Friday, March 11, 2016) where staff have a deeper dive into topics related to their instruction, curriculum, or assessments.  This Friday, we will spend our time learning more about instructional strategies to support all our learners and specifically our English-Language Learners.  These strategies can be applied across all settings so it will be a great training for our staff to utilize with all their students.  In addition, we will be spending time learning how to best utilize our current and new technologies as well as time set aside for new Smarter Balanced Assessment information.  We are grateful to the entire LWSD Community for supporting staff professional development, as these full day professional development sessions are helpful and well utilized.
 
We're also grateful to all our parents who have been doing a better job of dropping off their students in the morning and utilizing both segments of our parking lot.  The traffic flow seems to be improving and we are able to get more cars off the street more efficiently.  Two additional requests that will help our flow even more: please pull all the way forward to the stop sign past the crosswalk before dropping off your student.  Mr. Swanson and/or I will be standing at the crosswalk flagging cars forward and we ask that you pull all the way forward before unloading.  This will allow us to utilize more of the parking lot and drop off more students in a more efficient manner.  Also, we request your student to have all of their materials ready when you unload them, meaning have their backpack and lunch on their lap so they don't have to walk around to the back of the car and retrieve these materials.  We think these strategies will help with the flow until we can determine a more permanent drop-off solution.  We appreciate your help in trying to make the morning experience as efficient as possible for all involved.
 
Lastly, thank you to all of the parents who have completed the Parent Needs Assessment survey.  We will keep this survey open for one more week, so if you have not yet responded, please do so sometime this next week.  Counselors will use this information to create programming and resources to best support your needs as you navigate having an adolescent middle school student.
 
As always, we are so grateful and appreciative to you for your support.  Thank you for your partnership and commitment alongside us as we prepare our students for the next steps in their educational journey. 
 
Please let us know if there's anything else you need from us.
 
Sincerely,

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., 10/12-Thurs., 10/15 - Free Breakfast for All EMS Students
 
Mon., 10/12 - Picture Retake Day
 
Thurs., 10/15 - Candidate Forum for LWSD School Board; 7-8:30pm, Redmond High School
 
Fri., 10/16 - No School: LEAP Day
 
Mon., 10/19 - Parent Needs Assessment Survey Ends
 
Wed., 10/21 - Unity Day: Wear Orange to Unite Against Bullying

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

Thurs., 10/29 - Intramural Soccer Starts

SCHOOL NEWS
FUN RUN HIGHLIGHTS *new* 
In addition to all the volunteers who came for collection days, counting donations, and the actual Fun Run itself on Friday, I want to be sure to thank my three data/Excel specialists: Zerelina Mukherjee, Kim Hagemeyer and Sara Carroll.  They have been a tremendous help to me and have been instrumental in setting up the spreadsheets, collection, counting, and data entry for the Fun Run. Not to mention that they are encouraging, supportive, and all around amazing women.

The Fun Run on Friday was a big hit!  The kids and staff completely got into their chosen homeroom themes and looked amazing in their festive attire.  Themes ranged from Red, White & Blue to Hispanic Flags, from blackout to neon, from Unicorns and Rainbows to Injured Students, and from Pirates and Parrots to the Bill Nye Swag Squad.  It was truly a sight to see.  Over 1000 students took to the 1/2 mile track and walked or ran from 1:30-2:15pm.  I was extremely proud of the way the kids handled themselves, their effort, and the school spirit they displayed during the event.  It truly was a fantastic whole-school bonding experience.  The weather held out and we stayed dry (except for our shoes)!  At the end of the event, kids were asking if we could do it again next week.  Not next week, but definitely next year!
 
At this point we are not announcing anything about totals (yet).  We will be having a big Spirit Assembly on Friday, October 30th, where we will do the big reveal and let kids know the total amount raised and whether or not we reached our $25,000 goal.  I can say that we collected $10,000 on the final turn-in day alone, and we raised more this year with the Fun Run, than we did last year with magazine sales.  So we are declaring the event a huge success!
 
I would like to say thanks to our supportive and very generous parent community for sending in pledges and reminding your kids to turn in their envelopes. Thanks also to all those who have worked with their employers to complete matching donations.  We have no way to track those until they come in, so remember to fill out the forms with your employer to get the matching portion of your donation completed.
 
Thanks again to our amazing PTSA for partnering with us in our first Evergreen ASB Eagle Fun Run.  I am already looking forward to it and thinking about how to make it even more successful next year.
 
Trish Miller
ASB and Leadership | Evergreen Middle School
425.936.2320 | trimiller@lwsd.org
 

FREE BREAKFAST THIS WEEK *new*
LWSD Nutrition Services invites all EMS students to enjoy free breakfast at school from Mon., 10/12-Thurs., 10/15.  Please come to school early and join us as we support student learning and celebrating another great year of food, fun and friends!  Check out this week's breakfast menu here.  
 
 
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
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.


CANDIDATE FORUM FOR LWSD SCHOOL BOARD
*new*
Thursday, October 15, 7:00-8:30pm, Redmond High School Performing Arts Center
Lake Washington School District is the fastest growing district in Washington State. More jobs, more houses, and more kids means LWSD is inching its way towards being the 4th largest district in the State with just under 28,000 kids. Three seats on Lake Washington School District's School Board are up for election in November, and the time to vote is approaching quickly. Do you know who the candidates are? Do you know what they stand for and what their goals are for our schools and our students? Lake Washington PTSA Council and Emily Dickinson PTSA are sponsoring a candidate forum so our community can get to know the candidates better before the voting deadline. This is a neutral event to which all candidates have been invited.
  
Whether you're a parent in the district, a business leader, or a community member, the decisions the LWSD School Board will make in the coming years will have an impact on our community. You are all invited to this opportunity to learn where the candidates stand on our most pressing issues, from how the district should face our unprecedented growth to future bond strategies, from the importance of teacher quality to special needs programs, from community engagement plans to strategies for diminishing education opportunity gaps and Common Core implementation.
  
Don't miss this important evening.
  
You've got the power...to shape our community's future!
  
Any questions? Please contact:  Erika Kapur, LWPTSA Council VP Advocacy
  

HOW TO CHECK YOUR STUDENT'S GRADES IN SKYWARD
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.
 

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
 

 
 
CROSS COUNTRY
    
 


GIRLS' BADMINTON
 
 
 
 
 
INTRAMURAL SPORTS
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
VOLUNTEER THANKS *new*
Thanks to all the following people for making the first school dance of the year a great success: 
 
Lisa Seeley
Marcia Stann

Becky Jung
Neelima Rachapudi

Savitha Karuhatty
Lana Stein

Kim Miller
Kelley Kwoka

Tine Frausing
Patricia Holcomb

Renana Yacobi
Sabrina Schriner

Lisa Stillwell
Sara Carroll

Karen Wirth
Gabi Statkus

Sarah Howell
Jennifer Miller

Shanon Reedy
Cherene Dodge

Tina Heath
Allyson Cohen

Jaime Ellestad


Thanks to everyone who helped us make Evergreen's first-ever Fun Run a huge success:
 
Susan Seabrooks
Zerelina Mukherjee

Steve Englander
Branda Andrade

Kim Flammio-Hagemeyer
Lisa Stillwell

Jiarui Ge
Tina Heath

Cherene Dodge
Sindhu Srinivasan

Sara Carroll
Rebecca Grandmont

Diana Brown
Judy Cui

Allyson Cohen
Elle Marsh

Sujatha Parthasarathy
Michele Boal


 
2015-2016 PTSA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS *updated*
Member benefits are available to all WSPTA members. 
Have your electronic member card available when taking advantage of benefits.
 
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 code:  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.

Xfinity Arena at Everett 
October 17, 2015: EnduroCross
November 18-21, 2015: Disney on Ice: Frozen
 
FedEx
Local PTAs and individual members can receive B&W copies at 4¢ each (single sided), color copies at 39¢ each (single sided), and 15% off all other production services. Members can use these special rates for all printing needs.  Click here for other FedEx discounts through the month of October.

 
PTA REFLECTIONS ART CONTEST
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 1pmLate 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.


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?  Please contact our EMS PTSA Co-Treasurers Jiarui Ge and Wei Tao.  For more info. on EPrep at EMS, please click here.
 

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*
Hey Mustang Football Fans!  Follow the JV Stangs to Bothell to play the Cougars at 6pm on Monday, October 12.  

We will follow that up with a game at home on Wednesday the 14th with our C Team taking on Bothell's C Team.  

The Redmond High School Varsity Football Team travels to Pop Keeney Stadium for a 7pm matchup with the Inglemoor on Friday, October 16.  Don't miss it!

   
STUDY ZONE: DROP IN FREE HOMEWORK HELP *new*
Sunday, 4-6pm; Mon.-Thurs., 6-8pm @ Redmond Library
Need a place to study or get homework help?  The Redmond Library offers free help for students grade K-12 during their Study Zone hours.  You bring all your materials and instructions.  Volunteer tutors work in a group setting, not private one-to-one sessions.  For schedule information, tutor subjects and languages, visit kcls.org/studyzone.


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.