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EVERGREEN EAGLE EXPRESS
Week of January 31, 2016 - Issue 24
EVERGREEN MIDDLE SCHOOL ǀ 6900 208TH Ave. NE, Redmond, WA 98053 ǀ 425-936-2320
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE 
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Hello Evergreen Families -
We hope you had a great weekend resting and relaxing. Students worked hard in their classes during 1st semester and it was very rewarding to see them accomplish so much. It was also very life-breathing to see the enthusiasm they had for their new classes when they picked up their schedules last Monday morning. That means January is now officially behind us and the school year is more than 50% complete; the calendar year is also now 1/12th complete and it is amazing how quickly time seems to dissipate. I recently read a quote that said, "the bad news is time flies; the good news is you're the pilot." We hope you and your student are piloting on their charted course. In an early January edition of the Eagle Express, I wrote about setting academic and personal goals with your student. Now that we're starting the 2nd Semester, this would be a great opportunity to revisit the goals they established earlier this year. They can analyze and evaluate their progress against the first 90 days of the school year as well as the first 31 days of this calendar year. Are they making progress toward their goals? Did they set them too low and have already achieved them? Set them too high and need to reassess and recreate them? In all scenarios, please encourage and help your student analyze and evaluate their progress and strive toward accomplishing their academic and personal goals. My parents often reminded me when I was younger that I could be anything I wanted to be; I just had to make a plan to achieve it. As I would dream and wish big, my dad would often remind me that the difference between dreams and goals is a plan, and that all dreams could become a reality if I established a plan. Not every plan was successful and I didn't accomplish every goal. But I was able to achieve a lot of things because I set out a road map and how to get there.
2nd semester creates new opportunities with a fresh start and new classes. This is a great occasion for your student to share their hopes and dreams with you and then together to create a plan that will help them achieve their goals. 8th grade students recently completed a Career Cruising activity in their Language Arts class to help them identify potential interests, careers, and classes necessary to help them achieve what they want to become. For 8th grade parents, we encourage you to review this plan with your student. And we know that all students will set a high mark for success and we are excited about the journey they're on to achieve that success. We look forward to walking alongside them in this journey and providing support, encouragement, challenge, intervention, and enrichment along the way.
As always, please let us know how we can best support you and your student on this journey.
Warmly,
Principal Evergreen Middle School
"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty."
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IMPORTANT DATES 
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Mon., 2/1 - 1st Day of 3rd Season Sports
Wed., 2/3 - Last Day to Turn in 3rd Season Sports Paperwork
Thurs., 2/11 - NO SCHOOL: Mid-Winter Break
Fri., 2/12 - NO SCHOOL: Mid-Winter Break
Mon., 2/15 - NO SCHOOL: President's Day
Thurs., 2/18 - EMS PTSA Board of Director's Meeting @ 9:30am
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SCHOOL NEWS 
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ELPA21: ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST FOR THE 21ST CENTURY *new*
Between February 2 and March 11, 2016 students who are enrolled in the English Language Learner (ELL) program will participate in the yearly ELL assessment. This year the assessment is moving from a paper pencil assessment to a computer-based assessment. The test sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Each test section should take 20 to 30 minutes.
Your building's ELL teachers will proctor the test. Please contact your school's ELL teacher for more information about when the test will be given at your school.
The results of this required annual state test will help teachers and parents understand how ELL students are learning English, and what other supports they need. Families will receive a score report in the mail after the test is completed.
Below you will find links to additional information about this test.
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- A Family Guide to ELPA21 (in English and Spanish):
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- To see sample test items:
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ONLINE PAYMENTS AT EMS *new*
Need to make a payment for class fees, athletics, ASB membership or replacement card? Rather than having your student stand in line during class or at lunch, you can pay the fees online via Parent Access.
- Log onto www.LWSD.org or EMS school website
- Click on "For Parents" on the Top of the Webpage
- Log into "Parent Access" on the Right
- Click on "Online Payments" on the upper right side of the page
- Students' names will be listed. Click on each of your Students to see their account.
Please note, there is a $1.95 convenience fee for online transactions.
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LWSD HIGH SCHOOL GUIDE
Unable to make one of the high school parent info. nights? Just want more information?
Click on the link below to visit the LWSD website. Here you will find information to help your student prepare for high school, succeed in and graduate from high school, and ensure readiness for life after graduation.
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EVERGREEN ATHLETICS 
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3RD SEASON SPORTS
February 1 - March 25
VOLLEYBALL - 7th and 8th Grade Girls
WRESTLING - Boys and Girls
To be eligible for the first practice, all paperwork should've been filled out and submitted to Kathleen Nilsen by Wednesday, January 27th. The last day paperwork will be accepted to participate in 3rd season sports will be Wednesday, February 3rd. After this date sign-ups will be closed.
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PTSA 
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - STAFF APPRECIATION *new*
We could still use lots more food for the upcoming Staff Appreciation Lunch this Thursday, February 4. Please sign up through the link below if you can help. The staff is very appreciative for all the kindness (and great food) that everyone provides for them. This month's theme is (of course) Super Bowl!
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THANK YOU PTSA VOLUNTEERS! *new*
A big "THANK YOU" to all of the parents who helped out with the Winter Wonderland dance on Friday, January 15th. To those who passed out wristbands and sold concessions, and especially those who chaperoned (without which we could not have had the dance!) -- we sincerely appreciate you!
Amy McElfresh
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Lisa Sharp
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Sabrina Schriner
| Brenda Swanson
| Lisa Stillwell
| Shakil Pogaku
| Brian Traina
| Marijka Snider
| Stephanie Myles
| Charlotte Lemery
| Michele Boal
| Steven Wick
| Guadalupe Boscovich
| Michelle Traina
| Tina Heath
| Jaime Ellestad
| Natalie Wells
| Tine Frausing
| Julie Freguia
| Pam Plaisted
| Whitney Sabin
| Lana Stein
| Patricia Holcomb
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| Lisa Seeley
| Pooka Kumar
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Another "THANK YOU" to the following volunteers who helped pass out 2nd semester schedules to around 1,000 students before school on Monday, January 25th. Another case of many hands making the work much lighter!
Allyson Cohen
| Diana Brown
| Marcia Stann
| Amy Cagle
| Dyan VanBishler
| Marcie Dominguez
| Annette Wolf
| Jenay Hanson
| Ravinder Kathuria
| Beth Fazio
| Jennifer Miller
| Rebecca Lavering
| Branda Andrade
| Jiarui Ge
| Sara Carroll
| Caterine Tanure
| Kelli Landers
| Stephanie Hajicek
| Cindy Deffe
| Lisa Sharp
| Wendy Bechtel
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EMS MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
LUCKY LEAP YEAR:
GO FOR 29
BY FEBRUARY 29
Leap Year only happens once every four years. It's a rare opportunity with an extra day to do something exciting - like increase our PTA's membership! It's not too late to become an Evergreen Middle School PTSA Member. Just follow the link below and return the Membership form with your check to the Evergreen MS office.
Contact EMS PTSA Membership Chair, Deb Knaus with any questions kdknaus@msn.com. |
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EXTRACURRICULAR 
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WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT EASTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL? *new*
Join us in helping make EHS the best school in the district for our students. Our Nominating Committee is working on filling PTSA Board positions for next year. This is a great way to get involved, see what your kid(s) are up to, and contribute to our Eastlake community. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Sarah Frankum or Megan Bigbee.
Open Elected Positions:
VP Ways and Means (one or two positions)
VP Membership (one or two positions)
Open Appointed Positions:
Community Liaison Co-chair
Website (we'd like to have this person begin shadowing this position as soon as possible)
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LEARN TO CODE *new*
Wed. Feb. 10, 17, and 24th, 2-3:30pm @ Redmond Library
Presented by DigiPen, this 3-week workshop for grades 1-8 will teach the basics of how to build a video game using Kodu.
Registration is limited and begins January 23.
Please be available to attend all 3 Wednesday sessions.
Questions? Contact Stephanie Zero, Teen Services Librarian or Jenn Carter, Children's Librarian.
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REDMOND LIBRARY PROGRAMS
Redmond Library offers many programs throughout the year that may be of interest to your family. Click on any title below for more information.
Teen Book Club (2nd Thurs. of each month from 4-5pm); next meeting on Feb. 11
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CAMP FAIR 2016
Sat., Feb. 6, 10am-2pm @ St. Thomas School in Medina
It's not too early to start thinking about camps for the summer! Your chance to check out over 65 different local camp opportunities for tots through teens is coming to St. Thomas School in Medina. Parking and entrance is free but you must register for this indoor event.
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NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
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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
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Evergreen Middle School PTSA
Eagle Express is published by parent volunteers of Evergreen Middle School.
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