Evergreen Middle School
June 6, 2022
Message from Principal Collins
If I were to list all the people that deserve a ‘Thank You’ for this year, the June newsletter would be about 50 pages long. Instead, I will simply offer one big heartfelt THANKS to our parents and families for your patience, support, and understanding throughout the year. From classroom quarantines to the ever-changing rules and guidelines – you have been amazing, and I cannot thank you enough. While at times, it did feel like we were only a step or two ahead of the curve, our scholars and staff were both resilient and excited to be in school with their friends, classmates, and co-workers. I loved seeing everyone’s faces – especially as their masks came off - throughout the year. I encourage you to ‘unplug’ as much as possible this summer and enjoy being outside – without worrying about ‘likes’, ‘followers’, or ‘streaks’. Just one more newsletter after this one. Remember, you don’t need an iPhone to have an awesome vacation. Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy summer.
8th Grade Farewell Celebration- June 14th
Schedule of event:
Date: June 14, 2022, 12:30pm-2:00pm
Ceremony: Students only (in person); family on zoom
Place: Evergreen Gymnasium
Zoom link for the family will be sent out shortly
**After the Ceremony**
Date: June 14, 2022, 2:00pm-2:30pm
Celebration: Please join your students for food, photos, and celebration.
Place: Evergreen Blacktop
Guidance for 8th Grade Farewell Clothing Style
Whether your graduation fashion will be feminine-presenting, masculine-presenting, or somewhere in between, choosing the perfect outfit is an important part of your 8th-grade graduation!
In general, many feminine-presenting graduation fashions align somewhere in the range of casual to semi-formal, while many masculine-presenting graduate fashions tend towards the casual to formal range. A simple Google images search can provide helpful examples of these ranges of clothing styles if you’d like ideas.
You want to look your best for your big day, so make sure whatever you choose to wear is celebrating all of the hard work you have put into your studies, your accomplishments, and those who have supported you along the way (family, friends, teachers, and school staff). This is your moment to feel proud, excited, and thankful.
**Amended** Dress Code for 8th Grade Farewell Celebration
Minimum Requirements:
- Undergarments (underwear/boxers, bras), and body parts that typically go underneath undergarments, may not be exposed.
- Shoes must be worn at all times and should be safe for the school environment.
Additional Requirements:
- Clothing may not depict, imply, advertise, or advocate illegal, violent, or lewd conduct, weapons, or the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.
- Clothing may not depict or imply pornography, nudity, or sexual acts.
- Clothing may not display or imply vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images.
- Clothing may not state, imply, or depict hate speech/imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected classification.
- Clothing and accessories that endanger student or staff safety may not be worn.
WE NEED YOU! JOIN PTSA!
Evergreen does not have a PTSA. We need your help to get a great association started.
PTSAs provide youth members with the opportunity to make a difference by developing leadership skills, learning about the legislative process, increasing their self-esteem, and contributing to the school and community. In turn, adult PTSA members gain a new perspective for program development and youth leadership development and acquire a better understanding of the youth of today.
All of the resources and opportunities cover efforts that could strengthen your PTSAs work in building family-school partnerships. Learn more about the process and enroll at PTA.org/Excellence.
Examples of fun events hosted by PTSA include:
Teacher Appreciation Week
Skate nights
Carnivals
8th grade farewell celebrations
JUNE IS LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH
In June, we celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, dedicating this time to affirming the vast identities that create our strong and diverse district. During this month, we focus on the importance of creating space for our scholars, staff, and community to show up as their authentic selves. Scholars feel most empowered to do their best learning when they are comfortable being themselves.
Our district emphasizes maintaining safe and welcoming environments that cultivate sense of belonging throughout our schools. We are proud to share LGBTQ+ resources, contributions made by LGBTQ+ individuals, and progress made for equal rights and acceptance in our community and the world.
The work to create inclusive spaces takes much more than a month. FWPS is committed to including representation of all scholars as part of daily instruction, including LGBTQ+ history and human rights. It is important for all scholars to see themselves in their learning.
Follow our District social media and subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about how we support our LGBTQ+ community.
View additional recognitions in the FWPS Cultural & Religious Calendar here: www.fwps.org/Page/4414
Smart’s not something you are, it’s something you GET
Helping children “get smart” is an important goal of parenting and education. In previous posts, I’ve talked about how reading is one of the best ways to train the brain for successful thought. Having a nightly reading routine – and perhaps rewarding your child for the number of minutes they read – helps to ensure that they read enough. Even the most reluctant readers will find something interesting on Sora, a digital book library that is free to use for all Evergreen students. You can learn more about Sora, here.
In addition to reading, researchers have discovered that having meaningful conversations with adults helps children “get smart”. They found this out by having kids wear tracking devices around their necks that recorded how many “conversational turns” they had each day. The kids who didn’t have as many interactions, or were mostly “talked at” by their parents, didn’t do as well in future grades as the kids who had a steady diet of back-and-forth discussions with their parents. While middle schoolers may not always be chatty after a long day of school, we do them a great service by simply asking them about their day and sharing a bit about our own.
Unfortunately, cell phones are often the biggest competition of reading and conversation. For this reason, I recommend that parents consider limiting their children’s phone use over the summer. When we implemented a cellphone-free policy here at Evergreen, we saw immediate results. Instead of staring at their screens, students began talking with each other and reading thick novels during downtimes. By replacing cell phone time with family/reading time this summer, parents ensure that their kids are getting the “smarts” they deserve.
Zach Groshell
Instructional Coach
Evergreen Middle School
TIK TOK CHALLENGE INFORMATION
We recently became aware of a national Tik Tok challenge called the Orbeez Challenge, which involves bringing a water bead or gel blaster gun to school. Often, these look like an actual firearm. In light of this news, and as we approach the end of the school year, I want to remind scholars and families that these items are not allowed on our school campuses.
Lookalike weapons, including water bead or gel blaster guns, are not allowed on our school campuses, and any student found to be in possession of a lookalike weapon on campus will be disciplined according to policy. Students who engage in this behavior will be disciplined immediately and appropriately.
Parents and families, please help keep our campus safe by ensuring items like these and any other items not appropriate for schools do not come to school with your child.
It takes all of us working together to keep our schools safe, and I appreciate your continued partnership in this area.
Remember that if you or your child hear or see anything at any time that makes you concerned for a student or staff member's safety, you can call or text the Safe Schools Tip-Line at 253-945-SAFE (7233) anytime of the day or night.
Important Dates
6/6- Varsity Baseball game @ Sequoyah (rescheduled from last Friday)
6/7- Band Concert @ 7pm
6/8- Early Release Day @ 1pm
6/9- Orchestra Concert @ 7pm
6/14- 8th Grade Farewell
6/16- Last Day of School- Scholars leave at 10:30 am.
Summer Hours:
School offices are fully staffed and open until June 30, 2022. During the month of July, the school office will not be staffed, however, if students or families come to school, service will be provided. If administration is not available to answer questions during the month of July, students and families may come to the ESC to receive any information they may need.
The offices will reopen to serve scholars and their families beginning August 2. Office hours will be 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Evergreen Middle School
Email: mnelsen@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/evergreen
Location: 26812 40th Ave S, Kent, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenFWPS/