Evergreen's Mustang Messenger
May 1, 2022
A Note From Your Principal
Hello Mustangs!
I am so glad to be your building principal; I really am. Recently it was all confirmed again for me. Books and BINGO returned and we held the first of two Living Classroom clean-ups for spring. I so appreciate the Evergreen community! There's nothing better than when we are all together.
Whether playing BINGO, winning books, eating pizza at an event, or cleaning up our community garden, we're together...and it feels great!
As you can see below with the testing schedule, SBA begins this month for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. I have also included tips on preparing and assuring your young test-takers. Remember, speak positively and encourage your kiddos to simply do their best on these tests. Smarter Balance Assessments are important, but there are other means for evaluating kids' abilities as well. So, we never gauge our kids by one single round of SBA testing.
We also have another garden clean-up and a fundraiser beginning this month. Lookout for more information from me, Mrs. Killman (our garden guru), as well as PTO regarding our APEX run.
The calendar has turned to May, but know that here at school we want to make the most of every day with kids. Encourage your children to finish strong—with admirable effort and a positive attitude.
Take care,
Mr. Danford
Key Dates for May
On May 10 Smarter Balanced Testing begins. See the schedule below.
Thursday, May 12 PTO will host Recess with Moms (or special women in your life) at 8:30. Treats, coffee, recess fun, and tours for all in attendance.
The Living Classroom May clean-ups are May 13 and 14. Join us if you would like. No reservations needed and no tools needed. Just a willingness.
Evergreen Night with the Spokane Indians is May 21. PTO will be sending details.
Our APEX PTO fundraiser begins May 23 with a kickoff. The actual fund run will be Thursday, June 2.
PTO Meeting, Tuesday, May 24 at 6:30-8:00.
- Face-to-face in the school library
- PTO Zoom Meeting link: https://mead354-org.zoom.us/j/83671887197
Our Student of the Month celebration video for May will be ready for viewing on Friday, May 27.
Memorial Day is Monday, May 30. There is no school on the holiday.
Staff Appreciation
Instead of honoring the teachers or just our classified staff, we celebrate all staff. PTO is integral in all of this, as you can imagine. Just know that this week is a great week to give your Evergreen staff a shout out.
Smarter Balanced Testing Schedule
How to Help Kids for State Tests
- Try not to put too much pressure on your student.
- Reinforce that as long as they do their absolute best you will be proud of them.
- Try to use positive language when talking about expectations of the test. Do not overinflate expectations.
- Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep the night before the test
- Your child should eat a nutritious and filling breakfast on test day. Avoid high sugar cereals which can make the student hyper and/or unfocused.
- Keep a positive attitude about testing in general around your child and emphasize their ability to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Plan for a fun outing or treat for your child after the test has been completed.
May's PTO Meeting
We are excited to share that we will be moving the meetings to in-person again in May! We will be meeting at Evergreen in the library on Tuesday, May 24 at 6:30pm. There will be a Zoom link available for those who can't make it in person but would still like to hear what's happening.
Our normal pattern would be to have the meeting a week sooner, but this month the meeting is May 24. Make a note of it!
Helping Children Learn Newsletter
The link to the newsletter is right here.
Inside it you will find lots of important information related to teaching courage, connecting a peaceful home with positive mental health, and ways to navigate frustration.
The Yearbook is Back!
Yearbooks are still available and will be available for purchase online as well as paper forms that were sent home after Spring Break! The cost is $20 and the books will be delivered the last week of school! Last call for ordering: May 13.
If you have any questions at all about this year's yearbook, you can email PTO at evergreenpto@mead354.org.
Parent Input Forms
We'll begin the work of class placements mid-May. Have any forms to the office by early May.
We are committed to doing the best we can in placement and in creating high quality learning experiences for each child. Thank you in advance for your cooperation, understanding, and support in this process.
Games and Grub Family Night—a Title I Event
Save the Date!!
Games and Grub Family Night
Thursday, June 9th 5:30-7:30 pm
Come enjoy our annual family night with a dedicated time for family time. We've got dinner covered and will provide the games. Come play some favorites or learn some new games, and enter the raffle to take the games home.
Lost and Found
Please remind your kiddos to check or drop by. We'd love to get lost items back to their rightful owners. If we're beyond our capacity to store items, we'll donate things to Other Mothers or The Goodwill by mid month.
Monitor Your Kids' Online Experiences
This is not news for you I'm sure; monitoring your students' online experiences is just smart practice.
No Dogs On Campus
Many of our students do not know to stop and ask an owner before petting an animal. And as we all know, even the most friendly doggy when startled may snap at a child or bite.
Please leave your pets at home.
Follow Us On Facebook
Parents Right to Know
Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualifications
Districts and schools must inform the parents of Title I, Part A (Evergreen is an all-Title building) students that they may request, and the district and schools will provide, certain information on the professional qualifications of the students’ classroom teachers and paraprofessionals providing services to their child.
Should you desire such information, do not hesitate to contact Mr. Danford, building principal, or Ms. Boldrick, Title I teacher.
Non-discrimination Statement
Mead School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Josh Westermann, Director of Student and Family Services @ 2323 E Farwell Rd, Mead, WA 99021, Phone: 509 465-6000, or via email Josh.Westermann@mead354.org
Evergreen's Contact Information
Email: michael.danford@mead354.org
Website: https://evergreen.mead354.org/
Location: 215 West Eddy Avenue, Spokane, WA, USA
Phone: 509-465-6400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenElementaryMead/