Evergreen Middle School
June 1, 2022
Message From Principal Collins
As the month ends I reflect and I noticed there were plenty of reasons to love the month of May. It could have been for Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day or Chocolate Chip Day, there's something official to celebrate every single day of the month. As the temperatures get warmer, and the flowers bloom, we can finally begin enjoying the outdoors again.
We plan on ending the school year strong and having a lot of fun doing it. While all the fun and games are being scheduled, let’s not forget to follow the school’s behavior policies and expectations.
We are having scholars complete their makeup testing this week.
We want as many of our Grizzlies to join in the festivities as possible … stay the course and stay Evergreen Strong!
Cell Phone Policy- Strictly Enforced
- Cell phones are to be turned off and put away in your backpack
- No cell phones during breakfast, lunch, hallways, bathrooms or classrooms
- If you need to check in or communicate with your parents, then you may use the school phone in the office
- This policy began last Monday, May 16th
- Parents will be notified. If you do not follow the expectation
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
New Safety Measures & Supports
Safety is at the forefront of everything we do in Federal Way Public Schools. We work hard to support safe and welcoming environments at each of our school sites. The tragedy that unfolded in Texas earlier this week sparked questions and conversations about school safety across our country. I’ve also heard from some of our staff, families, and scholars, and I want to reiterate our commitment to keeping our schools safe places to learn and teach.
On Tuesday, May 31, all schools will ensure exterior and classroom doors, including the front doors, are locked during the school day. This means you may need to call the front office when you arrive at some of our school sites. There will be a sign posted to the front door to provide instructions for visitors who arrive during the school day. We know this may be an inconvenience for visiting parents and families, but it does provide an additional layer of safety and security. You can read more about our safety and security efforts in the e-newsletter below, and please know we will continue to keep safety at the forefront of everything we do.
I also want to remind families that we are here to support scholars if they need to talk to someone. You or your child can reach out to their principal or school counselor to get them connected with support. Students ages 13 and up can also access support through Talkspace, a virtual therapy service with unlimited 24/7 text-to-chat therapy from licensed mental health providers, available at no cost to FWPS scholars. One of our goals is to support “The Whole Child”, and we know attending to mental health is an important piece of ensuring the success of our scholars.
-Dr. Dani Pfeiffer, Superintendent
Choice Enrollment- Post Lottery Application Open June 1
For more information and to submit your online application visit: www.fwps.org/choice.
All applications are due by 4:30 p.m., Aug. 31, 2022.
Applications will be added to the waitlist in the order received and will be accepted on a space-available basis.
Existing Choice families are not required to reapply.
Summer Youth ORCA Pass
Students in 8-12th grade who are eligible for the Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program can get a free Summer Youth ORCA Pass through King County! The Summer Youth ORCA Pass gives King County students unlimited rides on transit all summer long, through September 2022.
Families who are eligible can learn more and sign up for a free pass today at: kingcounty.gov/metro/summerorcapass.
Summer Connections
Join Multi-Service Center to learn about summer
opportunities for families
and youth!
You will hear about ways to connect to mentoring programs,
internships, and local resources in Federal Way and South
King County. This workshop is open to youth ages 12 and
above currently enrolled in any South King County area
school district and their parents/guardians. Federal Way
Public Schools will also be on-site registering scholars who
are not currently enrolled.
Door prizes will be available. Drawings for prizes will be held
during the session and you must be present to win.
Why Every Grizzly Should Read Over the Summer
Every year in the spring, students take tests to show what they have learned. Then, when the students come back in the fall after a long summer break, they retake some of the same tests so that teachers have a good measure of where they’re at. So far, so good, but here’s the problem: After not being in school for two and a half months, we often find that students’ test scores have dropped a bit. This is what we call “Summer Slide”. For some students, their Summer Slide is severe. It tends to be the students who didn’t read or engage in learning activities during the summer who slide down the most.
Summer break should be just that – a break! Students need to recharge their batteries after a long year of study. But they can’t just switch off. They need occasional opportunities to engage their minds. Parents can help combat Summer Slide by taking their kids to museums and parks, making regular visits to the library, and planning crafts and science experiments. The most productive form of summer learning – besides summer school, of course - is reading.
I encourage all Evergreen parents to find ways to get their kids reading over the summer. A nightly reading routine, where they read right before bed or listen to you read, is probably the best bet. My mom gave us prizes, such as pizza night, for the number of minutes or books we read during the summer. We have an excellent resource called Sora that is loaded with digital books from the King County Public Library. However, you choose to help your student this summer as they make the transition to the next grade, make sure reading is a part of it.
-Zach Groshell, Instructional Coach
Loaner laptop and/or WiFi hot spot
All checked-out technology devices, which includes any loaner laptop, Wi-Fi hot spot, and associated power adapters must be returned for inventory and updating. All scholars must return their technology equipment to their school of residence between June 3rd through June 10th. Families that have devices checked out after June 10th will receive notification of fines due for the equipment.
Students attending summer school will have a device checked out to them, if needed, the first week of that program.
Please ensure that all loaner items are returned. Fines will be applied for missing power adapter or hotspot ($50), screen, keyboard or case damage ($100) or non-returned devices ($25 to $450 depending on model).
If you need assistance covering monthly internet service, the Emergency Broadband Benefit program will cover up to $50 per month on the cost of home Internet access or mobile hotspot if you are eligible for Free or Reduce Lunch Program. Check for eligibility and services available at https://getemergencybroadband.org.
If you have any questions, you may contact the Information Technology Services (ITS) department at helpdesk@fwps.org or by calling 253-945-2111.
IMPORTANT DATES
6/1 Volleyball- Evergreen @ Sequoyah
6/2 Track- District Championships- Field events 3:45pm; Running events 4pm @ FWMF
6/3 Volleyball- Evergreen - BYE
6/3-Varsity Baseball- Evergreen @ Sequoyah
6/7- Evergreen Band Concert, 7:00pm
6/9- Spring Orchestra Concert, 7:00pm
6/16- Last Day of School
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/