At Gateway our mission is, in partnership with parents and the community, to provide a safe and collaborative learning environment that empowers lifelong learners to reach their full potential.

Gary the Guardian welcomes you!

Welcome back Gateway Family! We are so excited to serve our families and students during the 2022-2023 school year. As we are entering back to school we are fully focused on building your student's academic stamina and success.

This newsletter contains information for families to read and discuss with your students. As we are entering into this new year, our goal is that all expectations are clear so that all students are successful. We will have a 2nd communication coming out the week before school.

Beyond this communication, please check our website. It is regularly updated and has many resources to support you.

We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and we can't wait to see all of you at orientation in the coming weeks!

Your Admin Team,

Matt Bennett, Principal

Liz Sanchez, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

Laura Breen, Assistant Principal

Please join us on social media!

During back to school orientation you will have to opportunity to hear a brief message from your administration team at the top of each hour in the cafeteria. Please see the schedule above.

In the gym, you may pay for ASB cards, purchase yearbooks, give medications to the nurse, get your schedule, meet/join the PTSA, and take tours with ASB student leaders. If you would like to make payments online you may go to https://wa-everett.intouchreceipting.com/

The school will also be open to do self-guided tours during orientations. We will provide maps and encourage students to find walking routes between their classes to help be ready for the 1st day. Please note that teachers are not back to work during this time.

Families with students in multiple grade levels may attend any orientation.

Not able to make it to orientations? All student schedules will be available in HAC the morning of orientations. After orientations, paper schedules are available in the front office from 1-3pm daily.

We have an amazing PTSA! Click here to check out their website and get plugged into life at Gateway.

PTSA sells spirit wear online all year! Click the Gateway shirt below to browse the catalog.

On the first day, students should bring:

• Water bottle to fill in sinks/filler stations (due to Covid, water fountains are unavailable)
• Pencils
• Folder to bring work home in
• Binder that fits in backpack with paper or spiral notebook

The following is a suggested list of items your student might need. Teachers will share specifics the first week of school. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you need financial assistance with required items.

• Wired earbuds for instructional use
• Notecards
• Colored pencils
• Black flair pens
• Assorted highlighters, at least 4 colors
• #2 Pencils
• Folder to take work home in
• Small post-its
• Loose Leaf Paper
• Scientific calculator or graphing calculator (especially helpful in Geometry & Algebra)
• Pens – red
• Scissors
• Roll of Tape
• Ruler (cm/in)
• Protractor
• 100-page Composition Book (no spiral notebooks) - 7th graders only
• Composition or spiral notebook – 6th Graders Only

Course specific items:

• Art: Sketch Pad
• Band/Orchestra instrument rental and supplies: If your student is planning to take band or orchestra, you will need to rent or purchase an instrument and buy some supplementary supplies/accessories. Some larger instruments are available for rental from the school. Rental information will be distributed by the band/orchestra director.
• Science class: Please provide a composition notebook (no spiral bound notebooks).
• Spanish class: Please provide a sheet protector with white card stock in it, regular supply of whiteboard markers, and an eraser. There will be addition supplies required through out the year for projects.

We want to hear from you. Please take a moment to complete this survey to help us plan.

Here are some additional resources to help support your student this year. https://www.everettsd.org/domain/1640

Before this year begins, please make sure that you can access your students grades. We recommend checking grades regularly as well as making sure your student knows how to check their grades. It is easier to keep up then catch up.

Checking Student Grades.pptx

Parents, we want to connect with you! Please come on in the building this September 23 from 7:50 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the library to meet your administration and counseling team. Doughnuts and coffee will be provided. This should be a fun and informal time to get to know those at school who want to support you and your student.

The first week of school is always a time of adjustment. We want you to know that during this time, your students bus may take a bit longer to get home.

If you have any questions about bus routes, please contact Transportation at 425-385-4414. Or you may check routes through transportation at https://versatransweb05.tylertech.com/everett/elinkrp/Students/BasicTransBoundarySearch.aspx

At Gateway this year, lunches and breakfast will no longer be free to all families. If your family is in need of assistance with meals you may apply for these services at https://www.everettsd.org/Page/4830

Cost of Meals

Breakfast $1.75

Lunch $ 3.50

The Everett School District has an "away for the day" policy across the district for middle and elementary schools. Please let your student know that cell phones need to be powered off and in their backpacks during the school day. If your student needs to contact you, they may use a school phone. If you need to contact your student, please contact the front desk at (425)385-6600.

Cell phones can be very distracting for students in the learning environment. Our goal is to have all of our students at school fully engaged.

Here is how staff will deal with cell phones that are not in the backpacks.

• Ask student to put cell phone away. Contact family.

• If this is a second offence or student refuses to put their phone away, call the office to bring the phone to the office

• Notify parent/guardian as soon as possible of infraction, and that parent/guardian pick-up of cellphone from office is required

As we enter into a new school year, we would love to share with you ways that you can help support your students' success. One of the biggest distractions that students have today is the cell phone. Knowing that many parents have concerns around safety and cell phone usage. Below are some resources that you can use to help with cell phone usage. One idea is to have your student’s cell phone turned off from social media during the school day, but they can still contact specific adults.

Cell Phone Controls

AT&T How to Set Parental Controls on AT&T Internet - TechBuzz by AT&T

Boost Boost Safe & Found

Google Fi How To Set Up Google Fi Parental Controls | Bark

Mint Mobile Mint Mobile

Sprint How To Set Up Sprint Parental Controls | Bark

Straight Talk: How To Put Parental Controls On Straight Talk Phone? – SNC

T-Mobile Family and Parental Controls | T-Mobile Privacy Center

Verizon Parental Controls | Verizon Internet Support

Xfinity Parental Controls for Cell Phones | Xfinity

Articles on Cell Phones and Students

Is Social Media Threatening Teens' Mental Health and Well-being? | Columbia University Irving Medical Center

How Smartphone Addiction Is Affecting Teens' Brains

When smartphones go to school | Science News for Students

Teenage Cell Phone Use Statistics : Surprising Numbers

How Smartphones Create Distractions in the Classroom

The dress code for PE has changed this year. Please take a moment to look over what students need to wear for safety during PE.

Shirts: Students will need to wear a crew neck t-shirt preferably plain white, light grey, or a plain light color that can have their name written in permanent maker across the front and/or back. Sweatshirts can be worn for cold weather months. If desired, you may purchase a school PE shirt in the main office for a minimal fee.

Bottoms: Students can wear school dress code appropriate shorts, sweats, yoga pants, or leggings of any color.

Shoes: Students need to wear comfortable athletic style shoes that lace up and are non-marking.

If you are unable to provide PE Clothing or sweats for the colder months, please reach out to your school office support and/or counselor.

Please take a moment to look at Gateway's Dress Code and discuss the expectations with your student.

The graphic below shows in blue and grey which areas should be covered.

Attending school daily has a direct correlation to their academic success. Please take a moment to look at our daily schedule. If your student is tardy for any class, you will receive a phone call and email to let you know. We know that there are times when students are ill or there is a struggle navigating between classes we are here to support your student. Please partner with us by making sure your student is on time to school each day, if they are tardy to class brainstorm strategies to get to class on time, and if you need support contact your councilors.