Evergreen's Mustang Messenger
November 1, 2021
A Note From Your Principal
Evergreen Families,
I absolutely love it whenever I run into Evergreen students outside of school. I recently saw a family at Albertsons. I honked and startled them, but it was sure fun to see the kids' enthusiastic waves. The kids always seem a bit bewildered to have actually bumped into their principal. I love it!
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job as building principal are the interactions that I have every day with our incredible children. I played Wall Ball Friday with several of them at recess. Holy cow! What fun. And I love the fist bumps when we leave school for the day. There is no doubt that I am in the most wonderful profession, where so many unexpected gifts come my way daily.
Our recent Parent/Teacher Goal-setting Conferences were a terrific success. Nearly 94% attendance, with many conferences through Zoom. I heard numerous positive comments regarding the set-up and timing of the meetings. It's important to connect with teachers and set goals...together! Along with being on campus and being at school, conferences with teachers is a key component of student success.
And finally, after a couple of early fire drills, know that we drill monthly for safety. We are required to practice a drill a month—fire drills, earthquake drills, lockdown, and AED (automated external defibrillator) drills.
Happy Autumn everyone!
Mr. Danford, Evergreen Principal
Key Dates for November
We'll have a virtual Veterans Day assembly on November 10 for our students.
November 11 is Veterans Day, the day in which we honor our veterans with a day off school.
A two-day clean-up of the The Living Classroom is scheduled for November 12 and November 13 from 9:00-12:00 each day.
PTO Zoom Meeting, Tuesday, November 16 at 6:30-8:00.
PTO Zoom Meeting link:
https://mead354-org.zoom.us/j/88603563293?pwd=eDFlS0laRFJlVzJLcDEwZGJic2t5UT09
November 17 is Vision and Hearing screening at school. All but our 4th graders are evaluated.
Picture retakes will be on November 18.
There's a Pattinson's Skate Night from 6-8Pm on the 18th as well.
Thanksgiving Break is November 24, 25, and 26. There is no school for kids on those days. See you back at school on Monday, November 29.
The Living Classroom Clean-up Coming Up
In the days since fall 2014, a lot of effort and energy from many dedicated people have transformed The Living Classroom into a legitimately usable space once again. Where there once were weeds, we have wildflowers. Where there used to be a swampy, muddy pond, we have built an outdoor classroom of sorts with sitting rocks. We have a walking path, concrete benches, new plantings, and even created a butterfly garden. And all of the plant and shurbs are native to eastern Washington.
Our biggest challenge remains maintenance. Typically, when we organize a clean-up, we have only a handful of helpers. Mr. Danford and Mrs. Killman, Evergreen parents and avid garden supporter, typically don't miss a chance to clean up. But we can't do it alone. To maintain this special spot for the kids and the community, we need your help.
Our team has organized two clean-up sessions, one for Friday, November 12 and another on Saturday, November 13 from 9-noon each day. Garden clean-up organizers would love to have your help in raking, mowing, and weeding. It's time to ready the garden for winter.
No reservations needed. No tools needs. Just drop by. We would love to have your support.
Upstair and Downstairs Brain
This thinking applies to kids at school, but to adults as well.
We know that when kids are in their downstairs brains that they sometimes need help getting back into their upstairs brains.
Watch the linked video for a better understanding: https://vimeo.com/221019140
Why Reading?
When you read, you exercise your comprehension abilities and your analytical abilities. It fires up your imagination and stimulates the memory centers of your mind. It helps recall information as well as stabilize your emotions. The importance of a reading habit is that it strengthens mental muscles.
From: topper.com and harappa.education
Veterans Day Assembly
Typically we have veterans connected to Evergreen the day before the holiday for an assembly. We pack the gym and honor those that have served or are serving with a nice program. Darn it, though, with COVID, we can't gather.
But our second best should end up being pretty nice. A program that includes pictures of our Evergreen veterans.
We'll be creating a virtual assembly, a video if you will, for teachers to share with their students. We'll read a Veterans Day story, share photos of our veterans, and then offer a rendition of Taps.
Your part: Send a photo of your veteran to Mr. Danford via email. Include the name and years of service (e.g. 1969-1975) as well. Email photos and information to Mr. Danford at michael.danford@mead354.org.
Maybe we'll link the video for families after the November 10 virtual assembly.
Holiday Help
You can discretely reach out to Ms. Tina, our school social worker, and she can help. She's at 509-465-6425.
Free/Reduced Application Call from Nutrition Services
Dear Mead School District Families:
Due to the public health emergency, USDA has given schools the flexibility to operate the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) in school year 2021-22. Mead School District offers meals each school day at no charge to all students.
In anticipation of a return to normal child nutrition program operations and the potential expansion of P-EBT into SY 21-22, we are encouraging families to complete and submit an application for free or reduced price meals. Families who qualify, also may have access to additional benefits beyond meals.
The Mead School District would appreciate having your applications returned either online or to your child's school by Oct. 25. For those whose circumstances may change during the course of the year, the application will remain open.
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.
If you have the sniffles...
We have had positive cases in our buildings from students who have come to school unknowingly positive for COVID-19. In some cases, it has been very minor symptoms -- even just a runny nose, scratchy throat or headache -- and through testing, we have seen them turn positive. Please monitor these symptoms, no matter how minor, and help us keep our schools open.
Visitors and Volunteers (an update)
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
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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/