Gateway Middle School
September Parent Newsletter

In This Issue
- Schedules
- Save the Date
- PE Uniform
- Dress Code
- Drop Off and Pick Up Routines and Buses
- We Donut Know What We Would Do Without You! Meet and Greet!
- Let's Connect in Region Three!
- Everett School District Newsletter
- Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)
- Athletics at Gateway
- Meet Your Counselors and Administration Team
- World Language Assessment
- Google Classroom, HAC(Home Access Center), or Canvas Confusion
- Link to Gateway Student Handbook
- Technical Support
- Join Our PTSA
- Panorama Survey
Gateway's Mission

Ready, Set, School!
As we are getting close to the our students needing to rise and shine early, now would be a great time to help student adjust their sleep schedule. Here is an article to help with this sleep transition!
If you missed our August 10th communication, here is the link to this letter. This communication contains a ton of information you need for back to school.

Save the Dates
Monday, September 5th
Labor Day- School Closed
Wednesday, September 7th
First Day of School
Tuesday, September 13th
Picture Day
Friday, September 23rd
We Donut Know What We Would Do Without You! Meet and Greet!
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, October 4th
6:00-8:30 - Gateway Family Night
Friday, October 14th
Teacher Work Day-Non Student Day
Check out the Everett School District Calendar.
PE Uniforms
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.
Dress Code
The graphic below shows in blue and grey which areas should be covered.

Drop Off and Pick Up Routines and Buses
There is only one way in and one way out of Gateway. Please follow the flow of traffic and only drop off students in the red square area below.
Please make sure you are driving the speed limit and looking out for our students and staff. We want every aspect of all of our students to be safe.
If you have a bus issue please contact:
Call Center for Families (website) – 425-385-4144 (on afterhours card)

We Donut Know What We Would Do Without You! Meet and Greet!
Let's Connect in Region Three!
You are invited to connect with the Region Three Regional Superintendent, Larry Fleckenstein, to engage in conversation about Back to School and to provide feedback to help us improve. We want to hear from you and hope you can attend an in-person meeting to share your thoughts.
Let’s Connect!
Topic: Back to School
Date: October 6, 2022
Time: 6 - 7 p.m.
Location: Heatherwood MS - Cafeteria - 1419 Trillium Blvd. SE, Mill Creek, WA 98012
Questions that will be posed:
- What are the academic needs your student may have?
- What does student achievement mean to you?
Everett School District Newsletter
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)
As defined in legislation, “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act including but not limited to, one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 28A.640.010 and RCW 28A 642.010, or other distinguishing characteristics, when the act:
A. Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property;
B. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
C. Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
D. Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Athletics at Gateway
We are very excited to announce that the Everett Public Schools Athletic Department has partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service. FinalForms allows you to complete and sign athletic participation forms for your students. The most exciting news is that FinalForms saves data from season-to-season and year-to-year, meaning that you will never need to enter the same information twice! FinalForms also pre-populates information wherever possible, for each of your students, saving you time.
You may review your data at any time to verify it is current. You will be required to sign your forms once per year and after any update.
We are asking that ALL parents of athletes use FinalForms. Middle school sports (Football, Softball, Cross Country) start Sept. 12. You will need a current physical on file, which you can upload directly into FinalForms.
Please register your athlete now to avoid any delay in beginning your season at: https://everett-wa.finalforms.com/ and follow the prompts to create your account, create your students and sign your forms.
FAQ:
During registration, you will be asked to enter your students' email. @stu.everettsd.org This is often times your students first initial and last name (not your student id #), please email kshea@everettsd.org or call 425-385-4260 if you are unsure of your students' email address.
For access to your student's district email account go to www.office.com. Students can login with their studentID@apps.everettsd.org account and district password on any personal device using the web browser. Once logged in, select the Outlook icon located on the left side of the webpage.
Thank you for your assistance in streamlining our paperwork processes at Everett Public Schools.
Meet Your Counselors and Administration Team
Ryan Miller- 6th Grade CounselorI began working as a Counselor at Gateway during the 2015-2016 school year. Before coming to Gateway I worked at another middle school in Washington for 10 years. I attended Western Washington University for my Bachelor's degree and Boston College for my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology/School Counseling. After graduating from Boston College I moved back to Washington. Excluding my two years in Boston, I have lived in the Puget Sound area my entire life. My favorite activities are skiing with my kids during the winter months and camping with my family in the spring and summer. I also enjoy traveling and attending sporting events. Go Seahawks! Phone: (425) 385-6612 Email: rmiller@everettsd.org | Toni Jetton-7th Grade CounselorI am originally from England and moved to WA 9 years ago because my husband Ron was relocated by his company (Holland America Cruise Line). This is my 5th year as a counselor now and love helping the kids learn how to navigate middle school. I have two daughters; 8th grade and 6th grade and love to travel with friends and family. Phone: (425) 385-6624 Email: tjetten@everettsd.org | Sandra Olson- 8th Grade CounselorI have been a substance use disorders counselor in middle schools and high schools for the past 14 years, with the last seven years being at Cascade High School. I received my bachelor's degree from Central Washington University and my master's degree from Creighton University. I have been married for 27 years and have two amazing sons who are 20 and 14. I enjoy hiking and watching all sports, but pickleball and softball are my favorite to play. I am excited to join the Gateway family! Phone: (425) 385-6626 Email: solson2@everettsd.org |
Ryan Miller- 6th Grade Counselor
I began working as a Counselor at Gateway during the 2015-2016 school year. Before coming to Gateway I worked at another middle school in Washington for 10 years. I attended Western Washington University for my Bachelor's degree and Boston College for my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology/School Counseling. After graduating from Boston College I moved back to Washington. Excluding my two years in Boston, I have lived in the Puget Sound area my entire life. My favorite activities are skiing with my kids during the winter months and camping with my family in the spring and summer. I also enjoy traveling and attending sporting events. Go Seahawks!
Phone: (425) 385-6612
Email: rmiller@everettsd.org
Toni Jetton-7th Grade Counselor
I am originally from England and moved to WA 9 years ago because my husband Ron was relocated by his company (Holland America Cruise Line). This is my 5th year as a counselor now and love helping the kids learn how to navigate middle school. I have two daughters; 8th grade and 6th grade and love to travel with friends and family.
Phone: (425) 385-6624
Email: tjetten@everettsd.org
Sandra Olson- 8th Grade Counselor
I have been a substance use disorders counselor in middle schools and high schools for the past 14 years, with the last seven years being at Cascade High School. I received my bachelor's degree from Central Washington University and my master's degree from Creighton University. I have been married for 27 years and have two amazing sons who are 20 and 14. I enjoy hiking and watching all sports, but pickleball and softball are my favorite to play. I am excited to join the Gateway family!
Phone: (425) 385-6626
Email: solson2@everettsd.org
Matt Bennett- PrincipalThough a Washington native, I have lived all over the western states and relocated to Everett, and I love it here! My family enjoys fishing, boating, camping, road trips, and taking advantage of the summer weather in Washington! I am beginning my 4th year at Gateway and my 11th year as a school administrator. My two central tenets as a principal are ensuring student voice is elevated so that our school reflects our students, and ensuring that each student has a trusted adult on campus that they feel safe connecting with. Gateway students, staff, and families are simply the best. Go Guardians! Email: mbennett@everettsd.org | Liz Sanchez-Assistant PrincipalI was born in Mexico and immigrated to the USA when I was 8 years old. My experiences as an immigrant and second language learner helped inform my passion for education. As a school leader I hope to not only help bring equity and inclusion into our classrooms, but I also want our student to learn to use their voice, to advocate for themselves and others. I’m excited to start a full school year at Gateway and look forward to making connections with all of our students and families. It’s going to be an amazing school year! Email: esanchez@everettsd.org | Laura Breen- Assistant PrincipalI have been a teacher for the last twenty-five years. Now that my youngest is about ready to drive, I made the decision that I was ready to get my administrative credentials I adore working with students and teachers. To see students that did not have faith in their own abilities realize that they can accomplish anything they put their mind to, makes me happy. Email: lbreen@everettsd.org |
Matt Bennett- Principal
Though a Washington native, I have lived all over the western states and relocated to Everett, and I love it here! My family enjoys fishing, boating, camping, road trips, and taking advantage of the summer weather in Washington! I am beginning my 4th year at Gateway and my 11th year as a school administrator. My two central tenets as a principal are ensuring student voice is elevated so that our school reflects our students, and ensuring that each student has a trusted adult on campus that they feel safe connecting with. Gateway students, staff, and families are simply the best. Go Guardians!
Email: mbennett@everettsd.org
Liz Sanchez-Assistant Principal
I was born in Mexico and immigrated to the USA when I was 8 years old. My experiences as an immigrant and second language learner helped inform my passion for education. As a school leader I hope to not only help bring equity and inclusion into our classrooms, but I also want our student to learn to use their voice, to advocate for themselves and others. I’m excited to start a full school year at Gateway and look forward to making connections with all of our students and families. It’s going to be an amazing school year!
Email: esanchez@everettsd.org
Laura Breen- Assistant Principal
I have been a teacher for the last twenty-five years. Now that my youngest is about ready to drive, I made the decision that I was ready to get my administrative credentials
I adore working with students and teachers. To see students that did not have faith in their own abilities realize that they can accomplish anything they put their mind to, makes me happy.
Email: lbreen@everettsd.org

Google Classroom, HAC(Home Access Center), or Canvas Confusion
HAC (Home Access Center) is Everett School District's official gradebook. No other platform has official grades. Teachers should update this platform every two weeks. You will find that most teachers update more often. Click here to access your students grades.
Google Classroom may be used by teachers to turn in assignments and give students feedback. Teachers may grade in this platform, but the grade is not official, unless it is placed in the HAC gradebook. Teachers that use this platform will send a link to the students in their classroom.
Canvas has multiple purposes. One of these purposes is to allow students to keep up with their work when absent. If your child is ever absent, please check this platform to see what your student has missed. Teachers may have students submit work on this platform, but once again the final grade will be placed in LMS. Click here to find out how you can access Canvas.
Link to Gateway Student Handbook
Join Our PTSA
Please consider joining our PTA. Attendance at meetings is not required, but your support allows our students to have more opportunities. Click this link to find out more information!
Panorama Survey
Connect with Us!
