Evergreen's Mustang Messenger
March 1, 2022
A Note From Your Principal
Dear Mustang Families,
Teaching is a tough gig. Being a staff member in a public school these days can be extremely challenging, greater than in typical years. There's more to the art of teaching than most would ever imagine. Planning, teaching, and grading are the tip of the iceberg. Relationship and connection are critical for classroom success. Classroom management is a large part of being an educator. Assessment, data interpretation, and the use of that information to move our students along is something each teacher at Evergreen thinks of daily. Then there's the periphery: supporting social and emotional health, helping to navigate family poverty and trauma, and supporting children with food insecurities. These are all real tasks on the plates of today's educators.
Add in COVID, student quarantines, masking, and the politics of it all, and you end up with a fuller picture of an educator or school staff member in 2022.
Through it all your Mustang teachers have been amazing professionals. Our paraeducators, cooks, custodial crew, and front office staff have been absolute troopers for your kids all year long.
So, at parent-teacher conferences March 9, 10, 11 (whether face-to-face or Zoom) consider thanking your teacher or that helpful classified staff member. I gotta believe they'd appreciate a shout out.
Best,
Mr. Danford
Key Dates for March
Conferences are this month...
March 9: Early Release (12:45 PM) with conferences scheduled from 1:00 PM to 5:25 PM.
March 10: No school for students. Conferences scheduled from 12:00 PM to 7:25 PM.
March 11: No school for students. Conferences scheduled from 8:00-11:25.
Schedule a conference using the link here: https://pickatime.com/EvergreenElementarySchool
PTO Zoom Meeting, Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30-8:00.
- PTO Zoom Meeting link: https://mead354-org.zoom.us/j/83671887197
March 18 is a Learning Improvement Day for teachers. No school for children.
Class pictures are March 31.
Our Student of the Month celebration video for March will be ready for viewing on Friday, April 1.
Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences Are Now in March
As we continue to assess student learning in our classrooms and the ability to gather student learning data through assessments, it was recommended recently that our School Board of Directors approve a calendar change for upcoming Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences. The Board approved March 9-11.
Please plan to attend these very important meetings. You can sign up with the Pick-a-time scheduler below.
March 9: Early Release (12:45 PM) with conferences scheduled from 1:00 PM to 5:25 PM.
March 10: No school for students. Conferences scheduled from 12:00 PM to 7:25 PM.
March 11: No school for students. Conferences scheduled from 8:00-11:25.
Regarding Mask-wearing
We understand that this change in how our schools are operating will be met with differing opinions and responses, and we will work with our students and staff to ensure a smooth transition. Overall, the pandemic has taken a toll on our students, and returning to more normalcy will make a positive difference in their social and emotional well-being.
I just read this article Monday in the Spokesman on how we all might talk to our kids about mask-wearing and now the removal of them. It's worth a peek.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/feb/28/mask-on-mask-off-with-face-coverings-being-removed/
Generation Alive
Our Evergreen ASB team has been part of two Generation Alive Action team meetings to date. Those meetings take place during recess each Tuesday. We are impressed with how much excitement and passion our student leaders have shown regarding this project. It is pretty cool to see young students taking community service seriously and being thrilled to support others.
Generation Alive is a not for profit organization with a focus on building strong young leaders. Generation Alive works to help students provide meals to families in need. Click here for more Generation Alive information.
Evergreen's ASB is the "Action Team" for Evergreen and they will lead our school in collecting money and donating time to pack meals for families. We will launch the money collection (donation effort) on March 14. The end date for collection will be Friday April 1. The meal packing day will happen April 13.
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.
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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/