Patriot News
For the week of 9/15 to 9/19
Hello Eisenhower Families!
Welcome to the 2014-15 school year! I hope all families had a restful and enjoyable
summer. To our new families, welcome to the Eisenhower community. We are
committed to supporting every student to inspire, educate, and prepare students for
success in high school and beyond.
We kicked off the year with an outstanding Kick-off assembly, led by Mr. Wayne
Thomasson and our Leadership classes. Students are excited to be here and have
enjoyed an extremely successful first week and a half of school.
We introduced our new staff members:
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Mr. Kevin Coelho – 8th Grade Honors English
Ms. Leanne Hemmer – Psychologist
Mr. Richard James – 6th Grade English/History
Mrs. Megan Murray – 8th Grade English
Mrs. Jennifer Green – 7th & 8th Grade Math
Mr. Justin Tonnes-Priddy – 8th Grade Science & Pre-Engineering
They bring a wealth of energy and experience to the building. There are many changes
that we will discuss in future newsletters, such as the Language Arts curriculum, the
Honors course curriculum, and the new Common Core standards and the Smarter
Balanced Assessment. We also have new Google Chromebooks in the building, and our
students and staff will gain experience using them to prepare for the computer-based
assessments this spring.
We are looking forward to an excellent year together!
Please feel free to contact us at Eisenhower with any questions or concerns at (425) 3857500.
Respectfully,
Sam Yuhan, Principal
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
9/18 Football Parent Meeting – Library – 5:30 – 6:30
PTSA Pizza Membership Drive – Cafeteria - 6:00 – 7:00
Curriculum Night – Gym – 7:00 – 9:00
9/24 7th Football vs Evergreen MS @ Eisenhower - 3:30
8th Football vs Explorer MS @ Explorer – 3:30
8th Softball vs Kellogg MS @ Eisenhower – 3:30
Cross Country Meet vs Kellogg MS @ Kellogg – 3:45
9/25 Picture Retakes – 8:15
Softball Pictures – 3:15
NEW INFORMATION
POTENTIAL SCHEDULE CHANGES
Unfortunately, due to enrollment numbers that did not meet projections, Eisenhower is
over-staffed. For this reason, we had to lose a staff member who will transfer to another
middle school where enrollment increased.
Due to this change, we are going to have to change some student schedules. We are
working on plan that will affect the least number of students as possible. However, we
appreciate your understanding as we know there will be some students, even some 6th
graders, who will be affected. This is a difficult process for students and staff alike, so
we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding through the process.
CURRICULUM NIGHT
Eisenhower’s Curriculum Night will be on Thursday, September 18 from 7 PM to 9 PM.
This is a time for you to meet the teachers and learn about the curriculum and standards
for each class.
Prior to Curriculum Night, we encourage any parents/guardians who have NOT yet set
up their LMS (Learning Management System) access to visit the District website at:
http://www.everettsd.org/Page/4701
There, you will see a section titled “Need a log in or password? – Here is how to get
started.” Follow the instructions to have your account set up.
At Curriculum Night, there will be District Staff providing guidance and tutorials
regarding LMS. Our Computer Lab will be open starting at 6:30 PM for families to
access schedules and learn how to navigate all the features of LMS. If you ALREADY
HAVE an LMS login and password, we encourage you to change it to a password you can
remember, as the original password is extremely unique.
Finally, please remind your student to provide you with their class schedule, as this will
make your evening much easier.
POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (PBIS)
Your student may have told you about the new “Patriot Code.” In fact, we hope that you
may have heard our new catch phrase, “Live the Code.” This is part of our new Behavior
system at Eisenhower. You should NOT hear the words “Steps” any longer. Our new
Patriot Code is: “Be Safe. Be Respectful. Be Responsible.”
PBIS refers to those system and individualized supports and interventions that help
people enhance and improve their productive social behavior while reducing any
problematic behavior they may use. The PBIS approach concentrates on data based
decision-making in schools. We will be teaching and re-teaching expectations and
reinforcing positive behavior, while taking note of other unwanted behaviors and
making necessary adjustments. If your students comes home with a “Living the Code”
slip, please be sure to discuss the positive behavior they exhibited to earn one.
PARKING LOT SAFETY
As a reminder, if you drive your student to or from school, please be conscious of the 20
MPH speed zone on 25th Ave SE, as well as slowing down further in the parking lot. Be
sure to drop students off either by parking in a stall, or in the loading zone against the
curb. Also, please be aware of the one way nature of the two western-most lanes, to
ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
LEARNING IMPROVEMENT FRIDAYS
As a reminder, LIF Fridays, with an early release at 1:30, DO NOT BEGIN UNTIL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3.
SCHOOL AND BUILDING HOURS
School hours are 8:15 AM to 2:45 PM.
Students are allowed INSIDE the building when the 7:50 bell rings. Staff provide
supervision in the Commons and the Boulevard until 8:07, when a bell rings to allow
students into the hallways and to their lockers. Classes begin at 8:15.
YEARBOOK
Yearbook is looking for a team to put together the 2014-2015 yearbook! Meetings will
be after school on Tuesdays from 2:45 to 3:45 pm; Wednesdays during 8th grade lunch;
Thursdays before school from 7:00 – 8:00 am. Students must be able to attend 1
of the 3 meetings each week.
Please see Mrs. Green in C103, if you are interested. Meetings will start the week of
September 22nd.
OFFICE HOURS
Our office opens at 7:30 and closes at 3:30 pm daily. If you have business in the office,
please plan your visit during those times.
COUNSELING CORNER
Dear parents/guardians,
Counselors and administrators will be in classes during the months of September and
October delivering anti-harassment, intimidation and bullying lessons with all grade
level students to ensure that all Eisenhower students are living the Patriot Code, of
being safe, respectful and responsible. Counselors will also be presenting sexual
harassment training to all grade levels. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcomed
and unwanted attention of a sexual nature that makes a person feel uncomfortable, and
is disruptive to their life and education. If you have any questions, feel free to contact
your grade level counselor.
Be There!
Being in school all day, every day, helps your child get the most out of middle school.
Encourage good attendance with these ideas:
-Point out that there is no substitute for being in class. Your youngster needs to
be present to hear teachers explain concepts, to participate in group projects and class
discussions, and to ask questions.
-Schedule doctor, dentist, and orthodontist appointments before or after school
hours whenever possible. If you can’t, try to arrange them for lunch time.
-It will be easier for your child to get up on time for school if he/she has had at
least nine hours of sleep. Set a reasonable bedtime, and make sure he/she puts away
electronic devices so he isn’t tempted to stay awake to read messages or play games.
We are looking forward to working with you and your son/daughter this year!
Jaimie Burton, 6th grade counselor
Debbie Wade, 7th grade counselor
Lynn Reynolds, 8th grade counselor
Tami Gee, counseling intern
DISTRICT NEWS
Required legal notices are also available on the district website and in the Student
Rights and Responsibilities Handbook that is sent home with each student.
Long-term processes launching in September and October seek public thoughts
about managing newly-vacant property and solutions to increasing student
enrollment.
District Property Management Process begins Thursday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the
Port Gardner Room of the Community Resource Center. This process will establish
changes to the existing district Property Use Matrix. The matrix was established with the
help of a community group in 2013. The matrix lists how district properties may be used
in the future. More details online.
Student Growth Management Process begins Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at
Woodside Elementary School. This process will help determine solutions to
overcrowding that are caused by more students enrolling in district schools. More
details online.
Nondiscrimination statement
Everett Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion,
color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual
orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental,
or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person
with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy
Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Designated to handle inquiries about nondiscrimination policies are:
Affirmative Action Office – Carol Stolz, cstolz@everettsd.org, 425-385-4106
Title IX Officer – Randi Seaberg, rseaberg@everettsd.org, 425-385-4104
504 Coordinator – Becky Ballbach, rballbach@everettsd.org, 425-385-4063
ADA Coordinator – Kristine McDowell, kmcdowell@everettsd.org, 425-385-5250
Address: 3900 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201
Register to vote!
Voter registration information and materials are available in an area in your school’s
main office. You can also link to voter registration online from the Community section of
our district website or at http://bit.ly/VoteRegistration.
Access to public records
Many records and documents in Everett Public Schools are available to the public.
Parents and other citizens have the right to ask the school district to view or have
copies made of records defined as “public” under state and federal laws including their
own student’s records and public records about discipline of school employees.
Everett Public Schools public records requests are handled by the district’s finance and
business services office. Records can be requested by writing that office at PO Box
2098, Everett, WA 98213, sending an email to publicrecords@everettsd.org or calling
425-385-4150.
Your student’s records are confidential
Everett Public Schools takes very seriously its duty to protect student records and
privacy. Student transcripts and other education-related records are protected by
multiple security measures. Only those teachers, administrators and other staff
members who work directly with the student and have an educational need to know
about the student have access to individual student records. Staff members are
expected to maintain confidentiality about information contained in a student’s records.
Student safety tips for parents
Many student safety tips are available for parents on our district website under the
Parents tab, Parent Tips. They include information about bike and walking safety, theft
prevention, registered sex offender awareness and other helpful resources.
*Note to publisher: Please include as much information as you have room for in your
newsletter. Some suggestions are included below:
Theft prevention tips
Sometimes students can fall victim to theft of expensive and popular electronic
devices. Thanks to the Everett Police Department for providing practical tips for
reducing the chance of having items stolen at school or anywhere else.
 Keep your devices with you at all times, preferably in an inner pocket of your
purse or backpack.
 If you are involved in extracurricular activities or have to leave a room, do not
leave your purse or backpack unattended.
 Keep your device in a bulky case (such as a makeup bag or plastic
container). It will be harder for a potential thief to steal without being noticed.
 Take advantage of device engraving services offered through Apple or
engrave it yourself. That will make it harder for a thief to resell and thus less
attractive for theft in the first place.
 If you store your device in a locker, LOCK IT! Do NOT share your locker
combination with anyone, even with your friends.
 Do not leave your device or other valuables in your parked car.
 If you see someone acting suspiciously, hanging around a school, a parking
lot, a locker room or area where students and belongings are gathered, report
the incident immediately.
 Always report stolen devices immediately.
Take steps to protect your children
Experts say first and foremost, tell your kids the chances of someone actually
abducting them are incredibly remote, but if a situation should arise, there are
some simple things they must remember.
The single most important thing to teach kids is to simply run away the very
moment someone they don't know tries to talk with them. "The safest thing kids
can do is say no, leave immediately, get out of there and tell an adult," police
advise.
We encourage you and students to report any concern about safety on school
grounds to the district’s safety tip line at 425-385-5050. If there is reason for
concern about safety on a designated walkway to school, calling 9-1-1
immediately will get authorized, quick help. We have strong partnerships with
local law enforcement who share our interest in safe schools and neighborhoods.
Student safety is a priority for all of us. Working together, we can help make our
neighborhoods and schools nurturing places for students to safely learn and
grow.
Student opportunities and activities online
We post approved fliers from community organizations on the district website and send
a monthly email with a link to those approved activities and resources. From our district
home page, on the Parents tab, find Student Opportunities. The activities are listed by
category. If you do not have Internet access, copies of approved fliers are available in
the school office.
Kids in Transition program in Everett Public Schools
The Kids in Transition (KIT) program supports students who qualify as homeless under
federal McKinney-Vento legislation. Students who lack a fixed, regular, or adequate
nighttime residence may qualify. The KIT program works to eliminate barriers to
students’ academic success and extra-curricular participation. We ensure homeless
students have school supplies and provide tutoring or facilitate student participation in
extended day or summer school classes. We help students participate in activities such
as sports or clubs by paying required fees. KIT provides transportation for eligible
students to maintain school stability, as long as the commute is feasible.
Last year, Everett Public Schools served 998 homeless students at some time during
the school year. For more information, visit the KIT website or contact Amy Perusse at
425-385-4032 or aperusse@everettsd.org.
Attendance article
One of the most important things you can do to help your child succeed in school is to
make sure he or she is there every day. When students miss school, they miss critical
opportunities to learn and participate. Each lesson and class is critical to learning. The
material covered each day depends on the lesson from the day before and introduces
ideas for the next day.
When your child must be absent, be sure to let us know the reason for the absences.
For absences of five or more days, we ask for a written note from your doctor. Call the
24-hour attendance line at 425-385-7505.