Film Screening: The Upstanders

Concerned about cyber-bullying? Parents, please come join us in person at Evergreen Middle School this Thursday, October 6, from 7 to 8 pm, for a free screening of The Upstanders, a film that breaks down all aspects of cyber-bullying and helps build empathy and resilience to stand up to it. For more information about the documentary, visit indieflix.com/upstanders.

This free event for parents is being hosted by the EMS PTSA in partnership with Evergreen Middle School. Can't join us in person, or want to watch with your kids? Lake Washington Schools Foundation invites you to register to screen the film virtually.

Chess Club Info Session

EMS PTSA's Chess Club is glad to have one more info session for parents this year. If you missed the last one, here is your chance to learn more about the program.

Join us for an hourlong intro session and a fun game to know your chess level. Meet our two experienced coaches, Brad Stensland and Tim Campbell, chess enthusiasts and amazing teachers who have been with the sport for more than a decade.

Join the Zoom meeting, Monday, Oct. 3 @6 pm

All skills and levels are welcome! Questions? Email pavani@evergreenptsa.org.

NEW

Save the Date for Our First
Membership Meeting of the Year!

Join us at the first EMS PTSA general membership meeting of the school year! We will review and approve our standing rules and budget, elect our nominating committee, appoint our financial review committee, and give you updates about our various programs.

The meeting documents will be provided in our next newsletter, and check our October 16 issue for the Zoom link. Review the minutes from our last membership meeting here.

Calling All Eagle Artists: Show Your Voice!

Reflections is back at Evergreen for another inspiring year! Students, you have a chance to "Show Your Voice!" by creating your own original artwork in one or more categories:

Entries from our school are evaluated, and finalists have a chance to advance to the district level, then to state and finally national judging.

Friday, October 21 is this year's deadline for students to electronically submit artwork together with the completed and signed entry form to reflections@evergreenptsa.org. The 2022-2023 guidelines are available on our Reflections page. If you still have questions after reading all the information, please contact reflections@evergreenptsa.org.

Coding Club Registration Is Open

EMS PTSA's Coding Club is excited to welcome returning and new students for a fun year of learning to code! Club registration is now open.

This year we have divided the club into two groups: beginners and advanced. Please check the details on EMS PTSA's Coding Club page.

Important Dates

• Information session for parents & students: 10/5
  (Join Teams meeting, 6–7 pm)
• Registration deadline: 10/15
• Club start date: 10/19
• Club meetings: Every Wednesday 6–7 pm (virtual)

For your specific questions, please contact the club chairs, Raina Lodha or Dustin Green.

Explore Our Many Enrichment Programs

EMS PTSA invites your student to participate in our enrichment clubs and programs, which are now open for registration or RSVP:

• National Science Bowl Club — Register by 10/7
• Science Olympiad Club — Register by 10/11
• Chess Club — Register by 10/12
• Coding Club — Register by 10/15
• Reflections Arts Program — Entries must be submitted by 10/21
• Spelling Bee (Scripps National Spelling Bee) — Register by 10/31
• Theater Club — RSVP now to receive registration info when live

Have You Joined EMS PTSA Yet?

Join Evergreen Middle School PTSA in providing support and enrichment to our students and staff. By joining as a member or renewing your annual membership, you give the PTSA a stronger voice in advocating for your child, and you help provide valuable support of our school and activities.

Becoming a member does not mean you need to volunteer or come to meetings. By being involved at your child’s school through membership, you'll be part of the solution, helping to make positive changes.

It is a fact that kids do better when families are engaged in their learning. Become a member, or renew your annual membership!

It's Time to Pass the Hat

It's quick and easy to support your school! Every dollar contributed to Pass the Hat, Evergreen PTSA's primary fundraiser, goes directly to support the services and programs offered by the PTSA.

Our suggested donation is $100 per student, but we are grateful to receive donations of any amount. Don't forget corporate matching, if your employer participates! Every dollar counts, and all contributions are greatly appreciated!

Your donations to Evergreen Middle School PTSA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, are tax-deductible.

Have Some Fall Fun — It's Spirit Week!

It's our first Spirit Week of the school year at EMS! A few times each year, our ASB plans Spirit Weeks to help build community and school culture. Each day during Spirit Week, students are invited to dress according to different themes:

• Monday: Comfy Cozy Day
• Tuesday: Twinning/Multiples Day
• Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday
• Thursday: Color War (EMS colors: 6th—green; 7th—blue; 8th—black)
• Friday: Eagle Time Fun Run Themes

Fun Run Is This Friday. Oct. 7!

Don't forget! The EMS ASB Fun Run is this Friday, October 7 during school. Every penny donated to the Fun Run goes directly to EMS programs, activities, assemblies and enrichment. Please have your student finish collecting donations in whole dollar amounts, log them on their donation envelopes, and turn them in this Thursday in the Commons before school from 8 to 8:25 am.

Anyone can make donations online! Please also mark online donations on the envelope. This helps track students' donations as well as their Eagle Time classroom's progress toward winning a class participation party. Questions? Email trimiller@lwsd.org.

LWSD Hosting Flu Shot Clinics This Month

LWSD is partnering with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) to offer flu shot clinics at four locations this month. Everyone age 4+ is eligible. Register here for one of the following:

• Wednesday, Oct. 12, 3–7 pm at Lake Washington High School (map)
• Monday, Oct. 24, 3–7 pm at Juanita High School (map)
• Thursday, Oct. 27, 2:30–8 pm at Eastlake High School (map)
• Friday, Oct. 28, 3–7 pm at Redmond High School (map)

Each patient needs their own individual appointment registration, with patient's legal name and date of birth (not guardian's). Please have your confirmation code, sent via text/email after registration, ready at the appointment.

If you have an approved insurance plan, including Medicare and Medicaid, you must provide this information during registration. SVNA will bill your insurance. You will not be charged a copay. Questions? Email info@seattlevna.com.

Don't Miss School Updates

Make sure you're receiving all the latest updates and important school news directly from Principal Dahl and our Evergreen team, as well as LWSD, by setting up your ParentSquare account. You can receive messages in your preferred language via email, text or the ParentSquare app.

NEW

Wondering About Ski Bus 2023?

Stay tuned! This after-school program is for Evergreen Middle School students and is scheduled to begin this coming January 2023. Sign-up begins in November.

Watch later this month for information to be shared here, as well as on EMS PTSA's website and Facebook page, regarding the required parent information meeting in November.

This program is run privately and independently through Webbski and a volunteer parent, and is not affiliated with Evergreen Middle School, LWSD or EMS PTSA.

Parent Chat Webinar: School Support When Your Child Is Experiencing Mental Health Struggles

The Balance in Mind team is back with a new season of Parent Chats! On October 5, learn what Lake Washington School District resources are available to your family and how to support your child when they are struggling. Guest speakers include LWSD's Executive Director of Special Services, Shannon Hitch, and LWSD's Director of Student Services, Johnny Phu. Register here for the Fall Parent Chat series.

Balance in Mind works with community partners to raise awareness about emotional and mental health challenges facing our youth, to empower parents, and to build communities where our kids grow up healthy, resilient and equipped for life.

Help Support Graduating Seniors & District Staff!

You're invited to Lake Washington PTSA Council's annual scholarship program fundraising auction! Come place bids on fun, themed gift baskets during the silent auction:

• AUCTION DATES: From October 6 at noon, until the closing reception on November 3 at 7:30 pm
• WHERE: LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th St., Redmond)
• BUSINESS HOURS: Monday–Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Bring your friends to the pajama party reception and prize raffle on November 3, when auction bidding closes. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event will fund scholarships for graduating seniors as well as staff seeking continuing education.

View in full size as a PDF

Reflections Theme Search for 2024-2025 Is Underway

Students are invited to enter their ideas for the nationwide Reflections theme for the 2024-2025 season. The student who submits the winning theme will receive a $100 prize from National PTA!

To enter, students should complete this form by November 1. (EMS students should enter "Evergreen Middle School PTSA" as the PTA name, and our PTA ID number: 00023166.) Past themes and duplicate submissions will not be considered. Each student may submit up to three theme ideas, but each idea needs a separate form.

Upcoming Opportunities for Kids

Kids Coming Together is a program that provides opportunities for local youth in grades 3-8 to make new friends and connect with their community through service events led by high school students. Register for these upcoming events:

• October 7: No-Sew Blankets for Eastside Baby Corner
• October 13: Birthday Dreams
• October 17: Litter Pickup at Lake Sammamish State Park
• October 26: Pumpkin Painting

The Kids Coming Together program is sponsored by Lake Washington Schools Foundation, a nonprofit organization that gathers and deploys community resources to enhance academic access and to nurture all students’ emotional well-being in LWSD.

More Community Opportunities

Find LWSD-approved events and opportunities for students and families via Peachjar. View Evergreen's e-flyers here.