Gateway Middle School
Back-to-School Communication 2023
Gateway's Mission
Welcome to a new year!
Beyond this communication, please check our website. It is regularly updated and has many resources to support you. Also, our Instagram account is a great way for parents and students to see some of the great things happening at Gateway!
We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and we can't wait to see all of you at orientation in the coming weeks!
Your Admin Team,
Matt Bennett, Principal
Liz Sanchez, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Keep in the loop on social media!
Save the Dates!
Summer Orientation
Monday, August 28th 11:00am-2pm or 3pm-7pm
First Day of School
Wednesday, September 6th
8:10-2:45
Learning Improvement Fridays
Friday, September 8th
8:10-1:15
Curriculum Night
Thursday, September 21st 6:00-8:00pm
Summer Orientation
- See friends or make new ones!
- Take your school/yearbook photo
- Get your schedule (these will be available online in HAC, families will be notified after counselors have returned to complete scheduling)
- Find your classes
- Pay fees/buy an ASB card/buy a yearbook - payment is via cash/check. We will also have computers set up for online payments with a card, and these payments are available online as well!
- Drop off medications
Hear a welcome message from Principal Bennett in the Commons! The audience is 6th grade students/families or students new to middle school and/or Gateway. Times: 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00. The presentation is approximately 20 minutes.
In the gym, you may pay for ASB cards, purchase yearbooks, give medications to the nurse, get your schedule, meet/join the PTSA, and take tours with ASB student leaders. If you would like to make payments online you can click here. Online payments can be made beginning August 28th.
The school building will also be open to do self-guided tours during orientations. We will provide maps and encourage students to find walking routes between their classes to help be ready for the 1st day. Please note that teachers are not back to work during this time.
What if we cannot attend? A video version of the presentation will be released after the event. All student schedules will be available in HAC the morning of orientations. After orientations, paper schedules are available in the front office from 1-3pm daily. The payment portal will remain live online until school starts, and cash/check payments can be made in the office as well. Also, if your student cannot attend Orientation, picture re-takes will occur on November 8th.
Associated Student Body - ASB
Fall Athletics
6th grade students may participate in Cross Country practices, but may not compete in meets.
Annual Updates
Please complete your student's Annual Update online ASAP
The Annual Update must be completed every year to ensure your student's information is correct and current, including:
• Contact information for student, guardians and emergency contacts
• Priority setting of contacts
• Health and transportation updates
• Agreements, document updates, etc
Even if you haven't had any changes, please login to review and submit.
The online process is quick and easy. Simply sign into Home Access Center (HAC). Click here to sign in to HAC. The image below displays how you will find the Annual Updates: under Registration, Update Enrollment, and then click start next to the 2023-2024 Annual Student Update Form.
This link Annual Update in Home Access Center includes further instructions on completing the Annual Update.
PTSA and Guardian Wear
PTSA sells spirit wear online all year! Click the Gateway shirt below to browse the catalog.
Counseling Office Change
6th grade/Class of 2030 - Ms. Sandra Olson
7th grade/Class of 2029 - Mr. Ryan Miller
8th grade/Class of 2028 - Ms. Cheyenne Beck
About Ms. Cheyenne
email: CBeck2@everettsd.org
Gateway Middle School Supply List
On the first day, students should bring:
- Water bottle to fill in sinks/filler stations
- Pencils
- Folder to bring work home in
- Binder that fits in backpack with paper or spiral notebook
The following is a suggested list of items your student may need. Teachers will share specifics during the first week of school regarding any additional items. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you need financial assistance with required items.
- Wired headphones
- Colored pencils
- Black/blue pens
- Assorted highlighters, at least 4 colors
- #2 Pencils
- 4 function or Scientific calculator (6th-8th grade Math)
- Scientific calculator or graphing calculator (especially helpful in Geometry & Algebra)
- Pens – red
- Scissors
- Ruler (cm/in)
- 2 Composition notebooks - 1 for ELA, 1 for Math
- Compass (Geometry)
- Art: 5.5 x 8.5” or larger sketchbook, 2 ultra-fine black Sharpies, 1 fine black Sharpie, ongoing supply of hexagonal wooden pencils, hand held pencil sharpener with flip-close lid, and 2 hipolymer erasers.
- Band/Orchestra instrument rental and supplies: If your student is planning to take band or orchestra, you will need to rent or purchase an instrument and buy some supplementary supplies/accessories. Some larger instruments are available for rental from the school. Rental information will be distributed by the band/orchestra director.
- Science class: Please provide 3 composition notebooks (not spiral bound) with first and last name on the front cover and a roll of tape for a refillable tape dispenser.
- Spanish class: : Please provide a small portable white board, regular supply of whiteboard markers, and an eraser. There will be additional supplies required throughout the year for projects.
Online Grades
Before this year begins, please make sure that you can access your students grades. We recommend checking grades regularly as well as making sure your student knows how to check their grades. It is easier to keep up then catch up.
Busing
If you have any questions about bus routes, please contact Transportation at 425-385-4414. Or you may check routes through transportation by clicking here.
Please help you student memorize their bus route, this makes the first week much easier. Also, 6th period teachers will have bus lists to help give reminders to students as they learn the new routine.
Breakfast and Lunches
Cost of Meals
Breakfast $2.00
Lunch $3.75
Cell Phones
Cell phones can be very distracting for students in the learning environment. Our goal is to have all of our students at school fully engaged.
Here is how staff will deal with cell phones that are not in the backpacks.
Ask student to put cell phone away. Contact family.
If this is a second offense or student refuses to put their phone away, call the office to bring the phone to the office.
Notify parent/guardian as soon as possible of infraction, and that parent/guardian pick-up of cell phone from office is required.
As we enter into a new school year, we would love to share with you ways that you can help support your student's success. One of the biggest distractions that students have today is the cell phone. Knowing that, many parents have concerns around safety and cell phone usage. Below are some resources that you can use to help with cell phone usage. One idea is to have your student’s cell phone turned off from social media during the school day, but they can still contact specific adults.
Cell Phone Controls
AT&T How to Set Parental Controls on AT&T Internet - TechBuzz by AT&T
Google Fi How To Set Up Google Fi Parental Controls | Bark
Sprint How To Set Up Sprint Parental Controls | Bark
Straight Talk: How To Put Parental Controls On Straight Talk Phone? – SNC
T-Mobile Family and Parental Controls | T-Mobile Privacy Center
Verizon Parental Controls | Verizon Internet Support
Xfinity Parental Controls for Cell Phones | Xfinity
Articles on Cell Phones and Students
- Is Social Media Threatening Teens' Mental Health and Well-being? | Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- How Smartphone Addiction Is Affecting Teens' Brains
- When smartphones go to school | Science News for Students
- Teenage Cell Phone Use Statistics : Surprising Numbers
- How Smartphones Create Distractions in the Classroom
Fragrance-Free Building
Fragrances should not be worn to school. This includes perfumes, colognes, body sprays, scented soaps, lotions, etc. Air fresheners, sprays, candles and plug-Ins must also be avoided. There are members of the school community with health conditions that are negatively affected by these fragrances, even when worn or utilized by others.
School Dress Code
The graphic below shows in blue and grey which areas should be covered.
PE Dress Code
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.
Regular Bell Schedule M-Th
Learning Improvement Friday (LIF) Bell Schedule
Gateway Middle School
Website: https://www.everettsd.org/gateway
Location: 15404 Silver Firs Dr, Everett, WA 98208, USA
Phone: (425) 385-6600