Dear Parents, Guardians & Significant Adults,
As we dive into the exciting journey of the 2023-24 school year, we're thrilled to kick it off with our captivating theme: "Choices." Whether your student is at Sequoia, Port Gardner, or Online High School, our special programs give both students and families the freedom to pick the educational path that works best for them. Embracing this idea, we're all about celebrating the power of choice and the amazing potential it brings.
We're here with an unshakable commitment—to help your child navigate their way to both academic success and emotional well-being. We totally get that each student is unique, with their own dreams and goals. So, we're here to give them personalized guidance that'll help them reach their absolute best.
A big thank you to everyone who came to our Welcome Back Ice Cream Social last week! With more than 100 people attending, the kids had an absolute blast. As we go further into the year, there'll be more chances for all of us to connect as a community. If you have any ideas for community events, please don't hesitate to get in touch and let me know.
Just a reminder, we're here to support you and your child every step of the way. If you need any help or have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Together, let's make this school year truly outstanding!
With warm regards,
Principal Belinda Mountjoy
We look forward to seeing your child at school every day. Regular school attendance is important, and we will work with you to ensure your child is present to benefit from an excellent education. If your child is absent, please email the school at SequoiaAttendance@everettsd.org
If email is not possible, and even if you leave a message with the school attendance line at 425-385-5105. Please send a written note to the school office within 30 days after your student returns to school.
SBA scores released
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) student scores are available for families & students in the Home Access Center (HAC). Families will also receive a hard copy in September.
Go to www.everettsd.org/SBAinformation to find tools for parents to understand those SBA scores.
How do I get the test scores? Under Quick Links, click How to view SBA scores for instructions. If you don’t have a HAC account or have questions, contact LMS@everettsd.org.
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science scores will be released in September. They will be put in HAC as soon as they arrive, and Individual Student Score Reports will be sent home through the normal school channels.
World Language Assessments
Can your middle or high school student speak, read, write and understand a world language? Students in grades 7-12 can earn high school credit and special recognition through the World Language Assessment. Registration is open September 6 through October 31. Register in your school office today!
EPS Appreciation Night with the Everett AquaSox!
Have fun kicking off the new school year as the Everett AquaSox take on the Eugene Emeralds at Funko Field on Saturday, Sep 9 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are only $8 and the AquaSox will donate $2 per ticket to the Everett Public Schools Foundation.
Tickets must be purchased online to be discounted to $8. Game day will be regular price of $15 per ticket. Click https://fevogm.com/event/Everettschool4 to purchase tickets and share with family and friends, the more the merrier.
Join us for some great family entertainment including Baseball Bingo! Play ball!
School Meals for 2023-24
This school year, our school still qualifies as a CEP school.
Families in our school get breakfast and lunches free, regardless of free and reduced lunch qualifications. Families at these schools will fill out a household income report, which will be emailed directly to you, in place of the free and reduced lunch application. This report is important to provide students access to free waivers and other services.
We are so excited to be able to use this program to offer free meals to the students in our district who may need some extra support and to all of our students, no matter where they learn, we will continue to offer nutritious and delicious meals that include seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, scratch-made whole grain foods and lean proteins, with vegetarian and gluten free options too. There has never been a better time to eat school meals. We look forward to serving you soon.
Harvest of the Month
This month, the Food and Nutrition Department brings you kale grown in the PNW! Be sure to give it a try this month in our cabbage patch soup or kale Caesar salad! Did you know that just one serving of kale has more vitamin C than an orange? Find out more by checking out the Harvest of the Month flyer on the district website. Don’t kale my vibe!
Accompanying kale this month are stone fruits, which can be found in the Garden Spot and include nectarines, peaches, apricots, plums and more! They have a thin skin and a “stone” in the center, called the pit or seed. Stone fruits can boost immunity, promote healthy nerves, muscles, bones and teeth.
ECEAP Preschool Accepting Applications for 2023-24
Everett Public Schools Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a FREE preschool program for three- and four-year-old children from families with limited income. ECEAP prepares children for kindergarten and provides family support and health and nutrition services. It is funded by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families.
The six ECEAP sites within our school district are Cedar Wood, Hawthorne, Jackson, Lowell, Madison, and Silver Lake elementary schools. We have both school-day classroom schedules and half-day (a.m. and p.m.) classroom schedules, depending on the school location. Space is limited – apply early! For an application or more information, please visit the district ECEAP website or call 425-385-4628.
Kids in Transition Program
Kids in Transition (KIT) program supports students who qualify for two federal programs which provide support for children and youth whose housing is highly mobile: those who meet the more inclusive definition of homeless under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Act and those who are eligible for Foster Care Education support.
Students who are in foster care placement (where a child welfare agency has placement, care and authority) or those who are without a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence may qualify for this additional support.
The KIT program works to eliminate barriers to students’ academic success and extra-curricular involvement. We ensure eligible students have access to free school meals, school supplies and uniforms. KIT may help students access extended day or summer school classes or coordinate access to additional academic support or tutoring when needed. The KIT Program may also cover, or coordinate waivers for, fees required to take part in activities such as school-sponsored sports, clubs, and required class fees. KIT can also help set up transportation for eligible students to maintain school stability, as long as the commute is feasible and in the best interest of the student. We also partner with the Family Resource Center and other community agencies to connect families and students to resources as needed.
Last year, Everett Public Schools served over 1,350 students through our KIT support at some time during the school year. For more information, visit www.everettsd.org/KIT to learn who your school’s KIT support staff is; or contact the KIT Office at 425-385-4032.
Student Opportunities and Activities eflyers
We use Peachjar to email approved flyers from community organizations to parents and guardians. Schools also post those flyers on their websites. Look for the Peachjar button in the Quicklinks section of your school home page to see those flyers. You can also register there to have those flyers delivered to your email address if you aren’t already receiving them.
Backpacks for Students in Need
Do you know a family who might be in need this year? Stuff the Bus for Kids ensures each child in Everett Public Schools starts the school year prepared to learn. In August, the EPS Foundation delivered over 3,000 backpacks, filled with school supplies, and are making them available to any Everett Public School student who may need extra assistance.
Students in need of a backpack, please reach out to your school to receive your supplies. Backpacks are available for pick up at each school.
School Safety Begins with Teamwork
Everett Public Schools recognizes that schools should be a place where our students, staff and community feel safe. Teamwork makes this possible. We employ security staff and school resource officers (SROs) who work collaboratively with our school communities to ensure safety and security across the district.
Safety and security staff work to build healthy, positive relationships with our students, staff and community to ensure a safe school environment for learning.
Campus Security Officers (CSOs) perform checks of campuses during school hours to prevent unauthorized access, deter illegal activity, assist with investigations, assist with student supervision and share information with staff and students concerning safety measures.
School Resource Officers (SROs) are police officers that serve secondary school campuses while schools are in session and partner with principals to improve safety by identifying, investigating, deterring and responding to incidents that present a significant threat to safety and security.
District Security Staff perform checks of campuses after hours and on weekends to prevent unauthorized access, ensure campuses are secure, deter illegal activity and respond to alarm notifications.
For more information, visit www.everettsd.org/safety.
Register to Vote
Registering to vote is easy. Visit the Snohomish County webpage for details on the three ways you can register to vote or update your registration or scan the QR code. Students who are 16 & 17 years old can now pre-register to vote.
Ways to Stay Connected
On the communications department webpage, you can sign up for InTouch announcements and school board meeting agenda highlights delivered to your email box monthly. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Have you Downloaded our Mobile App?
News and information about our schools are as close as your smartphone. Download and log into the district app to access your student’s info quickly and easily. See top stories, Parent University, Canvas, books checked out from the library, and find the staff directory, school websites, calendars and more.
Available for Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded in 3 easy steps:
1. On your smartphone, go to the iTunes App Store® or Google Play®
2. Search Everett Public Schools
3. Then select our app for free download
Once you’ve downloaded the app, log in to “student info” with your LMS password to see student-specific information for each of your children. Read content in one of many languages available in the settings.
Safety Tip Line
Do you or your student have a concern about someone experiencing bullying or harassment? Report it! You can talk directly with your school’s office, or you can call, text or email your concern.
If there is reason for concern about safety on a designated walkway to school, call 9-1-1 immediately for 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.
Parent University aims to provide parents and guardians with resources and videos to support the needs of families and empower them to become leaders and advocates for their child’s learning.
Content includes a selection of pre-recorded videos and how-to documents that can be viewed at any time.
Please go to the Everett Public Schools Website for more information: https://www.everettsd.org/Page/37540
Belinda Mountjoy Principal
Email: bmonroe@everettsd.org
Website: www.everettsd/Sequoiahs
Location: 3516 Rucker Ave Everett, WA 98201
Phone: (425) 385-5100
Twitter: @Sequoia_HS
