Tiger News from Principal Stilwell

Garfield Families,

I love how the New Year brings so much excitement and joy - everything feels invigorated! I know I do. As we kick off this New Year, we begin our second round of i-Ready diagnostic assessments. These diagnostic tests help us develop learning paths tailored to each student's specific needs so that each student can grow and achieve.

The month of January brings a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. His vision of equality, justice, and kindness continues to inspire us all. We encourage students to reflect on Dr. King’s powerful message of peace and service as we work together to build a stronger, more inclusive community.

In addition, I want to take a moment to remind families about the importance of cell phone safety. As students continue to use mobile devices, it's crucial to ensure they are being used responsibly and safely. Tips on how to set healthy boundaries and foster positive digital habits can be found below.

Thank you for all of your support and partnership. Every Day A Learner!

Best,

Kathy Stilwell, Principal

Thursday January 9

• Imagine Learning 8:15-9:00 am (MPR)
• PTA Bingo Night 5:00-7:00 pm (GAE Cafeteria)

• Tiger Pride Assembly 1:30-2:15 pm (GAE Gym)
• Learning Improvement Friday, 2:15 pm dismissal

Monday January 13

• Imagine Learning 8:15-9:00 am (MPR)

• Imagine Learning 8:15-9:00 am (MPR)
• Riverside Neighborhood Meeting 6:30-8:00 pm (GAE Library)

• Imagine Learning 8:15-9:00 am (MPR)
• Coffee with the Principal 9:15-9:45 am (GAE Library)

• Imagine Learning 8:15-9:00 am (MPR)

• MLK Jr Assembly 1:30 -2:00 pm (Gym)
• Learning Improvement Friday, 2:15 pm dismissal

Monday January 20

• Martin Luther King Jr Holiday - No School

• PTA Meeting 4:00-5:00 pm (MPR)

• Agape Meeting 3:30-4:15 pm (Room 306)

• No School, Teacher Work Day
• Progress Reports will be sent home the following week.

• PTA Dine Out Ice Cream Bar 3:00-8:00 pm (Colby Ave)

• Mid Winter Break, No school

We will be celebrating our December students of the month for Being Responsible and launching our January theme of Be a Peace Maker! Hope you can join us in the Gym 1:30 - 2:00 pm. If you are joining us please come to the gate and sign-in, and then be seated in the chairs on the southside of the gym.

Cell phones can be a wonderful resource to support students but they can also be unsafe for students through the use of social media, unsupervised access to the internet, and their ability to contact/be contacted by unsafe individuals.

Here are some key tips and reminders:

• Make sure you have parental controls on the phone to limit who they can text, call, message, apps to download, and sites on the internet.
• Have your student give you their phone at night to prevent unsupervised use at home.
• Talk to your student about the risks of communicating or talking to people they do not know.
• Tell your student that if they have negative contact with another person they should immediately tell you or another trusted adult and block that individual.
• Remind your student to never give out someone else's cell phone number, and only share with people they know and you approve of.
• Check your student's phone regularly, and specifically look for apps that may be used to protect private information or anything that looks suspiscious.

Just a reminder that all cell phones brought on campus must be stored in backpacks and powered off during the school day per Everett Public Schools district policy.

Bringing back Coffee with the Principal😀 This is an informal meeting in which I share happenings at Garfield and listen to feedback from our Garfield families. I love this fun opportunity to connect with all of you and I hope to see you on Wednesday morning.

Wednesday January 15

9:15 - 9:45 am

Garfield Library (coffee & pastries provided)

We will be recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday January 20th, and school will be closed. This is an important day to remember the great work of Dr. King, his legacy for the importance of community, the collective power to impact change, and the endless work towards equality and equity. Here is a link to our Parent & Community Resources page on the Everett Public Schools department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

There are many amazing organizations and events coming up in the month of January focused on the celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These are opportunities to provide our students with an incredible education and community experience. Here is a link to a Everett Herald article outlining key events in our area.

As we return from our holiday, I want to emphasize the importance of consistent attendance. This is a valuable way to ensure students stay on track with their learning. Let's make every day count and remember EVERY DAY A LEARNER!

We look forward to seeing your child at school every day. If your child is absent, please email our attendance email address, gaeattendance@everettsd.org. If email is not possible, please call 425-385-4705 to report the absence. Please make sure there is an email or a written note within 30 days after your student returns to school.

To stay up to date on all things PTA related. Check out the December newsletter : Givebacks or follow us on facebook:(4) Facebook Our next meeting is January 22 at 4:00pm at Garfield, or on zoom! You do not need to be a member to attend, but you do need to be a member to vote.

Thank you for supporting the Garfield PTA!

Zoom log-in information:

• https://zoom.us/j/99568367526?pwd=TCQnIM8G3b9gavaRXrbqhzfjUwgmxv.1
• Meeting ID: 995 6836 7526
• Passcode: 299634

Community Health Center of Snohomish County (CHC) provides affordable health services including medical, dental, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and pharmacy services. We welcome patients who are on Washington Apple Health, Medicaid, Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Tricare, select private insurances and those who are uninsured.

Here at Garfield we are a family! We are here to support you and can provide resources such as food, clothing, toiletries, and shelter. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need assistance. You are welcome to contact me, Mrs. Stilwell, our office staff or our counselors Mr. Smith and Ms. Simkins. Please call us at (425) 385-4700.

Everett Public Schools 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 employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer and ADA Coordinator, Chad Golden, 425-385-4100; Section 504 Coordinator, Dave Peters, 425-385-4063; Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Joi Odom Grant, 425-385-4137, JGrant@everettsd.org.