ACES News

(keep reading for details of listed events)

APRIL

• 7th: Parent University, 8-9am: Student Mental Health
• 10th: Sno-Isle Summer School Registration Begins
• 10th-14th: NO SCHOOL: Spring Break
• 27th: ACES Renaissance Student Showcase

MAY

• 8th: SBA ELA Part I (10th grade + any other students who need it)
• 9th: SBA ELA Part II (10th grade + any other students who need it)
• 10th: SBA Math (10th grade + any other students who need it)
• 11th: WCAS Science (11th grade)
• 12th: SBA and WCAS makeup testing
• 29th: Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)

JUNE

• 6th: Seniors -- Graduation rehearsal (8-9:35 in the gym) and Senior Breakfast (10-12 at Sno-Isle Skill Center)
• 9th: Seniors -- Last day IF you have been cleared for graduation
• 15th: Graduation 6pm @ Rosehill Community Center
• 19th: Juneteenth (NO SCHOOL)
• 23rd: Last day of school (half day)

*Club meets from 2-4pm Every Wednesday that school is in session.

On Thursday, April 27, from 5-7pm, the ACES Renaissance will be on full display! Don't miss this student showcase of works and presentations, including art, music, poetry, and food, inspired by this semester's study of the Harlem Renaissance, an impactful time of creativity and rebirth.

Family, friends, and community are welcome and there will be activities for children.

Here's a quick preview of students preparing art and ambience for the evening:

ACES gear is on sale THIS WEEK to be printed over spring break!

• Black t-shirt: $11 ($21 with name on back)
• Black hoodie: $27.50 ($37.50 with name on back)

Students can bring cash or check to the front office by Friday, or families can call to pay by credit card.

In April, we'll be repeating our presentation on Student Mental Health with our counselors and on-site mental health therapist. Join us Friday, April 7 from 8-9am in the ACES library or via zoom (click here for the link). This is an excellent presentation to attend if you are seeking or on a wait list for services for your child, or if you just want more information about how to support your student's mental health.

If you need interpretation live or via zoom, please let Family Liaison Julie Hills know by Wednesday April 5 at (425) 366-3941 or HillsJB@mukilteo.wednet.edu.

If you missed February's presentation on Hands-On Learning, covering Sno-Isle Tech and Running Start, check out a PowerPoint of the presentation or this five-minute summary video.

State Testing

Some ACES students will be participating in assessments during the week of May 8-12.

The SBAC (Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium) is a standardized assessment used to measure students' knowledge and skills in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, as well as how much students have improved since previous years. SBA testing happens in 10th grade, or for any older student who still needs to complete it.

The WCAS (Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science) is a standardized test measuring students' proficiency in science. The test is required in grades 5, 8, and 11, and also assesses student growth in the subject.

By taking the SBAC, students can meet graduation pathways in ELA or Math, a graduation requirement for all Mukilteo students. In addition to this, meeting a minimum score on the SBAC or WDAC can also provide credit for students deficient in the corresponding areas. Both tests are also intended to provide us with information on student progress to inform teaching.

Summer School registration for Sno-Isle Tech begins on April 10. Summer school is available for any student entering grades 9-12 in Snohomish and South Island County. This opportunity allows students to experience a condensed version of the Sno-Isle programs to see if it is something they would like to pursue. Visit the Sno-Isle Tech website under "Resources" to get on the email list for summer school information. Registration will be on a first come, first served basis.

For more information about high school, college, and career topics and events, contact:

• Becca Williams (grades 11-12) (425) 366-3930 WilliamsRL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
• Jess Deang (grade 10) (425) 366-3931 DeangJT@mukilteo.wednet.edu
• Patti Stracener (college/career) (425) 366-3942 StracenerPJ@mukilteo.wednet.edu

Graduation will take place on June 15 @ 6pm, at the Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo. There is a large parking lot and additional on-street parking. Doors will open at 5:30 for guests. Students should arrive at 3:30pm for photos and a final rehearsal. Students will be given a diploma holder at graduation and will need to pick up their actual diploma at ACES.

Each student is guaranteed five tickets for their family/guests. If there are any additional tickets they will be divided among students requesting extras.

Students may borrow caps, gowns, and stoles from ACES. If students choose to decorate a borrowed cap it must be removable so that no permanent changes are made. Students may purchase their own cap if they wish to make permanent changes or decorations (see Liz in the front office if you prefer to purchase your own cap/gown/stole). All decorations must be school appropriate. Students will need to purchase their own tassel for $15 from our front office when they arrive.

The Senior Breakfast takes place on Tuesday, June 6 at Le Bistro (at Sno-Isle). It is free for students. There will be graduation rehearsal from 8-9:35 in the gym at ACES and students must attend the rehearsal to participate in the breakfast. Students are required to take the bus to the breakfast; we'll leave ACES at 9:45 and return by noon, in time to attend 6th and 7th periods.

Last day of classes for seniors is Friday, June 9 IF they have been cleared for graduation and turned in their final checkout forms to Liz. If they have not been cleared, they will need to continue attending to complete their classes and requirements until they have been cleared.

We are hoping to include all graduating seniors in a slideshow at the senior breakfast. We will need a photo of each student from when they were a baby or a young child -- watch for more info but be thinking about a photo of your adorable child to send in near the end of May!

Students are looking into whether there is a committee of dedicated volunteers to help with theme, music, and fundraising for ACES to hold an all-school prom. If a group comes together, the tentative date is May 19th. We welcome parents to support this effort with donations of time, money, and labor! Students also may attend prom at their home school. Mariner's prom will be held on May 13, and Kamiak's prom will be held on June 9.

Happy April,

Soon your seniors will be graduating and off to their next destination in their career pursuit. Most have already decided where they are going and have been applying to their next venture. This month we are focusing on the financial piece that will allow them to continue in their education.

FAFSA applications are done as far as I can take them and they now need you to help them finish up with your financial information so that they can submit their forms. If you could take time out to find last year’s income tax forms and help them fill out the information, they would appreciate that. I know it is a pain, but the rewards should be worth it. Even if you feel like you don’t qualify for free money, this form does qualify you for loans that you or the student can take to pay for schools. All schools, academic and technical/professional. The only students who do not need to fill out the FAFSA are those entering the military.

Also, scholarships are posted on the ACES website under the College and Career tab, and are listed by deadline date. As I tell students: Do not assume that you won't be considered! Last year there were some scholarships that went ungifted because no one applied for them. Please help me to encourage your students to apply for even more help with their school finances.

Questions? Feel free to call me at (425) 366-3942 until 3pm or (509) 741-9510 evenings until 8pm.

-Patti Stracener, College & Career Specialist

Senior Danika Masterson was chosen by ACES to be honored in front of the school board on April 17th. Congratulations to Danika for this honor! Here Danika is pictured receiving a Student of the Month award from the Rotary Club of South Everett/Mukilteo in March.

Scenes from a recent Fun Friday Focus assembly! Staff v. Students competed in pie eating, musical chairs, and duct taping a representative from each group to the wall. Staff made a valiant effort but the students took top spot... this time! We're already looking forward to the rematch.

Please join other Spanish-speaking families in the Mukilteo School District for the next Family Academy. There are six sessions, meeting twice per week for three weeks, beginning April 17, and meeting at Connect Casino Road. Topics include bullying, child abuse, red flags, drugs, and the importance of a sense of community. Childcare and light snacks provided. Click on the attached PDF below for more information and instructions to register.

If your family would benefit from a weekend food bag or emergency food box to fill a gap, fill out our form here and our Family Liaison will connect with you to arrange pickup. If you need additional community resources, we can also connect you with our Student Support Advocate.

The Mukilteo School District uses several online tools to help families get connected to their schools and stay engaged in their student's education. We know it can feel like a lot to keep them straight and get started.

• ParentSquare is the platform for all communication from the district and your child's school: news, events, timely updates, and more.
• Schoology is a learning platform used by our teachers to assign and track daily assignments: see what your student has turned in and work that is still in progress.
• Qmlativ Family Access allows parents and guardians to access their family and student(s) information including emergency contacts, attendance, grades, schedules, fees, discipline history, and grad plan information.

Want to sit down with a real live human to explore these sites and learn how to use them? Reach out to Family Liaison Julie Hills at (425) 366-3941 or HillsJB@mukilteo.wednet.edu.

The ACES staff have a number of wish list needs for our school and classes! You may even have some of these things laying around looking for a new home. Contact Family Liaison Julie Hills if you have any of these items to donate. Here's our current wish list:

• pickleball paddles for gym class (need 10-17 of them, similar to this, but will take any number/type of paddles in good condition.)
• small home/office lamination machine and laminating pouches
• benches of any size (for kids to sit on outside)
• picnic table
• exterior paint (bright colors or white/primer)
• 1/2" or 3/4" plywood
• extra long lock (MasterLock with a longer shank)
• big or small river rock (smooth stones)
• quickcrete
• stepping stone forms or old, large, interesting-shaped baking pans
• glass kiln, any size

You can always find our wish list on the ACES website, along with other ways to get involved and support the ACES community:

ACES Website: https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/57
Location: 9700 Holly Drive, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: (425) 366-3900

Facebook: @ACESHighSchool

Twitter: @ACESHighSchool

Instagram: @aceshighschool