Eckstein Weekly News

November

• Nov. 2 - Last Day to Order Evergreens (see below)
• Nov. 3 - Daylight Savings Time Ends (Set clock back one hour)
• Nov. 4 - 22: EAC Fundraising Campaign
• Nov. 6 - Quarter 1 Ends
• Nov. 6 - Ultimate Frisbee Team Photos during Practice
• Nov. 7 - Quarter 2 Begins
• Nov. 7 - Girls Soccer Team Photos during Practice
• Nov. 8 - Veterans Day Assembly (AM Bell Schedule)
• Nov. 11 - Veterans Day (NO SCHOOL)
• Nov. 12 - 7th Grade Vision & Hearing Checks
• Nov. 15 - Reflection Entries Due
• Nov. 18 - PTSA Board Meeting (7 pm on ZOOM)
• Nov. 19 - Fall Choir Concert (7 pm)
• Nov. 21 - Jazz Night (7:30 pm)
• Nov. 23 - Orchestra Greens Pick Up (12-4 pm)
• Nov. 28 & 29 - Thanksgiving & Native American Heritage Day (NO SCHOOL)
• Nov. 29 - Dec. 19 - Last Yearbook Ordering Period

December

• Dec. 5 - Orchestra Concert (7 pm)
• Dec. 6 - Fall Sports Parade (Homeroom)
• Dec. 12 - All Band Winter Concert (7:30 pm)
• Dec. 16-20 - SPIRIT WEEK!
• Dec. 19 - Winter Assembly (AM Assembly)
• Dec. 19 - Last Day to Order a yearbook
• Dec. 20 - One Hour Early Dismissal
• Dec. 23-Jan. 3 - Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)

If your student participates in Ultimate Frisbee or Girls Soccer, we will be taking their team photos after school during practice as follows. Please have your student bring their uniform to practice.
Ultimate Frisbee - Wednesday, November 6 during practice
Girls Soccer - Thursday, November 7 during practice.

The major PTA fundraiser of the year starts next week. Packets will be sent home with your students on Monday. Be on the lookout for them. To learn more about the impact of the EAC: https://ecksteinannualcampaign.org/

On November 8, 2024, we will have our Veterans Day assembly in the morning. There for we will follow the AM Assembly Bell Schedule. We will have fourth period and lunches after second period, then third period is after fourth/second lunch.

Assembly: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM (Start in Period 1)
Period 1: 9:50 AM – 10:40 AM
Period 2: 10:45 AM – 11:35 AM
Period 4: 11:40 AM – 1:00 PM
1st lunch: 11:35 – 12:05 PM (class: 12:10 – 1:00 PM)
2nd lunch: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM (class: 11:40 – 12:30)
Period 3: 1:05 PM – 1:55 PM
Period 5: 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM
Period 6: 2:55 PM – 3:45 PM

Eighth grade families whose students attended the Camp Orkila field trip. Please take a moment to check your students items to makes sure they didn't bring home someone else sleeping bag or sleeping bag cover. If you discover you have something that is not yours, please let us know by emailing Ms. Detering - jrdetering@seattleschools.org

Thank you for you help. We've had some students who lost sleeping bags and sleeping bag totes.

In late January, Eckstein Middle School will be offering students the opportunity to participate in the 40th annual American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) 8, organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). The AMC 8 is the nation's leading mathematics competition for middle school students, and is designed to cultivate the mathematical capabilities of the next generation of problem-solvers. The AMC 8 challenges each student with mathematics that is new, different, and "outside the box." Competition problems are more complex than those encountered routinely in math courses, but they are designed to connect to middle school mathematics standards to ensure they are within the reach of students. Eckstein will host the 40-minute AMC 8 exam outside of regular school hours on a date to be determined between January 22 and 28, 2025. If your student is interested to participate, please contact Carrie Kazala at cekazala@seattleschools.org and Derek Grandbois at djgrandbois@seattleschools.org by December 7.

During homerooms this past month, your student has begun preparing for Student-Led Conferences at Eckstein that will take place March 27, 2025. Eckstein has applied for a waiver day/no school day to allow time to host these conferences. Eckstein is committed to 100% participation from students and families to make this happen. Please tell us if your family may need support.

Student- Led Conferences are an opportunity for students to share their goals and progress. Parents/guardians will listen actively, ask questions, and comment on student work. Your student will be collecting artifacts of their work over the next months, setting goals for learning, and reflecting on progress. This will all culminate with your coming to school for a presentation by your student. Please note- this is not a Parent/Teacher conference you may be used to attending in elementary school. Student-Led is just that. The student decides what progress looks like to them and what goals and progress they are excited to share with you.

Closer to the conference date of March 27, 2025, your student’s homeroom teacher will reach out to you to set up a specific time. For now, please put this date on your calendar! Each conference is allotted 20-30 minutes, with multiple conferences being held at the same time. The homeroom teacher is the host, but the student runs the conference. Families will be presented with what your student has been learning and hear about progress on responsible scholar goals.

This video will illustrate what you can expect! Student Led Conference Example

If you know that you will be taking your student out of school during the week of November 25, 2024, please have them complete a Pre-Planned Absence form located in the Attendance office prior to the absence in order to excuse it.

We will have our Prospective Student Information Night on January 30, 2025 from 6 - 7:30 pm. This is a great chance for families with fifth graders to come and learn about our school. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore the school building, visit different classrooms, and get a feel for the Eckstein experience. We look forward to welcoming you!

Parents/Guardians:

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student's academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.
Learn more about the importance of attendance here: https://www.attendanceworks.org/

A reminder that you can use the Source to check your students’ attendance record. You can see all absences and lates that your student has accrued since the first day of school. We encourage you to check in with your student and review their attendance record together!

Contacting Attendance:

• Attendance contact: Katy Ryan
• Phone: 206-252-5014
• Email: ecksteinms.attendance@seattleschools.org

Report an absence: Parent/Guardian must contact attendance office by phone call, email or note with the following information:

• Student name
• Parent/Guardian name and phone number
• Date of absence
• Reason for absence

Vacation: Students must complete and submit a pre-Planned excuse absence form prior to the absence. Forms are available in the attendance office.

Arriving Late to School:

• Parent/Guardian must notify the school of a late arrival with a phone call, email or note
• Students must check into the attendance office when they arrive late to school. They will receive a pass to the classroom

Leaving School Early:

• Parent/Guardian must notify school by phone call, email or note of the early dismissal
• Students will receive an early dismissal slip from the attendance office and must sign out before leaving the building

7th Grade Hearing/Vision Checks: Volunteers for the Afternoon Shift are Still Needed for 7th Grade Vision & Hearing Checks
Learn more and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45AFA829A6FBC61-52019476-7thgrade

Private School Recommendation & Transcript Request Process

Learn about how to request documents for private school applications here: https://ecksteinms.seattleschools.org/academics/registrar/#gb8c259d35751

Library Information for October 2024: https://ecksteinms.seattleschools.org/academics/library/

PTSA Reflections Contest at Eckstein: The deadline to turn in applications in November 15, 2024. Learn more here: https://ecksteinms.seattleschools.org/news/ptsa-reflections-art-contest-eckstein/

Evergreens Sale to Support Orchestra: Deadline to order is November 2. Please go here to learn more and order: https://ecksteinms.seattleschools.org/news/wreath-sale-to-support-eckstein-orchestra/

Lunch Monitors Needed: We can always use help during lunch. Contact Ms. Detering at jrdetering@seattleschools.org for more information.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Community Cupboard with donations from Amazon! Students and parents keep saying how much they appreciate the shampoo and conditioner, socks and household products! Here's our continuing wish list: Amazon wishlist

We have received no socks or hoodies yet in our bin for our Socks & Hoodie Drive! If you have new or lightly used hoodies and new socks, drop off in the bin outside the main office to help keep our whole school warm this winter!

Rally Club is an afterschool program that meets at Eckstein on Thursdays with fun group activities and food. If your student would be interested in joining email: esdavenport@seattleschools.org

We will list the open house for high schools as we learn about them.

Center School

The Center School in Seattle is a unique public high school that focuses on fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among its students. Located in the heart of the city, it offers a diverse curriculum that emphasizes arts, project-based learning, and student leadership. The school aims to create a supportive community where students can explore their passions, develop their talents, and prepare for future challenges in a rapidly changing world. With a commitment to inclusivity, The Center School provides an engaging environment for learners who prefer a smaller learning community.

OPEN HOUSE DATES:

Thursday, November 21, 2024, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Interested students and parents can RSVP using the QR code in the flyer or the link here: https://forms.office.com/r/YC1wdjaKUb

For more information on The Center School, we invite you to take a virtual school tour linked here: https://vimeo.com/703976333/ad1b681004

For inquiries about scheduling a Shadow Day, please contact Michele Hayes, Counselor at mrhayes1@seattleschools.org.