Columbia Crest

Happy New Year, Rainiers,

I hope you had a rejuvenating break, sharing special time with family and friends. Now it is time to settle into the routine of school and get back into the mode of working hard and being on a schedule.

Happy New Year! Just hearing those words creates many images for us. The first semester is close to over in a month and there are resolutions to make. Reading more should be at the top of the list, applying our math skills to our daily life and thinking creatively as we write. And then there is learning more science and social studies while being kind, running fast and getting in shape. So much to do! Welcome 2023!

With the new year comes a couple of staff changes. We are sad to announce Mr. Hehemann has transferred due to moving. However, we are excited to announce we hired Ms. Litzenberger over the break. She is eager and excited to dive in on Tuesday! She will have a Meet the Teacher event for middle school families. Please see the flyer included in the newsletter. Miss Brown is excited to carryover all of the project and plans Mr. Hehemann had lined up for the school garden and Hands-on-Health.

6th-8th Grade Club

Dear Middle School Parents,

Mrs. Hoversten is starting an after school Art and Gardening club in January.

Please click here to learn more and sign up your child. The club will close once we reach 12 sign ups.

Reminders:

Student Arrival Time

Please help ensure your child is on campus by 7:30am every day as school begins promptly at 7:45am.

Many student who are dropped off are arriving tardy and are missing critical lessons at the start of the day. When students arrive after 7:45am, parents must click this link to have their child’s tardy excused.

Wednesdays are one hour later than normal.

We appreciate your assistance to have your child here on time.

ChapStick

When it is blustery cold or snowy please send gloves or mittens with your child. It may be a good idea to send your child to school with a tube of ChapStick. We’ve seen lots of chapped lips lately that turn bloody because they are so dry.

Water Bottles

We ask that each student has their own reusable water bottle to fill with water throughout the day. We have a water bottle refilling station that students can use. Please contact our office if you need support purchasing a water bottle for your child.

Proper Clothing

Please ensure your child leaves the house with a warm coat every morning. We typically begin to see snow and frozen temperatures during December and want all students to be prepared for the elements. Please let our office know if you need help getting a warm winter coat for your child.

School Board Month:

January is School Board Appreciation Month. The members of our School Board are outstanding supporters of our school and advocate for all students in the Eatonville School District. We appreciate the countless hours they volunteer on behalf of the community. Students and staff send their gratitude.

Thank you:

• Paulette Gilliardi
• Ronda Litzenberger
• Matt Marshall
• Ashley Sova
• Corey Ackerman

Wishing you a wonderful new year and a great January!

Respectfully,

We are excited to introduce our new middle school teacher, Ms. Litzenberger.

"I am an Eatonville native and spent 3 years as a student at Columbia Crest. I graduated from EHS and moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and a Minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. I’ve spent time teaching and studying in Utah, Ukraine, Jerusalem, and the DC metro area. I have a passion for exploring new places and following my curiosities. In my spare time you’ll find me with my family, learning something new, or planning my next adventure. I am elated to embark on this new teaching experience."

Join me in earning cash for our school by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and they add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need - equipment, supplies or experiences the kids love!

Use this referral code QDA75QLQ when you sign up and you’ll get 25 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 05/31/2023, while supplies last! Download the Box Tops for Education app here: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=QDA75QLQ

You are invited to join us for Family Reading Night on Thursday January 19th from 5:30-6:30pm. We will have games, learning, and fun for the whole family! All who attend will have a free dinner provided to them.

Interested in attending? Please click the link to RSVP and let us know about any dietary restrictions.

We are excited to step into the world of reading with you!

Our Rainiers will learn a variety of skills all throughout this month about our new character trait.

As previously announced on December 15th:

Please note the following changes:

• January 2nd is a non-school day now due to observing New Year's Day. Due to this change a school day was added to the end of the year.
• The snow makeup day has been added to the end of the year.
• The last day of school is currently June 27th.

Schools will operate on a one hour delayed schedule to allow staff to engage in Professional Learning on Wednesdays.

📅Please mark your calendar for upcoming winter late start dates.

There will be no school on Monday, January 16th, 2023 in observance of Martin Luther King Junior Day.

All school offices and the district office will be closed.

Are you interested in serving as a parent representative on the Highly Capable Program Advisory Committee for Eatonville School District? The committee aides in developing, monitoring, implementing, and evaluating the district's Highly Capable/Advancement Placement Program plan. The committee ensures compliance with state laws and administrative codes governing the Highly Capable Program, including equitable identification and makes recommendations, as needed. The committee will meet 4 times throughout the school year.

Our first meeting will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2023. The meeting will be held in the High School Library from 3pm-4pm. If you are interested in joining the HCP Advisory Committee please contact the Instructional Programs office by phone at (360-641-1040) or by email at s.keeley@eatonvilleschools.org

a) If you’re having trouble getting to school, we want to help! Please call the school office.

b) This is the time of year when winter weather and children’s illnesses can take a toll on school attendance. But it’s important to get your children to school every day possible.

c) Too many absences can make it hard for students to stay engaged, connected and learning. This is as true in kindergarten and elementary grades as it is in high school.

d) Children who miss too much school in kindergarten are less likely to read well by third grade. By middle school, absenteeism can predict who will graduate from high school.

🚌Join the Eatonville School District Transportation Team.🚸

Eatonville School District is hiring full time and substitute bus drivers.

✔️No experience needed.
💰Paid training provided, for more information you can contact us at 360-879-1900.
📲Don't delay, apply today by clicking this link: https://www.edjobsnw.org/

SKYWARD REGISTRATION FOR WINTER II SPORTS IS NOW OPEN- It’s time to register for Boys Basketball and Girls Soccer. Practice begins on Monday, January 30, 2023. (https://sites.google.com/eatonville.wednet.edu/emsathletics/home )

6-8 Grade Boys Basketball:: January 30 through March 21

Coach Wes Potter: w.potter@eatonville.wednet.edu

6-8 Grade Girls Soccer:: January 30 through March 21

Coach Michael Sniezak: m.sniezak@eatonville.wednet.edu

Participants must have a valid sports physical and completed Parent Registration to practice. Parents must log into Skyward family access and complete the Parent registration. Students must register through their own skyward access separately. Eligibility rules require that students have a valid sports physical on file in the office that remains valid through the end of the season for each distinct sport.

The 4 requirements for participation are:

1. Sports Physical (valid for two years from exam date)

2. Parent Registration (must be completed in skyward before first practice)

3. Student Registration (must be completed in skyward before first practice)

4. $40 ASB Fee per school year (paid in the school main office before first game/meet)

EXAMPLE SPORTS PHYSICAL FORM: https://www.eatonville.wednet.edu/ems/athletics/physical-form

SKYWARD FAMILY REGISTRATION: http://family.eatonville.wa-k12.net/

Practices begin immediately after school each day at approximately 2:45pm and end on each coach’s individual schedule. All participants should bring a water bottle to practice to ensure participant safety and proper hydration.

A parent meeting is scheduled for January 30, 2023 at 6:00pm in the EMS commons. Parents will be able to meet and talk with coaches at this meeting.

https://sites.google.com/eatonville.wednet.edu/emsathletics/home

Email notifications will follow prior to each season. Coaches will make contact with registered athletes as start dates approach.

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Student Access:

1. Log into Skyward (https://www2.crdc.wa-k12.net/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=weatonvs71/seplog01.w).
2. On the left hand side, click Online Forms.
3. Select EMS Sports for the current year. (Complete Form)
4. Step 1 is Sports Participation (Required) 2 signatures and a date. At the bottom click “Complete Step 1 and move to Step 2.”
5. Step 2 is the first Sport offered for that season, if this is NOT the sport you will be playing, there is a check box at the top left that says “I do not wish to fill out this optional form.”
6. On the right hand side you can see all the sports offered. If the last sport on the list is your sport, you will still need to check the “I do not wish to fill out this form” box for each of the other sports.
7. Step 7 is confirming you have filled out all of the steps and then click the “Submit” button.

Family Access:

1. Log into Skyward (https://www2.crdc.wa-k12.net/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=weatonvs71/seplog01.w)
2. On the left hand side, click Online Forms.
3. Select EMS Sport for the current year. (Fill Out Form)
4. Step 1 is Sports Participation (Required) 2 signatures and a date. At the bottom click “Complete Step 1 and move to Step 2.”
5. Step 2 is the first Sport offered for that season, if this is NOT the sport your student will be playing, there is a check box at the top left that says “I do not wish to fill out this optional form.”
6. On the right hand side you can see all the sports offered. The sport your student is participating in will require you to fill out all of the medical information and emergency contact information. If the last sport on the list is your sport, you will still need to check the “I do not wish to fill out this form” box for each of the other sports.
7. Step 7 is confirming you have filled out all of the steps and then click the “Submit” button.

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Free & Reduced WA House Bill 1660 (Extracurricular Activities and Fees)

As a part of Washington State House bill 1660, school districts are required to waive or reduce athletic and ASB fees for students whose families would have difficulty paying the entire amount of the fee. Eatonville Middle School requires student possession of an ASB card for all participation in school-sponsored activities and athletics. This is now waived for families receiving free or reduced lunch benefits under federal guidelines. Additionally, House Bill 1660 requires the school to provide any and all REQUIRED items a participant must have to play a sport. This could include uniforms, shin guards, mouth guards and potentially swim suits as examples. These items will now be provided by the Middle School for these students as long as specific requirements are met for the free and reduced lunch program. The only two requirements are an approved Free and Reduced Meal packet and completion of the "Consent to Share" form identified by the state of Washington.

FREE & REDUCED LUNCH: More information about Free & Reduced Lunch program on the District web page at https://www.eatonville.wednet.edu/departments/food-services/free-and-reduced-priced-meals. Or, contact Mrs. Jensen in the Middle School office for more information on how to apply: p.jensen@eatonville.wednet.edu or call (360) 879-1400 on or after August 24th.

CONSENT TO SHARE FORM: Request copy of form from Mrs. Jensen in the Middle School office: p.jensen@eatonville.wednet.edu or call (360) 879-1400.

Grade Checks

Student Athletes are required to pass ALL classes in accordance with school board policy. A grade check is done at the beginning of the season and every two weeks after. If a student is found to be failing classes they are allowed the following steps:

Step 1: Probation, two weeks to get grade up (only once)

Step 2: Can go to practice, no contests or traveling until next grade check. Has two additional weeks to raise grade(s).

Step 3: Removal from team.

Spring Sports will begin on March 27 and will include Boys BASEBALL for the first time at Eatonville Middle School in quite a while. Spring sports will be Boys Baseball, Volleyball and Track & Field.

If you have questions or concerns contact Mr. Cash at j.cash@eatonville.wednet.edu or call the Middle School at (360) 641-1423.

Mr. Cash

• This year, we will not send robocalls when bus routes are canceled. Instead, we are encouraging families to sign up for My Ride K-12 to receive push notifications when routes are impacted. Additionally, families may view the status of each bus route on our website at any time as it is updated daily. Finally, an email will be sent to families when a route is impacted.

• Unfortunately, we do not have any substitute bus drivers and will need to cancel routes when a driver is out. If you or someone you know would like to apply to become a driver please visit our website for information.

• 22-23 route information is available on My Ride K-12. This is the best way to learn if your child's route will be impacted.
• Register for My Ride K12 today on the website.
• When you register you will need your student’s 7 digit Student ID number that typically begins with 2 zeros. Please access Skyward Family Access for your child’s ID number.
• Once you've registered on the site you may download the app. Traversa Ride 360™ is a mobile app for Apple® and Android® devices.
• You can expect to receive direct messages regarding changes, delays and notifications specific to your child's route and stop. You may also directly message the Eatonville School District Transportation Office.

Eatonville School District #404 will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs shall be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328; Telephone: 360-879-1000

Title IX Coordinator, Section 504/ADA Coordinator & Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Cristin Blaskowitz, Executive Student Services. Email: c.blaskowitz@eatonvilleschools.org