SHS/PGS Principal's Newsletter

Dear Parents, Guardians and Significant Adults,

November was full of great accomplishments due to the fantastic teamwork of Sequoia, Port Gardner, HS Online Options & Goal. Sequoia students exceeded their goals with Give Back Week. All programs participated in the Food & Hygiene Drive with over 400 items donated. Sherry and team put on a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch for over 200 people. There were 8 Sequoia students who passed Microsoft certification tests and we continue to see students actively engaged in learning at all levels.

As we look forward, winter is just around the corner with temperatures already below freezing with frost overnight. While there haven’t been any snow days yet, it's best to be prepared before the snow starts falling.

Here are some winter safety reminders for the cooler days ahead:

Winter Preparedness & School Closure Info

Jack Roy, Principal

SHS/PGS/HS Online Options

SHS -

Thursday, Dec 19th - End of Term 3

Friday, Dec 20th - Appointment Day and Early Release Day *Attendance Mandatory*

Monday, Dec 23rd - Jan 3rd - Winter Break, NO SCHOOL

Monday, Jan 6th - Start Term 4

PGS -

Friday, Dec 13th - Progress Report Processing - No Classes Today

Friday, Dec 20th - Regular Schedule (Early Release for other ESD schools)

Monday, Dec 23rd - Jan 3rd - Winter Break, NO SCHOOL

Monday, Jan 6th - Progress Due

Thursday, Jan 9 - PGS Tour 9:30 & New Family Orientation 12:15

Sequoia, Port Gardner & Goal students enjoying lunch served by school and district staff.

Even if you do not plan on attending meetings or volunteering, your membership with the PGS/SHS PTSA is an easy way to financially support our school community and help fund PTSA activities.

Everett PTSA Council Vice President, Jaime Dubrulle presented our

PTSA Board a chocolate pie to celebrate the amazing membership growth of our PTSA Membership for the 24-25 school year.

Congratulations PGS/Sequoia PTSA!

Sequoia Leadership Students Leading Well!

There were over 400 items donated to the Needs Drive -

• 15 Blankets were made.
• 40 Hygiene Bags were made.
• 9 students did campus clean up.
• 21 students cleaned up after Thanksgiving Lunch.
• Lots of food pantry items were donated to fill the "SHS Giving Grove."
• Many students participated in TA for a Day.

Students definitely exceeded their goal.

Bravo, students (& Maryke)!

Special thank you to all who donated and to PGS for their impressive food drive contributions

Exceeding Goals!

Term 3 ends on December 19th, so Appointment Day to schedule classes for Term 4 will be taking place on December 20th. There will be a special Appointment Day Schedule that day, and release time is dependent on a student's status on their Term 3 classes.

Students are scheduled and dismissed according to this rubric:

1. Met Progress - students passed at least 3 scheduled classes.
2. Limited Progress - students have incompletes on some assignments and have only passed 2 classes. Must stay later to work on those assignments.
3. No/Unsatisfactory Progress - students have passed fewer than 2 classes in a term. Must stay to work on assignments and complete an intervention plan with their advisor.

PGS Student Work in the Governor's Mansion!

Mrs. Johnson’s Art of Architecture class was one of 16 classes in the state whose ornament design was selected to be on display at the Washington State Governor’s mansion on the 2024 holiday tree. The theme of the tree this year is “Celestial: The Moon, Stars, and Sun.”

Mrs. Johnson’s second and third graders integrated this theme with Port Gardner’s theme “Space for All of Us” along with incorporating the Washington State capitol dome and our state tree, the Western Hemlock. The ornament represents Washington State as a beautiful place with space for a rich diversity of people. Students will each receive a certificate from the governor’s office.

Art Bots in Mrs. Bailey's Magnetism & Electricity class

Mrs. Wight's middle school ELA students help her pilot an AI tool.

They used AI to create their idea of what a Utopia is for the start of the new unit.

Congratulations to our November Student of the Month, Everett High School Freshman, Anna Wellenbrock.

Anna’s work in Online English 203 stands out due to her thorough and thoughtful responses and her ability to manage her time well and keep pace with course due dates.

Anna discovered that HS Online Options courses were a good fit for her after she took Family Health and PE1 in summer school.

Taking her English course online gives her the opportunity to self-motivate away from a traditional classroom setting.

She says, “I like taking online courses because I have a lot of time and space to do my assignments freely. It's easier for me to plan times for English work and organize my workload because I'm the only real variable. Moreover, I love that I can motivate myself and feel genuinely happy with the work I'm submitting because I can give myself as much time as I need for an assignment.”

Anna is part of the Bibliophile Society club at EHS. Some of her favorite hobbies include reading, writing, singing, and listening to music.

Her future plan is to earn as much college credit as she can in high school through the Running Start Program and graduate with her associate's degree. After high school graduation, she plans to attend a state college and complete a bachelor’s degree and possibly pursue a master’s. She hopes to have a career related to writing and/or law.

We are proud of you Anna!

Overview for Students/Parents: HS Online Options

Course Catalog

Teachers in order of appearance:

• Sherman Iversen - Social Studies
• Rhonda Hodgins - Health/PE & Science
• Mark Ryder - Math & PE
• Laura Wight - English & CCRS

*Please contact Judy Lennard, HS Online Options secretary, for more information about HS Online - jlennard@everettsd.org

Course Descriptions:

In Walk FITT 1, students will experience an increase in cardiorespiratory endurance, core strength, and stamina. These life-changing results will occur over a 12-week period of logging daily steps based on a personalized fitness plan which includes body weight movements to help facilitate a comprehensive approach to walking/step fitness along with a weekly increase in steps. Each student will be expected to track steps using their iPhone or Android step app of choice. Weekly log submissions along with Canvas module assignments are required.

In Walk FITT 2, you will develop a personalized fitness plan based on the number of steps you take a day, focused on your personal goals and log activity for 12 weeks. But before you do that, you will dive into the mechanics of muscles and flexibility. Additionally, you will work together with a group online to complete an ongoing project. This course will challenge you to improve your walk fitness. Tracking steps with a pedometer, weekly and consistent logging is required.

Walk FITT pics capturing the beauty of the PNW!

Enter Your Students in the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prodigies for Peace Essay and Art Contest!

Encourage your children to express their creativity and share their voices by participating in the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prodigies for Peace Essay and Art Contest, sponsored by the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to honor Dr. King's legacy and promote peace through art and writing.

Important Details:

• Deadline for Entries: December 20, 2024
• Awards Presentation: Join us for the celebration of winners at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration the weekend of Dr. Martin Luther King Day in January 2025.

Don't miss out on this chance for your students to shine! Access the entry form and encourage them to submit their work. Let’s inspire the next generation to be agents of change!

What to Know About Emergency Closures and Late Starts

In the event of severe weather, power outages, or other emergencies, Everett Public Schools may adjust schedules to ensure the safety of students and staff. We aim to inform families and staff about any schedule changes by 5:30 a.m. using multiple communication methods.

How we notify families and staff

• Email
• Text
• Voice message (if no text message is received)
• Push notification (if you have the ParentSquare app)
• District social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter)
• District and school websites
• Local radio and TV news

Ways to access emergency schedule information

• FlashAlert.net: Subscribe for direct notifications or check for regional school information.
• Everett Public Schools website
• ParentSquare app: Calls to families begin at 5:30 a.m. (please keep your contact information up to date)
• Social media: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter)

If no announcement is made, schools will operate on a normal schedule. Emergency schedule decisions are made on a day-by-day basis unless otherwise communicated.

School programs impacted during delays or closures

• Program Impact Chart: Shows how school programs and activities are affected during emergencies.
• School Bus Snow Routes: Information on 2-hour delay and regular start snow routes for buses is available. Drop-off and pick-up locations may change in emergencies; familiarize yourself with snow route details.

Emergency early dismissal

In rare cases, emergency conditions may require an early dismissal. Families will be notified via the same methods listed above. Authorized individuals (listed on the school emergency form) may pick up students if needed. School staff will stay on site until all students are safely picked up.

Family emergency plans

Consider the following when creating an emergency plan:

• Alternative routes if your child’s regular bus stop is inaccessible
• A designated place for your child to go if they need help
• Backup caregivers if you cannot reach home
• A contact person for your child to call in an emergency
• Communication plans if power or phone services are down
• Location of emergency supplies, including a battery-operated radio

Emergency contacts

Each year, parents are asked to update their child’s emergency contacts. If your contact information changes, please notify your school to ensure you receive timely notifications and updates in emergencies.