Eckstein Weekly News

January

• Jan. 28: End Quarter 2/Semester 1
• Jan. 29: Begin Quarter 3/Semester 2
• Jan. 30: Eckstein Prospective Student Night (for 5th Graders) (6 pm)

February

• Feb. 5: Eckstein Talent Show (7 pm)
• Feb. 10-14: SPIRIT WEEK
• Feb. 10 & 11: Eckstein Musical Auditions (3:55-5:30 pm)
• Feb. 11: Multicultural Night (6-8 pm)
• Feb. 14: Pep Assembly (PM Assembly Schedule)
• Feb. 17-21: Mid-Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Coming up on Wednesday, February 5th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM is the Eckstein Talent Show! Both students and staff will present their acts ranging from comedy to singing and even some kung fu. Admission is free for this event. Doors open at 6:45 PM.

This year we're thrilled to be doing AS YOU LIKE IT by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery. Yes, it's based on the Shakespeare play, but set in a contemporary modern world with a fantastic story and terrific songs (the cast album is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Bandcamp for those who want a preview of the music!)

We're also happy to introduce this year's Directing Team! Jon and Andi are returning from last year, and we're also welcoming two new talented folks to the team, Karin Terry and CJ Lorentz. We're all working theatre professionals in the Seattle area, and we share a joy in working with helping younger performers reach their potential and learn new skills.

Audition Packets are in the Main Office

Please join us in celebrating the many cultures at Eckstein Middle School! Come and share about your culture and learn about others through food and music.

Tuesday, February 11th, 6-8pm, Eckstein cafeteria. (Enter by the garden)

Please bring a dish to share at this potluck event with a note detailing ingredients. RSVP here. We look forward to seeing you!

Why do schools need levies? State, local, and federal dollars fund school districts. There continues to be a disparity between what the state funds for education and what it costs Seattle Public Schools (SPS) to serve our students. So, every three years, the district asks voters to consider renewing expiring levies.

The district is asking voters to consider renewing two levies in the Feb. 11 election.

• Prop. 1 – The Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy continues funding for areas like student transportation, support staff, meals, special education, and student opportunities like athletics, music and art.
• Prop. 2 – The Building Excellence VI (BEX VI) Levy focuses on maintaining and improving school facilities. It funds renovation, repair and replacement of schools, as well as repairs to roofs, HVAC systems, and playgrounds. The capital levy also funds 90 percent of the district’s technology budget.

Ballots for the levy renewals will be mailed around Jan. 22 and are due to King County Elections by 8 p.m. on Feb. 11. Visit the SPS website to learn more about what the levies fund.

Ask your Eckstein student(s) how Black History is being celebrated in their classes during the month of February. Each Department at Eckstein, during February’s Black History Month, will be highlighting Black Excellence in their classes.

Hello Eckstein Families! Homeroom teachers will soon be reaching out to you to schedule a Student Led Conference on March 27, 2025.This is a NON-SCHOOL day for Eckstein students ONLY, so that we can hold these conferences. Your student will have the opportunity to share with you in a formal setting, their goals, accomplishments, and areas of growth. Please look for a message from homeroom teachers and sign up for a time on that day for you and your student to come to school for the conference. Remember, these are STUDENT Led, and teachers are only hosts this day. We look forward to seeing you March 27!

What: Eckstein Incoming Student Open House
When: Thursday, January 30th @ 6 pm
Where: Eckstein Middle School

Please join us at the Eckstein Incoming Student Open House is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, 2025 starting at 6 pm. Parking is conveniently available on 30th Avenue NE and at the back of the school (turn in the driveway off of 75th Street). Accessible parking and entry can be found at the back of the school as well, and elevator keys are obtainable upon request during the event as well. Please come to the Main Office to obtain an elevator key.

At 6 pm, we will kick off the evening in the auditorium, where Principal Rose, a student panel, and our administrative and counseling team will lead an engaging presentation. Following the presentation, from 6:45 to 7:30 pm, 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!

Here are some reminders about Attendance.

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/

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

Next Wednesday is our Community Cupboard pick-up. If you'd like to help out, please donate via our Amazon Wishlist: Eckstein Community Cupboard Wishlist We need everything on there! We're still accepting hoodies and socks donations as well.

Other resources:

Alateen Meetings for teens with family friends struggling with addiction

When: Wednesdays 4-5pm

Where: Santos Place Building Magnuson

Need parenting support? Changes Support Network is a great resource link here: Changes

Save the Dates

• Student-Led Conferences - March 27, 2025 - NO SCHOOL FOR ECKSTEIN STUDENTS ONLY
  Learn more: https://ecksteinms.seattleschools.org/news/student-led-conferences-march-21-2024/
• Eighth Grade Promotion Celebration - June 17, 2025 (Time is TBD)
  Eighth Grade Cruise - June 18, 2025.

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

Nathan Hale High School Family Information Nights

We invite and encourage families who will be assigned to NHHS next year to attend our information evening in order to get a head start on transition to high school. We also welcome families who are assigned to another school but are interested in NHHS and are considering going through the Open Enrollment process.

Future and prospective parents/guardians and students are invited to join us for the following informational evenings:

Thursday, February 6th, 2025

6:00PM – 7:00PM Information Tables and Tours in Commons (last tour leaves Commons at 6:40)

7:00PM – 8:00PM Presentation and Questions in Performing Arts Center

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:

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.