Evergreen Middle School
January 25, 2024
Message from Principal Collins
Hello Evergreen Families,
We have completed the first semester for the school year 2023-24. Report cards will be coming home on February 9th. We have finished another sports season. We are proud of all of our athletes and coaches. We celebrated our end of the semester by having spirit and a pep assembly. Evergreen has SPIRIT!!! Our Girls Basketball team made history by winning the district championship three (3) years in a row. Way to go Lady Grizzlies! We will begin our next sport season on January, 29th .
Second semester is a time of fresh beginnings, renewed focus, and continued growth for our students. I am eager to work collaboratively with each of you to support your children in their academic, social/emotional, and developmental journey through middle school.
Our collective goal is to create an environment that fosters the holistic development of every student. Academic achievement is just one aspect of this growth, and we understand the importance of addressing the social, emotional, and developmental needs of our students as well. By working together, we can ensure that your child receives comprehensive support that extends beyond the classroom.
Building positive relationships between our staff and parents is paramount to creating a positive school culture. We value the partnership between home and school, recognizing that a strong collaboration enhances the overall educational experience for our students. Open lines of communication enable us to better understand your child's individual needs, strengths, and areas for growth. Together, we can create a supportive network that promotes a positive and inclusive learning environment. I encourage you to actively engage with your child's education by attending and participating in school events, and communicating with teachers and staff as the needs arise. Your involvement is invaluable in shaping the educational journey of your child and contributes significantly to our shared goal of providing a well-rounded and enriching middle school experience.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to working closely with each of you throughout the second semester. Here's to a semester filled with growth, learning, and positive collaboration and together let’s make 2024 amazing!
Thank you for being a part of the Grizzly family.
In Partnership,
Mrs. Collins
Principal Evergreen Middle School
253 945 5100
Improving Engagement at Evergreen
As you know, I think it's important to "sweat the small stuff" when it comes to teaching techniques. I'm especially interested in how teachers engage students. While most teachers will use “Hands Up” to call on students, this technique is problematic in that it only values the thinking of the students who are most eager to participate. How can we get all students involved, and not just those who volunteer?
The image below is one of many games I play with classes during instructional coaching. The class was told that the teacher was not allowed to use the words, "Does anybody know" or "Who can tell me" but must replace each of these with another technique, such as calling on a non-volunteer by name. The students were explained that if they are called on, they must try their best to answer the question, and not reply with, "But I didn't raise my hand." With this system, everyone knows they can be called on at any time, which helps students to pay attention and think about what the teacher is saying.
As you can see from the image, the teacher had no problem changing their habit of relying Hands Up. What was the result of making this small change in terms of student engagement? The class became very, very focused on what he/she was saying the whole time, and several kids who tend to “tune out” were brought into the fold. It was a great lesson!
Zach Groshell, Ph.D.
Instructional Coach
Evergreen Middle School
