Tiger News from Principal Stilwell

Monday September 2

• Labor Day Holiday, No School

Tuesday September 3

• Teacher Workday, No School

Wednesday September 4

• First Day of School for First Grade - Fifth Grade

Thursday September 5

Friday September 6

• Learning Improvement Friday, 2:15 pm Dismissal

Monday September 9

• First Day of School for Kindergarten

Friday September 13

• Learning Improvement Friday, 2:15 pm Dismissal

Friday October 11

• Teacher Workday, NO SCHOOL
  

November 4-5

• Conferences, NO SCHOOL

Friday November 8

• Early Release, 1:00 pm Dismissal

At Garfield we are PAWSitively awesome. We show are Tiger Pride by being respectful, responsible, safe and kind. We know that if you show, you grow so we focus on a theme of Every Day A Learner. We believe in ourselves and each other and we know each and every one of us will achieve to high levels. We are going to make every day count! Go Tigers!

We will be celebrating our Tiger Pride on Fridays! Students will be encouraged to show their Tiger Pride by wearing Garfield Elementary gear on Fridays! All new students and students that have outgrown their blue shirts from last year will receive new blue Garfield elementary shirts thanks to a very generous donor that believes in our culture and all the belonging work we do! We are incredibly grateful!

• Tiger News from Principal Stilwell This is weekly communication from me that will make sure you are aware of all events, happenings and important information. Please note the translation and accessibility features.

• You can (and please do!) reach me via email kstilwell@everettsd.org, phone 425-385-4700, or text 425-327-2507 any time. I will respond within 24 hours.

We have launched ParentSquare, a new communication platform to keep our district, schools, and families connected. Please check your email for an invitation sent on August 22 to activate your account and update your contact information. If you didn't receive it, check your spam folder or click the headline for assistance and app details. Don’t forget to scroll down to our FAQs for more information, including what unregistered users can see and do in ParentSquare.

Download the Versatrans My Stop App

We are using a new Versatrans My Stop application for bus route tracking and information. The Versatrans My Stop application provides you with an estimated time of arrival for your student's school bus. Please continue to arrive at the scheduled bus stop location 5 minutes prior to the scheduled stop time.

Available for Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded in 3 easy steps:

1. On your smartphone, go to the iTunes App Store® or Google Play®

2. Search Versatrans My Stop App

3. Then select the app for free download

When you open the app for the first time, follow the instructions below and select Everett Public Schools (WA).

How to Log In

All information is transmitted securely and protected. No data is provided without proper credentials being provided.

1. Enter your student’s ID number in the username field
2. Enter your student’s date of birth in the password field. Use the mmddyyyy format with no slashes. For example: if your student was born on Jan. 1, 2017, your password would be 01012017
3. If you have more than one student, their names will appear in a drop-down list in the top left corner. To view a different child's bus information, tap the current name and select them from the list.
4. In your phone settings, under Notifications, scroll to the Versatrans My Stop app and make sure:
   • show notifications are in the on position
   • pop on screen is also in the on position
5. This will allow you to see any notification that Everett Public Schools sends through the Versatrans My Stop App.

Interested in volunteering! Please go to the district website to complete your application for volunteering linked here.

School supply lists are on our school website and attached below. Backpacks and school supplies have been generously donated to Garfield from the Everett Public Schools Foundation Stuff the Bus events so that we may provide all of our students with the supplies they need. We are so grateful to be able to provide for our Tigers so they launch the school year ready to go. Thank you EPSF!

If you were unable to attend on Thursday Aug. 29, please let your child's teacher know and they will get your student school supplies and a car tag (if applicable).

Please arrive 9:00 - 9:10 am at the front entrance if walking or getting a ride. Bus riders will be greeted at the bus entrance on Pine Street and brought to their lines. There is no supervision before 9:00 am so there are no students allowed on campus until 9:00 am. Teachers take students to their classes at 9:10 am.

Student safety is our number one priority. Please help us make sure our students arrive and leave safely from our campus.

If using the carline, please make sure you stay in your car and follow the line to staff helping assist get students to the cars. Be patient as the first few days are always a bit slower and take a bit more time. DO NOT PARK ON 23RD STREET ALONG OUR FENCE. This is a waiting line, do not cut in front of nor park inside the line. Enter the line from Walnut Street.

If you are walking or have parked and are coming to pick up your student, please note there are lanes for picking up students which are marked by the gate signs. 1st grade line is on the far west side facing the gate and the 3rd grade is farthest east side. Use your car tags for fastest dismissal. Hold your sign up with student name, grade level and teacher. You can get these signs from the teacher tonight.

If using carline make sure the car tag is visible with student name, grade level and teacher. You can get these signs from the teacher tonight. Thank you!

We look forward to seeing your child at school every day. Regular school attendance is important, and we will work with you to ensure your child is present to benefit from an excellent education. If your child is absent, please email our attendance email address, gaeattendance@everettsd.org.

If email is not possible, please call 425-385-4705 to report the absence. Please make sure there is an email or a written note within 30 days after your student returns to school.

Due to the Community Eligibility Provision program we are once again able to offer free breakfast to all students at Garfield. We will be serving breakfast in the classrooms for grades K-3 and in our cafeteria for grades 4-5. All students will start their morning with a breakfast and some morning mindset work. It is a great chance to check-in with their teachers, each other and start the day strong!

If your family is in need of any resources please do not hesitate to reach out to our counselors, Hayley Simkins (hsimkins@everettsd.org) or Michael Smith (msmith@everettsd.org). You can also call our main office (425) 385-4700 and they will direct to whomever can help you with your needs. We are here for YOU and we will help you in any way you need. Please do not hesitate to ask.

Look here for information from our Garfield PTA! If you didn't get a chance to stop on Thursday please reach out to Sophia our PTA President for how to join and how to get involved. There are many ways to get involved that don't involve being at school during work hours. We love our PTA and are thrilled with our new sensory path made this summer. Thank you PTA! Looking forward to a great year.

Get ready to kick off the new school year with a blast as the Everett AquaSox face off against Spokane at Funko Field on Saturday, September 7, at 7:05 p.m.!

We’ve got a special deal just for the Everett Public Schools community—upper-level seats, regularly $17, are available for only $10 for all families, staff, and friends! Plus, for every ticket sold, $3 will be donated to the Everett Public Schools Foundation.

Don’t miss out on this exciting night of family fun, complete with post-game fireworks! Grab your tickets now at https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Everettschool8 and invite everyone you know—the more, the merrier! Let’s make it a night to remember. Play ball! #EPSsmiles

Remember, tickets must be purchased online to receive the $10 discounted price. Game day tickets will be sold at the regular price of $17.

Look here for information coming soon regarding our Garfield Spirit Shop!

Everett Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer and ADA Coordinator, Chad Golden, 425-385-4100; Section 504 Coordinator, Dave Peters, 425-385-4063; Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Joi Odom Grant, 425-385-4137, JGrant@everettsd.org.