December 2020 OPT Newsletter

December is already here and holiday break is upon us! We've been busy in the last couple months, and we have a lot of things planned for the new year. Even though the adjustments to 2020 have been a challenge, we've faced them head on, and are looking to bring even more events in 2021!

Big thanks to those who attended our monthly OPT meeting. We would love to see more of you at our next meeting which will take place on Thursday, January 7th at 6PM. The Board has been hard at work filling the calendar for the remainder of the year and we are looking forward to sharing more at our January meeting.

Join the Zoom meeting here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81750343634?pwd=cjA2U0E5L1lvQ1ZOaUxqak9EQWZ2UT09

Meeting ID: 817 5034 3634

Passcode: eaopt

It’s hard to believe it’s already December! The OPT has been hard at work to bring some holiday cheer to the Evergreen community. While our events may look different this year, their purpose is the same. To bring something extra special to the Evergreen experience and engage our community. Join us as we celebrate the last month of 2020.

Monday, December 21, 2020 @ 7 PM

Looking for something to do over break? OPT has you covered! Get ready for some cozy holiday fun and join us in your pajamas on Monday, December 21st at 7 PM for a Polar Express Pajama Party! Together we will watch a read aloud of the holiday classic, “The Polar Express,” followed by some fun for all ages holiday themed directed draws.

Meeting Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88151227051?pwd=eVR5MnRwSkQra2IrcGxFYlBDY3VnUT09

Meeting ID: 881 5122 7051

Passcode: 981441

Monday, December 21, 2020

What’s better than a home cooked meal? A meal you didn’t have to cook! On December 21st, (the same day as our Polar Express Party) Evergreen Academy and MOD Pizza of Woodinville are teaming up for an "Evergreen Eats" event where 20% of your order’s total goes back to benefit the OPT! All orders are eligible, regardless of if you choose delivery or takeout/pick-up...all day long! If you order online, be sure to order from the Woodinville location (zip code 98072) and use code "GR172083E" to ensure your order is counted. While not required, you can count yourself "IN!" for the event by RSVP'ing here: https://www.groupraise.com/events/172083. By adding your name to the list, you will receive a reminder email from MOD on the day of the event.

Our food drive to benefit Woodin Elementary was a huge success and the organizers were incredibly grateful for the donations our community was able to contribute. The delivery vehicles were packed to the gills and we were able to help stock their food pantry shelves just before the Thanksgiving holiday!

The Evergreen student body came through in a big way and produced more than 70 of the most adorable cards that were distributed to the residents at Brittany Park in Woodinville. The drawings and messages were creative and filled with love. Way to go Evergreen!

This was another new event for OPT and we were anxious to try a directed draw across the varying age groups. The event was well attended and the children were excellent and respectful participants. We read multiple Thanksgiving/turkey themed picture books and together, drew a turkey and a yummy apple pie. The event went so well we booked another in December!

On Monday, we celebrated the completion of our Academic Support Fee competition and Mrs. Morey held up her end of the bargain and got “pies” at Launch! To make it extra special for the students, she organized an outdoor (masked, socialy distanced, etc.) Launch where all the kids on campus were able to be present to witness the action LIVE! Families and our OA and DL students and families were able to tune and experience the excitement virtually. You could FEEL the joy and excitement radiating through the school community. Thank you for your donations and support!

Not just one, but two, classrooms reached 100% participation! Both Mrs. Ashmore’s and Ms. Carpenter’s classes will receive OPT sponsored classroom parties in January. Way to go!

It is a long-standing tradition at Evergreen to attend the PNB’s “The Nutcracker” and the tradition must go on! This year, the PNB is offering viewers the ability to stream the stage production and the OPT has secured a license for the event and will stream the show over Zoom for our community to enjoy.

We hosted a virtual watch party of PNB's The Nutcracker on December 15th, and families decorated gingerbread houses while we watched!

The sign-up went out and the community responded with nearly 70 participants across the grades! Secret Santa exchanges went home on December 17th and 18th. For those that didn't sign up, ALL children went home with a little something from the OPT on the day of distribution!

The books the teachers requested have been purchased and delivered to each classroom! The committee met in early December and is in the process of drafting a mission statement. Much research is going into what other schools are doing in this vein and how we can elevate the Evergreen experience.

Outside of the committee, so much is already organically happening in this space! Curriculum is being reviewed, teachers are having conversations in the classroom and Mrs. Morey is incorporating messages with the monthly theme and addressing them at Launch. Did you hear her read “Those Shoes” a few weeks ago? If not, be sure to check out a read aloud of the story here (https://youtu.be/rdqVmBekEPE) and discuss the book and its wonderful message (there are many!) with your children.

The staff appreciation committee was able to deliver not just one, but two special treats to our incredible staff in the month of November and a plan is in place for December! If you have ideas and/or want to participate in some way, please email Kim Kertson at kimmykaykertson@gmail.com.

This month you should have received an email from Darcy Simpson that shared the “teacher favorites.” She included your child’s homeroom teacher as well as specialists and assistants. This information was collected by the Staff Appreciation Committee and was shared so that should you be looking for this information (as historically it was available at the front desk…but we currently cannot go inside the building) it is available to you. If you are looking for an administrator or another staff member, please reach out to Darcy as she has them all on file and can share!

The OPT Board met last week to iron out the plans and events for the remainder of the year. We hope you spend January of 2021 reflecting on how malleable our children are and what an incredible job you have all done parenting in these unprecedented times. Here are a few OPT sponsored things to look forward to in January:

Parent Book Club

This low pressure, make what you want of it, “club” is looking for participants! The possibilities are endless regarding what we read…parenting related, fiction, you name it! Please email evergreenopt@outlook.com if this is something you're interested in, so we can gauge participation.

Spirit Wear Sales

OPT is working to create a design for Spirit Wear! Look for updates in the month of January as to how you can order Evergreen Academy Spirit Wear online and spice up your child’s EA swag in 2021!

The Uniform Store is BACK!

Have a student that has had a growth spurt? Looking to donate clothes that no longer fit? Hoping to pick up some bigger sizes inexpensively? We’ve got your back! In the first half of January, OPT will be collecting the uniform clothes you no longer need and preparing them for the store. In the latter half of January, you will receive a Sign-Up Genius with time slots to shop in a safe and private manner.

If you have donations, please drop them in the bin outside the main office between now and Friday, January 15th and look for an email from the OPT with details on how to shop later in the month!

Classroom Parties for 100% Participation

We had TWO classrooms reach 100% participation in our collection of Academic Support Fees. Both Mrs. Ashmore and Ms. Carpenter’s classes will receive a class party, sponsored by OPT. Thank you to all those who contributed!

Event Calendar for 2021 and Volunteer Opportunities

In January you will receive an event calendar outlining what OPT has planned for the remainder of 2021. You will also receive a link to a Sign-Up Genius where you can volunteer to help make these events a success. While the idea of volunteering in these strange times is confusing, we assure you there is something for everyone. We have safe ways to contribute and tasks of all shapes and sizes! OPT needs your support!

Note: The below is a summary of the principal’s update as written by the OPT secretary based on the information shared by Mrs. Morey. These are not direct quotes.

Many have been asking, how are our teachers doing? In short, they are busy! There has been lots of learning how to do things differently, adapting their teaching to fit with the way things are now, and always being prepared for things to change on a moment’s notice. While they are busy, they are enjoying every minute with the children and look forward to having ALL children back on campus in January of 2021!

As new information comes in from Spring Education, the Public Health Department and other varying sources, Amy is sharing what she knows…as soon as she knows it. She is just as anxious to share news with the community as we are to receive it. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to her.

A member of the community asked, “What are our kids doing at school? We don’t hear from specialists now that they are back in-person?”

Great question! Through Distance Learning, we got used to seeing and hearing everything…because many of us were sitting with our children or just a room away. Something we learned? We liked knowing what is going on at school and especially with our specialists! Amy has asked specialists to send updates more often (outside of their newsletters) as to what your children are doing during their time with specialists. Already, just last week, specialists were providing email updates! Thank you teachers for hearing our feedback and responding!

OPT is the Organization of Parents and Teachers for Evergreen Academy. Everyone of our families are part of OPT. If you're reading this, that means you! We're here to support to teachers and community, and create the best Evergreen Academy we can, together.

Your OPT Board this year is:

• President: Melinda Kong
• Vice President of Fundraising: Julia Kulyk
• Vice President of Family Engagement: Keri Sliger
• Secretary: Kim Kertson
• Treasurer: Doug Mangini

Email: evergreenopt@outlook.com
Website: https://www.evergreenacademy.com/elementary/seattle/bothell/parents/opt/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EvergreenAcademyOPT