Eatonville Middle School

Home of the Warriors

Newsletter

November 5, 2009

Dear EMS Parent/Guardian:

 

It is hard to believe that we are into November!  We have had a great start to the school year.  This letter contains some very important information about Student Involved Conferences and other school activities. In the past students have been invited to conferences.  This year our focus on communication has led us to believe that students are a very important part of the Family –Teacher conference. As student’s take responsibility for their work and their goals for achievement they need be a part of the conversation therefore they will be getting classroom credit for attending the conference. In addition, we have state requirements related to the WASL scores that student’s earned last year.  To meet this requirement we are inviting 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to bring their parents to conferences at a designated time so they may review and share their individual results with them and their teachers.  These conferences will require 3-5 minutes for them with their math, science, reading and writing teachers, creating a need for more time in our conference schedule.  As a result, please note the following dates on the district calendar related to conferences:

 

Tuesday, November 17th will be Conferences 11:00-2:30 and 3:30-7:00 

Wednesday, November 18th will be Conferences 11:00-2:30 and 3:30-7:00

 

Students will not attend regular school schedule, instead bringing parents to conferences will count as their attendance for both school days.

 

Conferences remain arena style to accommodate families who have students in multiple grades.  Also, below you will find a schedule of times we are asking families to attend conferences to minimize long lines.  If this time does not work for your family, we understand you will attend at the time most convenient for you. 

 

During the month of December and conferences, the EMS Jr. Honor Society will be conducting a Food Drive from December 1st - December 15th.  All collected food will be donated to the Eatonville Food Bank for Family Holiday baskets.  Students are collecting food items for a grade level core class competition; we are also encouraging all parents to bring non-perishable food items to conferences with them.  For every item received at conferences, your student’s class will receive double credit!  Winning core classes from each grade level will receive a reward.  Thank you in advance for your support. 

 

Conference schedule:

 

We are designating the following dates and times for families to attend conferences, if you cannot attend at these times we understand you will attend on the day that works best for you. We have designated the times in alphabetical order as listed below:

 

Tuesday, November 17                                          Wednesday, November 18

 

*11:00-12:00        A-Ba                                        *11:00-12:00        K-L   

*12:00-1:00           Be-Bu                                      *12:00-1:00           M 

*1:00-2:00             Ca-Cu                                      *1:00-2:00             N-P

*3:30-4:30             D-F                                          *3:30-4:30             Q-Se

*4:30-5:30             G-Ha                                        *4:30-5:30             Sh-V 

*5:30-6:30             He-J                                        *5:30-6:30             W-Z

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to let you know of some upcoming events and information for you and your students.

 

Dates to Remember:

·        November 25-27, Thanksgiving Holiday/No School

·        Parent Volunteers needed-please see Mrs. Welch in our main office for information

·        Fundraiser Cookie Dough will be here November 19.  Students, who have more than 5 orders, please pick their items up at EMS between 1:00 & 5:00.  Questions, please contact Mrs. Shelton.  

·        December 17, Winter Concert 7:00 pm EMS Gymnasium

·        December 18, Mid-Quarter Progress Reports, mailed home on December 21st

Parent/Family Access:

 

   We continue to offer an option for parents to access their student’s information.  This program is an outgrowth of our desire to increase our school to home communication, and we hope correspondingly greater student achievement.

   The computer system that we use in this district has many different modules, one of which is “Family Access.”

   What this module allows is remote access for parents, via computer, to a variety of information regarding their student(s). Attendance, lunch accounts, grades and even our teachers’ grade books are available for viewing from the comfort of your computer.

   If you’d like to gain access to this system, please e-mail Tonya Valentine at the middle school at Tonya_Valentine@eatonville.wednet.edu, she will then e-mail you your password, and access directions.

Nurses Corner:    

Meningitis

Schools in Washington are required to provide annual information on meningococcal disease to parents or guardians of all students in grades 6-12.

Meningococcal disease is a serious infection of the brain (meningitis) and blood caused by a bacterium.  Fortunately, this life-threatening infection is rare- only about 75 people are infected each year in Washington.  Adolescents and young adults are most likely to get meningococcal disease, especially those living in group settings such as college dormitories.

The Department of Health wants you to be aware of meningococcal disease and how your child may prevent it.  Talk to your children about good hygiene (regular hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, etc.) and warn them not to share items that may spread meningococcal disease and other bacteria and viruses:  eating utensils, glasses, cups, water bottles, drinks, lip gloss or toothbrushes.

A meningococcal vaccine is available that can prevent up to 65 percent of meningococcal disease among adolescents and young adults.  Talk with your child’s doctor about the need for meningococcal vaccine for your child.  Even if the meningococcal vaccine is recommended, it is not required for school or college attendance.

We encourage you to learn more about the meningococcal disease and how to prevent it.  More information on meningococcal disease is available on the following websites:

·        WA State Dept. of health Immunization Program

www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/meningococcal.htm

·        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/mening/mening_fs.pdf

·        National Meningitis Association

www.nmus.org/programs/pta/index.htm

 

Linda Moffitt, RN

 

Warrior Pride/Rewards Assemblies:

 

At EMS we like to reward our students for their good behavior. 

Our student’s are participating in fun activities, winning prizes, and being recognized for their outstanding behavior with our Warrior Pride program.

 The students look forward to Warrior Pride assemblies, we are asking parents to help provide rewards for both daily and monthly activities, for daily rewards students may redeem their Warrior Pride cards for small candy items and popcorn.  Take a moment to think about what you may be able to contribute.   

                                     

Ken Andersen, Principal

 

Point of interest:

Warrior PRIDE!

P:Perseverance R:Respect I:Integrity D:Discipline E:Excellence