Across the district, we have a total of 138 fewer students than the Oct. 1 projection. Historically, district enrollment continues to increase between the first weeks of school and Oct. 1.

Since the first week of school year, 3.9 FTE have been added to the high schools, 0.833 FTE to the middle schools and 2.0 FTE to the elementary schools. These additions will allow the schools to add classrooms and sections to bring more of our classrooms into line with our class size goals.

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THE LATEST ON LICE

Last week, subscribers of the district’s InTouch email subscription system received a message clarifying the district’s existing procedures when responding to cases of head lice in school. For those of you not subscribed to InTouch, the message is online.

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HEAVY WEATHER SEASON AHEAD!

During 2009-10 we did not experience days when the weather closed or delayed school. Knock on wood for the same this year! However, to be prepared for what bad weather means for you, read what delayed or school closures mean for you and your employee group.

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IN SPITE OF THE WEATHER – JUST SAY “NO” TO COLDS AND FLU!

Wellness Tips: As cold and flu season approaches, it’s important to keep your immune system strong.

· Get enough rest; lack of sleep compromises your ability to fight off illness.

· Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The nutrients in fresh produce keep the cells in your respiratory tract healthy, and they produce antibodies.

· Exercise! Research shows that brisk exercise activates your body’s germ-fighting cells (join WALKTOBER or get a Fit-Class-Pass).

· Use a Neti-Pot to flush germs out of your nasal passages.

· Get a Flu Shot! EPS Free Flu Vaccine clinics in October.

· If you want to learn more about how to keep your immune system strong take this free Webinar through the EPS Wellness Program (register and attend the webinar and you will receive a supply of Emergen-C and a chance to win a free Neti-Pot).

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SCHOOL FUNDING A MAJOR CRISIS, POLL SAYS!

Americans continue to view school funding as a major crisis and believe the most important national education program should be improving the quality of teaching.

These are two of the findings from this year’s results of an annual survey conducted by Phi Delta Kappa International in conjunction with Gallup. “This year’s poll shows that while Americans continue to value education and recognize its importance, they have serious concerns about the challenges facing public schools and the increasing role of the federal government in those schools,” says William Bushaw, executive director of Phi Delta Kappa International. You can see the complete results online.

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YOUR SCHOOL BOARD AT WORK

The legislative session is still two months away, but two of our school board members and Dr. Cohn spent last weekend at the school board legislative conference. There they worked with school board members and superintendents from around the state who are also facing difficult financial challenges and decisions.

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UNITED WAY MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT COHN

Between now and Nov. 19, our schools and departments will be visited by community leaders inviting us to “give back to the community” with whatever we can to support United Way. Every one of us has been touched in some way by United Way programs – whether we have directly accessed a service or have worked with someone who has.

This year's United Way theme for Snohomish County is 10 more in 2010. We are invited to think about what our ten might be: Ten more hours volunteering this year, ten more dollars in giving per paycheck, or 10 percent more donors from Everett Public Schools. When the United Way volunteers visit your school or department, they will encourage you to think about What's Your 10?

Our welcome and warm reception to these nonschool community leaders is a demonstration of how much we appreciate their support for our schools and our students.

We all win when a student succeeds in school, and United Way agencies help our students succeed.

Your department or school could win as well – Everett Public Schools Foundation organizes the United Way drive each year, and they have once again promised a pizza party to those groups with 60 percent or more participation in the drive this year.

Reminder: All donations and information about donors is absolutely confidential! The only reason United Way materials come preprinted with your name is for ease of distribution to more than 2,000 employees.

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THANK YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION and APPLY FOR GRANTS NOW

Stuff the Bus for Kids school supply drive was a HUGE a success!

Three big Durham school buses delivered backpacks filled with school supplies to schools in time for the Sept. 8 start of the school year. The Everett Public Schools Foundation was able to fill all of the 1,584 backpack requests at 25 schools through the support of our generous community. Many thanks to our partners in this effort:

· The Rotary Club of Everett

· Durham School Services

· Puget Sound Labor Agency in concert with the Boeing Books and Backpacks drive. In addition, our collection site partners Northwest Plus Credit Union, Central Market in Mill Creek and the Staples on Evergreen Way, provided wonderful support and contributions. We plan to make this an annual event and will have more information for next year's effort after the new year.

Classroom grant applications are available now!

Classroom grant applications can be accessed in the following ways:

· On our website www.epsf.org

· Through the district Docushare file titled: School specific document folder>All schools folder.

Applications will be due to the Foundation office located in Hawthorne Elementary by the close of business on Oct. 20, 2010. We plan to have decisions and checks to our grantees by the first week of December. Each application contains information needed to complete your application. If you have any questions, please contact Kristie Dutton at extension x4693 or kdutton@everettsd.org.

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NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT – information about good work everywhere

09.22.2010 Hall of Fame bio: Jo Metzger-Levin

09.13.2010 Allegations against principal are baseless, unfounded, harassing

09.10.2010 AYP status improves in Everett Public Schools

09.09.2010 District's graduation rate featured in another article

09.08.2010 Middle school ASB students come together with help from high school student leaders

09.08.2010 EHS GEAR UP students combine learning with community service

09.08.2010 Forest View teacher honored as a 2010 Presidential Award finalist

09.01.2010 Everett Public Schools' student test scores outpace state

Two Everett Public Schools teachers are featured in the Northwest Educational Service District newsletter!

Jo Anne Buiteweg learns TODAY whether she has been selected as the state’s Teacher of the Year.

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OPPORTUNITIES – for staff and students

1. 4th Annual Staff and Faculty Arts and Crafts Show

All Everett Public Schools employees are invited to participate in the Staff and Faculty Arts and Crafts Show. Show your arts and crafts talents to the public by having your work displayed at the Educational Service Center. We are looking forward to a lobby decorated with paintings, photography, ceramics, sculptures, quilts, carvings, drawings and more.

Art will be displayed for public viewing from Oct.19 through Nov. 12, 2010. You can find entry forms on our website. All entry forms and artwork are due on Oct. 8, 2010.

Please deliver or send them to Theresa Webb, 425-385-4060, in the curriculum office at the Educational Service Center.

2. High School and Beyond nights are for everyone!

Discover opportunities and prepare for your students’ high school and college experiences. At least 30 colleges will be at each event along with keynote speakers, financial aid information and opportunities to learn more about educational programs like AVID. Transportation from middle and elementary feeder schools provided. It’s not too early to prepare for high school and college. Elementary and middle school families are encouraged to attend along with high school students and their parents.

Cascade High School: Oct. 19, 5-8:30 p.m.

H.M. Jackson High School: Oct. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Everett High School: Oct. 21, 6-9 p.m.

3. 16th Annual search for nation’s top youth volunteers

Do you know a middle or high school student who deserves to be recognized for the great volunteer work they do? Young volunteers grade 5 through 12 can apply online by Nov. 1, 2010. A paper application is available by calling 877-525-8491. Contact Harold Banks or call 973-802-8974 for more information.

4. Swedish Medical Center is looking for children’s/young adults’ artwork to showcase in their new medical center being built in Mill Creek. Submission information.

5. A welcome back message and upcoming activities planned for WAEOP.

6. Museum of Flight recruiting teachers and high school juniors to participate in the fifth year of the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program! During Phase One, from December to May, qualified high school juniors from across Washington will complete a series of online lessons on topics ranging from the history of NASA to the future of human space exploration. The top performing students will be invited in May 2011 to participate in Phase Two: a six-day (all expense paid) residency at the Museum of Flight where they will plan their own mission to Mars.

The Museum also invites Washington state certified math and science teachers to apply this fall to become WAS Online Academic Evaluators during the Phase One and Summer Residency Academic Facilitators during Phase Two. Participating teachers will receive stipends for both phases AND will be able to receive 60 free clock hours for their Summer Residency participation.

More details and applications online. Deadline for teacher applications is Oct. 28, and student applications are due Nov. 5.

7. Youth Leadership Summit for teens 14-18 years old, right here in Everett, on Nov. 13.

8. A spelling bee for adults!

The first ever Everett Public Library Spelldown, a spelling bee for grownups, is part of an effort to raise funds for a room especially for teens at the Everett Main Library and a larger story room for the increasing numbers of small children at story times.

Teams of three adults pay a $100 registration fee for the opportunity to support kids, and demonstrate their spelling ability to friends, family, and colleagues.

Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave. For additional information call 425-257-8022.

Learn more and register online for the Spelling Bee for Adults!

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KEY DATES FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR – important dates and celebrations you won’t want to miss planning for now!

POLICY & PROCEDURE INFO – links to all policies and procedures are online

1310 – The Board of Directors, Adoption and Revision of Policies

1312 – The Board of Directors, Administrative Procedures

Everett Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Designated to handle inquiries about nondiscrimination policies are: Affirmative Action Officer, Carol Stolz, 3715 Oakes Ave., Everett, WA 98201, 425-385-4106; Title IX Officer, Randi Seaberg, 3715 Oakes Ave., Everett, WA 98201, 425-385-4104; ADA Coordinator, Kristine McDowell, 202 Alder St., Everett, WA 98203, 425-385-5250; Section 504 Coordinator, Becky Ballbach, 4730 Colby Ave., Everett, WA 98203, 425-385-4086. (Email address for each is FirstInitialLastName@everettsd.org)

Diane Bradford

Communications Dept.

Everett Public Schools

425-385-4040

From www.everett.k12.wa.us, sign up for InTouch e-mail messages; choose the school information you want most.

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