Hey Evergreen,
Somehow it’s already February and we have a bonus day this year!
The hallways are buzzing and busy as students are immersed in their expedition work and various projects, fieldwork, and service work. One happening in February is our 5th grade students are collecting donations for MANNA Foodbank. There are collection bins set up in Middle School and the Main Office. Give as you can, or consider how you could use your network to expand the collection beyond your own pantry. Speaking of pantries, we know these winter months can be especially hard. If you find yourself struggling to make ends meet this or any other month, please reach out to our Nutrition Director Sarah Shah, who keeps a pantry of staples on-hand. These are available to our families at any point. There is no paperwork to fill out, no need to explain or prove the need.
February is Black History Month, and students will be engaging in work to learn about the contributions and legacy of African Americans in this country. I’d encourage you all to learn and have family conversations - one good ongoing resource is the Anti-Racism Daily newsletter, and a February specific resource is their 28 Days of Black History series. I’ve been subscribing to the ARD newsletter for a while now, and really appreciate the thoughtful, digestible email every morning.
I also appreciated this reminder from today’s ARD newsletter:
“Celebrate Black History Month throughout the year.
The calendar might mark the occasion, but Black people deserve recognition and support 24/7, 365. Make the time this month to plan for how you're supporting Black history. As an individual, this can look like planning time to watch movies, or learn about a new leader each week. As a workplace, this can look like ensuring that your internal speaker series isn't just melanated in February, exploring other holidays related to Black culture, adding reminders to check specifically how your equity and inclusion initiatives support Black employees, and making an ongoing financial commitment.”
This month also marks the beginning of our Community Fundraising endeavors. For our Community Fundraiser we want to pair with organizations whose mission and vision are vital to our community and its growth and success. Building Bridges of Asheville is celebrating their 30th Year making just such a difference in Asheville. Their upcoming Spring Series, a 9-week session, encouraging us to explore race and racism one conversation at a time, begins March 11th. Many of our faculty, staff, and board members have been through this training and can attest to the impact it has had on their lives. We hope you’ll look into the training which happens over nine Mondays, here in our gym, and ending with a potluck.
Potlucks are also an Evergreen tradition, one we will be reviving in the coming month! Look for an email and more on that coming soon from one of our ELT team.
Thinking ahead a bit, here are a couple other important notes:
We are working on the 2024-2025 academic calendar, and the board will vote on it at the February meeting, so you will have that information soon
Graduation and Moving Up ceremony dates/times have been set
6-8th grade Graduation and Moving Up Ceremony will be on June 11th from 6-7:30 in the Evergreen Gym
K-2 and 3-5 Moving Up Ceremonies will be on June 11th (3-5) and 12th (K-2) during the school day - more info to come on these
As always in winter, we will have delays or closings for inclement weather. We make our own decisions about closings/delays, and will communicate it through text, call, WLOS, and social media. We know families are coming to Evergreen from all parts of WNC, so if we are open but your area is not safe, make decisions that are right for your family and we will excuse absences/tardies accordingly!
Community Fundraising
Right now, through March 1st Evergreen Community Charter School is going to be extending 50% of all donations to Building Bridges of Asheville.
We want to support their vision: to address issues of race and racism, one conversation at a time, by offering this funding. Funds from this fund drive will be used to pay for black expertise in the form of moderators, key note speakers, and presenters.
The perspectives that these presenters bring is often hard-won and they deserve more than our respect, they deserve compensation! Help Building Bridges pay more presenters for their knowledge and hard work.
No matter where you are in your work, you’ll benefit from their 9 week session coming up March 11th. Learn more at: bbavl.org
Evergreen Community Charter School is currently recruiting Board members who can represent our Asheville community for the 2024-2025 school year!
Are you interested in stepping into Evergreen’s leadership? We encourage everyone interested to apply!
Serving on the Evergreen Board is both an honor and a gift offered by Board members. A Board term is three years. Here is a little information about the structure of the Board, Board roles, and expectations of Board members. Please share the Board application with friends and others in your network!!
Applications are due February 28. If you have any questions, please reach out to Heather Laine Talley, Chair of the Nominating & Evaluation Committee at heatherltalley@gmail.com.
Little Actions, Big Payoffs
Earn Cash for Evergreen by taking a moment to link your grocery accounts to the school! This has to be done anew each year. Have you re-registered yet?
Remember Box Tops for Education? Now you don’t even have to cut off the cereal box top and save them in plastic baggies, we’re in the digital age, baby! Simply download the App and scan your receipts, wherever you shop.
Artsonia also gives a percentage of your purchases to the school. So start your masterpiece mug collection!
Evergreen School # 10713
