September 12th, 2024

Dates of Note

Sept 16 - Community Circle & Coffee Crew
Sept 23-27 - Scholastic Book Fair
Sept 26 4-8PM & Sept 27 8AM-12PM -Student-Led Conferences
Sept 27 - No School -EverAfter (EA) Available if registered

Just Announced!

Nov 26th - GrandFriends Day - Save the Date!

This week there is more below the fold! Keep reading after the Director’s Letter for more announcements and useful links!

Hi Families,

Next Wednesday, we will be doing a lockdown drill as a school. This is a time for us to practice how to react in the event we have a danger to our students on campus. Tomorrow or Monday, teachers will talk with students about the drill, and this conversation will be framed in a developmentally appropriate manner for each grade level. You can expect to hear more information from your child’s grade level about what they discuss. I would encourage you to talk with your kids about it as well, and please remind older students that their discussions and language about the drill will be different than what younger kids hear. 

Over the past few years and through consultation with law enforcement, our emergency response in this type of situation has evolved. In the past, we would have instructed classes to hide and barricade themselves into a space, and this is no longer what law enforcement is guiding us to do. Our current response would vary based on specifics at the time of the emergency but students could be instructed to run, to hide and barricade, or to fight (always the last resort). We will discuss the options with students (as age appropriate to do so) but during our drill on Wednesday, we will only practice the hiding/barricading option.

Another part of what we will continue to talk with students about is how and when to report something they see or hear that is concerning. With older kids (5th-8th grade), we also train them annually on the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) and how and when to use it. It has options to report concerns of harm via an app, website, or phone call, is completely anonymous, and is screened by a national call center who then sends the concern to law enforcement and/or to the school for resolution.

Please let me know if you have questions about the drill, and please let your child's teachers know if your child has specific needs around this practice event.  

Vision and Hearing Screenings - Action Required

We are pleased to let you know that Evergreen will be conducting hearing and vision screenings this fall. With parental permission, students will participate in one or both of the following screenings:

  • Vision Screening - intended to recognize vision concerns as early as possible

  • Hearing Screening - intended to identify potential hearing problems and determine the need for further evaluation

Book Fair Dates, E-Wallet Link, and Fundraiser & Fund Request Form

Profits from the Book Fair support the thoughtful, vibrant, relevant, constantly updated book collection that is the heart of our Library Program.

An easy way to add funds and avoid sending cash! Click the image to set up your e-wallet today! 

Next Monday: Community Circle and Coffee Crew

Next Monday, September 16th will be the first Community Circle of the 2024-2025 year. You are invited to join us for this Evergreen tradition. 

Community Circles happen just after drop-off at around 8:45am, in the gym. Community Circles last about 15minutes. 

Each year our first Community Circle recognizes Constitution Day, which is September 17th. In past years students have written their own declarations of how we can form a more perfect union within Evergreen and our larger communities. 

This Community Circle will be followed by a revival of the tradition of school leaders inviting our parent community to coffee. "Coffee Crew" will be meeting in the Art Room, we hope you can stay and join us for a cup of coffee or tea and meet some of our parents.

RSVP Here

Girls On The Run

Girls on the Run is gearing up for their fall session! Students in 3rd-5th grade are invited to join the team this season.

Join coaches every Thursday, mid September to November 17th.

Register Here!

The program is looking for one more coach!
Learn more about coaching here.

Questions? Contact Coach Alicia MacDonald.

Save The Date:
GrandFriends Day

Each year right before Thanksgiving Break, we host an open house for those nearest and dearest to your students! Invite Grandparents, Family Friends, and Neighbors to come get the Evergreen experience. Fill out the form below and we will send an invitation out to your Grand Friends!

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
— Nelson Mandela

Is it too grand to say that your gift, no matter the size, can change the world? We don’t think so! Dollars invested will help us add to our rather impressive collection of alumni! Become a Nurturing Supporter today and make a monthly commitment to helping our students become tomorrow’s leaders!
Can we get this thermometer up to the 30% mark by Fall Family Nights?

Purchase a book for the library, or use it as a book recommendation list for your next library trip!

Did you know that 10% of each Artsonia purchase is donated to the school.

Download the app and start scanning your receipts at checkout!

 

Our school id number is 10713

 

September 5th, 2024

Dates of Note

Sept 5 - Nominating and Eval Committee
Sept 9 - Facilities Committee AM / Executive Committee PM
Sept 12 - School Photos
Sept 16 - Community Circle & Coffee Crew
Sept 23-27 - Scholastic Book Fair
Sept 26 4-8PM & Sept 27 8AM-12PM -Student-Led Conferences
Sept 27 - No School -EverAfter (EA) Available if registered

School Pictures - Sept 12th

Volunteers Needed to assist with ushering students to and from classes, distributing paperwork, etc.
Look for scheduling details in your classroom newsletters!

Profits from the Book Fair support the thoughtful, vibrant, relevant, constantly updated book collection that is the heart of our Library Program.

BOOK FAIR!
September 23rd-27th

Book Fair is a great way to kick off the school year! The colorful and fun displays get kids excited about reading and about buying books. Our goal each year is to make sure ALL of our families can enjoy Book Fair by asking those who can to share the love!

Each year we set up a fundraising page where families can ask for assistance with the Book Fair. The form is sent to our Student Services Manager who will help set your student up with a discreet payment method to use on the day their class visits the fair.

An easy way to add funds and avoid sending cash! Click the image to set up your e-wallet today! 

Link your Ingles Card to Evergreen!

Earn money for Evergreen every time you shop. And with the price of groceries, we expect we’ll get more money this year if we harness the power of community! Do you have your card in your pocket right now? Then take these easy steps to start making money for our school!

We also have similar programs set up for the school with Harris Teeter and Publix.

Volunteer Opportunities!

Lost & Found

Get into Adventure!

We are looking for 2 or more volunteers to assist with the Lost and Found. We need one person who is interested in organizing the closet and making sure it stays tidy.

We need another volunteer who is willing to launder and sort the clothes at the end of the month for donation.

If you’re interested in joining the Lost and Found Crew, email Deidre for details!

We’re looking for volunteers to support the Adventure Program. Throughout the school year there are a variety of opportunities to get involved ranging from driving with Ski and Snowboard Club to being a Mountain Bike Coach.

All year we are looking for parent volunteers on Monday mornings, 9am - 12pm, to help with our climbing wall and ropes course. These volunteers help belay and guide our students through these high impact activities to support our students’ growth. We also need assistance with our Cans for Climbing program. When our trailer is full, we need help driving it to our local metal buyers. This volunteer option could be a one time help or a regular engagement. Email Ethan for details!

Do you use aluminum cans in life? Do you want to help support our Adventure Program? If the answer is yes to both then we’re looking for you. Our Cans for Climbing program is a major fundraiser for Evergreen’s Adventure Program that is easy to participate in. All you need to do is drop off any aluminum cans you have in the Cans for Climbing Trailer located right by our buses.

School Fees

Please take note of fee due dates on your My School Bucks account so you can keep your account current. When you pay an invoice, there is an option to set up auto pay if that makes the process easier.

Student supply and fieldtrip fees were due 9/1/24, if you have not paid those please do so as soon as possible.

If you have requested financial assistance and we have not adjusted your fees please wait until we do that before you pay them.

If you need financial assistance, you can request it HERE.

If you need a payment plan please contact Beth Rankin.

Coffee Crew

Welcome back to this tradition where we meet up over coffee (or tea) and snacks and welcome parents to come chat.

We will host the first on:

September 16th @ 9:15am (ish)

It will be right after our first Community Circle.

So join us for Community Circle, stay for coffee!

Girls On The Run

Girls on the Run is gearing up for their fall session! Students in 3rd-5th grade are invited to join the team this season.

Join coaches every Thursday, mid September to November 17th.

Register Here!

The program is looking for one more coach!
Learn more about coaching here.

Questions? Contact Coach Alicia MacDonald.

There’s a lot going on in the world and kids notice.

Research shows that children tend to distribute their attention broadly, while adults use selective attention to focus on information they believe is most important. Something as routine as having the news on in the background can draw in a child’s attention and it is becoming increasingly easier for children to be exposed to the media through various platforms. As we know, much of the recent news in the media is discussing tragic school shootings, war overseas, and political unrest. The images and topics surrounding this may contribute to children experiencing emotions that are more intensely unpleasant, such as fear, confusion, grief, anxiety, and stress. Many parents are guiding tough conversations and responding to children’s questions about this situation that may be tough to answer. One way to initiate conversation about violence in general is by asking what they know. This can create a safe space for your child to ask questions that they have about the situation as well as assess what they have heard so far. Keep things simple and straightforward. Clinical psychologists suggest that steering clear of giving too much information about the subject and focusing more on your child’s emotions is a helpful way to inform and meet your child where they are. Keep in mind that the length and depth of the questions and conversation your child may discuss is influenced by their age. You may not have all the answers to these questions they may be asking, but simply discussing their emotions and providing support can lead to a better outcome for your child. 

From the Desk of:

Hunter Holland LCMHCA
Middle School Counselor
828.298.2173 ext. 1204

Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema: Unsplash

*Editor’s Note: With the events of yesterday, this has come up at school this morning, particularly in upper grades. This issue presented itself in my own home this week, and I know many of you are also navigating these hard conversations. Thank you to Hunter for putting together these resources. Please reach out to classroom teachers/ counselors if your student is needing support.

Printing professionally was not in the cards this year, but we have a limited number of calendars printed on-site.

Dogs of Evergreen Calendar now available at the Front Desk for a suggested donation of $10-15. You can bring cash or make a donation here:
https://givebutter.com/evergreenfund

Thank you to everyone who gave to the Book Fair Fundraiser! In just over a week we have raised just over $1000 of our $1620 goal to support our community and promote literacy for all of our scholars!

Thank You to
Our Sponsor:
TS Orthodontics

Seeing braces or invisalign in your future? Check out our sponsor TS Orthodontics!

Already a patient? Please thank them for sponsoring Evergreen at your next appointment!

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
— Nelson Mandela

Is it too grand to say that your gift, no matter the size, can change the world? We don’t think so! Dollars invested will help us add to our rather impressive collection of alumni! Become a Nurturing Supporter today and make a monthly commitment to helping our students become tomorrow’s leaders!
Can we get this thermometer up to the 30% mark by Fall Family Nights?

Purchase a book for the library, or use it as a book recommendation list for your next library trip!

Did you know that 10% of each Artsonia purchase is donated to the school.

Download the app and start scanning your receipts at checkout!

 

Our school id number is 10713

 

August 29th, 2024

Dates of Note

TONIGHT! 

Sept 2 - Labor Day (No School)
Sept 12 - School Photos
Sept 16 - Community Circle & New: Coffee Crew
Sept 23-27 - Scholastic Book Fair
Sept 26 4-8PM & Sept 27 8AM-12PM - Student-Led Conferences
Sept 27 - No School -EverAfter (EA) Available if registered

Thank you to everyone who took the time to let us know your thoughts on Orientation. There was a lot of great feedback and solution oriented ideas in there!

Starting Tuesday 9/3
Students not picked up by the end of their pick up window will be sent to EverAfter. Your student/s’ pick-up window is written on your placards!

Registered for EverAfter?

If you have not registered for EverAfter please take some time this weekend to do that. You first have to set up your MSB account and add your students (no student id needed!). Then login and register for EverAfter:

If your student(s) are not registered, starting next week, they will not be able to attend EverAfter until you register them. We will send them to the office to call home.

We are here to help - 

  • Request financial assistance HERE

  • Need help setting up an MSB account? Stop by the office

School Pictures - Sept 12th

Volunteers Needed to assist with ushering students to and from classes, distributing paperwork, etc.
Look for scheduling details in your classroom newsletters!

Coffee Crew

Welcome back to this revived tradition where we meet up over coffee (or tea) and snacks and welcome parents to come chat.

We will host the first on:

September 16th @ 9:15am (ish)

It will be right after our first Community Circle.

So join us for Community Circle, stay for coffee!

Profits from the Book Fair support the thoughtful, vibrant, relevant, constantly updated book collection that is the heart of our Library Program.

BOOK FAIR!
September 23rd-27th

Book Fair is a great way to kick off the school year! The colorful and fun displays get kids excited about reading and about buying books. Our goal each year is to make sure ALL of our families can enjoy Book Fair by asking those who can to share the love!

Each year we set up a fundraising page where families can ask for assistance with the Book Fair. This year the response has been amazing! This is the first announcement in the Scoop and we are already at 41% of our goal at the time of publication! The ASK form to request funds for your child to select a book is sent to our Student Services Manager who will help set your student up with a discreet payment method to use on the day their class visits the fair.

An easy way to add funds and avoid sending cash! Click the image to set up your e-wallet today! 

Link your Ingles Card to Evergreen!

Earn money for Evergreen every time you shop. And with the price of groceries, we expect we’ll get more money this year if we harness the power of community! Do you have your card in your pocket right now? Then take these easy steps to start making money for our school!

We also have similar programs set up for the school with Harris Teeter and Publix.

Volunteer Opportunities!

Lost & Found

Get into Adventure!

We are looking for 2 or more volunteers to assist with the Lost and Found. We need one person who is interested in organizing the closet and making sure it stays tidy.

We need another volunteer who is willing to launder and sort the clothes at the end of the month for donation.

If you’re interested in joining the Lost and Found Crew, email Deidre for details!

We’re looking for volunteers to support the Adventure Program. Throughout the school year there are a variety of opportunities to get involved ranging from driving with Ski and Snowboard Club to being a Mountain Bike Coach.

All year we are looking for parent volunteers on Monday mornings, 9am - 12pm, to help with our climbing wall and ropes course. These volunteers help belay and guide our students through these high impact activities to support our students’ growth. We also need assistance with our Cans for Climbing program. When our trailer is full, we need help driving it to our local metal buyers. This volunteer option could be a one time help or a regular engagement. Email Ethan for details!

Do you use aluminum cans in life? Do you want to help support our Adventure Program? If the answer is yes to both then we’re looking for you. Our Cans for Climbing program is a major fundraiser for Evergreen’s Adventure Program that is easy to participate in. All you need to do is drop off any aluminum cans you have in the Cans for Climbing Trailer located right by our buses.

As we are all settling into the school year, it feels like the perfect time to establish routines that set your child up for success! Here are some tips to help your family build healthy back-to-school habits:

  • Consistent Bedtime: Healthy sleep habits Ensure your child gets enough sleep by sticking to a regular bedtime and creating a consistent bedtime routine. A well-rested student is more focused and ready to learn. 

  • Nutritious Meals: Start the day with a balanced breakfast and pack healthy snacks and lunches. Good nutrition fuels learning and keeps energy levels steady. We have a breakfast kiosk by the entrance to school, let your child know when they can use this service. Breakfast is $3/serving, or free if you are part of the Free/Reduced Price Lunch Program.

  • Morning Routine: The secret to a stress-free morning routine is that your morning routine actually starts the night before, with organizing school supplies and laying out clothes the night before. This helps your child start the day calmly and on time. A consistent morning routine is especially important for kids who learn and think differently, and Understood.org lists several additional suggestions for a smooth morning.

  • After-School Routine: Establish a routine for after school, including time for relaxation, homework, and extracurricular activities. This balance helps your child unwind while still staying on track with their responsibilities.

  • Physical Activity: Encourage daily exercise, whether it's a family walk, sports, or playtime. Physical activity boosts mood and brain function, among other important benefits.

  • Screen Time Balance: Monitor screen time and ensure your child has enough time for homework, physical activity, and rest. While it may not seem to be directly related, a healthy screen time routine is a crucial part of ensuring that we are setting our students up for success.

We will be sharing more on these topics and many others throughout the school year, but taking a few simple steps to enhance your family’s routines can make a big difference in your child's academic performance and overall well-being. Let’s make this school year the best one yet!

From the Desk of:

Annie Mast, M.A.Ed., NCC, LCMHC
K-4 School Counselor & Behavior Support
828.298.2173 ext. 1312

Thank You!

Many thanks to the crew of first year students from Warren Wilson College, who spent their Monday on the grounds of Evergreen, “as part of the curriculum for their First Year Seminars–community engaged courses that kick off with Service Day and continue throughout the semester focusing on the same cause or project.”

We also frequently have Warren Wilson students in to observe and assist in the classroom. We really value the partnership we have with this unique local college.

Purchase a book for the library, or use it as a book recommendation list for your next library trip!

Did you know that 10% of each Artsonia purchase is donated to the school.

Download the app and start scanning your receipts at checkout!

Our school id number is 10713

 

August 22nd, 2024

 

New Parent Social - Tuesday, August 27th @ 5:30pm

First year at Evergreen?
Joined in the middle of the year last year?
Want to welcome new families to the school?
Join us on the field Tuesday evening from 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Unexcused Absences during the first 40 Days means cuts to important funding!

Please do not make any plans that would mean your child/ren will miss any of the first 40 days of school.

This is a change from last year when it was the first 20 days.

Evergreen’s funding for the next school year is determined by the highest daily attendance of either the first or second month of THIS school year.

For example: If you schedule a trip where a student would miss 5 school days, Evergreen would lose approximately $2,250 of school funding! And, that's just state funding. Buncombe County also bases yearly funding for the school solely on attendance during the first 40 days of school.

The First 40 Days are: August 20th (Orientation) through October 21st.

My School Bucks

Every student needs to be registered for a My School Bucks account. If you have not already done so, set your account up today. Need help? We have important info for EverAfter families and families who use the School Lunch Program on our Payment Portal Page, along with reference guide about setting up AutoPay.

Fees for the 24-25 school year have been uploaded. IF you have applied for financial assistance and it has not been confirmed and applied to fees, please do NOT pay your fees until that process is complete.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks

Access to affordable, nutritious foods is key to student success! Being able to offer Free and Reduced Meals through the National School Lunch Program, and securing access to healthy food for all of our students is an important value of our school. Make sure you fill out your Free and Reduced Price Lunch Application below.

One of the nice features of the My School Bucks App is that you can add funds to your students’ meal account/s for breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.

With older students consider including them when you’re setting up your monthly allotment, occasionally monitor their use of those funds, and help them learn how to stay within a given budget!

 

Thursday Treat Tradition

It’s a tradition handed down from parent group to new parent group: Thursday Staff Treats.

If you would like to participate in this parent-led initiative, sign up here, and plan a Thursday treat that:

-covers roughly 50 people
-is tree nut/ peanut and strawberry free (severe allergies).

Last year people brought: bagels, fresh fruit, garden fresh offerings, hard boiled eggs and cheese and veggies, quick breads, babka, donuts, muffins, cornbread, yogurt bar, quiche, etc..

Parent Organizer Kellam brought an amazingly fun spread for the inaugural week!

We Are Crew, Not Passengers,
Working Together to Get to our Destination

The Dogs of Evergreen School Year Wall Calendar

Pre-Order your Dogs of Evergreen School Year Wall Calendar!
This August-July Calendar comes with school breaks, teacher work days, and holidays pre-loaded.
It also features handy QR Codes to get you to school resources quickly. Need to fill out the Absence Form to let us know your student isn’t coming today? Scan the QR Code beside Katie’s doggo, Bintang, on the inside back cover and >boom<, there you are!

$17.50 during the pre-order, $20 after printing.

 
 

Get into Adventure!

Do you use aluminum cans in life? Do you want to help support our Adventure Program? If the answer is yes to both then we’re looking for you. Our Cans for Climbing program is a major fundraiser for Evergreen’s Adventure Program that is easy to participate in. All you need to do is drop off any aluminum cans you have in the Cans for Climbing Trailer located right by our buses.

We’re looking for volunteers to support the Adventure Program. Throughout the school year there are a variety of opportunities to get involved ranging from driving with Ski and Snowboard Club to being a Mountain Bike Coach.

All year we are looking for parent volunteers on Monday mornings, 9am - 12pm, to help with our climbing wall and ropes course. These volunteers help belay and guide our students through these high impact activities to support our students’ growth. We're also looking for assistance with our Cans for Climbing program. When our trailer is full, we need help driving it to our local metal buyers. This volunteer option could be a one time help or a regular engagement.

If interested in either of these options, please let our Adventure Coordinator, Ethan, know!

Welcome back Evergreen Families! We hope you have had a summer full of fun, rest, and meaningful connection. Speaking of connection, we are looking forward to welcoming and connecting with new and returning students and families alike. We can’t wait to kick off a new school year filled with excitement, learning, growth, and laughter in the halls! 

As your school counselors, we will be working closely with your student(s)’ grade level team(s) to promote social-emotional learning and provide support to students throughout the year. Be sure to stay tuned into the Scoop Counseling Corner, where we will share weekly parenting tips, resources, and more to support your student(s) this year. If you’d like a question answered or concern addressed in future editions, reach out!

Hunter Holland, LCMHC-A
5-8 School Counselor
828.298.2173, x1204

Contact:

Annie Mast, M.A.Ed., NCC, LCMHC
K-4 School Counselor & Behavior Support
828.298.2173, x1312

Valuing The Voice: A Listening Circle

Part of our Mission Statement is that we value the voice of every member of our community.

A new regular feature of the Scoop is going to be the Valuing the Voice segment. Please look for this opportunity to offer your thoughts on different Evergreen Topics.

We ask that you please stay on topic for the week. We welcome constructive criticism as well as celebrations.
We also ask that you consider the following questions before hitting submit:

Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

This week’s topic is: Parent Orientation

What questions do you still have after orientation? Where do we have room for improvement? What did you take away that you were not expecting?

Please keep in mind that this is feedback and as such may not illicit an immediate response. Feedback will be taken and forwarded to concerned parties, or condensed/combined to paint a overall picture of parent opinion at future meetings.

Purchase a book for the library, or use it as a book recommendation list for your next library trip!

Did you know that 10% of each Artsonia purchase is donated to the school.

Download the app and start scanning your receipts at checkout!

 

Our school id number is 10713