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Explorer Newsletter 10/14/2024

Posted Date: 10/14/24 (6:00 PM)

Explorer Eagle
Explorer Middle School
Family Newsletter
October 14, 2024
Explorer's Football team at the Jamboree
EX football
EX Football
 
McTeacher's Night
McTeacher's Night
Come see your teachers serving up your McDonald's favorites!

Ms. Leone, Ms. Manning, Ms. Hutchins, Ms. Umbinetti, Ms Fraser, Ms. Pomerinke, Mr. van Valle, Mr. Surowiec, Mr. Lewin and Mr. Hamper will all be there this Tuesday, October 15th, 4:30pm-7:30pm at McDonald's on Everett Mall Way (across from Target).

A dine-out fundraiser to support Explorer Middle School
20% of food sales and 100% of cookie sales go back to Explorer
 
Music Boosters
Our first music boosters meeting is this Monday, October 14th at 6pm in the band room. It will also be available via Zoom.  


Meeting ID: 760 5383 9155 
Passcode: Music 

Please email Hai Evans at explorereaglesmusicboosters@gmail.com if you have any questions. Thank you and we hope to see you there!
 
GoogleformPTO
Explorer's PTO
Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, October 16th at 10am in the resource room.

We have a new google form to fill out for PTO memberships: Scan the QR code provided here.
 
Vote
Register to Vote!
There is still time to register to vote! Oct. 28 is the last date to register to vote online or by mail. If you’ve moved, changed your last name or just arrived in the county, make sure you update your registration by Oct. 28. You can check your voter registration status on Snohomish County’s website

 
Holiday
HOLIDAY SUPPORT
Toys For Tots
Registration is now open. When registering, please note that you cannot fill the application out on your phone, a laptop or desktop is needed. 

Angel Tree
Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program is now accepting applications for the Christmas holiday. 

Christmas House
Provides holiday gifts for qualifying, low-income, Snohomish County families with children age 18 or younger. There is no advance registration, admission is by numbered ticket. 

Resources
RESOURCES FROM OUR SSA
Energy Assistance

Snohomish County will re-open its energy assistance program on October 1st. The Energy Assistance Program provides a one-time per heating season assistance in paying the heat bill for eligible households. Benefits of the Energy Assistance Program include:
  • The program helps with all heat fuel types (oil, natural gas, wood, propane, and electric).
  • The program provides grants ranging from $200 to $1,250 (depending on income, household size, type of housing, and heat bill)
  • The program provides some heating system repairs for the applicant owner.
  • The program helps natural gas customers sign up for bill discounts. Eligibility and discount percentage is based on income. 
  • Air Conditioners provided to recipients of a current season LIHEAP grant.
You can visit their office or apply online. For more information call 425-388-3880 or visit https://snohomishcountywa.gov/552/Energy-Assistance

Will Your Family Be Moving?
We see many families moving for a variety of reasons. Did you know that if you need to move because your family lost their housing or has an economic hardship, you may qualify to have your student (s) remain in their home school so they can finish the school year? Reach out to Explorer if this may be you.

Food
Could you use some extra support with food right now? There is a great website www.foodfinder.us where you can put in your zip code and see the food banks close to you. We also have a handout in the school office with food banks close to school.

If you have any questions or need help with any of these programs, please call Shannon Leader at 425-366-5024 or text 425-4757.
 
Dates to Remember:
October:
8th - Curriculum Night 5:30-7:00pm
14th - Booster's meeting @ 6pm in the band room
15th - McTeacher Night 4:30-7:30pm @ McDonald's on Everett Mall Way
16th - PTO meeting at 10am in the resource room
18th - No School - Waiver Day
28th - Last day to register to vote online or by mail
30th - Picture Retakes
 
Volunteer
Eagle Feather Store
The Eagle Feather Store is now open! Students are able to purchase snacks with eagle feathers that they have earned by following Explorer's core values; Safe, Respectful, Responsible and Compassionate. The link to the Eagle Feather Store Order Form is posted in 1st period teacher's Schoology page for students to access. The order form is open until 3pm on Wednesdays, then Admin hands out the orders at each grade level lunch on Fridays.
We need 1 volunteer on Thursdays for 1-2 hours to help put together eagle feather orders. Please comment below if you are available to help out. Anytime Thursdays between 9am-2pm for a couple of hours each week. Make sure to have your volunteer application is approved, Here's the link to the online application which is also at the bottom of this post.
 
Tree machine clothing box
Explorer's Donation Box
Do you have clothing and/or other textile items in your home that you are wanting to donate somewhere? Please consider dropping them off in the donation box located in front of the school, the Tree Machine. Explorer will earn $0.02 per pound donated from USAgain, owners of the Tree Machine. For every full Tree Machine they will plant 1 Tree in a underdeveloped country worldwide. For more information go to https://www.usagain.com/.  

 
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS:
Students will learn about clubs in morning announcements, Schoology and on our Club Board across from the student office. See club chart below.
Boys & Girls Club has an after school program at Explorer from 3pm - 6pm. Forms will be available in our office.

ACTIVITY BUS:
Is available for students who normally ride a bus home from school. The activity bus leaves Explorer at 4pm Monday - Thursday only, NO activity bus on Fridays. Students will give their address to the bus driver as they get on the bus. Students must have a pass from a staff member to be allowed on the bus.
Clubs
 
Important School Information
Our office hours are 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday-Friday. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at (425) 366-5000

SCHOOL HOURS:
8:05 am - 2:45 pm Monday - Thursday
8:05 am - 1:30 pm on Fridays

TARDY POLICY:
Students who are not in their assigned classroom when the bell rings are marked tardy unless they have a pass from another staff member. Students who are tardy 3-5 times in one week are assigned one lunch detention; students who are tardy 6 or more times in one week are assigned two lunch detentions.
Lunch detentions are held daily in the Focus Room. A reminder notice is sent to students the day they are to serve lunch detention. Students report directly to the Focus Room at the beginning of lunch, then are sent to the cafeteria to get food once the line has reduced. While in detention students may read, work on assignments, or sit quietly.

LAPTOPS:
Please remind your students to bring their laptop to school each day fully charged and ready to use. Insert and unplug cables, charging cords, headphones…CAREFULLY! Leave the district barcode label on your laptop. Label your charger (labels will be given to your EL teacher). Keep food and drinks away from your laptop. Keep your laptop dry! Protect it from rain, snow and liquid.
Item Cost
Port, Case, Keyboard, Hinge, or other minor repair - $15 
Charger - $35
LCD Touch Screen - $230 
Total Loss or Damage, or unreturned - $675 
 
Explorer Family Support Groups
Explorer is very fortunate to have strong relationships with our family support groups.
PTO-Parent/Guardian Teacher Organization is our main support group. It consists of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, student store chairperson, and staff appreciation chairperson. PTO is similar to a PTA in elementary school, but we are much less work! It is a very relaxed & casual group. We manage and run the student store, teacher grants, and financially support field trips. Our main fundraisers are the student store and PTO membership. 
Please consider donating $20 for membership. We are a 501 (C) non-profit group so your donation is tax deductible. You can send a check made out Explorer PTO or pay with Pay Pal PAY PAL OR Zelle explorerptotreasurer@gmail.com

You can also support our PTO by linking your FRED MEYER card to our school. This has to be updated each year. Click here to link to Explorer Middle School. Fred Meyer card link
We hold monthly meeting, dates and time will be announced in these emails. Everyone, whether you are a member or not, is always welcome to join our meetings. Information about PTO meetings coming soon.
Music Boosters supports our band and orchestra programs. It consists of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, & auction chairperson. Every parent/guardian with a child in band or orchestra is a Booster member. Meetings will be announced in this email.This is an example of a sentence to begin a paragraph.
 
ASB page
 
ParentSquare QR Code
ParentSquare:
Is our school & district communication system. You will receive communication to the same phone number and email through ParentSquare that is listed in Qmlativ.  You may communicate with teachers through Schoology and Qmlativ, but ParentSquare is the preferred and easiest form of communication. Although you will receive messages through ParentSquare automatically. You have the option of creating a ParentSquare account.
For even better access, you can download the ParentSquare App and have easy access right on your phone. 
Activate your account through the web portal. Then, download the FREE ParentSquare app for iOS or Android by scanning the QR code below to get the full benefit of ParentSquare.

 
EX Online
EX Online
 EX Online:
Pre-order PE clothes, Yearbook, ASB card (required for all sports and after-school clubs) by scanning the QR code

If your student is participating in clubs and sports, they must purchase a $15.00 ASB card.
 
PE Uniforms can be purchased or brought from home. Students taking PE must wear blue, grey, or black shorts or grey sweats and a white or light grey t-shirt.

Due to staff changes in the office, we are no longer able to assist with sales of items in the morning hours. Our bookkeeper will now be available from 9:00am to 3:30pm to help all students and parents with purchases of all items.  If a purchase is made online, please send your student to see the bookkeeper after 9:00am to pick up the item.

Sweatpants:
When purchasing sweatpants, we may not have the correct size in stock. If we do not have the correct size, we will order them. Orders will be placed with the vendor twice a month. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Our smallest size, Youth Large, does NOT have a drawstring waist and has elastic cuffs at the bottom. All other sizes have a tapered leg bottom and a drawstring waist.

Current sales of Spirit Wear Sweatshirts will end 9/30/24. 
 
Final Forms QR Code
Sports Information
All students must fill out a Final Forms online sports eligibility packet online every year. All students must have a doctor’s physical every two years. 

Here’s the link to the sports calendar:

Season 1 Sports
Cross Country
Coaches - Josh Olson & Rod Mitchell
First practice date: Sept. 9
Practice time: 3-4pm
All grades practice, only 7th and 8th grade compete

Football
Coaches - Tony Wilson
First practice date: Sept.9
Practice time: 3-5pm
Only 7th and 8th grade practice and compete
 
Softball - Combined with VO.

Season 2 Sports
Girls Volleyball – Nov 12th
Coaches - Drew Hekler & Rachel Christensen

Boys Basketball – Nov 12th
Coaches - Ty Keplinger & Ryan Peterson

Boys & Girls Soccer – Nov 5th
Coaches - Gerry Maxfield & Melissa Jauregi

Season 3 Sports
Girls Basketball – Jan 21st
Coaches - Josh Olsen & Rod Mitchell

Wrestling – Feb 13th
Coaches - Corbin Dunston & Alex Tran

Season 4 Sports
Track – Apr 7th
Head Coach - Courtney Croft
 
Explorer Bell Schedule & Attendance
Attendance is very important in middle school. Please call the school anytime your child is not in school or will be late. You can also report your child's absence through ParentSquare. If you need to pick up your child early, please call ahead. Keep in mind that if it is passing time, lunch time, or your child is in PE, it may take some time to get them to you. Calling ahead or sending a note will help. When you arrive to school to pick up your child you will be asked to show photo ID. Attendance 425-366-5000.
6th graders will go to their 4th period class, have lunch, then return to their 4th period.
7th grade will have lunch after 4th period
8th graders have lunch after 3rd period.
Mon-Thu Bell Schedule
Fri Bell Schedule
What is Eagles Landing
We have set aside 28 minutes every Monday through Thursday to give students time for school work. During this time, students may get extra help from any of their teachers. Students must be signed up to leave their 1st period to see another teacher for Eagles' Landing. A teacher may sign them up or students may request it. If a student is not signed up to go to another class, they will remain in 1st period and do school work, get organized or read. This is also a great time for students working on projects together to get together. We make any school announcements during this time. If your child needs help, remind them to ask their teacher to sign them up for Eagles Landing.

 
Volunteer flyer
 
IMPORTANT LINKS
EXPLORER HOMEPAGE
EX SPORTS SCHEDULE
FINAL FORMS FOR SPORTS
EX ONLINE PAYMENTS
2024-25 SCHOOL CALENDAR
MUKILTEO SCHOOL DISTRICT