Explorer Newsletter 02/04/2025

2/06 - Band, Orchestra and Choir Honor Festival at Edmonds Center for the Arts

2/10-2/11 - Orchestra Warm Beach Field Trip

2/11 - PTO Panera fundraiser, 7:00am - 8:00pm @ 304 SE Everett Mall Way. See flyer below

2/12 - Band concert in the gym at 7pm

2/17 - NO SCHOOL, PRESIDENTS DAY

2/18-2/21 - NO SCHOOL, MID-WINTER BREAK

Sometimes weather this time of year can cause school to be delayed or cancelled. Bus routes can also be affected by unsafe travel conditions. The announcement of a school closure or delay is usually made early in the morning. All authorized parents and guardians will receive a ParentSquare message if school is closed or delayed. If you have a mobile phone number on file with your child's school, you should also receive a text message. 

This is a good time to make sure your school has updated contact information on file and in our systems so you don't miss important school announcements and information. Please contact us or stop by to update your contact information.

Updated school closure and delay information will also be posted on the school district’s website, on the FlashAlert website, and the district Facebook page and Instagram page. The district will let families know if bus routes are limited, but please review your child’s alternate route before then so you can plan accordingly. The alternate bus routes are listed on the transportation website. 

Community Transit is offering a one month day pass using the ORCA card, you must apply by January 31st, 2025 You can find more information on their website: https://www.communitytransit.org/orca

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.

Snohomish County Legal Services provides a wide range of services if you are facing an eviction, you can call 425-258-9283 ext 0 to make an appointment or visit their walk-up clinic at the Snohomish County Superior Court 9-11am Tuesdays through Fridays. You can also apply online at https://snocolegal.org/legal-help/#hjp

Your students can access free clothing from either Clothes For Kids or Operation School Bell. Clothes For Kids appointments can be made here and Operation School Bell forms can be sent home with your student to fill out and return to school.

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. Meeting information coming soon.

Thank you to Kimberly Larsen, Tamara Hawkes, and Suzie Means for joining Hai Evans as part of this year's music boosters offic

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.

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.

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

8:05 am - 2:45 pm Monday - Thursday

8:05 am - 1:30 pm on Fridays

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.

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.

Port, Case, Keyboard, Hinge, or other minor repair - $15 

Charger - $35

LCD Touch Screen - $230 

Total Loss or Damage, or unreturned - $675 

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.

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.