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Explorer Newsletter 10/28/2024

Posted Date: 10/28/24 (6:00 PM)

Explorer Eagle
Explorer Middle School
Family Newsletter
October 28, 2024
explorer
 
Picture Retakes is Wednesday, October 30th
If you ordered pictures and would like retakes, please make sure to send the picture packet with your student for picture retakes. Your student will need to give it to the Dorian photographer in order to get retakes.

We are still looking for 1 more volunteer for picture retakes from 8:15am - 11:30am or any time in between. Please comment below if you are interested and available.
 
Picture retakes
Picture retakes spanish
 
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

 
PTO
PTO
 
spirit week
What's happening at Explorer!
October:
28th - Nov 1st - Spirit Week
28th - Last day to register to vote online or by mail
30th - Picture Retakes
30th - Orchestra & Choir concert in the gym, 7pm
snowcones
November:
11th - Veterans Day - No School
27th - End of Trimester 1
27th - Early Dismissal - 12pm
28th-29th - Thanksgiving/Native American Heritage Day - No School
 
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/.  
chart
Clothes Collection Challenge
The America Recycles Day Challenge has invitied our school to participate for a chance to win up to $1,500 for the most pounds of clothing and shoes collected in our TreeMachine from November 1st - November 30th, 2024.
So lets get ready to collect, recycle, and win!

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 MRS. LEADER, STUDENT SUPPORT ADVOCATE
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
 
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. Meeting information coming soon.
 
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
VOLUNTEER ONLINE APPLICATION