SHS/PGS Principal's Newsletter
September 2025 Edition
Principal's Message:
The school year is off to a great start, with all of our programs actively serving students. It has been wonderful to see teachers working closely with students at Port Gardner, GOAL, HS Online, and Sequoia. Enrollment continues to grow and we are excited to welcome new students into our programs.
We are also becoming more proficient with the new Synergy system, which helps us better communicate with families and share student progress. Like with any new system, there have been a few unexpected challenges, but we are working through them and making steady improvements.
Through it all, our focus remains on serving students and supporting their families. We are looking forward to the year ahead and all of the exciting opportunities it will bring!
With gratitude,
Jack L. Roy
Principal
Sequoia/HS Online Options/PGS Partnership
Upcoming Important Calendar Reminders
Sequoia
Thursday, September 18 - Picture Day. Orders can be placed online. Please enter Sequoia High School & choose the Everett location in the drop-down.
Tuesday, September 30 - End of Term 1
Wednesday, October 1 - Appointment Day, schedule
Thursday, October 2 - Start of Term 2, SHS student calendar
Port Gardner
Monday, September 8 - Onsite Classes Begin for Grades 1 - 8
Mondays, September 8, 15, 22 & 29 -- Welcome to PG Class for New Families on Mondays, 12:15 - 1:15
Thursday, September 18 -- Picture Day. Order online. Please enter Port Gardner Family Partnership & choose the school in the drop-down.
Wednesday, October 1 - Progress Reports due on ALE
Picture Day is Thursday, September 18th!
Picture day for both SHS and PGS will be Thursday, September 18th. Ordering will be done online and can be ordered now and up until 4 days after Picture Day.
Type and then choose Sequoia High School in Everett, WA in the search bar and the picture date. PGS will type and then choose Port Gardner Parent Partnership and then choose picture date.
Free & Reduced Meals Eligibility Applications
Everett Public Schools uses the CNEEB form to determine which families qualify for Free & Reduced (F&R) meals.
The F&R Meals Application is more than just a lunch. Students who qualify for F&R meals may also be eligible to receive other benefits, including reduced ASB, sports, and AP exam fees, as well as a variety of benefits in their local communities. Certain school funding is also closely linked with student F&R meal rates.
Federal law requires all students to have access to meal applications, and Everett Public Schools encourages all families to apply for benefits, if they believe they are eligible.
CNEEB Applications and informational post cards have been delivered to every school office. Families may also complete applications online by visiting www.myschoolapps.com. The online application is available in seven languages.
Important Deadlines for completing Free & Reduced Meal Applications:
October 1 – Initial F&R Data Due - used for federal verification processes and helps establish eligibility for programs that provide free meals to qualifying schools. Accurate counts by this date also influence funding for Title I, and other educational grants.
October 8 – SY24-25 Free Meal Grace Period Ends – Families without a qualifying application on file begin paying for meals on this date. (Paid Schools Only)
Social & Emotional Learning Panorama Survey Coming September/October
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is critical for student success and this has never been more true than it is today. Students at SHS/PGS will be taking Panorama Social and Emotional Learning survey on a TBD date between September 24 - October 15, 2025. Information regarding the specific date will be sent home when it is decided.
The survey prompts students to reflect on their own actions and thoughts as well as their general experience at our school. Survey data will help school staff create a more positive school experience for all students as well as provide specific for support for students in need.
The results from these surveys will be shared with pre-approved adults who work closely with your children in the school. SEL data, alongside academic and attendance information, will allow adults to provide specific and targeted interventions as needed to support students succeeding at school.
The questions that students will answer are research-backed, valid and reliable. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the SHS or PGS office.
Important Change This Year:
In the past, the SEL survey was given in the fall as a stand-alone survey and then again in the spring combined with the Annual District Stakeholder Survey, making it a longer experience for students. This year, we are administering the SEL Student Survey only in the fall. In the spring, we will continue with the Annual District Stakeholder Survey for staff, students, and families.
Guaranteed Admissions Program – Update for 2025-26
We are excited to share that Everett Public Schools will be participating in the following guaranteed college admissions programs to help high school seniors meet their college and career goals:
Guaranteed Admission Program with six participating Washington four-year, public institutions (Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, The Evergreen State College, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State University and Western Washington University.
Automatic Admission Partnership with Pacific Lutheran University
Guaranteed Admission Program with Saint Martin's University
The initial launch into Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP) during the 2022-23 school year required families to opt-in to participate in the program through a form on the website.
For the 2025-26 school year, high school seniors and their families will have the opportunity to opt-out as part of the annual completion of the FERPA form. All students who have not opted-out will participate in the program and, if a student meets college admissions criteria, the student will be guaranteed admission to all the participating post-secondary institutions.
For more information, please see the Guaranteed Admission Program webpage on the district website.
SHS & PGS Handbooks Available on Website or at the Links Below
SHS News
SHS Friday Schedule is Below
Please notice adjusted period start/end times and Friday earlier release under "Regular Class" then "Friday LIF" on the left-hand side.
SHS Term 1 Class Schedule Link
Click the pic!
Appointment Day Schedule, October 1st
PTSA News
PTSA is back on the job for 25/26!
If you haven't joined the PTSA yet, they would love to have you. Please join at this link.
Port Gardner Family Partnership News
Welcome Back!
😁 We're so happy to have you! 😁
PGS Staff
Allison Hinds (K teacher), Heather Reid (Librarian), Celeste Johnson (K - 4 Teacher), Jocelyn Sievers-Bailey (3 - 8 Teacher), Megan Slaker (General Secretary), Laura Wight (9 - 12 Teacher), Mandy Trimble (Paraeducator)
Important Upcoming Dates Calendar
September 2025
At-a-Glance Fall Draft Schedule
High School Online Options
Information on HS Online Options can be found in the Presentation Linked Below
Overview for Students/Parents: HS Online Options
Teachers in order of appearance:
- Sherman Iversen - Social Studies
- Rhonda Hodgins - Health/PE & Science
- Mark Ryder - Math & PE
- Laura Wight - English & CCRS
*Please contact Judy Lennard, HS Online Options secretary, for more information about HS Online - jlennard@everettsd.org