SHS/PGS Principal's Newsletter

As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to recognize the hard work, growth, and resilience our students have shown this fall. Whether they’ve been tackling coursework, building job skills, reconnecting with their education, or discovering new passions, each student has brought something meaningful to our school community.

The holiday break will officially begin at the end of our half-day, early release schedule on Friday, December 19th, with classes resuming on January 5, 2026. I encourage students to use this time to rest, recharge, and celebrate in whatever way feels right for them. This is a great chance to catch up on personal goals, spend time with family and friends, or simply take a well-deserved breather.

The staff will not be available for support during the break, as they will hopefully be enjoying the time off with family and friends. We’ll be excited to welcome everyone back in the new year — refreshed, refocused, and ready for what’s next.

Wishing all our students, staff, families, and community partners a safe, peaceful, and restorative holiday season! 🎄✨

With gratitude,

Jack L. Roy

Principal

Sequoia/HS Online Options/PGS Partnership

Wednesday, December 3 - SHS Interested Families Drop-in Meeting, 2:00-3:00 in Conference Room

Monday-Tuesday, December 8-9 - End of Term 3 & Appointment Day

Wednesday, December 10 - PTSA Wreath & Poinsettia Fundraiser Pick-up in the PGS Gym, 11:00-2:00 & Start of Term 4

Friday, December 19 - Early Release Schedule (see below)

Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2 - Winter Break, NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, December 2 - World Language Assessment w/ Sarah, Room 108, 9:15

Wednesday, December 3 - PGS New Parent Tour 9:30-10:30

Friday, December 5 - PRs received after noon today will be marked Overall Satisfactory

Wednesday, December 10 - PTSA Wreath & Poinsettia Fundraiser Pick-up in the PGS Gym, 11:00-2:00

Thursday, December 11 - New Family Parent Orientation, 2nd Semester

Friday, December 12 - Everett Community Ice Rink, 12:00 & Overall Progress Evaluations - NO CLASSES TODAY

Wednesday, December 17 - PTSA Cocoa in the Courtyard, 11:50-12:10

Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2 - Winter Break, NO SCHOOL

Celeste Johnson & Jocelyn Sievers-Bailey, Port Gardner teachers, submitted a grant application for: Art that Reaches Beyond and were awarded $1,000.

Liz Lahti & Melissa Ferdinandus, Sequioa counselor & teacher, submitted a grant application for: Together We Grow: Sensory Learning, Brain Development, and Parent Support for Teen Families and were awarded $1,000.

Preparing for Winter Weather: What to Know About Emergency Closures and Late Starts

In the event of severe weather, power outages, or other emergencies, Everett Public Schools may adjust schedules to ensure the safety of students and staff. We aim to inform families and staff about any schedule changes by 5:30 a.m. using multiple communication methods. Make sure your contact information is up to date with your student’s school.

How we notify families and staff

• Email
• Text
• Voice message (if no text message is received)
• Push notification (if you have the ParentSquare app)
• District social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter)
• District and school websites
• Local radio and TV news

• FlashAlert.net: Subscribe for direct notifications or check for regional school information.
• Everett Public Schools website
• ParentSquare app: Calls to families begin at 5:30 a.m. (please keep your contact information up to date)
• Social media: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter)

School programs impacted during delays or closures

• Program Impact Chart: Shows how school programs and activities are affected during emergencies.
• School Bus Snow Routes: Information on 2-hour delay and regular start snow routes for buses is available. Drop-off and pick-up locations may change in emergencies; familiarize yourself with snow route details.

In rare cases, emergency conditions may require an early dismissal. Families will be notified via the same methods listed above. Authorized individuals (listed on the school emergency form) may pick up students if needed. School staff will stay on site until all students are safely picked up.

SHS Student Handbook & SHS Website

PGS Student Handbook & PGS Website

SHS staff have won an award from the Association of Washington Student Learners, of which we are a member. This award was to recognize the outstanding work our educators have done to make our orientation and onboarding process a rewarding, student-centered process that promotes a positive school culture.

What an excellent representation of our what our staff does every day to further the culture and community at SHS.

Here's an excerpt of what the award committee had to say about the SHS staff:

Congratulations! Your school has been selected as a 2025 AWSL “Culture Kick-Off Award” recipient.

Your application stood out for its intentional, inclusive, and student-centered approach to launching the school year. From the first day of classes to your sustained culture-building efforts, your team demonstrated how connection, collaboration, and belonging truly come alive when students and adults lead together.

This recognition honors your commitment to creating a positive school culture that uplifts both students and staff, setting the tone for a thriving school year.

We are so proud to celebrate the incredible culture you’ve cultivated and the intentional leadership that made it happen. Thank you for being a model for schools across Washington.

Term 3 ends Monday, December 8th, so Appointment Day to schedule classes for Term 4 is taking place on Tuesday, December 9th. There will be a special Appointment Day Schedule that day, and release time is dependent on a student's status on their Term 3 classes. Term 4 begins Wednesday, December 10th.

Students are scheduled and dismissed according to this rubric:

1. Met Progress - students passed at least 3 scheduled classes.
2. Limited Progress - students have incompletes on some assignments and have only passed 2 classes. Must stay later to work on those assignments.
3. Unsatisfactory Progress - students have passed fewer than 2 classes in a term. Must stay to work on assignments and complete an intervention plan with their advisor.

Click the schedule below for a digital copy.

If you haven't joined the PTSA yet, they would love to have you. Please join at this link.

This year's PTSA Team 2025/26

Abby Green - Co-President, Mary Fischer, Katie Peavey, Emily Yaw,

Angela Wiseman - Co-President, Rebecca Mbwilo

Thank you!

HS Online Options is proud to introduce our November Student of the Month - Daksh Arun Pawar.

Daksh is currently an 8th grader at Heatherwood MS and is taking Algebra 2 online. He completed the first semester of Algebra 2 with an A and has moved into the 2nd semester course. Daksh will earn a full year of Algebra 2 this semester. He demonstrates all the qualities of a successful online learner and is excelling in his online course.

When asked the following questions, Daksh answered:

What are your academic endeavors?

I dream of majoring in quantum or applied physics and becoming a physicist.

What are your strengths?

I love math, and after years of practice and dedication, I've become quite adept in all areas of mathematics that we are learning about.

What hobbies/sports do you enjoy?

My favorite sport is BADMINTON, and I hope to go professional. I also like playing with my two dogs.

What would you like people to know about you?

I am a kind and optimistic student/friend, and I can most probably help you with any homework. 😉

What makes you a successful online learner?

I plan out / manage my time well, making sure to balance all of my work.

What do you like about taking an online class?

It is self-paced, which gives more freedom to slow down on new subjects and speed up on older/easier ones.

What are your plans for your future (after graduation)?

To become a quantum physicist or astrophysicist. If all else fails, I'd want to go pro in badminton (Nationals).

Congratulations Daksh for being HS Online Options November Student of the Month!

Course Descriptions:

In Walk FITT 1, students will experience an increase in cardiorespiratory endurance, core strength, and stamina. These life-changing results will occur over a 12-week period of logging daily steps based on a personalized fitness plan which includes body weight movements to help facilitate a comprehensive approach to walking/step fitness along with a weekly increase in steps. Each student will be expected to track steps using their iPhone or Android step app of choice. Weekly log submissions along with Canvas module assignments are required.

In Walk FITT 2, students will develop a personalized fitness plan based on the number of steps they take a day, focused on their personal goals and log activity for 12 weeks. But before they do that, students will dive into the mechanics of muscles and flexibility. Additionally, students will work together with a group online to complete an ongoing project. This course will challenge students to improve their walk fitness. Tracking steps with a pedometer, weekly and consistent logging is required.

Overview for Students/Parents: HS Online Options

Course Catalog