Eckstein Weekly News

October

• Oct. 13: School Picture Retakes
• Oct. 16: Eighth Grade Fieldtrip to High Trek
• Oct. 16: Seventh/Eighth Grade Eagle Night (7-8:30 pm)
• Oct. 20: Seventh Grade Vision/Hearing Checks
• Oct. 26-30: SPIRIT WEEK
• Oct. 30: Pep Assembly
• Oct. 30: Haunted Library

November

• Nov. 1: Daylight Savings Time Ends (Fall Back)
• Nov. 2: EAC Packets Go Home with Students
• Nov. 5: Quarter 1 Ends
• Nov. 6: Quarter 2 Begins
• Nov. 9: PTSA Meeting (7 pm on Zoom)
• Nov. 10: Veterans' Day Assembly (AM Assembly Schedule)
• Nov. 14: Concert Attire Distribution (2-4 pm)
• Nov. 19: Jazz Night (7:30 pm)
• Nov. 21: Wreath Sale Pick Ups (12-3 pm)
• Nov. 26-27: Thanksgiving & Native American Heritage (NO SCHOOL)
  Please Note: Middle schools and high school are only out of school on Thursday and Friday of that week.
• Nov. 30 - Dec. 17: Last Yearbook Ordering Period

Last night at Curriculum Night, multiple driveways were block. Some of our neighbors were unable to get into their driveways. Please help us by being good community members.

PE is a WA State Requirement: WA State Legislature mandates that students in grades 1-8 participate in at least 100 minutes of weekly PE classes (equivalent to one semester of PE instruction hours) unless they qualify for a waiver. Please note that SPS does not endorse PE Waivers (Reference: RCW 28A.230.040). Students may be excused from the PE requirement for the following reasons:

1. Physical Disability (6, 7, 8 grades)
2. Religious Belief (6, 7, 8 grades)
3. Participation in Directed Athletics (7, 8 grades only)

Notes
(1) Documentation (e.g. letter from coach/team/proof of registration) is required to waive PE and must be emailed to Ms. Tai (jetai@seattleschools.org).

(2) For any sport/activity that begins after November 20, a guardian may sign instead of a coach. We will request additional information from your family if needed. Incomplete waivers will not be approved.

(3) If your student requested to waive PE last spring and does not have it on their schedule, you must submit a valid PE waiver to formally waive PE.

(4) If your student has PE on their semester 2 schedule, and you would like to waive it, please wait to submit a waiver in January after semester 2 electives changes are open. Even with a PE waiver, your student may still be required to take PE as our elective availability is limited. If your student is able to switch into another elective in semester 2 out of PE, Ms. Tai will email to complete a waiver at that time.

Crochet Club

Crochet Club is starting on Tuesday, October 20 after school from 3:50-4:50 pm in room 121. There is a ten-student minimum. In order to fund this club, there is a $75 fee for ten sessions. Your student will need a permission form to participate. Permission forms are in the Main Office. If you need help with the fee, please contact Ms. Davenport. For more information contact Ms. Norman at slnorman@seattleschools.org.

Fantasy Games Club

Dungeons & Dragons and Card Club are joining together at Eckstein to form the Fantasy Games Club. It is held on Mondays, 3:50-5:20 pm in the library. The first session started October 5 and will run until June. To fund this activity, we are asking families for a $50 suggested donation per semester. If you need help with the fee, please contact Ms. Davenport. For more information contact Mr. DeWolf at tmdewolf@seattleschoos.org.

Students took their school pictures on September 8, 2026.

Purchasing School Pictures

• Purchase pictures through the Rowland Studios website.
• A card was given to each student who had their picture taken. The card details how to order pictures.
• Go to Rowland Studio website
• Log in with your student's unique Access Code located on the card. If you don't have the card, the code is the number 26 and your student's school ID number. Example: 26819828
• You will be able to choose from several photos. The photo you choose will also be used for the yearbook.
• If you are unhappy with your student's picture, we will have retakes on October 13. You must contact the photographer through this form if you want a retake. https://forms.gle/itn8dLKMFNFMQj3X9.
  
  

If your student wants to retake their school picture, please contact the photographer through this form: https://forms.gle/itn8dLKMFNFMQj3X9.

Any student who has yet to take a school picture can do so on this day as well.

Picture retakes will be on October 13, 2026.

Enjoy beautiful holiday greens while supporting your community. The young musicians of the Eckstein MS Orchestra are raising money for new instruments, instrument repairs, supplies and trips to competitions in the PNW. To place an order, go to https://vwfundraiser.com/org/eckstein-middle-school-orchestra. When checking out, please select “Community Purchase” under “I would like to support” if a student did not personally reach out to you. Wreaths will be available for pickup on Saturday, November 21 from 11-2 pm in the parking lot behind the school. Sale ends on October 31. Thank you so much for your support

Even with Free Breakfast and Lunch for Every SPS Student, we ask that all Eckstein families complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit (CNEEB) form. Currently, only 28% of Eckstein families have responded.

Why complete this form?

• It may qualify students for meal benefits and reduced fees.

• It helps schools receive funding based on student need.

• Complete information helps SPS plan and allocate resources effectively.

Don't think you'll qualify? No problem. The form now includes an option to "Decline Benefits”. Submitting that response still helps us maintain complete and accurate information.

This year our eighth grade fall fieldtrip is to High Trek Adventures on October 16, 2026.

Check out High Trek Adventures: https://www.hightrekeverett.com/

Make sure you complete the online High Trek liability waiver
https://pos.hightrekeverett.com/hightrekadventures/event/join/144053-0BF0

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We Need Pizza Delivery Help!

The school will cover the cost of the food, but we NEED parent volunteers to help pick everything up from Costco and deliver it to the field trip at High Trek in Everett.

Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4FABA929AAF58-65786963-8thgrade#/

Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to volunteer.

We still need help with:

• Check in
• Hallway supervision
• Cafeteria supervision
• Bake sale items
• Water/Capris Sun/Juice boxes

If you can help please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4CAFAE29A2FD0-65953785-2026

Tickets are $8 available for preorder on SchoolPay until October 15 at 3 pm or bring cash or check to the Main Office. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Keep Your Student on Track in Middle School - Pay Attention to Attendance

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s social and academic development. Even as children grow more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school and understand how attendance benefits their health and success in school and beyond.

Did you know?

• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged and on track to graduation.

• Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty.

• By 6th grade, chronic absence (missing 10%, or 2 days each month) is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.

• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

What can you do?

Make school attendance a priority

• Talk about the opportunities available when your teen or preteen shows up to school every day.

• Help your middle schooler maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting enough sleep.

• Consider limiting use of devices if they interfere with sleep.

• Try not to schedule nonurgent medical appointments during the school day.

• Help your student to stay healthy.

• If your child must stay home because they are sick, make sure they have asked teachers for materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom.

Thank you for your donations! Students are grateful for the amazing support. Keep us going here: Community Cupboard Wishlist

To help a student with shoes, there are more slots here: Sign Up Genius

If your student needs a scholarship for yearbook, the next order of eagle gear in November or school clothing, please reach out to me: 206-252-5098 esdavenport@Seattleschools.org, to request other social work supports fill: Eckstein Student Support 2026-2027 – Fill out form

We will accept donations of NEW socks, and NEW or LIGHTLY used hoodies, shoes and other in-style clothing for middle schoolers. Items can be dropped off outside door of Portable 9 in back parking lot in plastic bag labeled "donation".

Erica Davenport

Social Worker, MSW

Eckstein Middle School

Work phone (206) 252-5098

7th/8th Grade Eagle Night Help

If you can help please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4CAFAE29A2FD0-65953785-2026

PTSA Board Positions Open

DEI Chair: Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within our school community through programs, partnerships, and awareness.
Co-Treasurer: Partner with the Treasurer to manage PTS finances, budgets, and financial reporting with accuracy and care.
Reflections Co-Chair: Inspire creativity! Lead the Reflections program and support students in exploring the arts.
Volunteer Coordinator: Connect people and opportunities! Recruit, organize, and support volunteers across PTSA events and programs.

Interested? Email president@ecksteineaglesptsa.org

Ongoing Needs

You will need to be cleared to volunteer through the SPS Volunteer Application.

Lunchtime Help

Your duties will include:

• Monitoring the hall outside the cafeteria
• Handing out Library Lunch passes
• Helping administrators on the field and garden
• No "disciplining" is required. If you spot something that needs attention, let an administrator know, and they will handle it.

Please contact Julia Detering at jrdetering@seattleschools.org for more information.

Eckstein Families Needed to Assemble Weekend Food Bags

Local families assemble weekend food bags every Sunday from 3-4 PM at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 4805 NE 45th Street.

The Packs for Kids program is run through the University District Food Bank. Eckstein parents pick up food from UDFB on Thursdays and distribute prepared weekend bags to Eckstein MS, Green Lake ES, and Wedgwood ES each week. More information about the Packs for Kids program can be found here. https://www.udistrictfoodbank.org/packsforkids

If you are looking for an outreach activity for your family, please sign up here.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C48A4AA2FA2FC1-weekend

High School students can earn Service Learning Hours.

Bike Cage Morning Greeter

We would like someone at the bike cage behind the school from 8:35 am - 8:55 am to greet our biking students. You will need to be cleared to volunteer through the SPS Volunteer Application. Please contact Julia Detering at jrdetering@seattleschools.org for more information and to sign up.

Boo Ridge View Ridge Annual Halloween Carnival - Friday, October 24th, from 5:30-8pm
Boo Ridge, the View Ridge Elementary indoor Halloween celebration filled with games, face painting, treats, and more, is one of the most magical nights of the year for our kids. But it can’t happen without you!

This event is powered by volunteers — from running games, to painting faces, to baking (or buying!) treats. The more helping hands we have, the more fun our kids will have.

Ways to help:

· Adult Volunteers: help with candy and item donations, set up, run games, or lend a hand during the event

· Student Volunteers: volunteers to help run games and activities

Roosevelt High School Trunk or Treat

Roosevelt High School ASR will be hosting its annual FREE Trunk or

Treat on Thursday, October 29th from 6:30-8:00PM! The event is at Roosevelt High School in the main staff parking lot! Come bring your family and get some candy in safe, fun, welcoming environment. Reach out to rooseveltclassof2028@gmail.com or check @rhs_asr on Instagram for more details!

Mohan Ski Bus is Now Accepting Signups

STUDENTS! Do you love to ski/board? Want to ski/board with your friends at Eckstein MS that do ski/board? Sign up now for skiing or boarding with Ski Mohan on Friday nights in January-February: https://www.skimohan.com/school-programs/northeast-seattle-snowsports. Are you an advanced/intermediate skier or snowboarder? Enjoy teaching? Want to improve your skills while spending time with a fun, experienced, and passionate Snowsports Community? Join the Mohan Family and enjoy a winter full of skiing, riding, and so much more!

ADULTS: Do you love to ski/board? Want to support the students at Eckstein MS that do ski/board? Ski Mohan is searching for Volunteers to support the Friday night programs for January-February 2027. You can join the program and support the students on the mountain by becoming a volunteer to ride the bus and/or be an emergency driver. You can even ski/board for the evening. Action is simple: register as a volunteer on the SkiMohan.com website: https://www.skimohan.com/volunteer and encourage kids to sign up for the bus to Summit Snoqualmie on Friday Night. Interested? Have questions? Email ProgramManagement@SkiMohan.com.

Ingraham High School

Are you interested in learning more about the IB Diploma Program at Ingraham High School? Join us on Wednesday, October 21 from 6:30-8:30 in the Ingraham High School Library. The program coordinators will talk about the IB Program, and you will have a chance to talk to IB teachers, and meet some Ingraham IB Alumni, and get your questions answered. Adults and middle-school students are welcome. This info session will be specifically tailored for 7th and 8th grade families.