Eckstein Weekly News

September

• Sep. 13: Deadline to Submit Elective Request Form (11:59 p.m.)
• Sep. 14: PTSA Board Meeting (7 p.m.)
• Sep. 15: Girls Soccer Tryouts (4 p.m. on field)
• Sep. 20: First Yearbook Ordering Window Ends
• Sep. 21: Music Department Potluck (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
• Sep. 25: Deadline to Return FERPA & Emergency Information & Student Release Forms
• Sep. 29: Picture Retakes

October

• Oct. 2: Sixth Grade Eagle Night (7-8:30 p.m.)
• Oct. 5: Wreath Sales Orchestra Fundraiser begins
• Oct. 8: Curriculum Night (6:30-8:15 p.m.)
• Oct. 9: State In-Service Day (No School for Students)
• Oct. 16: Eighth Grade Fieldtrip to High Trek
• Oct. 16: Seventh/Eighth Grade Eagle Night (7-8:30 p.m.)
• Oct. 26-30: Spirit Week
• Oct. 30: Pep Assembly
• Oct. Haunted Library

The process to request elective changes for semester 1 is now open.

Instructions and the form to request changes are on your student's grade-level Counselor’s Schoology page.

• Students need to submit their Semester 1 Elective Change Requests Form located on their counselor's Schoology page:
  6th Grade Counselor - Mr. Manzo
  7th Grade Counselor - Mr. Hoff
  8th Grade Counselor - Ms. Ziadeh
• The form needs to be completed by 9/13/26, Sunday, and open until 11:59 PM.
• Please note that only students can access this Form after they log into their school-issued computer and navigate to their grade-level Counselor’s Schoology page. This allows our registrar to ensure that there are no duplicate requests, and that each student’s request is time-stamped, collected, and managed in one place.
• Families can talk to their students about elective changes, but students must fill out the request.

• You cannot fill this out for your student. Please have them log into their school laptop to get to this Form.
• If your student has trouble with the online Form, please reach out to their Counselor to get help. They are a wonderful resource!

Our school has nearly 1,000 students, and we get new students enrolled every day. As a result, our master schedule is very complex, and our electives and core classes are often full or over capacity. If you do not see an elective listed on the Form, it is because the class is full.

Important Reminders

• We will only change electives if there is availability, and the class is offered during the student's current elective period.
• We will not change an elective if it changes core class periods. For example, if an elective during period 2, can only change into another open elective offered in period 2. If you do not see an elective listed, it is because it is full.
• Please pick the elective period that you most want changed. We have very limited availability in our classes and changing electives is not guaranteed.
• TA positions have been assigned, and we are at capacity for the year.
• Spanish 1 and French 1 are full; if your student is on the waitlist and a space opens, Ms. Tai will email the student directly.
• We do not change schedules to accommodate different lunches, to be with friends, or to request teachers. These requests will not be considered.
• We will only take requests submitted on this Form. If you previously emailed a change request, please request your elective change on this Form.

Yearbooks are $35. Please order on Schoolpay located in your student’s Source account

You can also have your student bring a check made out to Eckstein Middle School or $35 cash to the Main Office.

Yearbooks are distributed during the last week of school in June.

Yearbook Ordering Windows

August 31 - September 20, 2026

November 30 – December 18, 2026

Schoology is what middle schools and high schools use for teachers to communicate about assignments and for students to hear announcements.

All parents can access Schoology, but families need to set-up their Schoology account by logging into the Source first.

The website that explains how to set up your parent account.

Students took their school pictures on September 8, 2026. The photographer uploads the pictures to a secure website where families can view and purchase the pictures. The uploading process can take several weeks so keep checking in if you don't see your student's picture yet.

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 https://rowlandstudio.gotphoto.com/login
• Login with your student's unique Access Code located on the card.
• You will be able to choose from several photos. The photo you choose will also be used for the yearbook.
• If you never got a card with the code, you can get a code on the photographer's website by clicking on "Find My Code"

Picture retakes are for students who were absent for the first picture day or students who have an error on their original picture. Rowland Studios is unable to accommodate students who want a retake for reasons such as they didn't like what they were wearing or just want to try again.

The Leadership class is putting on a 6th grade-only Eagle Night at Eckstein! on October 2, 2026. We will send more information about this in our next Smores.

We will have a movie room, dance, BINGO, crafts, and a room with inflatable games. We also offer a bake sale for $1 per item.

We need parent and staff volunteers to help manage halls, the various rooms, and check-in. We also need donations for our bake sale!

Please sign up to volunteer for Sixth Grade Eagle Night. Fun night!

This year our eighth grade fall fieldtrip is to High Trek Adventures on October 16, 2026. That evening eighth graders have the opportunity for more fun at Eagle Night (more to come on about that.)

Fieldtrip forms will go out next week.

Activities Include:

• Zipline
• Ropes Course
• Laser Tag
• Gaga Ball
• Bouncy House
• Field Games
• Volleyball
• Pizza Lunch

Check out the High Trek Adventure

We need chaperones!

If you can chaperone, please sign up on our SignUp Genuis now. You will need to be cleared through the SPS Volunteer Application in order to chaperone.
Signup to Chaperone *th grade field trip

SPS Volunteer Application.

Come and meet the team of teachers working with your child!

Curriculum Night will be on Thursday, October 8, from 6:30-8:15 p.m.
Parents will follow their student’s schedule of classes. Each class meets for 10 minutes with a 5 minute passing period to get to the next class.

Optional: Learn about the Source/Schoology with Ms. Sterling in the Library, our Sexual Health Instruction Overview in Room 106.

This event is for parents/guardians only.

Curriculum Night Schedule

• 6-6:25 p.m. Optional: Learn about: the Source/Schoology with Ms. Sterling in the Library, our Sexual Health Instruction Overview in Room 106.
• 6:30-6:45 p.m. Homeroom (Welcome Video with Administration Team, Wellness Team, and Support Staff)
• 6:50-7 p.m. 1st Period
• 7:05-7:15 p.m. 2nd Period
• 7:20-7:30 p.m. 3rd Period
• 7:35-7:45 p.m. 4th Period
• 7:50-8 p.m. 5th period
• 8:05-8:15 p.m. 6th Period

Be on the lookout for your child’s schedule and Eckstein map on Tuesday, October 6, 2026!

Even with Free Breakfast and Lunch for Every SPS Student, all SPS families are encouraged to complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit (CNEEB) form.

Why?

• 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.

The best data is data that is complete.

Please take a few minutes to complete the form today. CNEEB

The SPS school district cellphone policy:

Grades K–8 (“Away for the Day”): Phones must be turned off and stored away for the entire school day. Students have no access during instruction, passing periods, or lunch. This policy helps students concentrate on learning in the classroom.

We need your help with this policy.

We ask that you do not text your student during the school day.

• Middle school is the time when students become more independent and learn valuable problem solving skills.
• Please ask your student not to text you during the day, especially when they are in class.
• If they feel sick, they should go to the nurse or the Main Office to contact you.
• If they forget something at home, they should go to the Main Office to contact you.
  
  

Confiscated Cellphone/Smartwatches

Any student using their cellphone during the school day without staff permission will have their cellphone confiscated. Students who use their smartwatches for something other than checking the time will have their watches confiscated.

1. First Confiscation: The student’s parent/guardian will receive an email that includes why the cellphone/smartwatch was confiscated.
2. Second Confiscation: The student’s parent/guardian will receive an email, text, and/or phone call to that includes why the cellphone/smartwatch was confiscated and notifies the parent/guardian that the third confiscation will require a parent/guardian to retrieve the cellphone/smartwatch from school.
3. Third Confiscation: The student’s parent/guardian will be contacted by email, text, and/or phone call that requests they pick up the cellphone/smartwatch from school. We will notify the parent/guardian as soon as the confiscation occurs.

Students will be reminded of this policy, “phones are off and away,” everyday during announcements. Please talk to your student about our cellphone policy so that they understand the consequences.

Chess Club will start on Monday, September 14 from 4 - 5 pm and will run for ten sessions. In order to fund this club, we are asking participants for a $50 donation.

Please email Ms. Detering at jrdetering@seattleschools.org if your student is interested in joining.

Speech & Debate Club
Climb the Mountain is offering a Speech and Debate Club at Eckstein on Tuesdays from 4-5:30 pm. Students learn in small 4 -to 8 student labs with supportive instructions. We are a popular program, each year, over 1,000 students participate in our programs. For more information contact Director of the program, Seattle U professor and Debate Coach, Jim Hanson or visit our Climb the Mountain web page. Scholarships are available.

The PTSA Weekly Bulletin includes important information about PTSA, high school, elementary, and community events that we do not post in our Eckstein Weekly News.

You can sign up for Eckstein PTSA Weekly.

• Co-Treasurer – Work alongside the current treasurer this year to step into the role next year. Serve on the PTSA Executive Committee, support the fiduciary care of the Board, and act as the point of contact for PTSA financial details and WA Non-Profit Treasury-related bylaws/guidelines/laws.
• DEI Co-Chair (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) – Lead the DEI committee and represent it to the PTSA Board. Attend EAC committee meetings, advocate for equitable fund distribution, and serve as a conduit of information between the EMS PTSA, Seattle Council PTSA, and Eckstein families.
• Volunteer Coordinator – Recruit and connect willing helpers to support PTSA activities.
• For more information, please contact PTSA President at president@ecksteineaglesptsa.org.

Keep Your Child on Track in Middle School: Pay Attention to Attendance

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Contacting Attendance:

• Attendance contact: Katy Ryan
• Phone: 206-252-5014
• Email: ecksteinms.attendance@seattleschools.org
• You are welcome to send an attendance email in your primary language. Our attendance office can translate your message.

Report an absence: Parent/Guardian must contact attendance office by phone call, email or note with the following information:

• Student name
• Parent/Guardian name and phone number
• Date of absence
• Reason for absence

Vacation: Students must complete and submit a pre-Planned excuse absence form prior to the absence. Forms are available in the attendance office.

Arriving Late to School:

• Parent/Guardian must notify the school of a late arrival with a phone call, email or note
• Students must check into the attendance office when they arrive late to school. They will receive a pass to the classroom

Leaving School Early:

• Parent/Guardian must notify school by phone call, email or note of the early dismissal
• Students will receive an early dismissal slip from the attendance office and must sign out before leaving the building

Please use the Source to check your students’ attendance record. You can see all absences and lates that your student accrues during the year. We encourage you to check in with your student periodically and review their attendance record together!

Accessing the Source:

How to get started:

1. You must be on record as the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in SPS.
2. Your email address must be on record at each student’s school.
3. Please make sure you have provided the same email address for each SPS student in your family.

To set up a parent or guardian Source account:

1. Visit The Source and click the Sign Up! link.
2. Type your email address in the field provided. Click Enter.
3. Check your email for a message from sourcesupport@seattleschools.org. If you don’t receive this email:
• Check your Spam or Trash folders.
• Contact the school(s) to provide your email address.
4. Open the email and click the link.
5. Enter your email address in the Username field and create a Password.
• Please do not use an apostrophe ‘ in your password.
6. Click Enter to begin exploring the Source!

For more information about the Source, please visit the About the Source webpage.

If you have questions or need help please email sourcesupport@seattleschools.org

Thank you for all of the new donations! We have a robust supply of items for the year!

Over 50 students received clothing support, and nearly 100 have picked up supplies for school. Kids need supplies throughout the year so check out our up-to-date list to support: Community Cupboard Wishlist

This year we are going to try something new, a sign-up genius to purchase shoes for students that need them. I will get shoe sizes and types that students need, and you can sign up to purchase them and drop in main office labeled Ms. Davenport.

Here's the sign-up for shoes.

Always, Ms. Davenport will accept donations of NEW socks, and NEW or LIGHTLY used hoodies, shoes and other in-style clothing for middle schoolers. 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

Please consider helping if you can. You can sign up on the SignupGenuis link below.

10/2/26 Sixth Grade Eagle Night -We need parent and staff volunteers to help manage halls, the various rooms, and check-in. We also need donations for our bake sale!

10/16/26 Eighth Grade Fieldtrip to High Trek Adventures (8 - 4 pm) - We need chaperones to help with our eighth grade students.

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

10/20/26 - Seventh Grade Vision & Hearing Checks (Times Vary) - We need volunteers to help screen our seventh grade class for vision and hearing. We have easy to use equipment that makes the process run smoothly.

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

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.

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.