Everitt Middle school news

Hi Everitt families,

Coming into a new role as a principal, you often hear about the big events from others, but you can’t genuinely speak to their impact until you experience them firsthand. This week, Everitt hosted our annual International Night, and it was nothing short of spectacular. This event re-energized our entire community and reminded us of our core identity: we are a school where everyone belongs, matters, and is enough.

Over 300 community members, students, and staff gathered to celebrate projects, performances, and food representing more than 50 countries and Native American tribes. From traditional dances and martial arts to the sounds of bagpipes and a live Mariachi band, the energy was electric. I personally enjoyed a world tour of cuisine from Mexico, India, Italy, Ethiopia, and Morocco.

A massive thank you to our family engagement liaison, Rose Gelski, for her incredible coordination, and to all our staff, family, and student volunteers. Pulling off an event of this magnitude on our first day back from spring break was an amazing feat of endurance and teamwork.

Civic Leadership

With protests in the fall and spring, our students have demonstrated interest in the democratic process this year. To help channel that passion, I invited Wheat Ridge Mayor Korey Stites to speak with Ms. Watchman's 8th-grade GT Social Studies class. The Mayor shared his personal journey into leadership and discussed the most effective ways for students to provide feedback to local, state, and federal governments. We appreciate the partnership from local leaders.

Preparing for CMAS Success

Next week, our focus shifts to CMAS testing (April 6-8); please note that we will have an early dismissal at 1:30 PM on each of these three days.

To ensure every student is ready for a smooth start on Monday, we are holding a "practice run" this Friday, April 3. While our students are great about the daily norm of bringing their Chromebooks, we need your partnership for two items that are outside of their normal routine. This Friday, please help your student remember to bring:

1. Their Chromebook Charger: We need to ensure every device is fully powered and ready to go in the testing rooms.

2. A book for pleasure reading: Once students finish their testing segment, they are required to remain quiet. Having a physical book they actually enjoy reading is the best way to keep them engaged while their peers finish.

After 6th period on Friday, students will go to CREW and then report to their testing locations to plug in their Chromebooks to these chargers and leave their books on their desks so they are waiting for them Monday morning.

We are expecting students' best efforts which include:

• Focused Time: Recommended at least 45 minutes for ELA and 40 minutes for Math time on task.

• Active Strategies: Utilizing scratch paper for math problems.

• Quiet Engagement: Reading their book silently when finished; no "heads down" or disruptive behavior.

Students who meet these expectations will be treated to a popsicle after testing each day. Please note that meeting these criteria is also a component of the eligibility requirements for our 8th-grade end-of-year celebrations.

PTA Family Night: Raising Kids in a Complex World

Join us Wednesday, April 8th, for a special PTA session with the Jefferson Center for Mental Health: "Raising Kids in a Complex World." We will explore how brain development and social media affect student anxiety while sharing practical techniques for better family connections. Dinner begins at 5:30 PM in the library, with the presentation starting at 6:00 PM. Translation services will be provided.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

~Principal Alex

From Ms. Colonna

Students should bring both their Chromebook and charger to school on Friday, April 3 so they can set up their device in their assigned CMAS testing location. Devices will remain securely stored in testing rooms for the duration of the Math/ELA CMAS testing window (April 6-8).

CMAS SCHEDULE

Please note the Early Dismissal on these three days!

It's helpful to make sure your student eats a good breakfast and gets plenty of sleep the night before.

Mayor Korey Stites visited Mrs. Watchman's 8th grade Social Studies class on Wednesday. He told the class of his life-long dream of owning a Martial Arts school (Personal Achievement Martial Arts)and being the Mayor of Wheat Ridge- a community he was raised in.

Students asked tough and thoughtful questions about government, housing, school closures, and protesting. He encouraged students to use their voice, but also suggested to "know what you're talking about and educate yourself" and if there is something they want to voice their concerns about, to write to their local state and federal representatives. He advised that education is the most important thing at this time in the students lives, and suggested organizing protests and movements on the weekend, so they are not missing valuable learning time.

After Mayor Stites, or Korey, as his friends know him, was finished presenting to the class, he noted how impressed he was by the students and how much he enjoyed the time in the classroom.

"I'm really lucky. I've only ever wanted to own my own business and be the mayor of Wheat Ridge. I wouldn't want to do anything else."- Mayor Korey Stites

My heart is full of gratitude from the generosity from all of our community partners who contributed to International Night this year.

I am equally thankful to our Everitt PTA for working side by side with me, specifically Leslie Weinstein and all of the volunteers she recruited on our behalf. We spent a lot of time on the phone and many, many text messages over the past 3 months. She was always thinking of the details and catching my typos. I can never repay her kindness, thoughtfulness or steadiness, but I will try!

I also want to thank our generous donors who covered the cost of our performers. I'm not sure what the evening would have been without you!

To my work friends and colleagues, I would be lost without you. So many of you let me bounce ideas off of you, helped my writers block, calmed me down and encouraged me every step of the way. To Ms.Maikranz, Mr. G and Mr. Bauer, I am thankful for your guidance and eagerness to help with whatever I needed. You helped me think of details I hadn't thought of.All of you are invaluable.

Sara Kendrick, thank you for being the left brain in this process, taking notes and staying on topic in committee meetings..not my forte'. I appreciate you keeping the focus.

Mr. Alex, thank you for your leadership, patience , and trusting me with this project. I know you didn't know what to expect but you trusted the process. You empower me to do my job and celebrate with me. We make a good team!

Rose Gelski

"Party Planner" and Family Engagement Liaison.

April 9th, 10th and 11th at Wheat Ridge High School auditorium

Hi families!

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Wellness Day on Thursday April 30th. Wellness Day is about exposing our students to new passions and lifelong hobbies. We are looking for parent volunteers to host sessions where you can share your skills and interests with a small group of students. What would you host? We are looking for a wide variety of activities such as sports, movement, creative activities, life skills, and unique hobbies (fly tying, hiking, photography, basic home repair, tennis, cheer, cleaning, being organized, etc.).

Please fill out the attached form if you would be interested in hosting a session. We will review the information and then follow-up. https://forms.gle/beL95wTt3LZa86xx7

Wednesday, April 8: Healthy Minds Event

PTA is hosting a special event for families, focusing on mental health and how to find resources in our community to support all of our needs. Representatives from Jefferson Center for Mental Health will be there, and PTA will provide dinner for attendees. Watch for the signup in the next newsletter.

New PTA Fund Requests for Everitt teachers and staff

Do you know a teacher or staff member who is working on a special project or needs some supplies? PTA has a new process for staff to submit a request for funds to the PTA. We will be sending a google form to all staff, but please remind them to look out for it. Or send us an email to EverittPTA@gmail.com if there is someone you think we should reach out to about this! PTA Members will vote on all fund requests, and we are excited to invest funds that we have over our budget needs back into our classrooms.

Join the PTA Board

All aboard the Board! We are looking for a Vice President and Secretary for next school year! With a minimal time commitment, you can have a very positive impact on our community. Please email everittpta@gmail.com if you'd like more information.

Support Everitt While You Shop at King Soopers

Find Us Online and Keep the Conversation and Community Going:
Check out our PTA page for reminders, important dates and meeting minutes: https://everitt.jeffcopublicschools.org/connect/parent-teacher-association, and join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everittpta

We always welcome more ideas on ways to bring the Everitt community together and look forward to learning from each other. Please feel free to send any questions or suggestions to the PTA at EverittPTA@gmail.com.

High school is where college and career readiness truly take shape — and families who stay engaged make a real difference in how their student navigates it. That's why I'm personally encouraging you to attend the upcoming High School Partnership Session, hosted by Jeffco's Family and Community Partnerships on April 29.

High School Partnership Session
April 29, 2026 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Jeffco Education Center | 1829 Denver West Dr., Golden, CO 80401

[RSVP]

https://gofan.co/event/6362245?schoolId=CO75191&utm_source=GoFan&utm_medium=qrcode&utm_campaign=HQEventLink

Consider attending Basketball Camp for Wheat Ridge High School- available for boys and girls. Two scholarships will be available, chosen at a later date. This is a great opportunity to get involved in athletics at the high school level.