Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year!
Back to School!
Greetings, Woodside Families!
I am thrilled to be launching another amazing school year at Woodside! I am truly grateful to lead such a wonderful community. Can you believe the 2026–2027 school year is almost here? We are just days away!
To our new families, we are so excited to welcome you to our Toucan community—WELCOME!
To our returning families, WELCOME BACK! We cannot wait to see your familiar faces and continue building on the strong foundation we have created together.
While our first full newsletter will arrive later next week, I wanted to share a few timely reminders to help your family prepare for a great start to the school year.
🎉 Woodside Welcome Back Night
Monday, August 31 | Woodside Courtyard
Join us for an exciting evening as we kick off the new school year together!
- 4:00–5:00 PM | Meet Your Teacher & Classmates
Please leave school supplies at home unless your teacher has specifically asked you to bring them.
- 4:30–6:00 PM | PTA Stay & Play
Playground opens at 4:30 PM
Dessert truck with treats available for purchase
A chance to meet new classmates and reconnect with friends
📅 First Day of School Reminders
Our first day of school will be Wednesday, September 2.
Kindergarten students will join us on Tuesday, September 8.
School Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 8:30 AM–2:50 PM
Learning Improvement Fridays: 8:30 AM–1:35 PM
🏫 Class Placement Announcements
Look for a ParentSquare message at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 28, with your child's classroom assignment and room number.
🎒 School Supply Lists
Information regarding school supplies can be found here: https://woodsidees.everettsd.org/about-us/school-supply-list.
Please reach out to your child's teacher for any additional questions regarding backpacks or classroom supply needs.
👩🏫 Meet the Woodside Teaching Staff
Kindergarten: Stacy Blenman, Brooke Burns, Megan Judson, Ellen Kelly, Lauren Sloyer, Amanda Thomas
First Grade: Rachael Herrick, Emma Anfinson, Laurie Beavers, Haley Sontra (Holly Spilker, long-term substitute through November 16), Olivia Stefanson
Second Grade: Dolly Gamlyn, Michelle Grosick, Lisa Nguyen, Kelly Parks, Amanda Zech
Third Grade: Rachel Becker, Aleen Pardike, Rita Trbic, Kylie Weber (Catrina Skelly, long-term substitute through October 30)
Fourth Grade: Lisa Eldridge, Jesslyn Freeman-Correa, Amber Hays
Fifth Grade: Ashley Dill, Meg O’Reilly, Gabriela Sykes
Specialists: Max Bennett (Music), Daniel Cresta (PE), Keri Lindsey (Library), Lindsey Lippert (STEAM)
Life Skills: Sarah Helsel, Hannah Yoder-Wells
Resource Room: Leah Kennedy
Instructional Support: Karen Johnson, Olivia McDaniel, Ashley Weiner
Counselor: Stacy Story
🚗 Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Morning Drop-Off
- Use the drop-off lane (yellow) whenever possible to avoid walking through the parking lot.
- Our Valet students will assist—please remain in your car.
- Students may arrive after 8:05 AM, when supervision begins.
- First bell: 8:30 AM | Final bell: 8:35 AM
- If walking your child, please say goodbye at the family drop-off sign.
Afternoon Pick-Up
- Dismissal is at 2:50 PM Monday–Thursday and 1:35 PM on Fridays.
- Meet your child behind the signs in the courtyard or use the car pickup line.
- We appreciate everyone's patience and courtesy during busy arrival and dismissal times.
Once again, I am honored to continue my leadership journey at Woodside and with Everett Public Schools, learning and growing alongside our incredibly talented staff. Together, we will continue creating a welcoming, supportive, and academically focused environment where all of our Toucans can SOAR!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our front office at 425-385-7800—we're here to help!
Wishing you a smooth and joyful wrap-up to summer. We can't wait to see you at Woodside!
Warmly,
Danielle DeJong
Proud Woodside Principal
Dear Woodside Community,
My name is Jacob Finkle, and I am writing to express how excited I am to be joining your school as the new assistant principal. I have spent the past eleven years as the music teacher at Silver Firs Elementary. I subbed briefly as the assistant principal here three years ago so I have already gotten a small taste of what makes Woodside so special. I’m thrilled that I will get to spend so much more time in this community.
I am lucky enough to be married to my wife Nicole who is the band teacher at Eisenhower Middle School. We have an eleven month old son named Avi and a very friendly dog named Daisy. Given the age of our son, we have been getting very good at surviving on very little sleep, but he is beginning to sleep more consistently which has been truly wonderful.
I am not originally from this area. I grew up in upstate New York and moved to the area to attend UW. I did not originally plan to stay, but I love the Pacific Northwest. It is the perfect place for someone who likes hiking, running, and eating tasty seafood (like me!).
I cannot wait to get to know all of the members of this community - The students, the staff, the families. Building joyful connections is what has always driven me forward. I cannot wait to exercise that passion here at Woodside.
Best,
Mr. Finkle
September 2- First Day of School for 1st-12th students
September 4- (LIF) Learning Improvement Friday - 1:35 pm release
September 7- No School - Labor Day
September 8- First Day of Kindergarten
September 11-(LIF) Learning Improvement Friday - 1:35 pm release
September 18- (LIF) Learning Improvement Friday - 1:35 pm release
September 23- Woodside Open House- 4:30-6:00 PM (come/go anytime within these hours)
September 25- (LIF) Learning Improvement Friday - 1:35 pm release
Find our student calendar for 2026-2027 HERE.
We are lucky at Woodside; all students have free breakfast and lunch, but the grant expires at the end of this year! ALL families are encouraged to submit the Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit (CNEEB) Application to see if their child qualifies for free meals and other benefits. This form helps schools get extra funding to support students. To have continued support, we need your assistance.
You can re-apply anytime if your family’s finances change during the school year.
The form is simple, confidential, and available to all students, regardless of immigration status. Applying helps your child and supports educational programs and services in our schools:
1. Increased funding to support student education
2. Additional funding for technology and discounts for internet and some utilities
3. Discounts for fees associated with college application process
4. Discounted fees for SAT, ACT & AP tests along with scholarship opportunities
5. Free healthy, nutritious student meals
Check your child’s backpack for a yellow post card with easy online application directions. Or you can click here and complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit (CNEEB) application. It only takes 5 minutes!
www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Take advantage of these benefits today!
As always you can call us at 425-385-7800 if you have questions.
