Cedar Wood Elementary Newsletter

Greetings Cedar Wood Families,

“He will need braces,” was barely out of the dentist’s mouth before I was mentally trying to recall whether our insurance provided any coverage. The news was not a shock, as the dentist had been dropping hints for several years, that this was a possibility. However, now that the words hung in the air while Mitchell’s 10-year-old face fell, crestfallen, there was no denying the reality any further.

The dentist continued, “Has Mitchell had any trauma to his mouth in the past? He has two molars that are going back down instead of up, and those will need to be extracted to make room for his other teeth before we can get started with braces.” I looked at my wife, Trish, and she looked back at me. I could read in her face—as I am sure she could read in mine—when hasn’t Mitchell had trauma to his mouth? He has always been one of those rough-and-tumble kids who is constantly getting banged up and bruised. Trish pointed out that when he was two, he slipped while getting out of the pool and knocked his two front teeth out. This undoubtedly was a traumatic event; however, it was just another layer added to the underlying issue that Mitchell needs braces.

This experience parallels what we encountered with Mitchell at school and may mirror your experience with your child as well. For several years, we saw hints that Mitchell might need extra support with his studies. In third grade, his teacher clearly articulated that while he was very bright, he appeared to have some processing difficulties when given multiple directions at once. Once those words were clearly stated and hung in the air, my wife and I began searching for the “braces” for this dilemma. We spent the better part of a year analyzing Mitchell’s learning style, strengths, and challenges, and we developed a plan to work with him—his academic “braces.”

As with real braces, the strategies we developed were not a quick fix. Our “braces” for Mitchell’s academic progress worked slowly and occasionally had to be “tightened” when Mom and Dad became a little too loose. It was often frustrating for him—and for us—as we continued to balance pushing hard, but not too hard.

I encourage you to work with your child if they, too, need “braces” to assist with their schoolwork. This can take many forms, from ensuring they do homework daily to sitting with them while they work or reading the same book they are reading and discussing it together. Regardless of what grade a student is in, it is never too late or too early to put “braces” on for the first time and help them get “straightened out” academically. Even if your child does not need academic braces because they are doing well in school, it is still important to remind them to “brush up” by reviewing regularly and studying to the best of their ability.

Respectfully,

Kevin

1.19.26 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)

1.22.26 End of First Semester

1.26.26 Start of Second Semester

1.26.26-2.27.26 WIDA Testing

2026 District Elementary Art Show - Mrs. Versdahl has been randomly selecting student artwork, this school year, to be displayed at the annual District Elementary Art Show. If your child’s art is selected, and they are interested in participating, you will receive an important permission form from Mrs. Versdahl in January. Permission forms must be returned by no later than Friday, January 30, for the artwork to be included. The art will be displayed at the District Office (Community Resource Center), and students and their families we be invited to attend an official Art Show on March 5 from 6–7 p.m. Watch for more info to come from Mrs. Versdahl!

To update student and guardian information for the current school year, Everett Public Schools (EPS) families must complete the Information Update through the ParentVUE portal. This process is crucial due to the recent transition to the new Synergy student information system, which may have affected guardian access levels.

Steps to Complete the Information Update:

1. Login to ParentVUE (access through a web browser & not the app for this specific process)
2. Click OLR
3. Click Open Online Registration
4. Complete the Information Update

Additional Information & Troubleshooting:

• For more detailed guides or assistance, you can visit the official EPS website at https://www.everettsd.org/Page/43688.

Completing this update ensures Cedar Wood Elementary has the most current information for your family.

SchoolBus/TransportationInformation

• District Transportation Page
• View your student's bus route details.
• Download the My Stop App for bus route tracking information.
• Transportation "Let's Talk!" routes your inquiries to the person/team best suited to respond:
• Transportation Questions
• Early/Late Bus Arrivals
• Lost Items
• Concerns
• And much more!

We know the names are similar, but ParentVUE and ParentSquare provide two different important functions.

• ParentVUE gives families access to important student information.
• Report your student's attendance
• View grades, schedules, transportation information and more
• ParentSquare is where all communication from schools, teachers and the district is squared away.

Attendance Reporting 101

Report Absences quick & easy through ParentVUE! (Full day absences only, please.)

OR

Notify the office and your teacher of late drop off, early pick up, or a change in how they get home through ParentSquare:

1. Messages

2. New (plus sign)

3. Group Conversation

4. Add recipients “Attendance, Cedar Wood” as well as your teacher’s name

OR

If email or voicemail is preferred: **Email cweattendance@everettsd.org as well as your teacher for absences, late drop off, early pick up, or a change in how they get home.

**Call (425) 385-7705 to leave a voicemail regarding absences, late drop off, or early pick up.

If you have a medical note and would like to share it, we’re happy to accept it. You can attach it to a ParentVUE absence notification, send it through ParentSquare, email it to us, or drop it off at the office.

CHANGE IN PICK UP PLANS

**Please notify us at least one hour in advance using ParentSquare, email, or voicemail. If that is not possible, please call the office at (425) 385-7700 to ensure we receive the message in time before school gets out.

PLANNED ABSENCES

**If you know of upcoming absences, such as travel or vacation, please complete the Planned Absence Form located here: https://www.everettsd.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=23561 (Cedar Wood website > Attendance Reporting > Planned Absence Request)

**This can be completed electronically and attached to a ParentVUE absence submission.

**There are also paper copies in the school office and this can be returned to the front desk.

With the transition to Synergy, the process for generating state-mandated attendance letters is changing. Beginning this month, if your student has accrued multiple excused and/or unexcused absences during the 2025–2026 school year, attendance letters will be generated on a bi-weekly basis. Because of this schedule, you may receive more than one attendance letter within the same time period.

At Cedar Wood, we care deeply about student attendance and are committed to prevention, early intervention, and strong family engagement to address attendance concerns. Our goal is to create a positive environment where every student feels supported and wants to attend school each day.

If you have any questions about attendance processes, please contact

Michelle Strickler, Assistant Principal

mstrickler@everettsd.org

Our lost & found items accumulate very quickly. The items are rolled out near the front office before school at drop off and after school at pick up. Students also have the opportunity to check for items as they walk into the cafeteria for lunch each day.

To keep personal belongings out of the lost & found, please label your child's jackets, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, water bottles, gloves, etc.

At the beginning of every month, all items in the lost & found will be donated to a local charity. Please encourage your children to check the lost & found before the end of each month.

We love starting each day together right on time! Teachers will pick up their classes promptly at 9:10 AM to begin the day. The tardy bell rings at 9:15 AM. Students arriving after that time will need to check in at the office. If you arrive and notice the gate is locked, please send your child directly to the front office so we can ensure they safely make it to class.

A gentle reminder that supervision begins at 8:50am (please don't drop off your student beforehand). Dropping your student off between 9:05 and 9:10 helps minimize wait time and keeps our morning routine running smoothly. Thank you for helping your student start the day ready to learn!

No Left Turn into school entrance from 168th. Please join the line to turn right into the parking lot.

When using the “Kiss and Go” Lane for student drop-off and pick-up:

· Stay in your car.

· Have your student ready to leave the car before you get to the curb.

· Have your student exit and enter on the right-hand-side of the car.

· Please pull all the way forward to the designated drop-off/pick-up area.

Please remember:

· When crossing 168th St SE, use the designated crosswalk and school entrance.

· Students will be assigned a designated area for line up in the undercover area.

· Supervision begins at 8:50am in the undercover area but bringing your child closer to 9:10am would be helpful. There is also adult supervision at the front of the school to ensure that all students get to their designated gathering area safely.