April 24, 2026

Each month an Everett Public Schools student can be nominated by their teacher who demonstrates the Core Value of the Month. The nominations are sent to Administration where students are selected to be recognized as a Core Value Champion.

Mrs. Wight nominated Anna for exemplifying the Core Value of the Month, Diversity. Here's what she wrote about Anna…

"Port Gardner 8th grader Anna Avetisyan embodies our core value of diversity in both her actions and her attitude. She leads with inclusivity, ensuring that every student feels welcomed, valued, and heard. Whether collaborating in groups or participating in class discussions she creates space for all voices. She chooses to celebrate diverse perspectives in her studies: choosing to learn about Japanese-American artist Isamu Nogushi in art for example. She not only appreciates the richness of our diverse community but actively contributes to building a school culture where everyone belongs. We are proud to recognize her for representing the core value of diversity with such authenticity and heart."

Congratulations Anna!

Monthly Progress is due May 1

Log on to ALE here to report progress: https://pgs.schooldata.net/v2/ale-sis/#/

🌷APRIL🌷

April 28, 29, 30 - Grade 3-8 Smarter Balance Assessment - No classes today

🌺MAY🌺

May 1 - Progress Due on ALE

May 4 - Getting Ready for Kindergarten for New Kinder Parents 9:30

May 5 - Progress recieved after noon today will be marked Overall Unsat

May 7 - WCAS Testing for Grades 5 & 8

May 8 - 5th Grade Field Trip

May 13 - PTSA Variety Show 6 pm

May 14 - PGS Open House 4:30 - 6:30 pm

May 15 - Overall Progress Evaluations - No classes today

May 18-20 - Oral Reading Fluency/i-Read for Grades K-2 - No Johnson or Hinds classes these dates.

May 25 - Memorial Day - No School Today

🔅JUNE🔅

June 1 - Progress Due on ALE

June 3 - Last day of onsite classes

June 4 - Overall Progress Evaluations - No classes today

June 4 - Fall class sign ups begin

June 5 - 11 - Student Learning Plan appointments

June 15 - Last day of school

On the last three days of April, our PGS students in grades 3-8 will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) in the mornings. Please do not schedule trips or absences during these three days. The SBA is aligned to Washington state standards in ELA and Mathematics for grades 3-8. That means this assessment is measuring the very same grade level learning goals that you have already been working towards with your student all year.

Here is a link with instructions on how to use the Practice and Training Tests:

2026 Accessing SBA Practice at Home.pdf​

You can use these practice tests as many times as you like. None of the scores are saved. These are strictly for practice and gaining familiarity with the SBA. Even though the assessment covers familiar grade level material, the format may be new to some of our students. PGS highly recommends going online and using the Practice Test and Training Test for ELA and Math to learn how to navigate the test features, see some sample questions, and explore what is expected of students.

• Smarter Balanced Practice Tests (brown button) This has questions similar to the ones students might see for their specific grade, so it is truly relevant practice!
• Smarter Balanced Training Tests (blue button) This shortened version of the test helps students become familiar with the format of the SBA through practice using the online tools for a grade band such as grades 3-5 or 6-8.
• WCAS Training Tests (pink button) has items to practice just for grades 5 and 8 to prepare for the Science test in May.

Questions? Contact your Student Learning Plan Advisor.

Below are some details for the parents and grade 3-8 students who are testing.

Arrive between 9:00-9:10am each morning. All students should bring:

• water bottle

• book

• 6-8 grade students should bring their own devices to use.

• Headphones will be provided.

Pick up time varies by grade level (see schedule below): SBA is an untimed test; therefore, the end times are our best guesses of when they will be finished. The PGS campus is closed between the different grade level pick up times. Parents come to the Gym for pick up at the following times:

• Tuesday at 11:15 am for all students

• Wednesday at 11:15 am for Elementary, and 12:30 pm for MS students.
• Thursday at 10:45 for grade 3, 11:30 for grades 4-5, and 11:45 for MS.

Unless you get a phone call stating otherwise, please pick up your student at the end time posted above. Students who are not finished by posted end times will be offered a lunch break. You can provide lunch, or we will have a grab-n-go lunch provided in the Gym.

Please note:

• Due to testing, access to the building after 9:15 is limited only to students who are testing.
• The courtyard will be closed during lunch time if students are still testing.
• Pre-ordered grab n go lunches will be available in the gym for students after testing.
• Students that are waiting for a sib to complete a test may sit quietly on the gym bleachers to eat lunch.

Grab-n-Go lunches will be available for pick up in the gym on Tues, Wed & Thurs, April 28-30th

Does your student have something from home learning to display at Open House?

Email Megan at mslaker@everettsd.org to reserve a table.

You don't want to miss the PGS Open House!

🥪Tues - Friday - Grab n Go🥪

Thursday mornings at Lively? - see link below to order ahead.

Click Here to Order or Update Lively Lunches by Noon on Mondays

📄 For more details, refer to the Cafeteria & Lunch Info 2025–2026 document below.

Mrs. Hinds's science students built different combinations of mortar mix sandwiches and tested them. They then built Lego walls and tested the strength.

On the trail again at Lively!

Mrs. Wight's MS ELA students are studying Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and created improv scenes to learn the plot.

Mrs. Wight's Pre-AP ELA students practice their Romeo and Juliet roles!

Want to join the fun and perform?

Click the link below or scan the QR code above.

PGS Variety Show Sign Up Link

Show will start at 6 pm on Wednesday, March 13 at the Everett High Little Theater.

Performers arrive at 5 pm.

PTSA Earth Day Plastics Drive!

• It’s time to bring in your soft plastic film for our PTSA Earth Day initiative!
• Let’s see how much plastic Port Gardner can keep out of the landfill this month. Our plastics will be recycled in to Trex decking, isn’t that cool?
• Join us for an ice cream celebration on May 5th if we reach our goal!

Our yearbook team is gearing up to create something truly special this year—but we can’t do it alone. We’re looking for a few creative volunteers to help us capture the school year by taking photos at events and sorting images for the yearbook.

If you’re interested or curious, I'd love to hear from you. Come help us make something our students will treasure for years to come! Contact me at mslaker@everettsd.org or stop by the PGS Office.

Want to start reading with Accelerated Reader?

Click on the banner above or go to the PGS Student Tools page on the Port Gardner EPS website.

https://portgardner.everettsd.org/student/port-gardner-specific-student-tools

Your student's User Name and Password are as follows:

UN = student's school ID number

PW= student's birth month, hyphen, day. For example, a birthday of July 8th, the pw would be 07-08.

Need to find a AR level?

Here is the Book Finder: https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fdefault.aspx

Attendance Email: pgsattendance@everettsd.org

Click on the banner above for details on Lunch & Breakfast

Breakfast served from 9 - 9:10 am

Lunch 11:20-11:50 am

All students need active supervision for breakfast & lunch.

Lunch food service ends at 11:40 am and cafeteria closes at 11:50am

No cost lunch for enrolled students

In the event of severe weather, power outages, or other emergencies, Everett Public Schools may adjust schedules to ensure the safety of students and staff. Using multiple communication methods, we aim to inform families and staff about schedule changes by 5:30 a.m. We will post any school closure or delay decision on the district website as soon as it is made.

School closure and late start information

Jack Roy, Principal: jroy@everettsd.org 425-385-5190

Autumn Slater, School Counselor: aslater@everettsd.org 425-385-5110

Megan Slaker, Secretary: mslaker@everettsd.org 425-385-5150

Mandy Trimble, Para Educator: atrimble@everettsd.org 425-385-5180

Audra Van Volkenburg, Health Room Nurse: avanvolkenburg@everettsd.org 425-385-5158

Allison Hinds, Primary Teacher: ahinds@everettsd.org 425-385-5183

Celeste Johnson, Primary Teacher: cjohnson@everettsd.org 425-385-5183

Jocelyn Sievers-Bailey, Intermediate Teacher: Jsievers-bailey@everettsd.org 425-385-5186

Laura Wight, High School Teacher: lwight@everettsd.org 425-385-5144 or 5182

Mark Ryder, High School Teacher: mryder@everettsd.org 425-385-5145

Sherm Iversen, Online Instructor: siversen@everettsd.org 425-385-5159

Thank you for your time and attention in reading through the Port Gardner Newsletter.

Questions? Contact Megan Slaker at mslaker@everettsd.org

Phone: 425-385-5150