Cascade Parent Information

ATHLETICS & PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE)

What sports are available for sixth graders?

• Visit our Athletic page on our school website.

• Sixth graders can participate in all sports EXCEPT football.

  • • Season 1: Aug. 28 - Nov. 3, 2023

      • • Girls Fastpitch

        • Football 7th & 8th Grade Only (Football Information) 

    • Season 2: Nov. 13 - Jan. 19, 2024

      • • Boys Basketball

        • Girls Gymnastics

        • Girls Soccer

    • Season 3: Jan. 29 - March 27, 2024

      • • Wrestling

        • Girls Basketball

        • Boys Soccer

    • Season 4: April 1 - May 24, 2024

      • • Boys & Girls Track

        • Boys Baseball

        • Girls Volleyball

• Items that need to be completed before a student can participate in sports:

  • • ASB card

    • Online parent packet

    • Sports physical

What are the approximate dates and times required for these sports? 

• Practice generally runs from 2:20 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Some sports may vary).

How far in advance of participating in these sports, is the physical form required to be in the office?

• Athletic physicals will be good for two consecutive years and need to be on file in the ASB Office before athletes can practice.  If you are an incoming sixth grader, you must get a physical after July 1 to participate in Cascade athletics.  All athletic forms are available under your Family Access in Skyward for parents and under Student Access in Skyward for students.  Log in and go to On-Line Forms.  You will get a green check when you complete each section.  One of the steps allows you to print the physical form to take to your doctor. 

Athletic Progress Reports: 

• Academics and behavior are important responsibilities of ALL athletes.  Grade checks will be done by coaches once a week to verify the athletes are meeting academic standards.

What type of clothing is acceptable for Physical Education? 

• Acceptable clothing for PE includes PE T-Shirts which can be purchased through ASB bookkeeping office for $7.00.

• Students/Families should provide comfortable shorts, sweats, socks, and tennis shoes.

Are students expected to bring PE clothing on the first day of school? 

• Students should plan to bring their PE clothing on the second day of school.  Lockers will be assigned on the second day.  There is a charge of $7.00 for the locks if they are not returned at the end of semester.

Are students required to shower after participating? 

• Students are not required to shower; however, they should bring their own towel in case they choose to dry off if they get wet from being outdoors.

Attendance and Physical Education (PE): 

• Since PE is based largely on participation, multiple absences could cause a serious lowering of a student’s grade.  To offset this, students may make up absences by performing one hour of exercise outside of school.  A signed note from parents stating the nature, duration, and date of the activity will assure teachers that this has been done.

What is an ASB card and what benefits does it provide? 

• All students at Cascade will receive an ID card on Picture Day.  If your child plans to participate in our after school athletic program, band, choir, orchestra, and clubs, they will be required to purchase an ASB sticker for their card.  This changes the ID card to an ASB card.  The money from the sale of ASB cards goes to help support activities for our students.  Students presenting an ASB card at school events normally pay a lower ticket price.  Please encourage your child to keep their ASB card in a safe place.  There is a charge for replacement cards and time is needed to process it.  If you have any questions, please contact our ASB bookkeeper.

ATTENDANCE

Absences:

• A parent may call, email, or send a written note to the Attendance office the night before or the morning of the absence to excuse the student.  The number for the Attendance Office is 253-931-4995, option 2.

Late to School:

• Students that arrive late should report to the Attendance Office for an admit slip before they go to class.  If the late arrival is due to an appointment, the parent/guardian can call, email, or send a note with the student and the absence will be excused.

Early Dismissal:

• Students needing to leave early should bring a note to the Attendance Office before school on the day they need to be dismissed.  They will be given an Early Dismissal Pass.  If they return during the day, they must stop at the Attendance Office for an admit slip.

Importance of Attendance:

• Excessive absences or tardies severely impact a student’s learning and development.  It is vital for students to attend each day and be on time.

• Students need to work with their teachers to see what they missed from class.  If a prolonged absence (2 or more days) is foreseen, communicate with the school counselor so assignments and learning modules can be provided.

BICYCLE POLICY

Students are allowed to ride their bicycles to school.  They are expected to lock it up at the bicycle rack (student needs to provide their own lock).  To ensure the security of all bicycles, the bicycle rack is off limits during the school day.  Students should know that King County law requires helmets to be worn for safety at all times.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM

Are the accounts set up the same as in elementary school?

• Yes, each child has their own account.

How can we apply for free/reduced lunch?

• We will be providing meals to all students at no cost to families during the 2023-2024 school year; however, we encourage families who qualify for free or reduced-price meals to submit an application for meal benefits. Eligibility for free or reduced-price meals may qualify the students for additional benefits such as Pandemic EBT and reduced or waived fees for various school and community programs.  In addition, some school programs are funded based on the number of eligible students.

• Completing an application takes about 10 minutes, and families should complete only one meal application that includes all their students.  Applications are available online through Skyward Family Access, or a paper application can be submitted.  Paper applications are translated into Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Marshallese.  If other languages are needed, please contact the Child Nutrition Office.

Are there different lines for different types of food?

• No, all students are offered the same food options at all locations.

Are there limitations on what the students can choose?

• There are no limits on what a student may buy.  Free/Reduced students must purchase a “whole” lunch and will be charged for any ala carte items. 

What time does breakfast begin?

• Breakfast is available from 7:15-7:25 a.m.

CELL PHONE POLICY

We are tightening up our cell phone policy for this year. Our goal is to limit the amount of students who appear on social media without their consent and to refocus student attention on the learning in the classrooms.

• Cell phones will only be allowed before 7:40 and after 2:10. Cell phones will also be permitted during lunch and during passing time when students are OUTSIDE of the buildings. As soon as a student reenters a building, their cell phone needs to be secure and out of sight.

• If a student does not put their cell phone away after being reminded of the expectations, the cell phone will be locked up in the office.  Students can retrieve their phone at the end of the school day. A second cell phone offense will require a parent or guardian to pick up the phone.

• If you need to contact your student during the school day, please contact the office and we will deliver the message. Otherwise, please know that they may not be able to respond until they are outside again.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

It is expected that students wear clothing which is appropriate and contributes to a positive learning climate while at school or school-sponsored activities. Cascade’s goal is to create an environment conducive to student learning. 

• Dress/appearance that constitutes a clear and present danger to student’s health and/or safety or that cause interference with work or create a classroom or school disruption will not be permitted. 

• Tops must conceal the torso, including midriff, chest, and sides.

• Exposed undergarments are not permitted.

• Skirts, shorts, etc. must be of appropriate length for the school setting. 

• Sunglasses are not permitted indoors. 

•  Any apparel by which printed word, symbol, or display, promote alcohol, drugs, tobacco, sex, nudity, violence, gang behavior, hate speech, or that otherwise disrupt the educational climate, are prohibited.

•  Hats may not be permitted in individual classrooms.

• Students who violate the dress code will be given the opportunity to change their clothing/appearance. If the expectation is not met, parents/guardians may be contacted and/or the student may be subject to discipline. 

FAMILY ACCESS

Parents can stay up to date in real time by tracking their child’s progress through Family Access.  Family Access can translate to several languages including Spanish, German, French, Russian and Vietnamese.  It even translates assignments!

• You can access your child’s:

  • • Current grades

    • Class schedule

    • Missing assignments

    • Attendance record

    • Health history and vaccination dates

    • Links to teachers’ email addresses for easy communication

• Instructions for Skyward Mobile Access is located here.

If you need assistance, please call the office at 253-931-4995.

LIBRARY USE

When can students use the library?

• The library is open for students from 7:10 to 7:40 a.m., during all lunches (except when the library is closed because a class is in session), from 2:10 to 2:40 p.m., and anytime during the school day when sent with a pass from the teacher.

What resources are available?

• A print collection of over 15,000 titles, which provides support of all areas of curriculum and recreational reading for a variety of interests and readying abilities.

• The Destiny Online Catalog is available for book searching.  Students can search by title, author, subject, and Lexile reading level.  Searching for books by award lists is also possible.  Students can generate a personal book list of their favorites and even vote for books on the library page.

PTSA

How can parents join Cascade Middle School PTSA?

• The PTSA will have a table at Open House in August.

• You can sign up for PTSA here--> Cascade PTSA  or turn in this form

• Visit their Facebook page

• Meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 5:30pm in the library.

SCHOOL CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

See our school website for details.  Clubs will start the week of September 25th and the list of clubs and activities will be posted after school starts.  An ASB card is required for school clubs.

SCHOOL RECORDS

What is the procedure for changing information?

• If you would like to update your address, telephone number, email address, place of work, or emergency contacts, forms are available in the main office or you can email our registrar, Mrs. Hernandez at ahernandez@auburn.wednet.edu

• It is very important to have current information so that we may contact you quickly in the event of an emergency, illness, or injury.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Our student handbook can be viewed on our website or here.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus routes can be found on our website under “Find Bus Route & School” (link will be active at the end of August).

•  If your child plans to ride a different bus than usual, they should bring a signed and dated note to the Attendance Office before school.  It should include your child’s name, the bus # and person they are riding with (or stop) and be dated and signed by the parent/guardian.   They may pick up their Bus Permission Slip during their lunchtime.

• Scooters and skateboards are not allowed on the bus.  This is a state mandated regulation that was created with your child’s safety in mind.  In the event of an accident, items such as skateboards and scooters become projectiles which could cause serious injury.

VISITORS

All visitors should enter through the Attendance Office.