School begins on Tuesday, August 30! Here’s a list of the items to know about, have ready, completed or in process before the first day of school:

• Registration, orientation, open house, back-to-school events:

• Ensure your child is registered (online or in person at schools); if your child attended an Evergreen school last year, you’re set unless you moved, have a new phone number or email address—then update in Skyward

• Have required vaccinations in progress or completed with records to school; students will not be able to begin school without state-required vaccinations (as of 2022, does not include COVID-19 vaccination)

• Watch for information from your child’s school about back-to-school events and information (or check on school website—evergreenps.org, then select “Schools”)

• High school students—pick-up class schedule or download from Skyward

• Middle and high school athletes—have current physical, sign-up/clear for fall sports

• School supplies, fees and meals:

• EPS provides school supplies for elementary students. You will need to provide backpack, lunchbox (if student brings own lunch) and appropriate PE shoes

• Middle and high school supplies are dependent on student schedule — have backpack, and standard supplies such as notebook paper, pens/pencils

• There are no fees for middle or high school athletics and activities

• Breakfast and lunch free for all students

• How to get to school:

• Review school start and dismissal times and plan accordingly

• If your student rides the bus, check school bus schedule (on web: evergreenps.org, select “Transportation & Bus Schedules”)

• If your student walks or bikes, preview a safe route to school

• If students are being driven, review the student drop-off/pickup flow in school parking lot

• High school student drivers need to obtain parking permit

As we look forward to the first day of the 2022-23 school year, I am so excited to be part of a community that is committed to doing the hard work that leads to better experiences for our children.

I started as the Interim Superintendent on February 1. A week later, our levy failed. Following that setback, it was rewarding to come together with families, students, staff and community members and share with voters how vital levy funds are to each student’s overall school experience. This combined effort led to a convincing victory in April as the levy passed with a 54% approval rate. This campaign proved that when we are organized and aligned toward a common goal, we can achieve great things.

With that winning strategy in mind, we now turn our focus to the academic success of our students. Early in my tenure, I visited all 38 of our schools and met with students, teachers, community members and other staff and stakeholders. I quickly learned how proud so many of you are of the staff and programs in EPS. But I also learned that people believe we are underperforming academically.

To address this we are creating a system that provides the support to help all of our students reach their academic potential. We started by collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders to create a Strategic Plan that gives us a roadmap toward improving outcomes of our students.

As we phase in the plan, we will begin with a focus on equitable outcomes for students in math, which we have identified as a priority. We will introduce a new comprehensive K-12 problem-based math curriculum designed to address content and practice standards to foster learning for all students. The adoption of this curriculum throughout the district will provide our educators and students with a plan to deliver measurable, positive results.

Over the course of the year, we will continue to build out the Strategic Plan to help address all the needs of our students.

As we go through this process, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Charlene Williams to the EPS family. In her role as the Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Williams will help me lead and organize our Teaching, Learning and Equity Department. Dr. Williams has a proven track record of leadership in equity and successfully improving student outcomes.

The first day of school is a time to celebrate new opportunities. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together during the 2022-23 school year.