Dear Parents and Community,

This document, the ninth annual report from Evergreen Middle School, is one of several school-to-home communications intended to keep community members abreast of our goals and accomplishments. A four-page report can provide only a snapshot of Evergreen. We urge parents and community members to visit Evergreen during the school day when we are engaged in our primary educational mission, that of instruction, attend one or more of our school activities or concerts, or participate in school improvement planning with the Evergreen Site Council. Parents are also encouraged to participate with our very supportive Parents-Teachers-Organization in any of their numerous activities that help make Evergreen a productive and successful school.

The Washington State Legislature has granted two days of teacher in-service for all schools across the state. The Central Valley School District has an additional three days of in-service time for teachers to continue to improve teaching strategies and collaboration time for improved learning opportunities for our students. This past year the Evergreen teachers focused on improving the quality of education through the use of; Teaming strategies, Block Scheduling, Diversity Training as well creating strategies to improve instruction and outcomes relating to the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, as well as advancing our skills in the area of Technology, and including teacher collaboration time to better coordinate curriculum. In addition, our focus for the year, in conjunction with the PTO and SITE Council, was to find ways to express the importance of Evergreen’s 3R’s theme: Respect, Right Choices, and Responsibility. Another Strategic Plan item of importance was in the area of Celebrating Diversity in the schools for both students and staff.

We also value our business partnership with SAFECO Insurance, a relationship that benefits both the school and the business, and which provides worthwhile programs and opportunities for our students.

Evergreen emphasizes a quality and safe learning environment for all students. We stress mutual respect: student to student, staff to staff, and staff to students.

Evergreen’s community, staff, and students share a well deserved pride in our school. We also realize that, although we can be proud of our accomplishments in the past, we can never cease to strive to improve. This ongoing pursuit of excellence is a common feature of Evergreen, and we appreciate your continued support and involvement with our various improvement activities.

Sincerely

David D. Feldhusen

EVERGREEN MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

It is our belief that all students can learn, achieve and succeed. It is the mission of Evergreen Middle School to establish a strong foundation for life-long learning by providing a positive climate where all individual students can strive for maximum academic, physical, and social achievement that will guide them towards becoming productive and responsible citizens.

*A commitment to academic excellence shown by the 120 Evergreen students achieving a 3.5 grade point average or better for the first two trimesters of 2003/2004.

*Student participation on the Destination Imagination team, Math Olympiad team, and one of Evergreen’s students winning the S.T.A.R. Essay Contest

*A personal progress report system that permits both students and parents continuous knowledge of each student’s progress in all classes.

*An activity program involving three-fourths of our students in athletics, band, chorus, and student leadership.

*Numerous community service projects supported by our ASB/Leadership class which have collected and distributed food, clothing, and other items for the needy.

*A highly successful High Five organization committed to drug-free activities to which 98% of our students have pledged support.

*Standardized test scores well above state and national averages.

*A continuing emphasis on school safety and a positive school climate through emphasis on the values of respect, responsibility and accountability, a work ethic which leads us to strive for excellence and good attendance.

*A successful PTO sponsored Family Feast Dinner which brought together staff, students, and parents.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A very special thanks to:

*The many valued parent volunteers who assist us at school and at school activities;

*A tremendously supportive Parent Teacher Organization whose executive board exemplify the qualities of caring parents and community supports;

*Our business partner, SAFECO Insurance, for supporting and contributing to Evergreen’s student programs;

*A staff dedicated to maintaining high expectations and meeting the unique needs of our special aged student population; and

*Our parents for sending us

*Our outstanding students.