Eckstein Weekly News

September 12, 2025

Upcoming Dates

September

Sep. 5 – 26: Yearbook Orders
Sep. 9 – 24: Spirit Gear Orders Open
Sep. 20: Eckstein 75th Anniversary Celebration (10 am – 1 pm)
Sep. 19: 75th Anniversary Assembly (AM Assembly Schedule)
Deadline to Return FERPA & Emergency Information & Student Release Forms
Sep. 25: Curriculum Night (6:30 – 8:15 pm)
Sep. 26: Deadline to Order Yearbooks & Spirit Gear
Sep. 30: Deadline to Make Online Changes to Student Verification Form

October

Oct. 3: 6th Grade Eagle Night (7-8:30 pm)
Oct. 10: No Students – State In-Service Day
Oct. 15: 17: 8th grade @ Orkila
Oct. 24: Pep Assembly (PM Assembly Schedule)
Oct. 24: TENTATIVE Haunted Library (Evening)
Oct. 25: Orchestra Retreat
Oct. 27-31: SPIRIT WEEK

Celebrate 75 years of Eckstein Middle School – Saturday, September 20, 2025

Everyone is invited to attend Eckstein’s 75th anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The program will include building tours; musical performances, including one by the Ten Man Brass Band; screening of a short movie about Eckstein through the decades; cake and refreshments; remarks from Kate Levinson, Nathan Eckstein’s granddaughter; an art installation; and much more.

Eckstein Yearbooks Available to Order Now

Yearbooks are $30. Please order your yearbook on Schoolpay located in your student’s Source account.

We apologize for the wrong yearbook amount in our Start of Year forms packet.

You can also have your student bring a check made out to Eckstein Middle School or $30 cash to the Main Office. Yearbooks are distributed during the last week of school in June.

Yearbook Ordering Windows
September 5 – September 26, 2024
November 28 – December 19, 2024

Picture Day – September 16

We will be taking pictures of every student on September 16 throughout the day. These pictures will appear on their student ID and in the yearbook.
For students that are absent on September 16 we will have a make-up day in October.

Eckstein Spirit Gear Available to Order Now

Help Needed for Our 75th Anniversary Celebration

Eagle Gear — Order on SchoolPay!
Deadline to order is 9/26/25
this year’s design features Eckstein’s original mascot, the roadrunner, in the background.

All tops have the same design in either white or royal blue. Pants have “ECKSTEIN” down the leg.
You can see the items in SchoolPay or on our website here: https://ecksteinms.seattleschools.org/news/order-yearbooks-sept-6-26/

Grey sweat pants, “ECKSTEIN” down the leg, Adult size only XS-4XL — $20
Grey t-shirt, Youth size XS-XL, Adult size S-4XL — $15
Grey crew neck sweatshirt, Youth size XS-XL, Adult size S-4XL — $20 (+$5 for personalization)
Blue hoodie, Adult size only XS-4XL — $28 (+$5 for personalization)
Smokey White hoodie, Adult size only XS-4XL — $28 (+$5 for personalization)
Blue plaid PJ pants, “ECKSTEIN” down the leg, Adult size only XS-3XL — $20

Help Needed for Our 75th Anniversary Celebration

The Eckstein 75th Anniversary Planning Committee is still in need of volunteers for various roles during the community event on Saturday, September 20. Please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C4FABA92EA0F58-58399336-75th to learn more about what is available. Thanks for your consideration.

AM Assembly Schedule – September 19

We will have an assembly for students to celebrate 75 years of Eckstein Middle school.

Here is the bell schedule:

Period 1: 8:55 AM – 10:40 AM
Assembly: 8:55 AM – 9:45 AM
Period 2: 10:45 AM – 11:35 AM
Period 4: 11:40 AM – 1:00 PM
1st LUNCH: 11:35 AM – 12:05 PM (Class 12:10 PM – 1:00 PM)
2nd LUNCH: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM (Class 11:40 AM – 12:30 PM)
Period 3: 1:05 PM – 1:55 PM
Period 5: 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM
Period 6: 2:55 PM – 3:45 PM

Curriculum Night – September 25

Come and meet the team of teachers working with your child!
Curriculum Night will be on Thursday, September 25, from 6:30-8:15pm.
Parents will follow their student’s schedule of classes. Each class meets for 10 minutes with a 5 minute passing period to get to the next class.
This event is for parents/guardians only.

Curriculum Night Schedule:

6:00-6:25 OPTIONAL: Learn about the Source/Schoology with Ms. Sterling in the Library and our Sexual Health Instruction Overview in room TBD.

6:30-6:45 Homeroom (Welcome Video with Administration Team, Wellness Team, and Support Staff)

6:50-7:00 1st Period

7:05-7:15 2nd Period

7:20-7:30 3rd Period

7:35-7:45 4th Period

7:50-8:00 5th period

8:05-8:15 6th Period

Be on the lookout for your child’s schedule and Eckstein map on Monday, September 22, 2025!

8th Grade Camp Orkila Fieldtrip Update

Our eighth graders will be heading to Camp Orkila on October 15 – 17. Permission form packets will go out to students next week.

After School Student Interest Groups are Starting Soon

Dungeons & Dragons
Meets every Monday after school in the library.
Cost is free, though snack donations are welcome.
Students need a permission slip to attend. Permission slips are in the library.

Debate Club
Debate Club is run by an outside organization, Climb the Mountain. Improve Communication and Gain Confidence. Challenge your Mind and Work in Teams, Win! Learn Research, Organization, Critical Thinking.

Meets Tuesdays starting on September 30 until November 18 from 4 – 5:40 pm.
Learn more and register here: https://fs12.formsite.com/hansonjb/school-climb-program/index

Scholarships are available through our social worker, Erica Davenport.

Chess League

Chess Club will start at the beginning of October on Mondays from 4 – 5 pm. If your student is interested, please email Ms. Detering at jrdetering@seattleschools.org.

In the past, we used an outside vendor who supplied snacks and chess sets. This year, we have a staff member running the club, so we need chess sets and would like snack donations.
If you can donate a chess set, please bring it to the Main Office anytime.

Game Group

Students work on jigsaw puzzles and other games during lunch in Portable 9.
Meets Mondays during both lunches.Crochet Group

Come learn how to crochet and create fun items. Start date and day of the week TBD.

Email Ms. Clark at mailto:ttclark@seattleschools.org

Books & Bites (Lunch)
Discuss books while enjoying your lunch. Meets Tuesdays during lunch in the library. Students can sign up on the Library Schoology page.

Maker Mondays (Lunch)
Come for crafting and jewelry making. Meets Mondays in the library. Students can sign up on the Library Schoology page.

7th Grade Vision/Hearing Checks Help Needed – 10/27/25

Every year we need to perform vision and hearing tests on all seventh grade students. For vision, we use a scanner that can measure vision in less than a minute. We need volunteers to work the equipment and take notes. Hearing takes a bit longer with standard hearing check equipment. We need volunteers to perform the test and take notes. We hope to have multiple scanners for both hearing and vision.

All volunteers must be cleared through the SPS Volunteer Application process. We are asking for volunteers this far in advance because the application now can take over 5 weeks to process.

If you can help, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45AFA829A6FBC61-58614421-7thgrade

Sign Up for the PTSA Weekly Bulletin

The PTSA Weekly Bulletin includes important information about PTSA, high school, elementary, and community events that we do not post in our Eckstein Weekly News.

PTSA Open Positions – We Need Your Help!

· Co-Treasurer – Work alongside the current treasurer this year to step into the role next year. Serve on the PTSA Executive Committee, support the fiduciary care of the Board, and act as the point of contact for PTSA financial details and WA Non-Profit Treasury-related bylaws/guidelines/laws.
· Packs for Kids Chair – Help coordinate food for our students in need and collaborate with Roosevelt HS coordinator (Beth Coogan).
· DEI Co-Chair (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) – Lead the DEI committee and represent it to the PTSA Board. Attend EAC committee meetings, advocate for equitable fund distribution, and serve as a conduit of information between the EMS PTSA, Seattle Council PTSA, and Eckstein families.
· Vice President (Advocacy) – Preside over meetings in the president’s absence and support delegated presidential duties.
· Volunteer Coordinator – Recruit and connect willing helpers to support PTSA activities.
· Garden Chair – Coordinate work parties to help keep our school grounds looking great.
For more information, please contact PTSA President Kat Laxton at president@ecksteineaglesptsa.org.

SAVE THE DATE: Eagle Night for Sixth Graders – October 3, 2025

Our first Eagle Night is for sixth grade students only. It will be on October 3, 2025 from 7 – 8:30 pm. We will be sending out more information soon.

Attendance Matters!

Is my child too sick to go to school?

Learn about the SPS guide to determine if your student is too sick to attend school.
https://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-My-Child-Too-Sick-to-Go-To-School-English.pdf

Needs and Leads with Ms. Davenport, School Social Worker

Leads

If your student still needs school supplies, clothing support or other help such as getting a sports physical or glasses to see in class, please email Ms. Davenport esdavenport@seattleschools.org, call 206-252-5098 or tell your student to come by Portable 9 at lunch. To request extra social work supports for your student you can fill out this form: Student Support Request Form

Family Works is an awesome community resource for families that offers parenting classes, resource support and much more!

They have a new BIPOC parenting group for middle schoolers starting on September 22nd offering free dinner and childcare. To register at: focseattle.org

Needs

We currently need dish soap and garbage bags for the Community Cupboard that opens once a month for families to come get everyday household items, helping to alleviate some financial burden: Eckstein Community Cupboard Wishlist