October
November
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November 5: PTA General Meeting 8:45am in the library.
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November 5: Highway to High School 7-9pm in the library.
- November 6: Private High School Presentation - During Lunch (Students Only)
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November 11: Holiday - No School
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November 18: Turkey Trot
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November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break
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Hello Egan Families,
Tomorrow is HallowEgan, and we’re looking forward to a fun day! Students will have opportunities to participate in costume competitions and lunchtime activities. Halloween is always a favorite for many of our students and staff, and we’re excited to enjoy it together. As a reminder, masks, weapons, and dangerous props are not allowed at school. Thank you for helping your student plan a costume that keeps the day safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Report cards will also be available to view tomorrow through ParentSquare. As you review your student’s progress together, I encourage you to begin by noticing what is going well. Celebrate their effort, the routines they’re building, a challenge they’ve worked through, or a subject in which they’re feeling more confident. Those successes matter, even when there is still room to grow.
A report card is a snapshot of learning at this point in the year. It can help start a conversation about what’s working, where support is needed, and what a manageable next step might look like. Questions such as “What are you proud of?” and “What would help you feel more successful?” can open the door to a thoughtful conversation. If you have concerns about your student’s progress, please reach out to individual teachers to ask questions or request a conference.
We know middle school comes with plenty of pressure. We want our students to experience challenging, meaningful learning while also feeling supported, connected, and able to ask for help. Maintaining strong academic expectations while caring for students’ mental health takes ongoing attention and communication. It is a team effort, with students, families, and school staff working together.
While we’re just beginning our second quarter, it’s hard to believe we’re already talking about high school applications for our eighth graders! If your student is considering applying to a private high school, there is a process they will need to follow, and deadlines can approach quickly. I’ll be hosting a student information meeting during lunch on Friday, November 6. Please encourage your eighth grader to attend if they are considering this option.
Additional information about private high school applications and the steps involved is included below and is also available on our school website. We know the process can feel overwhelming, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. Ms. Sugey and I are here to help!
Our PTA is also hosting the Highway to High School parent panel on Thursday, November 5. If your student will be transitioning to one of our local public high schools, I encourage you to attend. It’s a helpful opportunity to hear from other families, ask questions, and feel more prepared to support your student through this next chapter.
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ILLUMINATE LASD
What is your student curious about? Is there a topic they love exploring, a problem they’d like to solve, or something they’ve been eager to create? Illuminate LASD is a wonderful opportunity for students to follow those interests, take ownership of their learning, and share what they discover.
Students from TK through eighth grade are invited to showcase their learning on Friday, February 26, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. This is about more than sharing a finished project—it’s a chance to show the questions, ideas, challenges, and discoveries along the way.
Even more exciting, Illuminate LASD is being hosted right here at Egan this year! I would love to see our students help bring this event to life and share their amazing creativity with our community. Families, take a few minutes to talk with your student about what interests them and what they might enjoy sharing. Sometimes a little encouragement is all it takes to help an idea get started!
To participate, please submit an Intent Form by November 18 at tinyurl.com/illuminateLASD. I’m excited to see what our Vikings will share!
Finally, don’t forget to “fall back” and turn your clocks back one hour this weekend. With earlier sunsets ahead, it’s a good time to check in on sleep routines and make a little room to recharge.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for all the ways you support your students and our Egan community. Have a safe, happy Halloween!
Warmly,
Lisa Taormina
Egan Junior High Principal
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Planning to apply to private high schools for the 2027–2028 school year?
Ms. Taormina and Ms. Sugey are here to help you navigate the application process. Please review the following steps and deadlines carefully to ensure you have the support and information you need.
Before Applying
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Research schools: Make a list of the private high schools you plan to apply to. We recommend that your parents/guardians create a Ravenna account, as many private schools use this platform for applications and school research.
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Request teacher recommendations: Some schools require recommendations from your 8th-grade English and math teachers, while others allow recommendations from any 7th- or 8th-grade teacher. You must speak with each teacher directly to ask if they are willing to write a recommendation. Please do not assume they are available to do so.
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Complete the questionnaire and schedule a meeting: Once you have finalized your school list and confirmed which teachers will write your recommendations, complete the Getting to Know You Questionnaire. You must be logged in to your LASD K–8 account to access the form. Then, schedule a meeting with Ms. Taormina through Ms. Sugey in the front office by December 6, 2026.
While Applying
- Submit all teacher recommendation requests directly to the individual teachers. Teacher email addresses are available in the Egan Staff Directory.
- Please remember that teachers receive many recommendation requests and may not complete them until after winter break.
After Applying
- Egan will send transcripts to private high schools after first-semester grades are issued in mid-January.
- Please wait until one week after first-semester grades are issued before contacting Ms. Sugey about transcripts.
- Bring your completed transcript release form to Ms. Sugey in the front office. Egan staff will submit the transcripts to the schools.
Important Reminders
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December 6 deadline: Egan cannot guarantee that private high schools will receive all required materials by their deadlines if you do not contact and meet with Ms. Taormina and/or Ms. Sugey by December 6.
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Additional information: Review the 2026–2027 High School Transition Slideshow for more details, including information about specific schools.
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Questions? Please see Ms. Taormina or Ms. Sugey. We are happy to help!
We encourage families to begin planning early and stay in communication with Egan throughout the application process.
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What happens when students lead their own learning and dive deeply into a question that matters to them, and share their voices in powerful ways? Illuminate LASD invites students to become experts, innovators, and change-makers. Whether it’s researching a topic they’re passionate about, solving a problem that inspires them, or creating something to make an impact, students will share the artifacts that highlight the learning process. From TK to 8th grade, Illuminate LASD invites students to share what they now know and can do by sharing the process and products of their learning on Friday, February 26th from 4:00PM - 7:00PM.
Register today to participate and submit an Intent Form by November 18th by visiting https://tinyurl.com/illuminateLASD. We invite you to share in this experience that connects student curiosity, creativity, and agency!
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If you haven’t had a chance to give yet, it’s not too late. Donate or pledge today to help provide a well-rounded, excellent education for all LASD students. Gifts of any amount make a big impact.
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Please join us at our November Egan PTA General Meeting taking place next Thursday, November 5 at 8:45 AM in the Egan Library. Full agenda can be found here.
We will provide a preview of upcoming student events (including volunteer opportunities to see your kids in action on campus!), discuss our next Egan Gives Back community service project with Family Giving Tree, get updates from Principal Taormina and the highlight....hear from a student panel on the 8th Grade Yosemite trip. Coffee and snacks will be provided.
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Wondering what to expect as your child transitions from junior high to high school? All 8th grade parents are invited to join us next Thursday, November 5 at 7:00 PM in the Egan Library for Highway to High School, an informative evening designed to help parents navigate the journey ahead.
We'll cover high school graduation and college admission requirements, course planning, extracurricular opportunities, and resources available to students at LAHS at the beginning. Then you will hear firsthand experiences and practical advice from a panel of 7-9 parents who have been through it. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Whether you're excited, overwhelmed, or simply curious, come get your questions answered and feel more prepared for the road ahead!
Date:Thursday, Nov 5, 2026
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: Egan Library
Any questions? Please contact Yang Liu (daisy_ly99@hotmail.com).
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Sign Ups are still open to participate in the upcoming LASD Student Art Showcase, showcasing art from all LASD schools on November 18 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Covington Elementary School. Families will need to register their students to submit a piece of art they are proud of. All artwork submissions are due in the office by end of day November 11.
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The annual Egan Turkey Trot is coming up on November 18 at 2:00 PM on the Egan blacktop and parent volunteers are needed to help with special donut distribution after the event.
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What is AMC 8? The AMC 8 is a 40 minute, 25 question math contest that covers middle school math and is held annually.
Who can participate? To participate in the AMC 8, a student must be in grade 8 or below and also under 14.5 years of age on the day of the competition.
Why should I participate? You will develop your creative problem solving skills and engage with interesting and challenging problems. Students who excel may qualify for prestigious invitational competitions.
How do I register? Your parent or guardian must register in two places. First, they must fill out an Egan Google Form at https://tinyurl.com/EganAMC8Reg2027. After submitting this form, your parent or guardian will be prompted in the Google Form to use a link to register directly with the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) for the AMC 8.
By when do I need to register? The deadline to register for AMC 8 is January 15, 2027. For students with 504s or IEPs, the deadline to ask for student accommodations via the Egan Google Form is also January 15, 2027.
Still have Questions? First view the Egan information slides at https://tinyurl.com/EganAMC8 and visit the AMC website https://maa.org/amcreg/. If you still have questions, you can contact Mr. Pasturel at ppasturel@lasdschools.org.
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The beginning of Quarter 2 offers a natural pause for students to reflect on their progress, reset their goals, and embrace a fresh academic start. Middle school brings rapid shifts in workload, social dynamics, and personal growth. As the days shorten and routines settle, our focus this month is helping students build resilience, practice gratitude, and maintain steady habits.
3 Ways to Support Your Child’s Q2 Reset
● Reflect and Set Goals Together: Sit down with your student to look over Quarter 1 progress. Celebrate their hard work and ask: "What is one habit you want to keep, and one thing you’d like to try differently this quarter?"
● Maintain Healthy Routines: Cooler weather and shorter daylight hours can impact energy levels. Help your child protect their sleep schedules and consistent homework routines to keep stress low.
● Encourage Self-Advocacy: If your child is struggling in a class or feeling overwhelmed, encourage them to reach out to their teacher or drop by the counseling office. Learning to ask for help is a huge middle school milestone!
Our Wellness Center remains popular with students and we have begun using a grade level priority system to ensure that all students have access. Each grade has two designated priority days per week. We have reserved one day for rotating priority and for planned Wellness activities.
We warmly invite parents to reach out anytime with questions or if you feel your child could benefit from a check-in. We are here to partner with you!
-Egan Counseling Team
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View the schedules for the remainder of the year:
Questions?
Please contact Egan’s Athletic Directors:
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Please let the office know by 9am each day your student will be out by one of the following methods:
- Email eganattendance@lasdschools.org
- Complete the Absence/Appointment Reporting Form
- Call the attendance line at 650-917-2255
- Notifications will be sent out via ParentSquare at 10:15am instead of School Messenger beginning September 14, 2026. You will receive a notification if your student was marked absent and we have not heard from parents regarding the reason.
- For last minute appointments, call the office at 650-917-2200 so we can send a dismissal pass to their class. (A parent or someone on your student's emergency contacts list must pick up your student.)
- Please review this document for additional information
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- Each student may utilize a maximum of 15 ISP days per school year.
- Please notify the office of the dates of absence 2 weeks prior to leaving. We request advance notice so teachers can prepare materials.
- All Independent Study Plans are subject to principal approval.
- Work must be completed during the absence and turned in to school on the student's first day back to class.
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