Superintendent Brower's Newsletter
October 2023
Eatonville School District
A Message From Your Superintendent
Dear Students, Families, Staff and Community Members,
First Day-September 6th marked the beginning of a new school year for our nearly 2,000 Eatonville students. As I visited each school that day, I felt a profound sense of appreciation for our staff members who worked diligently to prepare for this important school year to ensure the success of each and every student. Their dedication to our students cannot be overstated. I was, likewise, so impressed by our students who were eager to return to school, by parents who expressed an interest in teaming up with staff members and supporting their efforts and by community members offering support. I have also had the pleasure of meeting with the PTA, PTO and Booster Club leaders at Weyerhaeuser and Eatonville Elementary Schools and at Columbia Crest A-STEM Academy. They are extremely dedicated to our students, staff members and to our community. Together, we will accomplish great things!
First Month-Staff members and students report that this our first month of school has gone smoothly. Our students are already making great strides academically as well as learning life skills that will prepare them for success in the world after high school. Our students and staff members are second to none! This promises to be a great year for all.
Athletics-I have enjoyed attending many sporting events and I am absolutely amazed by our student athletes at all levels and in every sport. Like you, I cheer when the scoreboard reflects a victory but even when it doesn’t, I feel like we have won because I see their determination, progress, teamwork and sportsmanship. As an example, at a recent meet, I watched our swim team stand at the end of the pool and cheer on teammates and competitors alike. They recognized and honored effort as much as outcome.
I see coaches, parents and fans that are on the sidelines cheering for our student athletes, every step of the way. We definitely have the home field advantage, even when we travel to compete at other schools.
Service-Our students are quick to volunteer service for the benefit of others. For example, students at Eatonville High have already organized a food drive and a pet supply drive. Several Eatonville students also participated in Eatonville’s 911 Day of Service community projects. Our students are always looking for opportunities to serve!
Challenges-As I have discussed, one of our greatest challenges is providing transportation for all of our students. In spite of our efforts to find solutions, we still find ourselves in need of more drivers and more answers. On September 20th, we held a transportation public forum, calling on all stakeholders to find solutions to this challenge. In response, 75 people showed up to share ideas and discuss solutions and we also received over 100 ideas on our transportation feedback survey. We are busy looking through each solution and evaluating the feasibility of implementing these ideas. I wish there were easy and same-day solutions but if that were the case, we would have resolved this challenge long ago. The good news is that we now have several new applicants and new bus drivers coming onboard. We are moving toward some sustainable solutions. This will take time but we are committed to solving the dilemma. I want to thank you for your support and understanding as we address this need.
Summary-I am extremely grateful and proud to be a member of the Eatonville School District. Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you to serve our remarkable students, families and community members. Together we will accomplish great things for our students and for each other. I will end with a quote from Helen Keller. “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” Eatonville Strong.
Mr. Jay Brower
Superintendent
Eatonville School District
News from the Teaching and Learning Department
Executive Director, Mrs. Sally Keeley
Instructional Materials Committee Application
In preparation to form the next Instructional Materials Committee, we are accepting interest forms at this time.
Strategic Plan Update
Eatonville launched a strategic planning process to define the future direction for District schools. The creation of a strategic plan provides an opportunity to further align the work at the schools to achieve ambitious goals for our future and provides a basis to implement, measure, and communicate key indicators of success for our students.
The process is designed to engage all district stakeholders – including parents, teachers, administrators, staff, students, and community residents – in developing a shared future vision for the district. Involvement of stakeholders from every corner of the community will result in a long-term framework for decision-making that builds upon the common values held by the community.
Between March-May 2023 the Eatonville team with Ed Elements consultants solicited input from across the community. Community members were invited to participate in both focus groups and an online survey.
Phase 1 - Inclusive Engagement: A process of community engagement will be facilitated to establish the current state of reality in the district and a shared vision of the future through focus groups, community surveys, as well as a review of District performance data. The eight Focus groups members meet last spring to participate in a group discussion process.
Phase 2 - Focus and Plan for the Future: Our Steering team made up of a variety of stakeholders will review insights, data and priorities gathered during Phase I and make recommendations for the Portrait of the Graduate.
Phase 3 - Implement and Evaluate Impact: Planning teams with the steering team will develop strategic goals with objectives, strategic indicators, action plans, timelines, roles and required resources. A Strategic Plan Dashboard will be created to monitor progress towards the shared vision for the district.
Strategic Plan Timeline
News from the Student Services Department
Executive Director, Mrs. Cristin Blaskowitz
As the leaves change and the air becomes crisp, we welcome you to our Fall updates, keeping you updated on all the exciting happenings and opportunities in our schools. Autumn is a season of transformation and growth, and we're thrilled to share some of the activities around Student Services with you.
We hope you're as excited as we are for this upcoming school year and all the wonderful experiences we have coming for your students. Your feedback and input are essential to us. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any suggestions, concerns, or ideas you'd like to share. Together, we can make this school year one of growth, success, and memorable moments.
We wish you and your family a fantastic Fall season filled with joy and educational adventures!
Warm regards,
Cristin Blaskowitz
Executive Director of Student Services & Assessment
Classroom Highlights
Last Friday we focused our life skills on baking sugar cookies together! We used our math skills by taking turns measuring and adding ingredients. We used our social skills and gross motor skills by taking turns mixing the cooking dough. We used our fine motor skills rolling the dough into balls. We then all worked as a team to clean up. During PM recess, Ms. Juma baked the cookies and we enjoyed eating them for our afternoon snack!
From - Ms. Juma's Class
Mrs. Honaker is hosting 4th and 5th grade friends in her classroom daily to help students develop social skills, adaptive and academic skills. The 4th and 5th graders are learning empathy and compassion for students with disabilities. Her students have enjoyed coloring, listening to stories and doing center activities with their new friends!
Tips from the Student Services Department
Section 504 and Students with Disabilities
Every student with a disability is protected from discrimination under federal law— Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This law prohibits discrimination based on disability in any program or activity that receives funding from the federal government. All Washington state public schools must comply with this federal law. Section 504 requires public schools to provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to every student with a disability—regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Please see the following for our process in obtaining a Section 504 Accommodation Plan.
If you have any questions or would like to start the process for a Section 504 Accommodation Plan, please reach out to Student Services at the Eatonville School District Office at 360.879.1800.
Click to download the attachment to read about parental rights under Section 504
Click to download the attachment to learn more about the process.
🧦 SOCK-tober 🧦
We are excited to announce Student Services is hosting a special fundraiser throughout the month of October to make a positive impact on our local community. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it the most.
We encourage you to share this fundraiser with your friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we can amplify our impact and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who require assistance. Helping local families with additional assistance plays a vital role in building a stronger, more supportive community. Student Services mission this school year is to give back to our community, so keep looking for additional opportunities to join our team in giving back.
Fundraising Details: See Flyer below for donation options and details.
Around the District
Highly Capable Class First Day
Supt. Brower and Mrs. McIlraith volunteering
Day of Service
Swim Captains
Reese Zurfluh, Gracie Forsman, and Kaylee Bernt speaking with Superintendent Brower during the break in the meet.
September Pancake Attendance Breakfast Cooks
EHS Field Trip to the Eatonville Library
October Board Meetings
Do we have your updated address, phone number and email?
Non-School Days and Conferences
There will be no school on October 26 and October 27 to allow teachers to meet with parents for fall conferences.
Please be on the lookout for messaging from your child's school office regarding how to sign up for conferences.
October Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Due by October 17
Eatonville Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
The Hall of Fame Induction was held on September 30 at Eatonville High School.
Congratulations to the Eatonville High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023-2024:
Dan Fountain - Coach, Voice of the Cruisers. A surprise to Dan Fountain as he was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Athletic Director Gavin Kralik.
Harold Fitzer 1933 Basketball & Marvin Fitzer 1932 Basketball & Baseball. The Fitzer inductees are brothers, who played at Eatonville in the early 1930s. This was in an era before football was a sport at Eatonville High School.
Great day to be a Cruiser!
Chromebook Insurance
Purchase device coverage by October 17.
Counselor Corner
We hope your first month of the new school year was a success. As your student moves through the school year we want to ensure that you have all of the support your family needs to help it be a successful year.
Please see email addresses of our school counselors below:
Counselor Contacts
EHS
- Maryann Barker: m.baker@eatonvilleschools.org
-
Kirsten Saari: k.saari@eatonvilleschools.org
- Brenda Waugh-Reimer: b.waughreimer@eatonvilleschools.org
EMS
- Anisa Parks: a.parks@eatonvilleschools.org
CCA
- Deb Noble-Perry: d.noble-perry@eatonvilleschools.org
EES
- Jana McIlraith: j.mcilraith@eatonvilleschools.org
WES
- Kristin Bjorklund: k.bjorkulnd@eatonvilleschools.org
Bullying Prevention Month
Bullying prevention focuses on the strategies for reducing bullying behavior by blending PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) with explicit instruction and redefining the bullying construct. Bullying prevention teaches students to identify and respond effectively to the bullying and harmful behavior of others.
According to U. S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan, “bullying is finally being recognized as a school safety issue.” Parents and school personnel can effectively work together to address this serious issue by following the 3 R's: Recognize, Respond, and Report.
For more information about Eatonville School District’s Response to Bullying, check out your student’s school and their anti-bullying activities.
Counselor Monthly Feature
Wednesday Late Start Dates
Register to Vote
What do 2nd Graders think a Superintendent does?
Thank you Mrs. Hanson's 2nd grade class for completing this prompt.
Eatonville Needs Bus Drivers! Recruitment Incentive!
We are pleased to announce we are offering a new incentive for new bus drivers:
- New applicants who come to the District already holding a CDL with all required school bus endorsements who are recommended for a bus driver position are eligible for a one-time $3,000 salary bonus, once their hire is approved by the school board.
- The $3,000 salary bonus will apply only to drivers who would not need to go through a driver training program in Eatonville.
- New applicants who come to the District, complete the District’s CDL training program, and are recommended for a bus driver position, are eligible for a one-time $2,500 salary bonus, once their hire is approved by the school board.
Community Activities
NEW Online Ticket Purchasing Option
We are pleased to announce our new partnership with GoFan ticketing! We will now offer purchasing of tickets online at this site. We are still cash only at the gate, however card readers are on the way! We hope to have them in two weeks.
We will now have two lines at the football gate. There will be one for cash sales and one for online tickets, students with ASB and district employees.
We will be using this platform for all of our home games for football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and wrestling.
Included below are some helpful "How To" videos:
Office of the Superintendent
Important Information
Superintendent: Mr. Jay Brower
Executive Assistant: Mrs. Ashley Farrens
District Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Communications Department
Connect with Eatonville School District
Email: communications@eatonvilleschools.org
Website: https://www.eatonville.wednet.edu
Location: 200 Lynch Street West, Eatonville, WA, USA
Phone: 360-879-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/eatonville.school.district
Twitter: @EatonvilleSD
Click the button below if you have concerns regarding your child's development.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Eatonville School District #404 will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs shall be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328; Telephone: 360-879-1000
Title IX Coordinator, Section 504/ADA Coordinator & Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Cristin Blaskowitz, Executive Student Services. Email: c.blaskowitz@eatonvilleschools.org