Superintendent Brower's Newsletter

Dear Eatonville Students, Staff, Families and Community Members,

Student Celebrations-Each month I look forward to highlighting our students for their efforts and accomplishments and this month is no exception. The following is but a small sample of the great work that our students are doing.

• Our Eatonville High School Knowledge Bowl Team placed second at regionals! They competed against 12 other teams in our region, round after round to finally secure second place. Congratulations and good luck at state.

• Our Eatonville Drama students displayed great talent as they provided entertainment in six performances of Mean Girls, JR.

• Eatonville High School (in association with the WSCA) had the privilege of hosting the Pierce County Regional Championships for both Middle Schools and High Schools. Forty eight middle and high school chess players converged at Eatonville High School to compete for individual and team awards. It was at this tournament that the EHS Chess Team took first place and qualified to compete at the 2024 State Championships for the second year in a row.

• One of our assistant wrestling coaches, Oscar Springsteen won WIAA Assistant Coach of the Year!

• Kasey Whitney took 3rd in his weight class at the State Wrestling tournament.

• Our girls basketball team has made it to the State Tournament in Yakima. This is the first time since 2010 they advanced to the final 12.

• The Eatonville High School Chess Club is a group that teaches new players the game of chess and strengthens experienced players for competition. Many of the club's members experienced competitive chess for the first time and rose to the challenge. This year, the club fielded a team to its first ever appearance at the Mini Teams Championships where Club President: Brynden Olson took 10th out of 77 of the states top chess players. Eatonville High School (in association with the WSCA) had the privilege of hosting the Pierce County Regional Championships for both Middle Schools and High Schools. Forty eight middle and high school chess players converged at Eatonville High School to compete for individual and team awards. It was at this tournament that the EHS Chess Team took first place and qualified to compete at the 2024 State Championships for the second year in a row. There, the team will compete against the best high school chess players of Washington State. With talks of creating a Pierce County Chess League, the EHS Chess Club shows no signs of slowing. They look forward to growing their membership, sharing the joys of chess with the community, and providing opportunities to hone their skills in competition.

• Spring sports turnouts:
  

• Track - girls: 45 boys:63

• Baseball - 34

• Boys Soccer - 43

• Fastpitch - 25

• Girls Tennis - 27

There are many other notable student accomplishments highlighted in the newsletter.

Heartfelt Gratitude for Your Support on School Funding Measures-I want to express my sincere appreciation for your active engagement in the electoral process. Thank you for your overwhelming support, resulting in the passage of both measures!

The Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy (Proposition 1) passed with 57.97% yes votes, surpassing the simple majority requirement of 50% + 1. Similarly, the Capital Projects Levy (Proposition 2) secured substantial backing, passing with 57.29% yes votes.

Your unwavering support for these measures is invaluable, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your trust in our mission. The approved measures will empower us to sustain and enhance vital educational programs and opportunities for all Eatonville students, both within and beyond the traditional school hours.

The Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy (Proposition 1) will enable us to continue funding programs, services, and staff that are unfunded or underfunded by the state. This includes support for extracurricular activities and classroom initiatives aimed at enhancing our focus on student achievement.

Likewise, the Capital Projects Levy (Proposition 2) signifies a substantial investment in the future of our students, schools, and community. The funds generated will address critical needs such as playground equipment, track and field replacement, technology upgrades, and more, leaving a lasting impact for generations to come.

We acknowledge the weight of the trust you have placed in us and are dedicated to utilizing these funds wisely and transparently. Our commitment is to serve our students and maintain excellence as stewards of our community’s funds, both in the present and the future.

Your dedication to education is greatly appreciated, and we are profoundly grateful for your role in ensuring educational opportunities and excellence for all learners. Thank you for entrusting us with the education of our students and for your continued support in building a stronger school community.

Eatonville Strategic Plan and Portrait of the Graduate-I also want to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to each one of you for being an integral part of our recently completed Eatonville Strategic Plan!

I am excited to present our final version of our Eatonville Strategic Plan—a culmination of collective efforts and commitment from our supportive school community. This comprehensive five-year plan is designed to steer our educational decisions, ensuring academic success for every student from their first day in Eatonville Schools to the day they graduate. The plan is dedicated to empowering our students to reach their full potential, providing necessary support, and equipping them for success beyond graduation.

Our Eatonville Strategic Plan fosters collaboration among our board of directors, dedicated staff, students, parents, and community members. As we unite in our focus on academic rigor and student well-being, Eatonville students will not only achieve their academic goals but will also be well-prepared for a lifetime of success in pursuing their dreams and aspirations.

I want to extend my gratitude to the 1,330 students, parents, staff, and community members who contributed by completing surveys, identifying educational priorities crucial for Eatonville Schools and our community. Special thanks to the 84 members of our focus groups who meticulously analyzed survey results, generating insightful notes summarizing our values and priorities.

Furthermore, appreciation goes to the 34 individuals who provided feedback on the proposed plan, followed by the dedication of 21 members from the Steering Committee and the School Board of Directors, who met multiple times to analyze and operationalize the notes, ultimately crafting our strategic plan. Special recognition to the planning team members and Education Elements' Lauren and Sarah for their guidance throughout this process, ensuring a plan unique to Eatonville students and community.

I also want to express my gratitude to our dedicated board of directors, Sally Keeley, and Allison Burslem for their leadership over the past 12 months. After careful consideration of thousands of community responses, collaboration with our steering team, and championing this work alongside our board of directors, I am committed to ensuring the strategic plan's effective implementation as your superintendent.

Our Promise: Every student will be known, valued, and supported.

Our Quest: Discover and promote student interests that motivate and encourage movement toward academic and human potential.

In summary, after nearly a year of involving around 1,500 individuals and thousands of hours of dedicated effort, our five-year strategic plan is ready for implementation! I am eager to begin working together to provide our students with a quality education through the strategic plan that we collectively created.

Eatonville Strong!

Jay Brower

Superintendent

Congrats to the girls basketball team on a great season. The girls lost a hard fought game to a tough King's team on February 28. The team advanced to the second round of the state basketball tournament for the first time since 2010.

We are proud of you!!

Since Spring 2023, Eatonville School District has been developing its Eatonville Blueprint — a Five-year Strategic Plan. During the February 13, 2024 School Board meeting the plan was shared for approval.

Please visit this link to view the plan.

The Eatonville Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Graduate will have an impact with the overall school community as we are focused and committed to its implementation. We are currently working on steps to roll out the new plan with staff, students and community.

In the plan, our mission:

Eatonville schools inspire lifelong learners by providing opportunities for growth and academic achievement in a respectful and caring environment.

And Vision: Together with our families and community, Eatonville schools will empower students to achieve excellence in education and future success.

Eatonville has identified six pillars, known as priorities in its blueprint. Each pillar has a set of objectives:

1. Academic Success

2. Preparation for Life

3. Community and Belonging

4. Health and Well-Being

5. Communication and Transparency

6. Fiscal Responsibility

Our plan is defined by our values:

• Respect

• Community

• Growth

• Belonging

• Transparency

For strong schools, strong communities, we wanted to recognize our community and the great work of our steering team as we highlight the connection between schools and the Eatonville community.

"Thank you for inviting me to part of the Steering Team Committee. It was such a positive experience filled with dedicated, passionate people who are committed to making ESD the best learning environment for our students. It's an exciting time to be part of ESD!"

Sincerely,

Brandy Boston

Dear Families,

Thank you for being engaged in your student’s learning! Your involvement is so important to the overall success of the K-5 literacy pilot and adoption process. We appreciate you taking the time to get to know what your student is learning in Language Arts this year and the support and encouragement you provide to your student to help them succeed. We are midway through our Language Arts Core Curriculum pilot process and wanted to give you an update.

Why are we piloting new K-5 Language Arts Curriculum?

• Our materials are outdated and not fully aligned to the Common Core State Standards
• To create greater coherence and consistency across classrooms the adoption will help us work toward the Academic Success Pillar in the new strategic plan: We will promote a culture that prioritizes high academic expectations through supports and enrichment systems that meet the needs of all students. Objective: We will promote a culture that prioritizes academic success through rigorous curriculum and instruction.

How can I help my student at home?

You can help your students at home by asking them about what they are learning in class. For instance, you can ask your student about what new words they have learned and to retell a story they enjoyed. You can ask about the key features of writing they have done or historical people or events they have learned about. To be involved in the Pilot process, and to learn more about the materials. You can click on the links below to see the materials that may be piloted in your child’s classroom.

My View Savvas SavvasMyView

Magnetic Curriculum Associates CurrAssocMagnetic

Are there any key events or dates I should be aware of?

• March 1 to May 3rd Pilot materials in some classrooms
• March 19, 2024 Community Review of ELA materials meeting
• March 20-April 16, 2024 Individuals can schedule time to review materials
• Spring 2024 – IMC Review and School Board Recommendation meeting

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sally Keeley s.keeley@eatonville.wednet.edu Ex. Director of Teaching and Learning

The mission of the Eatonville School District Highly Capable Program is to identify and serve highly capable K­-12 students by providing a consistent, challenging and supportive educational environment within the resources of the district.

We address the significantly higher learning needs of highly capable students through a continuum of service models that span from Kindergarten through 12th grade. We provide instruction, activities and services that accelerate learning, and offer a unique academic challenge for young learners identified as highly capable. While the program offerings vary depending on the grade level of the student, the intent is to help students explore learning through enhanced activities that target their unique skills and abilities.

Anyone may refer a student for testing for the highly capable program. Referrals can come from parents, teachers, school personnel, friends, family, community members, or even the student themselves.

A referral can be completed by completing the referral form during the month of March. All parents must give permission for the student to be tested and potentially placed in a highly capable program. A district team will review all referrals and student assessment criteria. The referral form is available online using the button below beginning March 1, 2024 for current Kindergarten - 11th grade students.

Students in second and fifth grade are screened using multiple data points using the I-Ready assessment. By screening at two grade levels we are broadening our search to serve highly capable students.

Please email Sally Keeley, Ex. Director Teaching and Learning at s.keeley@eatonville.wednet.edu or contact your building principal if you have questions regarding this information.

The EHS Knowledge Bowl team competed against 12 other schools in our region. After four rounds and a semifinal round the Cruisers competed for the top three spots. Working through 30 tough questions in the finals, Eatonville took second place in regionals. Congratulations.

Our team will be headed to State in March.

Team members: Ben Morrish, Emma Marsh, Kate Marsh, Clara Chabot, Titus Lowe, Meghan Blake, Tireny Ameral, Tameron Thompson, coaches Alex Christensen and Kirsten Anderson

As the brisk winds of March sweep through, we are thrilled to bring you the latest insights and developments from the dynamic team of Student Services. This month's newsletter serves as a portal into the myriad endeavors and accomplishments shaping our students' educational landscape.

March, a month of renewal and transformation, echoes the spirit of growth that is at the core of our educational mission. Our team at Student Services remains unwaveringly committed to cultivating an atmosphere where each student can learn and flourish. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every student's strengths and abilities are celebrated. The dedication of our staff to the holistic development of every student finds stories of perseverance, accomplishments that defy expectations, and the commitment of our staff to the development of our exceptional learners.

From creative programs carefully crafted to suit various learning styles to thorough assessments that shape our personalized educational approaches, we strive to ensure a meaningful and inclusive learning journey. It's a testament to the spirit of collaboration that defines our special services community.

We invite you to immerse yourselves in the articles, features, and announcements that populate this edition. As we navigate the academic landscape together, your support remains a cornerstone of our success. Thank you for being integral partners in our journey to champion the success and well-being of each student in the Eatonville School District.

Here's to a March filled with inspiration, growth, and countless educational milestones!

Warm regards,

Cristin Blaskowitz

Executive Director of Student Services & Assessment

Mrs. Honaker's Class had fun in February celebrating a Pizza Day Community Access at Myles Pizza with the rest of the SLC Program, Valentines Day and the 100th Day of School. In addition to all of that, students completed iReady district testing for reading and math and our 2nd Grade friends completed swim lessons! It was a busy month!

Once a month, our dedicated high school students eagerly participate in a meaningful community service initiative by heading over to the local community center. In this collaborative effort, they engage in the important task of sorting and organizing supplies and food for our community members in need.

Beyond the practical skills gained through this hands-on experience, the initiative serves as a powerful lesson in empathy and compassion. Students learn not only the tangible aspects of organization and distribution but also the intangible value of caring for others. It goes beyond the act of sorting; it becomes a transformative experience, shaping their understanding of community responsibility.

This engagement serves as a testament to our commitment to instilling not just academic knowledge but also a sense of social responsibility. By actively participating in giving back to our wonderful Eatonville community, our students are not just learners but contributors to the well-being of others. This monthly endeavor becomes a beacon of community spirit, showcasing the positive impact that can be achieved through collective efforts and compassionate actions.

MARCH 11 ~ MARCH 15

HAPPY CLASSIFIED WEEK

Classified Appreciation Week is a time to extend our deepest gratitude to the unsung heroes of

our educational community. From paraeducators who offer invaluable support in the classroom,

enriching the learning experience for every student, to certified occupational therapy assistants

(COTA) who play a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being of our students, their contributions

are immeasurable.

The dedication of secretaries ensures the smooth functioning of our educational institutions, managing countless tasks behind the scenes, while health technicians

provide crucial assistance in maintaining the health and safety of our students. This week serves

as a special moment to recognize and honor the hard work, dedication, and indispensable roles

that these classified staff members play in shaping the educational environment. Their

commitment leaves a lasting impact, fostering a supportive and nurturing atmosphere for both

students and educators alike. Thank you to all our classified staff for the invaluable contributions

you make every day.

Come join us for continued discussion on Anti-Bullying March 7

• Eatonville School District Office
• 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Preschool Registration OPENS March 1, 2024

• Eatonville School District Office
• 9:00 am

Adapted Physical Education has finally arrived at Eatonville Middle School. Mr. Danielson is having an absolute blast connecting with these students and teaching them.

Students focused on the skill focus was the underhand roll that progressed to bowling. The students learned the bowling ball grip, the one step approach and the correct underhand arm swing motion when releasing the bowling ball at the bowling pins.

In preparation for the 2024-2025 school year, Eatonville School District is currently accepting transfer request form. Please be sure to submit your forms no later than March 15, 2024.

We are so appreciative of our Classified Employees in the Eatonville School District!

Also known as "Classified Appreciation Week" the week of March 11-15 is set aside by Governor Inslee in recognition of their work in our schools, and throughout the state. The special week is formally recognized as "Education Support Professionals Week".

Take a moment to thank our building and grounds crew, our kitchen staff members, classroom aides, librarians, technology staff, administrative support staff, bus drivers, custodians and many others in their unique roles in our district.

We could not do it without them and our students benefit daily from their dedication to our schools.

The Board approved the calendar revisions to account for the two make up days due to snow day cancellations on January 10 and 12.

1. The Monday, March 11 built-in snow make up day will now become a school day
2. The Monday, June 17 snow make up day will be utilized as the last day of school and will be a half day

• June 13 is a full day of school
• June 14 remains a half day
• June 17 is a half day and is now the last day of school

PARENTS & GUARDIANS: We have many food service accounts with negative balances. Please bring these up to date as soon as possible. If you are struggling financially, please log into your Skyward account to fill out an application to qualify for free or reduced meals. Please call your child's office if you would like to schedule payment arrangements, are unable to access your account or would like to make a payment over the phone. We are here to help in any way we can!

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:

EHS

• Maryann Barker: m.baker@eatonvilleschools.org

• Kirsten Dill: 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

• Krista Kralik: k.kralik@eatonvilleschools.org

On January 31st our first round of teen mental health first aid graduates received their certificates. As a part of Tira Hancock’s Leadership class, 21 students (and one lab) participated in a 6 week course to learn how to respond when a friend is experiencing a mental health challenge or a mental health or substance abuse crisis. Recognizing the signs, knowing how to get help from a trusted adult and learning about resources to help teens recover are all a focus of the course.

School district staff, Jana McIlraith and Anisa Parks became certified to teach the course last year. The partnership with the Born This Way Foundation, The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department and Eatonville School District will allow us to continue to train high school students and increase our capacity to help teens when they need it most at no cost to our community.

Annika Howard competed at the subdistrict FFA Leadership Development Event contest this evening in Prepared Public Speaking (6-8 minute speech on agriculture topic of student's choice, with a manuscript turned in ahead of time), and Extemporaneous Speaking (4-6 minute speech on a topic assigned 30 minutes before speech is given). She placed 6th overall in Prepared Public Speaking, and 1st in her flight (with a perfect score!) in Extemporaneous Speaking! She will move on to the District 2 Competition March 20th in Yelm

Superintendent: Mr. Jay Brower

Executive Assistant: Mrs. Ashley Farrens

District Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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

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