Superintendent Brower Newsletter

Eatonville School District Board of Directors have set inspiring goals for the 2024-2025 school year!

Goal #1: Establish and maintain high expectations for student learning.
Goal #2: Align district goals with school improvement plans.

We are committed to achieving excellence in every classroom, every building, and everywhere throughout our district!

To learn more about how these goals will be put into action, check out the School Improvement Plans for each of our five schools, now posted on the district website. Let’s work together for an amazing school year!

We are excited to invite you to a special event hosted by the Eatonville School District Board of Directors: Together for Achievement: Partnering for Your Child's Success. This event is designed to bring families together to learn valuable tools, tips, and resources that can support your child's academic success.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, October 2nd
• Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
• Location: Eatonville High School Commons

What to Expect:

• Free Spaghetti Dinner for the whole family!
• Free Childcare during the event.
• Prize Drawings for those in attendance!
• Discover what your student is working on this school year.
• Learn about the District’s New Free Tutoring Program.
• Explore educational resources you can use at home to support your child’s learning.

This event is for all grade levels and ages, so bring the whole family! It's a wonderful opportunity to connect with educators and other families, gain insights, and work together to ensure your child has the best possible support.

Dear Eatonville Families,

As we embark on another exciting school year, we want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of student assessments in our educational framework. Assessments play a crucial role in understanding each student’s unique learning journey. They provide valuable insights that help us tailor our teaching strategies, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive academically.

Student assessments serve several key purposes:

1. Identifying Needs: By assessing students, we can identify their strengths and areas for improvement. This allows teachers to customize instruction and provide targeted support that meets each student's individual needs.

2. Monitoring Progress: Regular assessments help us track student growth over time. They enable us to measure academic progress and determine whether students are on track to meet learning goals.

3. Informing Instruction: Assessment data empowers teachers to make informed decisions about their instructional practices. By understanding how students are performing, educators can adjust their teaching strategies and provide additional resources where necessary.

4. Connecting Families: Assessments also facilitate communication between school and home. They provide families with insights into their child's progress and areas where they may need support, fostering a collaborative approach to education.

What are the assessments my student might mention?

I-Ready Diagnostics:I-Ready Diagnostics is an adaptive online assessment that adjusts its questions based on student responses, helping to identify individual learning needs. It provides valuable data that allows educators to tailor instruction effectively, ensuring that each student receives the support necessary to thrive academically. The primary goal of the I-Ready Diagnostic is not to assign a score but to guide personalized learning and monitor progress throughout the school year.

Family Center I-Ready

WaKIDS Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten Assessment:The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is designed to support a smooth transition into the K-12 education system for young learners. This assessment process helps educators, families, and students connect key adults in a child's life, ensuring a successful start to their educational journey. WaKIDS focuses on assessing social-emotional, academic, and physical development, providing a comprehensive view of each child's readiness for kindergarten.

For Additional Information, click here.

Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments: Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments are shorter assessments that provide teachers with tools to support teaching and learning throughout the school year. Aligned with the Common Core State Standards, these assessments help gauge student understanding in subjects like English Language Arts and Mathematics. They are designed to inform instructional practices by offering insights into student progress, allowing educators to adjust their teaching strategies and provide targeted interventions as needed.

For more information on state assessments click the link: Assessments

As we continue to navigate the school year, we encourage families to stay engaged with our school community. Participating in school events and communicating with teachers can greatly enhance your child’s educational experience.

Like a lot of professional fields, Special Education has its own special terms and acronyms. Educators and service providers use these terms as shortcuts, and sometimes they forget that not everyone knows what they mean. When you don’t understand what a professional is saying, ask for an explanation. Usually the person you are talking with will be happy to help you understand.

Below are some of the most commonly used acronyms and the terms they stand for.

• FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education—a right of all children in the U.S.
• IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This is the federal law that guides special education and Early Childhood Intervention.
• SDI: Specially Designed Instruction (a.k.a. Special Education).
• Prior Written Notice: Documentation districts are required to provide to parents on every action the district proposes as part of a special education referral, evaluation or IEP.
• ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act.
• FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This is the law that governs the disclosure of information in educational records.
• LRE: Least Restrictive Environment. The requirement in Special Education law that disabled students must be educated to the maximum extent appropriate in a regular classroom with typically-developing peers.
• IEP: Individualized Education Program
• SLD: Specific Learning Disability.
• EBD: Emotionally/Behaviorally Disabled.
• ADD/ADHD: Attention Deficit/Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• ABC: Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence.
• FBA: Functional Behavioral Assessment.
• BIP: Behavioral Intervention Plan.
• ECE: Early Childhood Education.
• SLP: Speech/Language Pathologist.
• OT: Occupational Therapist.

Although brief, this list of abbreviations should provide a basic background to the most common terminology. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Occupational therapists are concerned with a person’s ability to participate in daily living activities or life “occupations” to the fullest of their ability. In the school district, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are part of the education team and help children fulfill their roles as students. OTs in the school setting support a student’s ability to engage in educationally relevant daily tasks such as academics, recess, lunch, self help skills, and preparation for post high school living. OTs may achieve these goals by working with the student to gain skills such as strength and flexibility, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills. They also work with teachers and educational staff to modify or adapt activities to improve the student’s access, participation, and independence with school related tasks.

School-based occupational therapy services are determined through the IEP process for students who are eligible for special education. Occupational therapists complete assessments and work with the IEP team to determine what is needed for the student to achieve maximum success in the educational environment. They work with the team to determine services, supports, modifications, and accommodations that the student requires to access their education. If the student is found to be eligible for OT services in the school setting it is included in their IEP.

Do you have concerns for your child's development?

Eatonville School District provides services to assist in evaluating and identifying students ages birth to 21 with suspected disabilities and who reside within our boundaries.

If you:

• Have questions about whether your student has a disability

• Are concerned about your infant, toddler, or preschooler's development

• Know your student has a disability and are looking for appropriate educational services

• Would like to know how to help your school age student succeed in school

You can contact your student's teacher or school psychologist. You can also contact the district's Special Education office at (360)641-1809 for assistance. Any student, whether or not enrolled in school, may be referred for a special education evaluation by parents, district staff or other persons knowledgeable about the student. The school team will invite you to a meeting to discuss your concerns and devise a plan of action.

Your child is eligible for a FREE developmental screening if they are:

• Ages 2 years, 10 months to 5 years old (after August 31)

• Not enrolled in an Eatonville School District program

• Reside within the Eatonville School District boundaries

What happens during a Child Find screening?

The purpose of a Child Find screening is to identify issues that may affect your child’s learning, growth and development. The screening also helps parents identify their child’s strengths and weaknesses.

During the screening your child may stack small blocks, cut with scissors, draw, count, name colors, jump, run and have fun!

After the screening, someone will talk to you about the results of the screening and you may be given suggestions, a referral for more testing, or scheduled to have skills rechecked later. You will have a chance to ask any questions about your child’s development. The whole process takes approximately 45 minutes.

Please call Student Services at (360)641-1809 to schedule an appointment.

Executive Director of Student Services

Dracy McCoy

200 Lynch St. W./PO Box 698

Eatonville, WA 98328

(360)641-1809

d.mccoy@eatonville.wednet.edu

Special Services Executive Assistant

Tonya Roebuck

200 Lynch St. W./PO Box 698

Eatonville, WA 98328

(360)641-1807

t.roebuck@eatonville.wednet.edu

At Eatonville School District, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students. This month, we shine a light on the incredible strengths and talents of students with disabilities, including those with dyslexia. By raising awareness, we strive to build understanding and empathy within our community.

Let’s celebrate the diversity that makes our school stronger. Together, we can continue fostering a learning environment where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

We are thrilled to announce that Superintendent Brower has been nominated for the Superintendent of the Year Award by the American Heart Association's Western States Region!

This prestigious national award honors a Superintendent who has been instrumental in growing the Kids Heart Challenge programs within their district.

Superintendent Brower was chosen as the Western States nominee from across 10 states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington State!

His leadership and commitment to heart health and wellness have made a lasting impact on our schools and community, and we couldn’t be prouder. Congratulations, Jay, on this incredible and well-deserved recognition!

• National awards press release
• Kids Heart Challenge & American Heart Challenge Awards Ceremony

Did you know that chronic absenteeism in kindergarten and 1st grade can lead to academic challenges down the road? Missing just two days of school per month adds up and can affect students' reading and math skills. Let’s work together to improve attendance and ensure our students build strong habits for future success!

Here are some ways we can support student attendance:

• Address health needs, especially common issues like asthma and dental problems.
• Organize transportation solutions like carpools or bus passes to get kids to school.
• Engage families early, helping them understand the importance of regular attendance.

Check out more ideas in the infographic below and let's make sure every student gets the best start possible!

Join us for two incredible nights of musical talent, as our Eatonville students showcase their hard work and dedication!

🎤 October 23rd at 7:30 PM - EHS Auditorium
Enjoy the beautiful sounds of our EHS Band students performing!

🎶 October 29th at 7:00 PM - EMS Gymnasium
Experience the talent of our EMS Band students!

We can't wait to see you there! 🎼
Let's show our students some love and support!

Last year, the Eatonville School District provided free child supervision for families impacted by canceled bus routes. As we do not anticipate route cancellations this year, this service will no longer be offered. However, we’re excited to introduce a new option: Champions!

How to Enroll in Champions:

1. Visit DiscoverChampions.com and create your account.
2. Follow the step-by-step instructions to enroll your child.
3. Customize your schedule through the Family Portal.

For more information on enrollment and scheduling, check out the flyers linked below. If you need help, Champions Family Support is available Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST at 1-800-246-2154.

We’re looking forward to a fantastic school year with this new resource for our families! 🌟

As part of our commitment to ensuring access to free meals at Eatonville Elementary, Weyerhaeuser Elementary, and Columbia Crest Academy this year—and with the hope that all students who are eligible for free or reduced meals at Eatonville Middle School and Eatonville High School will be identified, we encourage all families who believe they meet the eligibility criteria (outlined on the website linked below) to complete the Free/Reduced Lunch application.

If you are certain that your family does not qualify, we ask that you kindly refrain from submitting the application. However, it is essential that eligible families across all five schools in the district complete the form to help us meet the required threshold to sustain this program in the future. While students at Columbia Crest, Weyerhaeuser Elementary, and Eatonville Elementary are currently receiving free meals, having qualifying families apply now will help ensure continued access to this program for future years.

Please complete the form found on this website and return it to the district office or your child's school.

Thank you for your understanding and for supporting our students.

• Wednesday, October 9th, 7 PM, Work Study Meeting at the District Office Boardroom
• Wednesday, October 23rd, 7 PM, Business Meeting at the District Office Boardroom

Freshman Leah Briggs and Junior Annika Howard represented Eatonville FFA at the Washington State FFA Exhibition last week at the Washington State Fair.

Leah, in addition to competing in the Open Class division against other breeders, was the FFA Beef Reserve Champion Sr Showman, and her cattle secured Grand Champion Hereford, Grand Champion Red Angus, and Reserve Champion Overall Female.

Annika was the FFA Dairy Grand Champion Novice Showman, and her dairy heifer was Grand Champion All Other Breeds. Annika also competed in FFA Beef, and was 3rd place in Sr Showmanship, and her Hereford heifer was Reserve Champion for her breed.

She qualified to compete in the Round Robin Competition, which tests the showmanship skills and knowledge of the exhibitor in 7 different divisions, including Beef, Dairy, Meat Goats, Dairy Goats, Swine, Sheep, and Rabbits. Annika emerged from the almost 2 hour competition as the Overall Champion Novice Showman!

The two young women worked together for 4 days to keep their stalls clean, keep their 5 animals happy, and interacted with fair visitors to answer questions. They were recognized as the Champion Beef Herdsmen for their efforts! Well done, Leah and Annika!!

At Eatonville School District, we believe every student deserves a safe and supportive learning environment. Bullying has no place in our schools, and together we can help prevent it.

This month, we are focusing on creating a culture of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Here are some ways we can all help:

🧡 Be a friend: Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Reach out to someone who may feel left out or isolated.

🗣️ Speak up: If you see bullying happening, be brave and tell an adult or stand up for your peers.

🤝 Include others: Make sure everyone feels welcome and valued, whether at school, on the bus, or during activities.

Families, teachers, and students—let’s work together to foster a community where kindness and respect are always our top priority. We’re stronger when we stand united against bullying.

Our mission is to create a culture of safety and civility for all. We invite staff, students, administration, parents, and community members to be a part of our efforts to foster a respectful and supportive environment in Eatonville.

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

• 10/10 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at the Eatonville High School Library
  
• 11/14 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at the Eatonville High School Library
• 12/12 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at the Eatonville High School Library

To be added to our email distribution list, please contact: a.meines@eatonville.wednet.edu.

Let's work together to make a difference!

Homecoming was a tremendous success on Friday, and we couldn't be prouder of the outstanding students who represented each class. A special congratulations to Bailey, our Homecoming Queen, and Hebron, our Homecoming King, for earning this year's royal titles!

In September, our Eatonville High School Cheerleaders had the incredible opportunity to perform during the halftime show at the University of Washington Huskies game. They delivered an outstanding performance that made our community proud! Let’s extend a big congratulations to our talented Cruiser Cheer team for representing EHS with such spirit and energy. Keep up the excellent work!

On August 28 our entire Eatonville School District staff stood together, united in learning and growth during our Professional Development Day. In our white t-shirts generously donated by TwinStar, we formed the shape of our beloved Mt. Rainier, symbolizing our collective strength and dedication to our students. We are Eatonville Strong, committed to reaching the top for our kids!

Superintendent: Mr. Jay Brower

Executive Assistant: Mrs. Ashley Farrens

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

The Eatonville School District Office Staff is at your service and excited to support you throughout the 2024-2025 school year! Whether you're a student, parent, or part of our amazing community, we're here to help make this year the best one yet. Here's to a successful and inspiring year ahead!

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 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

• Title IX Coordinator, Section 504/ADA Coordinator & Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Dracy McCoy, Executive Student Services. Email: d.mccoy@eatonville.wednet.edu Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328; Telephone: 360-879-1000
• Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
• Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint, linked here.