The Weekly Update #4

It's been a short, but busy month.

Winter sports are underway and our Girls Basketball team is still setting records with no losses again this season. Our Wrestlers will be spending the days before Christmas at the annual Best of the West Tournament. I have been attending the Morgan Middle School Basketball games in the role of proud father.

Our students have also been busy sharing their talents with friends, classmates and families at winter concerts. And in our classrooms tiny hands are crafting priceless gifts for their parents and siblings. Our students have also gathered hundreds of pounds of food and clothing for those in need in our community. We couldn't be prouder!

Just a reminder that our first day back, January 3, is a full day.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful, restful and joyful holiday season!

Your Partner in Education,

Superintendent Troy Tornow

Tis the season when music fills the air!

Families and friends gathered at our District's schools to enjoy holiday music programs, and to see the great musical progress their students have made since school began.

Students performed in their schools, but also out in the community. Choral groups visited several assisted living facilities in Ellensburg, bringing holiday cheer to the residents.

Great job students and a big thank you to our music teachers who make the magic happen!

Civic students from Big Picture High School spent the month of December working on Warm Up, a project to bring warm clothes to those in need this winter. Students arranged for drop boxes to be placed at local businesses and launched a publicity campaign to call for donations. As of Dec. 19, the class had collected two large boxes of warm clothing. Clothes that are not picked up at the EHS Lost and Found will be added to the clothing after it has been laundered.

According to teacher Brittany Guddat, most of the clothing will be donated to the cold weather shelter. "We will also be establishing a professional closet with some of the donations, so our students have access to business appropriate attire for job interviews and such." says Guddat. If you would like to donate business attire, contact Principal Haley Naboychik.

Morgan Middle School students enjoyed an afternoon of fun and games at the Winter Social. Students enjoyed bingo, chess, corn hole, snacks, dancing and even a movie! Dressed in festive holiday gear, students moved throughout the entertainments laughing, snacking and have a great time.

Thank you to the teachers and parent volunteers who made this a special and fun party for our middle school students.

The ESD Child Nutrition team has been hitting it out of the park this year with locally-sourced fruits, veggies and meats, and an emphasis on delicious meals prepared from scratch. On Dec. 14, students throughout the District enjoyed the return of the traditional winter feast. Menu items included homemade turkey roast & gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans & corn, cranberry sauce, whole grain rolls, green salad, and pumpkin pie.

"Thank you to our child nutrition staff, custodians, secretaries, and volunteers for helping make it happen for our students," says Director of ESD Child Nutrition Alexandra Epstein-Solfield, "And thank you to our Nutrition Specialist Charlotte for bringing this tradition back for the first time in four years. It was a lot of work but so worth it!"

Congratulations on a successful feast and thank you to everyone who worked to bring back this tradition. We can't wait to see what you've got cooking in 2024!

Students had an opportunity to share all of their great artwork and hallway decorations with their families at Lincoln's Deck the Halls Day on Dec. 20.

Ellensburg Learning Center students couldn't contain their excitement waiting for their special guest to arrive on Dec. 20. Our littlest learners were not disappointed when Santa showed up with a bag full of presents. Each students was called by name to come get their gift and have their photo taken with Santa. When everyone had a present, the students tore into the packages to find robots and other educational toys. After the gift wrap was cleaned up, students got to have a "snowball" fight with Santa.

Kudos to our ELC staff, and their helpful family members, who put in the hard work to make this visit with Santa one to remember.

On December 1, Ellensburg High School bid a final farewell to Shirley Weyand, who retired after 31 years of service to the administrators, teachers, students, and families of the Ellensburg School District. Weyand began her career in the District as a member of the Food service team, first as a sub, before working at Lincoln, Valley View and Morgan. In 2000, Shirley joined the EHS team where she was a trusted, kind and familiar face in the front office. As the Principal's Secretary, Weyand was often much busier than her welcome greeting would suggest.

Members of the Marine Biology Club presented Weyand with an oyster, from which she harvested a beautiful pink pearl. They also shared a story about how pearls are formed. The presentation marks a new tradition for the club.

While many will miss seeing Mrs. Weyand in the front office, we are thrilled that she will have more time to spend with her grandson! Congratulations and thank you Shirley!

Throughout the month every school has had a variety of fun activities for students. Principals and teachers dressed as elves, door decorating contests and craft projects filled every hallway, and fun was around every corner. Here are just a few of the sights that filled us with holiday joy.