Superintendent Newsletter
April 2023
Dear Eatonville Parents and Community,
What makes us feel good? Sunshine, color, flowers, spring, art, music??? Right now I am wrapping my head around the 5th grade choir that made me smile at the WES Work Study on March 8th . WES also hosted an impressive art show this month!! Then I am hearing that this same music teacher (Chantelle Whately) is starting an after school choir at EHS. We are so in need of this option for our students. The next Work Study will be at CCA.
What do we have to brag about? March contained a week that honored our Classified Employees. The people who clean the buildings, assist the teachers and students, watch over the playground, fix the things that are broken, drive the buses and cook/serve the food are our friends. They deserve the biggest thank you ever for the jobs they do every day. Please notice and acknowledge these individuals when you see them do what they do to make a difference in the lives of our children.
As I started this letter at the beginning of March I did not realize that tragedy would hit our school district in a really big way. We lost a ninth grader to suicide and an elementary student to a health issue. These experiences rock the educational and community world. Then in the midst of it all the “Crisis Team” for our school district comes to life to wrap their arms around a district that is in mourning. The care and compassion of everyone was amazing. We reached out to the Bethel School District for extra trained support and put our and their counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals in place to help our students and staff through this difficult time. Then follows the food and coffee for staff, the donations to families and the “what can we do to help?” from everywhere.
From the Board Meeting: approval to purchase two new 10 passenger vans with delivery in August and approval to add boys’ soccer and baseball at EMS. Reporting out at the meeting were updates on League change for middle school. Watch for our increased student participation and some changes that the new league has made in seasons you may have thought were traditionally offered in the fall and spring. We continue to attack the many repairs on our list. Most recently, the lane markers in the pool had to be replaced, life preservers provided for our littlest swimmers and portable repairs at CCA and WES. The roof at EMS is now in much better condition. We are writing grants and hoping to get help with some big ticket items as well.
We have more students out for spring sports than ever! The tennis team doubled their participation and the track team is at 80 so more uniforms had to be purchased. Our Daffodil Princess, Hannah Kralik will represent us well. Thanks to those who have stepped up to work on the float.
What would help us at Eatonville School District? First, we are desperate for individuals who love kids and have driving skills to become trained bus drivers. Second, we need a community wide “kids do not VAPE” campaign. We are so worried about their health as the long term results are not known but we do know the long term results of smoking.
Community Day is just around the corner. If there is a club or activity that wants to be a vendor, please contact Shannon Hirska at the high school as it must be approved by ASB. Speaking of other fundraisers, the Eatonville Lions Club held a dessert auction, then matched that amount and chose to support student lunch debt. This is a very kind gesture!
The search for your new superintendent is in full swing. Applications are being carefully reviewed and the first round of interviews will be held. You have been notified of the Community Forum so that you may come, ask questions and share your thoughts about the candidates. Dates for that are April 3 and 4. Your opinion counts!!!!
Happy April!
Lucy Fountain
On March 8, the Eatonville School Board had a work study meeting at Weyerhaeuser Elementary School. Leadership students, Hank, Tj, Van, Lily and Shepard made a presentation about the activities they have been involved with this year. Some of those activities included the campaign process of getting elected as a school leader, their commitments to missing recess to hold meetings and doing the school announcements at the school’s Morning Meeting. They also shared how they organized a clean up of the school grounds, planned school spirit activities, and planned a food drive for the Eatonville Community Center.
These students are great examples of what it means to be student leaders!
Next in Weyerhaeuser’s presentation was a performance by the 5th grade choir under the direction of Ms. Chantell Whatley. The choir is an elective class that meets every 4th day in the specialist rotation . The performance included the song Obwisana by Mary Donnelly.
Fifth graders involved in the choir are:
Peyton, Shelby, Isabelle, September, Layla, Kali, Reagan, Kaylyn, Ellie, Carsen, Hank, Blake, Mitchel, Jaci, Lily, Kaitlyn, Sophia, Mariana.
Principal Linn Ames presented the School Improvement Plan for 2022-2023. Mrs. Ames shared WES data and systems supporting the SIP along with goals for the rest of the year. One data point highlighted was that WES 3rd-5th graders who met standard on the state Smarter Balanced Math Assessment exceeded the state average last year. The rest of the presentation highlighted the positive accomplishments of staff and students and included a focus on PBIS and UDL strategies.
Principal Ames thanked the School Board, Interim Superintendent Lucy Fountain and district office staff for continued support seeking solutions for the transportation issues facing WES families and for helping solve security issues.
Cruise Control is Number One!
Big shout out to the Eatonville High School Dance Team, Cruise Control who are the WIAA 1A Academic State Champions. Congratulations to Natalie Accarino, Araya Vonderhorst, Taylor James, Kadence Watkins, Savannah Campbell, Savanna Barker, Michelle Noll and Coach Melanie Rodewald.
Eatonville High School's AP Psychology class visited Eatonville Cooperative Preschool on Friday, March 17th for some "in the field" work with kids ages 3 to 5 years old. The High School students were studying Jean Piaget's Cognitive Development theories and were doing concrete operational conservation experiments with the young ones.
It was a great learning experience and a lot of fun for both pre-school and high school students alike. Thank you to ECNS teacher Ms. Katie for letting our students interact with the kids. It was a huge success!
