Superintendent Newsletter

Dear Eatonville School District Community,

February was a very busy month. Report cards mark that half the year is over. Teachers report progress and set goals for the remainder of the year. Winter sports start to close down and we gear up for spring.

The high school has so much pride in student success. The Basketball teams both made it to district playoffs. The boys were League Champions. The Chess Club (newly formed) competed well and took many places in their competition. Wrestling has bragging rights with first places taken in both boys and girls competitions. Our own Bodie Turner continues to win at the archery tournaments he enters.

In February we formed a new safety committee composed of law enforcement, fire department, Community Representative, School administration and Security, Head of Maintenance, School Board Member (Corey Ackerman) and Superintendent. The task is to update the Safety Plan, better secure our facilities and create a direct interface with our support outside the school. Professional Development for all staff will be updated and ongoing. This decision to revisit our plan came none too soon as we had to implement a lockdown. While it turned out to be a rumor, it deserved being checked out. Please let your children know lockdown is a safety measure that allows law enforcement to do an investigation and secure a situation. This is also a reminder for students to share information with school personnel if they see a weapon or dangerous behavior. We take all threats seriously and need to follow up as soon as possible.

We continue to be challenged with not enough school bus drivers. We have made some changes to the hiring and training of drivers and we hope the process will now be more accessible to those who choose to be a part of our team. We will help with the application process if you come to the District Office where we can walk you through the online application which seemed to be a roadblock for some. We filled our transportation office assistant position. We welcome Shayla Lyons. We are also advertising for a mechanic assistant and we are adding some bus monitors.

We are happy to report a very successful Food Service Audit from OSPI at our Middle School. Kudos to our Food Service Manager and the cooks at the Middle School. They even noted how our students love their fruits and vegetables. We are working to upgrade some aging equipment in our kitchens. We received grants for some refrigerators and are applying for some additional grants to help supplement our budget for additional equipment.

Solar panels are being installed on the high school roof. These are grant and district funded. They will pay for themselves as we reduce our power bills in the future.

Schools choose traits for each month as they encourage students to be their very best selves at school and among their peers. February was kindness month and students went out of their way to show kindness with words, gifts or actions to bring appreciation, positivity and encouragement to others, themselves and their environment.(PurposeFull People)

Kindness counts,

Lucy Fountain

Interim

Kasey Whitney, Carsen Pero and Ashlynn Kistenmacher, Wrestling State Champs

18 Seniors with 4.0

25 Seniors from 3.6 to 4.0

19 Seniors from 3.2 to 3.6

17 Juniors with 4.0

20 Juniors from 3.6 to 4.0

16 Juniors from 3.2 to 3.6

11 Sophomores with 4.0

31 Sophomores from 3.6 to 4.0

29 Sophomores from 3.2 to 3.6

20 Freshmen with 4.0

36 Freshmen from 3.6 to 4.0

19 Freshmen from 3.2 to 3.6

• During the first semester 301 students participated in middle school athletics.
• During the first semester 69 students participated in extra curricular clubs.
  

• During the first semester 272 students participated in high school athletics.

Teams of four students will work together to read through the Battle of the Books list. These can be mixed grade level teams. Students will meet twice a month to check in with each other and ensure that all the books are being covered. How the students meet up will be determined by the school support volunteer.

All students who signed up for the Battle of the Book’s competition will compete first at the school competition. The top two teams from each school will be invited to compete at the district competition, which will be an evening event hosted in May.

Our top priority, student learning. We are committed to providing students an organized, coherent, high-quality curriculum taught by teachers who know and use best instructional practices for learning. Progress towards learning goals is measurable. Our students in K-8th grade, are given benchmark assessments to see growth and progress. Students just completed mid-year assessments K-2 Acadience and 3-8 MAPS -Measure of Academic Progress. Please check with your child’s teacher to see the mid-year test results.

Last month we said farewell to Mrs. Amanda Smith, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent & Board of Directors, during the February 8th School Board Work Study Meeting. Weclome, Mrs. Ashley Farrens, newly hired Executive Assistant to the Superintendent & Board of Directors.

The Food Services program concluded its State Audit this week, performed by OSPI. Aside from a few minor corrections that are being made, the auditor expressed great appreciation for how efficient the program is running, especially the staff at Eatonville Middle School. Eatonville Middle School was randomly selected for review.

The auditor visited the site during lunch and breakfast, and made special note of a few things. While she has visited sites across all of Western Washington, Eatonville Middle School's 'Share Program' was one of the best she has seen, not only to provide extra food for especially hungry students but also to help minimize food waste. Additionally, she noted that the staff were especially effective in serving the students. While the auditor was on-site, she even received student feedback expressing how great their food service staff is!

Congratulations to EHS teacher, Tira Hancock who has been inducted into the Washington Activity Coordinators Association Hall of Fame! The Washington Activity Coordinators Association (WACA) established the Hall of Fame in 2002 to honor individuals who have made a significant, lasting impact on student activities in the state of Washington.

Dr. Hancock, like all recipients of this prestigious award, has demonstrated leadership and dedication to providing high quality student leadership programs at the school, district and state level. She has been the ASB advisor at EHS for more than 20 years and was a member of the WACA board for several years, serving in a variety of elected roles. In addition, she is the Assistant Director of Mt. Rainier Leadership camp at Camp Cispus and has supported student leadership camps for over 20 years. It is significant to note that Dr. Hancock was nominated for the Hall of Fame by one of the EHS student leaders in recognition of the commitment and care she shows her students.

Dr. Hancock was surprised at Wednesday's staff meeting by WACA representatives, Kacie Solar and Michael Sniezak. She will also be recognized at the state WACA convention in March. During the ceremony, the WACA team plans to play a video montage to highlight the significant impact Dr. Hancock has had through her involvement in student leadership and activities.

Any students (past and present), staff and/or community members that want to record a message for Dr. Hancock to be included in this tribute may do so using the Flipgrid link here: https://flip.com/ca1641a4

ESD is currently supporting 29 novice teachers and ESAs this year with the support of 20 colleague mentors through the BEST (Beginning Educator Support Team). Our mentors are working every week to provide support for our novice teachers, counselors and SLPs. Thank you to everyone for encouraging your grade level team members and department members to observe peer classrooms. Everyone plays a role in supporting all our new team members.

National Read Across America Day is March 2, 2023. Schools are hosting reading events on this special day. Bring your favorite book to school.

Does your child perform at significantly advanced academic levels? Consider referring them for Highly Capable Services by submitting a referral. Referral forms will be available using the link below.

Learning characteristics could include:

• Analytical thinker
• Accelerated learner
• Advanced language speaker
• Self-motivated

The Highly Capable program referral window will be open The referral window will be open from Feb. 1-March 15, 2023.

Anyone (parents, teachers, community, etc.) can refer a student to be tested for potential qualification for next year's highly capable programs. Students from Kindergarten - 7th grade can be referred. Referred students will be tested in the school building in March and April. Results will be sent home through postal mail to families by the end of the school year.

Second grade students will participate in a Highly Capable Universal Screener the month of January/February and therefore do not need to be referred to be considered for services.

Are you interested in serving as a parent representative on the Highly Capable Program Advisory Committee for Eatonville School District? The committee aides in developing, monitoring, implementing, and evaluating the district's Highly Capable/Advancement Placement Program plan. The committee ensures compliance with state laws and administrative codes governing the Highly Capable Program, including equitable identification and makes recommendations, as needed. The committee will meet 4 times throughout the school year. The first meeting was held on January 4th.

Our second meeting will be held Wednesday, March 1st, 2023. The meeting will be held in the High School Library from 5pm-6pm. If you are interested in joining the HCP Advisory Committee please contact the Instructional Programs office by phone at (360-641-1040) or by email at s.keeley@eatonvilleschools.org

Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by August 31st, 2023? If so, please consider registering him or her for kindergarten.

Due to recent quality issues with the live stream, we have decided to record our board meetings in hopes that this will provide our listeners and audience a better experience.

We plan to have them published by 9am on the morning after any board meeting. All are welcome to come in-person to each public Board Meeting.

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

Congratulations to Eatonville High School’s, Bailey Andersen on eclipsing the 500 point mark in her career in her game against La Center. With Bailey only being a Sophomore, she is on track to hit the coveted 1,000 point barrier at some point in her high school career. Way to go, Bailey!

Annika Howard participated in the Creed Speaking event at a Sumner FFA event (District 2 sub district Leadership) which tests a student's ability to memorize and present the FFA Creed and then answer questions on meaning and purpose.

Annika (9th grader) placed 3rd overall, and qualified for the district competition that takes place next month in Yelm.

The School Board honored three Grad Alliance graduates at the board meeting, Journey Rhodes, Aquila Raum and Mason Lail.

Superintendent: Mrs. Lucy Fountain

Executive Assistant: Mrs. Ashley Farrens

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

Mrs. Fountain was selected as the Interim Superintendent of Eatonville School District in January 2023.

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