A Letter From Dr. Carey
1/26/24
Dear Enumclaw School District Families and Community,
Project-Based Learning (PBL) at EMS
Our recent meeting of the Board of Directors highlighted a Project-Based Learning (PBL) activity our students at Enumclaw Middle School are currently engaged in during their English Language Arts class. The problem they decided to tackle: How do we write and manage a project proposal to get new signage for our school? Their approach to finding a solution: Use an industry-proven strategy to write a project proposal and accomplish their goal.
For those who are unfamiliar with PBL, it is a student-centered approach that actively engages students in real-world and personally meaningful projects. This learning “approach” helps students build a deeper understanding of the subject matter and cultivates essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. In middle school, where students are at a crucial developmental stage, PBL helps in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Our students learn how to explore their interests and passions, which leads to increased motivation and engagement in their learning process. In addition, PBL prepares students for the “real-world” by emphasizing self-directed learning and adaptability, skills highly valued in the modern workforce. Our teachers are to be commended for their use of a high-leverage instructional strategy with students at the middle school. The impact of PBL is evident in student performance, intellectual engagement, and the development of a growth mindset, all of which are integral to shaping well-rounded, competent learners.
Preparing our students for their future and inspiring them to learn, lead, and impact their community and the world. Way to go, teachers and students of the Enumclaw School District!
Shaun
Thank you to the dedicated ESD Grounds Crew who spent some rainy mornings this week filling in potholes and making McDougall Avenue more passable for families, students, and staff!
Frequently Asked Questions about McDougall Ave
Q. Who manages McDougall Ave, and how does the Enumclaw School District contribute to its maintenance?
A. McDougall Ave is owned and managed by the Enumclaw School District, therefore all maintenance costs are the responsibility of the district.
Q. Why are there potholes on this road? What steps has the Enumclaw School District taken to address the potholes?
A. Potholes often develop due to the expansion and contraction of water that seeps into cracks in the road's surface. These cracks can be exacerbated by freezing and thawing cycles during the winter months. Factors such as heavy traffic, weather conditions, and the age of the initial road construction all contribute to the formation of potholes. Our grounds team fills and patches the potholes regularly and works to remove standing water.
Q. Are these maintenance efforts a permanent fix?
A. No, filling the potholes makes the road more passable but is a temporary solution. Potholes are difficult to keep filled because of the constant wear and tear on the road surface and patches are not as durable as the original road material, making them susceptible to the same weather-related stresses that caused the potholes in the first place. As a result, they break down relatively quickly, especially from large trucks and buses. Pothole patching is a routine maintenance activity to address immediate safety hazards and keep roads reasonably functional. It is not intended to be a long-term solution.
Q. Why hasn't McDougall been reconstructed or resurfaced?
A. State funding for school district maintenance is limited, patching potholes can be a cost-effective way to address immediate safety concerns and make roads more drivable. However, for a more permanent fix, road reconstruction or resurfacing is necessary to address the underlying structural issues that lead to road deterioration.
Building and construction projects, including major repairs (such as repaving/resurfacing) to district property, are funded through bonds or capital levies. Repaving McDougall Avenue and a sidewalk addition were part of the February 2023 bond, which was not approved by voters. However, we remain dedicated to exploring future opportunities for road improvement projects.
Actions: Board Officer Appointments, FOCUS Committee Appointments
Board President Fisher shared the purpose of the F.O.C.U.S. with stating, "Public Schools belong to the entire community, and funding for capital improvements is generated through voter-approved bond measures. It is essential that community members help develop our long-term capital facilities plan to reflect the values and priorities of the community. The Community Facilities Oversight for Capital Utilization and Sustainability (FOCUS) Committee will serve as a community-led citizens' committee that will study the capital facilities needs of the district, review data, and develop recommendations for the school board designed to meet the needs of ESD students, families, staff, and the community over the next 20 years."
Board President Fisher listed the committee's charge which includes learning about the work to date on the district's long-term capital facilities plan, to recommend a long-term capital facilities plan that meets student capacity needs and supports the goals of our strategic plan and make recommendations to the school board for a long-term capital facilities plan, including a scope and dollar amount for a future capital bond or levy measure for the construction and/or modernization of school facilities (Phase 1).
Director Gamblin moved to approve all applicants as presented. Director DeShayes seconded the motion. Motion carried. The Board of Directors thanked the community members for volunteering to serve and participate in this capacity.
Presentations:
School Presentation - Enumclaw Middle School
