Superintendent Brower's Newsletter
December 2023
Dear Eatonville Students, Staff, Families and Community Members,
This newsletter is all about our students!
I want to congratulate our students for their many accomplishments in and out of the classroom. It would be nearly impossible to include all the accomplishments of our Eatonville students so I have included just a few examples for you to enjoy! I also want to express my gratitude for your unwavering support of Eatonville students as we work together to ensure their academic success and well-being.
Eatonville is in the House…and Senate Chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia-Eatonville students, staff members and school board members have been busy talking to lawmakers about how they can best support Eatonville students.
School Board Student Representative, Dylan Norman, recently advocated for coverage for transportation costs not funded by the state. This includes transportation for students experiencing homelessness, to and from the GRITS farm and to maximize student participation in programs at the Pierce County Skills Center.
Eatonville Middle School students in Mr. Hansen’s Global Perspectives class testified on the Pledge Bill which would mandate instruction on the meaning and history of the pledge of allegiance in public schools. Since testifying, EMS students have received a lot of attention and gratitude for bringing attention to the Pledge of Allegiance.
I had the pleasure of joining our other School Board Student Representative, Zoe Beane, along with Eatonville School Board Members, Ronda Litzenberger and Karen Carr, and Cristin Blaskowitz, our Executive Director of Student Services and Assessment, to speak to lawmakers about how to best support our students, our staff members and our community. Our advocacy ranged from asking for full funding for transportation and child nutrition, for full funding of Special Education and for assistance to comply with the Clean Buildings Act. The latter is an unfunded mandate requiring us to bring our buildings up to a certain level of energy efficiency.
I also had the distinct pleasure of supporting our Eatonville Special Olympics Basketball team. Our talented players won GOLD at the Southwest Region Sub-divisional Team Skills Competition. They have now earned a spot to compete at the divisional level. Way to go, team! Good Luck. We are all rooting for you!
Our Boys wrestling team finished 2nd place at the Evergreen 1A League Dual Tournament. We are peaking at the right time and I have high expectations for our team as they finish out a remarkable season!
Our Girls basketball has clinched a spot in the District Tournament which begins on 2/8. If the girls win on Friday at Elma they will host on 2/8 as the Evergreen 1A #2 seed. Congratulations and good luck!
I end this newsletter with a reminder that we currently have two levy measures on the ballot that affect our students and their future opportunities in Eatonville Schools. How you vote is up to you, of course, but I hope to provide you with the facts about these two levies so that you can make an informed decision.
Everything that I have discussed in this newsletter is levy-dependent. In addition, everything that happens before and after the school bell rings each day is dependent on levy funding as well as many things that happen during the school day. I have included a fact sheet in this newsletter breaking down the specifics of each levy. I invite you to study it and, if you still have questions, to reach out to me. The last day to vote is February 13th.
Again, thank you for everything you do to ensure the success of our students.
Eatonville Strong!
Our Eatonville Promise:
Every student will be known, valued and supported.
Music on the Move
In a remarkable journey of musical achievement, EMS proudly announces a staggering 180 % growth in its band program over the past year. Eatonville Middle School celebrates not just the musical prowess of its students but also the power of collaboration, dedication, and unwavering support from all involved. Mrs. Danielson states, “I would expect to see enthusiasm for the Band program across the district to continue to grow.”
Recruitment efforts included: The main recruiting effort was having our High School Band tours to our elementary schools with a concert. Ted Brown visited the elementary schools to let 5th graders play on the instruments. This garnered some excitement as well. Mostly, our growth would not happen without the support of parents, encouraging their students to be a part of such an amazing opportunity!
A day in the life of 6th grade band students included:
Opening activity of a few minutes of cards and partners, stand partners grab a deck of musical notes cards. Students learn the positions for notes and need practice with naming the notes. High student engagement is demonstrated as students work together to identify and name the notes on the card deck.
Over the weekend look at new songs like Shadow Fire and learn 8th notes Mrs Danielson asks students to turn to page 12. They play the new note together. Play it in piano… Students demonstrate learning by playing the notes at different levels including forte. Students are reminded about the cut off at forte.
Music page 55 is taken out. As students get ready to plan, Mrs Danielson comments on “Loving your posture” to encourage the young band students to sit appropriately…” tap tap one, two, ready and go”. Students focus and engage in the music as they perform each note. Requiring concentration and right position, learning how to listen to each other and playing in sync with each group are highly engaging learning experiences provided to our students.
Students are directed to page 56 “Tap Tap– count by 4,” students follow and play. New direction is given to take a good look at the last two measures quietly to focus on a new note. Each group plays the measures,Director Danielson comments on the success of each section, “Trombones ready on the slide, we are going from d flat to 6 then back to 5th”.
The focus shifts to the percussion, the question asked of students is, “What is the x on your music”.. One student responds correctly. Students play the number again from the beginning. Mrs Danielson checks in with the drummers regarding a suspended symbol..” Let's play the first 4, right hand on rim and measure on the snare drum. Yes, that's a good job.”
Next students get to try something a little bit new today… students are introduced to the Metronome. Mrs Danielson explains the purpose and students hear and follow the beat with foot tapping.
Students are moved to the challenge level with a new activity on the board. Mrs. Danielson directs students to the yellow box on the board, “we will do the 4 lines without stopping, line to line without stopping.” Students learn notes by counting out loud the notes and whispering the rest. Foot tapping, counting and whispering. Adding a layer to learn the bars students are asked to clap the number of notes and whisper the silent notes now in b flat.
Director Danielson continues to challenge students by moving on to the more difficult measures illustrated on the board…. “Two notes to play evenly, she shares, all together!”
The covid impacts to the Band enrollment were noticed by low enrollment three years ago. Fast forward to today, where a phenomenal group of fifty-six (56) 6th grade students engage in the lesson, demonstrating remarkable progress and proficiency. The incredible success story is attributed to the unwavering commitment to music programs by dedicated stakeholders- parents, principals, superintendent and school board members.
The dedication and countless extra hours put in by the Director Danielson have been instrumental in nurturing the growth of the Eatonville High School Jazz band. Student commitment to the 6:30 am Tuesday and Thursday scheduling and a teacher who is providing unwavering support has been indispensable. Her love and expertise have been a driving force in the students musical journey. “Music is all things. It is cooperation. It is a foreign language. It is discipline. It is therapy. It is healing. It is creative. Playing an instrument is one of the only activities that fires off every single neuron in your brain at the same time. It truly is an incredible experience that can be in your life, forever,” notes Mrs. Danielson.
This is noted in the music played by students with excitement and enthusiasm. Numbers rehearsed on the January morning include: Over the Rainbow, Green Onions, Land of Make Believe, and Brother Ray.
Standards for learning noted in the instruction included:
Anchor Standard 4 Select, analyze and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Performance Standard (MU:Pr4.2.H.8) a. Identify prominent melodic, harmonic, and structural characteristics and context in a varied repertoire of music that includes melodies, repertoire pieces, and chordal accompaniments selected for performance, including at least some based on reading standard notation.
Performance Standard (MU:Cn10.1.1) a. Demonstrate how interests, knowledge, and skills relate to personal choices and intent when creating, performing, and responding to music.
Research reveals convincing evidence that youth involved in P.E. programs transferred life skills to multiple settings and to learn and use life skills through games like Ultimate Frisbee. Mr. Danielson’s P.E. class empowers students with a set of skills that prepares them for a lifetime of new challenges.
With the creation of the PE golf obstacle course and Ultimate Frisbee students will be equipped with basic skills, while positively impacting students through both the game and its inherent ability to improve social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. Mr. Danielson uses and groups target sports; Net and Wall games, Invasion Games, Striking and Fielding games to design lessons for his students. Many hours of planning and materials prep are some of the ways Mr. Danielson shows his commitment to our students.
This program aligns with national/state physical education standards developed by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) and is designed to allow outstanding physical educator, Mr. Danielson the ability to adjust lessons to fit their specific teaching situations in terms of class size, time, and facility type.
The standard noted in this lesson: Students will demonstrate competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
- Throw Grade 6 Demonstrate mature pattern in a throw (underhand and overhand) for accuracy.PE1.1.6
- Catch Demonstrate a catch with a mature pattern from a variety of trajectories using different objects. PE1.2.6
- Pass and Receive Demonstrate passing and receiving with hand, foot, or implement with competency while moving and changing direction and speed. 1.3.6
Mr. Danielson was able to borrow and buy materials to create the outstanding PE options for students. These are lesson plans that integrate life skills and values with the game of golf and motor skills. In Mr. Danielson PE class students were able to play Ultimate Frisbee this week. Students arrived in class knowing routines and expectations, starting the day with a social/emotional check in using Emoji faces to speak to feelings. Students work in groups to practice the 3 throws modeled by Mr. Danielson. As the activity progresses, the expectations become more rigorous and complex.
All students can be successful in the PE classroom. Mr. Danielson states, “In his classroom he is a big believer in building connections with students and watching students connect with one another before we start learning content. Connection before Content.”
He begins with the basics in mind and adds progression of skills for students to learn and develop these skills through modifying the sport. To build fitness and motor capabilities the class started with working on throwing and catching, then adding passing and receiving with increased complexity of distance and defense. You will hear Mr. Danielson directing students with phrases like “Begin again, give and go, challenge yourself, how fast can you get to the hoop with 3 throws, and use the defensive position.” Students had a chance to practice sports skills. Key teaching strategies include explicit and modeled instruction. Reteaching the skills as needed based on observing student performance.
With high student engagement and modifying the rules of the sport, Mr. Danielson’s classes allow everybody to participate and everybody to be successful. He meets students where they are at and moves them forward in skill development. Mr. Danielson’s superb instructional strategies, positive student relationships and advocating for healthy, active students, is the definition of excellent teaching.
Mr. Danielson comments on the goal for students during this PE class “Teaching a simple but meaningful learning progression for my students to understand how to move or create space away from their opponent to receive the frisbee, was the most difficult part of the Ultimate Frisbee lessons and the greatest challenge for students.”
Student Lauren Hays comments on class with a smile, “I have learned to throw better and catch better. These are new skills I didn’t have.”
A celebration of Eatonville School District’ s newly remodeled Special Education Support Center was held on January 8th
Last spring it was determined that the District needed to expand the facility footprint to house the growing special education population. The cost of a new portable caused then Interim Supt, Lucy Fountain to search for another solution. She and Maintenance Supervisor, Brandon Jumper chose to move a double portable with bathroom capabilities to a site that could be shared near EES and EMS. The very talented maintenance team have brought this facility to a “like-new” status.
Whereas the previous classroom did not have easily accessible restrooms and running water and was not in close proximity to the playground or cafeteria, the new space has all of this as well as a brighter, welcoming setting. Our high needs students and staff who are devoted to the success of this program can now focus their efforts on their students' well-being and academic excellence.
It cost the district about $170,000 to relocate the portable from the high school, connect it, and refurbish it for use.
A new portable would have cost $260,000 plus install.
With our highly skilled and committed maintenance staff, the district was able to save $150-$200K on the project.
Impact fees were used to pay for this project.
Thank you to Mrs. Blaskowitz and Mr. Heersink as well as his paraeducators for all you do to support our students.
All students in Mr. Hansen's Global Perspectives class wrote speeches. Due to time, all won't be able to give them. After listening to the practice speeches, the students themselves selected the top four to testify.
The students were wonderful. If the bill makes it to the House, another batch of students will testify.
In the House, we will testify remotely from EMS. This will give them the full experience of giving public testimony to the Legislature. (We had two random folks sign on to testify remotely, so our bill is being watched by other stakeholders. Wow!)
'When' the bill gets to the Governor's desk, we will be there for that exciting moment as well.
We have to wait until January 31 for the executive session in which the committee considers and passes our bill. We will be anxiously awaiting the decision. Meanwhile, it gives us time to rally support!
Keeping our bright kids challenged and engaged with real-world lessons is a good thing to keep doing.
Connect with Eatonville School District
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