Your Ellensburg Schools

"Kindness is like snow—it beautifies everything it covers"

- Kahlil Gibran

She’s the best in the nation.

On Nov. 30 the Association of Career and Technical Education named Ellensburg High School Agriculture teacher Sammi Jo Sims the National New Teacher of the Year for 2023.

This award recognizes new CTE teachers who have made significant contributions towards innovative and unique career and technical education programs and who have shown a professional commitment early in their careers.

If you follow ESD news, you know that Sims has been instrumental in the success of her FFA students who have won regional, state and national competitions under her guidance. In the classroom, you might find her sending students on a scavenger hunt in the greenhouse, or any number of engaging, hands-on learning activities.

“Sammi Jo has the energy and passion for getting students excited about Ag Science,” says Principal Beau Snow. “Since her arrival the number of students participating has skyrocketed, and we are offering more Ag courses than ever before.” Snow also highlighted the competitive and personal successes FFA students have found under her guidance.

Morgan Middle School participated in the Hour of Code event last week! Prizes for the event were provided by Educational Service District 105. These lucky 10 students were the winners of the prizes and now get to have some STEM activities for winter break!

Ellensburg wrestlers defeated Selah at the annual Clash of the Canyon on Dec. 15, scoring 47 to Selah’s 30.

“It was an exciting night of wrestling, and we brought the rock back to where it belongs,” says EHS wrestling coach Jeremy Wolfenbarger. “Last year Selah got to keep it, and this year we got to bring it home.” Clash of the Canyon has been an annual tradition since 2006 and was started by ESD teacher and former wrestling coach Jason Stevenson.

“We had some great matches and kids that are consistently wrestling good,” says Wolfenbarger. “Leif Holmgren (pictured below) wrestled a great match, he came into the last round with no points and finished the match winning it 11-2. He showed a lot of heart and drive. Our seniors are consistently getting the job done and working hard for the team.”

Up next for the team is the annual Best of the West Wrestling Tournament in Pasco Dec. 20 and 21. Wishing our students and coaches the best of luck this season, and congratulations on bringing the rock home!

Morgan Middle School students kicked off the holiday season with an after-school social on Dec. 15. Bingo, games, face painting, a graffiti wall and a DJ were among the highlights. Here are some photos of the festivities!

And a special shout out to our Morgan teachers who donated $505 to FISH Community Food Bank. You fill our hearts with holiday cheer!

Ellensburg’s own Cole Kanyer has been named the Central Washington Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year!

Kanyer, who serves as AD for the District and assistant principal at EHS, was chosen in a unanimous vote by his CWAC conference colleagues for this honor. This is his 10th year of leading the athletic programs, and in that time Ellensburg teams have claimed five WIAA Class 2A state championships, four academic state championships, and 33 Class 2A District 5/6 titles. He also implemented the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014-15.

“Cole is a dedicated and talented athletic director, who constantly tries to do

what is best for student-athletes at his school and in our conference,” says Bryan Johnson, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Ephrata High School, who nominated Kanyer for the award. “Ellensburg High School and the CWAC are lucky to have him, and he is well deserving of this honor.”

EHS Principal Beau Snow says, “Cole has a lot of passion for his work. It is an honor for him to be recognized by his peers for all of the good work he does here in Ellensburg and across the state.”

A Bulldog through and through, Kanyer is also a 2002 graduate of Ellensburg High School! Congratulations and thank you for your leadership!

We have had an amazing first semester in ESD, and there are so many wonderful opportunities ahead. The all-volunteer Valley Voices Community Choir recently shared this special performance (listed below) as an opening number for the CWU Chamber Choir Candlelight Concert which was a fundraiser for HopeSource.

May this song ring true for you this holiday season.

https://youtu.be/g1TaeKL7Euc

Sincerely,

Jinger

Email: leslee.caul@esd401.org
Website: https://www.esd401.org/
Location: 1300 East 3rd Avenue, Ellensburg, WA, USA
Phone: (509) 925-8000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellensburgschools