The WOLFPACK Family/Community News

Dear Coupeville Families and Community,

As we settle into the heart of fall, I want to share some of what I have been working on and the great things I am seeing across our schools.

In Our Classrooms
One of the best parts of my job is being in classrooms. I have been visiting schools across the district and seeing outstanding teaching every day. Students are engaged, asking questions, and working hard, and our teachers are creating classrooms where every child is known and supported.

Our youngest learners are off to a wonderful start. Our kindergarteners are settling in well, and I have seen firsthand the warm, welcoming spaces our staff have created in classrooms and hallways throughout our buildings. Those first weeks matter, and our team has made them count.

Supporting Our Teachers
This fall I began leading a series of professional learning sessions with our elementary staff. Our focus is student engagement: how we keep students actively thinking, talking about their learning, and building understanding step by step. When students are engaged, they learn more and enjoy school more.

Planning for Our Facilities
Our Facilities Planning Task Force, a group of community members, staff, and district leaders, continues to meet as we look at the future of our elementary school. Thank you to everyone who attended an open house, filled out the survey, or shared feedback. The task force will meet again on November 5, December 3, and January 7 as the work continues. We will keep you informed every step of the way.

Student Voice Leading the Way

This week we launched our Superintendent Student Advisory Committee! Students in grades 9 through 12 came together to talk about the strengths and challenges they have seen so far this school year. They shared thoughtful ideas about what is working, what could be better, and how we can continue to build pride in our schools.

The meeting was led by our Student Board Representatives, Lindy Sylvester and Marin Winger. Lindy and Marin have wholeheartedly taken on this work to make sure student voice helps shape decisions across our district. Thank you, Lindy and Marin, for your leadership and commitment.

Why does this matter? Students experience our schools every day, and they see things adults may miss. When students have a real voice, schools make better decisions. Research also shows that students who believe their voice matters are more engaged, feel a stronger sense of belonging, and are more motivated in their learning. Student voice also builds leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that serve students well beyond graduation.

We look forward to hearing more from this group throughout the year and putting their ideas into action. Our students’ insights will also help guide our next Strategic Plan. Go Wolves!

Our Next Strategic Plan
Our current strategic plan wraps up in 2027, and we have started the work on our next one. I am forming a Core Team of about 40 people, including staff, students, families, community members, and board members, to help shape the direction of our district for the years ahead. Our planning partner, Performance Fact, will be on site November 16 and 17 to launch the process. There will be opportunities for families and community to share their voice, and I hope you will engage with us.

Strong Curriculum for Every Student
I have been meeting with our Instructional Materials Committee to set a clear schedule for reviewing and updating the learning materials our students use. Having a regular cycle means our curriculum stays current, aligned to state standards, and focused on what students need. This year, our elementary teachers are exploring new math materials to pilot, and we will be including parents in that process.

Coming Up
Fifth graders head to Mountain School October 19 through 23, and parent/teacher conferences are October 28 through 30. Conferences are a great time to connect with your child’s teacher, and I encourage every family to attend.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools. This year our theme is “Think the Unthinkable, Reach the Unreachable,” and I see that spirit in our students and staff every day. I am proud to serve this community.

Go Wolves!

Shannon Leatherwood

Congratulations, Tenley Stuurmans!

Tenley Stuurmans has been named a WIAA/Gesa Credit Union Athlete of the Week. This statewide award honors student-athletes for outstanding performance in competition and meaningful contributions to their communities.

We are proud of Tenley’s hard work, leadership, and the example she sets both on and off the field. Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition. Go Wolves!

Dear Coupeville School District Families,

Your experience and perspective are an important part of helping us understand what’s working well and where we can continue to grow. We’re inviting families to share their feedback through our upcoming Family Survey.

About the Survey: The survey asks about your experience with Coupeville School District, including topics such as family engagement, family support, school climate and family school attendance . It should take approximately 14 minutes to complete, and you may skip any question you prefer not to answer.

Your Responses Are Anonymous: The survey is completely anonymous. Your responses are not connected to your name or your child’s name, and individual responses cannot be traced back to you. Results will be reviewed together to help us better understand the experiences and needs of our families.

How to Participate: The survey will be open from September 28, 2026 through October 23, 2026. You can access it here: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/coupeville/familyfall2026/surveys.

Have More Than One Child? If you have multiple children in our schools, you’re welcome to complete the survey again for each child if their experiences differ.

We’re partnering with Panorama Education to administer the survey and help us understand the feedback we receive.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your perspective. Your feedback will help inform how we continue supporting our students, families, and school community.

If you have questions, please contact communications@coupeville.k12.wa.us

Thank you,

Shannon Leatherwood

Superintendent

Coupeville School District

Family Events this Fall

• October 19-23 Fifth Grade Mountain School
• October 26 PSAT Testing 8-11AM High School
• October 27 SAT Testing 8-11AM High School
• October 28-30 Family Conferences (No School)
• November 3 Financial Aid Workshop 5:30-6:30 High School Library
• November 11 Veterans Day (No School)
• November 13 End of 1st Quarter

Thank you

This year, we increased meal prices at Coupeville Middle School and High School to meet federal program pricing requirements. Breakfast is now $2.30 and lunch is $4.00 for students who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals. At Coupeville Elementary School, breakfast and lunch remain free for all students under the state's 'Meals for Washington Students' program.

We encourage all middle and high school families to review eligibility criteria and apply for free breakfast and lunch for their students. Families can apply online through Qmlativ, complete a paper application available at any school office, or contact the Food Services Department for assistance. Families can apply at any time during the school year if their circumstances change. If you have questions about eligibility or need help with an application, please reach out to us — we are happy to help!