Superintendent Brower Newsletter

A Groundbreaking Moment in Every Sense

In one of the year’s most unforgettable moments, we held a ceremonial groundbreaking for our new Community Use Track, Synthetic Field, and Stadium. I was honored to deliver the following words at the event:

“We’re breaking ground on a vision—a vision for every person from birth to 99…excuse me, Betty…from birth to 100 and beyond! This project marks a new era for Eatonville—an era of accessibility, excellence, and community pride. Together, we are literally and figuratively building the future.”

From skydiver Rosie Thun soaring overhead to 100-year-old alum Betty Laffaw standing proud beside us, it was a day that beautifully celebrated our past, present, and future.

Strategic Plan—Guided by You

This year marked the full implementation of our community-driven Strategic Plan, co-authored by over 1,500 students, parents, staff, and residents. This plan guides every decision—big and small—and focuses on ensuring every student achieves success. Thank you to the staff who bring this vision to life daily and to the families and volunteers who partner with us in support of student learning. Click here to read the full plan.

Supporting Families: Childcare at Our Schools

After hearing from families, we partnered with Champions to provide on-site childcare at our elementary schools. This optional service, designed around your needs, will continue in the upcoming school year. It’s one more way we’re listening—and responding.

Tutoring and Academic Support

Thanks to community partnerships, we launched free tutoring programs at every school, available before, during, and after school. These efforts are already helping students reach new academic heights—and we’re excited to continue this support next year.

Building Lasting Partnerships

From local businesses to regional leaders and Washington State agencies, Eatonville is attracting support like never before. These partnerships have brought:

• Academic programs

• Infrastructure improvements

• Future-ready initiatives like responsible AI integration

• Expanded extracurricular opportunities

Together, we are preparing students not just for graduation—but for a thriving future.

Engaged Voices, Informed Decisions

Through regular community forums, you’ve helped shape policies on transportation, facility upgrades, AI in education, school funding, and more. Your insights and presence matter. Thank you for standing up, speaking out, and staying involved.

Looking Ahead

The future is bright in Eatonville. With your continued involvement and our shared commitment to excellence, we’re not just moving forward—we’re setting the pace for what a community-centered, student-focused district can accomplish.

We will continue to create schools where every student is known, valued, and supported. From our youngest learners to our graduating seniors, every child deserves—and will receive—our very best.

Thank You, Eatonville!

Thank you for your passion, your participation, and your belief in the power of public education. Let’s carry the energy of this year into a well-deserved summer—and return in the fall ready to aim even higher.

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and restful summer break. We are Eatonville Strong!

With gratitude,

Superintendent Brower
Eatonville School District

“Together, we’re not just building schools—we’re building the future.”

Want to leave a lasting legacy at the stadium? Sponsor a seat for just $500 and have your name or a dedication displayed for years to come!

Through the Greater Eatonville Community Foundation, you can personalize a stadium seat in honor or memory of a loved one, your graduating class, or with a special message (30-character limit).

📬 Mail a check to:
GECF
184 Dow Ridge Dr. N.
Eatonville, WA 98328

This opportunity is sponsored through the Greater Eatonville Community Foundation.

Disclaimer: The district does not sponsor nor endorse this information and assumes no responsibility for it.

Note: This is not an official rendering. The image is a conceptual representation created for announcement purposes and does not reflect the final design of the project.

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, Eatonville School District will introduce SchooLinks as our High School & Beyond Plan platform for grades 7-12. This tool offers over 80 features designed to support students, families, and staff.

SchooLinks is a modern platform focused on college and career readiness, helping students prepare for life after graduation. It enables students to explore their interests and strengths, investigate colleges and career options, and create personalized academic and career plans that align with their goals. Available for students in grades 7-12 and their parents, SchooLinks is user-friendly and designed to streamline the college and career readiness process.

• Explore a variety of career fields, including traditional, emerging, and military options

• Access surveys on career interests, strengths, and mindsets

• Create digital portfolios and resumes

• Research 2-year and 4-year colleges, including trade schools

• Take virtual reality tours of college campuses

• Search for scholarships

• Learn about financial aid opportunities

• Find internships and volunteer positions

• Engage with Learning Units on various college and career readiness topics

In the coming years, students will also have the ability to:

• Create high school course plans based on career pathways

• Track college applications and request transcripts

• Request Letters of Recommendation

Completing a High School and Beyond Plan is a graduation requirement for all students in Washington State. The process begins in 7th grade and includes annual updates, revisions, and new activities that help guide students as they progress through middle and high school, preparing them for their future aspirations.

The High School & Beyond Plan consists of:

• Identification of career goals through skills and career interest assessments

• Setting educational goals for graduation and beyond

• A four-year high school course plan that meets state and local graduation requirements while aligning with students' career and educational objectives

• A resume or activity log by the end of 12th grade, compiling students' activities, leadership experiences, work history, and community service for use in personal statements and scholarship applications

• Access to interventions, academic support, and courses necessary for meeting high school graduation requirements

We are excited to support our students and families in their journey toward a successful future with SchooLinks!

Our recent learning walks have been a pivotal opportunity for school leaders to observe classrooms, gather data, and engage in meaningful discussions about instructional excellence. The district team observed reading instruction at Columbia Crest Academy.

Key Steps in Our Learning Walk Process:

1. Define the Process: Leaders set clear purposes for classroom visits.

2. Identify Look Fors: instructional practices are defined based with the use of the Magnetic Reading Learning Walk tool.

3. Conducting the Learning Walk: Staff and board members join us in these observations to provide feedback.

4. Conduct Group Analysis: Leadership teams reflect on observations strengths and areas to support through professional learning opportunities

5. Determine Next Steps: action plan steps are established based on observations to drive further understanding of new materials.

We appreciate CCA staff: Mrs Cravens, Mrs. Brandt, Mrs. Hight, and Mr. Antonson for opening your classrooms for learning walk observations, as we continuously strive to enhance our educational practices for the benefit of all students.

“The observation team celebrated "Victory Laps" in all 3 elementary schools. As noted by Director Sally Keeley, “Our students have shown growth and enthusiasm in their reading journey. We are proud of the hard work and the dedication of our teachers in fostering high rigor reading instruction. Together, our teachers are laying the foundation for lifelong success! “

We believe that these walks are essential for fostering a culture of sharing highly effective instructional practices and our continued work on instructional coherence.

With the end of the school year approaching, we encourage families to stay engaged over the summer. Here are a few suggestions:

• Reading Programs: Our local libraries offer summer reading programs that can keep students motivated and excited about reading.

• Outdoor Activities: Take advantage of the beautiful weather! Parks and recreational areas often have programs and events for families.

• Volunteering Opportunities: Consider volunteering as a family. This can be a rewarding experience and a great way to give back to our community.

• Looking for more activities in Pierce County see the summer guide for opportunities Adventure Guide

We appreciate your ongoing support in ensuring our students continue to grow and learn even during the summer months.

As we look forward to a summer filled with opportunities, we want to thank you once again for your partnership.

Eatonville School District is excited to welcome our newest learners for the 2025-2026 school year! If you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before August 31st, now is the time to register for kindergarten.

Enrollment packets are available online and at your student’s school. Early registration helps us plan for a great year ahead, ensuring your child has a smooth and successful start to their educational journey.

📌 Required Documents for Enrollment:
✅ Medically Verified Immunization Record
✅ Birth Certificate
✅ Proof of Residency

We can’t wait to meet our future kindergarteners! For more information or to begin the registration process, visit our district website or contact your local school.

As the school year comes to a close, it’s important to continue nurturing students’ social-emotional development and mental wellness. Here are some helpful ideas and resources to support your child over the summer:

5 Summer Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Tips for Families

1. Stick to a Routine

• Maintain a flexible but predictable daily routine—wake-up times, meals, screen time, and bedtime—to help students feel secure and grounded.
  
  

2. Practice Emotional Check-ins

• Ask questions like “How are you feeling today?” or “What was something that made you happy/sad today?” to keep communication open and encourage self-awareness.
  
  

3. Use Real-Life Moments for Learning

• Trips to the grocery store, family game night, or park visits are great opportunities to build skills like cooperation, patience, and problem-solving.
  
  

4. Encourage Journaling or Drawing

• Let kids express themselves through writing, art, or storytelling—great tools for processing emotions and building self-expression.
  
  

5. Model Self-Care

• Children learn from watching adults. Talk about how you manage stress and take care of your mental health.

As summer approaches, families and educators alike begin planning for rest, play, and a change of routine. For families of children with special needs, summer break can also bring questions about how to maintain learning progress, manage routines, and access support services. This edition of our newsletter offers practical tips, free resources, and local opportunities to help make this summer both fun and supportive.

While breaks are important, keeping routines and practicing key skills a few times a week can help students retain what they’ve learned.

Suggestions:

• Read daily, even if it's just for 10–15 minutes.

• Use educational apps or games aligned with your child’s IEP goals.

• Incorporate math or language practice into everyday tasks (e.g., measuring while cooking, identifying shapes/colors on a walk).

Caring for a child with special needs is a full-time job. Summer is a chance to build in small moments of self-care:

• Arrange respite care or swap caregiving with a friend or relative.

• Create a summer schedule that includes some quiet time for yourself.

• Connect with other parents for support or join a local advocacy group.

Remember: Taking care of yourself helps you better support your child.

Preparing early can ease the transition back to school in the fall and help ensure continuity of services.

Wishing all our families a safe, restful, and enriching summer!

EHS

• Maryann Barker: m.baker@eatonville.wednet.edu

• Kirsten Dill: k.dill@eatonville.wednet.edu

EMS

• Anisa Parks: a.parks@eatonville.wednet.edu

• Kylee Meysenburg: k.meysenburg@eatonville.wednet.edu

CCA

• Deb Noble-Perry: d.noble-perry@eatonville.wednet.edu

• Kylee Meysenburg: k.meysenburg@eatonville.wednet.edu

EES

• Jana McIlraith: j.mcilraith@eatonville.wednet.edu

WES

• Allysen Lindstrom: a.lindstrom@eatonville.wednet.edu

Executive Director of Student Services

Dracy McCoy

200 Lynch St. W./PO Box 698

Eatonville, WA 98328

(360)641-1809

d.mccoy@eatonville.wednet.edu

Special Services Executive Assistant

Tonya Roebuck

200 Lynch St. W./PO Box 698

Eatonville, WA 98328

(360)641-1807

t.roebuck@eatonville.wednet.edu

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a program that helps families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get a one-time $120 benefit per year for each eligible child to help buy groceries during the summer months. Nearly 600,000 Washington children received SUN Bucks over the summer of 2024.

For questions about the SUN Bucks program or your benefits, please call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230 (TTY: 800-833-6348) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday (except observed holidays) or learn more on the DSHS website.

Sign up for text alerts to be notified of SUN Bucks updates, benefit details, important reminders and answers to questions.

He didn’t just soar over the bar — he lifted everyone around him with his energy. From breaking school records to winning the state title, his passion, positivity, and perseverance made him a true champion. WIAA 2A State Pole Vault Champ Ethan Carter!

Relive the breathtaking moment from today’s Groundbreaking Ceremony at Eatonville High School, captured by Erik Swarout’s drone footage!

Watch as retired teacher and skydiving legend Rosie Thun descends onto the stadium grounds with over 4,500 jumps under her belt joined by jumpers, Jenny Clayton and Linda Wagstaff to kick off the celebration of our new Community Use Field, Track, and Stadium.

This dramatic entrance set the tone for a day filled with vision, pride, and community spirit.

On May 2, 2025 history was made as we officially broke ground on the future of community, athletics, and education at Eatonville High School!

The Groundbreaking Ceremony was a celebration of progress, pride, and partnership kicking off with inspiring remarks from Superintendent Jay Brower, who recognized the many donors, partners, and community members that helped bring this vision to life.

Special thanks to our honored guests who shared their hopes and support:

• Ronda Litzenberger – School Board Chair
• Mayor David Baublits – Town of Eatonville
• Senator Jim McCune – WA State Senate
• Representative Matt Marshall – WA House of Representatives
• Council Member Amy Cruver – Pierce County
• Betty Laffaw – Eatonville High School Class of 1943
• Margaret Daubert – Community Advocate

The crowd was literally blown away by a dramatic skydive entrance from retired teacher and professional skydiver Rosie Thun, joined by fellow jumpers Jenny Clayton and Linda Wagstaff!

From golden shovels to joyful cheers, the event concluded with a powerful groundbreaking led by the school board, community leaders, and special guests—energized by stellar performances from the EHS Choir and Cheer Team, and delicious refreshments served by our amazing ASB and Culinary Team.

On August 28 our entire Eatonville School District staff stood together, united in learning and growth during our Professional Development Day. In our white t-shirts generously donated by TwinStar, we formed the shape of our beloved Mt. Rainier, symbolizing our collective strength and dedication to our students. We are Eatonville Strong, committed to reaching the top for our kids!

Superintendent: Mr. Jay Brower

Executive Assistant: Mrs. Cassie Froud

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

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

Eatonville School District #404 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

• Title IX Coordinator, Section 504/ADA Coordinator & Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Dracy McCoy, Executive Student Services. Email: d.mccoy@eatonville.wednet.edu Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328; Telephone: 360-879-1000
• Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
• Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint, linked here.