Superintendent Brower Newsletter

I could not be prouder of our students. They are second to none!

Every time I visit a classroom, cheer on our student-athletes, or see our students serving our amazing Eatonville community, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to serve as your superintendent. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.

Speaking of service, many of our students and community members chose to give up a Saturday morning to serve our community at our recent 911 Day of Service and Remembrance. They didn't just show up—they immediately grabbed tools and went to work at their assigned locations when the opening ceremony concluded.

It was truly remarkable and inspiring to watch our students and community members work side by side to make a difference. This is one of the things that makes Eatonville such a special place.

I also want to thank our parents for the sacrifices they make every day to help their children get to school on time and prepared to learn. Our parents are great partners, and they are vital to the success of our students and our school district.

Finally, I want to thank every member of our staff for dedicating their lives to the success and well-being of our students and to the success of our community. I know how much time, energy, and heart our staff members give to our students each and every day.

I am honored to be counted among this strong team of educators.

As I have stated previously, our focus will continue to be on academic success. This emphasis will never change.

We are putting additional supports in place to help ensure greater achievement in both Mathematics and English Language Arts. At the same time, we are placing an added emphasis on another important goal within our strategic plan: preparing students for life.

This means doing an even better job of connecting our schools with local businesses, community members, and other partners while helping our students prepare for a successful transition from high school to the next phase of their lives.

If you have an idea, a contact, or a resource that could help us provide these opportunities for our students, please reach out to me. Together, we can help our students discover their potential and prepare for successful futures.

Growing up, I often heard my father say, “If we fail to plan, we must plan to fail.” I have found this to be true throughout my 42-year career in public education.

We are constantly striving to improve our practices through careful and comprehensive planning. Each of our schools has developed a school improvement plan that is aligned with our district strategic plan

.

These plans are available on our district website for our community to review. You can also hear more about them during our School Board Study Session on October 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office.

Each of our principals will share the plan they developed with their staff for this school year. I invite you to attend this meeting, either in person or virtually, to learn more about the work taking place in each of our schools.

On September 22, we had the honor of hosting the Pierce County Council meeting in the Eatonville High School auditorium.

I was asked to take 10 minutes to “talk about the great things happening in the Eatonville School District.” To be honest, 10 minutes was not nearly enough time! There are simply too many incredible things happening because of the hard work of our students, parents, staff, and community members.

Prior to the meeting, several of our EHS students did a fantastic job giving the Pierce County Executive and Pierce County Council members a tour of our new track, field, and stadium. Our students shared their gratitude for having a safe, beautiful facility that they can be proud of when hosting other teams in Eatonville.

Our swim team captains continued the tour at our swimming facility. They expressed their appreciation to the Pierce County Council for the $100,000 Community Needs Grant, which will be used to repair and upgrade our facility.

I was proud of our students. They represented Eatonville exceptionally well.

I want to end this newsletter by sharing something special that happened on 9/11—something that I believe truly makes Eatonville stand out.

Before the band played the Star-Spangled Banner at our EHS football game in our new stadium, we observed a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives and to stand with their families.

The anthem was followed by a formation flyover performed by four local pilots as a tribute to those we remember and as a heartfelt thank-you to our first responders and members of the Armed Forces for their courage, sacrifice, and dedicated service.

Following that emotional moment, I began hearing comments from people in the stands:

“We live in the coolest community in America.”

“I love our small town.”

“The flyover brought me to tears and made me proud to live in Eatonville and to be an American.”

“The band sounded like they were from a university.”

“The moment of silence reminded me of how we all came together to support each other in a time of need.”

My wife was in the stands that evening and captured a video of the flyover with our EHS band playing the Star-Spangled Banner in the background. I sent the video to Allison Burslem, our amazing PIO, who worked her magic and shared it on social media.

It went viral.

As of today, that powerful moment of patriotism and small-town unity has been viewed more than 215,000 times.

That means more than 200,000 people have now heard our EHS band, seen our beautiful new stadium with Mount Rainier in the background, watched our football team stand respectfully for our National Anthem, and experienced a small glimpse of the pride, patriotism, and unity that make our Eatonville community so special.

I am incredibly proud to be part of this community.

We are Eatonville Strong!

Jay Brower
Superintendent
Eatonville School District

Congratulations to EHS senior Titus Lowe!

Titus has been named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, an honor recognizing exceptional academic promise.

Approximately 34,000 students nationwide receive this recognition. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2027 National Merit Scholarship competition by taking the 2025 PSAT/NMSQT.

We are proud to celebrate Titus and his outstanding academic achievement. Way to represent EHS and our Cruiser community!

Queen Annika (now at WSU), Princess Mya (Bethel, now TCC), Princess Shai (Bonney Lake, now UW Tacoma), Princess Izabelle (Sumner, now UW Tacoma), and Princess Elena (Stadium, now at WSU) danced and smiled their way through another parade, this time at the Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth. They were awarded the Mayor's Award!

Queen Annika's next appearance will be at the Eatonville Daffodil Princess Selection on November 12th, where she will crown the next Eatonville princess.

Parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity for families and educators to connect, celebrate student growth, discuss academic and social progress, and identify ways to support continued success. Strong family engagement helps build meaningful partnerships between home and school and is associated with positive outcomes in academics, attendance, and social-emotional development.

We encourage every family to take advantage of this valuable time to meet with their child’s teacher, ask questions, learn about areas of strength and growth, and work together to set students up for success.

There will be no school for P-12 students on Thursday, October 22 or Friday, October 23.

🍁 Thursday, October 22: Conferences from 12:00-6:30 PM
🍁 Friday, October 23: Conferences from 8:00 AM-2:30 PM

Please check your child’s school newsletter for additional information about conference scheduling and sign-ups.

As we settle into the 2026–27 school year, thank you for partnering with us in your child’s learning. October gives us an opportunity to celebrate students’ strengths, recognize the importance of belonging, and share how our schools are helping every learner grow.

My role now brings Student Services and Teaching & Learning together as Executive Director of Student Services & Achievement. Our commitment is to students across the learning continuum: those who benefit from additional support, those meeting grade-level expectations, and those ready for enrichment and greater challenge. Strong instruction, meaningful relationships, and responsive services work together to support student success.

As fall conferences approach, I encourage you to celebrate your child’s accomplishments, ask about their next learning goals, and share what helps them thrive. I look forward to continued partnership throughout the year.

Dracy Blue | Executive Director of Student Services & Achievement

October is National Principals Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated school leaders who support our students, staff, and families every day.

Our Eatonville School District principals do so much more than manage their buildings. They foster welcoming school communities, support high-quality instruction, build meaningful relationships, and work alongside teachers and families to help every student succeed.

Please join us in thanking our principals for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to making our schools places where students feel supported, challenged, and valued.

Thank you to our principals for all you do for Eatonville students and families!

Our schools use classroom work, teacher observations, and assessments to understand student strengths and plan next steps. i-Ready information in grades K–8 is one source educators use to identify learning needs and monitor progress. No single assessment tells the whole story of a child.

A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework that helps schools respond to students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. It begins with strong, differentiated classroom instruction for everyone. Teachers and school teams use information about student learning to adjust instruction, provide targeted or more intensive support when needed, and plan appropriate opportunities for extension and challenge. MTSS is about continued growth for every student—not only intervention

The Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) measure English language arts and mathematics; the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) measures science. District teams review these results alongside other evidence to celebrate strengths and identify instructional priorities. Proficiency describes performance against standards; growth describes change over time. They are not the same measure.

The table below compares the percentage of students meeting proficiency standards across the same tested grade levels each year. These are comparisons of grade-level groups, not measures of individual student growth.

Three-Year State Assessment Proficiency | 2023–24 → 2024–25 → 2025–26

• English Language Arts (grades 3–8): 42.0% → 46.1% → 44.8% (+2.8 percentage points over three years).

• Mathematics (grades 3–8): 35.8% → 37.1% → 37.0% (+1.2 percentage points).

• Science (grades 5 and 8): 44.2% → 51.4% → 47.6% (+3.4 percentage points using displayed rounded values).

ELA and science improved compared with 2023–24 but declined from 2024–25; mathematics was relatively stable in the most recent year. We celebrate progress while using these results to strengthen instruction.

Every school day offers opportunities to learn, connect with peers and teachers, build routines, and participate in classroom experiences. Consistent attendance supports academic learning, relationships and belonging, confidence, and preparation for future opportunities.

Our 2025–26 district snapshot shows that 27.5% of students were chronically absent approximately one in four students. Chronic absence means missing 10% or more of school days, whether absences are excused or unexcused. Missing about two days each month can add up to roughly 20 days over a school year.

We understand that illness, medical needs, family circumstances, and other barriers affect attendance. Our purpose is not to assign blame. We want to work with families to identify challenges and help students attend whenever they are healthy and able.

How Families Can Help

• Build consistent morning and evening routines.

• Encourage attendance on days your child is healthy and able to attend.

• Schedule appointments outside school hours when possible.

• Ask your child about school, friendships, and learning.

• Contact the school early if attendance becomes difficult; administrators, counselors, and student support teams can help identify barriers and develop a plan.

Every day is an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. We are here to partner with you.

The district has moved from researching mathematics materials to implementing updated resources in 2026–27: Ready Math in grades K–4 and Kiddom Math in grades 5–8. Teachers participated in professional learning and will continue collaborating to support consistent, standards-aligned instruction, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving.

Our focus is not only getting answers right. We want students to explain their thinking, make connections, persevere, and encounter meaningful challenges. We will monitor implementation and student learning before making claims about the impact of these materials.

• Ask “How did you figure that out?” and invite your child to explain a strategy.

• Draw pictures, use objects, or make diagrams to represent a problem.

• Use everyday math while cooking, shopping, measuring, or planning.

• Treat mistakes as opportunities to try another approach and discuss why it works.

• Offer greater challenge by exploring another solution or having your child create a problem.

• What are my child’s strengths and what growth have you noticed?
• What is the next learning goal, and how will my child be supported or challenged?
• What classroom work and assessment information inform your view of progress?
• What can we do together at home and at school?

Title I, Part A is a federal program that provides additional resources to strengthen academic achievement. In a Title I schoolwide program, funds can support a comprehensive school improvement approach, and students can receive additional instruction based on academic need. The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) is a separate Washington state-funded program providing supplemental services to eligible students who need academic support. Services may include small-group instruction, focused interventions, and monitoring of progress, depending on program requirements and student needs.

Families are partners in these programs. You can ask your school about available services, discuss your child’s progress, participate in family engagement activities, and provide feedback about program planning.

Families at Title I schools may request information about the professional qualifications of their child’s teachers and instructional paraeducators. Families also receive information about state and local assessments and applicable notices concerning teacher certification. Please contact your school or Student Services & Achievement with questions. Schools receiving Title I funds (2026-27): Columbia Crest Academy, Eatonville Elementary, and Weyerhaeuser Elementary.

Recognizing Strengths. Removing Barriers. Creating Opportunities.

October provides an opportunity to recognize the strengths, talents, and contributions of individuals with disabilities while reflecting on how we create welcoming and accessible learning environments for every student.

At Eatonville School District, we believe that every student deserves to feel valued, respected, and connected to their school community. Students bring different abilities, experiences, perspectives, and learning needs into our classrooms. These differences enrich our schools and remind us that there is no single way to learn, communicate, participate, or demonstrate success.

What Does Inclusion Look Like in Our Schools?

Inclusion is more than being present in a classroom. It means creating meaningful opportunities for students to participate, build friendships, access instruction, develop independence, and contribute to their school communities.

Our educators and support teams work together to identify and reduce barriers to learning. Depending on individual student needs, this may include accessible instructional materials, differentiated teaching, accommodations, specially designed instruction, related services, or additional academic and behavioral supports.

We also recognize the importance of maintaining high expectations while providing the individualized support students need to work toward their goals.

How Can Families Encourage Disability Awareness and Inclusion?

Families play an important role in helping children develop empathy, understanding, and respect for others. Consider these simple ways to continue the conversation at home:

• Talk about differences in a positive and respectful way.

• Encourage friendships and participation among children with different abilities.

• Remind your child that people may learn, communicate, move, or interact in different ways.

• Discuss the importance of kindness, respect, and speaking up when someone is excluded.

• Celebrate individual strengths, accomplishments, and contributions.

Our Commitment to Every Learner

Disability awareness is not limited to one month. Throughout the school year, our district remains committed to strengthening inclusive practices, partnering with families, and ensuring students have meaningful opportunities to learn, participate, and grow.

Every student brings value to our school community. Together, we can create schools where differences are respected, strengths are recognized, barriers are addressed, and every student knows they belong.

Students from our SCC and SLC programs participate alongside their peers in physical education. Inclusive learning opportunities provide meaningful ways for students to build skills, develop relationships, and be active members of their school community.

Families are important members of special education teams. Here are four terms you may hear in meetings:

• IEP — Individualized Education Program: a written plan for an eligible student’s special education and related services.

• SDI — Specially Designed Instruction: instruction adapted to address disability-related needs.

• LRE — Least Restrictive Environment: educating students with peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate.

• PWN — Prior Written Notice: a written explanation of certain district proposals or refusals about identification, evaluation, placement, or a free appropriate public education.

Questions about your child’s plan? Start with the case manager. For Section 504 questions, contact the school’s 504 coordinator or Student Services & Achievement.

Do you have concerns for your child's development?

Eatonville School District provides services to assist in evaluating and identifying students ages birth to 21 with suspected disabilities and who reside within our boundaries.

If you:

• Have questions about whether your student has a disability

• Are concerned about your infant, toddler, or preschooler's development

• Know your student has a disability and are looking for appropriate educational services

• Would like to know how to help your school age student succeed in school

You can contact your student's teacher or school psychologist. You can also contact the district's Special Education office at (360)641-1809 for assistance. Any student, whether or not enrolled in school, may be referred for a special education evaluation by parents, district staff or other persons knowledgeable about the student. The school team will invite you to a meeting to discuss your concerns and devise a plan of action.

Your child is eligible for a FREE developmental screening if they are:

• Ages 2 years, 10 months to 5 years old (after August 31)

• Not enrolled in an Eatonville School District program

• Reside within the Eatonville School District boundaries

What happens during a Child Find screening?

The purpose of a Child Find screening is to identify issues that may affect your child’s learning, growth and development. The screening also helps parents identify their child’s strengths and weaknesses.

During the screening your child may stack small blocks, cut with scissors, draw, count, name colors, jump, run and have fun!

After the screening, someone will talk to you about the results of the screening and you may be given suggestions, a referral for more testing, or scheduled to have skills rechecked later. You will have a chance to ask any questions about your child’s development. The whole process takes approximately 45 minutes.

Please call Student Services at (360)641-1809 to schedule an appointment.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month and an important opportunity to reinforce a message we want every Eatonville student to hear throughout the year: you deserve to feel safe, respected, and included at school.

Bullying can affect a student’s sense of safety, belonging, attendance, relationships, and ability to focus on learning. It can occur in person or through digital communication and may involve repeated unwanted behavior, an imbalance of power, exclusion, intimidation, rumors, threats, or other harmful actions.

Not every disagreement, unkind comment, or peer conflict is bullying. Students will sometimes experience conflict as they learn to navigate friendships and relationships. Those situations still matter and may require adult support. When behavior may involve harassment, intimidation, or bullying, our schools have procedures for reporting, reviewing, and responding to concerns.

What can students do? Students should tell a trusted adult when something happens to them or when they are concerned about another student. This might be a teacher, counselor, administrator, paraeducator, coach, or another trusted staff member. Students should not feel responsible for handling serious situations on their own.

How can families help? Talk regularly with your child about friendships, school experiences, social media, and how others are treating them. Encourage your child to speak up when they see someone being excluded or mistreated, while seeking adult help rather than placing themselves in an unsafe situation. Families can also reinforce that respectful behavior applies both in person and online.

If your child shares a concern, listen carefully and gather as much information as you can. Contact the school so staff can understand what occurred and determine appropriate next steps. Details such as dates, locations, individuals involved, witnesses, screenshots, or messages can be helpful when reviewing a concern.

Our Commitment

Eatonville School District is committed to creating school communities where students feel safe, connected, and able to learn. Preventing bullying requires a partnership among students, staff, and families. It also requires more than responding after an incident occurs—we must continue building inclusive school cultures, teaching respectful behavior, strengthening student relationships, and helping students understand how and when to seek help.

If you see something, say something. If your child needs help, please reach out. Every student deserves to know they belong.

Eatonville School District HIB Information & Reporting

Hispanic Heritage Month, observed September 15–October 15, recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. We welcome opportunities to highlight authentic student learning and community voices.

As routines and academic demands increase, check in with your child about friendships, schoolwork, and how they are feeling. Listening without rushing to solve every problem can help children feel heard. Reach out to your school counselor or social worker when you would like support.

Counselor Contacts

EHS

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

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

EMS

• Lauren Iverson: l.iverson@eatonville.wednet.edu

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

CCA

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

EES

• Jana McIlraith: j.mcilraith@eatonvilleschools.org

WES

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

October is recognized as National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and early intervention. Mental health screenings are a simple and effective way to identify concerns such as depression, anxiety, and stress before they become overwhelming.

As a school district, we encourage students, families, and staff to prioritize mental health just as they would physical health. Early support can make a significant difference in a student’s well-being, academic success, and overall quality of life. Families who have questions or would like resources are encouraged to reach out to their school counselor/social worker or Student Services for support and connections to community resources.

Together, we can reduce stigma, promote open conversations, and ensure every member of our school community has access to the help they need.

Students who are meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations need opportunities to keep growing. Differentiated classroom instruction, extension activities, and the district’s Highly Capable services are ways schools can respond to students ready for deeper learning and appropriate challenge.

Hello, families!

September has flown by! I’m excited to share some of the wonderful learning happening across our Highly Capable Program, as well as a preview of what students will be exploring in October.

Middle School

Students at Eatonville Middle School and Columbia Crest have been diving into the world of project-based learning and exploring what makes a project meaningful. To kick things off, students took on an engineering challenge: build the tallest freestanding tower possible using only spaghetti noodles, tape, and string—and support a jumbo marshmallow at the top! Through this challenge, students practiced teamwork, explored the scientific process, and experienced firsthand the importance of perseverance.

Students have also begun their first project, “The Stories We Tell.” Throughout this project, students will explore the rich history and purpose of storytelling before creating an original narrative to share with elementary-aged students. So far, one of our favorite activities has been reading picture books and identifying the morals, values, and messages woven into each story. Students will continue developing this project throughout October.

Elementary School

Students across all three elementary schools have also been exploring the scientific process and developing strategies for tackling challenging problems. During the “Saving Fred” challenge, students worked together to help a friendly worm named Fred put on his “life jacket” and get safely back into his boat. Along the way, students practiced teamwork, problem-solving, perseverance, and the scientific process.

Students have also been developing their observation skills through our “Nature Detectives” activity. During a nature walk, students made careful observations about their surroundings, developed inferences based on what they noticed, and then used evidence to support their thinking. This process is an important foundation for scientific research and discovery!

Looking ahead, students in grades 1–3 will begin their first project, “From Farm to Fork.” Students will explore where their food comes from and learn more about the journey food takes before it reaches their plates. Students in grades 4–5 will begin “Pitch Perfect,” a project focused on entrepreneurship and what it takes to create and run a successful business.

I’m very excited about all that October has in store! Thank you for supporting our students as they explore, create, question, and stretch their thinking. Please feel free to reach out anytime if you have questions or would like to learn more about what we’re doing in the Highly Capable Program.

~Mrs. Shorter - k.shorter@eatonvilleschools.org

The Eatonville School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide dog or service animal and provides equal access in its program or activities to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The Eatonville School District offers classes in many career and technical education program areas under its open admissions policy. For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact the district’s CTE Director, Kelly Powell at K.Powell@eatonville.wednet.edu. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:

Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Student Services & Achievement
Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328
Telephone Number: (360)641-1809
Email: d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu

Dracy Blue
Executive Director of Student Services & Achievement
200 Lynch St. W. / PO Box 698
Eatonville, WA 98328
Phone: (360) 641-1809
Email: d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu

John Christensen

Special Education TOSA/504 Plan Designee

Phone: (360) 879-1800

Email: j.christensen@eatonville.wednet.edu

Tonya Roebuck
Student Services Executive Assistant
200 Lynch St. W. / PO Box 698
Eatonville, WA 98328
Phone: (360) 641-1807
Email: t.roebuck@eatonville.wednet.edu

Kyla Bernard

Student Achievement Admin. Assistant

200 Lynch St. W. / PO Box 698

Eatonville, WA 98328

Phone: (360) 641-1032

Email: k.bernard@eatonville.wednet.edu

We are here to answer questions, provide resources, and help ensure every student feels valued, supported, challenged, and able to grow. Here’s to a safe, successful, and inspiring 2026–27 school year!

As the seasons change, it’s a great time to build strong routines that support student success. Regular, on-time attendance helps students stay connected to their classmates, keep up with learning and feel confident at school. Even a few missed days can add up quickly, so every school day matters.

This fall, help your student build healthy attendance habits with consistent bedtimes, smooth morning routines and appointments scheduled outside the school day whenever possible. If your family is experiencing challenges that are making regular attendance difficult, please reach out to your school. We are here to help.

Every day matters. Every minute counts.

Every school day matters. Regular attendance helps students stay on track academically, build strong relationships, and fully participate in school life.

When possible, please plan family vacations during scheduled school breaks. Our 2026–2027 Vacation Planner highlights long weekends and extended breaks throughout the school year, making it easier to plan ahead while protecting valuable instructional time.

Here’s to making special family memories while making the most of every school day!

Eatonville School District is looking for substitute bus drivers to join our Transportation team! Substitute drivers play an important role in helping us safely transport students and keep our schools running smoothly.

We need our community’s help spreading the word! Please share this opportunity with friends, family members, neighbors, retirees, or anyone who may be interested in joining the ESD crew.

Benefits include $27.62 per hour, a flexible schedule, CDL reimbursement, and additional benefits based on minimum hour requirements.

We are delighted to announce that Superintendent Jay Brower was nationally nominated for the Administrator of the Year Award through the Kids Heart Challenge & American Heart Challenge!

Today, Superintendent Brower joined the virtual National Awards Ceremony, where he was recognized as one of the TOP THREE administrators in the nation!

While he did not receive the national award, we are incredibly proud to share that Superintendent Brower was named the Western States Superintendent of the Year for the SECOND YEAR IN A ROW! According to the American Heart Association, this is the first time this has ever happened!

Juliann Dorny, Development Director, School Engagement for the American Heart Association, shared: “I cannot think of a Superintendent more deserving of this nomination. Your efforts have made Eatonville safer, healthier, and ‘...a place everyone wants to come to have a heart attack.’” - Jay Brower

That memorable quote reflects Superintendent Brower’s commitment to making sure our schools are prepared to respond during a cardiac emergency. His leadership has helped make Eatonville School District a safer and healthier place for our students, staff, families, and community.

Please join us in congratulating Superintendent Brower on this incredible national recognition and his historic second consecutive Western States Superintendent of the Year honor!

Superintendent Brower stated, "Thank you. I am deeply honored and truly humbled to receive the American Heart Association’s Western States Superintendent of the Year Award.

I accept this recognition on behalf of the students, staff, families, and community of Eatonville, Washington. Honestly, the credit goes to everyone associated with the American Heart Association who make it so easy to prepare students and communities to be heart-healthy.

In Eatonville, we believe that education is about more than academics. It’s about preparing our students to care for themselves, care for one another, and make a difference in their community.

That’s why we teach Hands-Only CPR in all five of our schools. Every one of our staff members is trained, many members of our community are trained, and every school has a cardiac emergency response plan.

We could not have built this program without the incredible partnership of the American Heart Association.

Through the AHA’s support—including Heart Healthy Kits and 100 CPR mannequins—you gave us the tools to turn training into action.

Those 100 mannequins represent something much bigger than equipment. They represent students and adults who now have the knowledge and confidence to step forward when seconds matter most—and potentially save a life.

I am incredibly proud of Eatonville. We may be a small community, but we believe we can do big things.

Thank you to the American Heart Association for believing in Eatonville, investing in our students, and helping us build a healthier, safer community.

It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of Eatonville School District.

Thank you."

Families can now complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit Application through Qmlativ Family Access.

The deadline to apply is October 1. If an application is not submitted by this date, your student will move to paid meal status. This may also affect eligibility for discounts related to athletics, preschool, and Sun Bucks.

Free meals for all students will continue at the following schools:

🍎 Columbia Crest Academy
🍎 Eatonville Elementary School
🍎 Weyerhaeuser Elementary School

To complete the application online:

1. Log in to Qmlativ Family Access.

2. Select “View All Students” or choose an individual student’s profile.

3. Select “FS Application.”

4. Click the arrow icon to begin and follow the prompts.

We encourage families to complete the application as soon as possible. Thank you for helping us ensure your student’s meal and educational benefit eligibility is current for the school year.

Pierce County Library offers a variety of FREE resources to help students succeed in school! Students can connect with live tutors for online homework help, get support through the Writing Lab, access research materials, prepare for the SAT or GED, learn a new language, and explore e-books, audiobooks, and skill-building courses. Live online tutoring is available daily from 2:00 to 11:00 p.m.

These resources are a great way for students to get extra support, strengthen their skills, and find reliable information for school projects. A Pierce County Library card and PIN may be needed to access some resources.

Be part of Eatonville’s legacy by sponsoring a seat in our brand-new stadium through the Greater Eatonville Community Foundation. Your contribution helps celebrate our community pride and supports the continued enhancement of our athletic facilities.

Visit the site or Scan the QR code in the image or visit the Greater Eatonville Community Foundation page to learn more and make your donation today!

ESD does not sponsor or endorse this information and assumes no responsibility for it

We are excited to announce Kaydence Tatum as the Eatonville School District Student Board Representative for the 2026-2027 school year!

In this important leadership role, Kaydence will bring student voice and perspective to the Eatonville School District Board of Directors, helping represent students across our district.

We are proud to have Kaydence serving in this role and look forward to the leadership, ideas, and student perspective she will bring throughout the school year.

The November 3 General Election is approaching. Here are a few important dates for Washington voters:

• 📬 October 16: Ballots mailed to registered voters
• 📝 October 26: Deadline to register or update your voter information online or by mail
• November 3: General Election Day

Ballots placed in an official ballot drop box must be deposited by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters can check their registration, view personalized election information, and find official ballot drop box locations at VoteWA.gov.

Stay informed. Be prepared. Make your voice heard.

October 2 is Custodian Appreciation Day! We are proud to recognize the dedicated custodians across Eatonville School District who work each day to keep our schools clean, safe and welcoming for students, staff and families. Their hard work often happens behind the scenes, but their impact is felt throughout every school.

Thank you to our incredible custodial team for all you do for Team Eatonville!

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 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator

• Name and/or Title: Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Student Services
• Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328
• Telephone Number: (360)641-1809
• Email: d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu

Section 504/ADA Coordinator

• Name and/or Title: Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Student Services
• Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328
• Telephone Number: (360)641-1809
• Email: d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu

Title IX Coordinator

• Name and/or Title: Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Student Services
• Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328
• Telephone Number: (360)641-1809
• Email: d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu