Superintendent Brower Newsletter

Recently, I joined our elementary and middle school principals in visiting several classrooms at Weyerhaeuser Elementary. It was encouraging to see well-prepared teachers delivering meaningful, engaging instruction and students eager to learn from both their teachers and classmates. These visits reinforced the importance of maintaining high expectations while creating an environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and ready to learn.

When I attend community events, I meet people eager to support our students and schools in any way they can. At athletic events, I see stands filled with fans cheering wholeheartedly for our students, win or lose. That kind of support speaks volumes about the community we share.

I am grateful for the unwavering support our parents, staff, and community provide to our student-athletes and performers. I am also deeply thankful to our voters for approving the capital projects levy that made our new track, field, and stadium possible.

Our new stadium seats more than 1,200 visitors—nearly 400 more than our former stadium. I will never forget attending our very first football game in the new facility, seeing the stands filled, and watching fans line the edge of the track to cheer on our student-athletes. It was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when our community comes together for our kids.

In Eatonville, we show up for our students!

The support of our families, staff, and community makes a tremendous difference in the lives of our students. I am truly grateful to each of you. It is an honor to serve alongside you.

Last month, principals from all five of our schools met with the School Board during a study session to share their schools’ academic progress from the 2025–26 school year and present their improvement plans for 2026–27. They also outlined the strategies they will use to reach their goals.

I appreciate the transparency and thoughtful planning demonstrated by our principals. Sharing our progress, identifying areas for growth, and communicating our plans help us remain accountable to our students, families, and community. I look forward to keeping you informed about our efforts and achievements throughout the school year.

It is encouraging to see our schools taking meaningful steps to recognize and encourage students as they build strong attendance habits and work toward academic success. Every day in school matters, and every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

State funding has not kept pace with the rising costs of operating our schools, and we need your ideas as we navigate the budget challenges facing Eatonville School District. Our community has a strong history of coming together to solve challenges, including our successful efforts to recruit enough bus drivers to ensure our students get to school on time each day. That experience reminds us what we can accomplish when we work together toward a common goal.

I invite you to join us for a Community Budget Forum on Wednesday, December 9, at 6:00 p.m. in the Eatonville High School Library. Your voice, ideas, and perspective matter. Together, we can have an honest conversation about our budget challenges, explore possible solutions, and make thoughtful decisions with our students’ best interests at heart.

Please save the date! I look forward to hearing your ideas and working together to keep Eatonville schools strong.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of how much we have to be grateful for in Eatonville. Our students are surrounded by caring families, dedicated staff, and a community that continually shows up to support them. Thank you for the important role you play in helping our students succeed.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple but powerful belief: Every student matters, every day, and every student deserves the opportunity to succeed. That means getting students to school, providing engaging and challenging instruction, creating a safe and welcoming environment, and ensuring every student has the support and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.

Student success is not the responsibility of our schools alone. It takes all of us—families, educators, and community members—working together with a shared purpose. When we build strong relationships, maintain high expectations, encourage consistent attendance, and believe in the potential of every child, we help open doors to opportunities that will benefit our students throughout their lives.

Our collective vision bears repeating:

Together with our families and community, Eatonville Schools will empower students to achieve excellence in education and future success.

This vision is more than words. It is a commitment we must demonstrate every day through our decisions, our actions, and the way we support one another. As we look ahead, I ask each of us to remain focused on what matters most: helping every Eatonville student succeed today while preparing them for a bright and successful future.

I am proud of our students, grateful for our staff, and thankful to be part of a community that cares so deeply about its children. Together, we can continue building on our strengths and creating opportunities for every student to thrive.

Eatonville students are second to none, and their future is worth every effort we make on their behalf.

We are Eatonville Strong!

Warmly,

Superintendent Jay Brower
Eatonville School District

As we move further into the 2026–27 school year, we are grateful for the partnership of our families. Student Services and Teaching & Learning work together to support strong classroom instruction, responsive student services, and meaningful opportunities for every learner. Whether students need additional support, are meeting grade-level expectations, or are ready for greater challenge, our shared goal is continued growth and a strong sense of belonging.

This month, we highlight Native American Heritage Month, learning taking place across our schools, and opportunities for families to connect with staff and community resources. Thank you for the many ways you support your children and our schools.

Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Student Services & Achievement

November is Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity to recognize the histories, cultures, sovereignty, and ongoing contributions of Native peoples. In our district, this observance also invites us to learn about the communities and Tribal nations whose histories and contemporary experiences are connected to this region.

Meaningful recognition extends beyond one month. Throughout the school year, students benefit from accurate, respectful learning that includes Native perspectives and recognizes Tribal nations as present-day governments and communities.

Washington’s Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty curriculum supports student understanding of Tribal history, sovereignty, treaty rights, and contemporary issues. Eatonville educators are continuing to strengthen how this learning is incorporated across grade levels and subjects, including opportunities to connect instruction with local history and community knowledge.

Our district has been developing instructional scope-and-sequence resources and providing staff learning opportunities. We value collaboration with the Nisqually Tribe, the Nisqually River Education Project and other local partners as this work progresses.

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Eatonville Elementary School Library

Families of current and prospective multilingual learners are invited to connect with district staff, learn about the Multilingual Learner (MLL) program, and discuss how schools support English language development alongside academic learning. We look forward to sharing resources, answering questions, and strengthening our partnership with families.

Eatonville School District continues to strengthen its Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to ensure that all students receive the instruction, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.

MTSS is a districtwide framework that brings together academics, attendance, behavior, and social-emotional learning. Strong classroom instruction is the foundation, with additional interventions and enrichment provided based on individual student needs.

At the elementary level, teachers and intervention staff are working together to provide targeted reading and mathematics support. Through dedicated intervention and enrichment opportunities, including WIN (What I Need) time, students can receive additional instruction, practice essential skills, or engage in more challenging learning activities.

Teachers use information from i-Ready assessments, classroom performance, and ongoing progress monitoring to identify student strengths and areas for growth. When students need additional support, teams select focused interventions, monitor progress, and adjust their approach when necessary.

At Eatonville Middle School, intervention and enrichment opportunities are incorporated into the school day, providing students with additional academic support and opportunities to extend their learning.

At Eatonville High School, MTSS efforts focus on strengthening attendance and academic achievement. Staff are working to identify students who may be struggling with attendance or coursework and provide targeted support to help them successfully complete classes, earn credits, and remain on track toward graduation.

Across the district, teachers, intervention specialists, counselors, and support staff are collaborating to identify needs early, monitor student progress, and provide coordinated support.

Our goal is simple: Every student receives the right support, at the right time, while continuing to have access to strong classroom instruction and meaningful learning opportunities.

November Highly Capable Program Update by Kaylee Shorter, Highly Capable Program Teacher

October has been a month of change, growth, and exciting new opportunities in the Highly Capable Program! As I continue to learn about our students’ needs and interests, I have made adjustments to several projects and activities to better support their learning. I’m excited about the direction the program is heading and look forward to sharing more about our students’ progress.

Middle School

Students at Eatonville Middle School and Columbia Crest have begun an exciting new project called Genius Hour. This project gives students the opportunity to explore a topic they are passionate about through independent research and a structured, student-driven project. Inspired by Google’s famous “20% time” initiative, which encourages employees to dedicate time to passion projects, Genius Hour empowers students to take ownership of their learning, follow their curiosity, and turn their interests into meaningful projects.

Students will soon begin selecting their topics and planning their research. I am also working to bring guest speakers into the classroom to help students explore different careers and learn from professionals in our community. If you or someone you know would be interested in sharing your career and experiences with our students, please reach out!

Elementary School

Students across all three elementary schools have been hard at work on their current projects!

Grades 1–3: Build It Better

Students in grades 1–3 have been exploring engineering through our Build It Better unit. Together, we have investigated the design choices engineers make to create strong, stable structures. From bridges that support heavy loads to skyscrapers that reach impressive heights, students have been testing ideas, solving problems, and discovering how thoughtful design can make structures stronger and more stable.

Grades 4–5: Pitch Perfect

Students in grades 4–5 are wrapping up Pitch Perfect, a project focused on what it takes to develop and run a successful business. Throughout the project, students have identified problems in their community and designed business ideas to help address them. They are now preparing to present their ideas in an official business pitch. I am incredibly proud of these young entrepreneurs—not only for their creativity and hard work, but also for their desire to make a positive difference in their community while developing thoughtful, sustainable business ideas.

Both grade-level groups will begin new projects soon. Stay tuned for more details in the December newsletter!

I’m looking forward to all that November has in store. Thank you for your continued support as our students explore new ideas, ask meaningful questions, solve problems, and stretch their thinking. As always, please feel free to reach out if you have questions or would like to learn more about what we’re doing in the Highly Capable Program.

Staying Connected as the Year Progresses

As the school year becomes busier, small moments of connection can make a difference. Ask your child about a positive moment, a challenge, and someone they connected with at school. Listen with curiosity, and reach out to your school counselor or social worker when your family 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

Special education is a service, not a place. Students may receive specially designed instruction and, when appropriate, related services that help them access and participate in their education. Families are important members of the team that plans and reviews these services.

If you have questions about your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), start with your child’s case manager. Families can ask how services connect to learning goals, how progress is monitored, and how the school supports participation alongside peers to the maximum extent appropriate.

Tuesday, November 17, 2026
6:00–7:30 PM
Eatonville School District Office

Eatonville School District invites families to join us for our November SSAGE (Special Services Advisory Group for Education) Parent Learning Series. This month's session will focus on connecting families with community organizations that provide valuable resources, advocacy, and support for individuals with disabilities and their families.

We are pleased to welcome representatives from the following organizations:

• PAVE (Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment): Information, resources, and advocacy support to help families navigate special education and disability-related services.

• Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (PC2): Community connections, resources, and advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

• Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA): Information about available services, eligibility, and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities.

• Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR): Resources to support employment preparation, career exploration, and the transition from school to adult life.

Families will have opportunities to hear directly from these organizations, learn about available services, ask questions, and make connections that can support their children both during and beyond their school years.

All families, staff, and community members are welcome to attend!

We look forward to an informative evening of learning, collaboration, and community connections.

Eatonville School District is excited to share the addition of new communication boards at Eatonville Elementary and Weyerhaeuser Elementary playgrounds!

These boards were purchased to support students in our Structured Learning Classrooms (SLC) and Structured Communication Classrooms (SCC), providing additional opportunities for students to communicate, interact, and participate in playground activities alongside their peers.

The boards feature pictures, symbols, and commonly used words that students can point to when expressing their wants, needs, feelings, and ideas. They are a form of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which supports individuals who may have difficulty communicating through speech alone.

While these boards were purchased with our SLC and SCC students in mind, they are available for all students to use, helping create a more inclusive playground environment where every child has opportunities to communicate, build friendships, and feel a sense of belonging.

Every student deserves a voice, and communication should never be a barrier to connection, play, or friendship!

The words we use with children can make a meaningful difference in how they respond to challenges, manage emotions, and engage in learning.

Our Eatonville School District Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are sharing a helpful resource focused on co-regulation—the process of helping children manage their emotions and behaviors through calm, supportive interactions with trusted adults.

When children feel frustrated, overwhelmed, anxious, or have difficulty following directions, the language adults use can help create a sense of safety and connection. Rather than simply telling a child to “calm down,” adults can model calm behavior, acknowledge feelings, and provide manageable steps toward success.

Small changes in language can make a big difference!

For example:

• Instead of “Calm down,” try “I see you're having a hard time. I'm here.”

• Instead of “Pay attention,” try “Here's what we're doing next.”

• Instead of “You need to listen,” try “We can do this one step at a time.”

• Instead of “Don't worry,” try “This looks hard. I'm here with you.”

• Instead of “Good job,” try “I noticed how hard you worked.”

Co-regulation also includes using a calm voice, providing visual supports, offering appropriate choices, maintaining predictable routines, and recognizing children's efforts.

These strategies can benefit all students, helping them develop communication skills, emotional awareness, independence, and confidence.

Thank you to our district SLPs for sharing this valuable resource with families!

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!

This November, we're reminding our Rainier families that every school day counts! 🦃🍁

Our attendance theme this month is "Gobble, Gobble, Get Here on the Double!" We encourage all students to come to school every day they are healthy and ready to learn, and to arrive on time!

Being at school consistently helps students build strong academic skills, develop friendships, and stay connected to their classroom community. Even a few minutes late can mean missing important learning opportunities!

🍂 Healthy? Come to school!

⏰ Be on time and ready to shine!

🦃 Every day counts, and YOU matter!

As we enter this season of gratitude, we are thankful for our families who make school attendance a priority. Let's work together to make November a month of great attendance, punctuality, and learning!

Sweet treats. Shocking secrets. One unforgettable night!

Get ready for a night of mystery, suspense, and theatrical fun with EHS Drama’s production of Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine! Join us as secrets unfold, suspects emerge, and the plot thickens. Enjoy delicious desserts, hot and cold beverages, and a dessert auction where the bidding could get almost as intense as the mystery itself!

Come support EHS Drama and see if you can solve the mystery before the final curtain falls!

Purchase tickets here. Hurry, seating is limited. You do not want to miss it!

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.

Welcome to Cruiser Country!

Check out this incredible custom metalwork designed and created by the talented Kahla Hall! This beautiful addition will serve as a lasting welcome to Cruiser Country for generations to come!

What makes this project even more special? All materials were donated, along with countless hours of hard work and dedication! The piece was so large that it took a team effort to complete the final stages of installation.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped bring this amazing project to life! We are so grateful for the generosity, craftsmanship, and community pride that continue to make our stadium such a special place.

Once a Cruiser, Always a Cruiser

During our final regular-season home football game, Superintendent Brower, School Board Director Gilliardi, and Finance Director Heersink had the honor of recognizing Phil Nordstrom and Danny Painter for their incredible contributions to our beautiful new stadium entrance!

Our new stadium, field, and track represent so much more than a construction project. They represent what can happen when a community comes together with a shared vision and a commitment to its students and future generations.

None of this would have been possible without the support of our voters, elected officials, countless community members, local businesses, the Town of Eatonville, and so many others who believed in what we could accomplish together. We are truly grateful!

While there are many individuals deserving of recognition and thanks, tonight we wanted to give special recognition to Phil and Danny, whose vision, countless hours of hard work, dedication, and personal investment helped create an entrance to our stadium that is arguably one of the most scenic and beautiful of any high school stadium in Washington State!

Phil and Danny, on behalf of Eatonville School District and our entire community, THANK YOU for helping make this vision a reality!

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