Superintendent Brower Newsletter
Dear Eatonville Students, Staff, Families, and Community Members,
Each month, I look forward to sharing with you key accomplishments, current events, and upcoming news from around the Eatonville School District. As I’ve shared before, when families and community members stand alongside us, we ensure that every student becomes a well-educated, exceptional young person ready to shape the future of our community, our state, and our nation. Thank you for your ongoing support — it is truly an honor to serve as your Superintendent.
Community Day: A Proud Tradition
Have you ever wondered why some call it "Community Day" and others "May Day"? It’s a story rooted in tradition, teamwork, and a little bit of Eatonville history!
Back in 1913, Eatonville was a small town of just 800 people. Superintendent B.W. Lyon noticed the school grounds were “strewn with rubbish and markings” and asked students to help clean up. They did — and they went even further, leading efforts to clean up the entire town. What began as a simple day of service evolved into a community-wide celebration, complete with a baseball game and social gatherings.
In the years that followed, Community Day continued to grow. The event incorporated the May Fete, with the crowning of a May Day Queen, a fair, games, exhibits, and even a royal court! By 1926, Community Day had become a major highlight, drawing thousands to celebrate together.
Today, 112 years later, we continue this beloved tradition — blending history, community spirit, and fun each year on the first Friday of May. Please join us this year on Friday, May 2!
More information can be found on our Eatonville social media pages and the Community Day Facebook page.
Track, Field, and Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony
Another exciting event on Friday, May 2: Please join us at 11:30 a.m. at Eatonville High School for the groundbreaking ceremony of our new replacement track, field, and stadium!
Highlights of the ceremony include:
A thrilling skydive by Rosie Thun (weather permitting)
Posting of the colors by our local Cub Scouts
A spirited performance by the EHS Cheerleaders
Remarks from elected officials
Reflections from centenarian Betty Laffaw (EHS Class of 1943) and her 90-year-old sister, both proud Eatonville alumni
The event will conclude with the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new facilities. Afterward, our students will be selling food and hosting activities at EHS — a great way to support their efforts!
At 1:30 p.m., the May Day program will kick off in the EHS Main Gym, with Community Day festivities continuing along Mashell Avenue into the evening. It promises to be a day to remember!
Our Mission and Vision: Staying Focused
Successful organizations, teams, and schools all share key attributes: focus, determination, commitment, talent — and strong community support. But without clear goals and a commitment to results, even the most talented organizations can lose direction.
That’s why, here in Eatonville, we stay grounded in our strategic plan. Our mission is:
Eatonville schools inspire lifelong learners by providing opportunities for growth and academic achievement in a respectful and caring environment.
And our vision is:
Together with our families and community, Eatonville schools will empower students to achieve excellence in education and future success.
I'm proud to report that our efforts are paying off. Many of our students have made remarkable gains this year — some demonstrating a full year’s academic growth in just half the time!
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of visiting classrooms at Weyerhaeuser and Eatonville Elementary Schools during a learning walk. What I saw was inspiring: rigorous lessons thoughtfully designed and delivered, high expectations from teachers, and students who were engaged, self-directed, and achieving at high levels. This was, without a doubt, the highlight of my month. Our strategic work is making a real and measurable difference.
Teacher Appreciation Week: Honoring Our Teachers
Speaking of great teaching, please join me in celebrating our 120 outstanding educators during National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5–9.
Our teachers make an incredible difference in the lives of our students — challenging them academically, connecting with them personally, and inspiring them daily. We are truly fortunate to have such talented and caring professionals in our district.
Thank you, teachers, for everything you do. We are Eatonville Strong!
Warm regards,
Jay Brower
Superintendent, Eatonville School District
The Eatonville School District is excited to announce that we are on track to replace and upgrade the Eatonville High School track and field—an important and long-overdue improvement made possible by our voters who approved the capital projects levy last February. Your support is turning plans into reality. Promises made, promises kept!
But that’s not all! The replacement of our stadium is also long overdue. While a new stadium was not included in the levy measure, thanks to the dedication of many who worked tirelessly to write and secure grants, along with generous donations, we are getting close to securing the funds needed to make it happen. This project will save Eatonville taxpayers nearly $2 million while addressing safety concerns and ensuring ADA accessibility.
Thank you for investing in our schools, our students, and our community. Stay tuned for updates as these much-needed projects take shape!
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.
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.
CCA students work with community volunteers to make outdoor benches. ittle builders got to measure the benches, mark where cuts needed to be made, and even figured out how much wood to chisel so the bench tops could sit perfectly in the frame.
WES 5th grade math group had a blast playing math games! It’s always fun to see learning come to life with a little friendly competition and a lot of brain power.
K-5 Teacher Literacy Learning Walks
How we share good practices and learn from each other
We are excited to share highlights from our recent K-5 Teacher Reading instruction professional development, where educators participated in Learning Walks at EES and WES elementary schools. These hands-on professional development activities allow teachers to visit each other's classrooms, fostering collaboration and the exchange of best practices. Importantly, Learning Walks focus on gaining insights into teaching and student learning.
The dedication exhibited by our educators and school leaders were truly impressive. We witnessed a strong commitment to implementing the Magnetic Reading program effectively during its launch year. Our consultant Vinu comments, “these teachers are outstanding and this does not look like a year one implementation.” Eatonville Teachers showed high levels of success and expertise in instruction.
In our elementary classrooms, teachers implement various scaffolding strategies to ensure that every student can engage with grade-level texts effectively. Scaffolding involves providing support structures that help students understand and interact with challenging material. These strategies aim to create a rigorous learning environment, allowing all students to access and engage with the curriculum meaningfully.
As our Core Leaders and Principals plan our next steps, here are some key discussion points from the day in appreciation for the classrooms we observed.
Strengths:
Welcoming Environment: Teachers graciously invited us into their classrooms for collaborative learning.
Effective Routines: The smooth transitions, lesson flow, and comfort displayed by both teachers and students highlighted their effort in implementing the curriculum.
Interactive Materials: All teachers engaged with the instructional materials and incorporated hands-on materials for multi-modal learning.
High Student Engagement: Discussions in classrooms were engaging with teachers facilitating meaningful conversations and encouraging student interaction with the materials.
Flexible Curriculum: Students showed their comprehension of reading and writing skills in various formats, emphasizing the curriculum's focus on understanding.
Checking for Understanding: Teachers informally assessing student comprehension through questions, quick assessments, or informal observations to ensure everyone is grasping the material.
Addressing Misconceptions: Identifying and correcting misunderstandings promptly to help students build a solid foundation skills for future learning when learning letters, sounds and new vocabulary.
Adjusting Pacing: Modifying the speed of instruction based on student needs, allowing more time for complex topics or moving ahead when students demonstrate mastery.
By employing these strategies, teachers create a supportive learning environment where all students can thrive and succeed.
A BIG SHOUT OUT for the following teachers who welcomed the large team into their classrooms: WES: Mrs. Alford, Mrs. Brinkman, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Sepich, and Mrs. Brand. EES: Mrs. Engelback, Mrs. Best, Mrs. Holland, Mrs. Painter, and Mrs. Crayle.
We look forward to seeing CCA in action on May 21, 2025. Thank you for your continued support for student success.
Special Education & Discipline Spotlight
Supporting Families, Protecting Student Rights
Understanding IDEA & Student Rights
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that gives students with disabilities the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)—even when they face behavior challenges. Students with IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) have extra protections when it comes to school discipline.
Special Education & Discipline: What Parents Should Know
If your child receives special education and is suspended, expelled, or removed from class for more than 10 school days in a school year (in a row or in total), the school must:
Hold a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR)
This meeting asks:
Was the behavior caused by or related to your child’s disability?
Did the school follow the IEP?
If the answer is yes to either question, the school cannot continue the same punishment (like suspension or expulsion). Instead, they must update the IEP and possibly provide more support.
What Happens Next?
If behavior was a manifestation of the disability:
➤ The IEP team must create or review a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
➤ The school may not use long-term discipline unless the student is in danger to themselves or othersIf behavior was NOT a manifestation:
➤ The school may apply regular discipline rules
➤ BUT your child still has the right to keep receiving services to continue learning
Emergency Removals
Schools may remove a student immediately if there’s a serious safety concern—but they must still follow IDEA timelines and protections. This is not a long-term solution.
What Can You Do as a Parent?
- Ask questions about your child’s rights and services
- Keep records of behavior and communication
- Attend the MDR and IEP meetings with confidence—you’re a key team member
- You can disagree with the school’s decision and request mediation or a due process hearing
Tip: If your child is being suspended often, ask for a functional behavior assessment (FBA). It helps the team understand what’s behind the behavior and how to support your child better.
Stay in the Loop!
We’re here to support you with resources, answers, and advocacy. Reach out with questions, or if you need help navigating a discipline issue related to your child's IEP.
Contact: Dracy McCoy, Executive Director of Student Services @ d.mccoy@eatonville.wednet.edu
Connect with Eatonville School District
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
