Coupeville Elementary School

At Coupeville Elementary, we serve all TK-5 students, their families, and our greater Coupeville community by nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are committed to: Meeting every student where they are, treating them as whole people with unique backgrounds and experiences, and guiding them with love and high expectations. We serve as role models who inspire confidence, teach key life skills, and prepare students not only for their next grade level but for success as compassionate, capable, and engaged citizens. Because all means all—every child matters, and every child can thrive.

Dear Coupeville Elementary Families,

First, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude, once again, for making our recent fundraiser such an incredible success! Your generosity and enthusiasm have exceeded our expectations. These funds will directly benefit our students through enriching activities and exciting playground improvements, including a new tunnel that will add adventure to recess time. Your support truly makes a difference in creating memorable experiences for our children.

Thank you also to all the families who attended our fall conferences. The partnership between home and school is vital to student success, and it was wonderful to see so many of you working collaboratively with your student's teacher to support their learning journey. These connections strengthen our entire school community.

I'd like to remind everyone about our Monday morning routine - each week we introduce a new focus aligned with our PAWS Promise. These weekly themes help reinforce the positive behaviors and values we celebrate at Coupeville Elementary. Please ask your student about the focus of the week and help us reinforce these important lessons at home. Your support in continuing these conversations makes such a meaningful impact.

Thank you also to all the families who attended our recent Student Spotlight Night. It was truly special to celebrate our students' achievements and showcase their hard work. Please check your email for our feedback survey - your input helps us continue improving these important events.

Thank you for being such an integral part of our Coupeville Elementary family.

With warm regards,

Principal McColl

WOW! What a turnout! Thank you so much for supporting our students! 😍

Miss Lisa, one of our top 3 poster board fundraiser winners, collecting her prizes (including a 5 pound chocolate bar!) with her mom and Principal McColl. Way to go, Lisa!

We are fortunate to live in a military community, in close proximity to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, surrounded by so many Veterans. Coupeville Elementary School staff gives thanks to all who have served. We honor and appreciate you and the sacrifices you have made to serve our country.

Please come by our school (main parking lot loop) and see the wonderful Honor-a-Veteran posters our families contributed via our fundraiser. You don't want to miss it!

Our families and Veterans are also invited to our Veterans Day assembly on Monday, November 10th, at 2:30 p.m. in our MPR. Our students have been working hard to put on a thoughtful, respectful program to honor our Veterans!

Coupeville Schools are closed on Tuesday, November 11th, for Veterans Day.

History of Veterans Day: World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good (va.gov).

This resource list was provided on behalf of CSD Social Work Coordinator Arianna Bumgarner and Connected Food Service Director Laura Luginbill.

In our community, some families are experiencing reduced income and food assistance. These circumstances have created immediate food insecurity for many of our neighbors—including families with children in our schools. If your income has changed or you are at-risk of losing food benefits, you are encouraged to complete a Child Nutrition Eligibility and Educational Benefits application to qualify your student for free breakfasts and lunches at school. Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year.

How to Apply for Free Student Breakfast and Lunch:

1. Printed Applications: Available at the front desk of every school and District office.

2. Print Your Own from the Coupeville School District website

3. Online Application: The applications are available online in Qmlativ Family Access. You only need to fill out one application for all of the members of your family. Watch this short video on how to apply through Qmlativ.

Food resources for Central Whidbey:

1. Meals2Kids (Weekend Meal Bag Program) for Coupeville Students through Gifts from the Heart Food Bank; bags can be provided every Friday upon request at all campuses. Contact Arianna Bumgarner, 262-528-3774 (text/call) or abumgarner@coupeville.k12.wa.us for more information.

2. Coupeville: Gifts from the Heart, 203 N. Main St., 360-672-5502
   ** Open 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 2-5 PM **

3. Oak Harbor: North Whidbey Help House, 1091 SE Hathaway St, 360-675-0681

4. South Whidbey: Good Cheer Food Bank, 2812 Grimm Rd, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-6454

Resources for Military & Government Employees:

1. Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) - Local resource navigation and support

2. Military OneSource - Additional financial and basic needs support for military personnel and their families

Additional Community Resource List

• Veterans Day Assembly - Monday, November 10th @ 2:30 p.m. (MPR)
• No School - Veterans Day – Tuesday, November 11th
• Picture Retake Day – Thursday, November 13th
• Coupeville Colors School Spirit Day – Friday, November 21st
• No School for Thanksgiving Break – November 26th-28th

The winners for the Principal for a Day contest are Savannah Tercero and Quinn Young (not pictured). These students will have an opportunity to shadow Principal McColl and even participate in some decision making processes! What fun!

Good morning, Principal McColl!

Lowering down the paw pat awards

Candy toss from the roof!

Our staff sure got a kick out of the boss on the roof for a day, but we're pretty sure our students enjoyed it more!

In October, we celebrated the Character Trait of Kindness – The choice to act with words, gifts or actions to bring appreciation, positivity and encouragement to ourselves and others. Please join us in celebrating our amazing winners below!

Celebrate and honor the history, traditions, and cultures of the Indigenous Peoples of the United States, including the Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. We are fortunate to have many local resources available to us to learn more, such as the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community website, the Sno-Isle libraries website (to explore resources and events during Native American Heritage Month), and an Island County Historical Society Museum right here in Coupeville! The Coupeville museum's Native People, Native Places exhibit includes artifacts, art, and 3 rare dug out canoes! We encourage our families to visit this great local resource for learning more about local Indigenous Peoples. Ask your students what they are learning during Native American Heritage Month!

Coupeville Schools are located on the ancestral lands of the Lower Skagit people. For thousands of years, Coast Salish tribes have stewarded these lands, waterways, plants, and animals. We pay respect to the elders past, present, and emerging for they hold the memories, traditions, and culture of their people across the nation. Coupeville Schools are committed to educating students, staff, and the community about this long history as we honor and acknowledge the continued presence of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and all other Indigenous peoples.

The State of Washington requires that all Washington public schools conduct or promote educational activities that provide instruction, awareness, and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities. The goal is to inspire pride among students with disabilities, reduce harassment and bullying, foster inclusive environments, and educate the public about the history of the disability rights movement and the achievements of individuals with disabilities. Our teachers incorporated disability history lessons into their presentations during the month of October. Ask your students what they learned in honor of Disability History Month. 🙂

10/3/25 Winners! From L–R: Principal McColl, Lily M., Alyvia B., Jack R., and Jacob G.

10/10/25 Winners! From L–R: Lanie T., Luna S., Principal McColl, Jasper S.-M., and Austin D.

10/17/25 Winners! From L–R: Konnor B., Stephen S., Joanna B.-T., Arley H.

10/24/25 Winners! From L–R: Siutu F., Lenna M., Felicity F., and Oren M.

10/28/2025 Winners! From L–R: Liam F., Ryan E., and Sienna W.

Spanish Spirit Days

Please see the flier below to learn more about why you should join our amazing PTA!

2025-2026 Coupeville Elementary School PTA officers are:

• President - Alexa Glover

• Vice President: Ryna Hatch
• Treasurer: Shelley Jackson
• Secretary: April Jackson

Thank you to this fabulous group of parents for going above and beyond for our students and staff!

Spanish School Zone Safety

For students that have a planned absence of 2 or more days, please complete a preplanned absence form, found by selecting the button below. For any questions regarding attendance, please contact Student Services Secretary Courtney Simpson-Pilgrim at csimpson-pilgrim@coupeville.k12.wa.us.

Habit of Good Attendance (Spanish Version)

To view breakfast/lunch menus, nutrition information, and updates from our incredible Connected Food program leaders, please select the button below.

Emergency action posters are located in our classrooms and throughout our campus. Safety drills are practiced monthly while school is in session.

On October 17th, our school successfully conducted our first earthquake drill of the school year. This drill was part of our ongoing commitment to school safety and emergency preparedness.

What Happened

At 10:17 a.m., our staff and students participated in a scheduled earthquake drill. The Great ShakeOut is an annual international earthquake preparedness drill where millions of people practice the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" method. It began in Southern California in 2008 and has grown into a global event, with official drills held annually on the third Thursday of October. The primary goal is to educate the public, practice what to do during an earthquake, and encourage preparedness to reduce injuries and damage when a real earthquake strikes.

How it Works

• Practice drill: The main event is a synchronized, one-minute drill where participants worldwide practice the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" technique.
• What we do:
  • Drop to our hands and knees.
  • Cover our head and neck under a sturdy desk or table.
  • Hold on to the desk or table, ready to move with it until the shaking stops.
• Purpose: The drill emphasizes that most injuries during an earthquake are caused by falling and flying objects, not the shaking itself. Practicing helps people move quickly to a safe spot, like under a table, and stay there, minimizing the risk of injury.

Why We Practice

Regular drills help ensure that both staff and students know exactly what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

At Home

We encourage you to talk with your student about drills. Please emphasize that our drills are practiced to help keep everyone safe. If your student expresses any concerns or anxiety about drills, please don't hesitate to contact their teacher or our school counselor, Ms. Littlefield.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to maintain a safe learning environment for our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office.

Please see the button below for the 2025-2026 school year calendar. We dismiss at 3:30 p.m. on regular school days, 2:30 p.m. on Early Release Wednesdays, and 12:00 p.m. on half days.

The events/activities advertised in the Community Corner are not sponsored by the Coupeville School District and the district assumes no responsibility for the conduct or safety of the events/activities. The district does not sponsor or guarantee any of the information in the material or in the links provided in the newsletter.

Holiday House North (added 11/10)

Santa at the Nordic Lodge - 11/29

Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue Santa Mobile Schedule

Spanish Santa Mobile Flier

To learn more about these and other exciting events at the Coupeville branch of Sno-Isle Libraries, please select the button above.

Harvest Hustle - November 22nd (added 11/10)

Día de los Muertos Art

A new student in Mrs. Gebhard's class...

Each school year, the Kiwanis Club of Oak Harbor visits our 3rd grade classrooms and gives each student a dictionary. Our students learn how to use their dictionaries and play games with the Kiwanis representatives. We are grateful to have this partnership and we appreciate their donating their time and resources to our students!

Principal's Secretary Shelly LaRue - (360) 678-2471 slarue@coupeville.k12.wa.us

Student Services Secretary/Registrar Courtney Simpson-Pilgrim -

(360) 678-2474 csimpson-pilgrim@coupeville.k12.wa.us

How to reach our staff: All district staff are accessible by e-mail, using the first initial of their first name, followed by their full last name, followed by: @coupeville.k12.wa.us

For example, as provided above, Principal Erica McColl can be reached using the address: emccoll@coupeville.k12.wa.us.

Newsletter Editor Contact: slarue@coupeville.k12.wa.us
Website: http://www.coupeville.k12.wa.us/
Location: 6 South Main Street, Coupeville, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 678-2470
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coupeville-Elementary-School-1469426743345545

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coupeville_elementary_school/

Coupeville School District 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. The board designates the superintendent to serve as the district’s coordinator regarding:

• Title IX;
• Section 504/ADA;

• Civil Rights Compliance;
And to handle questions and investigate any complaints communicated to the district of alleged discrimination.

Superintendent

501 South Main Street, Coupeville, WA 98239
360-678-2404

The events/activities marked with an asterisk (*) are not sponsored by the Coupeville School District and the district assumes no responsibility for the conduct or safety of the events/activities. The district does not sponsor or guarantee any of the information in those materials.