September is over and the school year is rolling along. We are already experiencing the various highs and lows that go along with our yearly race to educate students, help them grow, and ready them to be successful members of society. It is our challenge and our role as professionals to provide each student with the very best experience we can. We are excited to have a strategic plan in place and have each building create its School Improvement Plan (SIP) around it. The SIPs this year are very intentional and well thought out, and build upon work started last year. 

Enjoy the crisp mornings and sunny afternoons of Fall, knowing your students are spending their days with dedicated teachers devoted to learning.

Your Partner in Education,

Superintendent Troy Tornow

We were excited to launch Peachjar in September. You should have already received flyers appropriate to your student and their grade.

Peachjar allows local organizations to get information directly to your in-box, while taking the chore of flyer distribution out of our school offices. You also won’t get information that is not for your student. If a program requires participants to be in high school, you won’t receive notification as an elementary or middle school family, for example. But you can view all flyers at esd401.org at the Peachjar tab.

ParentSquare is still our primary communication source and is reserved for internal communications: teacher to parent, school to parent, and District to families.

We hope this new communication method helps you keep track of all the great things our community has to offer. 

Thanks to a State grant from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Spanish-speaking students are working on Spanish literacy. The program kicked off on Oct. 6 at Mt. Stuart Elementary school with 17 participants.

While many students may understand or even speak Spanish, many learn to read and write in English. The Language Heritage Grant helps students learn to read and write in their primary language. As one student shared, they understand Spanish, but are reluctant to speak it and aren’t confident in their skills.

Students participated in read-along, storytelling and problem-solving activities in Spanish.

Studies show that students who are biliterate (can read and write in two languages) gain further literacy in both languages, leading to academic success.

The program is part of a six-week pilot and will be offered again in the winter to students who live in a home where Spanish is the primary language. 

Mt. Stuart Elementary has been recognized as a 2025 Washington "School on the Rise" for the second year in a row.

The intensive welcome back programming, known this year as Camp Stuart, helps both students and their families get on board for the new year. The award recognizes the Mt. Stuart commitment to strengthening school culture, elevating student voice, and fostering inclusive, equitable environments. 

This prestigious award, presented annually by the Washington State Association of Washington State Principals (AWSL) and Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), reflects the school's collaborative efforts and meaningful student engagement.

Way to soar Eagles! 

It’s always a fun night and this year’s Homecoming was no exception. Homecoming not only gathers EHS alumni, it also shows the best in community spirit and support.

Vintage cars pulled into the stadium to escort the Homecoming royalty onto the field. The EHS Pep Band was on point under the direction of Warren Murray. Students displayed their EHS pride with pink to support National Breast Cancer month. Parents beamed and friends screamed.

Eden Teasley and Dominic Scappini were named Homecoming queen and king. Other members of the royal court included seniors Presley Gibson, Kaden Hanson, Yutong Liang, Mystic Hammond, Cynthia Nemrow, Jayce Forrester, Kenzi Tate and Noah Barnsley; juniors Miley Porter and Lucas Von Jentzen; sophomores Madison Boast and Daniel Peterson; and freshmen Emerson Warness and Levi Barnsley. The ladies offered a preview of their dance-night gowns, while the gentlemen wore suits or their football uniforms. Halftime concluded with the traditional fireworks show. The EHS Thespian Society kept spectators full of hot popcorn, pizza, and other delicious concessions, while earning money to attend state and national competitions.

Homecoming also puts a spotlight on the hard work our teachers, coaches, parents and volunteers put into the big night. On Saturday, students all had an opportunity to dress up and enjoy the dance. 

Third graders at Mt. Stuart got an exciting visit from KNDO NonStop Local News Meteorologist Siggy Seroka.

Students studied weather and climate to prepare for the big day. Siggy shared with students how he goes about predicting the weather using various weather maps. Each new slide brought a chorus of “Ooos and ahhs.”

Siggy charmed the office staff, earning his own Siggy name tag. Before his presentation, he toured the building and the Nature Study with Dean of Students Matt Piper.

There were plenty of questions. Students were mainly concerned with the smoke that was limiting outdoor activities.

Thank you to Siggy and our friends at KNDO for supporting our students in their learning journey!

Big Picture High School students have set out on a number of recent field trips designed to explore career opportunities.

Big Picture students interested in the construction industry were able to attend the Construction Youth Summit sponsored by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce. Students were taken on a tour of the Winco construction site, and then headed downtown to hear from a panel of local construction industry experts. They were also treated to lunch catered by The Ridge Restaurant.

Next up is a visit to Kittitas Valley Hospital to learn about careers in medicine.

Thank you to our community partners for helping students explore career opportunities.

Many schools are hosting fundraisers this month.

Valley View is gearing up for their annual Fun Run, where families run and walk together.

Mt. Stuart is hosting the annual Wacky Fund Run, an obstacle course with tons of fun surprises.

And our Morgan students have a variety of candy and swag to sell to family, friends and neighbors. (Be ready!)

If you would like to volunteer or make a contribution, please contact the school.

There are truly magical moments every day in every classroom. These are a just few highlights of what our schools have been up to in September.

Tune in next month for pumpkin patches, Halloween fun and more!

Is there something or someone you'd like to see in the next YES? Let us know at leslee.caul@esd401.org.