Superintendent's Update
February 2020
Great Happens Here in ESD!
Dear ESD parents, guardians and staff,
I appreciate the support and active involvement that ESD has experienced with our Ellensburg community. Passing the $59.5 million-dollar bond and demonstrating a passionate commitment to eliminating polystyrene from school lunches are just a few examples of the ways our community has actively sought to work as a team to create positive outcomes for our students.
Additionally, we hosted three evening public sessions to explore the types of learning experiences that we could offer at the new school on the Winegar property. Our goal was to choose a framework for the new school that would promote the outcomes that we desire for students as outlined by our Board Ends. Some of the educational opportunities that we desire for all students include giving students chances to have choices in what they learn and providing authentic ways for students to apply their learning (which includes outdoor education).
As outlined by our ESD Board Ends, we acknowledge that over time, our goal is for all educators to use a project-based/experiential lens (the PEI Framework being one example of this type of lens) when utilizing the adopted curriculum as their primary resource with elementary students. Many of our teachers are already incorporating this project based/experiential approach periodically within their classrooms, and we desire to build the capacity for all teachers to promote these types of learning opportunities for students.
Polystyrene Committee
Celebrations
Computer Science Pathway in ESD Congratulations to Melissa Lopez-Barbosa and Amethyst Martinez for being recognized as a 2020 Eastern Washington Affiliate Honorable Mention recipient of the 2020 NCWIT (National Center for Women and Information Technology) Award for Aspirations in Computing! This is Amethyst's second year for receiving this award. | Excellence in Ellensburg Melissa and Amethyst are both seniors at Ellensburg High School and were selected based on their demonstrated interest in computing and technology, outstanding leadership, and exceptional academic history. | Advancements with Technology in ESDCongratulations to Hannah Phanitchob, a freshman at EHS, for receiving the 2020 Eastern Washington Rising Star of the NCWIT (National Center for Women and Information Technology) for Aspirations in Computing. Hannah received this award for her academic performance and forward-thinking ability and innovation. Way to go! |
Computer Science Pathway in ESD
Excellence in Ellensburg
Advancements with Technology in ESD
Congratulations to Hannah Phanitchob, a freshman at EHS, for receiving the 2020 Eastern Washington Rising Star of the NCWIT (National Center for Women and Information Technology) for Aspirations in Computing. Hannah received this award for her academic performance and forward-thinking ability and innovation. Way to go!
Excellence in Music
(adapted from Kate Sander's article)
ESD's orchestra, band and choir students were recently represented in the Washington Music Educators' Association (WMEA) Honor Groups Feb14-16, and two students also received national and international recognitions. These celebrations included participation in the following groups:
- Hina Allen, viola, Payton Harvill, string bass, percussion, for the All-State Orchestra
- Connor Schwarz, French horn, McKenzie Bandy, for the All-State Wind Ensemble
- Cristian Caballero, tenor saxophone, Jacob Town, French horn, and Abby Whitemarsh, trumpet (cornet), for the All-State Concert Band
- Logan Cook, trumpet, and Elliot Sander, piano, for the All-State Jazz Band
- Thomas Lonowski, percussion, for the first-ever WMEA All-State Percussion Ensemble
- Lydia Blaisdell, first soprano, and Soren Lundquist, second bass for the 2020 All-State Symphonic Choir
- Jael Cutlip, first soprano, for the All-State Treble Choir
- Conner Schwarz for the 2019 National Association for Music Education All International Honor Band
- Annie Kang for the 2019 National Association for Music Education All National Concert Band.
Exceptional Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Program
Congratulations to the EHS FBLA students who competed this month at the Regional Competition. Good luck as they prepare for State.
1st place—Jessica Collins, Personal Finance
1st place—Corgan Smith, Economics
2nd place—Jessica Collins Kolby Fahey, Stuart Loverro; Entrepreneurship
3rd place—Suart Loverro, Kolby Fahey, Nick Jewell; Management Decision Making
4th place—Courtney Bach, AgriBusiness
5th place—Morgan Whitemarsh, Corgan Smith; Emerging Business Issues
5th place—Bella Estey, Global Business
5th place—Ashlyn Rominger, Health Care Administration
ALL OF THESE FBLA MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO MOVE ON TO STATE COMPETITION IN SPOKANE IN APRIL.
ESD Bond Project Update
Safety
ESD Board Ends/ Outcomes for Students
During the 2019-2020 school year, we will be focusing on empowering every student to achieve our district-wide outcomes which are also called our Board Ends. We call these outcomes the Board Ends because our Board of Education will be supporting these outcomes with both policies and allocation of resources.
Board End #1: Solid Academic and Future Ready Skills
During the 2019-2020 school year, we will be focusing on empowering every student to achieve our district-wide outcomes which are also called our Board Ends. We call these outcomes the Board Ends because our Board of Education will be supporting these outcomes with both policies and allocation of resources.
Board End #2: Successful Global Citizens in an Ever-Changing World
Giving students opportunities to explore various career pathways and develop future ready skills are important values in ESD. During recent high school visits to Ms. Burton's and Mr. Alt's classrooms, I observed students eagerly learning essential scientific skills and being challenged to apply their content knowledge to laboratory models and experiments. In Ms. Burton's classroom, students were asked to apply their knowledge about the circulatory system by pumping red liquid through tubes connected in a way that is similar to how our hearts operate. In Mr. Alt's classroom, students were learning important scientific techniques related to successfully extracting DNA from one organism and infusing this DNA into bacteria. Kudos to our EHS science department for the hands-on authentic learning experiences that they are providing for our students. Who knows? We may have students who are inspired to pursue health care, scientific or STEM related fields as a result of these types of classroom experiences.
Board End #3: Strong Connections with: Peers, Staff, School and Local Community
Effective communication with our community and parents is another important part of creating positive connections. We continue to work on and improve our ESD website, and I have received feedback that our website is becoming more user friendly.
Finally, in order to increase opportunities for feedback and connections with staff, I will be hosting a listening tour in April at each of the schools. This will be a great opportunity for staff members to meet with me and share celebrations, concerns or challenges, and suggestions for district improvement. I also plan to host a morning "Coffee and Conversations" in April and May for both staff and parents who may be interested. More information about these events will be posted in the March Superintendent's Update.
I agree with Michelle Obama that courage can be contagious. Brene Brown, during our Dare to Lead book club, has been teaching us about how rumbling with vulnerability ( being willing to respectfully speak our truth and problem-solve face-to-face) empowers us to be courageous in doing our best for students. We in ESD are excited to build on our strengths by creating spaces for children "that allow students to breathe and be curious and explore the world and be who they are . . . We should never underestimate the benefits to a child of having a place to belong--even one . . . It can and often does change the trajectory of their life." ( Brown, 2018, pg.13).
Together, we are better!
Sincerely,
Jinger Haberer, Superintendent