Your Ellensburg Schools
June 2023
Graduation 2023
The sky was cloudy and the ever-present Ellensburg wind provided a few challenges, but just as they have done for the past four years, the Ellensburg High School Class of 2023 marched through every obstacle to reach their goals. Hundreds of proud family members and friends packed the stadium to cheer on their grads. Warren Murray and the EHS Band played the National Anthem, followed by the traditional Pomp and Circumstance as over 200 graduates took their place in the stands.
Seniors Grady Fortier and Elin-Callender-Bowhman performed a duet of Leaving on a Jet Plane. Hina Allen (violin), Josephine Schoepner (trumpet), and Carol Ritzenthaler (vocals) performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow. All were accompanied by teacher Gay Ott. When their music stands kept blowing over, Principal Beau Snow and Board President Mike Rowley jumped in to help.
The teacher chosen by the class members to speak was Sammi Jo Sims, who delivered a moving address to the graduates. Superintendent Jinger Haberer and Board Members Mike Rowley, Tosha Woods and Cindy Coe presented the graduates with their diplomas.
A special shout out to Team EHS! A special thank you to the teachers who got these students to the high school finish line and to the staff and administrators who honored the achievements of our seniors. Your hard work and dedication was on full display.
Congratulations and best of luck to the Class of 2023! You make us proud to be Bulldogs!
Blanket Blessing
Before the start of the high school graduation assembly, six seniors had a short assembly of their own. Native students, Abigail Grant (Potawatomi), Chante Leadercharge (Lakota Sioux. Arrow Lakes Band, Colville), Marina Leininger (Mescalero Apache), Caden Smith (Hopi/Muckleshoot), Vivianne Wright (Paiute) and Asah Yallup-Aronica (Yakama), met with Sia Aronica and Janine Bufi of the District’s Native American Culture Program. The students were honored with certificates of achievement and blankets from 8th Generation, a company whose blankets are solely designed by Native American artists.
"We are so proud of our Native students and wish them luck in their future as they move forward
with the support of their communities and ancestors," says Aronica.
EXCEL Honors Grads
EXCEL High School students were honored on the eve of graduation with a ceremony at the Ellensburg High School Library. Friends and family gathered to pay tribute to these students who graduated with the EHS Class of 2023.
Teachers Jeff Treadwell and Deanne Varnum spoke about each student in attendance, offering stories and words of encouragement. Principal Rhonda Schmidt was the Master of Ceremonies for the celebration. Board members Mike Rowley and Cindy Coe joined Superintendent Haberer in congratulating our EXCEL graduates. Each student received a beautiful bouquet. School secretary Cee Szombathy prepared lovely decorations and delicious food for students and their guests to enjoy.
Local Heroes Deliver Fun
Lincoln Elementary 3rd graders took a field trip to Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue (KVFR) Station 29 earlier this Spring to learn about fire and medical safety. When KVFR members learned that the Lincoln Mile Club would be taking their final run of the year, they showed up to run with students and celebrated their commitment to running.
KVFR was at Mt. Stuart Elementary to assist in the annual 2nd grade egg drop. Each year Mt. Stuart 2nd graders create contraptions to prevent a raw egg from breaking when dropped from the top of a firetruck ladder about 100 feet in the air. Some eggs survived and some did not, but everyone had tons of fun!
At Ida Nason Aronica Elementary, KVFR showed up at the end of field day to spray the truck hose onto students squealing with delight.
A big thank you to our friends at KVHR for creating these special memories for students to cherish.
Field Trips!
Building Skills
Beach
Museum
Wind Farm
Camp
Gold Creek Pond
Ida Nason Aronica Elementary School and Valley View Elementary School groups visited the pond as part of a deep dive into ecology and animal behavior. Both schools are expanding their outdoor learning options and working with Pacific Education Institute to integrate subject areas and community partners.
Today's Special Guest...
Outdoor Classroom
Parent and U.S. Forest Service Officer Torry Smith gave Ida 4th graders a fantastic lesson in survival skills, outdoor safety, fire prevention and respecting nature.
Fire Safety
Mentors
The EHS Golf Team stopped by Morgan to get the next generation of golf pros teed up.
Author
Lincoln 5th graders had a Zoom session with award-winning author Dan Gemeinhart, thanks to Librarian Toni Phelps.
Robotics
Morgan student Wren Ciraulo spent his Thursday afternoons as a volunteer robotics mentor at Lincoln.
Breakfast Club
Locally Sourced BBQs
Each school has their own unique customs and culture surrounding the annual gathering. At Valley View, students enjoyed the annual Color Run. Lincoln is the home of the lip sync, while Ida and Mt. Stuart hosted talent shows. Principals Rob Moffat and Del Heistand manned the grills at their schools. The Child Nutrition staff at each location had delicious food and bright smiles for visitors. The CWU Rugby Team helped serve burgers.
These special days would not be possible without the dedication of each school community, including administrators, teachers, staff, our rock star parent groups, our community partners and our awesome Child Nutrition team!
Cultural Exploration
Hawaii Comes to Morgan
Briefly
Grad Walk
Daily Record
Colorful
Field Day
Josh Boast Day!
Eagle Bucks
Summer Partnership Feeds Local Students
Ellensburg School District is happy to partner with FISH Food Bank to provide the Federally funded Summer Feeding program for local students. Lunch service begins on June 19, the first day of summer break. Feeding locations are also available in neighboring communities throughout the County. Here is the schedule for Ellensburg:
North Alder St. Park
2400 N Alder St, Ellensburg
12:30-1 p.m., Monday-Friday, June 19-Sept. 1
Contact: Dan Colbert 206-861-9899
Kiwanis Park
N “A” St & 14th Ave, Ellensburg
11:30 a.m.-Noon, Monday-Friday, June 19-Sept. 1
Contact: Travis Heinz 206-446-4037
Millpond Manor
2900 Canyon Rd, Ellensburg
12:30-1 p.m., Monday-Friday, June 19-Sept. 1
Contact: John Preston 610-568-0235
West Ellensburg Park
900 W 3rd Ave, Ellensburg
12:30-1 p.m., Monday-Friday, June 19-Sept. 1
Contact: Travis Heinz 206-446-4037
Helen McCabe Park
23942 Canyon Rd. Ellensburg
11:30 a.m.-Noon, Monday-Friday, June 27-Sept 2
Contact: Gary Bye 509-899-2772
Mountain View Park
1200 E. Seattle, Ellensburg
11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Monday-Friday June 19-Sept 1
Contact: Dan Colbert 206-861-9899
Gratitude for our ESD Students, Staff, Parents, and Community Members.
It has been a privilege to serve as your superintendent, and I am grateful for what our ESD Team has accomplished together. I hope that you have a wonderful summer!
Sincerely,
Jinger
Ellensburg School District
Email: leslee.caul@esd401.org
Website: esd401.org
Location: 1300 East 3rd Avenue, Ellensburg, WA, USA
Phone: (509) 925-8000
Facebook: facebook.com/ellensburgschools