District Articles

We are thrilled to introduce Dracy McCoy as our new Executive Director of Student Services. Dracy brings a wealth of experience and a strong educational background to our district:

• Bachelor of Science from Eastern Oregon University, LaGrande, Oregon

• Special Education Endorsement from Portland State University, Portland, Oregon

• Master of Education in Principal and Program Administration from City University, Seattle, WA

Dracy began her career as a special education teacher and has eight years of experience teaching PreK through High School in various special education settings. In addition to teaching, Dracy has eight years of experience in special programs, seven years as a high school principal, and four years as a middle school principal.

Dracy is dedicated to setting a vision for achieving and sustaining high levels of student achievement, particularly for Students with Disabilities. She is committed to fostering a culture of excellence in teaching and learning, focusing on the achievement of all children, and supporting a vision that addresses the needs of historically underrepresented groups.

Please join us in welcoming Dracy McCoy to our district and supporting her in her new role.

We are delighted to announce that Lindsay Fitzer has accepted the position of Human Resources and Payroll Manager. Lindsay has been a dedicated member of the Eatonville School District, bringing her extensive experience and expertise to her new role.

Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an accounting emphasis from Southern Oregon University.

Throughout her career, Lindsay has showcased a strong background in administrative and human resource functions within our district. Her career highlights include:

·  HR/Payroll Specialist at Eatonville School District since December 2020, where she performed monthly payroll functions, kept employee assignments up to date in Skyward Employee Administration, and assisted with various HR functions including job postings and leave management.

·  Secretary at Columbia Crest Academy from August 2016 to December 2020, managing daily office tasks, working in various functions of Skyward, and assisting the principal in school and budget management.

·  Office Clerk/Attendance Secretary at Columbia Crest Academy from September 2015 to August 2016, handling daily student attendance tracking, creating bi-weekly school newsletters, and assisting with various office functions.

Lindsay's strong analytical skills, proficiency with Skyward, Microsoft Office and Google Drive, and her ability to function well both independently and in teams make her an excellent fit for this new role. She has a proven track record in implementing digital processes, managing payroll systems, and improving operational efficiencies, all of which will be invaluable in her new position.

Please join us in congratulating Lindsay Fitzer on her new role as Human Resources and Payroll Director and supporting her as she continues to contribute to the success of the Eatonville School District.

We are pleased to announce that Bonnie McNicol has accepted the position of Transportation Manager. Bonnie brings a wealth of experience and dedication to our district, ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of our students.

Bonnie began her career in Pupil Transportation in 1997 after serving eight years in the US Army Military Police Corp. She became a Driver Trainer in 2003 and joined Eatonville School District in 2005. From 2005 to 2012, she served as a Driver/Driver Trainer before moving into the role of Transportation Specialist/Trainer. Bonnie undertook the challenging OSPI/CWU Pupil Transportation Management Training Program, completing it with excellent grades in 2015.

Bonnie and her family have been active members of the Eatonville community since 2000. Four of their five children have graduated from Eatonville High School. She and her husband of 35 years have four teenage grandchildren and enjoy participating in barbecue competitions and hunting together. They own a BBQ restaurant in Dayton, WA, where Bonnie spends most weekends with her husband.

Bonnie is committed to staying in Eatonville because she understands how vital transportation is to the success of our students. She has always ensured, and will continue to ensure, the consistent, safe, and successful transportation of our students. Bonnie believes that their success is our success.

Please join us in welcoming Bonnie McNicol to her new role as Transportation Manager and supporting her in her continued dedication to the Eatonville School District.

The school district received a generous donation of $3,700 from the Eatonville Lions Club. The Lions hosted Casino Night with a dessert table to benefit the Eatonville School District's negative meal debt. The district supported them by donating baked goods.  

Thank you to the staff who brought in their wonderful treats. Your donation helped support the Lions Club's mission & helped the students of ESD. 

Mr. Joel Ragazzo was recognized at the Tacoma Dome during the State Wrestling Tournament with the Army Coaches Award for his enormous efforts in teaching and coaching middle school students from Eatonville Middle School and Columbia Crest Academy in Wrestling.

Congratulation to Kasey Whitney (senior) for taking 3rd in 132 pound at State on Saturday.

In a heartwarming initiative to support families and foster community well-being, Eatonville School District has proudly forged a meaningful partnership with Food4Good. This collaboration aims to provide families with a monthly supply of fresh, wholesome produce, creating a vital link between education and nutrition.

Community Action: 

A school, a church, a farm, a community center and a home. These are the key stakeholders in our Food4Good project and the foundation of our community. The coordination begins at the middle school with social worker Anisa Parks acting as liaison between Food4Good and our community partners. Delivery day is an organized frenzy of deliveries, loading cars and moving boxes. 

The pallets get delivered to the Eatonville Family Agency where Kylee Hutchings and Kerri Nelson unload three pallets of food for our community. The call goes out-calling in partners from Ashford, Elbe and the Weyerhaeuser area to collect their boxes. Unlike urban areas that rely on central locations and public transportation, our rural families need our support to gain access, especially in food insecure areas. Claudia Frey and Henry Brock at Frey Family Farms, Ben and Tammy Vinson at Christ’s Church in Elbe, and multiple parent volunteers from the Weyerhaeuser area come in from all corners of our community, collect their boxes and bring them to distribution sites where families can more easily access them. We meet our families where they’re at.

No Strings Attached:

What makes this partnership truly remarkable is the absence of any application process or income verification. The organizers believe that access to nourishing food is a fundamental right, and this program seeks to eliminate barriers that might prevent families from benefiting. The goal is simple: to ensure that every household in our community has access to a diverse assortment of nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Empowering Families:

This initiative recognizes the importance of nutrition in supporting the overall well-being of families. By removing bureaucratic hurdles, Eatonville School District and Food4Good are empowering families to focus on what matters most – providing wholesome meals for their loved ones.

Monthly Bounty of Fresh Produce:

Families can look forward to receiving a diverse selection of fresh, locally-sourced produce each month. From crisp apples and succulent oranges to leafy greens and vibrant berries, the assortment is carefully curated to provide a well-rounded nutritional boost for all members of the family.

Locations: 

Free monthly food boxes are available at four sites within the community:

1. Christ’s Church at Elbe, 54011 180 Ave Ct E, Elbe

2. Eatonville Family Agency, 305 Center St W, Eatonville

3. Frey Family Farm, 28411 WA-706, Ashford

4. Weyerhaeuser Elementary, 6105 365th St E, Eatonville

Community Voices:

As part of this feature, we spoke with Superintendent Brower, who expressed enthusiasm about the positive impact of the partnership. "We believe that education extends beyond the classroom. Ensuring that our students and their families have access to nutritious food is a crucial aspect of their overall development. Students who are hungry have a harder time concentrating on academics. This collaboration with Food4Good aligns with our commitment to holistic community support."

Feedback from community members has also been overwhelmingly positive. One parent shared, "It's such a relief to know that we can count on this monthly supply of fresh produce. It not only helps us save on grocery expenses but also ensures that our children are getting the nutrition they need."

How Can You Get Involved:

If you are interested in supporting or participating in this initiative, Eatonville School District welcomes community involvement. Whether through volunteer opportunities or donations, everyone has a role to play in ensuring the success and sustainability of this program. Please email: communications@eatonvilleschools.org to express interest in volunteering.

This partnership goes beyond addressing immediate nutritional needs; it also contributes to building community resilience. By fostering a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility, Eatonville School District and Food4Good are sowing the seeds for a stronger, healthier community.

A celebration of Eatonville School District’ s newly remodeled Special  Education Support Center was held this morning.

Last spring it was determined that the District needed to expand the facility footprint to house the growing special education population. The cost of a new portable caused then Interim Supt, Lucy Fountain to search for another solution. She and Maintenance Supervisor, Brandon Jumper chose to move a double portable with bathroom capabilities to a site that could be shared near EES and EMS. The very talented maintenance team have brought this facility to a “like-new” status.

Whereas the previous classroom did not have easily accessible restrooms and running water and was not in close proximity to the playground or cafeteria, the new space has all of this as well as a brighter, welcoming setting.  Our high needs students and staff who are devoted to the success of this program can now focus their efforts on their students' well-being and academic excellence.  

It cost the district about $170,000 to relocate the portable from the high school, connect it, and refurbish it for use.  

A new portable would have cost $260,000 plus install.  

With our highly skilled and committed maintenance staff, the district was able to save $150-$200K on the project.

Impact fees were used to pay for this project.

We are pleased to share Denise Whitaker, Komo News Reporter, spent time in Eatonville reporting on our creative ways to address the bus driver shortage. 

Please click here to enjoy the news clip and read the full story. 

The Dispatch writer, Laura Marie Rivera wrote this article to highlight the partnership we have with Eatonville Police Department and all of our safety practices.

Click to read the article.

$44,200 Check Received from AgWest Grant

Eatonville School District, thanks to Eatonville resident Caleb Boettcher, had the opportunity to apply for an AgWest grant that would support school programs. Lucy Fountain, then Interim Superintendent, applied for a grant to fund commercial grade refrigerators that would support the needs of the food service program as it provides fresh vegetables for the salad bars offered at every school. Eatonville joined Enumclaw and a school in Alaska as recipients of grants. Eatonville was awarded a total of $44,200. The district is very appreciative of this support from AgWest. The refrigeration units have been ordered.

Pictured is Sheila Hammond, Eatonville School District Accountant, Lucy Fountain and Jay Brower, Current Superintendent. Superintendent Brower gratefully accepts the money on behalf of the district.

NJCCIC Article

• Hello, Dolly! Parton launches Imagination Library in Washington

• Dolly Parton kicks off free book program for WA kids

McTee Music Lesson Scholarship Winners

We are so proud of these 6 students who earned a total of $3,400 to advance their music abilities through private lessons.  

Eatonville Business Association (EBA) partnered with the Eatonville School Board to host their first ever Job Fair. The event took place May 22, 2023, at the Eatonville High School Commons. The Job Fair was an opportunity for 30 local businesses to connect with over 200 high school students looking for summer employment or a career opportunity upon graduation.

The EBA is a non-profit organization that aims to promote and support local businesses in the Eatonville area. The organization has been working closely with the Eatonville School District to create a platform for businesses to showcase their job openings and for students to learn about the various career opportunities available in the area.

"The very best thing about this job fair is that it was student driven. Mayor Baublits and I, spent two days in March presenting to all EHS Juniors, Seniors and Leadership classes, about the value of student voice in town and school district civic issues. It was there that senior, Matthew Moran, told us that EHS had hosted college fairs, but that was not what he or his friends needed. He needed a job fair that would help him retain a job as soon as he graduated and wanted to know why that had never been done. His idea became a reality, thanks to the outstanding community support of Eatonville Business Association, local businesses, trade unions and town and state agencies.", said Eatonville School Board Director, Ronda Litzenberger.

Becky Crocker, Eatonville Business Association President stated, “The Eatonville Business Association would like to thank the local businesses who came out to support our EHS students with their job opportunities. It was inspiring to watch students connecting and engaging with employers. Employers were taking student resumes, scheduling interviews, and even interviewing and hiring on the spot. We’d also like to thank the Eatonville School district for partnering to provide this opportunity for both local businesses and students.”

The Job Fair was met with tremendous support from a diverse range of employers from different industries that came ready to hire. Students came armed with resumes (thanks to Mrs. Powell) and polished interview skills; some left with scheduled job interviews.

The Job Fair is just one of the many initiatives that the EBA has planned to support local businesses and promote economic growth in the Eatonville area. They would like to thank the following companies and agencies for partnering in this event that amplified student voice and helped fill the need of employers and students alike.

Equestrian State Qualifiers

We are so proud of the Cruiser Equestrian Team!

Jaida Green has qualified in 5 events (showmanship, trail, dressage, stockseat, and versatility)

Jenna Edmondson has qualified in 4 events (barrels, Figure 8, poles, & versatility)

Kaylee Bernt has qualified in versatility

Ava Weaver has qualified in versatility

We are waiting to hear final call ups for the following:

Hallie Ames and Jenna Edmondson for bi-rangle

Hallie Ames for keyhole and flags

Cheley Loudin for poles

Jenna Edmondson for flags & steer daubing

Kaylin Rietz, Hallie Ames, Hadley Noble, & Jenna Edmondson for Canadian flags

(we could have some other qualifying based on the 10% rule, too)

Jenna and Jaida are both in the running for District 2 overall high point award.

Music Lesson Scholarships Available

Current 6th-11th grade students are encouraged to apply for a McTee Music Lesson Scholarship by May 5th.

Click this link for more information: https://docs.google.com/.../19T_NM0vmm2FaWya.../edit

During Tuesday's Pierce County Council Meeting, Eatonville High School's Bodie Turner received special recognition as a World Champion Archer.

A Resolution of the Pierce County Council Recognizing and Congratulating Bodie for his extraordinary achievements in Competitive Archery, Recently Winning the Compound Open Championship Title at the Vegas Shoot, the World's Largest and Most Prestigious Indoor Archery Tournament.

The room was filled with audience members in support of Bodie's incredible accomplishments.

We are pleased to announce, Mr. Nick Birklid has been hired as the new Principal of Eatonville Elementary School. 

Please enjoy learning more about Principal Birklid:

"I grew up in the Sumner/Bonney Lake area and attended Sumner High School growing up.  After graduating I attended Washington State University where I majored in Social Studies Education.  After that I taught for 7 years in Sumner and Federal Way. I then became the Dean of Students at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way for 2 years.  During this time I also coached Football at several High Schools.  I then became the Assistant Principal at Komachin Middle School for North Thurston Public Schools for 5 years.  Then I had the opportunity to be a Principal for several schools including Mountain View Middle School in Bremerton, Winolequa Learning Academy, and Winlock Miller Elementary in Winlock. Now I have the pleasure of coming to Eatonville Elementary.

I am married to my wife Callie, who is a Social Studies teacher at River Ridge High School, and I have two daughters, Raylie (13) and Hadley (10). My free time is mainly taken up watching my daughters play Softball. When we are not running to all of their events I like to trail run, golf, and watch WSU sports, the Seahawks, and Mariners. My parents lived in Eatonville for about 10 years after I graduated from college and I enjoyed visiting.  I really like the community.  I also like the ability of getting to know everyone in the school and community."   

Welcome, Principal Birklid! 

We are pleased to announce, Sally Keeley has been hired as our new Director of Teaching and Learning upon Board approval at the June 22nd, 2022 Board Meeting. Please enjoy learning more about her by reading her introduction statement:

"I am currently the Special Services/ECE Director in the Bethel School District. I have experience with developing programs and implementing new programs like transitional kindergarten, and reading and math intervention programming for K-12. Prior to that, I taught in the Eatonville, Bellevue, and White River School districts. I have worked as a building administrator, director and elementary and middle school teacher.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education K-8 and Reading K-12 at Washington State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership with principal certification at Pacific Lutheran  University.  The reason I pursued a career in education is based on a handful of teachers who had made a difference in my childhood and were key influencers and advocates for students, and I realized I'd like to play that role for students.

My “why” for working in education: To ensure that every student counts and has the academic and social capacity to build a happy and healthy future. I have high regard for building connections with students, staff and community. A favorite quote by Jackie Mutcheson, "It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us." speaks to my values of teamwork and collaboration.

When I am not at work, I enjoy traveling. I have visited many different countries and have lived in a number of different states, growing up as a military kid. When not traveling, I enjoy spending my time with family, friends, as well as reading and hiking.

As the new Director of Teaching and Learning, I'm looking forward to being a part of the Eatonville School District Team again, as well having the opportunity where I can inspire teaching and learning endeavors, while renewing relationships with staff and community."

Mr. Timothy Leipold has been named the official Principal of Eatonville Middle School, effective July 1st, 2022.
 
Congratulations to Mr. Leipold, who has been the Principal of Eatonville Elementary since October 2020. He has over two decades of experience working at the middle school level. His extensive experience will serve the students and staff of Eatonville Middle School well.
 
Mr. Leipold stated, “I am honored to become the Principal of Eatonville Middle School. I am grateful to continue working with the Eatonville community and the staff that have supported me since I first was hired in Eatonville in 2020.”
 
The Eatonville Elementary Principal position will be posted in the coming days.

2022 Daffodil Parade 

Cruise Control Dance Team

Daffodil Float: The UP theme proved popular with the crowd. A huge shout out to Eatonville Lions member Ernie Wolf for taking his job as Mr. Fredrickson very seriously. He powered through all 4 parades with a smile on his face (when he wasn’t grimacing for the camera). We also want to acknowledge “Dug” (the sweet and well-behaved dog we borrowed from Annie Datillo). He was perfection and a crowd favorite!

Thanks to all who helped make this happen: Everyone you see in these pix plus the Town of Eatonville, Eatonville Lions Club, EHS ASB, Arrow Lumber, Dogwood Garden Club, Krystal Benham, and many other private donors. Huge thanks also to EHS band and dance parents for the delicious hot meal and Ms. Rodrigues’s mom Monica for providing warm cover and a real bathroom at the end of the day (much appreciated).  We look forward to growing this tradition and gathering more community members for 2023 so stay tuned!

During a July 22nd, 2021 special School Board Meeting, Krista Heersink was approved as the district's new Business Manager. Krista has worked in the district as the Accountant since 2017. In a recent statement Krista said, "I'm pleased to be selected as the next Business Manager to carry on the same level of work Kim Knight led in her time in this role. I plan to meet the needs of students and staff while being fiscally responsible. I appreciate the community, staff, students and Board of Directors and wish everyone a successful 2021-2022 school year!"

Mr. Jay Cash will complete his Principal Internship at Eatonville Middle School during the 2021-2022 school year as  the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for Eatonville Middle School. He will have all of the responsibilities of a traditional Assistant Principal. Eatonville School District supports a “grow your own” philosophy by encouraging internships in building.  Mr. Cash says, ‘I am very honored to be asked to help on the Admin team this year and look forward to helping with another year of stability at the middle school. I hope I can live up to the proven high standards established by the staff and students at EMS. Warrior PRIDE!”

During Spring 2022 the official Assistant Principal and Athletic Director position will be posted for applicants.