Dr. Carey smiling with photos of students in the background A Letter From Dr. Carey, ESD Community Newsletter, with ESD logo behing Dr. Carey

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November 22, 2024

Dear Enumclaw School District Community,

A Reminder of Resilience: Navigating Weather and Routine Together

This week has reminded us all of the powerful forces at play in the weather that surrounds us — both its beauty and its potential for disruption. On most days, we are fortunate to enjoy clear blue skies that highlight the stunning view of Mount Rainier, making our district one of the most picturesque in the state. But we also experience the storms — the wind and rain that periodically sweep through our hills and valleys.

The windstorm we faced this week was a strong reminder of how easily our routines can be disrupted. For many of us, the stability of our schools is something we might take for granted, but moments like this week’s storm remind us of its importance. Please know that our district staff and I are fully committed to ensuring that all of our students have a warm and welcoming place to come to every day. Unfortunately, this week, Mother Nature had different plans for us. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigated the ongoing power outage. Thankfully, power has been restored at Byron Kibler Elementary and our Birth to Five Center and all of our schools are currently operational and ready to welcome students and staff on Monday. 

I hope by now your power has been restored, your homes are warming up, and that you and your family are able to enjoy a peaceful and restful weekend.

Shaun

Winter Weather Communications

Dear Enumclaw School District Families,

The 2024-25 school year is off to a wonderful start and has been full of celebrations and incredible learning. As the weather begins to change, we may need to implement our traditional “snow day” and delays when weather conditions make it unsafe to operate on our normal school schedules. It is always our goal NOT to extend the school year further into the summer months with “snow days,” however, student and staff safety is our top priority. The information below will explain how we plan to make decisions to delay or cancel school days and how you can access and receive notifications about this information.

Around 3:30 AM on weather-impacted days, Transportation Supervisor Kami Clark, Director of Facilities, Operations and Athletics Phil Engebretsen, Director of Business Kyle Fletcher, and I will be out assessing road conditions. We will each drive a different part of our school district.

We gather together with information from our traveled routes and then determine what our transportation options will allow as far as a school day is concerned. Of the many factors that are considered, we evaluate road conditions for buses and staff/student drivers, amount of snow or ice, outside temperatures, weather forecast, and changing weather conditions. It is not uncommon to have delays in the early winter with little snow if the temperature is below freezing and not expected to rise much above freezing during the day. We find that road conditions for our buses are quite treacherous in these icy conditions. In late winter, the converse could be true. We could have several inches of wet snow, but the temperature is above freezing, making roads passable. We make the very best decision each time we are faced with winter weather conditions. 

The key factor when deciding on whether we can have school on a regular schedule or a late start is if our buses can travel our emergency routes. Often this is just what we need to do in order to operate school. There are times we need to extend the emergency routes in a few locations. When this occurs, our drivers call families. Again, I am especially grateful to these families for their partnership and flexibility.

Our goal for determining school delay or closure status is typically no later than 6:00 AM.

  • http://flashalert.net: You can go to this website and sign up to have any school delay or closure alert come to your email address. You will receive this information as soon as I officially push the button on my computer!

  • We will place the delay or closure announcement on our district website at www.enumclaw.wednet.edu and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/enumclawschooldistrict. If our district is running emergency bus routes, you can find this information on our website and Facebook as well.

  • Each family will receive a phone call and text via Thrillshare around 5:30/6:00 AM if a decision has been reached regarding a delay or school closure. As mentioned earlier, sometimes the weather conditions shift after 6:00 AM, and therefore a decision will be made at the earliest time possible.

  • Radio and television stations will receive our information as soon as I push the button on my computer. They are tracking many school districts and a few times have reported information different from what we have decided. Please use one of the above sources if you receive contradictory information.


Dr. Shaun V. Carey
Superintendent

https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/o/esd/page/emergency-information

Please check out our Winter Weather Bulletin for emergency bus routes and school delay/closure communication information below. (Click images to expand view)

Winter Weather Bulletin English
Winter Weather Bulletin Spanish
Upcoming Events with ESD round logo

November 21-27: Conferences- Half Day Early Release

November 25: Toddler Play & Learning Group at Birth to Five Center 10:00 AM

November 25, 2024: EHS Band and Orchestra Concert, EHS Auditorium, 7:00 PM

November 25, 2024: EHS Winter Sports Night, EHS Commons, 7:00 PM

November 28-29: No School- Thanksgiving Break

December 2: School Board Work Study, Southwood Elementary at 6:30 PM

December 2: Toddler Play & Learning Group at Birth to Five Center 10:00 AM

December 10: FOCUS Committee: Special Meeting with the School Board, EHS Media Center/Library at 6:00 PM

December 23-January 3: No School-Winter Break

November is Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month!

November is Native American Heritage Month. Let's honor the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Native American communities locally and across the country. Join us in honoring and learning from the Indigenous peoples who have shaped our history and continue to inspire us today.

Nov 21-17 Conferences - Half day schedule graphic Elementary release time 12:15 pm EMS & EHS 11:15 am and TMMS 11:25 am

School Conferences: November 21-27

Reminder: November 21 - 27 are half days with early release times for school conferences. Elementary schools release at 12:15 pm, Enumclaw Middle School & Enumclaw High School at 11:15 am, and Thunder Mountain Middle School at 11:25 am each day during this time.

Nov 28-29 Thanksgiving Break graphic

Thanksgiving Break: November 28-29

Reminder: All ESD buildings will be closed Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, for Thanksgiving Break. Enjoy the long weekend!


Enumclaw School District is hiring visit website to apply with ESD logo

Enumclaw School District is hiring!

Current openings include Substitute Drivers and Custodians.

For more information on current openings or to submit an online application, please visit our website at https://enumclawjobs.hrmplus.net/


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School board meeting highlights
Junior Board Rep Makhya Walls repeating her oath of office to Dr. Carey

PASSED: Minutes, Consent Agenda, Payroll and Vouchers

Presentations:

Superintendent Report

FOCUS Citizens' Advisory Committee Presentation

View the Board Meeting Minutes Button
Join Us at the next school board meeting with a photo of the board listening to public comment in the background

Our next Regular Board Meeting is Monday, December 16, 2024.

You will find the Agenda posted 48 hours prior to the meeting on our School Board web page.

School Board Meeting Information Button

Enumclaw Schools Foundation (ESF) strives to bridge the gap between the funds the state provides for basic education and the funds needed to provide students with the education they need for a successful future.

For more information about ESF, click the blue button below.

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ESF Logo
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The Washington State Department of Health: Safety Study Hall

Visit the Safety Study Hall website, a place for schools,
students, and families to learn about safety topics.
 

Washington State Department of Health Logo

Enumclaw School District Statement of Non-Discrimination

Enumclaw School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 RCW Officer
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator Stephanie Berryhill
2929 McDougall Ave.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
360.802.7113
stephanie_berryhill@enumclaw.wednet.edu

Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Carolyne Zieske
2929 McDougall Ave.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
360.802.7104
carolyne_zieske@enumclaw.wednet.edu

Enumclaw School District 5 Committments Logo

https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/