Click the "translate" icon in the upper right corner for additional languages
Haga clic en el icono "traducir" en la esquina superior derecha para español This monthly newsletter is scheduled for the second Friday of each month. |
|
|
|
Dear Enumclaw School District Families,
Last week, our Choir program graciously moved the date of their All-District Choir Festival to support our boys basketball team as they competed in a state playoff game. This week, I had the extreme pleasure of attending the choir festival. What an incredible evening of music and just pure joy to witness our 4th–12th grade students proudly performing to a packed gymnasium. I was so impressed with the performances at all levels and how incredibly supportive the students were of one another. It was a wonderful reminder of the power of the arts in our schools and the dedication of our music educators who create these meaningful opportunities for students.
Thank you to our music team and our families for your flexibility, collaboration, and commitment to students. Events like this showcase the talent and hard work happening in our classrooms every day.
As we move further into March, in addition to the incredible teaching and learning happening in our schools, several important initiatives continue to progress. Updates regarding those initiatives are included in this newsletter. With gratitude, Jill Burnes
Superintendent |
|
|
ESD Superintendent Search |
|
|
|
The Enumclaw School District Board of Directors is conducting a search for the next superintendent of Enumclaw School District.
Selecting a superintendent is one of the most significant responsibilities of the Board. The individual chosen will help shape the direction and success of our district for years to come. The Board is committed to a thoughtful and transparent process and values the insight of students, families, staff, and community members. Community input will play an important role in developing the leadership profile and informing the Board’s final decision.
COMMUNITY INPUT AND PARTICIPATION
The Enumclaw School District Board has retained the executive search firm Northwest Leadership Associates (NWLA) to conduct a national search for the next superintendent.
The first step in this process is to develop a leadership profile to identify the ideal candidate. Responses to the following survey will assist the Enumclaw School District Board of Directors and Northwest Leadership Associates in developing the position description and leadership profile that will guide the selection of the next superintendent. Here is how you can participate:
Leadership Profile Survey English
Leadership Profile Survey Spanish NWLA will also conduct focus group sessions on March 18th. The schedule for these sessions will be made available soon. Learn More For detailed information about our search and the anticipated timeline, you can follow along on our district website. |
ESD Elementary #6 Updates |
- The Enumclaw School District has an opportunity to secure approximately $11 million in state construction funding. - If the district does not apply now, we may permanently lose access to these funds. - For this reason, the Board has approved moving forward with applying for SCAP funding related to the JJ Smith facility. - ESD will use a portion of the funds to build a four-classroom preschool addition at the new Elementary School #6. ESD will reserve the remaining funds to support additional preschool classrooms as part of a future bond project in Enumclaw. |
The School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) is a state program managed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). It provides financial support to school districts for planning, building, modernizing, or replacing permanent instructional facilities.
The amount of funding available to districts is determined by a formula that factors available square footage for student capacity, the age and condition of permanent instructional facilities, local assessed land value and district growth.
In our district, several older buildings qualify us for SCAP funding because of their age and condition. However, SCAP funding is typically accessed when a district is building or modernizing schools, usually after voters approve a bond or capital levy. Since we are moving forward with a major construction project and have secured funding, we are eligible to apply for state SCAP funds.
When a district receives SCAP funding tied to a specific building, that building is removed from the district’s permanent instructional facility inventory. After that, K–12 instructional programs cannot continue to operate there. Typically, students and programs are moved into a new or modernized school facility. This eligibility is connected to the JJ Smith building. |
What Does this Mean for JJ Smith? |
When a district receives SCAP funding tied to a K–12 instructional building, that building can no longer be used for K–12 instruction. In most cases, students and programs are moved into a new or modernized school.
JJ Smith is unique. It primarily houses preschool programs rather than K–12 instructional programs. That distinction allows us to apply for approximately $11 million in state funding without immediately closing or relocating our current preschool services. The current pre-K services can remain at JJ Smith until an elementary school in Enumclaw is modernized or replaced. |
Why Now Instead of With a Future Bond? |
Timing is important. Once Elementary School #6 is constructed, the state’s funding formula will change our eligibility calculations. If we delay, we may permanently lose access to this state funding connected to our older facilities. For this reason, the Board has approved moving forward with applying for SCAP funding related to JJ Smith. |
How will the Funding be Used? |
Our plan is to: - Use a portion of the funds to build a four-classroom preschool addition at the new Elementary School #6.
- Reserve the remaining funds to support additional preschool classrooms as part of a future bond project in Enumclaw. |
Our Long-Term Strategic Vision |
- A north-end early learning satellite attached to the new elementary school in Black Diamond, and - A south-end early learning satellite attached to a future school in Enumclaw. |
This approach allows the district to maximize available state funding, improve preschool learning environments, and increase access to early learning for families. Over time, it would allow us to transition students out of the aging JJ Smith facility while maintaining preschool services. We will continue to provide updates as this process moves forward. |
|
| |
Help Us Name Our New Elementary School |
In the Fall of 2027, the Enumclaw School District plans to open our newest elementary school, located in the Ten Trails neighborhood of Black Diamond. We are seeking input from our community, future school students, and staff as we select our new school's name and mascot.
Per Board Policy 6970, our Enumclaw School District Board of Directors will make a final decision in the months ahead. A committee made up of members of the new school community and/or primary users of the facility will bring recommendations to the board for their consideration. Board policy also describes several categories (named in the survey below) from which the final school name will be selected.
We invite you to participate by submitting your ideas for a school name and mascot for the committee to review in the survey that follows. Submissions will be accepted and considered until Friday, March 20, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Submit Name & Mascot Ideas: https://forms.gle/Kb21dZJqCi6Wy58t9 |
| |
|
|
3/10: EHS Spring Sports Parent Night, EHS Commons, 6:00 PM 3/16: School Board Meeting, District Office, 6:30 PM
3/18: EHS/EMS/TMMS Family Resource Fair for Students Receiving Special Education Services and Families, EHS Commons, 5:00 PM
3/18: Superintendent Search Community Focus Group, EHS Media Center/Virtual, 6:00 PM
3/19: Kindergarten Orientation for Westwood Elementary only, 5:00- 6:00 PM
3/20: School Makeup Day, School in Session on Regular Friday Early Release Schedule 3/20: ESD Elementary #6 Naming Survey Closes 3/26: Kindergarten Orientations: Black Diamond Elementary 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Byron Kibler Elementary 5:00 - 6:30 PM (By Appointment) Southwood Elementary 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Sunrise Elementary 5:30 - 6:30 PM 3/26: Enumclaw Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Meeting, Birth to Five Center, 4:00 PM
|
It's Time to Register For Kindergarten! |
Enumclaw School District offers a full-day kindergarten program at no cost to parents. Registration for new kindergarten students is open now: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/page/enrollment-information
Please prepare the following documentation for your online registration: - Proof of Age (Birth Cert., Family Bible, Certified Statement, etc.) - Proof of Address (Lease, Utility Bill, etc.) - WA State Immunization Record that shows requirements have been met
Children must be 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2026, for enrollment. |
|
|
|
Register Now for the Spring Guiding Good Choices Workshop |
Register now for the Spring 2026 Guiding Good Choices workshop provided by Enumclaw Youth Empowered. Enumclaw Youth Empowered is a local coalition working to educate, engage, and empower our community to support youth and families in the prevention of youth substance abuse. In partnership with the Enumclaw School District, they will once again be offering Guiding Good Choices on Tuesdays through April and May. This workshop is FREE to parents and caregivers of kids ages roughly 9-14. This workshop helps caregivers learn how to: - Strengthen family bonds
- Reduce family conflict
- Support kids to build resistance skills
- Set clear family rules to keep kids safe and make positive choices
The program runs through six sessions each Tuesday from April 21 - May 26, 2026, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm via Zoom. Register now at https://tinyurl.com/Spring26GGC or by contacting Melanie Harrington at melanie_harrington@enumclaw.wednet.edu.
|
|
|
|
| February 9, 2026
Approved: Minutes, Consent Agenda, Payroll and Vouchers Resolution 1163: WIAA Membership Policies - Second Reading: Policy #1111 - Oath of Office Policy #1820 - Board Self-Assessment
NEW Policy #1821 - Standards for Individual School Directors RETIRE Policy #1810 - Annual Goals and Objectives (Board) Presentations: Superintendent's Report
School Presentation - Kibler Elementary
Teaching and Learning Presentation: Data Dashboard |
|
|
|
Our next Regular Board Meeting is Monday, March 16, 2026.
You will find the Agenda posted 48 hours prior to the meeting on our School Board web page. |
|
|
|
ESD Choice Transfer Reminder |
If you have a non-resident student attending school in the district and would like them to be considered for re-enrollment for the 2026-27 school year, a Choice Transfer application must be completed. This application is an annual state requirement for students who live outside of district boundaries. Choice Transfer Timelines:
- Please complete the Choice Transfer application via this link between the Open Enrollment period of March 1 through March 31.
- For families who miss the March open enrollment dates, a second review of Choice Transfers will be available starting August 1 through the first day of school. - Choice Transfers received outside of the open enrollment dates will be denied.
For a complete look at the district's Choice Transfer procedures, please view the enrollment information on our website. |
| |
|
|
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. |
| |
|
|
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. |
| |
|
|
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, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator
Stephanie Berryhill
2929 McDougall Ave.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
360.802.7113
stephanie_berryhill@enumclaw.wednet.edu |
| |
|
|
|
