Thunder Mountain Middle School

Education Support Professional Spotlight Amber Benson, ILC Paraeducator Although only in her second school year in the Byron Kibler Elementary Independent Learning Center, Covington native Amber Benson was made for it. In the years leading up to coming to ESD Amber worked with children: initially toddlers, then Pre-K, so an elementary ILC was a natural transition. While working with her students, Amber's love for what she does and who she works with shines through. “There is always something new [in the ILC] - the challenges and progress of the students. They each have so much more to offer than most people get to see!” Being in the classroom has inspired her to return to complete her Masters Degree in Special Education, which coursework will begin in May. “I am hoping to learn as much as I can, while I can before starting my Masters. My goal is to someday have my own ILC or Resource classroom,” Amber explains. Already having a Bachelors Degree under her belt, Amber seamlessly steps into the role of substitute teacher in her current, and other classrooms as needed. A Masters Degree isn’t the only thing on the horizon for her, though. Amber will be getting married in July where she, her fiance and his two children spend as much time as possible - camping outdoors. They have planned an intimate forest campsite wedding to celebrate with their closest loved ones. #ESPWeek2023 #learnleadimpactESD #aprenderliderarimpactoESD

Education Support Professional Spotlight Annette Vranizan, Student Information Systems Specialist Annette is originally from Enumclaw, and although she spent time growing up on both sides of the bridge - a true Hornet at heart - is an EHS graduate. After taking time to live and work elsewhere, she moved back to Enumclaw to raise her son and daughter in the town she loves, with family and friends close by, and getting back to being in the beautiful outdoors. When Annette’s children were young, she enjoyed volunteering in their Kindergarten classes, which led to her 15-year career in ESD. Now, as the Student Information Systems Specialist (Skyward), Annette has done a little bit of everything: Paraeducator, Office Manager, Substitute Coordinator, Executive Secretary for Technology and Assessment. Transitioning to her current role in October, she is continuing to grow and learn new things everyday. What she does is a mystery to many, but changes and updates appear automatically in Skyward accounts, she is an important piece of that “automatic” process. Some areas she works in daily are new employee accounts, school calendars, course and grading configurations for each school year, food services accounts, student IDs, Family Access and new student enrollment configuration to name a few. “Part of my responsibilities also include purchase order requests for Technology, where it is fun to watch innovation in the world of education. I really enjoy working with the people on our team in our district,” Annette says. #ESPWeek2023 #learnleadimpactESD #aprenderliderarimpactoESD

Education Support Professional Spotlight Kathy Wallin, Bus Driver Mother of three and grandmother of two (with one more on the way, Kathy and her husband own and run Wallin Dairy in Enumclaw. Driving both morning and afternoon routes, she also works with high school students during the midday. Just before the age of 21, Kathy was hired as a member of the ESD transportation department to help with concerns on specific buses until she was old enough to have a route of her own. Over two decades later, she is still here and now the most senior driver on staff! Kathy has far and wide across the nearly 450 square mile school district! ”This is an awesome place to work... you get to meet people from all across the district. What I love most is getting to know the kids and their families day in and day out. You treat the kids on your bus like your own!" Nowadays, Kathy is primarily serving students from Selleck, Ravensdale and Black Diamond, driving 171 miles daily. #ESPWeek2023 #learnleadimpactESD #aprenderliderarimpactoESD

Education Support Professional Spotlight: Leslie Quezada-Garcia, District Cultural Specialist Born in Mexico, Leslie and her family moved to Enumclaw when she was elementary school age. As a lifelong Hornet, she came back to ESD after receiving her degree from Green River College. "The purpose of the cultural program is inclusivity. Students come together with their uniqueness to find unity. It can be challenging at times, but we get to adapt to their individual needs" Leslie explains. In addition to being the district Cultural Specialist, Leslie is an English/Spanish interpreter for ESD events, conferences, meetings, and providing translations for the approximately 10% of ESD enrolled families who are Spanish speaking at home. "I see the impact the program has made and love connecting with families." "Leslie is the foundation of student support in our program" says Sui-Lan Ho'okano, District Cultural Support Program Manager. #ESPWeek2023 #learnleadimpactESD #aprenderliderarimpactoESD

Skyward Maintenance: This Saturday, March 11, Skyward (including Family Access, Educator Access, and Employee Access) will be unavailable from 12:01 AM until approximately 9:00 PM. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

February 14, 2023: Due to weather conditions, all Enumclaw School District schools will operate on a two-hour delay. There will be no out-of-district transportation. Buses are running on snow routes. For our Birth to Five Center, Transitional Kindergarten and Full Day ECEAP will operate on a two-hour delay. Half-day ECEAP and AM Developmental Preschool are canceled and PM Developmental Preschool will start on time (1:00 PM).

Online Kindergarten Registration begins February 28, 2023. Please register your kindergarten students using our website: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/page/online-registration

Reminder: The Enumclaw School District will be closed on Monday, January 16 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Thursday, January 5, 2023. Due to the current weather conditions, widespread power outages and road closures throughout the Enumclaw School District, all schools are closed today and all activities are canceled. Thank you to all of our first responders and PSE workers, working to restore power and clear roads for our community!

December 20: Stay safe during Winter Break! After today, we will see you back in buildings on January 4.

Due to weather conditions and forecasted morning temperatures, all Enumclaw School District schools will operate on a two hour delay tomorrow. There will be no out-of-district transportation. Buses are running on snow routes. Our early release schedule is canceled and students will attend school until the regular release time. For our Birth to Five Center, Full Day ECEAP will begin at 10:45 and end at 2:15. Transitional Kindergarten will begin at 11:00 and end at 3:30. There will be no DVPS or half-day ECEAP.

Due to weather conditions, all Enumclaw School District schools are closed today and all activities are canceled.

Reminder: November 17 - 23 are half days with early release times for school conferences. Elementary schools release at 12:15pm, EMS & EHS at 11:15am, and TMMS at 11:25am each day during this time.

Update: ESD follows the WA DOH guidelines for school activities to keep students and staff healthy. Due to the current air quality, Outdoor Athletic Events and Practices have been moved indoors or canceled. More detailed information related to outdoor athletics and activities below: EHS Football: The football game has been moved to Monday, 7:00 pm (Senior Night) Weight Lifting indoors from 2:40-3:10pm Indoor Team Dinner at 4:00pm Boys Cross Country will be indoors after school (Varsity Only) Girls Cross Country will be Indoors after school Tennis- Practice Canceled Soccer- Practice Canceled For questions, please contact the athletic office. http://Airnow.gov https://doh.wa.gov/.../legacy/Documents/Pubs/334-332.pdf

We continue to monitor the local air quality. The current air quality has moved to "unhealthy" and is forecasted to remain in this range until tomorrow (Friday). ESD will be following the Washington State Department of Health guidelines for school activities to keep students and staff healthy. Afternoon Recess and/or P.E. will be indoors today at all ESD schools. Outdoor Athletic Events and Practices are TBD at this time but may be moved or canceled, more information will be provided shortly. http://Airnow.gov https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/334-332.pdf

We continue to monitor the local air quality closely today. The current air quality is unhealthy and is forecasted to worsen throughout the day. ESD will be following the Washington State Department of Health guidelines for school activities to keep students and staff healthy. Recess and/or P.E. will be indoors today at all ESD schools. Outdoor Athletic Events and Practices have been moved indoors or canceled until air quality improves. http://Airnow.gov https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/334-332.pdf

Remember To Vote! Today is the final date to drop Primary ballots at King County Election Drop Boxes. You can find one at each of the Enumclaw and Black Diamond locations of the King County Library. Ballots must be dropped by 8pm. You can find other drop box locations at kce.wiki/dropbox

We have officially reached the month school begins! Time to start looking ahead at important dates on the horizon for ESD students, staff and families. Please contact your school building with registration questions. Enumclaw High School office is open year round, other school building Office Managers return on Thursday, August 11.

School starts August 31, 2022. Enjoy your Summer Break!

Our Summer Food Program is available June 22- Aug 24 @ Southwood Elementary. Meal times: Breakfast 9:15-9:45 am Lunch 11:45- 12:45 pm on weekdays.