We're counting in weeks now as the end of the school year draws near. It might only be a few weeks, but the fun and memories that await our students will last a lifetime.
May will mark the kick-off of Family Barbeque season at our elementary schools. At Morgan, students with zero tardies and referrals will be enjoying an ice cream party, thanks to our friends at Winegars. Students at Big Picture High School have been readying for their Spring Craft Fair on May 6. And our seniors are ever closer to completing their time in Ellensburg Schools.
We've had a few challenges this month, but I am proud of our team and our community for rising to the call to ensure that our students are safe, healthy and that quality teaching and learning continue.
Keep an eye on our websites and Facebook pages, and of course always ParentSquare, to get the most up-to-date information on the spring celebrations, traditions and revelry that make these final weeks so much fun.
Your Partner in Education,
Superintendent Troy Tornow
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The question they all ask themselves, the moment their hands touch a vehicle, is: “What if my kid was on this bus?”
It is with the care of a watchful parent that our Ellensburg School District mechanics approach the job of maintaining and servicing not only Ellensburg buses, but Kittitas and Thorp school district buses as well. In addition to three fleets of buses, they also maintain all of the support vehicles, including generators, tractors, lawn mowers, cars and trucks that keep the three districts rolling.
Given their hard work and dedication, it didn’t come as a huge surprise when this dynamic trio, comprised of David Mitchell, David Dahl and Brandon Holden, earned a 100% rating on the annual inspection with Washington State Patrol. They also scored 100% with the Kittitas and Thorp inspections, which are conducted separately.
The team keeps meticulous service records, which are uploaded into a workflow system, ensuring that problems get fixed immediately.
“Public safety is our first goal,” says Holden. “It’s at the top of the list,” adds Dahl.
They are also at the forefront of technology, not only with newer-model vehicles, but with the accessories to maximize efficiency. Recently they have been installing new Chromebooks in the buses that will integrate with the bus routing system.
This level of performance doesn’t happen overnight. It takes daily discipline, pride in the work, and a shared mission to ensure every student gets to and from school safely.
We’re proud of our mechanics for setting the bar high year after year -- and for proving the dedication that makes all the difference.
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Third grade students from all four elementary schools got a chance to learn more about farming at the annual Ag Day held at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds. This year the event was hosted by the Kittitas County Conservation District.
Students learned about feeding animals, got to see and learn about big farm machinery, got to pet animals and then take a ride in a covered wagon. Explaining all of these farm features to the students were FFA members from area high schools.
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Ag Day isn’t the first time Ellensburg High School FFA have had the opportunity to share their skills and expertise with younger students. Since November, FFA members have been visiting kindergarteners at Ida Nason Aronica Elementary monthly.
In the past five months kinders have learned, from their big FFA buddies, about Thanksgiving commodities, plant care, weather cycles, by products, and livestock care. The goal of these lessons is to “inspire and educate on agriculture’s importance in our every day lives.”
If you think it’s all lectures, think again. While talking about Thanksgiving commodities, the students enjoyed pumpkin pie and one of the FFA members dressed as a turkey to surprise their little friends. When talking about livestock, kindergarten students got to draw and talk about the kind of homes animals need.
On their most recent, and final, visit of the year, they talked about chick production. Student got to see incubators and learn how they warm and turn the eggs. At the end of the talk, students got to pick out a plastic egg, and learn about candling. When everyone had found a "full" egg, they opened them to find Peeps, immediately yelling "Can we eat them?"
Under the guidance of exceptional Ag Teachers Steve Russell and Sammi Jo Sims, EHS student can choose from a wide range of agriculture class offerings. Student can even focus on an Ag track in the Career and Technical Education program.
FFA students have earned state, regional and national honors for the past several years. It’s always great to see our students shine on the big stage, but it’s even sweeter to see them teaching the students who will one day walk in their boots.
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If you ask Rob Moffat what he’s going to miss about Ellensburg, he will tell you without hesitation that it’s the relationships. After 33 years with the Ellensburg School District, he’s built a lot of important and impactful relationships.
Moffat began his career at Ellensburg High School, where he met mentor Dave Hall. He taught PE, worked in the school’s resource room and even worked as a para in a kindergarten class to fill in his schedule. When his job became fulltime, Moffat taught PE, health and was a coach for football and track. The last four years of his 17 years at EHS, he served as an assistant principal.
For the past 16 years, Moffat has been an involved and inspiring leader for the teachers, staff and students as principal of Valley View Elementary.
What could possibly make such a dedicated administrator and community member leave these deep-seeded and decades-long relationships? Only one thing: Family.
Rob and his wife Lisa, who is also leaving her 30-year post as a beloved music teacher in Cle Elum, will be headed to the Spokane/Post Falls area. “We’re going to spend next year just taking care of grandkids,” says Moffat. “Our oldest daughter, Madison, has a 21-month-old and is going to have a new baby in May. I’m going to be busy being grandpa!” The Moffat’s middle child, Major, is a pilot based in Chicago for now, and Molly will be attending Whitworth in the fall.
While he isn’t one to seek fanfare, he concedes that there will likely be some kind of send-off celebration. “I just want to make sure the kids know that I didn’t just leave them,” he says. “I hope to make that transition as smooth as possible. I don’t want our students to think I just slipped out and left them.”
When you ask him about his greatest accomplishments, it comes right back to relationships. "Parents trust their kids will be treated well, because they are," says Moffat. "I've hired people who understand the culture of care we have built here at Valley View and I'm proud of that."
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Valley View Voices joined the Lincoln Music Club, Mt. Stuart Choir, and Ida Nason Choir to perform in the concert hall at the CWU Music Building! Students got to participate in a choral clinic with the Director of Choirs Dr. Lamartine. After the clinic, students were treated to a performance by the CWU Chamber Choir. It was a wonderful day of music making and community building! |
Morgan Middle School has had two exciting programs underway, both with the goal of getting students in school on time and being a good citizen while they are in school.
Under the direction of Behavior Specialist Nicholas Mifflin, students competed in March (and April) Madness, a contest to see which advisory class had the highest attendance rate. “It ran on a percentage basis,” says Mifflin. “So being tardy was still worth some points – not as many as the students who were in attendance on time, but still some points, and 50% is better than zero.” The winning advisory classes enjoyed donuts and juice in their classroom, thanks to a generous donation from Super One Foods.
The winning advisory classes were: Harwood, Flores, Beard, and C. Clark! Morgan also recognized 3 advisory classes who had some of the highest average attendance percentages throughout the competition: Gonzalez, Smith-Bator, Stewman!
"Thank you to Super One Foods for donating donuts to recognize these students' hard work!," says Mifflin. "We had some advisory classes hit 97-100% for some weeks of attendance!"
A second contest was underway, thanks to our friends at Winegar’s. Student with no referrals to the office and no tardies will be treated to an ice cream party from the local sweet shop on May 6. According to Mifflin both referrals and tardies were greatly reduced by the incentive. "It's looking like 500+ kids are going to qualify and Winegar's has donated ice cream to all," he says.
Mifflin, who is in his first year at Morgan, found success with similar programs in the Yakima School District. “Parents are pretty supportive,” says Mifflin, “but we will sell it better next year with more announcements that really spotlight the benefits of high attendance.”
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This year FCCLA took seven competitors to the State Leadership conference in Spokane, WA. The club won the "Tiny but Mighty" award, which is given to a small chapter that makes big impacts. Three of the seven students will be advancing to nationals.
Family and Consumer Science Teacher Kylee Reuble serves as advisor to the club. To show their appreciation, club members nominated Reuble as advisor of the month, and she won that distinction.
“I am super proud of everyone and their hard work this year!!,” says Reuble.
Students earning honors at the conference are:
Piper Douthwaite - Gold in National Programs in Action. Piper finished her term as Vice President of Region 7, and was inducted into the national technical honor society.
Izzy Bautista - Gold in Say Yes to FCS Education. She is a national qualifier, and has signed her intent to Central Washington University for FCS Education, with the goal of becoming and FCCLA teacher and advisor. “I enjoy FCCLA because of the family that FCCLA is!,” says Bautista. “Everyone is always so kind at conferences and willing to help! FCCLA has also led me to discover different FCS classes and how they can be beneficial for students.”
Aubree Hall - Silver in Early Childhood Education, and a national qualifier. For her qualifying project, Hall had to develop and carry out three lesson plans in Early Childhood Education, working with students at Ida Nason Aronica Elementary and Happy Feet daycare. She is a Junior.
Emmi Perry - Silver in Baking and Pastries. Perry, a senior at EHS, will attend Nationals to compete, explaining that additional skills-based competitions are available for non-qualifiers. She has been accepted into Escoffier Culinary School in Bolder, CO.
Olive Buvit - Silver in Culinary Arts, and a national qualifier.
Jennie Haak - Silver in Public Policy Advocate.
Katherine Redfearn - Silver in Professional Presentation.
The National Leadership Conference will be held in Washington D.C. this July.
Congratulations on a great showing at State and best of luck at Nationals!
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After a delicious lunch of carrots, strawberries and chicken and noodles, Early Learning Center students gathered in the common room to meet a very special visitor: Miss Sue, (Susan Hart) from the Ellensburg Public Library!
Miss Sue pulled out all the stops, with books, puppets, songs, silly faces and even a little dance party to "Who Let the Dogs Out." At the end of the day, every student got to pick out a brand new book to take home.
Thank you to Miss Sue, Ellensburg Public Library and our friends at the ELC for bringing this fun afternoon to our tiniest students.
Don't forget our public library is open all summer with activities for readers of all ages!
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This past month at Valley View Elementary our 3rd-5th grade students have participated in the Let's Go Bicycle Education Program in Physical Education. The program provided a fleet of 34 bicycles, helmets and other curriculum materials.
Valley View had a brand new fleet of bikes and helmets to use as the program continues to grow. Students participated in lessons on crossing the street safely, helmet safety, braking, signaling and more!
"The month was a highlight for many students!," says Valley View PE Teacher Levi Teasley. "The goal is to continue to bike each year in Physical Education and build on students biking knowledge and enjoyment."
In May, which is also National Bike Month, students at Ida Nason Aronica will have the chance to ride! For more information on Citywide events planned, visit Bike Month.
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Ellensburg students earned a trip to Nationals at the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership competition in Spokane for 2026.
“The students worked hard and represented Ellensburg High School well,” says advisor Marcy Matthews.
Students had the opportunity to compete in over 65 events, attend workshops, and network with fellow Future Business Leaders from across the state. There were more than 2,500 competitors at the convention center and surrounding area.
Students placing in the top four are eligible to compete at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, TX June 27-July 3.
Parliamentary Procedures
1st place: Piper Douthwaite, Anton Duong, Miley Porter, and Dominic Scappini
Journalism
3rd place: James Holiday
Customer Service
6th place Miley Porter
Entrepreneurship
7th place Piper Douthwaite, Elijah Taft
Broadcast Journalism
9th place Colter Clasen, Anton Duong, Ethan Moore
Congratulations for your showing at State and best of luck at Nationals! And a big thank you to advisors Marcy Matthews and Jarod Rollins for your dedication and guidance of these future leaders!
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You don’t expect to hear Metallica at an orchestra concert, but it was no ordinary evening as the Ellensburg High School Orchestra rocked Morgan Performing Arts Center on April 28.
Between beloved rock tunes, like "Sweet Child O’ Mine" and "Don’t Stop Believing," freshmen took to the mic to share with the crowd what they like about orchestra. Friends, community and a rubber chicken were among the testimonials.
Mason Hines, also a freshman, served as conductor for one selection. As a raffle prize, one lucky audience member got to come up front to conduct. After a standing ovation, the orchestra performed an encore of "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
If you were worried that the orchestra program would suffer with the retirement of longtime teacher Kara Hunnicutt, rest assured that the program is thriving. Teacher Jenny Humphrey danced, smiled uncontrollably and even grabbed a violin for the encore. She also called in some friends to help out, with Josh Humphrey on electric guitar and EHS Band Director Warren Murray on drums.
The concert also served as a fundraiser for the annual orchestra trip. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Ellensburg High School.
Thank you to these talented musicians for a most enjoyable evening of music.
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May 1
Ellensburg School District Celebration of Culture Night
Potluck begins at 5:30 PM, performances 6:45-8:30. Bring a dish to share if you can!
Morgan Bulldog 5K, Rotary Park, Sign-up at 5:30 PM, Race Starts at 6 PM
May 6
Ellensburg Big Picture Spring Craft Fair, 4-6 PM
(EHS High School entrance on 3rd Ave. by the Library)
May 8
Ida Nason Aronica 4th Annual Sunflower Festival 6-8 PM
May 18
Rescheduled Valley View Talent Show,
Doors open at 6 PM
May 27
Celebration of 2026 Retirees at ESD Board Meeting
Ida Nason Aronica Elementary Gym, 5:30 PM
*May 28
Lincoln BBQ
*May 29
Mt Stuart BBQ
*June 2
Ida BBQ
*June 3
Valley View BBQ
*Your school will provide times and details.
June 3
Big Picture High School Celebration of Graduates, Morgan Performing Arts Center. 6 PM
June 4
Ellensburg High School Class of 2026 Graduation, Nicholson Pavilion, CWU at 7 PM
June 12
Last Day of School
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