Your Ellensburg Schools - March 2026

Posted Date: 03/20/26 (09:44 AM)

Your Ellensburg Schools

March 2026

A Message from Our Superintendent

The year is moving right along! Board President Cindy Coe and I have already signed the big box of diplomas. Before you know it, we will be celebrating the Class of 2026.

I hope you had the opportunity to attend Conference Week. We know that schedules are hectic and we appreciate the opportunity to share your students' progress. If you didn't get to attend a conference, know that your teachers are only a ParentSquare message away and ready to help.

I hope you all have an opportunity to rejuvenate and relax during Spring Break. Springtime is a busy time of year with school traditions, field trips, BBQs, conferences and competitions! We can't wait to share these special memories with your students.

Your Partner in Education,

Superintendent Troy Tornow

Read Across Mt. Stuart

Is there a better way to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss than reading in your pajamas? The students at Mt. Stuart Elementary School sure think it's the way to go.

During National Read Across America Day parents. guests and teachers read to students. Students read to parents and other students. Kindergarteners had a wide range of reading games and crafts to get them in the spirit.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Morgan Middle School boys wrestling team champions. Out of 19 teams in the Mid Valley League, MMS took top prize! Morgan is proudly displaying their trophy in the office window!

Way to go Bullpups!

March Snow Brings Big Fun

Students had a fun surprise on Friday the 13th when they woke up to snow. Students at Lincoln enjoyed the snow by rolling up giant balls of snow, some nearly snowmen, while others were content to run in circles with their tongues hanging out to catch those big dollops of snow.

Alexandra Goes to Washington

Our School Nutrition Director Alexandra Epstein-Solfield was in Washington D.C. this month along with several other members of the Washington School Nutrition Association and 800 other school meal professionals from around the country. Everyone was there to participate in an educational conference and meet with state leaders. Hot topics included the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, scratch cooking, farm to school, and school meal funding.

"It is important that our legislators understand and advocate for our programs," says Epstein-Solfield, "because we all know that hungry kids cannot learn."

Epstein-Solfield is pictured, far right, with colleagues from throughout the State.

CTE Gets Video Boost

Manastash Media has created a new promotional video for Ellensburg High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.

“Our team had the best time working with Ellensburg High School to create this video promoting their CTE programs,” says Manastsh Media. “We were on site for multiple days and worked with students and faculty to capture content. As community members, we love that the Ellensburg School District offers hands-on learning to set its students up for future success!”

You can view the video and learn more about CTE here.

Josie Visits Valley View 3rd Graders

Mrs. Cavanaugh’s 3rd grade class at Valley View Elementary School is doing a project on animal rescue. Who better to call than Josie, the namesake of local animal rescue Josie’s Misfit Ranch! Josie read her book “How Josie Became Queen” and answered questions about life on the ranch. Josie loves to go to school and teach others about responsible animal ownership. To get a copy of her book or learn more about the ranch, visit www.josiesmisfitranch. And thank you to Josie and her humans for making it a great day in 3rd grade!

Ida Robotics Teams Make State

Two Ida Nason Aronica Elementary robotics teams went to state this month: “Da Bundlz of Wood” and “The Royal Sequels”.

Da Bundlz of Wood made it to the finals and The Royal Sequels were awarded the “Inspire Award” by the judges.

Great job Mustangs!

EHS Choir Earns Academic Honor

Congratulations to the Ellensburg High School Choir for being named the Choir Academic State Champion in the 2A division.

Under the direction of Tor Blaisdell, choir members have maintained an average 3.504 grade point average, netting them the award.

The choir will be honored at the State Solo and Ensemble competition April 24-25. Students will be presented with academic patches and medals, as well as an academic plaque.

Board Treated to Choir Performance

March is Music in Our Schools Month, and to celebrate the combined elementary choir performed at the Board meeting on March 18.

Thank you to our music teachers Courtney Karnes (INAE), Kailee Chen (LE), Shanna Simonson (MSE), and Aryn Chatterton (VVE) for their preparation and organization of the performance. And thank you to all the families who brought their children to school in the evening. It's always a treat to hear our students sing!

Congratulations Fiddlers

Retired CWU Music Professor Andrew Spencer addressed the Board during Public Comment to share the incredible success of the Winter Musical "Fiddler on the Roof." He also served as orchestra conductor for the production.

Spencer shared that 69 students were involved in this production, including the cast, crew and orchestra. He also noted few similar-size high schools in our athletic conference offer this opportunity for students. Spencer also noted that the schools that do produce musical theatre don't use a live orchestra.

Congratulations to all of the students, parents, staff and community members who brought this classic to life for Ellensburg audiences.