Congratulations to Mr. Dale Sweet, Walter Strom Middle School 6th Grade Science Teacher. On September 22, Mr. Sweet went to Olympia to receive his award as the Pacific Education Instute's Washington State Field STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) Teacher of the Year.
Click on the links below for Mr. Sweet's bio as well as a brief video celebrating Mr. Sweet's accomplishment. Thank you Mr. Sweet, for all of your dedication and work on behalf of students!
Mr. Sweet's PEI Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIcftkOtyPQ
Mr. Sweet's Bio
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DOTFreQa1UFMNlX5xPeOhd3zs0utDx0d/edit
Shout out to our amazing custodial team on National Custodian Appreciation Day. They do great work and are super people. Thank you for all you do for CERSD!
Join us tomorrow night for the School Board Meeting tomorrow night (Monday 9/26) at Walter Strom Middle School Library at 6pm.
Can't make it in person? Join by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83795925426...
Follow the link to view the agenda:
https://app.eduportal.com/agenda/preview/26896
Have you had a chance to meet one of our new custodians, Debbie Casey? If so, you know that she will brighten your day with her big smile. Prior to joining the district, she worked in the medical field for 23 years. Debbie said she is “very excited for this new journey at the school” where she looks forward to getting to know our staff and students this year. When she isn’t at school, Debbie enjoys spending time with her granddaughters, gardening and walking the trails. Welcome Debbie! We are so glad you joined us!
Today, students in Mrs. Keller's Engineering Essentials learned how important it is to BE SPECIFIC when writing instructions. The students experimented with writing instructions to make hot chocolate and quickly learned how important descriptions like "use a clean mug" or "stir with a spoon" actually are when Mrs. Keller is following their directions! Don't worry though- the lesson ended with all of the students getting a (clean) cup of hot chocolate to drink while they shared a laugh at the little details they forgot that made a big difference in the process.
Congratulations to Zackary Hill who was sworn onto the School Board tonight at the Board Meeting. Mr. Hill is a local parent and veteran who also brings years of business experience to the Board.
Did you know we expanded our Woodshop class this year? Our Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher, Mr. Ellithorpe has CERHS courses that he teaches in the morning and WSMS courses he teaches in the afternoon.
Mr. Ellithorpe recently graduated from CWU with an education degree in Career and Technical Education. He has lived in our community for some time and was SO excited to become a Warrior and build a robust program! You might recognize him as he drove the HopeSource bus and worked at the hardware store before joining our district. In his free time, Mr. Ellithorpe says he enjoys "tinkering" and being an active member of our community.
Last week two members of our Warrior family presented at the Yakama Nation tribal council meeting. These two young ladies spoke about what being a Warriors means to them, their families, and they friends. At the end of their presentations the Yakama Nation approved a resolution allowing CERHS to continue as the Warriors!
Rachael and Sadie, your school and your community are extremely proud of you! Thank you for representing the past, present, and future Warriors!
Mrs. Z is back and our students are excited! This year she will be teaching 8th grade Social Studies. Mrs. Z was able to do her student teaching with Mrs. Bronkema last year. She is born and raised Washingtonian and a Seattle Public Schools scholar, who has spent the majority of her life in the Central District/Mt. Baker/Beacon Hill area of Seattle. Although she admits to having "westsider" roots, she is “thrilled to be back at Walter Strom and in my own classroom.”
Prior to Walter Strom MS, Mrs. Z spent 6 years working for non-profits, a good dose of time in the food service industry, and learning, both in and out of the classroom, what it looks like to be a motivating, supportive, student-centered teacher. We know she is going to do a great job this year!
When asked what she likes best about our area, she said, “since moving to the Upper County, it has been essential to me to understand what makes this community uniquely connected and buzzing with care for one another. I am so excited to bring local history, the web of those that care for it deeply, and our community's value of showing up for one another, into my classroom.”
The Cle Elum-Roslyn School Board meeting for tonight (9/12/22) has been canceled due an unforeseen medical issue that impacts the Superintendent. The School Board meeting has been rescheduled for next Monday, September 19th at 6pm at Walter Strom Middle School and Zoom. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Have you met the new HS/MS Music Teacher?
Aaron Tuchardt is a professional musician and educator based out of the Pacific Northwest. After over 10 years of playing, his areas of performance center around drums, percussion, and voice. While his primary performance focus is in the Jazz scene, his classical degree has awarded many opportunities to perform in a diverse selection of genres. Aaron is fortunate enough to have shared the stage with musicians such as Chris Martin (Trumpet), John Clayton (Bass), Diane Shuur (Voice), New York Voices, Esperanza Spalding (Bass), members from Tower of Power, and more. In addition, Aaron has also toured with some of the Pacific Northwest’s premier wind and jazz ensembles. In the coming years Aaron is looking forward to continuing performing and educating around the world.
Have you heard the news?? Grandpa Ron will be at the Roslyn Farmers Market THIS SUNDAY for one final appearance before moving to Georgia to be closer to his family. We sure are going to miss him but wish him all the best on his big move.
Did you know Mr. Chase greets our middle school students every morning as they enter the building? One benefit to being the Elementary Principal for 19 years is he knows all the kids by name!! What a wonderful way to start the year!
Go Wildcats!!
We love our dedicated employees.
Check out Dean Stausbuagh working hard to be ready for the start of school. 17 dedicated years here doing whatever it takes even digging a deep hole!
Each and every position here has importance and Dean makes sure kids are safe, and facilities are ready! Join us in celebrating Dean and all support staff for getting us ready!
Let's show our staff they are appreciated!! Join in on the fun by dropping off snacks or drinks at the WSMS corner during Family Engagement Night ! All donations will be divided and delivered to the Staff Lounge at each building for staff to enjoy! Don't have time to pick something up to donate? No problem!! Stop by the table and fill out a Thank You card for any staff member in the district and let us deliver it for you!
Did you know CERSD has an app? It's a handy way to keep in touch with everything you want to know about your favorite schools, athletics, events, the menu and more! Download it today!
This week the AMAZING CERHS Marching Band participated in camp where they endured long days, heat, and humidity to prepare for the upcoming season. Be sure to check them out at halftime during home Warrior football games!
Special Programs is hard at work today preparing for next year! Special Education Teachers from PK-12, our COTA, Speech Therapy team and Psychologist is working with the Executive Director of Student Services and the Superintendent are beginning the year with lots of exciting collaboration!
Career & Technical Education Directors from Ellensburg, Kittitas and Cle Elum-Roslyn spent the day planning and revamping the Kittitas County Advisory Committee for the upcoming year. If you are looking to work alongside teachers and other professionals to advise CTE programs on the development, delivery, evaluation and improvement of our programs across the county, email CommunityRelations@cersd.org.
Save the Date! Family Engagement – Orientation
We are so excited to welcome our Wildcats and their families. Please plan to join us for our Back to School Orientation Open House.
Wednesday, August 31st
Grades 6th - 8th
Drop in between 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Walter Strom Middle School
More details to follow soon….please put this event on your calendar.
Go Wildcats!
Mr. Chase and the WSMS staff