East Valley School District

We are excited to welcome our new board member, Carolyn Petersen, representing District 3. Carolyn officially took her Oath of Office at the November 25, 2025, board meeting, and we are thrilled to have her join our team.

We are incredibly grateful to Amica for their generous donations of gloves, scarves, hats, socks, and lunch bags. Your kindness helps ensure our students stay warm, supported, and prepared this season.

Your generosity makes a meaningful difference, and we truly appreciate your commitment to our community. ❤️

Thank you, Amica, for your continued support!

A huge thank you to Project Beauty Share and their partners for their incredible commitment to our community! 🌟

Their first-ever Hope 4 Kids Hygiene Drive collected an astounding 10,700 pounds of hygiene supplies—valued at an estimated $500,000—which were donated to nine local school districts across our area.

We’re so proud of their hard work and the amazing success of this drive—it’s already making a big impact on students in East Valley! 💚

Today and always, we are thankful for our incredible students, dedicated staff, supportive families, and the community that lifts us up. Your commitment, kindness, and partnership truly make a difference. 💚🖤

Wishing everyone a joyful, safe, and restful holiday filled with warmth and gratitude.

Thank you for being such an important part of our community!

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🥧

Shayla Sauther—nominated by a former student—was honored by KHQ and EWU as November 2025’s Teacher of the Month! 🎉🍎

Congratulations, Shayla! 👏✨

Did you know that a committee consisting of 35 community members, parents, and staff spent 8 months researching, analyzing, and prioritizing facility conditions? Learn more about their work and recommendations at https://www.evsd.org/page/facilities-committee.

We’re proud to share that the Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted (WAETAG) has recognized one of our own as a Distinguished Educator. Congratulations Heather Schultz!

From her nomination:

“Heather’s creativity knows no bounds. What truly sets her apart is her exceptional ability to connect with students and bring out their very best. Her lessons are thoughtfully differentiated and designed to meet the diverse needs of every learner. She fosters independence, builds confidence, and sparks curiosity. Her classroom radiates energy and engagement—a place where students feel inspired to explore and discover. Heather is more than a teacher; she is a mentor, an advocate, a role model, and a spark of magic in the lives of her students.”

See you on Tueday!

This year, East Valley High School was honored by Washington State, the Association of Washington Student Leaders, and the Association of Washington School Principals for their dedication to creating a positive school culture through strong student-adult partnerships.

This recognition highlights EVHS’s continued commitment to our vision for every student: I belong. I believe. I learn. I am future-ready.

At EVHS, students don’t just have a voice—they help lead the way. This award is a celebration of our shared values, the strength of our school community, and the powerful outcomes that come from collaboration between students and adults.

We couldn’t be prouder of our incredible students and staff!

East Valley High School lit up the night with school pride and community spirit at this year’s Homecoming Game. Students, staff, alumni, and families packed the stands to cheer on the EVHS football team under the Friday night lights.

The energy was electric as the crowd roared with every play, and the cheer team kept spirits high throughout the evening. Halftime brought a highlight of the night—the Homecoming Royalty presentation.

The night was a perfect blend of tradition, school pride, and community connection. From the decorated hallways and themed spirit days leading up to the game, to the unforgettable moments on the field, Homecoming 2025 was a celebration to remember at EVHS.

🎓 Calling All East Valley Alumni!

We’re building something special – and it starts with YOU! 🌟
Join our brand-new East Valley Alumni Network to reconnect, build new relationships, and stay in the loop.

👉 Sign up now and be part of the legacy:
https://www.evsd.org/forms/alumni-keep-in-touch

We're hiring! Apply now!
https://evsd.schoolspring.com/

🎉 Congratulations to our first LETRS graduating cohort in EVSD! 🎓

Join us in celebrating:
✨ September Beal (Trentwood Kinder)
✨ Amy Johnson (East Farms Title)
✨ Stefoni Thompson (East Farms Resource)
✨ Tessa Britt (Otis Orchards 2nd Grade)
✨ Morgen Peterson (Otis Orchards Resource)
✨ Shannon Davies (CCS Resource/LAP)

EVSD is committed to ensuring 100% of students read by the end of 2nd grade. To reach this goal, we’ve invested in LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling)—a two-year, in-depth professional development program rooted in the science of reading and structured literacy.

LETRS equips our K-2 educators with the tools to help every student become a confident reader. With a third cohort launching in 2025-26 and a new structured literacy-aligned curriculum in place, we’re building strong foundations for literacy success! 💪📚

In April, our Facilities Improvement Team (FIT) came together for a productive and collaborative meeting focused on identifying and aligning around the district’s evolving construction needs. Through open discussion and shared input, the team reached a strong consensus on the key priorities for upcoming construction projects. Including new construction aimed at supporting student learning, enhancing safety, and ensuring our buildings continue to meet the needs of our growing school community. The meeting demonstrated the power of teamwork and collective decision-making, setting a positive tone as we move forward with planning and implementation.

Support the East Valley Music Department! We're excited to share that Christi Chang, one of our exceptional music educators, has been nominated for the Manilow Music Teacher Award for her dedication to bringing music to life for her students. Let’s help Christi Chang win some money for new orchestra instruments! You can vote once a day, every day from May 6 to June 10. The teacher with the most votes in each city will receive a $10,000 award — including $5,000 in cash and $5,000 in Manilow Bucks for purchasing classroom instruments. 🔗 Vote now and every day through June 10: https://on.barrymanilow.com/trk/mmpspokane Please share this link and help us spread the word — your daily vote makes a difference!

The Facilities Improvement Team recently met to brainstorm and draft ideas for new construction at both the EVMS and EVHS sites. Using detailed maps of each campus, the team worked together to identify key areas for expansion, layout adjustments, and new structures to enhance the functionality and flow of the spaces. Their collaborative efforts are focused on creating innovative and efficient environments that will better serve students and staff for years to come.

This week, we celebrate Classified Employees Week, a time to recognize and honor the invaluable contributions of our classified staff. To all of our EV classified employees, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to supporting our students, faculty, and community. Your efforts make a difference every day, and we truly appreciate all that you do! Together, we are East Valley! 💚

On January 14, 2025, Beata Cox took the oath of office as the newest member of our Board of Directors. We are thrilled to welcome Beata to the team and look forward to the fresh perspective and dedication she will bring to our school community. We are excited to work alongside her in shaping a bright future for our district!

On January 23, 2025, the Facilities Improvement Team visited CCS and Trent Elementary to assess current conditions and explore opportunities for enhancements. The team conducted thorough tours of both campuses, gathering valuable insights on infrastructure needs, safety upgrades, and overall facility improvements. The visit was part of the team's ongoing effort to assess the condition of East Valley facilities in order to develop a bond proposal to present to the East Valley Board of Directors for approval. #evsdbond2026

In September, Laura Gates made the decision to step down from the East Valley School District Board of Directors. Throughout her tenure, Laura’s commitment to the students, staff, and community has been truly invaluable. Her leadership, vision, and tireless work have made a lasting impact on the district. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Thank you, Laura, for your years of service and for helping shape a brighter future for our schools!