Traci began her employment with East Valley 11 years ago! She grew up mostly in Spokane Valley, but moved around a lot as a child. Born in California, she has lived in Colorado and Massachusetts before her parents finally settled in Spokane. Although she is appreciative that she was able to see and experience a lot of things as a young child through the family’s moves, she loved that they finally settled in Spokane.

Mrs. Fortune has been teaching a total of 16 years, with the first four years in Richland, Washington. She then moved back to Spokane where she took a small break from teaching before she started subbing in the East Valley School District. It quickly became home to her. She has taught 4th grade, kindergarten, 1st grade, math intervention, and now 3rd grade, all in the East Valley School District.

In her spare time, she likes to hang out at home with her family, either relaxing and reading a book, playing games, building legos, doing puzzles, or crafting. In the summertime she enjoys spending many hours at their pool or going camping. She has been married for almost 21 years, and has a 19-year-old daughter, 2 dogs, and 1 cat.

Why she loves East Farms Elementary: “I like where I work because it feels like family. Teachers support one another. There is a strong commitment to doing what is best for kids and families.” 

Why she chose East Valley: Traci chose East Valley because she felt that instant feeling of family. She was so welcomed when she started subbing in East Valley and knew this was the place she wanted to be. “Teachers care for each other, their students, and their community.”

Favorite part of her job: Seeing the joy, excitement, and light in the students’ eyes when they are learning!

Fun fact: Traci is a Disney fanatic.! She has a room in her house that is the “Disney” room. She is a Disney annual pass holder and travels there as often as she can.

Three words to describe her: Diligent – Spirited – Trustworthy

Did you know that February is CTE Month? You may be wondering, "What is CTE?". Career and Technical Education (CTE) equips students with the skills needed for high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand careers. CTE Month is a nationwide celebration, organized by the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) and supported by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to emphasize the significance of CTE and celebrate its successes across the country.

CTE teachers do more than teach—they inspire the next generation of skilled professionals! From coding and engineering to healthcare and construction, CTE programs offer hands-on learning. CTE teachers specialize in a specific career or technical field, guiding students to develop expertise in their chosen pathway. At East Valley High School, we offer CTE pathways in Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Culinary Arts, Computer Science, Construction/Manufacturing, and Health Sciences.

Our CTE teachers are experts in their fields, providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to be Future Ready—no matter which path they take.

On February 5th, East Valley High School hosted its highly anticipated Future Ready Night, an event designed to give current 8th graders a chance to explore the exciting Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses available at EVHS. This event provided an opportunity for middle school students to get a firsthand look at the diverse and hands-on learning experiences that await them in high school.

The evening kicked off with an informative introduction, welcoming the 8th graders and their families to the EVHS campus. From there, students were divided into small groups and taken on guided tours of various CTE pathways, which included Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Family and Consumer Sciences, Skilled and Technical, and Health Sciences.

Each group had the unique opportunity to observe not just the classrooms and facilities, but also to participate in hands-on activities led by both teachers and current high school students. Whether it was learning how to fly drones, experimenting with culinary recipes, or experiencing real-life construction tools, the 8th graders were able to explore each CTE course.

What made the event even more valuable was the opportunity to interact with high school students who had enrolled in these courses. The EVHS students shared their personal experiences and success stories, providing insights into how these programs have shaped their academic journeys and career aspirations. The younger students were able to ask questions, get advice, and understand how CTE courses can set them up for future success, whether they choose to pursue college, trade schools, or enter the workforce directly after graduation.

By the end of the night, the 8th graders had gained a clear understanding of what each CTE course offers and how it can help them develop skills. They were also given guidance on how to incorporate these courses into their high school schedules, empowering them to make informed decisions when it comes time for registration.

EVHS is committed to preparing students for the future, and Future Ready Night was the perfect way to showcase the variety of pathways available. From hands-on learning to expert guidance, this event underscored the importance of CTE in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals. We look forward to welcoming these future high schoolers to EVHS and helping them set off on the path to success.

What is the East Valley Community Coalition (EVCC)?

The EVCC was formed in 2013 between the East Valley School District and the Northeast Washington Education Service District 101 (NEWESD101) in response to growing concerns about substance use among youth in our area. Data showed that East Valley was one of the highest-risk districts for substance misuse in Spokane County. 

The EVCC brings together parents, students, educators, businesses, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community members to promote health and prevent substance use. This initiative is funded by grants from the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), ensuring we have the resources to tackle this important issue.

Meet the New Team Members:

Rick Jones: Rick is the Student Assistance Professional (SAP) at East Valley High School. Rick helps support students with prevention programs and offers guidance for those dealing with substance use.

Shani Codr: Shani is the East Valley Community Coalition (EVCC) Coordinator. Shani leads programs that teach prevention to youth, parents, and the community and oversees the work of the East Valley Community Coalition.

Did You Know?

• Those who drink before age 21 are 5 times more likely to develop alcohol problems than those who wait until they are of legal age.

• The #1 reason kids who choose not to do drugs and alcohol is to avoid disappointing their parents.

• Vapor products (e-cigarettes) are the most commonly used nicotine products among youth. According to the data, the average age of youth who vape, begin at age 12.

• Prescription drug use is rising, with drug overdose deaths now higher than motor vehicle fatalities.

How Do We Collect Data?

Every other year, East Valley students in grades 6, 8, and 10 take the Healthy Youth Survey. This survey gathers important information about mental health, bullying, substance use, and other issues. The results are shared with the EVCC to help: identify the most pressing needs in our community; develop programs aimed at reducing substance use; and, promote healthier choices. These initiatives include programs like Too Good for Drugs, Strengthening Families, Parenting Wisely, Drug Take Back events, Youth Leadership Clubs, Ad Campaigns, community awareness events, and more.

How You Can Help:

There are several ways you can support the East Valley Community Coalition’s goals:

Talk to your kids: Having open conversations about alcohol and drug use is important. Studies show that parents are the biggest influence on their children’s decisions.

Safeguard prescription drugs: Keep medications like painkillers in a locked box and properly dispose of unused or expired prescriptions.

Get involved: Attend community events that promote healthy choices and encourage kids to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

Join the EVCC: We welcome members from all parts of the community, including: parents, law enforcement, business leaders, healthcare workers, educators, members of  faith-based organizations, and, you!

Together, We Can Make a Difference:

It is our belief that by sharing this information, we are more reticent to tackle the challenges. More importantly, we are better able to provide the necessary education and supports for our students and families. By working together, we can help reduce substance use among our youth and create a healthier, safer community. Your involvement—whether it's by talking with your kids, attending local events, or joining the EVCC—can and will have a meaningful impact on our students' lives.

If you’d like to learn more or get involved with the EVCC, contact Shani Codr at scodr@esd101.net or (509) 903-5319.

Exciting news for parents and caregivers of young children! Kindergarten registration for the upcoming school year will begin on March 4. This is an important step in preparing your child for their first year of formal education, and it’s essential to complete the registration process as soon as possible.

To ensure a smooth enrollment, families will need to gather necessary documents such as proof of residence, vaccination records, and proof of a student’s age or legal name (birth certificate, passports, adoption records, hospital documents, other documents permitted by law). 

Enrolling early ensures your child is placed in the appropriate school, and gives you peace of mind as you prepare for this exciting milestone. Don’t miss out—mark your calendar for March 4 and make sure to register on time!

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