Hello East Valley,

Though it is difficult to encapsulate my feelings of gratitude in a short message, I want to begin by saying “Thank You.”  Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the young people within our community. Through your direct and indirect involvement, we have the capacity to impact and support the trajectory of our students’ futures… and we are.

As I conclude my fourth year in this amazing District, I am proud of the thoughtful and intentional work we are doing as an entire system. As a way to highlight, I’d like to briefly share a few celebrations based on the core aspects of Our Vision of the Student Experience.

• I Belong - In East Valley, "belonging" isn't a hope, it's a reality. Given the polarizing political and social crevasse that exists, there have been plenty of opportunities for us to become divided and torn. I am so grateful for the intentional support and care each student receives every day. Many schools and districts highlight the importance of belonging, while their actions speak otherwise. I am beyond grateful to live and work in a district that is able to walk its talk.

• I Believe - Our belief and buy-in that: all students can learn; our collective efficacy will make a difference; our strategic plan will be our framework for decisions and actions; our collaboration time must be student focused and data driven; and, even on our worst day we are some child's greatest hope, is making a difference.

• I Learn - Our students are fortunate to have such committed and caring educators. We know that in each and every classroom, our students are learning at high levels, and our data supports it. This year, EVSD held even or improved on 78% of our SBA assessments over last year. Additionally, we closed the gap or surpassed the state average on 71% of our state assessments. We know that this doesn't tell the whole story of our students' learning experience, but it offers some validation that the focused efforts are paying dividends.

• I am Future Ready - When our seniors walk across the stage, we want them to have chosen a pathway that best fits their current interests and passions. If we prepare them well, each student will have the opportunity to select any future-ready door they choose, whether the selection is military, workforce, trade school, college, or other options

Lastly, I am excited to note that our EVSD Board of Directors will soon be asked to approve a resolution to place a bond measure on the February 2026 ballot. Though there is never a good time to put a tax increase forward, the East Valley School District must address the massive “elephant in the living room,” which is the condition of our schools. If not now, when? If not us, who? Let’s Bond, 2026! 

On behalf of the East Valley School District, we hope you have a summer filled with people and activities that fill your bucket. During your time away... may you rest some, play some, learn some, and love lots. 

Together, we are East Valley!

Pavel began his career with the East Valley School District 16 years ago in 2009. Before joining East Valley, Pavel gained five years of experience working in other school districts, which greatly aided in his ability to apply his skills here in the East Valley community.

He finds great joy in working and giving back to his community, where many of his kids graduated and are now thriving in their careers and lives.

Why he loves the Maintenance Department: “The experience I learned from my previous work enables me to work with new and old HVAC systems. Applying the skills I learned in the Highline School District gives me the opportunity  to positively impact East Valley’s school communities.”

Why he chose East Valley: After moving to Spokane, many of his friends and family members were attending East Valley schools. Pavel is glad to now be working in those same schools.

Favorite part of his job: What makes his job so rewarding is seeing the difference he can make in the lives of teachers, students, and the community, especially after years of building relationships here in East Valley. Keeping things running smoothly for them means a lot to him.

Fun fact: Whether they are camping, fishing, or picking mushrooms and huckleberries, Pavel enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife. He also loves supporting her passion for her YouTube channel, where she shares relaxing and scenic nature videos.

Three words to describe him: Optimistic – Innovative – Caring

East Valley School District hosted its first Multicultural Night on Tuesday, May 13, at Trent Elementary, welcoming approximately 183 attendees for an evening filled with cultural pride, student talent, and community connection.

The program featured a wide range of performances, opening and closing with a lively Mariachi band. Highlights included a heartfelt Spanish solo by Idalia Cruz, the EVHS Islander Dance, the elegant Mukogawa Dance, powerful tribal performances by Rayah Blackwolf (dance) and Riker Hill (drums), Ephrata Assefa’s moving vocal performance, and a group presentation of a traditional Hmong cultural dance.

Designed to celebrate the district’s rich diversity, the event also featured cultural poster boards, hands-on crafts, and international foods and beverages. Families shared and explored traditions from around the world, bringing students and community members closer together.

East Valley’s first Multicultural Night was a meaningful success and a strong foundation for a new tradition—one that honors the beauty of diversity and the connections it creates.

We are proud to share that three East Valley elementary schools were recognized by the State Board of Education for exceptional academic growth in one or more student groups. According to OSPI, "Each year, this program highlights schools that demonstrate exceptional progress in key areas of student success. This year, 16% of schools in Washington received this distinction. All state public and charter schools can be recognized. As part of being honored, each school will receive a banner to display in their buildings."

“'Achieving this honor is no small feat,' said Bill Kallappa, chair of the State Board of Education. 'It takes a team of dedicated educators and administrators working together to ensure that their students have the knowledge they need to be successful. And it takes great students coming to school every day ready to learn.'”  

Congratulations to the students and staff of Trent Elementary, Trentwood Elementary, and East Farms Elementary for their amazing work!

We’re always working to make it easier for you to stay connected with the East Valley School District. Staying in touch with your child’s teachers and keeping up with their coursework can make a big difference in their success—both in school and at home. But school communication isn’t always as easy or accessible as it should be.

That’s why we’re introducing a new feature next school year (2025–26): Rooms, a tool within our district app that enables two-way communication between families and teachers, plus classroom updates—all in one place.

Here’s what the district app already offers:

• Live feed updates

• News from the district and individual schools

• Event calendars

• Breakfast and lunch menus

• Push notifications for urgent updates

With Rooms, you’ll get even more:

• Two-way messaging with teachers, staff, and coaches

• Classroom announcements and reminders about assignments and materials

• Behavior tracking to celebrate academic and personal achievements

• Automatic translation to support all families

What does this mean for you?
It means no need for extra apps or tools. Everything—from classroom messages to district-wide announcements—will be available in one place: the East Valley School District app.

If you haven’t downloaded it yet, the app is free and available in the Play Store and App Store.

Getting started with Rooms:

Soon, you’ll receive an invitation by email or text. Just follow the link in your browser to set up your login. Once you’re in, open the district app, and tap Rooms at the bottom right corner of the screen.

If you have more than one child in our district, you’ll see them listed in the Rooms menu, making it easy to stay connected across all their classrooms.

Though there will inevitably be some hiccups during our transition, we know that Rooms will provide a more seamless, accessible communication experience for you and your family. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!

At East Valley High School, preparing students to be future-ready is more than just a goal—it’s our mission. We know that when students are given access to rigorous coursework, clear pathways, and meaningful support, they rise to the challenge. That’s why we continue to expand our College in the High School (CiHS) offerings and build strong partnerships that turn opportunity into reality.

🎓 The Power of College in the High School

Research shows that students who complete college-level courses during high school are more likely to attend, persist in, and complete college. These courses do more than check a box—they inspire students to believe in their potential and pursue a future they may not have otherwise imagined.

College in the High School courses help students:

• Build academic confidence through success in rigorous settings

• Save money and time toward a college degree

• See themselves as future college graduates

• Strengthen motivation by linking learning with life after high school

🤝 Our University Partners

We are proud to offer these college-level opportunities in partnership with:

• Eastern Washington University (EWU)

• Central Washington University (CWU)

• University of Washington (UW)

These respected institutions work directly with our teachers to align curriculum, ensure quality, and award college credit—all while students remain on our EVHS campus.

📚 2025–26 Dual Credit Opportunities

For the 2025–26 school year, EVHS students will have access to:

• 29 College in the High School courses

• Up to 129 college credits available to earn

• A potential savings of around $34,590.72 in tuition*

By participating in these courses throughout their time at EVHS, students are building a college transcript before they even graduate high school—positioning themselves ahead of the curve both academically and financially.

🌟 Looking Ahead: The Future of EVHS

As we expand our commitment to future-readiness, East Valley High School is actively working toward a bold and exciting vision: providing students with the opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts Degree (AA-DTA) while in high school.

The AA-DTA is a general studies associate degree that comes with a Direct Transfer Agreement—allowing students who complete it to transfer directly into most public universities in Washington as college juniors. This degree is made possible through the Community Colleges of Spokane and is widely recognized by institutions such as EWU, CWU, UW, and others across the state.

Imagine graduating from high school not only with a diploma, but also with a two-year college degree already in hand—saving time, saving money, and launching into the next phase of life with real momentum.

While there is still significant work to do—course alignment, staffing coordination, advising systems, and infrastructure—this is the future of East Valley High School. We are committed to fine-tuning what Future-Readiness truly means for our students and families.

At East Valley High School, we don’t just prepare students for what’s next—we give them a head start. Through strong partnerships, expanded access, and a bold vision for the future, we are redefining what’s possible.

Let’s keep building it—together.

For many years, the East Valley School District has partnered with the nonprofit organization Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) to emphasize the value of strong character. Established in 2009 in Spokane Valley, PACE was founded through the collective efforts of schools, businesses, public agencies, residents, faith-based groups, and community organizations. 

Each month, PACE highlights a specific character trait as part of a comprehensive program that includes communication, motivation, and educational activities centered around that theme.

At the end of the school year, one student from each of the 54 participating K–12 schools across the Spokane Valley, Freeman, and Tekoa districts is honored at the annual PACE Awards. These students are recognized for consistently demonstrating exceptional character and bringing character to light for themselves, their classmates, their schools, and their community.

East Valley’s 2025 PACE Students of the Year are:

Conrad Holman | Continuous Curriculum School
Dawson Henry | East Farms Elementary
Ainsley Petersen | East Valley Middle School
Emmery Fatzinger | East Valley High School
Levi Maughan | Otis Orchards Elementary
Kassidee Engelhardt | East Valley Parent Partnership
Axel Mendez | Trent Elementary
Giovanni Governale | Trentwood Elementary

We are so incredibly blessed by the commitment and dedication of our educators. As such, saying goodbye to our retiring staff members is always bittersweet; we are grateful for each of you.

Leatha Adams
Stacey Brinkley
Joanie Buck
Kim Boulton
Deborah Card
Teri-Anne Cox
Maynard Hill
Kathryn Leaver
Steve Pointer
Sheri Replogle
Tim Severns
Catherine Tenquist
Nicole Thomas
David Wear

The 14 members of EVSD’s Class of 2025 Retirees represent 321 years of service to students in East Valley alone! The sheer number of lives touched and impacted by this group is mind boggling. 

Thank you for choosing education as your career; thank you for selecting East Valley as the district in which you have served.

If your student(s) will be using the school bus for the 2025/2026 school year, it's essential to register them in advance. To complete the registration process, please visit the link below and fill out the required form:

https://www.evsd.org/page/transportation

Please note that registration is necessary to secure your student’s transportation and ensure there are no delays or issues on the first day of school.

If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to the Transportation Department at 509-241-5901. They’re here to help!

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We Belong - We Believe - We Learn - Together, We are East Valley!

In East Valley we create a culture of academic excellence by fostering an inclusive community where each student belongs, thrives, and is future ready.