News

At Hawks Prairie Early Learning Center in Lacey, Teacher Fiona Kranz uses Conscious Discipline to help three- and four-year-olds learn how to manage their feelings and work together. Students practice naming emotions, use breathing exercises to stay calm, and move smoothly between activities in a structured classroom that prepares them for kindergarten.

ESD 113 partners with Timberland Regional Library and school districts across five counties to provide K-12 students free access to electronic resources through MyTRL, which students can use from school, home, or any device without a physical library card. The updated MyTRL Toolkit offers educators demo accounts and troubleshooting support, while TRL evaluates database options for future years.

The University of Washington's SMART Center is looking for K–6th–grade teachers and 4th–6th–grade students to help improve social-emotional learning (SEL) tools through a virtual research study from the University of Washington’s SMART Center, in partnership with ESD 113

Yelm High School FFA students transformed a cluttered thrift store into a community resource, logging 300+ hours over 18 months. Their work directly funds the local food bank and demonstrates how young leaders tackle real challenges while building practical skills and meaningful connections.

ESD 113 received a grant from the AI Education Project to build AI literacy across five rural counties. The Google.org-backed funding supports teacher training, community-connected curriculum, and family engagement activities. Teachers gain confidence with AI tools while students explore AI through local projects like analyzing environmental data and solving business challenges. The program runs through December 2025 and builds on rural students' existing problem-solving strengths.

Sixteen high school and middle school students are spending their summer mornings leading younger children through theater workshops at Creative Theatre Experience (CTE) in Olympia. These mentors represent what ESD 113 hopes to see in students who are truly “In Their Element”—young people empowered to explore, create, and lead

North Beach Jr./Sr. High School student leaders transformed their school's culture in one year, increasing attendance from 60% to 85% and reviving school spirit. ASB President Kyla Eden and her team rebuilt traditions, expanded clubs, improved communication, and preserved their Hyak mascot's cultural significance, earning ESD 113's "In Their Element" award.

Our Communications Team received 16 national awards from the NSPRA's National School Communication Awards Program. ESD 113 received one Golden Achievement award and 15 Digital Media and Publications awards across 12 categories.

Twenty-four schools in the ESD 113 region earned Washington School Recognition Program honors for exceptional work closing opportunity gaps and supporting student growth. Only 16% of Washington schools received this distinction. Four schools earned recognition for the second consecutive year. Recognition categories include Achievement, Closing Gaps, and Growth based on attendance, assessment scores, graduation rates, and other key measures.

Jacqui Gibbons earned the 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year award after 30 years of teaching mathematics at Aspire Middle School in North Thurston Public Schools. She uses a "warm demander" approach that combines high expectations with genuine support, helping students transform abstract math concepts into real-world tools through career exploration assignments and culturally relevant probability projects. Students consistently name her as their favorite teacher, and parents report seeing their children's confidence grow under her personalized instruction and multiple weekly tutoring sessions.

Andi Bloomfield earned the 2025 Regional Classified School Employee of the Year award after 40 years as a Student Support Specialist at Hood Canal School. She created the BOOTS outdoor learning program 20 years ago, which now serves 325 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The program reduces absenteeism, builds leadership skills, increases academic achievement, and cuts discipline referrals.

Behavioral Education at ESD 113 has a new look. Expedition Behavioral Education, comprising Olympic Academy, Summit Academy, and Pathfinder Services, has arrived with new colors, logos, and a renewed focus on providing exactly what families and districts need

For the past three months, staff and visitors at ESD 113's administration building in Tumwater have been greeted with more than just a warm welcome — they’ve also enjoyed warm drinks, thanks to Gravity Learning Center’s coffee stand, Ground Control

ESD 113 is proud to announce the winners of the 52nd Annual Art Show! The show was open to high school students across Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties. Check out this year’s gallery showing all of the entries

The ESD 113 Board of Directors recently recognized Centralia Middle School’s student leadership team for their work in rebranding their school mascot. This project, which aligned with the Board Chair Susan Fortin’s new initiative “In Their Element: Students Empowered to Explore, Create & Lead,” showcases what happens when students take ownership of meaningful change in their school community

ESD 113's Communications Department has been honored with the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Award of Excellence in the Video Series category for their work with Rochester School District. This prestigious award recognizes the team for the impact and quality of work in creating a video series capturing the stories of three prominent Rochester community members who are changing the Rochester community for the better