Education Support Professional Spotlight
Amber Benson, ILC Paraeducator
Although only in her second school year in the Byron Kibler Elementary Independent Learning Center, Covington native Amber Benson was made for it. In the years leading up to coming to ESD Amber worked with children: initially toddlers, then Pre-K, so an elementary ILC was a natural transition. While working with her students, Amber's love for what she does and who she works with shines through. “There is always something new [in the ILC] - the challenges and progress of the students. They each have so much more to offer than most people get to see!”
Being in the classroom has inspired her to return to complete her Masters Degree in Special Education, which coursework will begin in May.
“I am hoping to learn as much as I can, while I can before starting my Masters. My goal is to someday have my own ILC or Resource classroom,” Amber explains. Already having a Bachelors Degree under her belt, Amber seamlessly steps into the role of substitute teacher in her current, and other classrooms as needed.
A Masters Degree isn’t the only thing on the horizon for her, though. Amber will be getting married in July where she, her fiance and his two children spend as much time as possible - camping outdoors. They have planned an intimate forest campsite wedding to celebrate with their closest loved ones.
#ESPWeek2023 #learnleadimpactESD #aprenderliderarimpactoESD
Education Support Professional Spotlight
Annette Vranizan, Student Information Systems Specialist
Annette is originally from Enumclaw, and although she spent time growing up on both sides of the bridge - a true Hornet at heart - is an EHS graduate. After taking time to live and work elsewhere, she moved back to Enumclaw to raise her son and daughter in the town she loves, with family and friends close by, and getting back to being in the beautiful outdoors. When Annette’s children were young, she enjoyed volunteering in their Kindergarten classes, which led to her 15-year career in ESD.
Now, as the Student Information Systems Specialist (Skyward), Annette has done a little bit of everything: Paraeducator, Office Manager, Substitute Coordinator, Executive Secretary for Technology and Assessment. Transitioning to her current role in October, she is continuing to grow and learn new things everyday. What she does is a mystery to many, but changes and updates appear automatically in Skyward accounts, she is an important piece of that “automatic” process. Some areas she works in daily are new employee accounts, school calendars, course and grading configurations for each school year, food services accounts, student IDs, Family Access and new student enrollment configuration to name a few.
“Part of my responsibilities also include purchase order requests for Technology, where it is fun to watch innovation in the world of education. I really enjoy working with the people on our team in our district,” Annette says.
#ESPWeek2023 #learnleadimpactESD #aprenderliderarimpactoESD
Education Support Professional Spotlight
Kathy Wallin, Bus Driver
Mother of three and grandmother of two (with one more on the way, Kathy and her husband own and run Wallin Dairy in Enumclaw. Driving both morning and afternoon routes, she also works with high school students during the midday.
Just before the age of 21, Kathy was hired as a member of the ESD transportation department to help with concerns on specific buses until she was old enough to have a route of her own. Over two decades later, she is still here and now the most senior driver on staff! Kathy has far and wide across the nearly 450 square mile school district! ”This is an awesome place to work... you get to meet people from all across the district. What I love most is getting to know the kids and their families day in and day out. You treat the kids on your bus like your own!" Nowadays, Kathy is primarily serving students from Selleck, Ravensdale and Black Diamond, driving 171 miles daily.
#ESPWeek2023 #learnleadimpactESD #aprenderliderarimpactoESD
Education Support Professional Spotlight: Leslie Quezada-Garcia, District Cultural Specialist
Born in Mexico, Leslie and her family moved to Enumclaw when she was elementary school age. As a lifelong Hornet, she came back to ESD after receiving her degree from Green River College.
"The purpose of the cultural program is inclusivity. Students come together with their uniqueness to find unity. It can be challenging at times, but we get to adapt to their individual needs" Leslie explains. In addition to being the district Cultural Specialist, Leslie is an English/Spanish interpreter for ESD events, conferences, meetings, and providing translations for the approximately 10% of ESD enrolled families who are Spanish speaking at home. "I see the impact the program has made and love connecting with families."
"Leslie is the foundation of student support in our program" says Sui-Lan Ho'okano, District Cultural Support Program Manager.
#ESPWeek2023 #learnleadimpactESD #aprenderliderarimpactoESD
Skyward Maintenance:
This Saturday, March 11, Skyward (including Family Access, Educator Access, and Employee Access) will be unavailable from 12:01 AM until approximately 9:00 PM. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Byron Kibler's PTA Meeting is Thursday, March 9th, 2023 from 4:00-5:00 PM. All are welcome!
Class pictures and prepaid individual Spring pictures are on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023. Picture forms went home with students.
Parents with existing Family Access accounts can enroll their students via Family Access.
For new families, the enrollment application is available through the Enumclaw School District website.
Kibler's Kindergarten Orientation is Thursday, March 30th from 5-5:30pm, 5:30-6pm and 6-6:30pm. Please call the office at 360-802-7263 to schedule the time slot you prefer or for more information.
February 14, 2023:
Due to weather conditions, all Enumclaw School District schools will operate on a two-hour delay. There will be no out-of-district transportation. Buses are running on snow routes.
For our Birth to Five Center, Transitional Kindergarten and Full Day ECEAP will operate on a two-hour delay. Half-day ECEAP and AM Developmental Preschool are canceled and PM Developmental Preschool will start on time (1:00 PM).
Online Kindergarten Registration begins February 28, 2023. Please register your
kindergarten students using our website:
https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/page/online-registration
Kibler's next Spirit Day is Friday, February 17th. Students are encouraged to participate and dress as their favorite character from a book, movie, or tv show.
Our Kibler Bears Student Leadership team is holding a food drive benefitting local families through Plateau Outreach Ministries. Nonperishable food donations will be accepted at school February 1st - 17th.
All lost & found items will be donated during Mid-Winter break. Parents are welcome to come check for belongings as well, we just ask that you check in at the office.
Please join us at The Chalet Theatre on Tuesday, Jan. 24th at 6:30 pm (doors open at 5:45 for concessions) for the showing of Puss In Boots. The cost is $5.00 per person or $20.00 per family. Cash or check accepted, payable to Kibler PTA. Thank you for supporting our Kibler PTA!
Friday, January 20th is Kibler's 1st Spirit Day of the year. Students are encouraged to participate and wear their favorite hat for Hat Day!
Reminder: The Enumclaw School District will be closed on Monday, January 16 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Thursday, January 5, 2023.
Due to the current weather conditions, widespread power outages and road closures throughout the Enumclaw School District, all schools are closed today and all activities are canceled.
Thank you to all of our first responders and PSE workers, working to restore power and clear roads for our community!
Kibler families with students riding bus #66: Bus #66 is experiencing an estimated 30-minute delay for drop off. The bus encountered downed trees and powerlines while coming from its previous route but is now en route to Kibler to pick up students. If you would like to change your student's pick-up plans, please contact the Kibler main office to notify us of the change.
December 20: Stay safe during Winter Break! After today, we will see you back in buildings on January 4.
Please join us for Kibler's Candy Cane Lane Family Night this Thursday, Dec. 15th, 5:30-6:45 pm.