Dear Cascade School District Families and Communities:

The region served by the Cascade School District is one of great beauty. People come from all over the country and world to enjoy the continental Mediterranean climate, outdoor activities, delicious fruit, and incredible cultural opportunities. The communities of Cascade School District are great supporters of public education. They have built beautiful schools, they are involved in school activities, and they take pride in the success of their children, grandchildren, and young community members as they strive to succeed in the world. Cascade School District has a reputation as a place where students are known as individuals; the community comes together to help students when they are in need and to celebrate students when they succeed.

Students have unprecedented opportunities in Cascade: some examples include Stevens Pass season passes for students who excel academically, a rock climbing club, ukulele lessons at Beaver Valley, and an equestrian team. Cascade High School has a partnership with the Leavenworth Fire Station to teach students firefighting, fire science, and forest firefighting during which students can earn firefighting certifications. Cascade High School also has partnerships with Eastern Washington University, Central Washington University, the University of Washington and Wenatchee Valley College so that students have the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits, including in calculus, astronomy, Chicano studies, literature and more. The intent of Cascade School District is for every student, no matter their interests, to find a home at school and a way for them to excel.

Cascade School District has about 1200 students and offers PreK- grade 12 education. The average teacher/student ratio is 15 to 1. There are about 90 certificated teachers with an average of 15 years of teaching experience and about 90 support staff, including administrators. About 12% of our students are considered English Learners (ELs), and Cascade School District honors the Spanish-speaking heritage of many of our students.

The kindergartners who start in 2023 will be in the class of 2035. We are preparing students for a world that we can barely imagine; in order to ensure that they will be ready for whatever comes their way, the Cascade School District communities have allowed Cascade School District to maintain a digital technology initiative. Due to their generosity, Cascade School District is one-to-one (meaning one technology device per student) in grades K – 12. Skilled teachers use iPads in grades K-2 and laptops in grades 3-12 as well as additional software and hardware to allow students the opportunity to learn essential skills for their futures and to create in ways that we adults may not have been able to create when we were students ourselves. Our digital technology initiative does not mean that students are on their devices all day: children need to play, to do hands-on activities, to create and listen to music, to investigate their world, and to read physical books. That said, digital tools can allow students to explore and create in new and innovate ways, and learning to use them appropriately and creatively is part of 21st century learning.

As educators, we understand that the future of our communities is learning in our classrooms, competing on our athletic fields, and performing on our stages. Involved parents and community members are vital to the success of our students, and I’m proud to be part of a district where public education is valued. I appreciate your continued support as we prepare our students and our communities for bright futures.

Sincerely,
Dr. Tracey L. Edou