Points of Pride: Easton Valley School Disrict

Easton Valley School District:

A District the Community Built

Samuel Johnson once said, "Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance."  The school district of Easton Valley is a great example of this.  In their second year of existence, there is a climate of unity and a vision for what Easton Valley hopes to become.

FACTS:
Easton Valley High School and Middle School - located in Preston, IA
Easton Valley Elementary - located in Miles, IA
District Enrollment:  508
Mascot:  River Hawks  Colors:  Orange & Gray  - Both selected by the community and students when they came into existence two years ago.

Originally, East Central School District located in Miles and Sabula and Preston School District located in Preston existed as two separate districts.  The idea of Easton Valley was born in a shed where the community met to discuss the future of their districts.  It took community and staff uniting with a vision for a combined school district which led to the creation of Easton Valley - built with community heart and effort.  Last year in its first existence many problems had to be faced from basic logistics including transportation and scheduling to uniting a group of teachers from various schools into a collegial group.  Year one focused on survival.  The effort paid off as in its second year of existence much has improved and the focus has switched from survival to developing strong leadership across the district.  Their administrators say, "It is time for growth!" 

Growth is evident in all three buildings as they work on developing strong teaching teams. The elementary focus is developing climate and culture - building responsible, respectful and resourceful students and staff.  The middle and high school focus is classroom management - engaging students in rigorous and relevant instruction. 

One doesn't have to travel far in the district to witness literal growth in the Agriculture classrooms with aquaculture tubs being prepared to produce vegetables and hydroponics stations filled with greenery. A tradition of a robust FFA program continues united under the name Easton Valley.

A point of pride are Easton Valley's great veteran teachers with a focus on 21st Century preparation for all students.  They are looking forward to a future with 1 to 1 computing.

Warren Bennis said, "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision
into reality."  Under great leadership along with a dedicated staff and supportive community, Easton Valley is happily on its way to translating a vision of a united school district into reality.