Eton School Connections

2701 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98008 Phone: 425.881.4230

Spring 2014 Eton Alumni Newsletter

Ellen Gatton, Eton’s beloved Latin teacher has announced that she will be retiring in June 2014. For the past 20 years, Ellen has dedicated herself to bringing the study of Latin and Classics to Eton students. The incredible program that she created has become a keystone of the Eton Upper Elementary and Middle School. Her eloquent stories and splendid ceremonies have enriched our sense of history and language. She made Greek gods and goddesses come to life while laying the foundation for students to master grammar, vocabulary and the structure of language. We are especially grateful for Ellen’s deep understanding and support of the Eton School mission. She will be deeply missed.

Ellen has taken a key role in selecting a highly qualified Latin teacher, who is very excited to

take on the Latin program next year. Under Ellen’s mentorship, Lucy Kinsella, a graduate in Latin and Classical Studies from the University of Washington, will join the Eton faculty. The Eton Community is very excited to welcome Lucy!

We invite all alumni and their parents to come join the celebration of Mrs. Gatton on Friday, May 30 from 4:00—7:00 pm in the Veladare Building. Come by and wish Mrs. Gatton well as she embarks on this next exciting phase of her life. She and her husband Bob will be moving to their beautiful new home in Anacortes.

There will not be a formal presentation, just come see old friends, enjoy refreshments and wish Mrs. Gatton a happy retirement!

Celebrate Mrs. Gatton: Eton’s Sui Generis!

Alumni CommunityWe love hearing from our alumni and we would love to hear from you! Please send a note to our Development Director, Monica Maling (mmaling@etonschool.org) and like our Alumni Facebook page (www.facebook.com/EtonSchool.Washington.Alumni). We look forward to hearing from and about you!

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In January, Dr. Russell Smith, Head of Eton School, sent the following letter to current Eton families:

One of the top priorities of the current Strategic Plan is to “secure and develop a permanent campus that provides optimal educational facilities.” We are excited to announce that we have taken a first step in achieving this goal, and we will have the ability to make very real and advantageous changes in the near future.

This week, the Board of Trustees completed the purchase of the Sherwood Forest Office Park (the building that houses the Casa classrooms). With over 17,000 square feet, the building will allow us to

A Big Step Towards a Permanent Eton Campus

expand and enhance program components and, more importantly, give us the first piece of a permanent Eton School campus. The fact that we are able to do this in our current location is also great news.

We have already hired an architectural firm and we will be working with them to develop plans for both the interior and exterior of the building. We will be excited to share those plans and the concepts with the community as they are available.

With almost 300 students, Eton is not a small school, and we realize that we will need much more space—both indoors and outdoors—to fully realize our potential as a great school. This, however, is a very important first step and one that provides a cornerstone on which to build. This is an exciting time in Eton School’s history, and we look forward to sharing future plans, developments, and news as we build and grow.

Current parents, alumni parents and friends of Eton School gathered on March 1, at Glendale Country Club for the annual Community Gala and Auction. It was an exciting night as mobile bidding was used for the first time to bid on the Silent Auction items and the classroom projects. This was very successful and it allowed people who could not attend to participate in the lively bidding.

With the recent purchase of the Casa building we are moving forward very quickly with plans of enhancement—one of which is the creation of a play area for the Pre-elementary students. The Raise the Paddle at the auction this year generated funds for this play area and $40,000 was generously donated! Overall, the auction raised over $104,000. Thank you to all who attended, supported Eton and had a great time!

2014 Eton Community Gala and Auction

Come Join the Fun at Spring Fling 2014!The annual spring event with the Ice Cream Social, Art Walk and the Book Fair has been rebranded into the Spring Fling! Please join us on Friday May 9 from 5:00 to 7:30 pm at the Main Building for this much loved all school event. If you are interested in helping with any aspect of the Spring Fling, please contact Monica Maling at mmaling@etonschool.org.