Morgan Performing Arts Center

MPAC stands for both Morgan Performing Arts Center, and the MPAC committee, an organization which functions under the umbrella of the Ellensburg School District Education Foundation.

Morgan Performing Arts Center (MPAC) supporters are committed to improving and maintaining Morgan Auditorium as a first class performing arts facility, open for use by both the Ellensburg School District and the local community.

If you’d like to be a Morgan Performing Arts Center supporter, you may make a donation through the Ellensburg School District Education Foundation (Please specify MPAC). For more information, contact Billie Thornton at 929-0884 or Kathleen Beach at 925-9520.

Mt. Stuart Nature Study Area

Mt. Stuart Elementary School’s Nature Study Area began when Gloria Lindstrom, Mt. Stuart’s Librarian, attended an Environmental Education Class in March 1972. Each teacher’s assignment was to develop a classroom project teaching about the environment. Mrs. Lindstrom chose to investigate the possibility of developing a Nature Study Area (NSA) at the north end of the school’s property. After researching the idea the district approved the use of two acres at the northwest corner of the school property. The Nature Study Area began as a piece of flat and grassy ground with a small irrigation ditch running through part of it.

After much planning and work by the Mt. Stuart staff, students, parent group, and school district, and with donations from community organizations, development of the Nature Study Area began. The design included six areas with native plants: desert, grassland, deciduous, coniferous, pond, and wetland. In addition an arboretum and a meeting place had taken root.

Today, many work parties continue to maintain Mt. Stuart’s outdoor classroom with help from staff, students, and parents, community individuals and organizations, Central Washington University staff and students, as well as a partnership with the Ellensburg School District’s EXCEL class. Monetary donations have also made replanting of trees and vegetation possible.

School children have enjoyed walking along the pathways, observing nature, meeting in the Che-lo-han area, and learning about many subjects in their outdoor classroom throughout the years.

Excellence in Education Through Music Project

The Excellence in Education Through Music Project is a grass-roots effort of concerned parents, community members and music faculty at both Central Washington University and the Ellensburg School District.

The Project has three major goals: to share information regarding the importance of music education in the life of every child throughout their 12 years of school; to research and define an exemplary music program for the Ellensburg public school system; and to obtain outside funding to help implement that program.

Recent research has shown substantial differences in the achievement level, self image and test scores of students who are highly involved in music as opposed to their non-musically involved peers. All parents deserve to have this information to assist them in planning their child’s education.

The EETMP Board of Directors believes that with positive, cooperative and collaborative work between the community, the School District and Central Washington University, we can have an exemplary music program in the Ellensburg School District for all children.

If you have questions, please contact Angie Unruh.