East Elementary has outlined several key resources for students and families, ranging from digital reading platforms and curated book lists to community-driven academic funding and various third-party after-school programs.
Digital and Physical Reading Resources
The school's media center offers digital and physical reading options to support student literacy. Through the Sora app, students can access an online collection of e-books and audiobooks on home computers, smartphones, and Chromebooks. To use the service, users must log in using their Southwest Educational Development Center credentials via the Iron School District ID and password.
In addition to digital tools, the school provides access to the Kohala Library system. This platform allows students to check out books, monitor their current circulation history, view due dates, search the catalog, and place holds on specific titles.
Curated Grade-Level Book Lists
For specific grade levels, the school maintains curated reading lists to guide student literacy. The 2025-26 list for 4th and 5th graders includes titles such as The Adventures of Hank the Cowdog by John R. Erickson, Desert Diary: Japanese American Kids Behind Barbed Wire by Michael O. Tunnell, and The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis. Other featured titles for these grades include Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis, The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm, Frindle by Andrew Clements, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling, Lafayette: A Revolutionary War Tale by Nathan Hale, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper, Running Out of Time by Margaret Haddix, Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker, The Secret School by Avi, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage, and A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry.
The 2024-25 and 2025-26 reading list for 3rd graders includes The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Dinosaurs Before Dark (Graphic Novel) by Mary Pope Osborne, Freckle Juice by Judy Blume, I am Walt Disney by Brad Meltzer, I Survived the California Wildfires 2018 by Lauren Tarshis, Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville, Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat by Jonny Marciano, Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby, Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, Secret Coders by Gene Luen, Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, and Vampires Don't Wear Polka-Dots by Debbie Dadey.
Community Council and Academic Planning
Academic improvement at East Elementary is supported by the School Community Council, a body composed of elected parents, teachers, and the principal. These members serve two-year terms, with elections held near the beginning of each school year. To qualify for membership, a parent must have a student attending the school for at least one of the two years of the term.
The council is charged with identifying school needs and developing plans to improve student academic performance in specific areas. These plans are approved by the council, submitted through the state's web portal, and must receive final approval from the local school board or the relevant chartering entity.
School LAND Trust Funding
The council utilizes funding generated from the state's School LAND Trust, a program that provides tens of millions of dollars annually to public schools across Utah. These funds, which come from school trust lands, represent the only discretionary funds many schools receive. This revenue allows parents and teachers to create meaningful support systems for students within the local community.
Third-Party After-School Programs
To accommodate students after school hours, East Elementary hosts several programs operated by third-party entities. The school clarifies that these programs are not run by East Elementary staff or the Iron County School District, but the school provides the building and office flyers for informational purposes.
Available programs include After School All-Stars, which operates Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., with an earlier session on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The 4-H After School program, managed by Brooklyn Grover, runs Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Additionally, Wee Be Groovin' Dance, managed by Adriana or Kylie, is available on Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Comprehensive Student Support
By combining digital literacy tools, curated reading lists, community-led academic planning through the School LAND Trust, and various extracurricular options, East Elementary provides a multi-faceted support system for its student body.
The Role of Parent Involvement
The School Community Council serves as a primary mechanism for parental involvement, ensuring that those with a direct stake in the school's success have a voice in its academic direction. Through the careful review of student assessments and progress, the council directs School LAND Trust funds to the areas where they can most effectively impact student achievement.
