Positively Pasco: Issue #183
October 2, 2023
New Website Launching October 2023
PSD is launching a new website on October 30. You will still find district news and information by visiting www.psd1.org, but you will discover an updated and modern look and feel, streamlined navigation, an intuitive calendar and staff directory, and updated and relevant content.
One change is that the school website URL's will be changing. When the site updates on October 30, find your school website from the district page and be sure to bookmark the webpage.
For more detailed information about the website project, we invite you to visit our Website Coming Soon webpage. You will find additional updates and relevant information regarding this exciting endeavor there.
October is National Principals Month
National Principals Month honors principals for their significant impact on the success and well-being of our nation’s students. Join us as we celebrate all principals throughout October. The district will recognize school principals on our social media pages and during the October 24 board meeting.
Highly Capable Referrals Open for 2024-2025 School Year
Referrals are now being accepted for Pasco School District's Highly Capable program. First and fifth-grade students will automatically be considered, so there's no need to refer them this year. Please submit a highly capable referral by October 27, 2023. Any referrals received after that date will be considered for services starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
For more information, visit the Highly Capable webpage or email Nick Castilleja.
HAPO Community Credit Union Donates to READY for Kindergarten Program
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to HAPO Community Credit Union for their generous donation of $1,500 to PSD's READY for Kindergarten Program. This incredible contribution will make a direct impact by putting books into parents' hands helping them create beautiful reading moments with their children.
Thank you, HAPO Credit Union, for helping us cultivate a brighter, more literate future for our children and families. Together, we're making a difference, one page at a time!
Join PSD's Curriculum Adoption Committee – Your Input Matters!
At Pasco School District, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible education, and your input is invaluable in achieving that goal. We are excited to announce the beginning of our curriculum adoption process for secondary 6-12 math and English Language Arts (ELA) programs. This is an opportunity for you to get involved and directly impact the education our students receive.
We are looking for dedicated parents and community members to participate in our Curriculum Adoption Committee. This committee plays a vital role in the selection and evaluation of educational materials that will shape the learning experiences of our students. Your unique perspective and insights will help ensure that we choose the most effective resources for our classrooms.
Here are some key details about the committee:
Committee Responsibilities:
Review and evaluate curriculum materials for secondary 6-12 math and ELA.
Provide input on the selection of materials based on committee and state criteria.
Collaborate with district staff to make informed decisions.
Committee Meeting Schedule:
Monthly daytime meetings (1 per month).
Three to four afternoon and evening meetings per month.
If you are interested in joining the Curriculum Adoption Committee, please contact Carla Lobos at 509-543-6746 by Friday, October 13.
We believe that when parents and community members are actively engaged in our schools, our students benefit immensely. Your involvement in the curriculum adoption process is a testament to your dedication to the success of our students. Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to the future of education in Pasco School District.
2023 Healthy Youth Survey
Pasco School District will be participating in the 2023 Healthy Youth Survey, scheduled to be administered from October 9 - 27. This survey aims to gather information on various aspects of youth health and well-being, such as physical activity, mental health, substance abuse, and nutrition.
Students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 will be asked to take this survey, with questions ranging from feelings about school, their eating habits, and attitudes about the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
Participating in the survey is voluntary and confidential. Students taking the survey can skip questions and stop taking the survey at any time. Student privacy will be protected as the data collected will be managed and analyzed outside of the school and the school district. To opt-out of the survey, parents and/or legal guardians can contact the school directly to excuse their student from the survey. Students also can let their teacher know that they do not want to take the survey and will take part in other activities during the time other students are taking it.
The insights gained from this survey will aid Pasco School District gaining a greater understanding of students' needs and experiences so that evaluations can be made on current programs to help guide changes or add new initiatives. The ultimate goal is to ensure that PSD is providing the necessary support services that benefit the overall well-being of all students.
For more information about this survey:
For more information, please visit the Healthy Youth Survey.
Mock Interview Volunteers Needed
Chiawana and Pasco High School are seeking community volunteers to serve as interviewers for Mock Interviews.
Mock interviews culminate in the career unit for the Financial Literacy Course. The Mock Interview aim is to give our students experience with the interview process, gaining confidence and thus being more successful in obtaining a job.
Chiawana High School Mock Interview
When: Friday, October 13, 7:30 am – 2-30 pm
Where: 8125 W. Argent Rd
Register through the CHS Mock Interviews-Volunteer Sign-Up.
For more information, contact Ana Tuiaea-Ruud.
Pasco High School Mock Interview
When: Friday, November 3, 8:15 - 10:15 am
Where: 1108 N. 10th Ave
To register and for more information, contact Katie Engel.
After registration, you will be contacted with the Mock Interview Schedule at least one week before the event.
2023-2024 Ambassador Program Application Opens October 4
Would you like to gain a deeper understanding of the day-to-day operations of the Pasco School District? Pasco parents, community members, staff, and students are invited to sign up for the Pasco School District 101 Ambassador Program. The group will meet once a month, from November through May, and attendees will learn more about the District’s leadership, strategic direction, educational programs, student services, operations, and school finance.
Applications will open on October 4, 2023 and close on October 25 for the 2023-24 program. The application will be available on the PSD Ambassador webpage.
When: November 2023 – May 2024 (7 months/sessions)
Sessions:
- November 8, 6 - 7:30 pm, Booth Building, Board Room, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco: Overview of PSD and Work of the School Board & Public Affairs
- December 6, 6 - 7:30 pm, Pasco High School, Library, 1108 N 10th Ave, Pasco: Safety and Security & Capital Updates (New HS's)
- January 17, 6 - 7:30 pm, Three Rivers Elementary, Pasco: Instruction & Special Programs
- February 21, 6 - 7:30 pm, Ray Reynolds MS: Social & Emotional Learning and Special Education
- March 6, 6 - 7:30 pm, New Horizons High School, 2020 W Argent Rd, Pasco: Fiscal Services & Employee Services
- April 17, 6 - 7:30 pm, Richard L. Lenhart Transportation Building., Pasco: Nutrition Services & Transportation
- May 14, 6:30 - 7 pm, Booth Building Board Room: Graduation and Recognition at School Board Meeting
Where: Each session will be held at a different district facility. Ambassadors will be provided with a tour at each session.
Who: The program is made up of staff, parents, and community members who reside in Pasco and have an interest in the district.
For more information, contact Anna Tensmeyer.
Migrant Program Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Middle School Students
It's Hispanic Heritage Month and Stevens Middle School celebrated by hosting a Cultural Fair where students enjoyed bingo games, a spicy jalapeño eating contest, a vibrant photo booth, and a Zapateo contest!
Thank you to the Pasco School District Migrant Program for planning and contributing many hours, time, and passion to the success of this event. Students had a blast learning about their own culture and exploring other cultures that make our world so diverse.
Chiawana FFA Chapter Receives National Chapter Award by National FFA Organization
The Chiawana Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter has been named the 2023 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization.
The program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the country that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
Chapters that received star ratings during judging this summer will be recognized at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo, November 1 - 4, 2023.
Pasco High School Senior Semifinalist in National Merit Scholarship
Anita Valdez, a shining star at Pasco High School, has achieved something truly remarkable! She's been named one of the semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship program, placing her among the highest-scoring SAT students in Washington state and the top 1% of high-achieving students nationwide.
About Anita:
- Senior at Pasco High School
- 4.0 Student
- Varsity Tennis Player
- Drum Major for the Marching Band
- Vice President of Key Club
- National Honor Society Member
- Recipient of the Golden Bulldog Award (8 times!)
Anita's dedication to her studies and her active involvement in school activities have undoubtedly set her on this path to success. As a National Merit semifinalist, she's not only an academic powerhouse but also a well-rounded student with a passion for sports, music, and community service.
"It’s very cool to be named as a semifinalist,” Anita shared. “I spent a lot of time studying, and it feels good that I reached my goal of becoming a semifinalist.”
The Valdez family's commitment to excellence runs deep. Just two years ago, Anita's sister was also a semifinalist from Pasco High School, demonstrating the family's strong tradition of academic achievement.
After graduation, Anita aspires to pursue Chemical Engineering in college. She's considering universities like WSU and the University of Washington, and Yale and Harvard have expressed interest in having her apply.
Anita credits Pasco High School as being a place that has immersed her in a diverse and supportive community. Her teachers have been instrumental in nurturing her talents and encouraging her to reach new heights.
As semifinalists, Anita and her fellow students will have the exciting opportunity to move on as finalists, competing for 7,140 National Merit scholarships worth nearly $28 million this spring.
We're incredibly proud of Anita and her outstanding achievements, and we can't wait to see her future accomplishments unfold!
Chiawana High School Teacher Named National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador
Renee Johnson, an agriscience teacher at Chiawana, has been named a National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador after completing the 19th annual National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy.
This prestigious program, sponsored by Corteva AgriScience™ and Lab-Aids, is offered to National Association of Agricultural Educators members. Johnson joins a select group of outstanding agriscience teachers who undergo rigorous training in inquiry-based teaching methods. The academy equips these educators to create innovative learning experiences for their students, emphasizing science education in agriculture. Since its inception in 2003, National Agriscience Teacher Ambassadors have impacted over a million students nationwide and trained thousands of educators in science and agriculture.
Congratulations, Renee!
Celebrating Excellence in Family and Community Engagement: Pasco School District Earns 2023 NNPS Partnership District Award
We are thrilled to announce that the Pasco School District's Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) has received the prestigious 2023 Partnership District Award from the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) at Johns Hopkins University.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to our district's unwavering commitment to establishing sustainable programs of family and community engagement. It also marks an incredible milestone as the 16th NNPS Partnership District Award earned by our district, highlighting our dedication to nurturing strong partnerships.
Our district's leadership has been instrumental in guiding our schools' ATPs to enhance their capacity to collaborate effectively with students' families. This aligns seamlessly with our overarching goal of fostering student success in school through meaningful family and community involvement.
In addition to this district award, we are delighted to share that Edwin Markham Elementary School has also been recognized with a Partnership School Award this year. The school's activity, "DreamBox Challenge," has been featured in Promising Partnership Practices 2023, further showcasing our district's commitment to fostering productive partnerships. Reviewers praised this activity for extending students’ math skills, increasing students’ responsibilities for their own math learning, and engaging parents to encourage and celebrate students’ efforts in math. They also saw evidence that your team is going beyond isolated “activities” to support teamwork needed to build a sustainable program of family and community engagement.
This prestigious recognition solidifies our district's position as a national leader in cultivating strong partnerships and reinforces our dedication to providing an exceptional educational experience for all our students. We look forward to continuing our journey of excellence in family and community engagement.
PSD Educators Collaborate with PNNL to Ignite STEM Education
In an exciting collaboration, Pasco School District (PSD) educators joined forces with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to nurture the potential of young minds in the realm of Computational and Mathematical Sciences (CMS). This partnership was made possible through the Pathway Summer STEM Institute for K-12 Educators, supported by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) and aligns with the Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce initiative.
The primary objective of the STEM Institute was to equip educators with CMS knowledge and innovation to bring back to their classrooms, enriching the learning experiences of their students. Throughout the program, educators delved into the vital contributions of DOE and WDTS to CMS research.
Participants engaged in fruitful discussions on integrating fundamental concepts like linear algebra, graph theory, and computational thinking into their teaching methods. They also explored avenues to raise awareness about internships and career pathways within computational and mathematical sciences, particularly in connection with DOE national laboratories.
View more details on PNNL's website.
Pasco Dance Team Fundraiser
Support the Pasco High School Schwanna Bulldogs Dance Team by donating to their team. Your contribution will assist in covering various team expenses, such as uniforms, music, show sets, poms, travel costs, competition fees, and more.
Donations for the Dance Team can be made via SchoolPay.
For more information, contact Coach Schwan.
Soup with the Superintendent (light lunch including soup and drinks)
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
November 3
January 12
March 8
May 10
Where: Booth Building, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco
Visit full details on the Meet the Superintendent webpage.
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Team Pasco #23
The Pasco School District and the Board of Directors for Team Pasco Homes invite you to participate in our Groundbreaking event for Team Pasco House #23. This exciting occasion marks the beginning of a project where Career and Technical Education students will construct a stunning new home.
When: Wednesday, October 11, 9 am
Where: 4705 Corinth Drive, Pasco
For more information, contact Ana Munguia.
VIP Day at Richard L. Lenhart Transportation Center
You’re invited to spend the morning with Pasco students and staff at the Richard L. Lenhart Transporation Center! You’ll have the opportunity to engage in learning activities, listen to building highlights, and experience what makes Pasco schools an exciting place to learn.
When: Thursday, October 26, 8:45 am – 12 pm
Where: Richard L. Lenhart Transportation Center, 3412 N. Stearman Ave., Pasco
Breakfast and lunch will be provided during this FREE event. Spots are limited, so RSVP today!
