Positively Pasco: Issue #172

Issue #172

October 3, 2022

Vea la versión en español del Boletín Informativo Positivamente Pasco aquí.

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 25th board meeting.

Do you know a student whom you want to be tested during the 2022-2023 school year for highly capable services that would begin during the 2023-2024 school year? Please submit a highly capable referral by October 28, 2022.

For more information, email hicap@psd1.org.

For the fifteenth year in a row, the PSD's School and Family Partnerships Program has earned a Partnership District Award from the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) at Johns Hopkins University.

“The Pasco School District is conducting evidence-based strategies to help schools become welcoming places that engage all parents and the community in ways that improve student attendance, behavior, achievement, health, graduation rates, postsecondary plans, and other outcomes,” said Dr. Joyce L. Epstein, Director of NNPS. “Even during the COVID-19 crisis, PSD continued to work with schools on communicating with all students’ families in productive ways.”

In addition to the district award, Rowena Chess Elementary also earned their third Partnership School Award from NNPS. Chess was commended for organizing and hosting the STEAM Showcase and Carnival, which will be included in the new book of Promising Partnership Practices 2022. Reviewers praised this activity for its indoor-and-outdoor design to counter the isolation due to COVID-19 and bring all partners in students’ education back together. One reviewer wrote, “This school is growing a wonderful program of partnerships—great spirit of educators, parents, and community partners. The leaders are placing an important focus of partnerships on student outcomes and success in school.”

To learn more about Pasco’s School and Family Partnerships program, visit the Action Team for Partnerships webpage.

Richland High School graduate NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron spoke to fourth-grade PSD students on September 14th about her experiences in space. Students filled the Pasco High Auditorium and were able to ask questions such as "What foods did you eat? What does a day in your life look like? Do you ever get sick?" and more!

PSD Superintendent Michelle Whitney presented Kayla with a Pride of Pasco certificate and pin as a thank you for her presentation, which was out of this world!

Thank you, Kayla, on behalf of PSD!

Back to School Night with the Tri-City Dust Devils, Columbia Basin College, and Gesa Credit Union was a ball! Thank you to everyone who joined us, and the following talented student entertainers:

• Chiawana High School Cheer Team and Mariachi Band, Halcon del Rio

• Pasco High School Marching Band and Dance Team

Also, a special thank you to Logan Stroup, PSD Student Board Representative from New Horizons High School, for throwing the first pitch.

Thank you to Dr. Rachel Fidino, owner of New U Women’s Clinic & Aesthetics, for donating 18,000 feminine hygiene products to PSD through her non-profit, the Healing Hands Project. The products will be distributed to students at all PSD middle and high schools.

Thank you to Columbia River Mensa, a local chapter of American Mensa, for donating $2,500 to Delta High School's STEM programs for the 2022-23 school year. “We want to support STEM in our local schools and community because we believe the future of our world, our nation and our local community depends on developing competent Scientists, Technology experts, Engineers and Mathematicians,” said Bill Sheretz, Assistant Local Secretary of Columbia River Mensa.

Mensa members all share one trait - high intelligence. To qualify for this exclusive group, one must score in the top 2% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. If you are interested in joining, please visit the Mensa website for info on testing near you.

In September, the City of Pasco and Colima-Pasco (Co-Pa) Friendship & Collaboration Association hosted two state representatives from Colima, Mexico. Professor Miguel Angel Alatorre Álvarez, Music Conductor & Band Director, and Mariana del Rocío Corona Delgado, music professor, singer, and artist, participated in many tours and activities, which included a tour of Pasco High School.

During the tour, Jake Stueckle, Principal of Pasco High School, Michele Smith and Veronica Machado, Assistant Principals at Pasco High School, and PSD administrators walked them through classrooms focused on STEM, CTE, and music. They also visited Computer-Aided Design, bilingual math, physics, and band classes.

Nearly every classroom they visited had either a student or a student with a family member from the State of Colima. The representatives were very impressed by our students, education system, and well organized and structured lessons.

Their visit to Pasco was coordinated to foster better economic, educational, and cultural relationships between the City of Pasco and the state of Colima, Mexico.

If you have questions, contact Omar Escalera or Gracie Valle-Chimal.

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.

When: November 2022 – May 2023 (7 months/sessions); 6-7:30 pm (light refreshments)

Where: Each session will be held at a different district facility. Ambassadors will be provided with a tour at each session.

Who: We would like to have a group of 20-25 people who are Pasco residents.

Application: The application will be open from October 3-14 and members will be chosen by October 21.

Learn more and apply by visiting our PSD 101 Ambassador Program webpage.

Trinity recently transferred to Pasco School District's developmental preschool program, where she loves to read, work on puzzles, and play in the dramatic play area. She is making new friends and is excited about attending school and riding the bus. Her teachers are finding adaptive tools for her to use to help increase her independence and access to learning.

Students from PSD and surrounding districts can take advantage of our Early Learning Center preschool programs.

To learn more about PSD’s preschool programs, visit our Early Learning Center webpage.

Chiawana seniors and brothers Aiden and Dylan Grad recently won the 2022 Washington State Bass Federation High School Championship on the Potholes Reservoir. With their State Championship win, they have secured a spot to represent the State of Washington at the High School Bass Fishing National Championships in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, next June. Their goal is to not only win but also qualify for college scholarships.

Aiden and Dylan have been fishing their whole lives and recently started competing in High School Bass Tournaments in 2021. Aiden and fellow Chiawana alum Drew Cruzen competed at the Bassmaster High School National Championship last summer at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.

Aiden and Dylan hope to take their passion for fishing to the next level and earn a spot on a Collegiate Fishing Team after high school graduation.

Way to go, Aiden and Dylan!

Superintendent Michelle Whitney presented our latest round of North Star winners with awards to acknowledge them for shining brightly in their profession and putting students first! Congratulations to the following employees:

• Steven Bailey and Richard Kolasch, maintenance mechanics from Transportation

• Tom Spurgeon and Steven Flores, bus drivers from Transportation

• Meagan Brantley, kindergarten teacher, and Camille Martinez, a 2nd-grade teacher from Ruth Livingston Elementary

If you would like to nominate an outstanding employee for a North Star Award, please complete an online nomination form.

During the week of September 19-23, PSD employees gave special recognition to our bus drivers to acknowledge their hard work driving students to and from school safely each day. Staff celebrated by doing ride-a-longs with our drivers, posting signs at the schools, visiting Transportation to wave to drivers as they returned from their routes, and providing them with donuts. Please tell a bus driver thank you next time you see them.

You’re invited to spend the morning with Pasco students at Three Rivers Elementary! You’ll have the opportunity to engage in classroom activities, listen to school highlights, and experience what makes Pasco schools an exciting place to learn.

When: Thursday, October 20, 8:45 am – 12 pm

Where: Three Rivers Elementary School, 3901 Road 84

Breakfast and lunch be provided during this FREE event. Spots are limited, so RSVP today!

Pasco School District’s Superintendent, Michelle Whitney, invites parents, community members, and employees to join her for an informal discussion about Pasco Schools over a light breakfast or lunch. Hear about PSD's upcoming bond, student support systems, and more!

Mornings with Michelle (light breakfast including coffee, juices, and pastries)

7:30 - 9 am

• December 2

• January 6

• February 3

• March 31

• May 26

Soup with the Superintendent (light lunch including soup and drinks)

12 - 1 pm

• October 28

• December 16

• January 20

• February 24

• April 28

Where: Booth Building, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco

Visit full details on the Superintendent Office webpage.

Support the Pasco High School volleyball team by purchasing a coupon book, which includes hundreds of coupons for local restaurants and stores. All proceeds will allow athletes to attend camps/clinics and get new equipment.

For more information, contact Julie Estes at jestes@psd1.org.

October 19