Positively Pasco: Issue #173
November 7, 2022
State Superintendent Reykdal Visits Pasco Schools
PSD hosted Chris Reykdal, Washington State Superintendent, on October 14. During the visit, Mr. Reykdal and PSD Administrators visited Dual Language classrooms at Curie and McClintock STEM Elementary Schools, Bilingual Educators Initiative Teaching Academy classrooms at Chiawana and Pasco High Schools, and an English Language Development class at Stevens Middle School.
Mr. Reykdal's visit came after he announced in August his plan to expand dual language access to all K-8 students in Washington by 2040. The plan will be part of Reykdal's budget request to the Legislature in January.
"The evidence is clear: When young people become bilingual during the early grades, they have more cognitive flexibility, and they perform better in school," Reykdal said. "As our global economy changes and our world becomes increasingly international, dual language education must become a core opportunity for our students."
PSD is proud to be considered a dual language leader in Washington state, with around 2,200 students enrolled in 107 classrooms this year and plans to expand.
Learn more about PSD's Dual Language Program.
Why Bond 2023?
We are running a bond in February 2023 as a part of our Long-Term Facilities Management Plan to address ways to alleviate overcrowding in our schools and improve the learning environment for students in our district.
Did you know?
Chiawana High School is the #1 largest school in Washington and Pasco High School is now the #6 biggest.
Chiawana High School was built to serve 2,348 students, and as of October 2022, Chiawana's enrollment is 3,164 (over capacity by 816 students).
Pasco High School was built to serve 1,808 students, and as of October 2022, Pasco High's enrollment is 2,504 (over capacity by 696 students).
The City of Pasco projects its population will grow by 50,000 within the next 20 years, leading to continued enrollment growth for Pasco schools.
If you’re not registered to vote, register to vote today!
Learn more about PSD’s Bond 2023.
Pasco Elementary Schools Launch 100 Book Challenge
Last spring, PSD’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of American Reading Company's K-5 ARC CORE Reading Program. Unit One's focus has been on getting to know the students as readers and writers, building stamina, and growing engaged readers and writers.
This year, all K-5 classrooms will participate in the 100 Book Challenge, a reading program designed to get our students reading. To do this, students will come home every night with one or more books and a reading log inside a blue book bag. We want your child to read each night and enjoy what he or she reads. The books should be "fun, fast, and easy.” We do not want reading to be a struggle or to be hard. More information about this program is available on the American Reading Company website.
If you would like more information about the 100 Book Challenge and how you can support it, please contact your child's teacher.
PSD Celebrates Gesa’s High School Credit Union Career Launch Endorsement
PSD was proud to join Gesa Credit Union, Richland and Kennewick School Districts, and the ESD 123, to celebrate Gesa Credit Union’s High School Credit Union Program being named the first Financial Sector Career Launch endorsed program in the State of Washington through Career Connect Washington.
The Career Launch Endorsement for Gesa's High School Credit Union Program is exciting because it allows students working in our high school credit unions to gain practical work experiences through job shadows, internships, and advanced training. These experiences prepare them for career paths in the financial industry while providing Gesa with viable employees once the students graduate.
Colville Confederated Tribe Performs for Emerson Elementary
Emerson Elementary School hosted its new PEAK! Partner, the Colville Confederated Tribe, and dancers, to perform for staff and students. Nearly 350 students and staff watched performances and songs during a school assembly and participated in some of the dances.
Thank you to the Colville Confederated Tribe for your support of Pasco students.
Learn more about our PEAK! partners and program.
Three Rivers Elementary Hosts VIP Day
Three Rivers Elementary School hosted VIP Day - an opportunity for community members and parents to visit specific Pasco schools to learn more about our district, schools, programs, and students.
Attendees enjoyed a special presentation by Jamie Bacon, Principal, Blanca Sabalza, Assistant Principal, and ASB Leadership, about our incredible students through a school tour and classroom visits, which included a glimpse into their Russian and Spanish Dual Language programs. The day ended with a spectacular multicultural student performance over lunch.
Thank you to PEAK! Partner HAPO Community Credit Union for sponsoring lunch and giveaways.
Are you interested in being a future VIP? Register online today!
Chiawana Student Wins Student Advocate Award for Promoting STEM
Congratulations to Kaylie McGuckin, Chiawana High School senior, who won the Student Advocate Award from the Eastern Washington League of Education Voters Foundation for promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
Kaylie is the creator of STEM is FEM (Fun, Engaging, Motivating) group at Chiawana High School, which advocates for women in STEM and creates activities that support increasing student access and excitement about STEM-related concepts and careers. Recently, the group hosted a summer camp for local children and provided a chance to participate in hands-on STEM activities.
Kaylie was presented with the award during the Power of Student Voice League of Education Voters Foundation Virtual Event on October 13. She also got a $250 honorarium and a plaque, according to the press release.
Congratulations, Kaylie!
Meet Imani
Imani is currently a third grader at McGee Elementary but was in the Dual Language at Whittier Elementary. When Imani started in the program, she didn’t understand Spanish. She shared it was a challenging time for her, but once she was able to understand more of the language, she considered herself a Spanish speaker and even teaches Spanish to her younger sister. Imani loves to play basketball and soccer, and loves doing arts and crafts with her sister.
Learn more about PSD’s Dual Language Programs.
Gracie Valle-Chimal Named Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber Community Leader of the Year
Gracie Valle-Chimal, PSD’s Community Outreach Supervisor, was recognized with the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Community Leader of the Year Award during their annual Una Noche de Éxitos 2022 event.
Gracie was nominated by district employees because of her outstanding achievements in supporting and collaborating with our community and supporting Pasco students through her outreach efforts.
Congratulations, Gracie!
LeAnn Nunamaker Honored with Distinguished Leadership Award for Support of Gifted and Talented Programs
PSD’s LeAnn Nunamaker has received the 2022 Washington Association of Educators for the Talented and Gifted (WAETAG) Distinguished Leadership Award.
Nunamaker currently acts as the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at PSD where she supervises the district’s Highly Capable Program. She is known for organizing, leading, and supporting PSD’s Highly Capable Program reform with a focus on equitable and research-based identification. The result has led to increased access to services for underrepresented students, especially for English language learners who are highly capable.
Each year WAETAG honors individuals within Washington state that exemplify outstanding dedication to empowering educators and communities in supporting the educational and emotional development of talented and gifted students.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized by my colleagues,” Nunamaker said. “They inspire and challenge me with this important work that benefits so many of our Pasco students. This work would not be possible without the support and advocacy from all PSD staff,” she said.
Learn more about WAETAG and PSD’s Highly Capable Program.
Congratulations, LeAnn!
Vicky Hyde Elected as Eastern Vice President of the Washington State Forensics Association
Chiawana High School’s Vicky Hyde, Speech and Debate coach, was recently elected as the Eastern Vice President of the Washington State Forensics Association. A two-diamond coach in the National Speech and Debate Association, she is also the Inland Empire District Chair and has received the Distinguished Service Key.
Vicky has been an official at the national tournament for five years and was selected as a final-round judge for the past two years. Under her guidance, Chiawana earned the state 4A title in 2018 and has ranked no lower than seventh since 2016. Chiawana has had six individual state title holders, eight Academic All-Americans, and more than 40 national competitors.
Congratulations, Vicky!
2022 Annual PAC Conference
The Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) invites all families with children participating in PSD bilingual programs to the 2022 Annual PAC Conference.
When: Saturday, December 3, 9 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Pasco High School Student Mall
During this free event you will enjoy activities for the entire household.
Children in Pre-K through 5th grade will have activities provided by teachers.
Middle and high school students will have leadership development sessions.
Parents can attend classes that will help them best support their children to be successful in school.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The event will be in Spanish, but English translation will be provided if needed.
For more information, please contact the Parent Education Center at 509-543-6714.
Help Pasco High Key Club Support Project Santa Event
The Pasco High School Key Club wants your help raising funds for their annual Project Santa Service. Each winter, their Key Club contacts local Pasco elementary schools and receives a list of special needs students with their holiday wish lists. Then they purchase, wrap, and hand-deliver the requested gifts before winter break. Students dress up as Santa, Mrs. Clause, and Christmas elves and have a wonderful day delivering presents and caroling to special needs students.
In past years, this has been rewarding for their club, the community, and the children it immediately affects. However, it would be impossible without the support of local businesses and individuals that sponsor them. Unfortunately, due to regulations, they are not permitted to fundraise for this charitable service and must rely on our community for support.
For those who are able, please provide or send a monetary donation to be placed in a charitable fund and used specifically for this charitable event. Please send any checks or funds to the following address, payable to Pasco High School Key Club:
Pasco High School
c/o Marcie Perez
1108 N 10th Ave
Pasco, WA 99301
You may also access our online donation site. Thank you for your support.
Pasco High Choir Chocolate Fundraiser
The Pasco High School choir is selling World's Famous Chocolate candy bars to raise funds for their program. The items include:
A variety of $1 bars including caramel, milk chocolate, milk chocolate with almond, chocolate crisp rice, dark chocolate, and crisp wafer cookie.
Whole boxes include 18 caramel bars, 12 milk chocolate with almonds Bars, 12 wafer bars, 6 milk chocolate Bars, 6 dark chocolate bars, 6 wafer bars and sell for $60.
Candy bars can be purchased before and after school hours at Pasco High. The sale ends on December 15.
For more information, contact Wendy Newbury.
Pasco High Girls Bowling Shirt Fundraiser
Pasco High School’s girls bowling team is selling shirts to buy bowling balls for their program. T-shirts are selling for $10 and long sleeve shirts for $13. You can purchase shirts on School Pay between November 10 – 24.
