Positively Pasco: Issue #174
December 5, 2022
Stay Connected to School Delay and Closure Information with Pasco School District Alerts
Winter is coming, which means colder weather, and you may have questions about school delays and closures. Stay connected to the most up-to-date information regarding PSD weather delays and closures by signing up for district notifications. Learn more about school closure and delay information.
Why Bond 2023?
Pasco School District is running a bond in February 2023 as a part of our Long-Term Facilities Management Plan, which addresses ways to alleviate overcrowding in our schools and improve the learning environment for students in our district.
Not only are our comprehensive high school's overcapacity by 1,512 students, but we also have 1,800 students between Chiawana and Pasco High Schools being served in portables every day. That’s the size of two of our middle schools!
Chiawana High School (pictured below) has 16 portables, which provide 32 classrooms and serve up to 960 students per day. Pasco High School has 20 portables, which provides 29 classrooms and serves up to 870 students per day.
Application Open for Delta High School Class of 2027
Delta High School is now accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year. Current 8th-grade students living in the Pasco, Kennewick, or Richland School Districts are eligible to apply until February 9 at 3 pm.
The school is hosting a pair of Family Information Nights on February 1 and 2 from 6:30 - 8 pm, for parents of students who are interested in attending Delta High School and experiencing its unique STEM-focused programs.
Learn more about Delta High School and apply online.
For more information, contact Delta High School at 509-416-7860.
PSD Ambassadors Attend First Session
We hosted our first PSD Ambassador session on November 15, where 38 attendees learned about district operations and the work of the School Board. The session also included a tour of the Booth Building, previously the Sears building, where Ambassadors could see different support offices and past graduation class pictures dating back to the 1930s. The Ambassadors will meet for session two on December 6, where they will learn more about Bond 2023 and the Public Affairs Department.
Learn more about PSD’s Ambassador program.
Stevens Middle School Hosts VIP Day
Stevens Middle 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 Michelle Whitney, Superintendent, Raquel Martinez, Principal, Tyler Thompson, Assistant Principal, and student leaders. They also learned more about Stevens promise of 'Every Tiger Matters and Every Moment Counts' by visiting classrooms and talking with students. The day ended with a student jazz band performance over lunch.
Thank you to PEAK! Partner Gesa Credit Union for sponsoring lunch and giveaways.
Are you interested in being a future VIP? Register online today!
Meet Weston
Meet Weston, a sixth grader in the Highly Capable (HiCap) Program at Reynolds Middle School. Weston started in HiCap at Franklin STEM Elementary, where he learned about engineering and advanced STEM. He wants to be an electrical engineer or work in a job where he can build things, loves to play baseball, and plans to run for a leadership position at school this year.
Learn more about PSD HiCap programs.
Chiawana High School Student Recognized for His Culinary Excellence
Meet Diego, a Chiawana High School senior in his second year of the Tri-Tech Culinary Arts program. After school, he works at his family's food stand, El Puesto, at the Pasco Flea Market. Chef LuAnne Wiles and Chef Luis Alcaraz, who run the Culinary Arts program, are very proud of Diego and his strong work ethic, dependability, and ability to work well under pressure. Diego even won the Most Employable Award this year, Tri-Tech's highest honor. Diego hopes to attend the Walla Walla Community College Culinary program after graduation and pursue his dreams of being a full-time chef and owning his restaurant one day.
Pasco High Students Participate in Tri-Cities Youth and Justice Forum
Pasco High students attended the 18th annual Tri-Cities Youth and Justice Forum, at the Richland Federal District Courthouse where students heard from Judges Norma Rodriguez, Mary Dimke, and Salvador Mendoza Jr. Thank you to all the sponsors and individuals who put in time to give students this experience.
For more information, contact Amandalyn Rubio.
Pasco Speech and Debate Teams Give Strong Performance at Local Tournaments
The Chiawana, Pasco, and Delta High School Speech and Debate teams are off to a strong start this speech and debate season! The teams competed in tournaments at Ephrata and Eisenhower High Schools where they won many awards. Chiawana's large and experienced team won the top team award at both tournaments.
Chiawana, with help from Delta, is hosting the Riverhawk Invitational on Saturday, December 10. Community members are invited to come and judge the competition, which will host teams from throughout Eastern Washington.
For more information, contact Vicki Hyde.
Chiawana High School Future Farmers of America Students Place 12th in State Potato Evaluation Contest
Chiawana High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) students traveled to Moses Lake to compete in the WA FFA State Potato Evaluation contest.
These students worked hard to learn industry terminology, grading criteria, blemish identification, and quality seed characteristics, all essential skills in the potato production industry. This event teaches students to evaluate potato products to optimize economic returns for producers and industry and meet customer needs, and is one of many Career Development Events offered to develop the future generation of agriculturists.
Students have made great progress in a short amount of time. Leading up to the state event, students gave up their Veterans Day to participate in a clinic to improve their skills which are evident in the level they placed at a competitive state contest. This experience has strengthened the students' resolve to continue learning skills to achieve higher rankings in WA FFA State career development events.
For more information, contact Renee Johnson.
Chiawana Students Showcase STEM Project: Trebuchets
The Chiawana High School STEM 9 program celebrated International STEM Day with a showcase of their current STEM project, Trebuchets. As part of a study of Newton's 2nd Law, momentum and acceleration, students worked in teams to design, construct, and test a functioning trebuchet, which is a large device used in wars for throwing large rocks. During the STEM Showcase, students shared their trebuchets during both lunches. The CHS STEM program is a recipient of the Amentum and Dream Builders grant, which allows STEM students to utilize Pocket lab Voyager sensors. These sensors connected via Bluetooth to students' cell phones or laptop computers to help students collect data to measure Trebuchet's projectile acceleration in real time. Students will continue to utilize this technology as they move into their next project in trimester 2 when they build Rube Goldberg machines.
For more information, contact Angie Jarvis.
Help Pasco School District ‘Fill the Bus’ with Food Donations
Help Pasco School District bus drivers ’Fill the Bus’ with food donations! All items collected will be donated to Second Harvest. Drop off food donations to your nearby PSD school through December 14 at 9:30 am.
Donations Accepted:
Canned and dry goods
Healthy soups and stews
Pasta, rice, grains, cereals
Boxed meals and mixes
Non-perishable foods, etc.
For more information, contact Tamara Pearson at 509-492-0150 or Linda Fraley at 509-378-9458.
Chiawana Flight Crew Hosting Dance & Craft Clinic
Chiawana Flight Crew Dance Team is hosting a dance and craft clinic for Kinder- 6th grade students.
When: Friday, December 16, 3 pm
Where: Chiawana High School Student Mall
Cost: $30
Attire: Holiday Sweaters, PJs, or red or green colors
Participants perform at halftime of the CHS (Chiawana High School) girls' basketball game at 5:45 pm on December 16.
For more information, contact Bobbi Buttars at 509-551-2242.
Soup with the Superintendent
Superintendent Whitney invites you to attend an informal discussion over a light lunch.
When: Friday, December 16, 12 – 1:30 pm
Where: Booth Building Board Room 1215 W. Lewis St. Pasco
For more information, contact Jennie Richardson.
Save the Date for Pasco School District Winter Carnival
PSD employees, students, and families are invited to the Pasco School District Winter Carnival.
When: Thursday, February 23, 2023, 5:30-7:30 pm
Where: Chiawana High School Student Mall
PEAK! Partners and non-profit organizations will also be distributing giveaways and prizes for the whole family. In addition, students from our schools will host carnival games for children and student entertainment. Admission is free, but non-perishable food items will be collected for donation to Second Harvest. Guests can also purchase food at the event from one of several local vendors.
For more information, contact Ana Munguia.
