Positively Pasco: Issue #191

Issue #191

June 3, 2024

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

Pasco School District is offering several programs and supports for students this summer! Check out our Summer Programs webpage for more information about our summer food program, elementary, middle, and high school summer school programs, camps, and more!

The 2024-2025 academic school calendar is now available in English and Spanish. The first and last days of school, school closures, early releases, and more are included.

Visit the PSD Website for your copy.

Do you have a child starting kindergarten or joining one of PSD's schools for the first time this fall? Our 2024-2025 school year online enrollment portal is now open.

Early enrollment will help establish a smooth transition, ensure timely communication from your child's school, and allow transportation routing for eligible students.

To enroll your child, visit our online enrollment website.

You may have heard that the FAFSA application is different this year. Despite initial delays, financial aid is still available and there are many great reasons to apply:

• The FAFSA form is shorter and easier to complete than ever before. Review these demonstration videos (in English and Spanish) that walk through the application process for students and families.

• Half of families in Washington qualify for financial aid through WA Grant. For many people, tuition could even be free! Learn more at WA Grant website.

• WA Grant can help pay for college, career training, certificate programs, or approved apprenticeships. Washington offers many affordable options for education or training beyond high school.

• It’s never too late to apply for financial aid! State and federal aid is available year-round. Some colleges have specific deadlines, but others offer open admission.

Graduation is here, and you are ready for your next adventure. Financial aid can help you get there.

Learn more and get help applying at the WA Grant website.

We're looking for passionate students to serve as Student Board Representatives for the 2024-2025 school year!

Student Board Representatives:

• Advocate for student issues and perspectives

• Contribute to important decisions affecting our community

• Serve as a liaison between students and the Board of Directors

Qualifications:

• Grade 11 or 12 during the term

• Proper academic standing equivalent to participation in athletics or other student activities

• Willingness to convey student opinion to the Board and report Board actions to the student body

Fill out an application today!

Application Deadline: June 12, 2024

Interviews: June 26, 2024, in person at the Pasco School District Booth Building

Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference and shape the future of our school district! Apply today and be the voice of change.

For more information, contact Jennie Richardson.

We're thrilled to announce that our Internet Pasco Academy of Learning (iPAL) program has been approved by the Washington State OSPI as a Multi-District Online School Program! Starting Fall 2024, K-8 students across Washington State can join our innovative, free remote learning program. The program is still open to Pasco students in grades K-12.

Why Choose iPAL?

• Flexibility: Learn at your own pace, on your own schedule. Perfect for balancing extracurriculars and family time.

• Diverse Course Offerings: From core subjects to electives, AP courses, and career readiness programs.

• Individualized Learning: Tailored support from dedicated educators to help each student reach their full potential.

For more info and to enroll, visit the iPAL website.

Pasco School District (PSD) hosted a momentous event, the Richard L. Lenhart Act Celebration, at the Richard L. Lenhart Transportation Building. This special occasion honored the passing of the Richard L. Lenhart Act, named in memory of our fallen bus driver, Richard Lenhart.

Through Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5891, the Richard Lenhart Act designates trespassing on school buses as a gross misdemeanor in Washington state. With this legislation, Washington becomes the ninth state to implement specific criminal penalties for this issue, highlighting our commitment to the safety of our students and bus drivers.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all the lawmakers who sponsored and supported House Bill 2133 and Senate Bill 5891. Special thanks to Senator Boehnke, Representatives Connor, and Barnard from the 8th Legislative District, Representatives Klicker, and Rude, Senator Dozier from the 16th Legislative District, and Senator Torres from the 15th Legislative District. We also want to thank Nancy Lenhart, her family, and the Teamsters for their support.

We are proud to have celebrated this important milestone in student and staff safety!

The Pasco School District would like to thank the City of Pasco for hosting the 2024 Cinco de Mayo event and showcasing Pasco School District student entertainment on stage.

In addition, a huge thank you and sincere appreciation to Fiesta Foods for their generous donation of $2,500. The donation will directly benefit the schools and their programs participating in the Cinco de Mayo entertainment.

Fiesta Foods contribution played a vital role and will provide support for students from McClintock and Curie STEM Elementary Dual Language Classes, Chiawana High School's Flight Crew Dance Team and Mariachi Halcón del Río, and Pasco High School's Choir, Schwanna Bulldogs Dance Team, and Mariachi Reyes de Pasco.

Once again, thank you, the City of Pasco and Fiesta Foods, for your unwavering support of our community's youth. Your commitment to education and cultural enrichment is genuinely commendable and greatly appreciated.

We are thrilled to announce KONA Ice of Tri-Cities, owned by Grover and Sandra Kerr, as the winner of PSD’s 2024 Community Leadership Award! Since becoming PEAK! Partners in 2018, KONA Ice of Tri-Cities has demonstrated outstanding dedication and service to our community. What began as a partnership with Curie STEM Elementary has expanded to all four of our middle schools, showcasing their unwavering commitment to education and youth development.

KONA Ice's contributions are invaluable, earning them the 2021 PEAK! District Choice Award for their dedication to our students. Their support goes beyond financial contributions—they’ve donated gift cards for student raffles and games, provided coupons for the student store, and organized FUNraising events that engage students and benefit their schools.

Moreover, KONA Ice has shown immense appreciation for our staff members by celebrating both classified and certificated staff with free KONA treats as tokens of gratitude. Their involvement in staff events, provision of giveaways, and coordination of food donations with leadership students highlight their holistic approach to community engagement and support.

KONA Ice of Tri-Cities embodies the spirit of Community Leadership, and we are honored to recognize their outstanding contributions to education and our community.

Pasco School District (PSD) hosted an open house and dedication ceremony for the 2024 Team Pasco House at 4705 Corinth Dr., Pasco, WA. The event celebrated the achievements of students in the Pasco Vocational Building Programs who constructed a new home from the ground up. This year marked the 24th home built by students in the program’s 27-year history. Laura Jones, Career & Technical Education Director, highlighted the program's significance, emphasizing the valuable hands-on training students receive and the critical support from local businesses that donate their time and expertise.

The dedication ceremony allowed the community to tour the new home and acknowledge the students' hard work and the contributions from local professionals.

For those interested in purchasing this year's Team Pasco Home, inquiries can be directed to Vicki Monteagudo, REALTOR®/Designated Broker/Owner, at 509-572-2456 or 509-947-0323.

Stevens Middle School hosted Career Day, transforming classrooms into gateways to the future! From police officers to podcasters, students explored over 50 career paths, expanding their horizons beyond the traditional college route.

Lead organizer Samantha Chesnut emphasized the importance of exposing students to diverse career options: "There's more out there, and I don't know if our students are exposed to it regularly."

Eighth-grader Mala Mercado shared, "This could be a great benefit to help students see more about what they want to do after high school.

At Stevens Middle School, discovering one's passion begins early, paving the way for future success.

We celebrated our students who plan to become teachers during our second annual Teacher Signing event. This special occasion, much like the signing events for athletes, honored 113 graduating seniors from Delta, New Horizons, Chiawana, and Pasco High Schools who have committed to pursuing careers in education.

These future educators have been identified by their counselors or participated in PSD's Teaching Academy, a year-long high school course that inspires and prepares students for the noble profession of teaching.

Let's applaud these dedicated students as they embark on their journey to shape the future through education.

Congratulations to Eliana and Soleil from Chiawana High School for their fantastic artwork in the Ben Franklin Transit Digital Art Contest! Eliana secured 2nd place, and Soleil took 3rd place with their incredible talent and creativity. We're so proud of you both. Keep shining and inspiring us all with your artistic brilliance!

McLoughlin Middle School proudly announces Laylah Garza-Placido as a recipient of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award. This award honors middle school students who exemplify the five pillars of NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Laylah is one of only 500 students nationwide to receive this distinction, which includes a $500 college savings plan to support her future educational goals.

Congratulations, Laylah, and keep up the excellent work!

Local businesses, Pasco Transition Center (PTC) students, and PSD staff came together for the PTC's Employer Appreciation Event. Students showcased their work experiences through trifold collages, highlighting their roles at churches, grocery stores, coffee shops, Pasco schools, and more. During the event, PTC honored over 20 businesses with "Awesome Employer" awards and presented "Champion" to Ben Franklin Transit and Entrust Community Services for their crucial support. Attendees also enjoyed delicious treats prepared by PTC students.

PTC's mission is to develop and enhance the vocational, social, and independent living skills of special education students as they transition from school to adult life as productive, independent, and engaged community members.

For a boost of energy and a chance to see PTC students in action, visit Cafe Con Arte at 430 W Columbia St, Suite A, in Pasco, to enjoy a specially crafted drink made by our talented students.

Chiawana High School proudly hosted the State American Sign Language (ASL) competition, where our talented students showcased their exceptional skills and brought home impressive medals.

Here are the outstanding achievements from the competition:

• ABC ASL Story: 1st Place, allowing storytellers to spell out words or phrases using manual alphabet signs

• Lorenzo Flores: 2nd Place

• Isabella Perez: 3rd Place for Individual Expressive

Let's take a moment to congratulate our remarkable team members who made these achievements possible:

• Sara Mendoza Sanchez

• Lorenzo Flores

• Makayla Petersen

• Isabella Perez

We are incredibly proud of their dedication and talent. Their accomplishments highlight their personal excellence and shine a spotlight on the strength of the ASL program at Chiawana High School. Congratulations to all the participants for their hard work and success!

Pasco Kiwanis proudly awarded $7,500 in scholarships to our outstanding high school seniors. Thank you to Pasco Kiwanis Club for their incredible investment in our students' futures. Let's congratulate our amazing scholarship winners:

Pasco High School Key Club Winners:

• Isaac Hernandez - $500

• Edward Paup-Lefferts - $500

• Ulisses Hernandez - $500

• Ashley Bello - $1,000

• Anita Valdez - $1,000

Chiawana High School Key Club Winners:

• Sydney Stenson - $1,000

• Leandra Herrera - $1,000

• Jillian Austin (not present due to finals) - $1,000

• Maria de Jesus Martinez Castro (not present due to finals) - $1,000

Let's celebrate their achievements and the support from our wonderful Kiwanis Club of Pasco.

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:

• Sharon Rancliffe, Transportation Clerk, Transportation
• Becky Hickman, Transportation Router, Transportation
• Megen Hermansen, Art Teacher, Three Rivers Elementary
• Luisa Contreras, Night Custodian, Three Rivers Elementary
• Maria Torres, Head Custodian, Three Rivers Elementary
• Elizabeth Saldana, Paraeducator, Three Rivers Elementary
• Maria Fernanda, Paraeducator, Robinson Elementary
• Erica Gelewski, Paraeducator, Robinson Elementary
• Angelica Sanders, Paraeducator, Robinson Elementary
• Serena Caryl, General Education Teacher, Robinson Elementary
• Kelly Leonard, Vice Principal, Robinson Elementary
• Veronica Machado, Principal, Pasco High School
• Cesar Martinez, Coach, Pasco High School
• Chong Hutchinson, Custodian, Captain Gray STEM Elementary
• Mych Meckes, SPED Teacher, Livingston Elementary
• Brendan Quinn, Programmer, Booth Building
• Mark Garrett, Executive Director of Information Systems, Booth Building
• Ryan Sandretto, Programmer, Booth Building
• Kevin Stiles, Network Engineer, Booth Building
• Shara Ballmann, Systems Technician, Booth Building
• Krystal Gerber, Technician, Booth Building
  
• Elisa Rayl Miller, Technician, Booth Building
• Kara Lamb, Mental Health Therapist, Booth Building
• Brenda Cox, Curriculum Systems Analyst, Booth Building

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the remarkable individuals who will be retiring this year after dedicating their time, energy, and expertise to our students, families, and communities. These retirees have made a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals, and their contributions will be remembered and cherished for years to come.

• Judith Klein

• Heidi Nelson

• Katherine Flannery

• Douglas Norby

• Paullette Doyle

• Shellie Hatch

• Juanita Kamphuis

• James Mahoney

• Robin Hay

• Nancy Holton

• John Kulp

• Catherine Laws

• Julie McKeown

• Kari Shrum

• Jodi Larrabee

• Jeffry Lien

• Jeanette Lujan

• Amelia Valdez

• Rebecca McLaughlin

• Nokham Cam

• Sheri Mitchell

• Beverly Rada

• Korina Welty

• Michael Bouta

• Gregory Breitenfeldt

• Shane Hope

• Bessie Escalera

• Dennis Lynch

• Kerry Torres

• Robert Colley

• Dorothy Montcalm

• Bruce Robinson

• Jody Hockaday

• Terry Ehlers

• Genive Cash

• Lance McClanahan

• Bonnie Johnson

• Evern Cooley

• Richard De Leon

Each retiree will be presented with a Crystal Apple and a scroll commemorating their years of service and dedication to the district. These tangible symbols of appreciation serve as a token of our deep gratitude and admiration for their tireless efforts.

The Benton-Franklin Special Education PTA proudly presented "Outstanding Educator" awards to four exceptional educators from the Pasco School District!

Let's celebrate these outstanding individuals who have significantly impacted the lives of their students and our community.

• Savaya Hall, Pasco High School

• Taylor Hall, Franklin STEM Elementary

• Tina Casias, Livingston Elementary

• Brenda Wilson, Reynolds Middle School

These dedicated individuals have been recognized for their exceptional work and advocacy for special education students in our district. Their commitment to ensuring every student receives the support and resources they need is commendable.

Please support the PHS boys and girls basketball programs as they team up with the newly built Panda Express on Court St.

When: Friday, June 7, 2024 - all day

Where: Panda Express, 1525 W Court St.

How: Show the flyer (physical or digital) or use online ordering code 372514 for orders placed on the Panda Express website or the Panda App.

The programs are excited to start the summer activities, and they need your help to continue building. They ask that you share with family and friends as the programs look to raise funds for upcoming tournaments, camps, and equipment.

Your support is very much appreciated.

For more information, contact Daniel Rodriguez.

Chiawana High School is excited to announce a series of summer athletic camps designed for local youth. These camps provide an excellent opportunity for young athletes to develop their skills, stay active during the summer, and support CHS's athletic programs. All proceeds from the camps go directly back to the athletic teams hosting the events.

Chiawana Volleyball Kids Clinic

When: June 12 – 14

• Grades 6-8: 4:30 – 6:30 pm
• Grades 3-5: 4:30 – 6 pm

Where: Chiawana High School, Main Gym

Who: Girls Grades 3 - 8

Cost: $60/player (includes t-shirt)

Register: Chiawana - Team Home Chiawana Riverhawks Sports (chiawanaathletics.com)

Questions? Contact James Steach.

Chiawana Boys Basketball Summer Kids Camp

When: June 17 – 19

• Grades 2-5: 12 – 1:30 pm
• Grades 6-8: 1:30 – 3 pm

Where: Chiawana High School

Who: Boys Grades 2 - 8

Cost: $70/player (includes t-shirt for first 100 players); $20 for additional family members

Register: Chiawana - Team Home Chiawana Riverhawks Sports (chiawanaathletics.com)

Questions? Contact Aaric Wren.

Lady Riverhawks Summer Soccer Camp

When: June 19 & 20, 10 – 11:30 am

Where: Chiawana High School, Soccer Field

Who: Boys & Girls Grades 1 - 8

Cost: $60/player (includes a t-shirt for first 100 players); $30 for additional family members

What to bring: Soccer Ball & Water

Register: Chiawana - Team Home Chiawana Riverhawks Sports (chiawanaathletics.com)

Questions? Contact Sam Nunez.

Chiawana Girls Basketball Summer Camp

When: June 25-27

Grades 1-4: 9 -10:30 am

Grades 5 – 8: 11 am – 12:30 pm

Where: Chiawana High School, Main Gym

Who: Boys & Girls Grades 1 - 8

Cost: $60/camper (includes t-shirt)

Register: Chiawana - Team Home Chiawana Riverhawks Sports (chiawanaathletics.com)

Questions? Contact Gary Jones.

High School graduations are approaching. Here are the dates if you have someone graduating this June 2024.

• Delta High School, Thursday, June 6, 7 pm at HAPO Center, Pasco

• New Horizons High School, Friday, June 7, 7 pm at Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco

• Chiawana High School, Saturday, June 8, 10 am at Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco

• Pasco High School, Saturday, June 8, 6 pm at Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco

Learn more about 2024 graduations by visiting our graduation webpage.

Join us for a momentous occasion as we break ground for the new Orion High School. This exciting event will take place on Salt Lake St., near Ochoa Middle School, and marks the beginning of a new chapter in our community's commitment to education.

When: Wednesday, June 12, 10 am

Where: 1825 E. Salt Lake St., Pasco (near Ochoa Middle School)

We hope you can join us!

The Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber Annual Mariachi & More Festival is on its way! Padrísimo Edition, come out this father's day and celebrate!

When: Sunday, June 16, 12 - 6 pm

Where: Columbia Park, Kennewick

Pasco School District will have a booth sharing PSD information. Come and enjoy a beautiful day by the river with vibrant music, dancing and local food vendors!

Pasco School District is excited to announce and host our Substitute Teacher Job Fair to prepare subs for the 2024-2025 school year. With unmatched compensation and free professional development opportunities, this event is a must attend for those looking to make a difference in Pasco's schools. Plus, you'll have the chance to expedite your application process and participate in on-the-spot interviews!

When: Monday, June 17, 1:00 - 5:00 PM

Where: ESD 123, 3924 W Court St, Pasco

Who Should Attend?

• Individuals with a bachelor, master, or doctorate degree who want to substitute teach (degree doesn't have to be in teaching)
• Already credentialed teachers
• Future teachers needing credentials
• Newly certificated teachers

What to Bring?

• Resume
• ID
• Unofficial transcripts

For more information, contact Luis Flores, Substitute Dispatcher, at luflores@psd1.org or 509-543-6700, Ext. 6738.

Join us and take the first step toward a rewarding career in education with Pasco School District!

The Pasco Education Foundation proudly announces its 2nd Annual Golf Tournament raising funds for the 2025 college scholarships. All funds raised will stay in the community and help provide 2025 scholarships for graduating seniors in the Pasco School District.

When: Saturday, June 29, 2024, 1 pm

Where: Canyon Lakes Golf Course

Register online to secure your spot. Let's come together, swing those clubs, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of our local students.

For more information, contact the Pasco Education Foundation.

June 19