Dear PTS,

Those of us who have been a part of the Phoenix-Talent School District community for a long time know the kind of students we put out into the world – fine citizens, world-changers, critical thinkers who exemplify the qualities commonly associated with the place in which they grew up. In short, men and women who live up to and even surpass this little district’s not-so-little vision: “Together, we shall meet the challenges of preparing responsible, creative, lifelong learners.”

Since we occupy a relatively small space in a region that includes six larger school districts, it’s to be expected that the accomplishments of some of our most distinguished alumni will often go unnoticed, even those who call Phoenix, Talent or south Medford home. Until now, that is.

As the PTS superintendent – not to mention a longtime PTS employee who started here as an assistant principal at Phoenix High way back in 2004 – I am excited to share that we now have a virtual place where you can go to learn about some of our most distinguished alumni, the people whose stories are now part of the PTS legacy. The "Our Legacy" page, which you can view now by clicking this link, is a great place to go if you’d like to find out how far our former students have gone – former PTS students like Patrick Johnson, a 1987 Phoenix High graduate who is now a Spokane county judge and crime novelist. Or Ben Mills-Cannon, a 2003 PHS grad who has built a global career in mobile app development and currently works for eBay. Or 2006 PHS grad Marci Klimek, a two-time Olympic trials qualifier in the marathon who just won her 10th Pear Blossom title and has also found time to become a hospital administrator and paralegal.

These success stories and many others that you’ll find on the Our Legacy page serve as a reminder that big things can, and often do, begin in small places and my hope is that they will inspire our current students to chase their dreams relentlessly, reach high, and remember that this amazing place they call home has set the scene for so many remarkable stories. The next ones are being written in our schools right now and I can’t wait to read them!

Brent Barry, Superintendent

• April 24: Future Pirate Night (5:30 p.m. at PHS).

• April 25: PHS Grad Night Auction (5 p.m. at Paschal Winery and Vinyard).

• April 30: Kinder Launch (3-6 p.m. at PTS elementary schools).

• May 1: PTS School Board meeting (6 p.m. at TES).

• May 10: Parking lot sale (9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at PHS)

• May 13: Budget Committee Meeting (6 p.m. at PHS).

• May 15: PTS School Board meeting (6 p.m. at TES).

Email: brent.barry@phoenix.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.phoenix.k12.or.us
Location: 401 West 4th Street, Phoenix, OR, USA
Phone: 541-535-1517
Facebook: facebook.com/PTSRising
Twitter: @Phoenix_Talent