Positively Pasco: Issue #190
May 6, 2024
Earn More + Learn More as a Substitute Teacher in Pasco School District
Are you passionate about education and looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students? Look no further! Pasco School District is thrilled to announce our Earn More + Learn More substitute teaching campaign.
From May 1 to June 13, 2024, individuals who substitute (guest) teach in Pasco can enjoy the following benefits:
Unmatched Compensation:
$175/Day Monday to Thursday
$200/Day on Fridays
Plus, the opportunity to earn additional pay for subbing during planning periods!
Free Professional Development and Clock Hours:
Enhance your skills and knowledge with our complimentary professional development opportunities and clock hours.
Don't miss out on this chance to make a positive impact while earning competitive compensation and advancing your professional growth. Get started today by visiting our Earn More + Learn More webpage!
Whether you're a new or existing sub, we look forward to welcoming you to our team and working together to support the success of our students.
For more information, contact Luis Flores.
High School Construction Updates
Sageview High School
The construction of Sageview High School, located on Rd. 60 and Burns Rd., is well underway and we're thrilled to share the progress with our community! View drone footage of the construction process on the PSD YouTube page.
Roof trusses over the gyms are completed
Wall framing has started in the Administration and Library wings
Underground drainage installation on the track/stadium has begun
Wall painting has started in E wing
Sheetrock has started in the SPED wing
Tennis courts and pickleball courts are prepped and ready for paving
Sageview High School is scheduled to open in Fall 2025.
Orion High School
Exciting developments are also underway at Orion High School! On March 26, the Pasco School District initiated a public bid for a General Contract aimed at constructing our new school facility. Fast forward to April 9th, where the board approved the Bid and awarded the contract to Fowler General Construction. We're thrilled to announce that Design West has been enlisted as the Engineer for this project.
Already, progress is evident as preparations for construction are kicking into high gear. Ground flattening is currently in progress, marking the initial stages of what promises to be a transformative endeavor for our school community.
Orion High School is scheduled to open in Fall 2025.
PSD 2024-2025 Calendar Art Deadline May 10
The 2024-2025 Calendar Art Contest is in full swing, and Pasco students in grades K-12 have the chance to show off their creative abilities for a chance to win big! This year's theme is 'Celebrating PSD Superstars'; students should create artwork that best represents this theme.
Prizes include:
- One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive a $300 Visa Gift Card. Their winning art submission piece will be featured on the cover of the 2024-2025 Pasco School District calendar. In addition, it will also be on PSD's website, social media, Pasco School Minute radio spot, and internal/external newsletters.
- Twelve (12) Winners will receive a $100 Visa Gift Card. Their winning art submission will be featured on their grade corresponding month in the 2024-2025 Pasco School District calendar. They will also be recognized on PSD's website and social media platforms.
All entries are due by Friday, May 10, 2024.
The entry form and contest details can be found on the Calendar Art Contest webpage.
For more information, contact Cassie Galvez.
Enrollment Open for 2024-2025 School Year
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.
Student Board Representatives Applications Open
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.
Applications Open for 2024-2025 Two-Way Dual Language Program
PSD is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 kindergarten Two-Way Dual Language Program at various elementary schools. If you're an English-speaking Pasco resident with a first-time kindergarten student, this is a fantastic opportunity to embark on a bilingual educational journey!
Application Deadline: May 31, 2024
Eligibility: Open to English-speaking Pasco residents with incoming kindergarten students
Commitment: A six-year commitment is required
Parent Involvement: Active parent involvement is key
Applications can be picked up at all Pasco elementary schools or accessed on our Dual Language Program webpage.
PEAK! Partners Celebrated During Annual Luncheon
We had an amazing time at our PEAK! Program Luncheon celebrating our outstanding partners, principals, and dedicated staff!
A big shoutout to our five incredible PEAK! Partners who've been with us for an impressive 15 years: Chapala Express, Tri-Cities Community Health, Kiwanis Club of Horse Heaven Hills, Craig Griffiths-State Farm Insurance Agent, and Vladimir Krinitsyn-State Farm Insurance Agent. Congratulations on this milestone achievement!
During the luncheon, our partners had the chance to catch up on High School and Boundary Updates from our district staff and continue to collaborate and plan exciting activities for the end of the school year.
Curious about the PEAK! Program? Visit our PEAK! website to learn more and join us in empowering our community through education!
PEAK! Partner Spotlight: Craig Griffiths-State Farm Insurance Agent
We are thrilled to spotlight Craig Griffiths, a State Farm Insurance Agent and valued Pasco High School (PHS) PEAK Partner! Craig Griffiths- State Farm Insurance Agent, consistently demonstrates his dedication to student success through various initiatives such as participating in PHS Citizenship Awards, Mother's Day Celebrations, and Posada's Celebration, ensuring that all students, staff, and families feel Pasco High's mission statement of All Belong, All Learn, All In!
What is PEAK!?
Partners in Educating All Kids (PEAK!) is a distinctive business-to-school partnership program that formalizes collaborations between businesses, organizations, and Pasco schools. This program brings together community resources, support, and expertise to create enriching opportunities for Pasco students.
Learn more about PSD's PEAK! Program.
Public School Volunteers Celebrated
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at our Volunteer Appreciation Event during Public School Volunteer Week! Massive shoutout to our amazing cheerleaders and dancers from Chiawana High School and Pasco High School for bringing their energy and spirit to the celebration!
Special thanks to the Pasco High Floral Shop for adorning our tables with stunning flower centerpieces. And a round of applause to Albertsons, Yokes, Coca-Cola, and Fred Meyer for generously sponsoring the delicious food that fueled our festivities!
We couldn't have done it without the incredible support from Gesa Credit Union, Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW), and Panda Express, who graciously donated fantastic raffle prizes, adding excitement to the evening!
We want to thank all our school volunteers from the bottom of our hearts. Your dedication and passion make a world of difference in the lives of Pasco students and staff. Thank you for all that you do, day in and day out. Together, We Are Pasco!
Celebrating Student Success at Flying Hands Competition
Students in our Deaf Education Program recently showcased their talents at the Flying Hands American Sign Language (ASL) & Art competition hosted by the Washington School for the Deaf (WSD). They returned home adorned with multiple awards, excelling in ASL Storytelling and Art categories.
These accolades stand as a testament to the unwavering dedication, boundless creativity, and remarkable skills of these students. Their hard work and commitment to honing their talents have led them to this success.
During the event, students had the privilege to embark on a guided tour of Washington School for the Deaf, led by Dana Miles, the esteemed 2023 Washington State Teacher of the Year. This unique experience offered valuable insights and served as a wellspring of inspiration, enriching their educational journey.
Let's extend our heartfelt congratulations to these students for their outstanding accomplishments.
Congrats HAAP Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to PSD's Hispanic Academic Achievers Program (HAAP) 2024 scholarship winners! We're thrilled to announce that 20 students from Pasco High School and Chiawana High School received a combined total of $89,178! Way to go, Bulldogs and Riverhawks!
Let's celebrate their achievements and the bright futures ahead!
Captain Gray STEM Elementary Unveils Book Vending Machine
Captain Gray STEM Elementary revealed their new Book Vending Machine! Thanks to The Lupine Society's generous funding, this initiative highlights community dedication to supporting elementary education. Students can earn tokens for the machine, aligning with their reading goals, aiming to motivate each student to read and succeed!
Want to support? Donate new or gently used books! Contact Assistant Principal Amanda Wilson.
Chiawana High School Students Host Annual Campus Clean-up Day
Chiawana High School (CHS) Natural Helpers hosted their annual campus clean-up to celebrate Earth Day. Representatives from the CHS staff and a variety of clubs were there to clean up the campus and complete planting projects to beautify it. Thank you to Gesa Credit Union for sponsoring this event and to Kona Ice of Tri-Cities, Wingstop, and Fiesta Mexican Restaurant who donated food for all the volunteers.
Taqueria Doñitas Teams Up with Pasco High School to Reward Attendance with Tasty Treats
Exciting news! Pasco High School (PHS) and Taqueria Doñitas have teamed up for a special partnership! We're all about celebrating attendance, and what better way to do it than with tasty tacos?
Introducing "Let's Taco-About Your Paw-Fect Attendance" at PHS! Throughout April, May, and June, Taqueria Doñitas is generously awarding five free meals each month to a fortunate freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, and PHS staff member, all as a reward for stellar attendance. Winners will be announced at the end of each month.
Let's give a big round of applause to our April winners:
Freshman: Tiernen Rimmasch
Sophomore: Peter Biehl
Junior: Jazmin Gonzalez
Senior: Niklas Kutsch
Celebrating Pasco Teachers
Celebrating National School Nurse Day
National School Nurse Day is May 8 and is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the accomplishments of school nurses and their efforts to meet the needs of PSD students by providing and advocating for quality student-centered care. The contribution of nurses in PSD schools is extensive. They not only support students in staying healthy, staying in school, and being ready to learn at every opportunity throughout the year.
PSD has a fantastic team of highly educated nurses, many of whom are National Board certified. Pasco has set a high standard for school districts in the State of Washington, with an RN in every school building across the district. We honor all school nurses who are making a difference in the lives of children every day!
Discover more about our amazing nurses by visiting the district's School Nurse Website.
Pasco High School Backstock Yearbooks on Sale
Purchase your Pasco High School Legacy today! Their annual yearbook backstock sale is open now. They have books from 1959-2021 available for you to purchase. Prices and stock vary year to year. Don't miss your chance to order.
Yearbooks can be ordered through SchoolPay.
For more information, contact Susana Vidrio.
Support Pasco High School Boys and Girls Basketball Programs
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.
Soup with the Sup
When: Friday, May 10, 11:30 am –1:30 pm
Where: Booth Building Board Room, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco
For more information, contact Jennie Richardson.
Save the Date for 2024 High School Graduations
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.
Chiawana High School Girls Basketball Summer Camp
Join the Chiawana High School girls basketball team for an exciting girls summer camp opportunity. Registration includes a camp t-shirt. Come ready to play.
When: June 25-27
- Grades 1-4: 9-10:30 am
- Grades 5-8: 11-12:30 pm
Where: Chiawana High School
Registration cost is $60 per camper. Register online on the Chiawana Athletics page.
For more information, contact Gary Jonas.
2nd Annual Pasco Education Foundation Golf Tournament
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.