Positively Pasco: Issue #182
September 11 2023
School Bus Safety Awareness
As schools reopen and the buses are rolling through our streets, we want to remind everyone about the importance of school bus safety. Our top priority is keeping our children safe, and we need your help to ensure their protection.
Here are some essential tips for motorists when encountering school buses on the roads:
- STOP when the bus’s red lights are flashing, and the stop arm is extended. This means children are either getting on or off the bus, and they need a safe passage! It’s illegal to pass a school bus in this situation.
- Maintain a safe distance from the bus. Give yourself plenty of space and time to react if a child unexpectedly crosses the road. Remember, kids may be excited or in a hurry to get to school, so be extra cautious.
- Slowdown in school zones. Reduced speed limits are in place during specific hours to ensure the safety of students who may be walking or biking to school. Stay alert and obey the posted speed limits!
- Be patient. School buses make frequent stops, so anticipate delays during your commute. Remember, it’s worth it if we can keep our children safe!
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Be especially vigilant near schools and residential areas. Kids may be present at any time, even outside of typical school hours.
Together, we can create a safe and secure environment for our children as they travel to and from school.
Provide Input on PSD’s New High School Boundary Process
The construction of our two new high schools is underway, and now we need YOUR input in the creation of new high school boundaries!
We value the thoughts of our incredible community, families, staff, and students in this process. Your insights are invaluable as we shape the future of Pasco Schools. Join us by participating in our interactive survey, which will be open until Sunday, October 1. Tell us what matters most to you about how PSD decides on boundary revisions for our high schools.
We're in the initial stages of data collection, aiming to develop guiding principles based on your perspectives. These principles will guide our expert technical team in creating boundary scenarios for the community to review and revise this winter.
For more information, visit our New High School Boundaries webpage.
New Website Launching October 2023
This is a friendly reminder that we are launching a new PSD website on October 30. You will still find district news and information by visiting www.psd1.org, but will discover an updated and modern look and feel, streamlined navigation, intuitive calendar and staff directory, and updated and relevant content.
One change is that school websites url’s will be changing. When the site updates on October 30, find your school website from the district page and be sure to bookmark the webpage.
For more detailed information about the website project, we invite you to visit our Website Coming Soon webpage. You will find additional updates and relevant information regarding this exciting endeavor there.
Gesa Credit Union Awards $65,456 from Affinity Debit Cards
Pasco School District Celebrates Groundbreaking for High School #3
The district celebrated the groundbreaking for high school #3 on Thursday, August 17. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who supported our bond, making the realization of this new school and our Career & College Academy possible. Together, we are shaping the future of education and creating opportunities for the brilliant minds of tomorrow.
The new school is scheduled to open in Fall 2025 and is located at Rd. 60 and Burns Rd., close to McClintock STEM Elementary School.
2023-2024 School Calendars Now Available
Benton-Franklin Regional Safe Routes to School Survey
Join us in contributing to the safety and well-being of our children by participating in the Benton-Franklin Regional Safe Routes to School survey. Our sole mission is to ensure that walking or biking to school becomes a secure, convenient, and enjoyable experience for every child. We value your input, so please take a moment to complete the survey and share your thoughts. As a token of our appreciation, you'll also have the opportunity to enter a draw for a chance to win a free helmet.
Visit the Benton-Franklin Regional Council of Governments (BFCOG) survey today to make your voice heard and help us create safer routes to school for our kids. The survey responses will be used by the BFCOG to develop the area's first regional Safe Routes to School Action Plan.
Digital Learning Center Celebrates Grand Opening
The district celebrated the grand opening of our state-of-the-art Digital Learning Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 24.
The Digital Learning Center, located at 4403 W. Court St., Pasco, stands as the heart of our Pasco Digital Learning Academy, encompassing four incredible digital learning programs: Pasco Innovative eXperiences & e-Learning (PIXeL), Internet Pasco Academy of Learning (iPAL), Pasco Parent Partnership (P3), and Virtual New Horizons High School. With a mission to empower, educate, and elevate, these programs collectively serve over 600 students.
As the demand for PSD’s Digital Learning programs has grown, so has the need for a centralized hub that can cater to the diverse needs of our students and families. The inauguration of this new Center is a monumental leap forward in our commitment to providing top-notch education and resources to our community.
PSD Employees Kick Off 2023-2024 School Year During All Staff Rally
We kicked off the school year during the 2023 All Staff Expo and Rally, where nearly 1,500 employees gathered at Edgar Brown Stadium to visit with community partners and businesses, enjoyed breakfast and student entertainment, and participated in the rally!
Thank you to Coordinated Care for sponsoring the event, STCU for sponsoring the pastries, and Raan Coffee and Dutch Bros Coffee for donating the coffee. We also want to thank our student entertainment, the Chiawana High School cheerleaders and dance team, Mariachi del Halcon, and choir members who sang the National Anthem. And our Pasco High School Marching Band, cheerleaders, and Schwanna Bulldogs Dance Team.
Community Partners Donate Generous Supply of School Supplies
We are grateful for community and corporate collaboration in Pasco! The Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Northwest Laboratory and Willamette Dental group, each helped collect school supplies. Thanks to your generosity, we've collected a treasure trove of essential items ready to support Pasco students.
PSD Kicks Off School Year with Tri-City Dust Devils
Back to School Night with the Tri-City Dust Devils and Gesa Credit Union was a ball! Thank you to everyone who joined us, and the following talented student entertainers:
Chiawana High School Cheer Team and Mariachi Band, Halcon del Rio
Pasco High School Marching Band
Also, a special thank you to Meia Ng, PSD Student Board Representative from Chiawana High School, for throwing the first pitch.
Pasco High School Launches Library of Things
Pasco High School has launched their "Library of Things" initiative, taking education to new horizons! Spearheaded by our amazing librarian, Elizabeth LeCompte, this program is set to transform the 2023-24 school year for our students.
What's the Library of Things all about? Imagine a place where students can explore diverse interests and potential careers, regardless of financial constraints. Thanks to a generous $2,500 donation from Amazon, we've curated an impressive collection of over 50 items, ranging from arts and crafts to musical instruments, science gear, games, and outdoor sports equipment.
Our students are already excited! Ismael shared, "It’s pretty cool to check out a DJ set from school, especially the library. The library doesn’t always have to be just books." Giselle, another PHS student, expressed her interest: "I’m excited about the telescope, the sewing kits, and items for gold mining."
We can't wait to see our students explore, learn, and grow with this incredible initiative.
Pasco FFA Welding Club Shines at Benton Franklin Fair with Superintendent’s Award-Winning Projects
After a brief hiatus from the Benton Franklin Fair, the Pasco FFA Welding Club made a triumphant return to the fair this year! They were thrilled to showcase students' exceptional work in the AG building and are proud to announce that several projects earned the prestigious "Superintendent's Award" for their outstanding craftsmanship. Demonstrating their skills and engaging with the community is a vital component of leadership development for students. A big thank you to the Benton Franklin Fair Board for their unwavering commitment to FFA and the nurturing of leadership skills in our youth.
For more information, contact Jacob Munden.
Chiawana High School’s State Runner-Up Speech and Debate Team to Showcase Award Winning Performances at Summer’s Hub of Kennewick
Chiawana High School's esteemed state runner-up speech and debate team is set to dazzle audiences at the Summer's Hub of Kennewick. Prepare to be captivated as Alecx Naungayan and Michael Wood deliver a spellbinding rendition of their state championship dual interpretation piece, "Come From Away," while Selah Gutierrez showcases her 4th-place humorous interpretation, "Albuquerque," among other exceptional performances by our talented team members. Plus, be part of the action with some exciting audience participation opportunities! Don't miss this golden opportunity to experience the world of speech and debate firsthand while showing your unwavering support for our dedicated team.
When: Monday, September 18, 5 - 7pm
Where: Summer’s Hub of Kennewick, 6481 W. Skagit, Kennewick
For more information, contact Vicky Hyde.
Juana Melo Receives Recruiter of the Year Award
We are thrilled to share the incredible achievement of Juana Melo, who has been named the recipient of the "Recruiter of the Year" award by the Washington State Migrant Education Program (MEP) for the 2022-2023 academic year!
The Washington State Title I, Parc C, MEP reserves this annual occasion to honor exceptional migrant staff who embody unwavering dedication and service while actively representing the program's ideals. Mrs. Melo's outstanding contributions, particularly her innovative approaches in building relationships and fostering engagement with Pasco's migrant families, have rightfully earned her this prestigious award.
The spotlight shone brightly on Mrs. Melo's remarkable commitment during the State MEP Conference awards luncheon, held in Yakima. This recognition not only celebrates her individual accomplishments but also underscores the pivotal role that Pasco's Migrant Program plays in fostering connections and support within our community.
Congrats Staff Achievement Winners
Congrats to our 2023 Staff Achievement Winners who were recognized during our 2023 All Staff Expo & Rally on Monday, August 28th.
- Stacey Regan, Life Skills Teacher, Reynolds Middle School
- Angie Jarvis, English Teacher, Chiawana High School
- Sarah Overturf, Counselor, McLoughlin Middle School
- Billie Wensveen, Health Services Coordinator, Health Services Building
- Kim Mahaffey, Middle School Math Teacher, PIXeL
- Cherie Grego, 3rd grade Teacher, Franklin STEM Elementary
- Carolina Hernandez, Assistant Principal Secretary, Reynolds Middle School
- Brenda Leighty, CTE Financial Literacy Teacher, Chiawana High School
Staff Achievement winners are individuals who make outstanding contributions to the district and are nominated by their colleagues. They will each receive up to $1,500 for professional development opportunities.
Pasco Teachers Participate in PNNL STEM Institute
Six teachers from Pasco High School, Stevens Middle School, and Chiawana High School recently completed a rigorous four-week STEM Institute hosted by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). These dedicated educators, including John Weisenfeld and Jose Garcia from Pasco High School, Elizabeth Rios-Morales and Laura Delgado Bahena from Stevens Middle School, and Jeff Albertsen and Jason Fitzgerald from Chiawana High School, worked closely with scientists from PNNL's Computational and Mathematical Sciences division.
The primary objective of the STEM Institute was to enhance their ability to convey PNNL's scientific work to students interested in STEM fields and better equip them to mentor students for potential internships at the national laboratory. The program, organized by Ann Wright-Mockler and Elizabeth Stevens from PNNL's Office of STEM Education, provided hands-on learning experiences, fostered collaboration with PNNL researchers, and empowered these educators with innovative STEM teaching strategies. Additionally, the teachers gained valuable insights into PNNL's cutting-edge research, which they are eager to share with their students to inspire future STEM professionals.
Pop Sale to Support Pasco High Choir
Pasco High Choir is having a Coca-Cola Pop Sale! Each case of 24, 20 oz bottles is just $30, that's $1.25 per bottle! Choose from 17 flavors that include a variety of soda, Powerade, and Dasani water.
The fundraiser is currently running and ends Friday, September 22.
For more information, contact Wendy Newbury.
VIP Day at Richard L. Lenhart Transportation Center
You’re invited to spend the morning with Pasco students at the Richard L. Lenhart Transporation Center! You’ll have the opportunity to engage in learning activities, listen to school and building highlights, and experience what makes Pasco schools an exciting place to learn.
When: Thursday, October 26, 8:45 am – 12 pm
Where: Richard L. Lenhart Transportation Center, 3412 N. Stearman Ave.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided during this FREE event. Spots are limited, so RSVP today!
