Positively Pasco: Issue #177
March 6, 2023
Thank You, Pasco!
We are honored and proud to share that our February 14 bond passed with a 60.91% approval rate. We’re incredibly grateful to the Pasco community for making this commitment to support our students and staff. This is an important step in the district’s efforts to alleviate overcrowding and reduce the number of portables at our schools.
Our volunteer-led Community Builders group did a great job creating the district’s Long-Term Facilities Management Plan (LTFMP), which addresses the district’s most urgent needs to support our students and schools. Thanks to their efforts, this bond represents the collective work of our community.
Construction on the comprehensive high school, located off Burns and Rd. 60, will begin in the next few months, and construction on the small innovative high school/Career & College Academy, located at Salt Lake St. near Curie STEM Elementary, will begin in the spring of 2024. We anticipate both high schools to open in the Fall of 2025.
As we progress on all the projects within the bond scope, we will share the information with you through district communications and updates on our Bond 2023 webpage.
Thank you for your continued support of Pasco students and staff.
Important Calendar Updates for Remainder of 2022-2023 School Year
Due to the two snow days in December 2022, the following changes have been made to the Pasco School District 2022-2023 calendar:
Friday, March 10: School make-up day and end of 2nd Trimester
Friday, March 31: K-12 Early Release
Wednesday, June 14: Last Day of School and end of 3rd Trimester (and end of 4th quarter at New Horizons High School)
There will be no school on Monday, March 13, as previously scheduled.
Please view the updated 2022-2023 school calendar (English and Spanish) on our PSD District Calendars webpage.
Celebrating Education Support Professionals Week
The third week of March is Education Support Professional Week, a time to celebrate our support professionals who do not practice teaching-related jobs. Every hour of a student’s day is made better by these hard-working and caring professionals who make sure our students get to and from school in vehicles that are safe and well maintained. They make sure our students have the nutritious meals and snacks they need to keep their minds and bodies fueled and ready to learn. They deal with miles of paperwork to keep our schools on schedule, on budget and on task. They make sure our facilities are beautiful and well cared for. Our classified employees create an environment that fosters learning and shows our students, and employees, that they are treasured. A big “Thank You” to all of the district’s Education Support Professionals (classified staff) for the tremendous work they do every day.
Applications Open for Two-Way Dual Language Program
PSD is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 kindergarten Two-Way Dual Language Program at various elementary schools. If you are interested in the program and are an English-speaking Pasco resident with a first-time kindergarten student, apply by May 15, 2023.
Acceptance into the program is based on eligibility, commitment for six years, and parent involvement. Applications are available at all Pasco elementary schools or Dual Language Program webpage.
PSD Ambassadors Meet for Session Four
PSD Ambassadors met at Stevens Middle School for session four, where they learned about Social & Emotional Learning and School Safety. At PSD, we know students learn best in an environment where students feel safe and healthy. That is why we take a layered approach to create a healthy learning environment which includes Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Supports, Physical Security, and Training.
Thank you to the Pasco Police for sharing information about our partnership and all the great ways they support us in keeping students and staff safe.
Learn more about PSD’s Ambassador program.
Rosa Torres Joins Pasco School District Board
During the Tuesday, February 28 Board Meeting, Michelle Whitney, PSD Superintendent, administered the Oath of Office to PSD’s newly appointed Board Member, Rosa Torres. Mrs. Torres was recently appointed to the Board of Directors Position 5. Welcome to the Pasco School District School Board, Rosa!
PSD Hosts 6th Annual Winter Carnival
Thank you to everyone who came to the Winter Carnival where Pasco families enjoyed food, games, prizes, entertainment, music, and lots of fun. Thank you to the vendors, student entertainers, and volunteers who helped make this family and community-friendly event successful.
We look forward to hosting this event in the spring next year when it’s a little warmer.
Columbia River Elementary Hosts VIP Day
Columbia River Elementary 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 breakfast and lunch while learning about the school and their programs from Principal Robin Hay, teachers, and student leaders. They got to visit a science class where students were doing engineering experiments, a marketing class, and two-way dual language classes where the instruction was delivered in English and Spanish.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
Meet Bryan
Bryan is a senior at Pasco High where he enjoys math, auto mechanics, and his favorite class - robotics. His passion for robotics started in summer school at Ochoa Middle School. That's where he learned to modify robots to score the most goals during competitions and see how they are made. He plans to study Information Technology (IT) at Washington State University and pursue a career in computer programming.
Learn more about PSD's Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs by visiting our CTE webpage.
Middle School Wrestling Showcase
Pasco High School hosted the Middle School Wrestling Showcase, which featured wrestlers from all Pasco four middle schools. Families were able to enjoy over 200 matches throughout the afternoon. Thank you to all staff who helped with making this a memorable event for students and families.
Chiawana Cheer Takes First Place in State Championship
Chiawana Cheer made school history by placing first at the 2023 WIAA State Competition. They also received the highest score in the three years they have competed. Twelve of the twenty-one girls that competed at State have never competed in cheerleading before, which is a testament to the heart, drive, and grit that the team has. They also earned a Distinguished Academics Award from the WIAA! Way to go, Chiawana Cheer!
For more information, contact Whitney Billman.
Franklin STEM Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Releasing New Book
Franklin STEM Elementary teacher, Wysteria Edwards, is releasing her first book, Waiting for Mister Rogers: Teaching with Attachment, Attunement, and Intention.
The book reveals a Kindergarten teacher's journey to find answers for the broken children entering her classroom—and the wounds in her own heart—through the personal notes, speeches, and writings of Fred Rogers. It is time to remember childhood, return to the neighborhood, and teach with attachment, attunement, and intention. Mr. Rogers was right all along!
You can view a chapter of the book on Wysteria Edward's website or pre-order the book on Amazon.
For more information, contact Wysteria Edwards.
Emerson Elementary Cereal Drive
Help Emerson Elementary collect 1,000 boxes of cereal during their sixth annual Cereal Drive. They are collecting cereal boxes for every student to take home a couple of cereal boxes during spring break.
When: March 1- 31, 8:30 am – 4 pm
Where: Emerson Elementary, Front Entrance, 1616 W Octave St
For more information, contact Cristal Delgado or Diana Rangel.
Cheer on Pasco and Chiawana High School Dance and Drill at District Championships
Come support our Pasco and Chiawana High School dance teams at the District Championships. There will be fifteen schools represented with over 25 performances. Pasco High's Dance Team, Schwanna Bulldogs, will compete in three categories - pom, show, and hip hop. Chiawana High's Dance Team, Flight Crew, will compete in two categories - pom and dance. Both schools will compete in qualifying for the WIAA State Dance & Drill Championships.
When: Saturday, March 11 at noon
Where: Pasco High School, 1108 N 10th Ave.
State competition will occur on March 24 for 1A/2A/3A schools and March 25 for 4A schools at the Yakima Sun Dome. Good luck to our Bulldogs & Riverhawks!
For more information, contact Rebecca Schwan or Bobbi Buttars.
Immunization Clinic at New Horizons High School
There will be a no-cost childhood Immunization clinic to get all school-required vaccines. No insurance is required and all families are welcome.
When: Monday, March 13, from 1 - 5:30 p.m.
Where: New Horizons High School, 2020 W Argent Street.
There will be food and $20 gift cards to each family for participation while supplies last.
For more information, contact Billie Wensveen at 509-543-6700, ext. 2131.
Attend Mornings with Michelle
Pasco School District's Superintendent, Michelle Whitney, invites parents, community members, and employees to join her for an informal discussion about Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs and a Bond 2023 update where you will enjoy a light breakfast.
When: Friday, March 31, 7:30 - 9 am
Where: Booth Building, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco, Boardroom
You can find more information on our website. We hope to see you there!
