Positively Pasco: Issue #168
June 6, 2022
Community News
Youth Ride the Transit Free this Summer
Ben Franklin Transit is supporting the youth (age 18 and younger) in our community by offering free bus passes from June 1 to November 30. Our district has distributed over 2,000 bus passes to Pasco students in our high schools, migrant program, summer school, and more! Visit bft.org to request a free pass or for more information.
Hazel Health Mental Heatlh Services Available to PSD Students All Summer
PSD offers mental health services through a partnership with Hazel Health. With Hazel, students can speak with a licensed therapist from school or at home during the school year, and all summer. The district has made these services available so that all students have access to mental health services, without a long wait time to see a therapist.
Available Now: All students, at no cost to families
Hazel services include:
Short-term therapy visits: Therapy sessions can help students cope with everyday issues such as anxiety, bullying, withdrawal, grief, peer and family relationships, depression, not enjoying things they used to enjoy, or simply not feeling like themselves.
Care coordination: Family Resource Managers from Hazel work closely with families to coordinate their child’s care. If your child needs additional services outside of what Hazel can offer, Hazel will help families connect with great local providers.
Therapists who care: Hazel therapists know how to connect with children and teens. Their multilingual team practices culturally competent care for all students.
Learn more: my.hazel.co/psd1
Bond Updates – Building Bright Futures
We are extremely grateful to our community for their support of the November 2017 bond proposal. This is the first step in the district's multi-layered long-term approach to alleviate overcrowding and reduce the number of portables at our schools.
We are excited to announce that the Capital Projects Department has completed all projects approved in the 2017 bond except for a few safety and security improvements and the completion of the Richard Lenhart Transportation Facility, expected to be completed by spring 2023.
We are running another bond in February 2023, which will address ways to alleviate current overcrowding in our schools and improve learning and achievement for students in our district.
Learn more about the full 2023 bond scope by visiting www.psd1.org/bond2023.
Pasco Schools Providing Free Summer Meals
PSD is offering free food to families this summer through the Summer Food Service Program. Meals are available at no charge for children 18 years of age and younger. Meals (breakfast and lunch) will be provided at several PSD schools on specific dates and times, and the full list can be found at www.psd1.org/summerfoodprogram. For additional questions on the Summer Food Service Program, please contact the Pasco Nutrition Services Office at 509-546-2836.
2022-2023 Calendar Now Available
The 2022-2023 academic school calendar is now available in English and Spanish. Visit www.psd1.org/calendars for your copy.
Ostler Orthodontics Donates to Middle School Athletic Teams
Thank you to Ostler Orthodontics for donating $831 to Stevens Middle School athletics teams. They donated $1 for every basket scored at each home game this year (girls and boys) and have been donating to Pasco school for the last six years.
Staff Highlights
Congratulations to Our North Star Winners
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:
- Amanda Freeman, Pasco High School
- Laurel Jackman, McClintock STEM Elementary
- Lindsay Goding, Rowena Chess Elementary
- Todd Riley, Virgie Robinson Elementary
- Tamara Pearson, Transportation Department
Reynolds Middle School PEAK! Partners Celebrate Teachers
Thank you to PEAK! Partners HAPO Community Credit Union and Western Governors University for celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by providing teachers at Ray Reynolds Middle School with candy apples from Country Mercantile and blooming buckets of expo markers with popcorn snack bags.
PSD Bus Driver's Place in Regional School Bus Competition
Congratulations to PSD bus drivers Rebeca Montez and Connor Moore, who recently competed and placed in the Regional School Bus Roadeo Competition. They demonstrated their defensive driving skills, backing, maneuvering, and pre-trip knowledge against 18 competitors. Rebeca placed second, and Connor placed third. Rebeca Montez will be competing at the state competition on June 26 at the annual Washington Association for Pupil Transportation conference in Kennewick.
Twain Elementary Wins Espresso Machine in Teacher Raffle
Mark Twain Elementary was the winner of the Western Governors University (WGU) teacher appreciation week raffle! They won a Ninja Dual Brew Espresso Machine for their teachers' lounge. Thanks for supporting Pasco teachers, WGU!
Congratulations to our 2021-2022 Retirees
Congratulations to our 2021-2022 retirees who have made a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community. We look forward to celebrating our retirees during a reception on Tuesday, June 14 at 4:30 pm in the Booth Building Board Room.
View a full list of retirees and details on our event calendar webpage.
New Horizons Art Teacher Selected as Latino Leader of the Quarter
Saul Martinez, a visual arts teacher at New Horizons High School, was recognized as the Tri-Cities Latino Community Network’s Latino Leader of the quarter. Saul was presented with this award for his outstanding work creating and displaying artwork in public spaces. He hopes that through the arts he can continue connecting people – young and old - to share experiences that make us more alike than we tend to think. Congratulations, Saul!
Marie Curie STEM Elementary Wins Outstanding ATP of the Year Award
We are excited to announce that Marie Curie Elementary won the 2021-2022 Outstanding Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) of the Year Award.
PSD has an ATP in all Pasco schools, which are made up of parents, teachers, administrators, and community members who meet monthly to develop a one-year action plan for School and Family Partnerships and ensure the activities on the plan happen.
Marie Curie won this award because their ATP is constantly looking for ways to break barriers, even during a pandemic. They create a welcoming environment by holding meetings in both English and Spanish and fulfilling the district's goal of having six or more parents present at each meeting. Furthermore, Curie students are present in the monthly meetings. They have introduced new and innovative activities and made it a point to invite parents and students to participate.
Congratulations!
Student Highlights
PSD Seniors Participate in Future Teacher Signing Night
Eighteen students from Chiawana, Pasco, and New Horizons High Schools participated in PSD's Future Teacher Signing Night, a special event sponsored by the Bilingual Educator Initiative/Recruiting Washing Teachers Grant and Superintendent Michelle Whitney.
Graduating seniors who are part of the district's Teaching Academy and plan to pursue a teaching degree in college were invited to attend the event with their families, enjoy food and presentations, and sign an official letter of intent. By signing the letter of intent, students demonstrate an interest in becoming members of the PSD teaching team after they graduate from college and complete their certifications. Superintendent Michelle Whitney also signed the letters, showing the district's investment in the success of our community by guaranteeing students' consideration for employment as a teacher after graduation.
Congratulations, students! We hope you come back to teach in our community.
Pasco High Hosts Blood Drive
Pasco High School’s National Honor Society, in partnership with the Red Cross, hosted their first blood drive since January 2018 on May 18. They had 45 donors donate, with 29 pints collected, which is the highest amount collected since 2016. Red Cross has a scholarship program where they donate $250-$3,000 scholarships to students. Congratulations on this successful event!
Congrats HAAP Scholarship Winners
Seven students from PSD were recognized with scholarships at the Hispanic Academic Achievers Program 2022 (HAAP) Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 29. A total of $75,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to 21 students, with a total of $19,500 going to the following PSD students:
Brian Andres Licon-Vazquez, Chiawana, $2,500 WSU (Washington State University) Scholarship
Angel Ruiz, Pasco High, $5,000 Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
Jamilette Briceida Leon Zurita, Pasco High, $2,500 WSU Scholarship
Perla Cipres, Pasco High, $2,500 CBC Scholarship
Nora M Ramirez Perez, Pasco High, $2,500 HAPO Scholarship
Noelia Noemi Gutierrez, Pasco High, $2,500 Tri-Cities Engineering PLLC Scholarship
Anthony Esquivias, Delta (CHS), $2,000 League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Scholarship
Congratulations! You have bright futures ahead.
Delta High Student Headed to National History Day Competition
Jackson Burnett, Delta High School student, is headed to nationals after placing second in the Washington State History Day Competition! Jackson earned second place for his individual website and will now participate in the National History Day competition held virtually in June. Delta High School was also named the Washington History Day Outstanding School (Senior Division) for the third time.
Pasco High School Dance Team Auditions for America’s Got Talent
The Pasco High School Dance Team, Schwanna Bulldogs, was invited to audition for America's Got Talent (AGT)! If you missed the season premiere of America’s Got Talent on Tuesday, May 31, and were hoping to see the Pasco High School Schwanna Bulldogs make their TV debut, you’re in luck.
Even though the dance team didn’t perform on the new season’s first episode, the group will appear in a later episode. The date hasn’t been released yet.
The award-winning team is known for its upbeat dance routines but is sworn to secrecy about how their audition fared until their performance airs.
Good luck, dancers!
Livingston Elementary Students Collect Food Donations for Community
Our Ruth Livingston Elementary Leopards collected food for Second Harvest Tri-Cities, which will be distributed to support our local community. Mrs. Baumgartner's class brought in the most donations and won a pizza party for their class. The school donated over 4,700 pounds in total!
New Book Vending Machine at Angelou Elementary
We have a new Book Vending Machine available for students at Maya Angelou Elementary! Thank you to HAPO Community Credit Union for purchasing the machine and The Children's Reading Foundation of Mid-Columbia for donating books. This is a wonderful way to create an appetite for reading for our Pasco students!
Chiawana High Student Violist Wins Mid-Columbia Symphony Young Artist Competition
Congratulations to Eduardo Muniz Villa, a junior at Chiawana High School and violist who won the Mid-Columbia Symphony Young Artist Competition! Eduardo played his winning solo with the Mid-Columbia Symphony in May. "He is an incredibly talented musician, and winning this competition is a big deal," said Lauren Edmondson, Chiawana Orchestra/Guitar Specialist.
Pasco High Students Receive Hands-on Cosmetology Experience
Five Pasco High School students on cosmetology paths attended Paul Mitchell’s The School's "Dream Tour.” Paul Mitchell graciously invited the students to get a comprehensive look inside their school and learn about all their programs, including barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, and nails coming this fall!
Events
Boys and Girls Basketball Camps
Chiawana High School (CHS) is offering girls and boys basketball kids camps in June.
Boys Basketball Kids Camp 2022, June 15 – 17
Contact Mike Brown, mbrown@psd1.org
Girls Basketball Kids Camp 2022, June 27 – 30
Contact Aaric Wren, aawren@psd1.org
If you would like more information about registration and payment options, please visit the CHS Kid Camp webpage.
RiverDog Swimming and Diving Camps
The Chiawana and Pasco High School swim teams are hosting their 1st Annual RiverDog Swimming and Diving Camp!
When: Thursday, June 16 - Saturday, June 18, 10 am – 12:30 pm
Where: Memorial Pool on the corner of 14th and Shoshone in Pasco
The camp is available for students entering grades 6-12. This event is free, though donations will be appreciated. Look for sign-up information on the Pasco High School swimming webpage.
For more information, please contact Jason Hart at 509-572-6751.
Support Pasco Students
Volleyball Peach Sale
Pasco High School (PHS) volleyball team is selling peaches to provide funds for athletes to attend clinics and purchase new equipment. The sale will take place July 1 – August 26, the price per box is $25. Peaches will be available for pickup each Monday after the sale begins. A link to purchase peaches will be posted on the PHS social media pages when the sale starts. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Estes at jestes@psd1.org.
Upcoming Dates
High School Graduations
- Delta High School, Thursday, June 9 at 7 pm, Three Rivers Convention Center
- New Horizons High School, Friday, June 10 at 6 pm, CBC Gjerde Center
- Chiawana High School, Saturday, June 11, 10 am, Edgar Brown Stadium
- Pasco High School, Saturday, June 11, 6 pm, Edgar Brown Stadium
All graduation ceremonies will be livestreamed. View the graduation livestream webpage for more details.
Last Day of School
Wednesday, June 15