Positively Pasco: Issue #167

Issue #167

May 2, 2022

Vea la versión en español del Boletín Informativo Positivamente Pasco aquí.

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. 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

Click here to request a therapy visit for your child

We want to see Pasco students' artwork shine in our 2022-2023 district calendar sponsored by Gesa Credit Union! Students in grades K-11 in the Pasco School District can enter our 2022-2023 Calendar Art Contest by submitting artwork inspired by the theme of ‘PSD is Where Bright Futures Are Made. See Us Shine!’

One grand prize winner will be featured on the cover and receive a $300 Visa Gift Card, and 12 winners will be featured on a designated month and receive a $100 Visa Gift Card. Submissions are due by May 13, 2022.

View more details.

The 2022-2023 academic school calendar is now available in English and Spanish. Visit www.psd1.org/calendars for your copy.

We are partnering with the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) and the WA State Department of Health (DOH) to offer free, voluntary COVID-19 diagnostic testing for PSD staff, students, and volunteers.

The district's central testing site is open Monday-Friday, from 10 am to 2:30 pm for students and staff, and is located at the Pasco School District Administration Building (1215 W. Lewis St). Limited testing appointments are available outside of the testing site's normal hours. Please call 509-543-6782 if you need to schedule an appointment at a time before 10 am or after 3 pm.

Please look for and follow the neon yellow cones, along the East side of the building, and follow the instructions on the signs to notify a team member of your arrival. To expedite testing at the test site, please follow this link to complete a short pre-registration if you have not tested with the district this school year.

At PSD, we understand that not all students thrive in the same learning environment or learn the same way. That’s why we have created four virtual learning options through our Digital Learning Academy. Virtual learning can allow a student’s problem-solving and communication skills to combine with technology for the ultimate educational experience. Learn more by visiting the Digital Learning Academy webpage.

We want to recognize our incredible teachers who are the heart and soul of education. Thank you, teachers, for working to inspire the young minds of tomorrow. We celebrate you today and every day! Please take a moment and thank a teacher who has made a big impact in your life.

Western Governors University (WGU) wants to celebrate our teachers by raffling off a coffee maker or popcorn machine (valued at up to $150) for your school’s breakroom! Please enter your name on the form linked and one teacher will be chosen at random during the week of May 2 – 6.

Congratulations to Marisa Anderson, Paraeducator at Maya Angelou Elementary, for being the recipient of the Year of You Scholarship from Western Governors University (WGU). Marisa is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program at WGU and excited to be a future teacher with her own classroom full of kids.

Congratulations to Barbara Pierce, our North Star winner from Ray Reynolds Middle School! Barbara, Principal Assistant, was nominated by Juliette Hungate, Resource Room Teacher, for working hard, leading by example, being innovative, and motivating others. Superintendent Michelle Whitney presented Barbara with an award to acknowledge her for shining brightly in her profession and putting students first!

Franklin STEM Elementary put on their first annual cereal drive to support families during spring break. They were able to collect 504 boxes, ensuring that every student received a box to take home. Thanks to Yoke's grocery store and Cornerstone Church in Pasco for their considerate donations.

Students from Twain Elementary participated in the Pizza Hut Book It! reading program for a chance to win FREE bikes! Students who read for 20 minutes a night at home were entered into a drawing to win a bike sponsored by the Pasco Police Department. One name was drawn for Kinder-1st, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-5th and the lucky winners are Ailani from Mrs. Meier's class, Ella from Mrs. Gibbon's class, and Leyla from Mrs. Gomez class. Thank you to the UA Local Union 598 Plumbers and Steamfitters, Randy Walli, and Pasco Police for helping support Pasco students!

The Washington State University (WSU) Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) partnered with Pasco High School to present health care information to students as a part of the Legacy Mentor Mentee Program. Over 20 Pasco High students interested in the medical field participated in hands-on demonstrations with LMSA student mentors. Thank you to the LMSA for supporting Pasco students!

Fourth-grade students from Livingston Elementary attended an Amentum STEM Grant Culminating Event at Tri-Tech Skills Center! Students visited Ryan Coe's Pre-Electrical class to gain hands-on experience with Snap Circuit electricity kits, explore STEM career paths, and gain a memorable learning experience that may be a launching point for their future careers. Thanks to Ryan Coe and Tri-Tech for supporting Pasco students. An Amentum STEM grant funded this field trip.

Hip Hip Hooray for a Book Vending Machine Unveiling day! Students at Emerson Elementary can now take home new and gently used books for FREE by earning inchy coins when they demonstrate excellence in school. The coins work in the Book Vending Machine and allow students to pick a book of their choice to take home. "It's really cool, I'm excited. It will help me read more," said Leah, an Emerson student.

Thanks to the Virgie Robinson Scholarship Fund for donating $2,000 to support the 8th annual clothing drive at Robinson Elementary! Thanks to everyone who made donations to help support children in our community.

The Captain Grey STEM Elementary basketball court beautification project big reveal was April 25! Thank you to Elite Construction and Development, A Sharp Painter, Stripe Rite, and Saul Martinez, New Horizons High School Art teacher, for making this happen for Pasco students. Students can now enjoy a playground full of art, color, and community!

Congratulations to Kimberly Salazar, third-grade student from Curie STEM Elementary, for winning first-place in the elementary category for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) annual Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Art Contest! Each year, students from Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland compete in this art contest for a chance to win prizes and enhance their understanding of these iconic figures of our U.S. history. All the artwork will be on display at the upcoming Cinco de Mayo Art Event in downtown Pasco on May 5.

Frost Elementary students who are part of the Pasco Kiwanis K-Kids Club, their parents, Pasco Kiwanis members, and student representatives of Chiawana High School’s Key Club, cleaned up the site where the future K-9 Memorial area will be. Thirty volunteers dedicated their time and talents to help prepare the area for a memorial event that will take place on May 30.

Pasco High School is excited to share their “Every 15 Minutes” program is back and designed to teach students about the consequences of drinking and driving. This year, at the request of the Pasco Police Department, the program will also incorporate impacts of marijuana use. Participating students will go through a mock crash scene in the student parking lot on May 5 and 6, and a memorial for those that were lost due to driving under the influence. This program targets seniors, but there will be lunchtime activities to spread awareness for the entire school body.

For more information, contact Kimberly Schneider at kschneider@psd.org.

The Chiawana and Pasco High School swim teams are hosting their 1st Annual RiverDog Swimming and Diving Camp!

When: Thursday, June 16th - 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.

The Cinco de Mayo Celebration in downtown Pasco is May 1 - 8 and will include a week full of fun family events and activities. The PSD will host a booth and provide student entertainment on the main stage. So come by our booth and visit us!

Schedule of events:

• Wednesday, May 4, 6-8 pm: Noche Cultural/Cultural Night at Peanuts Park

• Thursday, May 5, 6-8 pm: Art Exhibit at Salon Monte Carlo

• Friday, May 6, 3-8 pm: Latin Fusion Friday on 4th and Lewis

• Saturday, May 7: Parade will begin at 11 am followed by local entertainment from 1-4 pm on Columbia and 4th Street

• Sunday, May 8, 12-5 pm: Health Fair on 4th and Lewis

Support the Pasco High School (PHS) cheer program by bringing some spring color to your home. You can purchase a hanging flower basket online for $40. Baskets come in assorted colors and are available for pickup on May 5 from 4-6 pm in the student parking lot at Pasco High (1108 N.10th Ave). Baskets are provided by Buds & Blossoms Garden Center in Zillah.

For more information, please contact PHS Athletics at 509-546-2859.

May 6

May 11

May 30