WSD Weekly

Dear WSD Family,

I’ve seen a lot of first days in my career, and there is something about it that never gets old. The energy in our hallways, the excitement of the first day, the moment a student meets their teacher for the first time and realizes this is going to be an amazing year. That’s the good stuff.

That energy is awesome and why we do this work. This year, I am more excited than ever about what lies ahead for WSD. Our theme this year is “Building for Learning, Ready for the Future”. It’s not just a tagline, it’s a reflection of exactly where we are as a district. We are building literally and figuratively with new programs, new partnerships and new opportunities for every student who walks through our doors. And we are doing it with intention, with our community behind us and with our students' futures guiding our efforts.

This year brings exciting developments across the district. WVTech welcomed students back to brand-new, $14.5 million grant-funded CTE spaces. Valley Academy's enrollment has doubled in its new home at the former Columbia campus. WestSide High School continues to grow with new alternative learning to meet student needs. Our Accelerated Pathways program is keeping more students connected to the full high school experience at WHS and allowing them to earn college credit or AA degrees on campus. Our Strategic Plan continues to guide us toward the outcomes that matter most: high-quality instruction, belonging, literacy, algebra readiness, graduation, and real and relevant learning.

We also bring into this year an honest awareness of the challenges our aging facilities present. Our team rolls up their sleeves every day to make our buildings as safe and healthy as possible for students and staff, and we are committed to transparency with our community about both what we are doing and what still needs to be done.

We are Wenatchee. We are a community that believes in its kids, that shows up and invests in them. This year, more than ever, your commitment matters. Thank you for being part of the Wenatchee School District family. We are building something great together!

Building for Learning, Ready for the Future.

Superintendent Kory Kalahar + WSD Cabinet Team

Photo caption: (left to right, Diana Haglund, Melissa Summers, Kim White, Sean Fitzgerald, Kelly Lopez, Kory Kalahar and Eric Anderson)

Wenatchee School District's Migrant Education Program (MEP) staff is leading the way. This year MEP recognized not one but two WSD team members with prestigious statewide awards. Together, their achievements reflect the extraordinary work happening every day to support students and families in our community.

Mayra Cortes: Inaugural Out-of-School Youth Advocate of the Year

A brand new award introduced this year to honor individuals who go above and beyond for migratory youth who are not currently enrolled in school. Mayra's recognition reflects her exceptional leadership in connecting young people across our community with the educational, career, health, and community resources they need to move forward.

Nancy Navarro Ortiz: Migrant Education Coordinator of the Year

Nancy achieved one of the highest honors in the state for professionals serving migratory students and families. This fall, she takes on an exciting new chapter, continuing her role as Migrant Education Coordinator while also stepping into the position of Dean of Students at Orchard Middle School.

Photo Caption: (left to right:) Mayra Cortes and Nancy Navarro Ortiz

Wenatchee Valley Tech students returned this fall to brand-new, industry-standard learning spaces made possible by a $14.5 million state grant. The transformation reflects exactly what career and technical education (CTE) should look like: modern, purpose-built spaces designed to prepare students for future careers.

Medical Occupations and Dental Assisting students stepped into modern classrooms and labs that mirror real medical and dental settings, equipped with tools and equipment used by medical and dental professionals.

Culinary Arts welcomed a brand new café and conference and classroom space, giving students a real-world setting to sharpen their food and hospitality industry skills.

Fire Science is getting the most ambitious addition of all, a new smoke tower and dedicated learning spaces that will replicate what it actually feels like to be inside a smoke-filled building and a working fire station. For future firefighters, it is the closest thing to the real thing before they ever answer their first call.

Full project completion is expected by December. This is what future-ready learning looks like in Wenatchee.

🌐 Learn more about WVTech on their website wvtech.wenatcheeschools.org

The Wenatchee Panther Pod is a brand-new podcast all about Wenatchee Panthers athletics and activities. Hosted by Eric Granstrom, the voice of the Panthers and one of the most trusted and recognizable voices in the Wenatchee Valley, the Panther Pod takes you behind the scenes with the coaches, athletes, officials, and fans who represent why it takes more to be a Panther.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Find the Wenatchee Panther Pod on YouTube or your favorite podcast provider Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more or follow Wenatchee Athletics or KKRV on social media for links and updates.

🎤 👀 This Week's Episode: On this 3rd episode of the Wenatchee Panther Podcast, host Eric Granstrom is joined by Ursula Panagiotou of the Wenatchee Panther Booster Club. Eric is also joined by girls' varsity swimming coach Jana Sutton, as well as senior swimmer Maddy Moore and junior swimmer Camryn Palmer.

Whether you bleed purple and gold or just love a great Wenatchee story this one is for you.

As we begin a new school year, we want to make sure families know about an important item on the November 3 ballot.

Wenatchee voters will consider a $275 million school construction bond focused on two priorities: replacing most of Wenatchee High School and replacing aging heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems at seven elementary and middle schools.

The proposal is the result of more than three years of facility assessments, planning, and community input.

We will continue sharing information throughout the fall.