Positively Pasco: Issue #193
September 9, 2024
Join PSD’s Portrait of a Graduate Design Team
We're developing a Portrait of a Graduate—a collective vision of the skills and competencies our students need to thrive in the 21st century. And we want YOU to help shape it!
Join the Portrait of a Graduate Design Team to make a lasting impact on our future graduates and community.
Meeting Dates (Childcare Provided):
October 2nd | 5:00-7:30 PM | PHS Student Mall | Dinner Provided
November 6th | 5:30-7:30 PM | CHS Student Mall
December 11th | 5:30-7:30 PM | Stevens Middle School Commons
January 29th | 5:30-7:30 PM | Location TBD
We encourage you to apply if you're passionate about student success and ready to collaborate!
Apply online by September 16.
PSD Launches ParentSquare as New Mass Communication Tool
We are excited to announce that the district has partnered with ParentSquare as our new mass communication tool. ParentSquare is replacing our tool, Blackboard, which is being phased out effective September 30. This means beginning October 1:
The PSD App will be replaced with the ParentSquare App.
All emergency alerts (weather alerts, lockdown notifications, and emergency alerts) will come through ParentSquare via the App, email, and text, and there is no option to opt out of emergency alerts.
All district and school communications and notifications for staff and families previously sent via Blackboard will come through ParentSquare.
ParentSquare is a tool for:
Communicating to parents, staff, and community
Sending mass notifications and urgent alerts
Attendance notifications
Teacher and classroom communications
Direct Messaging with two-way translation
Forms and Permission Slips
Appointment Sign Ups (parent-teacher conferences, technology pick-ups)
Calendar and RSVP
Volunteering and classroom supply sign-up
And so much more!
Families can get started by downloading the ParentSquare App or registering online. You’ll confirm your contact information is correct and then immediately have access to communicate with your student’s teachers and receive important alerts and information from both your schools and the district.
For more information, visit our ParentSquare webpage.
Keeping Students Safe: Safety Rules for Parents & Students
As we kick off the school year, it's essential to reinforce safety rules with our children. Kids may encounter strangers on their way to school, at the park, or in their neighborhoods. While most strangers are harmless, it's crucial to equip your child with the confidence and skills to stay safe. Here are some key safety rules to review with your child:
Stranger Safety Rules:
Trust Your Instincts: If a stranger makes your child feel unsafe, they should find and tell a safe adult immediately and ask them to call the police.
Adults Ask Adults for Help: Remind your child that adults should ask other adults for help, not children.
Say "NO!" and Get Loud: Teach your child to say "NO!" firmly to a stranger and make lots of noise while running away to a safe place.
Buddy System: Encourage your child to travel in groups or with a buddy whenever possible.
No Names on Display: Avoid putting your child’s name on backpacks or other items where it can be easily seen by strangers.
Identify Safe and Unsafe Strangers: Discuss with your child how to recognize who is safe to talk to and what to do in different situations.
By following these safety rules, we can help our students feel prepared and protected as they navigate their daily routines.
View our Keeping Students Safe Flyer
When to Stop for a School Bus: Know the Rules!
Another key aspect of keeping our students safe involves understanding when to stop for a school bus. Whether you're driving your child to school or they’re riding the bus, it’s important to remember:
Two-lane road: Stop in both directions when the bus has its stop sign extended.
Multi-lane road with no median: Stop in both directions.
Divided highway with a median: Only traffic behind the bus must stop.
Let’s all do our part to ensure our kids get to and from school safely.
View our When to Stop When School Bus Lights are Flashing or Stop Bar is Out Flyer
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe!
2024-2025 School Calendars Now Available
The eagerly awaited 2024-2025 school district calendar is now available! Students will receive copies of the school calendar (one calendar per family), so be sure to check their backpacks. This calendar outlines all important dates and events for the upcoming school year.
Senior Citizen Gold Cards Available for Community Members
Fall sports season is about to begin, and it's the perfect time for our community members who are 65 or older (and living in Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland school districts) to get their Senior Citizen Gold Card!
What does it offer?
With your Senior Citizen Gold Card, you can enjoy FREE admission to a wide range of events across the Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland school districts. This includes middle and high school sporting events, concerts, plays, and other school and ASB happenings.
What's not covered?
Please note that the cards are not valid for tournaments, playoff games, or sold-out events. But there are still plenty of opportunities to soak in the local culture and support our talented young athletes and artists!
How to get your card:
To snag your very own Tri-Cities Senior Citizen Gold Card, all you need to do is fill out a simple application and present it in person at any of the district offices. Don't forget to bring your photo ID along!
So why wait? Swing by your nearest district office today and grab your card to enjoy a season filled with incredible performances and sportsmanship. Let's show our support for the next generation of talent in our community!
READY! for Kindergarten Workshops Now Available
Calling all parents! Now is the time to get your child READY for kindergarten. Free workshops are available at Pasco schools this fall to help you prepare your child for school success.
Visit the READY! For Kindergarten website for more information about the program or to sign up for the free workshops.
City of Pasco Parks and Rec Free After School Program
The City of Pasco Parks and Rec Department offers a free after-school program for Pasco students, and this year, PSD will be offering free after-school transportation for students at Chess, Frost, Emerson, and Longfellow Elementary Schools.
When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 3:30 – 6 pm
Where: City Hall Activity Center, 525 N. 3rd Ave., Pasco
Cost: FREE
Students will enjoy homework assistance, arts and crafts, recreational and STEM activities, and more!
Register online today.
For more information, call 509-545-3456.
Gesa Credit Union Awards $66,609 to Pasco Schools
A huge shoutout of gratitude to Gesa Credit Union and our incredible community members who have been swiping their PSD Affinity cards! Thanks to your support, PSD has been awarded an amazing $66,609 to enhance our high schools – making us the top recipient among all districts.
These generous donations have made a big impact, especially in supporting student leadership through Career and Technical Student Organizations like DECA, FCCLA, FFA, and Skills USA. These funds help fill financial gaps for aspiring participants and empower us to foster career growth and meaningful competition opportunities.
Did you know that every time you swipe a PSD Gesa Affinity card, a percentage of your purchase helps our students succeed? Don't have a Gesa Affinity Card yet? Sign up at your local Gesa branch today and make a difference with every purchase!
PSD Employees Kick Off the 2024-2025 School Year During All Staff Rally
PSD celebrated the start of the school year with the 2024 All Staff Expo and Rally, where nearly 1,500 employees gathered at Chiawana High School to visit with community partners and businesses, enjoy breakfast and student entertainment, and participate in the rally!
The morning was packed with student entertainment, giveaways, awards, and more. We kicked things off with a delicious breakfast from Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, coffee from Ground Support, and photos from Camerazzi Photo Booth—all sponsored by Gesa Credit Union. Swigg Coffee Bar provided additional coffee, STCU sponsored tasty pastries, and Prime Dental Partners treated us to KONA Ice snow cones.
Special Thanks to Our Performers and Supporters
We want to give a heartfelt thank you to Kinsley Murray, a 4th grader from Livingston Elementary, for her beautiful performance of the National Anthem. We also extend our gratitude to the Chiawana and Pasco High School Cheerleaders for their warm greetings. Special recognition goes to the Chiawana High School Jazz Band, Drum Line, and the Key Club students for their help in distributing our clear PSD bags.
A big shoutout to our amazing performers: the Chiawana Flight Crew Dance Team, Megan Hockaday, Director of Virtual Learning, and her Lucky Stars, Director of Special Services Kristi Docken, Longfellow Principal Claudia Serrano, and Markham Elementary Principal Wendy Manthei. We were also treated to a fantastic performance by Chiawana High School's Mariachi Halcón del Río, led by the talented Allen Madsen, accompanied by Rebecca Rodriguez-Ziegler, Chiawana High School's Psychology & Sociology teacher and Instructional Coach. The Pasco High School Schwanna Bulldogs Dance Team delivered an incredible performance, along with Kash and King, two outstanding 12-year-old talents from McLoughlin and Desert Hills Middle Schools.
Also, thank you to our incredible MCs, Bob Smart, Director of Employee Services, and Superintendent Michelle Whitney!
PSD Celebrates the Start of the 2024-2025 School Year with Tri-City Dust Devils
We celebrated the new school year in style with an exciting baseball game alongside the Dust Devils! Our student board representatives Owen Bergstrom, Mason Byrd, and Danika Reyna joined in the fun, with Owen and Danika throwing the first pitches on behalf of Gesa Credit Union and PSD. A special shoutout to the Pasco High Dance Team for their amazing performance that energized the crowd!
A huge thank you to Gesa Credit Union for sponsoring this fantastic event and helping us celebrate the new school year in such a memorable way.
Join the PEAK! Program and Make a Difference in Pasco Schools
Are you searching for a meaningful way for your business to give back to the community? Support Pasco schools and students by becoming a PEAK! Partner today!
As a PEAK! Partner, your business or organization enters into a contract with Pasco School District, contributing $500 - $700 for each school year. This financial contribution goes directly to your designated PEAK! Partner school to support students.
In addition to the financial support, PEAK! Partners participate in at least three school activities or events identified in collaboration with the school's principal.
We're excited to welcome our newest PEAK! Partners:
Evol Octopus partnered with Columbia River Elementary
Pro Taxes partnered with Franklin STEM and Livingston Elementary Schools
The Granite Guy partnered with Stevens Middle School
Swigg Coffee Bar partnered with McLoughlin Middle School
Eminent Roofing partnered with Twain Elementary School
Tri-Cities Community Connections partnered with Ochoa Middle School
Edward Jones partnered with McGee Elementary School
Join us in making a lasting impact on our students and schools by becoming a PEAK! Partner today!
Congratulations to our 2024 Staff Achievement Award Winners
We are thrilled to recognize eight outstanding employees for their incredible contributions to the district. During the PSD All Staff Rally on Monday, August 26, these exceptional individuals were surprised with their awards, and their families were there to celebrate the moment with them!
These awards honor those who go above and beyond in their roles each year, and this year's recipients truly exemplify excellence. Each winner will receive up to five days of professional leave and $1,500 for a professional growth opportunity.
Join us in celebrating our 2024 Staff Achievement Award winners:
Fabian Valencia – English Language Development and CTE Teacher, Pasco High School
Duana Trevino – Secretary, Parent Education Center
Andrea Braithwaite – Preschool Special Education Teacher, Early Learning Center
Paula Bazinet – ASL Teacher, New Horizons High School; District ASL Interpreter and Interpreter Coordinator, Booth Building
James O'Connor – Health & Fitness Teacher, Longfellow Elementary School
Danine Wright – Secretary of Instruction and Curriculum, Booth Building
Maya Donnelly – Technology Teacher, Franklin STEM Elementary; Robotics Teacher, Pasco Digital Learning Academy
Chelsea Hargrow – Administrative Assistant, Employee Services Department
Laura Jones Named Outstanding Administrator of the Year
Congratulations to Laura Jones, PSD's Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), for being honored with the Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award by the Washington Family & Consumer Sciences & Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE)!
This prestigious award recognizes Laura's exceptional contributions to advancing CTE in Pasco and beyond. Under her leadership, PSD has made significant strides in ensuring all students graduate with a clear career path and a sense of purpose. Laura's dedication to providing industry-level training, creating valuable partnerships, and advocating for student engagement has been instrumental in shaping the future of our students.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Laura leading Career & Technical Education within Pasco School District!
Pasco Fiery Foods Festival
Join the City of Pasco for their annual event, which celebrates different cultures by sharing a wide variety of delicious and exotic foods. From the culinary arts' captivating aroma to the chili pepper contest's thrill, the day promises to be nothing less than hot and happening! Be one of the hundreds of people to witness and participate in the ultimate celebration of all things fiery and flavorful.
When: Saturday, September 14, 2024, 11 am – 7 pm
Where: Downtown Pasco, 4th and Lewis St., Pasco
For more information, contact Gracie Valle-Chimal.
Join Pasco School District's First Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Night!
Pasco School District is excited to host its first AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Community Night. Families will have the chance to attend a brief presentation on AAC and learn about a collection of methods designed to assist those with speech or language difficulties in communicating effectively. The presentation will provide insights on how to support communication at home. Additionally, a resource fair will be held, featuring organizations such as the Children’s Reading Foundation and the ARC/Autism Coalition.
When: Thursday, October 3, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Where: Booth Building, 1215 W. Lewis St. Pasco
The evening will feature light refreshments, engaging activities, communication device vendors, device demonstrations, and valuable family resources. Come connect with others and enjoy a fun night of learning and community!
For more information, contact Allyssa Deems.
Join Superintendent Whitney in Conversations About Pasco Schools
Superintendent Michelle Whitney invites parents, community members, and employees to an informal discussion about Pasco schools over a light breakfast or lunch.
Mornings with Michelle (light breakfast including coffee, juices, and pastries)
When: Friday, October 11, 7:30 – 9:30 am
Where: Starbucks, 2411 W. Court St, Pasco
Soup with the Superintendent (light lunch including soup and drinks)
When: Friday, November 8, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Booth Building, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco
Visit full details on the Meet the Superintendent webpage.
VIP Day at Pasco High School
You're invited to spend the morning with Pasco students and staff at Pasco High. You'll have the opportunity to engage in classroom activities, listen to school highlights, and experience what makes Pasco schools an exciting place to learn.
When: Thursday, October 17, 8:45 am – 12 pm
Where: Pasco High School, 1108 N 10th Ave., Pasco
Breakfast and lunch will be provided during this FREE event. Spots are limited, so RSVP today!
For more information, contact Ana Munguia.