Community Newsletter YOUR PASCO SCHOOLS POSTAL CUSTOMER PASCO WA **ECRWSS*** Celebrating academics, diversity, and innovation.

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1 YOUR PASCO SCHOOLS Community Newsletter Putting students first to make learning last a lifetime. Celebrating academics, diversity, and innovation. SPRING 2014 New Delta High School to Break Ground in Pasco The community is invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Delta High School on June 25 at 10 a.m. at 5801 Broadmoor Boulevard in Pasco. Pasco School District #1 C.L. Booth Education Service Center 1215 W. Lewis Street Pasco, WA NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PASCO, WA PERMIT 189 **ECRWSS*** POSTAL CUSTOMER PASCO WA 99301

2 Sherry Lancon, Board President Dear Friends and Neighbors, Another election season has passed, and it is my great pleasure to thank Pasco voters for once again supporting the children of our community. I would also like to thank all of the parents and community members who attended meetings on our west side boundaries. We knew going in that not everyone would be happy about our decision, but we do greatly appreciate your thoughtful comments and input in helping us reach a decision. We will be going through a similar process next year as we plan for the 2015 opening of Marie Curie STEM Elementary right next door to Whittier Elementary. It is such a joy to live in a community where people take the time to cast their votes, to make their opinions known, to support our common good and our future: the children of Pasco. It seems as though the long, late Pasco School District Board of Directors: Sherry Lancon, President Ryan Brault, Vice President Steve Christensen, Member Scott Lehrman, Member Amy Phillips, Member Neydeen Martinez, Student Representative Ovidio Castillo, Student Representative winter may finally be behind us and, as we know well, the springtime will be filled with many exciting activities. Treat yourself and your family to a great evening with a concert or play. The students work many hours on these projects and always appreciate an audience. Or, if that s not your cup of tea, then spend one of our enviable warm spring evenings enjoying a baseball or soccer game. If you have the time, volunteer at one of our schools. One of the reasons I love being a Pasco School District board member is having the opportunity to enjoy so many of the great things that happen daily in our schools. It won t matter if you read to kindergarteners at Captain Gray or help a high school student prepare for the future with a mock interview, or land somewhere in between. I promise you will go away feeling great and having learned something. Happy spring! Sincerely, Sherry Lancon, Board President Superintendent: Saundra L. Hill Editor: Leslee Caul Designer: Annie Warren YOUR PASCO SCHOOLS is published by the Pasco School District Public Affairs Department as a community service to Pasco citizens. Questions and/or comments may be sent to Leslee Caul, Director of Public Affairs. Pasco School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and provides equal access to designated youth groups. Questions regarding compliance, complaints, and/or reporting procedures may be directed to the school district s Title IX/RCW 28A.640/28A.642 compliance officer Sarah Thornton, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco, WA 99301, , or Section 504/ADA coordinator Tracy Wilson, W. Lewis St., Pasco, WA 99301, Nondiscrimination policies are available at

3 High Schools Celebrate Semester Graduates Chiawana and Pasco high schools awarded diplomas to graduates during semester commencement ceremonies recently. Chiawana High School honored seven Class of 2014 graduates at a commencement ceremony on Jan. 29. Graduate Dahir Mohamud was the honored speaker. He thanked his teachers specifically teacher Laura Fowler for teaching him respect above all. Chiawana High School graduates Dahir Mohamud, Melissa Lopez, Madima Abdikadir, Jackson Nieforth, Gustabo Vasquez, Ivan Nuñez, and Moises Saldana are pictured Jan. 29. Pasco High School graduates Andrew McCormick, Alan Trinidad, Maria Ramirez, Kodie Wininger, and Jose Zepeda (left to right) are pictured on Feb. 12. Pasco High School awarded diplomas to five students during a ceremony on Feb. 12. Principal Raúl Sital congratulated the graduates and spoke about each one individually. Perseverant, resilient, brilliant, and hard-working were some of the words he used to describe these proud Bulldogs. Families, friends, and staff cheered as graduates received their hard-earned diplomas. Congratulations, Class of 2014! Above: CHS s Ivan Nuñez receives his diploma. Left: PHS graduates Alan Trinidad and Maria Ramirez move their tassles to the right.

4 Johnson and McColloch Named 2014 Crystal Apple Winners New Horizons High School Social Studies teacher Seth Johnson and Chess Elementary School Reading Recovery/ Leveled Literacy Intervention teacher Jill McColloch are the 2014 Tri-City Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Education honorees for Pasco School District. They joined eight other outstanding educators from across the region at the Crystal Apple awards ceremony on March 13 at Columbia Basin College. A former Captain Gray Elementary teacher, McColloch has devoted her career to Pasco students. She has been a kindergarten, first, and second grade classroom and summer school teacher. A Reading Recovery specialist at Chess Elementary School since 2003, McColloch helps students find success in reading to achieve at the highest levels. Jill sees her students as individuals with unique qualities and learning styles, always building on what they know, increasing their confidence and empowering them to see themselves as readers and writers, say her Reading Recovery/ Leveled Literacy Intervention team members. Jill McColloch works with one of her Reading Recovery students at Chess Elementary School. Jill has been an instrumental part of our intervention programs for struggling learners at Chess, says Principal Wendi Manthei. Her skill, professionalism, creativity, and sincere desire to do the best work inspires others. Thanks to her time and attention her students have made tremendous gains in both literacy and confidence. As a Social Studies teacher, ASB advisor, lead teacher, and administrative intern, Johnson has been an integral part of New Horizons High School since A natural and enthusiastic leader, he is always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty and leads the NHHS afterschool 21st Century Grant program in addition to being an adjunct professor at Eastern Washington University. Seth Johnson is one of the most talented educators that I have had the opportunity to work with, and his passion for the success of our students is infectious, says NHHS Principal Brian Leavitt. Seth Johnson welcomes a student to school at the New Horizons High School office recently. Fellow NHHS teacher Jessie Kurtz says, We like to say around here, It s not a job, it s a calling. This job is a calling for Seth, and he takes that calling seriously.

5 Emerson, Longfellow, and Chess Named Supera Schools of Distinction For many Pasco schools the measure Mimicking the formula that is used to of student progress is not only the state determine the state Schools of Distinction Awards, the District identified assessments, but the Supera, a standardized test given in Spanish to Pasco buildings having three years of positive students who are not yet proficient in gains in reading and math and the largest English. Because the state does not upward growth trend. recognize the Supera test as a measure of student progress, some Pasco schools making gains are overlooked when the Schools of Distinction Awards are given out each year. But when Pasco School District officials applied the methodology used by The Center for Educational Effectiveness to our local elementary schools in which grades two through five were administered the Supera, three schools emerged as highest performing schools. Emerson, Longfellow and Chess elementary schools have gained the honor of being named 2013 Pasco School District Supera Schools of Distinction. All three schools were recognized recently with a banner and presentation by Superintendent Saundra Hill. These schools have created a warm learning culture that welcomes families, and the result is high student achievement which will lead to high achievement in English as well, says Superintendent Hill. Livingston and McGee Among Top in State for Student Achievement You ve no doubt heard that both McGee and Livingston elementary Awards, making these Pasco schools two of the top three in the state. for Educational Effectiveness. Livingston and McGee were two of the schools have been named only four schools and one Schools of Distinction It isn t luck, says ESD parent partnership in the once again this year. You 123 Superintendent Bruce ESD 123 region which may even know that this Hawkins. The fact that serves 72,000 students distinction landed them McGee and Livingston to receive the School of in the top five percent of have consecutively earned Distinction Award this highest improving public the award is key. It s year. schools in Washington. worth examining the work being done to achieve the distinction. What you may not know is that only three schools in the state have ever achieved this award four or more times. This is the fifth consecutive year for McGee and the fourth consecutive year for Livingston to receive the Schools of Distinction Of the 2,354 public schools in Washington Livingston and McGee join the 55 elementary schools and 102 total schools to receive a 2013 School of Distinction Award from The Center Hawkins presented Livingston Elementary Principal Susan Sparks and her staff with the award on Jan. 24. McGee Principal Robin Hay and her staff received the award at a ceremony in October. Learn more at

6 District Announces Spring 2014 Testing Change This spring, Pasco School District students in grades 3-8 will take the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) in English language arts and math instead of the Measures of Student Progress (MSP). Grades 5 and 8 will take the science MSP in addition to the math and English SBA s. Tenth grade students will continue to take the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) and End-Of-Course (EOC) exams for federal and state accountability and as graduation requirements. Middle school students enrolled in algebra and geometry will also take the EOC exams for those subjects. In October, the Board of Directors approved the request by Pasco elementary and middle schools to field test the SBA in spring 2014 in place of the MSP tests. The SBA is being developed to assess the new Washington State standards, which were adopted into law in July The new standards will fully replace existing state standards by The District s Information Systems team has worked diligently to upgrade and install wireless internet access in schools across the District in an effort to support, extend, and individualize learning opportunities for all students. This year s SBA test will not be used for accountability purposes for schools. Instead the 2013 MSP scores will be rolled over for state and federal accountability purposes and schools will provide MAP, Supera, and/or DRA/EDL results for students to families. The benefits of field testing the SBA include: the opportunity for Pasco elementary and middle school students to experience the new test format before it counts in 2015, Pasco students will be included in the norming group, teachers can focus on one set of standards in their classrooms this year, and staff will have an opportunity get a sense of the new assessment. Recently, mobile devices were deployed at elementary and middle schools to bring Pasco s student to computer ratio up to the State s average. The devices, which function like a complete laptop and a tablet, increase student access to technology within the classroom thereby helping them prepare to meet the demands of the new Washington State Standards, complete the Smarter Balanced online testing, and learn to compete in the technology world. The board of directors approved the acquisition of mobile devices in November and January. The high schools have opted out of the field test. High schools are still required to administer the current state assessments and were not given the option to substitute. For more information, please talk to your school principal.

7 Sign Up to Receive Emergency Notifications Parents and guardians, be sure to fill out the School Messenger Opt-In Parent Form on our website to receive alert text messages from Pasco School District about school delays or closures and emergencies. Visit or go to the Student Health and Safety page under the Families tab on the District web site, Fill out the form online and within a couple of days, you should receive a text message saying, Pasco School District alerts. Reply Y for aprx 3 msgs/mo. Txt STOP to quit, HELP for help. You should reply to this message with a Y. Then, a return text will confirm that School Messenger has registered your cell phone number. You are now registered to receive emergency notifications. You can opt-out of the program at any time by texting STOP to If you do not receive a reply within 24 hours of signing up or if you receive an error message, please contact your carrier and verify they are not blocking text messages from or blocking what is called short number texting. If you have any questions, please contact the Pasco School District help desk at or helpdesk@psd1.org. The Pasco School District wishes to thank Pasco voters for passing the replacement levy, which provides educational programs and services for all of the District s 16,614 students. You ve once again shown that Pasco truly cares for kids! Voters Approve Maintenance and Operation Levy Students at Livingston Elementary School sing at an assembly in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Levy dollars support music programs for all students.

8 Facilities Update: Frost Overpass to be Disassembled This summer, the Frost Elementary School overpass will be disassembled due to structural deterioration. The footbridge, which for decades has served students and families who walk to Frost Elementary School, has been closed since District officials found structural problems during an annual safety assessment last spring. Since then, two crossing guards have been stationed at the stoplight at 20th Ave. and Pearl St. to cross students to and from school every day. Approximately 60 students use the crossing daily. Student safety is always the top priority for the District, says Director of Support Services Randy Nunamaker. After considering all options repairing, replacing, or removing it the most reasonable and fiscally responsible answer is to demolish the overpass and continue crossing students at the stoplight. The overpass was installed decades ago, long before a stoplight and crosswalk existed at 20th and Pearl. Given that the overpass is no longer necessary along with the high cost to replace it under new construction codes, the District will remove it before it becomes a safety hazard for motorists on 20th Ave. New Schools Underway in Pasco Edgar Brown Stadium To Be Closed Summer 2014 for Repair and Replacement Work will begin in early June on the resurfacing of the athletic track and the replacement of the field turf at Pasco School District s Edgar Brown Stadium sports complex. The project is expected to be finished by late August. The stadium will be closed to the public during construction. The field turf was installed in 2002 with an expected eight-year life span. With proper maintenance, the District was able to extend it to 12 years. It is time now to replace the worn surfaces for the safety of Pasco s student athletes. Construction of Pasco s newest school, Rosalind Franklin STEM Elementary (above), is progressing on time and on budget at 6010 Road 52. It is scheduled to open its doors for students this August. Construction on Barbara McClintock and Marie Curie STEM elementary schools will begin this summer. They are scheduled to open for the school year. Work will also begin off Road 100 in Pasco this summer on the new Delta High School, which serves students from Pasco, Richland, and Kennewick school districts. It is scheduled to open for the school year as well.

9 Pasco School District Events Calendar ar Save the date for these upcoming events March 31-April 4: NO SCHOOL, Spring Break April 19: Pasco Invite, 9:30 a.m. at Edgar Brown Stadium April and 24-26: Pasco High School Choral Boosters present West Side Story, 7 p.m. at Pasco High School Gregson Auditorium May 6: National Teacher Day May 26: NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day June 6: New Horizons High School graduation, 7 p.m. at Columbia Basin College Byron Gjerde Center June 7: Chiawana High School graduation, 10 a.m. at Edgar Brown Stadium June 7: Delta High School graduation, 3 p.m. at Toyota Center, Kennewick June 7: Pasco High School graduation, 6 p.m. at Edgar Brown Stadium June 25: Delta High School groundbreaking ceremony, 10 a.m. at 5801 Broadmoor Boulevard (Road 100), Pasco Kindergarten enrollment is open for ! Visit your local school to sign up your student today.

10 McLoughlin Athlete Among Best Young Players in U.S. Thirteen-year-old Summer Yates, an eighth grade student at McLoughlin Middle School, knows it takes dedication to achieve her dream of playing soccer at the Olympics or the Women s World Cup one day. And, her dedication is paying off. Yates is currently among the top players ages 14 and under (U-14) being considered for the girls U.S. Youth Soccer National Team. A member of the Pacific Northwest Soccer Club (PacNW), Yates and her team represented their region at the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) championships in Phoenix, Arizona in early January. While in Phoenix, U.S. Youth Soccer officials liked what they saw in Yates, and invited her to return to Phoenix for a training camp with other players from the national team pool, which took place Jan. 27 to Feb. 1. Yates has played soccer since she was five. Her father, Blake Yates, drives her to her PacNW games in the Seattle area every weekend of the year, except for a few weeks off around the holidays. Her dad also coaches her oneon-one after school every day. I practice a lot, she says, and, I m always thinking about what I need to do to get better. Summer Yates is pictured in the hallyway at McLoughlin Middle School. As an attacking mid-fielder, Yates is quick and dribbles the ball well. She says her strengths are her ballhandling skills, her vision, and the ability to find and create openings on the field. A straight-a student, Yates also knows that academics are an important part of reaching her goals. Being a good student, having a good attitude, and being a leader are all qualities that the coaches at the ODP camp encouraged, she says. Summer always has a positive attitude, and she is a fantastic student, says McLoughlin Principal Dominique Dennis. Her McLoughlin family is extremely proud of her.