Community N ew sletter - Pasco School District
Community N ew sletter - Pasco School District
Community N ew sletter - Pasco School District
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Your <strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong>s<br />
<strong>Community</strong> N<strong>ew</strong><strong>sletter</strong><br />
Putting students first to make learning last a lifetime.<br />
Celebrating academics, diversity, and innovation.<br />
Summer 2013<br />
Congratulations<br />
Class of 2013<br />
Delta High <strong>School</strong> bid far<strong>ew</strong>ell to its first<br />
graduating class on June 7 at the Three Rivers<br />
Convention Center in Kenn<strong>ew</strong>ick. See more<br />
graduation photos on page 3.<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> #1<br />
C.L. Booth Education Service Center<br />
1215 W. L<strong>ew</strong>is Street<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong>, WA 99301<br />
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION<br />
U.S. POSTAGE PAID<br />
PASCO, WA<br />
PERMIT 189<br />
**ECRWSS***<br />
POSTAL CUSTOMER<br />
PASCO WA 99301
Dear <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
Neighbors:<br />
It was another<br />
great year here in<br />
the <strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
<strong>District</strong>.<br />
We celebrated<br />
many accomplishments<br />
this year<br />
Sherry Lancon both large and<br />
small. In the fall our own Superintendent<br />
Saundra Hill was named the Washington<br />
State Superintendent of the Year, and<br />
Livingston Principal Susan Sparks was<br />
named 2012-13 Distinguished Elementary<br />
<strong>School</strong> Principal of the Year for the<br />
Lake Wallula region. Though we are<br />
filled with <strong>Pasco</strong> Pride for these two outstanding<br />
individuals, they are representative<br />
of the nearly 2,000 PSD employees<br />
who work to ensure that our children<br />
have the best transportation, meals, facilities<br />
and education possible.<br />
Another best for us this year was once<br />
again being named a Top <strong>Community</strong><br />
for Music Education by NAMM. I hope<br />
you had the opportunity to see some of<br />
the great concerts and event our teachers<br />
and students work so hard to present each<br />
year. You still have a chance to see our<br />
band students at the Grand Ole Fourth of<br />
July celebration.<br />
The “big show” every year is, of course,<br />
graduation. It is always a thrill to shake<br />
hands with each of our graduates and this<br />
year the class of 2013—representing <strong>Pasco</strong>,<br />
Chiawana, Delta and N<strong>ew</strong> Horizon<br />
high schools—was nearly 800 strong.<br />
We expect a f<strong>ew</strong> more to join them after<br />
summer school concludes.<br />
Educating these young people is the<br />
responsibility of our entire community,<br />
from our business partners and parents,<br />
to our recent alumni and grandparents.<br />
So to all of you, I offer a heartfelt thank<br />
you and congratulations for your help<br />
in getting these bright young men and<br />
women to graduation and ready for the<br />
next step in their journey.<br />
In <strong>Pasco</strong> we share a legacy of being a<br />
supportive community that cares about<br />
the education of all its children. When we<br />
work together as a team, the clear winners<br />
are our children and, by extension,<br />
our future.<br />
We look forward to welcoming back our<br />
students on August 27 and to welcoming<br />
Class of 2026 to their first day of kindergarten.<br />
Have a safe and happy summer!<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Board President Sherry Lancon<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> Board of Directors:<br />
Sherry Lancon, President<br />
William V. Leggett, Vice President<br />
Rubén Peralta, Member<br />
Ryan Brault, Member<br />
Darrell Toombs, Member<br />
Nallely Centeno, Student Representative<br />
Ignacio Bayardo, Student Representative<br />
Superintendent:<br />
Saundra L. Hill<br />
Editor: Leslee Caul<br />
Designer:<br />
Annie Warren<br />
your <strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong>s<br />
is published by the <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> Public Affairs<br />
Department as a community<br />
service to <strong>Pasco</strong> citizens.<br />
Questions and/or comments<br />
may be sent to Leslee Caul,<br />
Director of Public Affairs.<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color,<br />
national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or<br />
identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal<br />
by a person with a disability, and provides equal access to designated youth groups. Questions regarding compliance,<br />
complaints, and/or reporting procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640/28A.642 compliance<br />
officer Sarah Thornton, 1215 W. L<strong>ew</strong>is St., <strong>Pasco</strong>, WA 99301, 509-546-6700, or Section 504/ADA coordinator Tracy<br />
Wilson, 1215 W. L<strong>ew</strong>is St., <strong>Pasco</strong>, WA 99301, 509-546-6700. Nondiscrimination policies are available at www.psd1.org.
‘IN THE HEIGHTS’ EARNS HONORS IN NINE CATEGORIES IN<br />
5TH AVENUE NOMINATIONS<br />
Congratulations<br />
to the cast, cr<strong>ew</strong>,<br />
directors, and designers<br />
of the <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
High <strong>School</strong> production<br />
of “In the<br />
Heights” for earning<br />
honors at the<br />
annual 5th Avenue<br />
Awards. Franklin<br />
Castellanos tied<br />
for first place for<br />
Outstanding Performance<br />
by an Actor in a Leading Role<br />
while Daniel Haug earned the top<br />
award for his supporting actor role.<br />
In all, the production earned nominations<br />
in nine categories.<br />
The annual awards gala, recognizing<br />
outstanding high school musicals,<br />
was held on June 11 at the 5th<br />
Avenue Theatre in Seattle. “In the<br />
Heights” cast members were invited<br />
to perform at the ceremony.<br />
Each year evaluators attend musical<br />
theater productions at high schools<br />
throughout Washington State to determine<br />
the nominees. This year 105<br />
productions were in the running.<br />
“I could not be prouder of the work<br />
these students, staff members and our<br />
volunteers have done over the year,”<br />
says Producer Robert Dennis, <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
High <strong>School</strong> teacher and director of<br />
the 10th Avenue Singers.<br />
“In the Heights” was nominated for<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> High <strong>School</strong> students, including outstanding lead actor nominee<br />
Franklin Castellanos, left, perform In the Heights at in the PHS auditorium.<br />
awards in the following categories:<br />
• Outstanding Overall Musical<br />
• Outstanding Direction (Tiffany<br />
Buissink)<br />
• Outstanding Performance by<br />
an Actor in a Leading Role<br />
(Franklin Castellanos as Usnavi)<br />
• Outstanding Performance by<br />
an Actor in a Supporting Role<br />
(Daniel Haug as Benny)<br />
• Outstanding Performance by a<br />
Chorus<br />
Additionally, the production received<br />
Honorable Mention in the following<br />
categories:<br />
• Outstanding Performance by an<br />
Actress in a Supporting Role<br />
(Olivia Elizondo as Abuela<br />
Claudia)<br />
• Outstanding Musical Direction<br />
(Randy Bjur and Rob Dennis)<br />
• Outstanding Lighting Design<br />
(Ronn Campbell)<br />
• Outstanding Lobby Display<br />
(Mariachi Reyes de <strong>Pasco</strong> and<br />
director Matth<strong>ew</strong> Polk)
Delta High <strong>School</strong> Graduates Inaugural<br />
Class; Chiawana High <strong>School</strong> Says Goodbye<br />
to First Four-Year Seniors<br />
A Delta High <strong>School</strong> graduate receives his diploma from <strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Board President Sherry Lancon.<br />
Just four brief years ago, the <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> proudly opened its<br />
second comprehensive high school,<br />
Chiawana High <strong>School</strong>, as well as the Tri-<br />
Cities’ first STEM (science, technology,<br />
engineering, and math) partnership high<br />
school, Delta High <strong>School</strong>. In early June,<br />
the students who entered those schools<br />
as freshmen, made <strong>Pasco</strong> history as<br />
Class of 2013 graduates.<br />
Delta High <strong>School</strong>, which serves<br />
students from <strong>Pasco</strong>, Richland,<br />
and Kenn<strong>ew</strong>ick school districts, bid<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> High <strong>School</strong>’s Class of 2013 celebrates.<br />
far<strong>ew</strong>ell to the nearly<br />
60 members of its<br />
inaugural graduating<br />
class, the Class<br />
of 2013, during a<br />
ceremony June 7<br />
at the Three Rivers<br />
Convention Center.<br />
This was the first year<br />
Chiawana High <strong>School</strong><br />
graduated students<br />
who attended all four<br />
years there. Among<br />
the more than 400<br />
seniors to earn their<br />
diplomas June 1 were<br />
seven sets of twins, a record-setting<br />
number for the school.<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> High <strong>School</strong> bid far<strong>ew</strong>ell to about<br />
300 Bulldogs during its commencement<br />
ceremony at Edgar Brown Stadium,<br />
also on June 1, while N<strong>ew</strong> Horizons<br />
High <strong>School</strong> proudly sent off 25 seniors<br />
at its graduation ceremony May 31 at<br />
Columbia Basin College’s Gjerde Center.<br />
Congratulations Class of 2013!<br />
N<strong>ew</strong> Horizons High seniors enjoy the moment during<br />
graduation at CBC’s Gjerde Center.
Chiawana High <strong>School</strong> graduates<br />
make their way into Edgar Brown<br />
Stadium on June 1.<br />
A PHS graduate signals to the crowd.<br />
A N<strong>ew</strong> Horizons High senior<br />
receives a congratulatory<br />
handshake from Board<br />
Member Ryan Brault.<br />
Identical twins Tanya (left) and Sarah Segura<br />
are among seven sets of twins graduating<br />
from CHS this year.<br />
Delta High <strong>School</strong> graduates stand<br />
proudly before friends and family.<br />
A N<strong>ew</strong> Horizons High<br />
graduate proudly<br />
displays her diploma.<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> High <strong>School</strong> Assistant Principal<br />
Charlotte Troxel congratulates a graduate.
Building Underway on <strong>Pasco</strong>’s N<strong>ew</strong>est <strong>School</strong><br />
On June 13, <strong>District</strong><br />
board members,<br />
administrators,<br />
students, and community<br />
members<br />
gathered at the site<br />
of Elementary #13<br />
for a ground breaking<br />
ceremony to<br />
celebrate the commencement<br />
of construction<br />
on <strong>Pasco</strong>’s<br />
n<strong>ew</strong>est elementary<br />
school.<br />
Located at Road<br />
52 and Powerline,<br />
Elementary #13<br />
is scheduled to open for the 2014-15<br />
school year and will house 750 students.<br />
The 72,000 square foot building will be<br />
the <strong>District</strong>’s first “green” school.<br />
In February <strong>Pasco</strong> voters approved<br />
a bond measure to build three n<strong>ew</strong><br />
elementary schools. Elementary #14, at<br />
Road 60 and Sandifur, and Elementary<br />
#15, which will be located adjoining<br />
Whittier Elementary, will open in fall<br />
2015. Whittier and Elementary #15 will<br />
share a playground, a move intended to<br />
decrease the cost to taxpayers.<br />
Delta High <strong>School</strong> Principal Deidre<br />
Holmberg will become planning principal<br />
for the n<strong>ew</strong> schools beginning July<br />
1. The school board has asked Holmberg<br />
Board members and students are pictured breaking ground at the site of<br />
Elementary #13. From left to right are: Rubén Peralta, Valeria Chavez, Nallely<br />
Centeno, Charlie Little, Ryan Brault, Ignacio Bayardo, Ethan Delamora, Bill<br />
Leggett, Lynsie Griffith, Hannah Purdy, Brayden Wodtli, Sherry Lancon, Darrell<br />
Toombs, and Jacob Harker.<br />
and <strong>District</strong> staff to look into designing<br />
the educational programs at the n<strong>ew</strong><br />
schools around a STEM (science, technology,<br />
engineering and math) model.<br />
“We want <strong>Pasco</strong> students to be college<br />
and career ready for the jobs of the<br />
future. We believe an innovative STEM<br />
educational foundation will give our kids<br />
a leg up in competing for those high paying<br />
jobs,” says Board President Sherry<br />
Lancon. “We are heading into an exciting<br />
time in <strong>Pasco</strong> as we begin to discuss<br />
what the future might hold.”<br />
After beginning her n<strong>ew</strong> post in July,<br />
Holmberg will convene a group of<br />
employees and patrons to study the<br />
issues and make programmatic recommendations.<br />
The<br />
school will also be<br />
named through a<br />
public process, as<br />
with other <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
schools.<br />
A conceptual drawing of Elementary #13, courtesy of Design West Architects
GOOD GRADES, HARD WORK OPEN ‘GATES’ TO HARVARD<br />
He is the grandson of<br />
migrant workers, the first<br />
in his family to be born<br />
in this country and, like<br />
many <strong>Pasco</strong> students, he<br />
didn’t speak English when<br />
he started kindergarten.<br />
This fall <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
High <strong>School</strong><br />
graduate<br />
and 2012-13<br />
<strong>School</strong> Board<br />
Student<br />
Representative<br />
Ignacio<br />
Bayardo will<br />
be a freshman<br />
at Harvard<br />
University and<br />
a recipient<br />
of the prestigious<br />
Gates<br />
Millennium Scholarship.<br />
The Gates Millennium<br />
Scholars Program (GMS)<br />
was established in 1999<br />
and was initially funded<br />
by a $1 billion grant from<br />
the Bill & Melinda Gates<br />
Foundation with a goal<br />
of providing opportunity<br />
for outstanding minority<br />
students to reach their<br />
highest potential.<br />
Bayardo’s dream is to<br />
become a doctor.<br />
“Ignacio is representative<br />
of our <strong>Pasco</strong> kids,” says<br />
Superintendent Saundra<br />
Hill. “He came to us<br />
speaking only Spanish and<br />
now he is a student representative<br />
to our board of<br />
directors, president of the<br />
National Honors Society<br />
at PHS, and he is headed<br />
to Harvard in the fall.”<br />
Bayardo attended Angelou,<br />
Frost, and Twain<br />
elementaries<br />
and Stevens<br />
Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong>. At age<br />
14 he moved<br />
to Mexico<br />
with his family<br />
with the<br />
dream of Harvard<br />
planted<br />
in his mind<br />
by Stevens<br />
teacher Eric<br />
Whitemarsh.<br />
“Even as a little kid I was<br />
always interested in how<br />
things work,” says Bayardo.<br />
“Mr. Whitemarsh<br />
helped me connect that<br />
curiosity to math and science.”<br />
Ignacio Bayardo<br />
In Mexico Bayardo began<br />
researching what he<br />
would have to do to earn<br />
his admission to Harvard.<br />
“Moving to Mexico made<br />
me value what I have<br />
here,” says Bayardo. “I<br />
decided I would never let<br />
my opportunities go to<br />
waste.”<br />
At age 16 Bayardo also<br />
decided that completing<br />
his education in <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
would make him a more<br />
competitive applicant for<br />
Harvard and, with the<br />
support of his mother, he<br />
moved back to finish high<br />
school at PHS while living<br />
with his aunt in <strong>Pasco</strong>.<br />
Back at PHS Bayardo<br />
connected with another<br />
important teacher and<br />
mentor in his life, English<br />
teacher Steven Rowley,<br />
who nominated Bayardo<br />
for the Gates scholarship.<br />
“Every once in a while<br />
you come across a kid<br />
who is willing to give his<br />
all, and Ignacio is one of<br />
those kids,” says Rowley.<br />
“We tell our students that<br />
if you commit yourself<br />
to academics you can<br />
achieve anything, and Ignacio<br />
proves this is true.”<br />
Bayardo is the fourth<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> student to be<br />
admitted into the GMS<br />
Program since 2009.<br />
When asked if he is proud<br />
of his accomplishments,<br />
Bayardo is characteristically<br />
modest and low-key.<br />
“Proud? I haven’t really<br />
done anything yet,” he<br />
says. “The door is open<br />
and I haven’t walked<br />
through it yet. I want to<br />
help other students. I<br />
want to show them that<br />
if you work hard, you can<br />
achieve your goals.”
State Recognizes Markham and Livingston<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong>’s Markham and<br />
Livingston elementary<br />
schools were among the<br />
381 schools in the state to<br />
receive the 2012 Washington<br />
Achievement Awards.<br />
Both schools were recognized<br />
for being top<br />
performers in the Closing<br />
Achievement Gaps<br />
category, with Markham<br />
Elementary also honored<br />
in the High Progress<br />
category. They were<br />
celebrated along with<br />
The <strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> is once again offering a federally-mandated summer feeding<br />
program for children at various locations in <strong>Pasco</strong>. Unless otherwise noted, meals<br />
are served Monday through Friday. Please note there will be no meals served Thursday,<br />
July 4. Meals are available at no charge for children age 18 and under at the<br />
following locations and times:<br />
Chiawana High <strong>School</strong>, 8125 W. Argent Rd.<br />
• June 10-July 3, breakfast 7:45-8 a.m.<br />
• June 10-25, lunch 11:15-11:45 a.m.<br />
• June 26-July 3, lunch 11-11:30 a.m.<br />
• Aug. 12-16, lunch 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> High <strong>School</strong>, 1108 N. 10th Ave.<br />
• June 17-July 12, breakfast 7:30-8 a.m.,<br />
lunch 10:45-11:45 a.m.<br />
• July 15-17, breakfast 8-8:30 a.m.,<br />
lunch 12-12:30 p.m.<br />
Robinson Elementary, 125 S. Wehe St.<br />
• July 8-Aug. 2, lunch 11-11:30 a.m.<br />
N<strong>ew</strong> Horizons HS, 3110 W. Argent Rd.<br />
• June 17-July 12, lunch 11-11:30 a.m.<br />
other local winners at a<br />
ceremony May 20 at ESD<br />
123 in <strong>Pasco</strong>.<br />
The Washington Achievement<br />
Awards, based on<br />
Washington’s <strong>School</strong><br />
Achievement Index, recognize<br />
elementary, middle/junior<br />
high, high and<br />
comprehensive schools.<br />
<strong>School</strong>s are awarded using<br />
performances from<br />
2010 to 2012 on stat<strong>ew</strong>ide<br />
assessments in reading,<br />
writing, math and science,<br />
as well as on graduation<br />
rates. Now in their<br />
fourth year, the awards are<br />
sponsored by the Office of<br />
Superintendent of Public<br />
Instruction and the State<br />
Board of Education.<br />
“This award reflects the<br />
dedication and hard work<br />
of the principals and staff<br />
as they meet the needs<br />
of ALL children in their<br />
buildings,” says Assistant<br />
Superintendent Cal<br />
Bacon.<br />
Nutritious Meals Available This Summer<br />
Memorial Park, 1520 W. Shoshone St.<br />
• June 17-July 26, lunch 11:30 a.m.-<br />
12:30 p.m.<br />
Ochoa Middle <strong>School</strong>, 1801 E. Sheppard St.<br />
• July 29-Aug. 16, breakfast 7:40-8 a.m.,<br />
lunch 11-11:30 a.m.<br />
Stevens Middle <strong>School</strong>, 1102 N. 22nd Ave.<br />
• July 29-Aug. 16, breakfast 7:40-8 a.m.,<br />
lunch 11-11:30 a.m.<br />
Tri-Cities <strong>Community</strong> Health Center,<br />
515 W. Court St.<br />
• June 18-July 25, lunch 11:30 a.m.-<br />
12 p.m. (Tuesdays and Thursdays only)<br />
If you have additional questions about the summer feeding program or schedule,<br />
contact Nutrition Services Supervisor Mary Nowak at 546-2836.<br />
In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from<br />
discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. If you believe you have been<br />
treated unfairly, you may file a complaint of discrimination by writing USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication,<br />
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410, or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice).<br />
Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay<br />
Service at (800) 877-8339, or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
<strong>District</strong> teams UP with libraries to<br />
encourage summer reading<br />
The <strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> is proud to partner with Mid-Columbia<br />
Libraries to keep kids reading all summer long! Representatives from<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong>’s libraries will be present throughout the summer during the<br />
<strong>District</strong>’s summer feeding program lunch times to motivate young readers<br />
and inform families about the Mid-Columbia Libraries’ summer reading<br />
program. There will be story time and hands-on activities for children of<br />
all ages. Look for your friendly library staff on the following dates:<br />
Chiawana High <strong>School</strong>, 8125 W. Argent Rd.<br />
• Aug. 15, 11:45 a.m.<br />
<strong>Pasco</strong> High <strong>School</strong>, 1108 N. 10th Ave.<br />
• June 27, 10:45 a.m.<br />
• July 11, 10:45 a.m.<br />
Memorial Park, 1520 W. Shoshone St.<br />
• June 27, 11:30 a.m.<br />
• July 3, 12 p.m.<br />
• July 11, 11:30 a.m.<br />
• July 17, 12 p.m.<br />
• July 25, 11:30 a.m.<br />
Read 15 hours June 1- August 31 and be entered to win one of 45<br />
Simon Mall/Visa gift cards and more! Sign up & track your reading at<br />
www.midcolumbialibraries.org.<br />
2013 Summer Reading Program<br />
READ TO WIN!<br />
Save the Date!<br />
First day of school for 2013-14<br />
Grades K-6 and 9: August 27<br />
Grades 7-8 and 10-12: August 28<br />
Find the complete 2013-14 school calendar on our web site, www.psd1.org.
<strong>School</strong> Safety is Top Priority for <strong>District</strong><br />
Safety and security for all students<br />
and staff are of paramount importance<br />
to the <strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong>.<br />
<strong>District</strong> officials have implemented<br />
a variety of improved safety initiatives<br />
in recent months with more<br />
safety enhancements planned for<br />
the future.<br />
All staff, regardless of position, are<br />
responsible for maintaining the<br />
safety of the educational and work<br />
environment. Specific strategies<br />
adopted by the <strong>District</strong> to support<br />
efforts in safety and risk management<br />
to date include:<br />
• First responders, Risk Pool, and<br />
<strong>District</strong> officials have assessed<br />
risk security at all <strong>District</strong> facilities;<br />
• Site maps of all <strong>District</strong> facilities<br />
have been provided to all local<br />
first responders;<br />
• Repairs and adjustments have<br />
been made to exterior doors;<br />
• Additional radios and batteries<br />
have been provided to building<br />
security staff and administrators<br />
at the request of each building;<br />
• Additional lights have been<br />
mounted on portables;<br />
• First responders have revi<strong>ew</strong>ed<br />
and updated <strong>District</strong> building<br />
crisis plans;<br />
• <strong>District</strong> officials have met and<br />
continue to meet with local first<br />
responders; and<br />
• <strong>District</strong> staff participated in a<br />
tabletop exercise with Franklin<br />
County Emergency Management.<br />
Several safety enhancements, such<br />
as installing peepholes in doors,<br />
additional fencing, and entrance<br />
cameras are still underway.<br />
Facility security planning is also<br />
underway for <strong>Pasco</strong>’s future schools:<br />
Elementary #13, Elementary #14,<br />
Elementary #15, and the n<strong>ew</strong> Delta<br />
High <strong>School</strong> building, which will<br />
be located on Road 100. Staff will<br />
continue to receive the appropriate<br />
security training and officials will<br />
continue meetings with first responders.<br />
“Even with all the technological tools<br />
available, having everyone alert and<br />
observant to things that are not<br />
normal is still the best way to avoid<br />
a safety risk,” says Assistant Superintendent<br />
of Operations John Morgan.<br />
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around the <strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong>.
Chess Elementary <strong>School</strong> Fiesta-val of Math<br />
Showcases Innovative PEAK! Partnership<br />
Chess Elementary <strong>School</strong> and Partners<br />
in Educating All Kids, or PEAK!<br />
partner, Fiesta Foods teamed up to<br />
host the Fiesta-val of Math for students<br />
and families this spring. Chess student<br />
dancers and musicians kicked off the<br />
event by providing entertainment outside<br />
the <strong>Pasco</strong> grocery store. Students then<br />
moved throughout the store to different<br />
stations, where they had to calculate the<br />
price of different items which they would<br />
need to prepare a taco dinner. It was a<br />
family event with parents and siblings taking<br />
part in the “shopping” and enjoying<br />
the food samples.<br />
Thanks to Fiesta Foods, one of many local<br />
businesses that partners with <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
schools to create educational opportunities<br />
for students.<br />
Clockwise from top: Chess<br />
Elementary dancers kick off the<br />
Fiesta-val of Math outside the Fiesta<br />
Foods store; a parent helps<br />
her daughter calculate items for<br />
a taco dinner; students perform<br />
traditional Mexican folk dances;<br />
Chess teacher Luke Spilles helps<br />
families as they pass the tortilla<br />
station; and a student weighs<br />
fresh produce.
SOUND FISCAL MANAGEMENT EQUALS SAVINGS FOR TAXPAYERS<br />
This spring, <strong>Pasco</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> was<br />
upgraded to the Aa3 rating by Moody’s<br />
Investor Service, one of the largest credit<br />
rating organizations in the country, which<br />
has led to savings for <strong>Pasco</strong> taxpayers.<br />
The credit rating, much like a personal<br />
credit score, is based on the <strong>District</strong>’s<br />
effective financial management, the general<br />
economy of the state and nation, and<br />
community demographics. The highest<br />
rating available from Moody’s is Aaa.<br />
“This is quite an accomplishment,” says<br />
Director of Fiscal Services Howard Roberts.<br />
“We have gone back through <strong>District</strong><br />
records, and to our knowledge we<br />
have never had a credit rating this high.<br />
It just makes our bonds more attractive.”<br />
Working with underwriter Seattle Northwest<br />
Securities Corp., <strong>Pasco</strong> made those<br />
bonds available at 6:15 a.m. on April 30<br />
and they sold within a couple of hours.<br />
“There was so much interest in our<br />
bonds that they were oversold, meaning<br />
we had more buyers than we had bonds,”<br />
says Superintendent Saundra Hill. “That<br />
meant we could tighten up on the rates so<br />
that some buyers would drop out.”<br />
Interest rates were much more attractive,<br />
thanks to <strong>Pasco</strong>’s n<strong>ew</strong> rating. “The average<br />
interest cost was 3.22 percent,” says<br />
Roberts.<br />
This lower interest rate translates into<br />
lower tax rates for <strong>Pasco</strong> residents. “We<br />
advertised an estimated tax rate of 34<br />
cents per thousand to voters. It will actually<br />
be 31 cents per thousand,” states<br />
Roberts.<br />
The <strong>District</strong> had originally planned to<br />
sell the bonds in two chunks, one now<br />
and the second a year from now. “After<br />
consultation with Seattle Northwest<br />
Securities Corp. it was determined that<br />
we should take advantage of the great interest<br />
rates now,” Roberts explains. “It’s<br />
like a home mortgage, rates are low now,<br />
but they could creep up in the next year.<br />
We wanted to get the best deal possible<br />
for <strong>Pasco</strong> taxpayers.”<br />
Impact fees also reduced the amount of<br />
the bond sales. <strong>Pasco</strong> voters approved<br />
sales of $46.8 million in bonds, but just<br />
$45.6 million were purchased. This<br />
reduction was accomplished by application<br />
of the impact fees collected to date<br />
to reduce the cost for all taxpayers. This<br />
represented a cost savings of $1.25 million<br />
for taxpayers.<br />
This is not the first time <strong>Pasco</strong> has<br />
received superior ratings and accolades<br />
for sound fiscal management. “Our fiscal<br />
practices have been commended by the<br />
State Auditor; our schools are in better<br />
condition than expected for their age, and<br />
our cost per square foot to build them is<br />
substantially lower than stat<strong>ew</strong>ide costs.<br />
The premium for this sale improved<br />
our debt capacity limit by $5.7 million.<br />
Every bit helps,” says Hill. “We were<br />
hoping to maintain our A1 rating, but<br />
kn<strong>ew</strong> that within the state other public<br />
agencies had their ratings downgraded.<br />
We were thrilled to learn that we had<br />
been upgraded to an Aa3 rating.”<br />
This is yet another example that the<br />
<strong>District</strong> is working to protect and improve<br />
public assets, adds Hill. “We take<br />
our obligation to our community very<br />
seriously. The bond successes can be<br />
attributed directly to the increase in our<br />
Moody’s rating which we earned through<br />
conservative and responsible budgeting<br />
during this economic crisis.”
McLoughlin Student Stands for Hope with Winning Poem<br />
“...Our past we cannot change By sticking up for those in pain<br />
But our future we can arrange Their happiness can remain<br />
Never will the bystanders stand and watch We can never let this happen again<br />
Instead to justice we will latch We must join together as a friend...”<br />
Jazmin Ruiz has made her<br />
voice heard. The McLoughlin<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> eighth grader<br />
wrote the winning poem for<br />
her age group in the Washington<br />
State Holocaust Education Resource<br />
Center 2013 writing contest, an<br />
experience she says<br />
gave her hope and<br />
the strength to stand<br />
up in the face of<br />
injustice.<br />
Ruiz was recognized<br />
at a ceremony<br />
to honor Holocaust<br />
survivors on June<br />
9 at the Temple<br />
De Hirsch Sinai in<br />
Bellevue. The writing,<br />
art, and digital<br />
media contest was<br />
open to students in grades 5-12<br />
from across the Pacifiic Northwest<br />
and Alaska; there were nearly 750<br />
entries from Washington state.<br />
Her poem, titled “Through the Eyes<br />
of the Brave,” was inspired by the<br />
story of Judith Jaegermann, a young<br />
J<strong>ew</strong> who was imprisoned in a concentration<br />
camp during World War II<br />
and forced into a death march before<br />
finally reaching her liberation.<br />
“No matter what the Nazis bestowed<br />
upon her, she could carry it with the<br />
strength of a lion,” says Ruiz. “She<br />
has taught me to have hope no matter<br />
what situation I’m in.”<br />
Ruiz went above and beyond in her<br />
writing and researching<br />
for the contest, says her<br />
language arts teacher Lu-<br />
Ann Leverson. “Writing<br />
is such a part of who she<br />
is. It’s very inspiring to<br />
me. She knows her voice<br />
counts.”<br />
Every year, the entire<br />
eighth grade class reads<br />
Ann Frank’s Diary of a<br />
Young Girl. Each student<br />
then creates a project to<br />
present at the school’s<br />
annual Museum of Hope,<br />
an event which draws hundreds of<br />
families and community members.<br />
It’s a very moving and powerful<br />
project, says Leverson.<br />
Learning about the Holocaust<br />
changed her outlook on life, concludes<br />
Ruiz. “I will not be a bystander...if<br />
we stop the bullies, we<br />
can make sure the Holocaust will<br />
never be seen again.”
Native <strong>Pasco</strong> Artist ‘Adream’ Leads <strong>School</strong> Mural Project<br />
Much like the signature<br />
dots in his paintings, the<br />
story of how <strong>Pasco</strong> native<br />
artist Adream came<br />
to paint a mural at N<strong>ew</strong><br />
Horizons High <strong>School</strong> has a<br />
“coming full circle” quality<br />
to it.<br />
As a student at <strong>Pasco</strong><br />
High <strong>School</strong> in 2003,<br />
Pedro de Valdivia, a.k.a.<br />
Adream, visited a Frida<br />
Kahlo exhibit in Seattle.<br />
Her work—and the city’s<br />
vibe—changed his life; his<br />
dream to become an artist<br />
was born.<br />
This spring, taking a break<br />
from preparing his “Icons”<br />
show in his Seattle studio,<br />
Adream spent a week at<br />
NHHS painting a large<br />
mural with the help of<br />
students.<br />
Orchestrated by art and<br />
j<strong>ew</strong>elry teacher April Ottey,<br />
the idea for the mural<br />
began two years ago when<br />
Ottey took her students<br />
to see Adream’s work on<br />
exhibit at You and I Gallery<br />
in Kenn<strong>ew</strong>ick.<br />
They were impressed by<br />
his work, and so last fall,<br />
Ottey and her<br />
class invited<br />
Adream to<br />
collaborate<br />
on a project<br />
for the<br />
school.<br />
“It was a<br />
great way<br />
for students<br />
to make a<br />
contribution<br />
to their school that they<br />
can feel proud of,” says Ottey.<br />
Students raised funds<br />
for the paint and supplies<br />
through their local Rotary<br />
club. The 8’ x 8’ mural is<br />
a fiery depiction of the<br />
NHHS mascot, a rising<br />
Phoenix.<br />
Students spent the week<br />
filling in circles and lines<br />
under Adream’s guidance.<br />
Victoria Valdivia, a recent<br />
NHHS graduate, says it<br />
was hard keeping her<br />
hand steady for the detailed<br />
work until Adream<br />
equated it with applying<br />
Adream de Valdivia<br />
eyeliner, a tip that helped<br />
her gain more confidence.<br />
Adream says he<br />
gets the most satisfaction<br />
giving back<br />
to his community<br />
in the form of art.<br />
He established the<br />
Washington Murals<br />
Project, which<br />
involves students in<br />
the enriching process<br />
of transforming<br />
public spaces<br />
into art. His work graces<br />
the side of a building in<br />
downtown <strong>Pasco</strong>, and last<br />
year he completed a mural<br />
at Garrison Middle <strong>School</strong><br />
in Walla Walla. His sculpture<br />
“L<strong>ew</strong>is and Clark,”<br />
which he made when he<br />
was a student, can be seen<br />
at the entrance of the PHS<br />
auditorium.<br />
“The art classroom is<br />
where you form how you<br />
see the world, what you<br />
want to do, and how you<br />
want to inspire,” says<br />
Adream. “Follow your<br />
dreams.”<br />
N<strong>ew</strong> Horizons High <strong>School</strong><br />
students who contributed to<br />
the school’s mural project<br />
pose with the finished painting<br />
along with artist Adream<br />
de Valdivia (lower right) and<br />
NHHS art teacher April Ottey<br />
(far right). The mural was<br />
done in four pieces and will<br />
be assembled together on<br />
the school’s facade.