You are invited to participate in a research study, Native Voices Across Generations: Reimagining Discipline in a New School Landscape (Native Voices or NV) project.
The Pendleton School District, in cooperation with a research team from the University of Oregon, is hosting a community conversation/listening session on Monday, April 24, at Washington Elementary, starting at 5:00 pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided.
The research team is seeking to hear from parents, community members, teachers, administrators, and staff.
The purpose of this one-year project is to give voice to teachers, school and district administrators, and other school staff to look at discipline practices and investigate contributors to and consequences of disproportionate discipline for Native students in Oregon K-12 schools.
The findings of this project will inform, design and recommend school-based policies, trainings, resources, and supports that are culturally responsive and integrate Native tribal and community assets to shift any overrepresentation of AI/AN students in discipline data by researching (1) potential contributors to and consequences of disciplinary practices in Oregon K-12 school districts and (2) if district administrators, teachers, and other school personnel might benefit from professional development on Indian Education Policies and Language Restoration; Native Languages of Oregon; and Equity in School Policy for Native Students.
Equally important, this study queries what Native students, families, and communities envision as essential for healthy schools in which Native students belong and thrive culturally, socially, psychologically, and academically.
Community conversations/listening sessions will occur at the Washington Elementary School on Monday, April 24, from 5-7:30 pm. Each participant will receive an incentive of $25 for participating in the conversations.
This project involves the collaboration of the Center for Equity Promotion (CEQP) in the University of Oregon’s (UO) College of Education, the UO’s Northwest Indian Language Institute (NILI), the Native Wellness Institute (NWI), and participating Tribes and School Districts with funding from and in partnership with the Office of Indian Education/Oregon Department of Education (OIE/ODE).
If you are interested in participating in this research study, please complete the Adult Consent form located here: https://tinyurl.com/NV-Adult-Consent.
Hard copies of the consent form will be available at the event.
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Rita Svanks at rsvanks@uoregon.edu, 541-346-4125.
4th Grade STEM Week at Washington Elementary
/in District Site News, Washington School News /by rthornburgWashington Elementary – 4th Grade STEM Week
Washington Elementary had its annual 4th Grade STEM Week earlier this month. Every year, the teachers organize this special week of instruction focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math learning.
This year, there were five stations, each lasting one hour. Two stations used kits from GO-STEM to make catapults and straw structures. Another station involved the construction of tin foil boats, and another was marbles on ramps made from pipe insulation. The last station was coding on Code.org!
According to Michelle Herburger, 4th Grade Teacher, students enjoyed each session, returning ready to share what they had learned. The students also really enjoyed seeing their teachers dressed up as scientists in white lab coats and big white wigs.
What do teachers want the kids to take away from STEM Week? “We really focus on thinking and trying during this time. We offer students the supplies with limited direction and allow them to work together to make mistakes and learn from each other. It is a structure we don’t get to utilize much, and students aren’t used to not having a scripted plan given to them. They persevere and process so many concepts in such a short amount of time,” said Herburger.
Washington’s teachers said it’s powerful to have fun with the students and to watch this style of learning. They said they listen to the conversations that students have with each other and appreciate the respect they have for their peers and their learning. “We love it when they see success after several failed attempts. We love it when it’s time to stop, and they don’t want to. It reminds us why we became teachers.”
Posted 5/25/2023
PHS 2023 Graduation Live Stream Link
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton High School Class of 2023 Graduation will be live-streamed on the PHS Media YouTube account: https://youtube.com/@PHSMedia
June 3, 2023
Ceremony begins at 10:00 am in the Round-Up Stadium.
Gates open at 9:00 am
Seating is at the West end of the stadium
Programs are handed out in three locations (Top of stairs to West Grandstands. Bottom of rail to West Grandstands. South entrance)
Bathrooms are open on the second level of West Grandstands
Suggestion: Bring a water bottle with you
Native American Outreach Grants
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThree schools in the Pendleton School District recently received Native American Families Outreach Grants. The Pendleton Early Learning Center received $10,000, Washington Elementary received $7,000 and Sunridge Middle School received $10,000. The purpose of the grants is to support Native American students in navigating public school systems.
SMS Principal Piper Kelm said the majority of the grant at Sunridge will be used to produce signage in the school that incorporates the Umatilla language. Similar signage is already in place at Washington Elementary School.
Kelm said she believes the new signage will help Native American students to feel seen at their school while offering the opportunity for non-Native students to be exposed to words in a different language that is right next door. “We hope this helps foster a school climate of neighbors together in community and also helps sustain this native language for future generations,” Kelm said.
Pendleton Early Learning Center received $10,000 and is also producing signage incorporating native language.
Washington Elementary received $7,000 and has scheduled a Native American Family Dinner on May 25th, during which the Pendleton High School food truck will provide dinner. Washington is also planning some other projects.
FFA Plant Sale – May 12-13, 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgJoin Pendleton High School FFA Mother’s Day weekend for their plant sale! Students have been working hard the past couple of months, taking care of flowers and plants to sell at the annual fundraiser!
May 12 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the PHS greenhouse.
May 13 from 8:00 – 12:00 pm at the PHS greenhouse
Pendleton FFA Farm Day – May 3, 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgPendleton FFA is hosting a Farm Day from 4:30 pm-7:00 pm on May 3rd for our community. Students and kids can travel from station to station to learn about local agriculture and see some livestock animals our students raise throughout the year. There is a $5 entry fee.
We will also be hosting a BBQ fundraiser that will be available for purchase.
5th Grade Field Trip to BMCC
/in District Site News, McKay Creek School News, Sherwood School News, Washington School News /by rthornburgAll fifth graders in the Pendleton School District got a glimpse of the community college in their own hometown on Wednesday, April 19th.
District Selects New Washington Elementary School Principal
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District School Board has selected Mr. Kevin Dinning as the new Principal at Washington Elementary School.
Dinning is currently the Superintendent/Secondary Principal of Ione School District. Prior to that, he served as Bonners County Middle School Principal in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. In 2016, he was selected as the Bonners Ferry High School Principal. In 2015-2016, Dinning served as both an elementary and high school vice-principal in Bonners County School District.
Colleagues describe Dinning as a talented leader who is thoughtful, considerate, and consistent. He is also described as a “people person” who puts the needs of students, staff, and parents at the forefront of every decision he makes. Other colleagues who have worked alongside Dinning describe him as a true professional who operates with a high level of integrity.
Dinning earned a bachelor of science in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, and a master of science degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in Portland.
According to Superintendent Kevin Headings, “Mr. Dinning possesses the qualities we were looking for in our next Washington Elementary principal – high integrity, talented leader, student-centered, and a strong communicator. Finding someone with knowledge and understanding of our region and who is familiar with Pendleton was also important to the selection committee.”
Dinning will replace Coree Terjeson, who resigned effective June 30th earlier in the year. Dinning’s contract begins July 1st. He and his wife, Heidi, have two elementary school-aged children, Sofie and Henry.
Native Voices Community Conversations
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgYou are invited to participate in a research study, Native Voices Across Generations: Reimagining Discipline in a New School Landscape (Native Voices or NV) project.
The Pendleton School District, in cooperation with a research team from the University of Oregon, is hosting a community conversation/listening session on Monday, April 24, at Washington Elementary, starting at 5:00 pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided.
The research team is seeking to hear from parents, community members, teachers, administrators, and staff.
The purpose of this one-year project is to give voice to teachers, school and district administrators, and other school staff to look at discipline practices and investigate contributors to and consequences of disproportionate discipline for Native students in Oregon K-12 schools.
The findings of this project will inform, design and recommend school-based policies, trainings, resources, and supports that are culturally responsive and integrate Native tribal and community assets to shift any overrepresentation of AI/AN students in discipline data by researching (1) potential contributors to and consequences of disciplinary practices in Oregon K-12 school districts and (2) if district administrators, teachers, and other school personnel might benefit from professional development on Indian Education Policies and Language Restoration; Native Languages of Oregon; and Equity in School Policy for Native Students.
Equally important, this study queries what Native students, families, and communities envision as essential for healthy schools in which Native students belong and thrive culturally, socially, psychologically, and academically.
Community conversations/listening sessions will occur at the Washington Elementary School on Monday, April 24, from 5-7:30 pm. Each participant will receive an incentive of $25 for participating in the conversations.
This project involves the collaboration of the Center for Equity Promotion (CEQP) in the University of Oregon’s (UO) College of Education, the UO’s Northwest Indian Language Institute (NILI), the Native Wellness Institute (NWI), and participating Tribes and School Districts with funding from and in partnership with the Office of Indian Education/Oregon Department of Education (OIE/ODE).
If you are interested in participating in this research study, please complete the Adult Consent form located here: https://tinyurl.com/NV-Adult-Consent.
Hard copies of the consent form will be available at the event.
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Rita Svanks at rsvanks@uoregon.edu, 541-346-4125.
Superintendent Message – April 6, 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgOur thoughts and prayers go out to the Nashville Covenant School community in Nashville, Tennessee, for their tragic loss last week.
Pandemic EBT for Summer 2022 Benefits
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgDid you know Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) for Summer 2022 Benefits may be on the way? You can visit us at the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) website at PEBT.oregon.gov.
Questions can be answered using the call center: 844-673-7328 or 844-ORE-PEBT
FAQ for Families – ENGLISH | SPANISH