EllaMae Looney

Washington Elementary – New Painting by Native American Artist

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August 29, 2023

When students at Washington Elementary School enter the building for their first day of school this week, they will notice a large, new painting hanging in the foyer of their school. The acrylic painting entitled “Generations Shall Never Fade” was created by EllaMae Looney, an artist who lives in Mission. Looney, of the Yakama Nation, attended Washington Elementary from kindergarten through fifth grade and graduated from Nixyaawii Community School in 2018.

The large, colorful painting has deep meaning for Looney. It shows a woman in the center, who Looney said symbolizes missing and murdered Indigenous women. A young girl and boy on either side of the woman represent Indigenous children who were taken away from their families, put into residential schools, and stripped of their cultural identity.

Looney said her time as a student at Washington is full of good memories of awesome teachers and being very excited to put on regalia during the school’s powwow in Native American Heritage Month to show her friends how proud she was of her culture. “I want Indigenous kids and all kids to be proud of who they are. When they see the painting, I want them to see that a Washington student did that, and they can do good things in their life, too,” Looney said.

Stacey Jacobs, Tribal Attendance Family Advocate for the Pendleton School District, is the person who commissioned Looney to create the painting. Funds came from the district’s TAPP (Tribal Attendance Promising Practices) grant. Jacobs is thrilled that a former Wildcat created the painting and that the Looney family, who have been a large part of Washington Elementary for a long time, have a forever connection to the school. “I don’t expect our students to get the entire meaning of the painting, but it’s a powerful reminder of difficult challenges that Indigenous people historically endured and still face. I hope students can look to the painting by a former student creating art now and think about what they can become,” Jacobs said.

Looney Painting

Washington Students

4th Grade STEM Week at Washington Elementary

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Washington 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.”

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Posted 5/25/2023

5th grade BMCC

5th Grade Field Trip to BMCC

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All fifth graders in the Pendleton School District got a glimpse of the community college in their own hometown on Wednesday, April 19th.

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Native Voices Community Conversations

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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.

 

Pandemic EBT for Summer 2022 Benefits

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Did 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

 

P-EBT

pajama friday

Washington Elementary Last Fridays Events

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Pajama Friday at Washington Elementary

Who doesn’t love Friday? Well, at Washington Elementary School, staff and students are taking Friday fun to a whole new level.

On the last Friday of each month, everyone is allowed to wear their pajamas to school. That day there is also a monthly Snack Sale organized by the school’s Parent Club. Snacks are donated each month by parent volunteers from a designated grade level. Students are allowed to purchase reasonably priced snacks, and proceeds go to the Parent Club.

“This is a fun, easy way to have a little celebration in our building once a month,” said Principal Coree Terjeson.

And what’s better than eating M&M’s in your pajamas?

pajama friday

KHC

Washington Elementary Kids Heart Challenge

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Washington Elementary kicked off its annual Kids Heart Challenge on Friday, February 17, 2023. This program focuses on whole-body wellness, helping students improve their own health and better their character while raising life-saving donations for the American Heart Association to help kids facing heart-health issues.

The Kids Heart Challenge is held at schools across the country.

Washington Wildcats will learn how to keep their hearts and brains healthy, get moving with fun activities and meet kids with special hearts.

At a special assembly on Friday, students learned about choosing a heart-healthy challenge to Move More or Be Kind. In the next few weeks, students will ask family members and friends to donate to the Kids Heart Challenge. Prizes for fundraising will be awarded, including:

  • Top student in grades 1-2 and 3-5 will get to be the P.E. teacher for their class
  • Top participating class in grades 1-2 and 3-5 get FREE choice P.E.
  • Second top fundraising students in grades 1-2 and 3-5 will get a special lunch with the Principal
  • When a student raises $50, you will instantly earn a Be The Torch wristband, 4 Heart Heroes, and a Mystery Gift

Families are encouraged to register online at: http://www2.heart.org/goto/WashingtonElementaryOR

According to Erin Donnelly, P.E. Teacher at Washington Elementary, the students are always excited to kick off this program in February. “Kids Heart Challenge is a great way to teach kids how to embrace a heart-healthy, active lifestyle while raising money for a good cause with some fun competition.”

The challenge runs through March 13, 2023. The school’s fundraising goal is $3,000.

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Pendleton School District
107 NW 10th Street, Pendleton, OR 97801
Phone:  541.276.6711  Fax:  541.278.3208

The Pendleton School District assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or income as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related authorities, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any Pendleton School District sponsored program or activity.

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