5th Grade Field Trip to BMCC
All fifth graders in the Pendleton School District got a glimpse of the community college in their own hometown on Wednesday, April 19th.
Native Voices Community Conversations
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
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
Washington Elementary Last Fridays Events
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?
Washington Elementary Kids Heart Challenge
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.
Washington Elementary Staff Connection
Coree Terjeson, Principal at Washington Elementary School, understands how hard it is some days to be an elementary school teacher or educational assistant, and that was before the global pandemic. Supporting teachers and staff in her school building is something Terjeson takes seriously. Well, not too seriously, because building relationships and connecting with one another is what it’s all about….and occasionally, adding a little fun.
Starting in August, Terjeson and Assistant Principal Heidi Paullus organized a retreat at Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, funded by the OEA Choice Trust to welcome all Washington employees to the school year. Since then, they have had several other fun events to connect with each other, create a positive staff culture, and support one another. They have been celebrating the Washington staff since the beginning of the school year by planning staff events and treats. “It always makes for a fun time when staff gets together to relax and enjoy each other’s company,” said Terjeson.
“No matter what we do each month during these activities, our goal is the same – to help the
60+ employees at our school feel safe and welcome, and to create a positive workplace climate
so they want to continue to be part of our Wildcat family,” Terjeson said.
Most recently, on a Monday in-service in January, Terjeson and Paullus planned a fun icebreaker that brought many laughs and smiles of appreciation. Each teacher was given a balloon and a permanent marker to write their name. While the music was played, the teachers tossed their balloons in the air and tried to keep them off the ground. When the music stopped, they grabbed the nearest balloon and wrote positive qualities about their coworkers or words of encouragement. “Even though this activity was first thing in the morning, everyone seemed to enjoy their balloons,” said Terjeson.
The activities are funded at all Pendleton School District buildings by a grant to help support the retention of staff.
National School Counseling Week – February 6-10, 2023
National School Counseling Week 2023 (Feb. 6-10), sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the essential contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Every student deserves a school counselor to help with academic achievement strategies, managing emotions and applying interpersonal skills, and planning for postsecondary options. School counselors are #HelpingStudentsDreamBig. Take a moment to thank your local school counselor(s).
Washington Elementary Celebrates Native American Heritage Month
The gym of Washington Elementary School was filled with Native American drumming, dancing and applause from students during the school’s Native American Heritage month celebration event on Friday, November 18, 2022.
The Nixyáawii Golden Eagles performed drumming for students & staff while dozens of Washington students joined the dance floor.
Fred Hill, Sr., Umatilla Language Teacher, and Mentor, spoke to the students about Native American culture, rites of passage for tribal youth, styles of the dances, and the different regalia. “We really appreciate this invitation to be here to share our culture, songs, and dance,” Hill said.
Washington Principal Coree Terjeson said “Recognizing & celebrating culture in our school is a critical experience for all of our Wildcats. A big shout-out goes to our Title VI staff and Mr. Heinrich from Nixyáawii for coordinating this event at Washington!”
Letter to Families – Illness and Staying Home
December 9, 2022
Dear Pendleton School District Families and Guardians –
There is a lot of illness going around our community and our schools. We hope your family is staying well, and we wish you the best. However, if your student is displaying symptoms of illness, please keep them home until they are better. To see the different symptoms of the illnesses going around, see the attached list.
PLEASE KEEP ILL STUDENTS OUT OF SCHOOL
Thank you,
Kevin Headings
Superintendent
Pendleton School District
NEW! Bus Tracking App – ParentView
Pendleton School District, along with First Student, is excited to announce the launching of ParentView, a bus tracking and parent communication app.