August 21, 2023
Dear PSD Parents –
The start of school is only a few days away. This time of year is always exciting, with new classes, new teachers, new faces, and the overall start of a new year.
Our teachers and staff are excited to serve you and your child(ren). The principals are already back at work, along with the secretaries, teachers, and support staff, preparing their buildings, yearly plans, and school functions for the 2023-24 school year.
The safety and security of our district facilities is always our highest priority. We’ve spent a good portion of the summer making sure our emergency plans are highly functional and in place and that our buildings have strong security. Recently, our district safety team attended a regional “Safety Summit” at the Pendleton Convention Center. Our plans, procedures, and security measures are comprehensive, strong, and effective.
After attending this summit, there are several things that are important for you, as parents, to do and not do if there is an emergency/crisis at your child’s school. Please see below.
Do:
- Go to the district website for the latest information, including where to pick up your child or what to do next.
- Listen to local radio – 1290 KUMA or 103.5 FM – for information
- Visit the Pendleton School District Facebook page
Don’t:
- Call the school or district office, as the phone lines will be needed for the school/district to communicate with 1st responders and emergency personnel.
- Go to the school – you won’t be able to get in as it will be sectioned off. First responders and emergency personnel need the space to operate.
While we know that in situations like this, stress levels will be high, it is best to be prepared ahead of time.
And now, a few logistics for the new school year. The first day of school for all our students is Tuesday, August 29. We will have bussing routes and bussing information on our district website the week before school starts. Additionally, we have added 5 minutes to our school day, so please check the website of your child’s school, or call the school for school day start times and end times, along with any other questions you may have.
One more logistic about our school year. 6th and 9th graders will have orientation on Monday, August 28. Kindergarten and 1st graders will have a soft start from August 29-31. Again, please visit the school’s website, or call the school’s office for specific information regarding K-1, 6th, and 9th grade soft start and orientation.
We are excited to see our students and families back in our buildings and looking forward to serving you for the 2023-24 school year. I wish you a great start to the school!
Sincerely,
Kevin Headings, Superintendent
November is National Native American Heritage Month
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgFall Parent/Teacher Conferences
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgParent/Teacher conferences will be held on November 20 & 21, 2023. Please contact your student’s school if you have questions.
K-5
Monday, Nov 20: 4 – 8 pm
Tuesday, Nov 21: 7:30 am – 7:00 pm
SMS
Monday, Nov 20: 4 – 8 pm
Tuesday, Nov 21: 7:30 am – 1 pm, 2 – 7 pm
PHS
Monday, Nov 20: 4 – 8 pm (commons)
Tuesday, Nov 21: 7:30 am – 1 pm (virtual), 2 – 4 pm (virtual), 4 – 7 pm (commons)
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Zachary Gaulke
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
First Student Safety Stand-Down Week
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgFirst Student, LLC., the transportation company Pendleton School District contracts with to bus students, is increasing its focus on safety with a Safety Stand-Down Week from October 25-31. This is a special event in which company leaders pause to talk directly to employees about safety and provide education and training on specific safety topics.
According to materials from First Student, the company is having the event because “we have a responsibility to learn from recent safety incidents and ensure they do not happen again by reinforcing fundamental safety principles.”
Stand-Down Week will focus on three key areas: Manage Distractions, Focus on the Task at Hand, and Apply Your Training. Some of the safety practices being re-emphasized for bus drivers are:
According to Patrick Phillips, Location Manager for First Student, the Pendleton location employees will be able to sign Safety Pledges, watch reminder videos, and get daily reminder posts during the event. First Student will also be running special safety radio messages. “The Safety Stand-Down is an opportunity for our company to reiterate to employees to get back to the basics of safety,” Phillips said.
Matt Yoshioka, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at Pendleton School District, said the district is pleased that First Student has organized Stand-Down Week to re-focus on safety. “Student safety while being transported to and from school is a top priority for First Student and our district, just as keeping students safe at school is,” Yoshioka said.
Jack & Jill Events at PHS
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgThe purpose of some fun activities this year at Pendleton High School (PHS) is to increase participation in school events and boost PHS spirit. One of the ways to increase participation is to be involved in or watch a Jack and Jill event.
The Jack and Jill events are so named because teams who participate must consist of male and female students. There are a variety of competitions planned – volleyball, black light volleyball, pickleball, badminton, and spike ball. The events are scheduled once a month in Warberg Gym. Teams pay $2 per person to register to participate.
According to Stu Clem, PHS Leadership Advisor, the high school has been having Jack and Jill events for more than 10 years, and they are a true PHS tradition, as he hasn’t heard of any other high school that does them.
The winners of each competition get to participate in a really fun event in the spring/end of the school year. Each student team goes up against a PHS Staff Jack and Jill team.
Jaydon, a Junior, said he and his friends participate in the Jack and Jill events because it’s fun.
Aubrie, a Junior, said it is a break from Advisory class. “I’m terrible at some of the events/sports, but it’s fun,” she said.
Grace Pitner, PHS Senior, is the Assembly Director for PHS Leadership this year, and she said planning the Jack and Jill events has been fun. “I like yard games, and it’s fun to play against kids your age and not your parents. It’s also good because it makes for fun competition because the students who sign up for Jack and Jill are playing because they want to.”
Last year, Pitner and her teammate won three events – pickleball, volleyball, and black light volleyball. So they were able to compete against staff teams for two events – pickleball and volleyball (the two volleyball competitions were combined). They lost both events, which she said was embarrassing but still a great experience.
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Carissa Smith
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
Superintendent Video Message – September 29, 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgStart of the 2023-24 School Year
Live Broadcast of PHS Football Games
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgExciting news for PHS football! EOA Network will be broadcasting PHS football games this year, and they are starting tonight, September 1, 2023. You can stream the games on the following platforms:
EOAlive.TV
https://www.facebook.com/EOAliveTV
https://www.youtube.com/eoalivetv
GO BUCKS!!!!
Summer Lunch Program
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Summer Lunch Program will be at the PELC from 11:30-12:30 beginning June 19 – August 18, Monday – Thursday (Closed July 4).
Rules of the Summer Lunch Program:
1. Must be 1-18 years of age
2. All food and milk must be consumed in the cafeteria
3. No one over the age of 18 or under the age of 1 can eat or drink any part of the meal
4. Shoes and Shirts must be worn
5. No horseplay