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
Pendleton Early Learning Center Open House
/in District Site News, Early Learning Center News /by rthornburgWhat do you get when you take big yellow school buses, tons of new kindergartners, smiling teachers, and a taco truck? A fun Back-to-School Open House at the Pendleton Early Learning Center (PELC)!
Students and their families were invited to the event on Thursday, September 7, 2023, to tour the school and classroom, meet teachers, and enjoy an introduction to their child’s first year in the Pendleton School District.
Out in front of the school were two school buses, with bus drivers from First Student, Inc. (the bus company the district contracts with) standing next to them. The drivers were giving tours of the buses to students and families, showing students where to sit on the bus and sharing a few rules. Driver Brittney Breneman said being a bus driver is challenging, but fun. Bus driver Christina Williams said she showed students where the emergency exits and first aid kit are and the importance of sitting close to the front of the bus so the driver can see you. About being a bus driver for these youngest students, Williams said, “I absolutely love it. You have to be patient, but the kids are so sweet.”
Inside the school, walking along the hallway with her family, was new kindergartner Linnea Davis. Linnea, whose favorite color is red, said her teacher is Mr. Zimmerman. Linnea’s parents, Calvin and Kathy Davis said kindergarten is going great so far for their child. “We are looking forward to her getting to be more social, make friends, and make positive connections to being in school,” Kathy said.
In teacher Rachele Johnson’s class, the Gregg family was enjoying some time in the classroom chatting with Johnson. Patrick and Jill Gregg are the parents of three boys, and their youngest, Chris, is starting kindergarten in Johnson’s class. When Jill was pregnant with Chris, their oldest son, Jack, was a student of Mrs. Johnson’s. “It feels a bit like coming full circle. It really feels like a family here, and the PELC wraps around the whole family,” Jill said. Johnson said it’s nice for the younger sibling to already have that connection at the school, which can give them a bit more confidence.
PELC Principal Angela Lattin said the start of school at the PELC has been positive and smooth, and it’s been great getting to know the new students. “I love every school year, and I love watching students grow. The PELC has expert teachers and an amazing staff in a place that was built just for kindergarten, and there is great energy here.”
Live Broadcast of PHS Varsity Football Games
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgExciting news for PHS Varsity football! EOA Network will be broadcasting PHS varsity football games this year, and they are starting tonight, September 1, 2023, here vs. Caldera High School at 7:00 pm.
You can stream the games on the following platforms:
EOAlive.TV
https://www.facebook.com/EOAliveTV
https://www.youtube.com/eoalivetv
GO BUCKS!!!!
Welcome Back from Principal Lattin
/in District Site News, Early Learning Center News /by rthornburgWelcome to the Pendleton Early Learning Center!
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
End of Year Message
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgPHS 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.
PELC Farm Day Field Trip
/in District Site News, Early Learning Center News, High Schools News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgIf you think there is nothing cuter than a kindergartner petting a cute, fuzzy chick, you are probably right.
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