At the end of last school year, three schools in the Pendleton School District received Native American Families Outreach Grants. The Pendleton Early Learning Center (PELC) 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.

Over the summer, the PELC used the funds to create and install signage in the building that incorporates the Umatilla language. Sunridge Middle School is also installing signage. Similar signage is already in place at Washington Elementary School.

Shawndine Jones, Walk to Language Teacher at the PELC, and Mildred Quaempts, Umatilla Language Master Speaker for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), work together at the PELC to teach students the Umatilla language every week. They have worked on the signage project at the school.

A special part of the new native language in the school is a large quote chosen by Mildred Quaempts, which is painted in the school’s library. It says,

Miyánašma pawá átaw ayáyat tɨmnáii ku px̣ʷít
“All children are precious with good hearts and minds.”

Mildred Quaempts said it’s a teaching among her elders that they were always telling the children to have good minds, good hearts, be respectful, and honorable. She chose this particular quote because “the children are precious, loved, they are awesome, valued, innocent and they are strong. And I like to hear what they have to say.”

In addition to the library quote, there is Umatilla language signage in the common areas, including the cafeteria, gym, music room, office, and cafeteria. Jones said there will also be a metal sign installed outside in front of the school in Umatilla that says something like, “Welcome, Little Bucks.”

Why do Jones and Mildred Quaempts think it’s important to have the Umatilla language visible in the school? Mildred Quaempts explained that at one time, both natives and non-natives communicated to one another – the ranchers and farmers and businessmen – locally and around the region. “Before they passed on, our elders all agreed that we were going to share the language with everyone, not just pick and choose who was going to learn it and speak it.” She said that currently five out of 3,000 tribal members speak the Umatilla language, so efforts to keep speaking and teaching it are very important.

“It’s good to see the language because this is the land of the tribes and it should be represented in our schools,” Jones said.

One sign in the school’s entryway is about “Boys with Braids,” which is a positive message for boys with long hair that they are seen and supported. The graphic features a silhouette of a former Washington Elementary and Sunridge Middle School student, Hiyúum Nowland. Jones said, “It’s good to see our schools creating an environment that welcomes all children.” The Pendleton School District purchased “Boys with Braids” signs for McKay Creek Elementary, Sherwood Heights Elementary and Pendleton High School also.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Language Program helped with all of the translations for the signage at the schools.

What 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.”