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.
PHS 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
Sherwood Heights Elementary Spring Field Trips
/in District Site News, Sherwood School News /by rthornburgDo you remember going on field trips in elementary school? Most people can remember a trip to a pumpkin patch, a local farm, a science center, a museum or art center, or maybe a local historical place. But combine more robust academic requirements, increased testing in schools, and the COVID pandemic, and many schools have not had field trips for a few years.
The principal and assistant principal at Sherwood Heights Elementary are changing that this spring. Principal Ronda Smith said they are trying to create a culture of memories through learning outside the school building. “Field trips offer an opportunity for students to be kind and responsible to each other in a different setting and learn to be a school family together,” Smith said.
In May and June, Sherwood students in various grades will go to the Heritage Station Museum, and Blue Mountain Community College, walk to a local park, participate in the Pendleton High School FFA Farm Day, attend track meets, and, have a field day.
TJ Presley, Assistant Principal, said many of the trips and events create chances for students to cooperate, take turns, and be independent. “This summer, when a little kid closes his eyes and thinks about school last year, what will he remember? We want them to remember something great and end the year on a positive note so the student can’t wait to return to their school family in August.”
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
Pendleton FFA Farm Day – May 3, 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgPendleton FFA is hosting a Farm Day from 4:30 pm-7:00 pm on May 3rd for our community. Students and kids can travel from station to station to learn about local agriculture and see some livestock animals our students raise throughout the year. There is a $5 entry fee.
We will also be hosting a BBQ fundraiser that will be available for purchase.
5th Grade Field Trip to BMCC
/in District Site News, McKay Creek School News, Sherwood School News, Washington School News /by rthornburgAll fifth graders in the Pendleton School District got a glimpse of the community college in their own hometown on Wednesday, April 19th.
District Selects New Washington Elementary School Principal
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District School Board has selected Mr. Kevin Dinning as the new Principal at Washington Elementary School.
Dinning is currently the Superintendent/Secondary Principal of Ione School District. Prior to that, he served as Bonners County Middle School Principal in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. In 2016, he was selected as the Bonners Ferry High School Principal. In 2015-2016, Dinning served as both an elementary and high school vice-principal in Bonners County School District.
Colleagues describe Dinning as a talented leader who is thoughtful, considerate, and consistent. He is also described as a “people person” who puts the needs of students, staff, and parents at the forefront of every decision he makes. Other colleagues who have worked alongside Dinning describe him as a true professional who operates with a high level of integrity.
Dinning earned a bachelor of science in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, and a master of science degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in Portland.
According to Superintendent Kevin Headings, “Mr. Dinning possesses the qualities we were looking for in our next Washington Elementary principal – high integrity, talented leader, student-centered, and a strong communicator. Finding someone with knowledge and understanding of our region and who is familiar with Pendleton was also important to the selection committee.”
Dinning will replace Coree Terjeson, who resigned effective June 30th earlier in the year. Dinning’s contract begins July 1st. He and his wife, Heidi, have two elementary school-aged children, Sofie and Henry.
Native Voices Community Conversations
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgYou 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.
Superintendent Message – April 6, 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgOur thoughts and prayers go out to the Nashville Covenant School community in Nashville, Tennessee, for their tragic loss last week.
Pandemic EBT for Summer 2022 Benefits
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgDid 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
Sherwood Heights Elementary – Safety Efforts
/in District Site News, Sherwood School News /by rthornburgFire, lockdown, and earthquake drills are all in a day’s work for today’s students. Because they practice these regularly, they know what to expect if and when a real emergency occurs. And that is what the leaders at Sherwood Heights Elementary are counting on.
“We have a fire drill every month, and we practice one other drill every month,” said TJ Presley, Assistant Principal at Sherwood. “By practicing these scenarios, our staff and students are all more prepared and able to remain calm in situations that do arise.”
Presley and Sherwood Principal Ronda Smith said they collaborate with local law enforcement officers when they have drills, so officers can be on site if possible to help discuss response time and things that could be improved. Pendleton School District School Resource Officer Lance Zaugg was in the building at the school’s March Lockdown drill and debriefed with school administrators afterward. “We test different modalities with our alarm system and phone system to ensure we practice different methods to initiate our emergency protocols when necessary and to be as quick and efficient in a real emergency,” Principal Smith said.
Sherwood recently received two grants totaling $10,000 from the Walmart Distribution Center in Hermiston to purchase new radios for all staff in their building. Presley said the new radios are helpful, as the ability to communicate quickly between all staff in the school is essential.
In addition to physical safety, Sherwood also focuses on social-emotional safety, with regular lessons about feeling safe, trusted adults, reporting concerns, and more.
At the school’s Open House last fall, several parents asked the school leaders to tell them about emergency procedures and protocols, which Smith said they were glad to communicate about. As part of a district-wide plan, Sherwood will host an after-school safety evaluation/walk-through in May with officers from several local law enforcement agencies to identify potential safety issues that can be resolved.
“Safety at our school for students, staff, and visitors is always our number one priority, no matter what,” Presley said. “Having consistent procedures, excellent communication, practice drills, and having everyone on board are essential for our teachers and assistants to facilitate learning and for students to feel safe and learn in the best environment possible.”
Sherwood Heights Elementary and the Pendleton School District use the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol for emergency response; visit https://iloveuguys.org/ for more information.