As part of National School Lunch Week, October 13-17, 2025, Pendleton School District is celebrating the district’s nutritional services. First, some numbers:
How many meals does the district provide every day to students in schools?
Pendleton Early Learning Center: breakfast 166, lunch 221
McKay Creek Elementary: breakfast 85, lunch 142
Sherwood Heights Elementary: breakfast 149, lunch 301
Washington Elementary: breakfast 168, lunch 324
Sunridge Middle School: breakfast 179, lunch 397
Pendleton High School: breakfast 116, lunch 246
How many nutrition services employees work in PSD schools? 22 employees
Suzanne Howard, Director of Nutritional Services, works for Sodexo, the company that PSD contracts with for food services in all its schools. Howard recently highlighted a few new things for the 25-26 school year.
The first is a new menu site called Nutrislice (https://pendleton.nutrislice.com/menus-eula), which gives parents more access to information about the food that is being served in their students’ school. “In one click, they can look at the ingredients, the nutrient label, the allergens, and carb counts to make decisions for their child’s meals,” Howard said. Parents can filter by allergens to see which meals their child should not eat that week; nutrition services will work with parents to adjust menus for allergens for students.
Another new item is in the elementary schools – a new Bright Bites menu. Over the summer, Howard and her team re-decorated the kitchens at the schools to make them more colorful, engaging, and kid friendly. They also adjusted menus to include more of the food items that kids like to eat, including some new items. Elementary students recently tried Texas chili, which the kids loved. Nutrition services are also increasing options for fruits and vegetables, including more cooked vegetables like roasted squash, roasted broccoli, seasoned carrot coins, and parmesan green beans, which students have enjoyed.
At Sunridge Middle School, they added a pizza line, which has decreased congestion in the serving area. New at Pendleton High School is Chopsticks, grab-to-go Chinese food, which has been extremely popular.
What does Howard want people to know about today’s school meals? “This is not the old lunch program. We really pride ourselves on the quality of our food, and the students are our customers.” Howard said she wants students to use their voices to make suggestions about the food program. She also encourages parents to have lunch at their child’s school to experience the meals (check with your school about how to do this).
The mission of the nutrition services program is to provide healthy meals to students so they can do their best learning, Howard said. “Students who are hungry cannot focus as well and could potentially have behavior challenges.”
Breakfast and lunch are free every day for all enrolled students in the Pendleton School District, with no paperwork or sign-up required.
To provide feedback about Nutrition Services, email Suzanne Howard or provide information to nutrition services employees at your child’s school.
National School Lunch Week
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgAs part of National School Lunch Week, October 13-17, 2025, Pendleton School District is celebrating the district’s nutritional services. First, some numbers:
How many meals does the district provide every day to students in schools?
Pendleton Early Learning Center: breakfast 166, lunch 221
McKay Creek Elementary: breakfast 85, lunch 142
Sherwood Heights Elementary: breakfast 149, lunch 301
Washington Elementary: breakfast 168, lunch 324
Sunridge Middle School: breakfast 179, lunch 397
Pendleton High School: breakfast 116, lunch 246
How many nutrition services employees work in PSD schools? 22 employees
Suzanne Howard, Director of Nutritional Services, works for Sodexo, the company that PSD contracts with for food services in all its schools. Howard recently highlighted a few new things for the 25-26 school year.
The first is a new menu site called Nutrislice (https://pendleton.nutrislice.com/menus-eula), which gives parents more access to information about the food that is being served in their students’ school. “In one click, they can look at the ingredients, the nutrient label, the allergens, and carb counts to make decisions for their child’s meals,” Howard said. Parents can filter by allergens to see which meals their child should not eat that week; nutrition services will work with parents to adjust menus for allergens for students.
Another new item is in the elementary schools – a new Bright Bites menu. Over the summer, Howard and her team re-decorated the kitchens at the schools to make them more colorful, engaging, and kid friendly. They also adjusted menus to include more of the food items that kids like to eat, including some new items. Elementary students recently tried Texas chili, which the kids loved. Nutrition services are also increasing options for fruits and vegetables, including more cooked vegetables like roasted squash, roasted broccoli, seasoned carrot coins, and parmesan green beans, which students have enjoyed.
At Sunridge Middle School, they added a pizza line, which has decreased congestion in the serving area. New at Pendleton High School is Chopsticks, grab-to-go Chinese food, which has been extremely popular.
What does Howard want people to know about today’s school meals? “This is not the old lunch program. We really pride ourselves on the quality of our food, and the students are our customers.” Howard said she wants students to use their voices to make suggestions about the food program. She also encourages parents to have lunch at their child’s school to experience the meals (check with your school about how to do this).
The mission of the nutrition services program is to provide healthy meals to students so they can do their best learning, Howard said. “Students who are hungry cannot focus as well and could potentially have behavior challenges.”
Breakfast and lunch are free every day for all enrolled students in the Pendleton School District, with no paperwork or sign-up required.
To provide feedback about Nutrition Services, email Suzanne Howard or provide information to nutrition services employees at your child’s school.
National Principals Month
/in District Site News, Elementary School News, High Schools News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgOctober is National Principals’ Appreciation Month! We’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible principals who lead with heart, vision, and dedication every single day. Our principals work tirelessly to create schools where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. Their leadership uplifts staff, strengthens families, and shapes the future of our community.
💚💛 Join us in saying thank you to our principals for all they do to make a difference—one student, one classroom, and one day at a time.
#ThankAPrincipal #PrincipalAppreciationMonth #LeadershipMatters
Welcome to PSD – Kate Evans
/in District Site News, Sherwood School News /by rthornburgKate Evans
1st Grade Teacher
Sherwood Heights Elementary School
Kate grew up in Newberg, Oregon, and is brand new to Pendleton.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Oregon University.
What is Kate most excited about working in the Pendleton School District? “I am most excited to work with such a fun team at Sherwood Elementary.”
In her spare time, Kate likes to read books, hang out with friends, or play hacky sack.
Welcome to PSD – Tabitha Kopf
/in District Site News, Sherwood School News /by rthornburgTabitha Kopf
5th Grade Teacher
Sherwood Heights Elementary School
Tabitha grew up in Meridian, Idaho, and has lived in Pendleton for one year.
She attended Eastern Oregon University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching.
What is Tabitha most excited about working in the Pendleton School District? “Getting to know more about the community through working with my students.”
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son and husband or reading.
Sherwood Heights Elementary Rip City Rally
/in District Site News, Sherwood School News /by rthornburgSherwood Spurs were thrilled to welcome representatives from the Portland Trail Blazers for an energetic assembly on September 17, 2025. The Rip City Rally, which included mascots Blaze and Douglas Fur, broadcaster Lamar Hurd, and two members of the Trail Blazers dance team, was sponsored by Moda Health.
The event was led by Todd Bosma, Director of Game Operations & Events for the Portland Trail Blazers. He shared with students the importance of starting the new school year right by eating healthy food, including breakfast, getting a good night’s sleep, and getting outside to stay active. “We want you to have an active, healthy lifestyle for your entire life,” Bosma said. He also emphasized being respectful to your teachers, paying attention in class, and doing the work, as well as being caring, compassionate, and taking care of each other in your school.
Moda Health donated 12 new playground balls to the school. Then, the real fun began – races between students and teachers involving jumping rope, jumping jacks, and riding tricycles. Fifth grade students participated, along with two teachers, with enthusiastic cheering from students in the bleachers. The Trail Blazers leader recognized competitors who didn’t win the races, saying that trying your best until the end is a great trait and that “whether we win or lose, we support each other.”
TJ Presley, Sherwood Principal, said he started working with the Trail Blazers last spring to bring them to the school, and he was happy it worked out. Presley said the message of being a good teammate, being a good classmate, and taking care of each other really ties in with what Sherwood is doing this school year. “New this year, we are really focused on being kind, safe, and respectful, and their message directly aligned with what we are trying to do here,” he said.
Thanks, Trail Blazers, for an awesome assembly!
ParentSquare is the New Communication Platform
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgPendleton School District is transitioning away from the REMIND communication platform and moving to a new platform called ParentSquare.
We highly recommend downloading the app and activating your account.
ParentSquare GETTING STARTED GUIDE for Parents and Guardians English | Spanish
District Recommends New Assistant Principal for Sherwood Elementary School
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgWe are thrilled to announce the recommendation of Mindy Barron as the new Assistant Principal at Sherwood Heights Elementary. Mindy brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for all students.
Mindy’s journey in education began as an Instructional Assistant and has included the roles of classroom teacher, instructional coach, technology coach, career coordinator, and dean of students over the last 20 years.
Mindy’s focus on building relationships, commitment to growth, and her experience with diverse school communities will be pivotal in continuing to move the dial for Sherwood and the Pendleton School District.
Join us in welcoming Mindy Barron to the Pendleton School District at Sherwood Heights Elementary!
PSD District Art Show
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District had another successful district-wide art show in spring 2025. The event began with a community opening night, followed by two days of art viewing by students and the public.
Abbey Prevot, Art Teacher at Pendleton High School, coordinates the show with John Bradt, Media/Tech Teacher at Sunridge Middle School. Every student in the district creates a piece of art in their class, and it’s displayed at the show. Pieces included paintings, sculpture, paper mache and more.
Prevot said the setup went smoothly this year; they had seven PHS students who helped, and they were great workers. She appreciates all the district teachers who work with their students to create the art, put name tags on every piece, and adhere them to the large paper displays.
“The art show is one of the only community events where all the schools participate, so it’s a great celebration together,” Prevot said. She said art is the first language we learn; before a child learns how to write, they are drawing. “Art is a natural skill people pick up as kids, so fostering and keeping that creativity alive for students is essential,” she said.
The Pendleton School District thanks the Education Foundation of Pendleton for funding the art show and Altrusa of Pendleton for giving out free books on opening night.
2025 Crystal Apple Award Winners
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgCONGRATULATIONS to the Pendleton School District 2025 Crystal Apple Award Winners!
Nicole Kuza – Lead Secretary at Sunridge Middle School
Jess Cooper – Science Teacher at Pendleton High School
Emma Sims – Paraprofessional at Sunridge Middle School
Carol Aldrich – Title I Teacher at the Pendleton Early Learning Center