Post on 01-Oct-2020
1
Putting students first to make learning last a lifetime.
Celebrating academics, diversity, and innovation.
THE 411 YOUR INFORMATION SOURCE
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
On the Privilege of and Responsibility for Voting… Last week we all got a good lesson in civics from Chiawana
students.
Under the guidance of Rob Gutierrez and his colleagues in
the Social Studies Department, CHS students hosted a fed-
eral congressional debate. Mr. Gutierrez believes this to be
the first federal congressional debate hosted by high school
students in our region, possibly in the nation. (Research
turned up no other such event.)
Prior to the debate students waded through candidate biog-
raphies and issue statements, as well as taking a hard look
at the issues that will be of greatest import to them as young
adults in the coming years. Some of them will cast their
votes in this election and, hopefully, even more will be-
come involved citizens and regular voters.
I know how they feel. I was among the first 18-year-olds in
America allowed to cast their votes in a presidential elec-
tion. I had been in Afghanistan through most of the cam-
paign season (which was blissfully shorter in those days)
and got home in time to vote. Once home, I listened to the
barrage of campaign accusations from both sides and ulti-
mately fell for the smear campaign by the Nixon folks.
And yes, I voted for…Richard M. Nixon. I can remember
how excited I was to vote and in an actual voting booth,
which was still the norm. I had gone inside one with my
mom as a little girl when she went to vote. That’s probably
where the seeds got planted.
My excitement was matched only by my sense of disgust
and betrayal when the whole Nixon debacle began unfold-
ing a few short months after the election that ended with a
helicopter departing from the South Lawn of the White
House on August 9, 1974 with the first president who ever
resigned while in office facing potential criminal charges
and more hanging over his head. That provided a wonderful
“first-time voter” education for me. I learned in my first
election to take the issues and candidates seriously and to
do my best to see through the smoke and mirrors of cam-
paign rhetoric before I vote, which is not always easy.
I decided that casting a vote was not the only important part
of voting. As American citizens we have the right to vote,
while citizens of other countries con-
tinue to fight for the privilege of vot-
ing. Citizens of Hong Kong are cur-
rently battling mainland China’s ef-
forts to curb their democratic options.
I believe it is our civic duty to be thoughtful and informed
when casting our votes. I vowed after listening to endless
Congressional hearings detailing the illegal activities of that
President that I would do my best not to be swayed, duped
or fooled again. I vowed that my vote would not be pur-
chased in TV ads by the hired guns and special interest
groups that drive elections, but that I would do the home-
work necessary to cast a vote I could stand behind.
My generation was thrilled to have the ability to vote at 18,
but in the decades that followed young people became more
and more complacent. According to Project Vote,
“Approximately 21 million citizens under the age of 30 did
not vote in 2008.” That number is staggering. As author
Louis L'Amour said, “To make democracy work, we must
be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who
does not vote has no right to complain.”
And so I am encouraged by our Chiawana students who
have taken the time to do their homework, literally, on
these candidates. Even if they can’t vote in this election I
hope that this experience will shape and guide their roles as
citizens and voters in the future. I hope you will all take
your cue from these bright young people and vote in No-
vember.
If you are a citizen, register to vote. It’s easy and the docu-
ments to register are in every school office. If you are regis-
tered, please vote. It can’t be any easier than it is in our
counties. The ballots come straight to your homes. You
don’t even have to figure out which levers to pull in a vot-
ing booth; you only need a black or blue pen.
Here’s to supporting democracy in our own community….
And, on another note, I have been released to return to
work—at least part time. Hooray.
- OCTOBER 17, 2014 -
2
NEWS
Dr. Adam Saenz Inspires, Offers Employees Tools for Wellbeing
Approximately 650 District employees at-
tended “The Power of a Teacher and How It
Can Affect Your School” professional devel-
opment workshop given by Dr. Adam Saenz
at the TRAC on Oct. 10.
Psychologist and author of “The Power of a
Teacher,” Dr. Saenz merges science with
practice. With authenticity and humor, he
described his five critical areas of wellbe-
ing—occupational, emotional, spiritual, fi-
nancial, and physical—and presented ways
for teachers to control and maintain a healthy
balance in their own lives as well as serve as
a source of support for their colleagues.
The 411: NEWS
Calling All PSD Veterans
Veterans’ Day is Nov. 11. The employees and
students of the Pasco School District wish to
recognize all of our military servicemen and
women who serve, or have served, our country
and our District.
Please send your name, current position/title,
school/department, and service division/rank
to awarren@psd1.org by Oct. 31.
Diana Cissne, Angelou Elementary
Kristi Docken, Captain Gray ELC
Dora Noble, Chess Elementary
Valerie Aragon, Curie STEM Elementary
Josette Mendoza, Emerson Elementary
Deidre Holmberg, Franklin STEM Elementary
Nora Phongsa, Frost Elementary
Susan Sparks, Livingston Elementary
Claudia Serrano, Longfellow Elementary
Kim Mahaffey, Markham Elementary
Jaime Morales, McClintock STEM Elementary
Wendy Lechelt-Polster, McGee Elementary
Wendi Manthei, Robinson Elementary
Barbara Pierce, Twain Elementary
Victor Silva, Whittier Elementary
Dominique Dennis, McLoughlin Middle School
Jacqueline Ramirez, Ochoa Middle School
Charlotte Troxel, Stevens Middle School
John Wallwork, Chiawana High School
Jenny Rodriquez, Delta High School
Brian Leavitt, New Horizons High School
Raul Sital, Pasco High School
Thank You Pasco School District Principals!
October is National Principals Month. Please take a moment to thank
the dedicated professionals who lead our great schools.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Again this year, we invite everyone to show their sup-
port and wear pink during the month of October. Send
us your “pinked out” individual or group photos by Oct.
28, and we’ll publish them in the next 411. Or stop by
the Public Affairs office and we’ll take your picture.
Send photos to awarren@psd1.org by Oct. 28. Thank you!
It’s a Pink Out! Send Us Your
Breast Cancer Awareness Photos
Dr. Adam Saenz, left, meets with PSD employees Marie Feryn, Ruthie Hyslop, Maria
Gutierrez, and Bernadette Flores (left to right) after his presentation Oct. 10 at TRAC.
3
NEWS The 411: FEATURE
Kristine Jaquins remembers well the outstand-
ing mentor she had in Mary Dengerud-Au
when she first began teaching math at Pasco
High School in 1995. Now, as teacher on spe-
cial assignment for the District’s newly devel-
oped New Teacher Mentorship Program,
Jaquins serves as a mentor to approximately
130 newly hired teachers across the District.
“Now I’m able to pay it forward,” says
Jaquins. “It’s not easy being a new teacher.
We’re working really hard to make sure that
they feel supported and want to stay in Pasco.”
Whether teachers are brand new to teaching or just new to
the District, Jaquins guides them through lesson planning,
classroom management, the state Teacher/Principal Evalua-
tion Project, and instructional strategies, such as Guided
Language Acquisition Design (GLAD). She meets with
some new teachers regularly, while others call on her when
they have a specific need.
Jaquins spent the morning in Whittier Elementary School
kindergarten teacher Wysteria Edwards’s classroom recent-
ly modeling a GLAD lesson about farming. Edwards has
taught grades K-12 for 15 years in a variety of settings, but
did not have any formal GLAD training. She has done re-
search and plans to attend the District’s GLAD workshops
this year.
“I’m a visual learner, so for me to see it done is very help-
ful,” says Edwards. “It’s great to have the opportunity to
watch her instead of just reading about it.”
A recent college graduate in her first teaching job, Twain
Elementary School fifth grade teacher McKenzie Bostwick
appreciates the advice and guidance Jaquins provides dur-
ing their regular meetings every other week.
“She’s not just supporting me,” says Bostwick.
“She’s supporting my classroom and my kids.
Kristine has been very important to my success.”
McLoughlin Middle School sixth grade math/
science teacher Maria Keaney, another first-time
teacher, says Jaquins has been a valuable re-
source and has helped strengthen her self-
confidence as a teacher.
“She has been a lifesaver when it comes to com-
ing up with activities to engage my students in
mathematical concepts,” says Keaney. “She has
helped me stay sane this first month, and I am truly excited
to move forward with my students.”
Another important aspect of the New Teacher Mentorship
Program are the monthly meetings Jaquins hosts for groups
of new teachers based on grade level. Meetings are de-
signed around a theme and cover different topics and strate-
gies, all of which align with the District’s strategic plan. In
December, for example, Special Services Director Tracy
Wilson will speak with new teachers about special educa-
tion and individualized education programs, while in Janu-
ary, the meeting will focus on Eric Jensen’s strategies for
teaching with poverty in mind.
After many years teaching math at PHS, Jaquins helped
open Chiawana High School in 2009. And, as math depart-
ment chair and instructional coach there, she served as a
mentor to many new CHS teachers over the years. It’s an
experience she feels has been vital to her new role this year.
“This is the best job ever! We need to retain new teachers.
It’s nice to be able to support them,” says Jaquins.
District Provides Valuable Support for New Teachers Through Mentorship Program
Above: Kristine Jaquins discusses report cards with Twain
Elementary teacher McKenzie Bostwick during one of their
regular meetings recently. Left: Jaquins models a GLAD
lesson in Wysteria Edwards’s kindergarten class at Whittier.
4
NEWS The 411: CAPITAL PROJECTS
Construction on Pace at New Delta High, McClintock and Curie STEM Elementary Schools
The Curie STEM Elementary School construction site is pictured Sept. 17.
Construction crews continue work on time
and on budget at Curie STEM Elementary
School, McClintock STEM Elementary
School and the new Delta High School.
All three schools are scheduled to open with
the start of school in 2015.
Curie STEM Elementary will be the biggest
of the three schools at 72,664 square feet
and is the farthest along with the steel
framework of the two-story classroom wing
and the brick walls of the gym/cafeteria tak-
ing shape this fall.
The gym/cafeteria walls are shown at Curie STEM Elementary on Sept. 17. The steel framework of the Curie STEM Elementary two-
story classroom wing takes shape on Sept. 17.
Crews work on the foundation at McClintock STEM Elementary on Sept. 17. The leveled Delta High School site is pictured Sept. 17.
5
NEWS
PEAK! of the Week
The 411
Saluting Students: Captain Gray ELC Twins
Captain Gray Early Learning Center twins Kamyla Rodriguez,
Kyara Rodriguez, Anthony Ramirez Leon and J. Concep-
tion Ramirez Leon (pictured at right, from left to right, with
Student Board Representative Daphne Gallegos) presented the
flag salute at the board meeting Sept. 23. The kindergarten stu-
dents are two of ten sets of twins—a school record—currently
attending Captain Gray ELC. They were accompanied by Prin-
cipal Kristi Docken, who says the students are demonstrating
strong character every day at school.
The twin phenomena at Captain Gray ELC made local and na-
tional news lately. Click here to see the story on ABC
News.com. And, see the story on local news channels KVEW
TV and KEPR TV.
For the week ending Sept. 26, PEAK! of the Week
honors went to Angelou Elementary School PEAK!
Partner Advanced Pediatric Dentistry &
Orthodontics.
This dedicated partner took part in Angelou’s “Night
Under the Big Top” open house on Sept. 25. The
tooth fairy was a special guest and assisted in handing
out dental hygiene goodie bags that included
toothbrushes, floss, and tooth paste. Advanced
Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics also partners with
Ochoa Middle School and McGee Elementary
School. They participated in Ochoa's
open house on Sept. 25 and
McGee's round up event on Sept. 19
speaking with parents about the
importance of dental hygiene and
giving away dental care packages.
Ochoa Middle School PEAK! Partner T-Shirt
Factory was named PEAK! of the Week for the week
ending Oct. 3.
T-Shirt Factory donated 50 “Rocket Nation” t-shirts
that were raffled off to students along with other
prizes at the school’s open house on Sept. 25. To be
entered into the raffle, students took their parents to
each of their classrooms and had their teachers and
PEAK! partners sign off on a bingo card.
The school’s other PEAK! partners, Advanced
Pediatrics Dentistry &
Orthodontics and U.S.
Cellular, also took part
in the event and
contributed donations
for the raffle.
Have a PEAK! of the Week nomination? Please let Public Affairs know about the great work your school’s
PEAK! Partners are doing by emailing publicaffairs@psd1.org or calling x2686.
KEPR TV reporter Gina Lazara films the twins on Oct. 2. All ten sets of twins are pictured at Captain Gray ELC on Oct. 2.
6
NEWS
Clinic to Serve Ochoa Neighborhoods
The 411
Whittier’s Irene Arreguin Honored
by Parent, Local Business
Officials with nonprofit Tri-Cities Community
Health broke ground on a school-based clinic
next to Ochoa Middle School on Sept 25.
The Pasco School District provided the land for
the clinic but will not have a hand in the daily
operations of the clinic or supervise staff.
Ochoa Middle School Principal Jackie Ramirez
and Pasco School District Board Vice President
Ryan Brault took part in the ceremony. Pictured breaking ground are (left to right) TCCH board members and offic-
ers Ana Ruiz Peralta, Dr. John Intravartolo, Ron Weed, Beverly Herrin,
Ochoa Middle School Principal Jackie Ramirez, and Pasco School District
Board Vice President Ryan Brault.
Board Honors Student Volunteers
The Board of Directors gave out Pride of
Pasco pins at the board meeting Tuesday
in recognition of a group of secondary
students who went above and beyond to
help their younger peers. Pasco High
School student Lucy Rickman, Chia-
wana High School student Miriam Flo-
res, and Ochoa Middle School students
Sabrina Garza, Estefani Mendez, Ma-
ria Cruz Ortiz, Yhoonny Paredes, and
Richard Garcia volunteered their time
to assist kindergarten students on the
first day of school at Captain Gray Early
Learning Center.
Whittier Elementary School second grade bilin-
gual teacher Irene Arreguin and her class re-
ceived a surprise presentation of school supplies
and a gift card on Oct. 9 from representatives of
Packaging Corporation of America (PCA, former-
ly Boise Cascade). Marcial Mendoza—a Whittier
parent and an employee at PCA— was chosen
during a recent prize drawing at work to nominate
a local teacher for the award. He chose Arreguin
because his daughter Amy is currently in her class
as were two of his older children.
Pictured from left to right are: Maria Cruz Ortiz, Richard Garcia, Yhoonny Paredes,
Estefani Mendez, Sabrina Garza (Ochoa), Lucy Rickman (PHS), and Miriam Flores (CHS).
Irene Arreguin is pictured with Amy and Marcial Mendoza.
7
NEWS The 411
The 411 Prize Giveaway
Have a story to share? Know someone who
is making a difference at your school?
Let Public Affairs know! We want to hear your
stories. Send us an email at publicaffairs@psd1.org,
or fill out our School Event Submission Form.
Thanks for your support!
Congratulations to Frost Elementary Nutrition Services Unit
Manager Lila Fort for correctly answering the 411 prize
question: Dutch Bros. Coffee raised a total of $5,350. Lila
won a reusable heat/cold pack courtesy of Costco. Check
your email for the next prize question for a chance to win
a $50 Visa gift card courtesy of Gesa Credit Union.
Oct. 18: PHS Homecoming Dance, 8 p.m.
Oct. 19-25: National School Bus Safety Week
Oct. 20: CHS College Fair, all day
Oct. 23: Franklin STEM Elementary Open House (5-6 p.m.) & Dedication (6 p.m.)
Oct. 24: CHS Pink Out, all day
Oct. 28: Board of Directors meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Booth Building
Oct. 31: Gravel Pit Championship, CHS vs. PHS, 7 p.m. at Edgar Brown Stadium
Oct. 31: End of 1st Quarter, grades 6-12
Oct. 31: Halloween
UPCOMING EVENTS
Board Notes 10-14-14 A study session took place to discuss the
school improvement plans. The flag salute
was presented by Emerson Elementary
School students accompanied by Principal
Josette Mendoza.
Ms. Leslee Caul presented special
recognition to secondary students
who assisted with the first day of
school at Captain Gray ELC.
Ms. Liz Flynn and Ms. Glenda
Cloud presented October 1
enrollment update.
Ms. Megan Nelson gave a Science
Technology Engineering Mathematics
Initiative (STEM) update.
Mr. Steve Christensen presented
Washington School Directors’
Association (WSSDA) legislative
assembly update and PSD Board of
Directors 2015 legislative priorities.
Ms. Sarah Thornton and Mr. Kim
Marsh presented Resolution 893:
Acceptance of Portables 2014 Site
Work.
Ms. Sarah Thornton presented
ESEA reauthorization resolution.
The consent agenda was approved with
the following: personnel; warrant report;
2nd reading policy: Policy 2336 Required
Observances; approval of Carl Perkins
grant application and assurances
statements for the 2014-15 school year;
and Rosalind Franklin STEM Elementary
School change order No. 5.
(with the purchase
of two meals)
8524 W. Gage Blvd. , Kennewick
(509) 586-4456
Valid one coupon per table/group. Not to be combined with any other offer/promotions
Pro
ud
Sp
on
sor o
f Th
e 411 Prize G
iveaway: R
ead to
Win
!