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.
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Carissa Smith
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Christina Hall
/in District Site News, Washington School News /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Cambree Shields
/in District Site News, Sherwood School News /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
PHS Homecoming
/in District Site News, High Schools News, Pendleton High News /by rthornburgOctober 12, 2023
Students at Pendleton High School have been traveling back in time this week for Homecoming. This year’s theme featuring the school mascot is “Bucky Travels in a Time Machine!”
The planned dress-up days have been:
Monday 10/9: Bucky starts his time travels to the crazy 1960s; wear Hippies clothes like flower power and tie-dye
Tuesday 10/10: Bucky goes back in time and listens to his favorite music; wear your favorite band/music group T-shirt of any genre
Wednesday 10/11: Bucky travels back in time to when his parents were in high school; wear anything 1980s or 1990s
Thursday 10/12: Bucky returns to PHS for “Go Bucks” Day; wear anything Bucks or Buckaroos and go crazy with green and gold.
Due to State In-Service on Friday, 10/13, there are only four days of school this week. On Thursday morning is the all-school Homecoming Assembly. The football game against Ontario is Thursday night at 7:00 PM at the Round-Up Grounds. The Homecoming Court will be presented during halftime, and the Queen will be crowned. The Homecoming Dance is Friday night at the high school.
The annual Mud Wars competition will be held Wednesday, 10/18, at the Happy Canyon Arena. This traditional PHS event usually happens during Homecoming week, but it was moved to next week due to a scheduling conflict at the arena.
Grace Pitner, PHS Senior and member of PHS Leadership said the week has been really fun for students to dress up and get in the Buckaroo spirit. Pitner said, “Homecoming is a lot of work for the Leadership students, and the weeks leading up to now have been very busy. But it’s great when it all happens, and students have a good time participating in the fun!”
PELC – Native Language Signage Project
/in District Site News, Early Learning Center News /by rthornburgAt 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.
Superintendent Video Message – September 29, 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgStart of the 2023-24 School Year
Sunridge Middle School Open House
/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgSunridge Middle School students and their parents were invited to the school’s Open House on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. In addition to serving Hill Meat hot dogs, chips, and Coca-Cola to families, school administrators hoped the event was a good photo opportunity and a chance for staff to interact with students and families.
It was the first SMS Open House for new Vice Principal Caleb Patterson. He said the school year has started out well and has been a lot of fun. “I hope tonight is a good chance for our students, especially the sixth graders, to show their parents around, for parents to put faces to teachers’ names, and for us to continue building that community feel,” Patterson said.
New teacher Noah Eckstine said his first weeks of teaching science have been great so far, with lots of support from SMS staff. At Open House, he said he hopes parents see him as a stand-up guy, know their kids are being supported and appreciated every day, and that teachers like the students as people.
Seventh grader Emilio Hernandez was showing his mom, Natasha Makin, around the school, taking her to each of his classes in the order he attends them every day. Makin said Emilio has three minutes to get from one end of the building to the other between two classes, so he showed her how he power walks to get there. Makin was happy about the Open House event, saying, “It’s a cool opportunity to meet his teachers in a fun way and not necessarily like at conferences when you might get more negative information.”
SMS Principal Piper Kelm said Open House is always an exciting night for the school. “I am always really happy when we can have our community in the building, put food in their bellies, and have them get a chance to meet our amazing teachers here at Sunridge.”
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 Football Games
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgExciting news for PHS football! EOA Network will be broadcasting PHS football games this year, and they are starting tonight, September 1, 2023. You can stream the games on the following platforms:
EOAlive.TV
https://www.facebook.com/EOAliveTV
https://www.youtube.com/eoalivetv
GO BUCKS!!!!
Washington Elementary – New Painting by Native American Artist
/in District Site News, Washington School News /by rthornburgAugust 29, 2023
When students at Washington Elementary School enter the building for their first day of school this week, they will notice a large, new painting hanging in the foyer of their school. The acrylic painting entitled “Generations Shall Never Fade” was created by EllaMae Looney, an artist who lives in Mission. Looney, of the Yakama Nation, attended Washington Elementary from kindergarten through fifth grade and graduated from Nixyaawii Community School in 2018.
The large, colorful painting has deep meaning for Looney. It shows a woman in the center, who Looney said symbolizes missing and murdered Indigenous women. A young girl and boy on either side of the woman represent Indigenous children who were taken away from their families, put into residential schools, and stripped of their cultural identity.
Looney said her time as a student at Washington is full of good memories of awesome teachers and being very excited to put on regalia during the school’s powwow in Native American Heritage Month to show her friends how proud she was of her culture. “I want Indigenous kids and all kids to be proud of who they are. When they see the painting, I want them to see that a Washington student did that, and they can do good things in their life, too,” Looney said.
Stacey Jacobs, Tribal Attendance Family Advocate for the Pendleton School District, is the person who commissioned Looney to create the painting. Funds came from the district’s TAPP (Tribal Attendance Promising Practices) grant. Jacobs is thrilled that a former Wildcat created the painting and that the Looney family, who have been a large part of Washington Elementary for a long time, have a forever connection to the school. “I don’t expect our students to get the entire meaning of the painting, but it’s a powerful reminder of difficult challenges that Indigenous people historically endured and still face. I hope students can look to the painting by a former student creating art now and think about what they can become,” Jacobs said.