Sherwood 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!
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!
Welcome to PSD – Dana DeCasas
/in District Site News, Washington School News /by rthornburgDana DeCasas
Special Education Teacher
Washington Elementary School
Dana grew up in Grants Pass, Oregon, and recently moved to Pendleton.
She attended Western Governors University to earn a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education.
What is Dana most excited about working in the Pendleton School District? “Being part of a close-knit community that supports every student, every day.”
In her free time, she enjoys barrel racing with her horse, Static, and spending time outdoors with her dog, Pepper.
Fall Sports Parent Night
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgPendleton High School is hosting a parent information night for fall sports on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 7:00 pm. If you have questions, please call Micki at 541-966-3802.
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!
PHS ASTRA Club Focuses on Service & Wins Award
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgThe PHS ASTRA club is affiliated with Altrusa International of Pendleton. With about 45 student members, it is the largest service club at Pendleton High School. Last school year (2023-24), Club President Kyah Hunter and Service Chair Torie Estrada applied for and received a grant in the amount of $748 from the Altrusa International Foundation’s project grant, based in Chicago. The grant was for cancer care kits to give comfort to patients receiving radiation and chemotherapy treatments in Pendleton. Club President Hunter wanted to honor and remember her softball pitching coach, Jordan Bennett, who passed away from cancer at a very young age.
The grant monies were combined with a donation from an Altrusan, who furnished the colorful bags. The bags contained small, fleece lap blankets, crossword and sudoku puzzle books, lip balm, hand cream, and other small items to provide comfort to patients receiving treatment. Brielle Bonzani, this year’s ASTRA Club President, and Service Chair Max Ross, along with other club members, donated the items to the CHI St. Anthony Cancer Clinic for distribution to patients undergoing treatment.
ASTRA members shared that the staff, director of the clinic, and patients were blown away by the quality of the donation.
In addition to this project, the PHS ASTRA club received first place for the project “Fun and Games: Developing Intergenerational Connections” at the ASTRA District 12 Convention in May. They received a service award certificate and $425 toward their club budget for the year for winning the award.
Their project, “Fun and Games: Developing Intergenerational Connections,” served the residents of Sunridge Assisted Living in Pendleton. The students visited residents for four months, played board games, decorated Christmas cookies, and made Valentine’s Day cards with the residents.
The PHS ASTRA club was chartered 20 years ago in Pendleton by Altrusan Debbie McBee, who served as the last district governor for District 12. ASTRA students are mentored by a group of Altrusan advisors and volunteer to complete multiple service projects in the community.
McKay Elementary Field Day 2025
/in District Site News, McKay Creek School News /by rthornburgPSD 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.