The 2024 Pendleton Round-Up is just a memory for most people, but for the culinary students at Pendleton High School, they are carrying their experience into the school year. Every year for the past eight years, students from PHS foods classes volunteer in the 1910 Room, an exclusive venue at the Round-Up Grounds that serves gourmet meals to patrons who pay $300 or more a day.
Kaden Clark, PHS Foods Teacher, explains how it works. The Round-Up Association hires a chef for the 1910 Room; for the first six years, outside chefs were hired, but last year and this year, Clark was the chef hired under a private contract. In addition, PHS students volunteer for the Round-Up in the 1910 Room under Clark’s direction. All of the food preparation is done in the kitchen at P-TECH and the food is served out of the PHS food truck at the grounds. For the use of the kitchen and the food truck, the Round-Up Association makes a $5,000 donation to the PHS foods program.
This year, 38 PHS students volunteered. For four days in a row, Wednesday through Saturday, Clark and his students serve a five-course meal during the rodeo to about 165 to 185 people each day in the 1910 Room. And it’s a lot of work. Clark starts Sunday of Round-Up week, working every day from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM through Saturday night. The concept is to offer a dining experience you can’t get anywhere else in Pendleton.
“It’s a really cool experience for the students because they don’t really have many opportunities to see the fine dining aspect,” Clark said.
Clark’s favorite part is the menu creation process because he loves cooking from scratch and creating dishes that are his own. The students rolled over 1200 egg rolls this year for one of the appetizers, which Clark said was a good experience for doing bulk prep, which students don’t get in the high school classroom setting. Clark said he enjoys seeing the kids get excited about what they are creating, like making beignets from scratch or getting to cook scallops, a food many are not familiar with. “It’s really fun to give them an experience they’re not going to have anywhere else, to give them a different outlook on food and to really see into the food industry and different opportunities they could have in it.”
What’s it like to serve in the 1910 Room? Students, attired in black pants and black chef coats, learn the proper way to serve and clear dishes, how to approach customers, how to be respectful, and more. Clark said the PHS students do a great job, and every single day, he gets compliments about the job they have done. Clark said although the students are exhausted at the end of each day, they really enjoy the work. He also points out that even if students don’t want to work in the food industry, having employable skills like showing up on time and completing daily tasks is something that will benefit them in any kind of job they have in the future.
Welcome to PSD – Haley Robinett
/in District Site News, Washington School News /by rthornburgHaley Robinett
4th Grade Teacher
Washington Elementary School
Haley was born in Middleton, Idaho.
She attended Eastern Oregon University and earned her bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies and her master’s degree in Elementary Education.
About working in the Pendleton School District, Haley said, “I am most excited about creating relationships with both my students and coworkers this year, especially with it being a new town and school (to me)!”
In her free time, Haley likes to spend time outdoors, hang out with friends, and play/watch sports, especially basketball!
Welcome to PSD – Haley Kannard
/in District Site News, Early Learning Center News, McKay Creek School News /by rthornburgHaley Kannard
Behavior Support Specialist
Pendleton Early Learning Center & McKay Creek Elementary School
Haley grew up in Pilot Rock and has lived in Pendleton since 2011.
She went to college at Oregon State University, where she majored in Sociology with a minor in Health Management & Policy.
What is Haley most excited about working in the Pendleton School District? “I am very excited to be a part of the Pendleton School District and support our children in two of our amazing schools!”
In her free time, she enjoys watching her kids play sports and traveling with friends and family.
Welcome to PSD – Erin Zacharias
/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgErin Zacharias
Special Education Teacher
Sunridge Middle School
Erin grew up in Pendleton and Pilot Rock. She attended Lincoln Elementary and graduated from Pilot Rock High School.
For college, she went to Grand Canyon University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education.
About working in the Pendleton School District, Erin said, “I am excited I get to work with all the same coworkers I have had for the last two years and collaborate with them in a different role.”
In her free time, Erin likes to cook, bake, go on walks, and watch movies.
Sunridge Middle School Receives Grant for Weight Room Equipment
/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgStudents at Sunridge Middle School have some new equipment to help them get physically stronger this school year. The school received a grant of $7,850 from the Pendleton Foundation Trust to purchase new items for the weight room.
They purchased 20 40-pound dumbbells, 10 weight benches and three floor mats.
Tim Cary, P.E. Teacher, said the new equipment has allowed them to expand the variety of lifts, allowed for a safer environment to exercise in, and provided the opportunity for several students to lift more weight and set new goals.
“We want to say thank you to the Pendleton Foundation Trust for helping us continue to improve our facilities. The grant money has truly changed the weight room and the students’ attitudes in a very positive way,” Cary said.
Welcome to PSD – Alexis Keene
/in District Site News, Sherwood School News /by rthornburgAlexis Keene
Special Education Teacher
Sherwood Heights Elementary School
Alexis grew up in Pendleton. She attended Washington Elementary and then Helix School District for middle and high school.
She attended Western Governors University to earn a bachelor’s degree in Special Education Mild-to-Moderate.
What is Alexis most excited about working in the Pendleton School District? “To continue to work with my Sherwood team and to support students as they achieve & succeed at their learning & life skill goals.”
In her free time, she likes to spend time with family & friends, especially if it involves fly fishing, hiking, baking, or going out for frozen yogurt or sushi.
Sunridge Middle School Students Create Pottery
/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgNew this year at Sunridge Middle School is an opportunity for students to try their hand at pottery using electric pottery wheels. Principal Piper Kelm said the school purchased 25 new wheels for classes this year.
In a recent art class, students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades were each seated behind a pottery wheel with lumps of clay, working hard to create ceramic mugs.
Wayne Small is the new Art Teacher at SMS. He said one thing he really likes about pottery is that students who feel that they aren’t talented in drawing or painting can be given the confidence to excel with clay. “Pencils and paint are readily available materials, and the students who do well practice constantly. But with clay, everyone starts closer to the same ability level, so it gives those students a chance to feel successful in the visual arts,” Small said.
Natalie, a 7th Grader, was working on her project to make a mug for her little cousin. She had never worked on a pottery wheel before but said, “It’s pretty fun, and I like how it’s turning out.”
Two other 7th graders, Jacob and Miles, were working together on forming a cup. Jacob said it’s hard to shape the clay, but he took the class because he would like to do more art projects. Miles said he has liked the drawing and now the pottery. “I like the creativity of the class,” he said.
Washington Elementary Leaders Set Goals for the Year
/in District Site News, Washington School News /by rthornburgThe new Principal and Assistant Principal at Washington Elementary School have started the 24-25 school year strong. Heidi Paullus and Rachael Olson are both new to their jobs, although they were both in the building last year. Principal Paullus was the previous assistant principal, and Olson was an administrative intern before assuming the role of Assistant Principal this year.
Their goals for Washington this year are to:
Paullus’ and Olson’s overall goal is to address the needs of all students and to always have the attitude that every student can learn.
“We want to be leaders who want to know more about our students every day and what they need to grow,” Olson said. She is excited about a new app on teachers’ iPads called Notability, which allows teachers to move around the classroom while teaching. This app can lead to increased student engagement and help with classroom management.
Paullus said she and Olson working as a team is another key to success at the school, as well as knowing your “why” every day. “I love my job. Getting to be here with the kids is why I work in education. We have amazing students, an amazing staff, and amazing parents to work with,” Paullus said.
For the 420 Washington Wildcats at school every day, that sounds like an amazing start!
To read more about Washington Elementary, visit their website at https://wes.pendleton.k12.or.us/ or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
FACT Oregon in Umatilla County
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgFACT Oregon is coming to Umatilla County October 15-17, 2024.
Pendleton School District is Seeking Applicants for Vacant School Board Position
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgDistrict Seeking Applicants for Vacant School Board Position
Pendleton – Due to a recent vacancy, the Pendleton School District is seeking applicants for Position 3 on the Pendleton School Board; 3 years remain on this term. Applicants must be legally registered voters who currently reside and will have resided within the district boundaries for one year immediately before the appointment.
Please submit applications no later than October 30, 2024, to the Pendleton School District Office at 107 NW 10th Street, or they may be emailed to Ronda Thornburg – Board Secretary
Application letters should include:
Address the following:
Should you have any questions, you may email Patrick Gregg, Board Chair.
PHS Culinary Students Gain Work Experience in 1910 Room
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgThe 2024 Pendleton Round-Up is just a memory for most people, but for the culinary students at Pendleton High School, they are carrying their experience into the school year. Every year for the past eight years, students from PHS foods classes volunteer in the 1910 Room, an exclusive venue at the Round-Up Grounds that serves gourmet meals to patrons who pay $300 or more a day.
Kaden Clark, PHS Foods Teacher, explains how it works. The Round-Up Association hires a chef for the 1910 Room; for the first six years, outside chefs were hired, but last year and this year, Clark was the chef hired under a private contract. In addition, PHS students volunteer for the Round-Up in the 1910 Room under Clark’s direction. All of the food preparation is done in the kitchen at P-TECH and the food is served out of the PHS food truck at the grounds. For the use of the kitchen and the food truck, the Round-Up Association makes a $5,000 donation to the PHS foods program.
This year, 38 PHS students volunteered. For four days in a row, Wednesday through Saturday, Clark and his students serve a five-course meal during the rodeo to about 165 to 185 people each day in the 1910 Room. And it’s a lot of work. Clark starts Sunday of Round-Up week, working every day from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM through Saturday night. The concept is to offer a dining experience you can’t get anywhere else in Pendleton.
“It’s a really cool experience for the students because they don’t really have many opportunities to see the fine dining aspect,” Clark said.
Clark’s favorite part is the menu creation process because he loves cooking from scratch and creating dishes that are his own. The students rolled over 1200 egg rolls this year for one of the appetizers, which Clark said was a good experience for doing bulk prep, which students don’t get in the high school classroom setting. Clark said he enjoys seeing the kids get excited about what they are creating, like making beignets from scratch or getting to cook scallops, a food many are not familiar with. “It’s really fun to give them an experience they’re not going to have anywhere else, to give them a different outlook on food and to really see into the food industry and different opportunities they could have in it.”
What’s it like to serve in the 1910 Room? Students, attired in black pants and black chef coats, learn the proper way to serve and clear dishes, how to approach customers, how to be respectful, and more. Clark said the PHS students do a great job, and every single day, he gets compliments about the job they have done. Clark said although the students are exhausted at the end of each day, they really enjoy the work. He also points out that even if students don’t want to work in the food industry, having employable skills like showing up on time and completing daily tasks is something that will benefit them in any kind of job they have in the future.