Sherwood Heights Elementary has a new Principal and new Assistant Principal for the 2024-25 school year. Principal TJ Presley was previously the Assistant Principal. The school’s new Assistant Principal is Faith Lindley. They are focusing on these goals this year:
- Building safety
- Engaging learning environment
- Academic growth
Presley said staff and student safety has always been a priority, but this year, in addition to the standard monthly drills for fire and lockdowns, the staff is emphasizing active supervision. This means adults have high awareness and move around when supervising students inside the building and on the playground. “We have 450 students in our school to monitor so we want people to say something if they see something unsafe so we can address it,” Presley said.
Goal number two is geared toward developing a fun, positive atmosphere where academic and social emotional growth are happening daily. Presley said Sherwood has a great staff to work with. The school’s leadership team, including himself, Lindley, Lisa Roberts, Child Development Specialist, and Taylor Wilson, Behavior Specialist, collaborate to develop a positive school climate.
To further academic growth this year, the school added 10 minutes of extra time to reading and math skills. In addition to Sherwood’s strong teachers and 17 dedicated paraprofessionals, other adults are supporting learning. Volunteers from Altrusa of Pendleton are at Sherwood every week to help students with literacy, students from Eastern Oregon University are providing support in classrooms and some students from Pendleton High School are volunteering in second grade. “Growth is happening,” Presley said.
Head Secretary Amy Kline said Sherwood’s new administrative team is great to work with and supportive of the staff. Every new school year, Kline said, “it’s always fun to see the kids grow into a new grade.” Rhonda Daggett, the school’s Assistant Secretary, said the start of the year has gone smoothly, and she looks forward to seeing the students who struggle realize success throughout the year.
Here’s to a great year, Sherwood Spurs!
To read more about Sherwood Heights Elementary, visit their website at https://ses.pendleton.k12.or.us/ or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Pledge and Student Jobs at McKay Creek Elementary School
/in District Site News, McKay Creek School News /by rthornburgWelcome to PSD – Marjorie Carter
/in District Site News, Washington School News /by rthornburgMarjorie Carter
Special Education Teacher
Washington Elementary School
Marjorie said she experienced a lot of different communities growing up but spent most of her time between Pendleton and Bothell, Washington. She attended school in the Pendleton School District from third to eighth grade before moving to Bothell. She has lived in Pendleton for a combined total of 40 years.
She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Western Governors University.
About working in the Pendleton School District, Marjorie said, “What excites me most about working in the Pendleton School District is that I get to support students from my own neighborhood to become the best version of themselves.”
In her free time, she loves to cook new foods.
Pendleton School District Superintendent Announces Resignation
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgPendleton School District Superintendent Kevin Headings announced he will not look to extend his contract past the 24-25 school year and will resign effective June 30, 2025. Headings was hired as Superintendent of Pendleton School District in April of 2022. He signed a three-year contract through June 2025.
Headings said upon being hired, he was thrilled with this new chapter in his life and excited about the opportunity to lead Pendleton School District as superintendent. Headings said he’s pleased with what’s been accomplished during his time as superintendent and positive with the direction the school district is headed.
However, while Headings said he was excited with the new opportunity and the progress of the district overall, he realized over time that his heart is still in working as a building principal. “I’m pleased with our work around improving instruction and making our buildings safe for our students and staff and I’m confident with the direction the district is headed. I look forward to finishing out the year strong.” Headings said, “But I’ve realized, over the past year and a half or so, that my heart just isn’t in it. I kept thinking it would change, but it really hasn’t. I’ve been a principal in several different districts and superintendent in two. Working as a building principal with daily interactions with teachers, staff, students and parents is truly where my heart and passion are,” Headings said.
Headings said he is grateful for his time in Pendleton and for the opportunity the Pendleton School District afforded me. He has enjoyed getting to know the people of Pendleton, working with the various staff in the district, and working with the school board, he said.
Welcome to PSD – Makenzie McLeod
/in District Site News, McKay Creek School News /by rthornburgMakenzie McLeod
1st Grade Teacher
McKay Creek Elementary School
Born and raised in Pendleton, Makenzie left Pendleton only for college. She graduated from Pendleton High School in 2019.
She attended Eastern Washington University and earned a degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in literacy.
About working in the Pendleton School District, Makenzie said, “I have an amazing team and look forward to working with and learning from them this year! And in the same district that I attended — what a great opportunity.”
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and walking her dog, Finley.
Welcome to PSD – Jillian Samp
/in District Site News, Sherwood School News /by rthornburgJillian Samp
4th Grade Teacher
Sherwood Heights Elementary School
Jillian was born in Pendleton and has lived here all her life. She graduated from Pendleton High School in 2020.
She attended Eastern Oregon University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies.
About working in the Pendleton School District, Jillian said, “I’m super excited to be back in my hometown teaching and getting to teach with some amazing teachers in our district.”
In her free time, Jillian loves to spend time with her family and her dog, Scout.
Sherwood Elementary Focuses on 24-25 Year
/in District Site News, Sherwood School News /by rthornburgSherwood Heights Elementary has a new Principal and new Assistant Principal for the 2024-25 school year. Principal TJ Presley was previously the Assistant Principal. The school’s new Assistant Principal is Faith Lindley. They are focusing on these goals this year:
Presley said staff and student safety has always been a priority, but this year, in addition to the standard monthly drills for fire and lockdowns, the staff is emphasizing active supervision. This means adults have high awareness and move around when supervising students inside the building and on the playground. “We have 450 students in our school to monitor so we want people to say something if they see something unsafe so we can address it,” Presley said.
Goal number two is geared toward developing a fun, positive atmosphere where academic and social emotional growth are happening daily. Presley said Sherwood has a great staff to work with. The school’s leadership team, including himself, Lindley, Lisa Roberts, Child Development Specialist, and Taylor Wilson, Behavior Specialist, collaborate to develop a positive school climate.
To further academic growth this year, the school added 10 minutes of extra time to reading and math skills. In addition to Sherwood’s strong teachers and 17 dedicated paraprofessionals, other adults are supporting learning. Volunteers from Altrusa of Pendleton are at Sherwood every week to help students with literacy, students from Eastern Oregon University are providing support in classrooms and some students from Pendleton High School are volunteering in second grade. “Growth is happening,” Presley said.
Head Secretary Amy Kline said Sherwood’s new administrative team is great to work with and supportive of the staff. Every new school year, Kline said, “it’s always fun to see the kids grow into a new grade.” Rhonda Daggett, the school’s Assistant Secretary, said the start of the year has gone smoothly, and she looks forward to seeing the students who struggle realize success throughout the year.
Here’s to a great year, Sherwood Spurs!
To read more about Sherwood Heights Elementary, visit their website at https://ses.pendleton.k12.or.us/ or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
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.