New Faces in Pendleton SD – Janice Zaugg
The Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
1st Grade Pumpkin Patch at Washington
First graders at Washington Elementary were treated to their own Pumpkin Patch at their school on Friday, October 27, 2023. Pendleton Walmart donated pumpkins to all the first graders, which is four classes of about 80 total students. The pumpkins were set out in the grassy field behind the school.
On that day, first grade teachers told their students they were going on a “walking field trip,” but they didn’t reveal why. The students walked through the school’s front doors and around the building to be greeted by pumpkins just for them.
Makenna Watkins, First Grade Teacher, said when the students arrived in the area, they stood in a big circle and were told what the expectations of the event were. Then on the signal word of “Pumpkin!” they went to choose their own pumpkin to take home at the end of the day. Photos of each class were taken, too.
“The students had such a great time, and they are still talking about it!” Watkins said. She also shared that although students were encouraged to choose a pumpkin they could actually carry themselves, there were still a few who struggled with very large pumpkins.
With the extra pumpkins from the day, the students are going to do some pumpkin investigations, like counting the seeds from the pumpkins, seeing if the seeds float or sink, and tasting pumpkin puree.
Washington Elementary thanks Pendleton Walmart for their generous donation of the pumpkins.
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Dianna Dowell
The Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
Monday Mugs in 4th Grade at Washington
Mondays are sometimes hard, so what if someone told you to take 30 minutes every Monday, have a hot beverage, and read a book? Well, for fourth graders at Washington Elementary, that is exactly what is happening.
The fourth-grade teaching team at the school started Monday Mugs at the beginning of October. After lunch, fourth graders return to their classroom, get their mug of hot chocolate, tea, or apple cider, and quietly read a book from 12:30 to 1:00 PM. According to teacher Hunter Erwin, the intention of the time is to inspire a love of reading in students. “The students can read whatever they choose, and that’s part of the beauty of this time is to embrace the sheer joy of reading,” Erwin said.
The idea for Monday Mugs came from teacher Josh McGraw, who enjoyed the activity when he was in fourth grade at McKay Creek Elementary.
Once a month, fourth graders are allowed to have a family member or loved one join them for Monday Mugs so they can read a book together.
Keep reading, Washington Wildcats!
TAPP Dinner at Washington
Washington Elementary held its first TAPP (Tribal Attendance Promising Practices) Dinner on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Kelsey Pershall
The Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Lindsee Hancock
The Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
Social Emotional Learning Supports at SMS
In addition to robust academics, this year, Sunridge Middle School students are also learning how to connect with classmates, build social-emotional skills, and more.
A revision from last year’s calendar is the addition of a designated Advisory period of 32 minutes, which is the third period five days a week. This change means one less period for students, but Piper Kelm, SMS Principal, said Advisory is being utilized for growth. At the start of the period, all students watch a recorded video of school announcements. The announcements (video link and written) are emailed every day to 900 parents of SMS students. “This is one way we are trying to connect parents to our building and a way for them to ask their child about specific ways to be involved in school,” Kelm said.
Monday during Advisory is used for Grade Checks and follow-up with students who need extra academic support. Tuesday and Wednesday are for Character Strong, a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)/Character Education curriculum taught by every Advisory teacher. The goal is to help students develop self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, and more to become healthy and kind individuals.
On Thursdays and Fridays during Advisory, teachers provide lessons created by the SMS counselors. Topics may include digital citizenship (the ability to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly), suicide prevention, career education, and more.
Principal Kelm said since the pandemic, there are many students who struggle with dysregulated behaviors, the inability to control or regulate one’s emotional responses. She said having designated time during the week to provide lessons and skills about getting along with others, making connections, and addressing lagging skills in social-emotional learning is crucial to creating a successful learning environment.
Other supports in the building include DESSA screening for social-emotional wellness and small groups led by counselors for students and employees from Community Counseling Solutions in the building.
“We have students for only a little bit of time, and they are at a tender age with some vulnerability. Being socially-emotionally healthy helps kids feel safe, which means they can learn more effectively and make greater academic gains,” Kelm said.
She encourages parents to know who their child’s counselor at school is, reach out about concerns, and to always feel welcome to communicate with SMS staff.
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Deb Airoldi
The Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
New Faces in Pendleton SD – Zachary Gaulke
The Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.