McKay Creek Elementary Holiday Concert 2025
McKay Creek Elementary students worked hard on their songs and music for their Holiday Concert, which they were happy to perform for their families in December. Check out their great voices and cheer!
National Principals Month
October is National Principals’ Appreciation Month! We’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible principals who lead with heart, vision, and dedication every single day. Our principals work tirelessly to create schools where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. Their leadership uplifts staff, strengthens families, and shapes the future of our community.
💚💛 Join us in saying thank you to our principals for all they do to make a difference—one student, one classroom, and one day at a time.
#ThankAPrincipal #PrincipalAppreciationMonth #LeadershipMatters
Welcome to PSD – Kristin Olson
Kristin Olson
Special Education Teacher
Pendleton Early Learning Center
Kristin grew up in Spokane and Neah Bay, Washington. She is new to Pendleton.
She earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from Northwest Indian College, her Bachelor of Arts degree from Gonzaga University, and her Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University.
What is Kristin most excited about working in the Pendleton School District? “I am excited to return to working with younger students. I was teaching high school math the last three years.”
Welcome to PSD – Katie Groshong
Katie Groshong
5th Grade Teacher
McKay Creek Elementary School
Katie grew up in Pendleton and has lived here most of her life, only moving away a couple of years for college. She graduated from Pendleton High School in 2010.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University and her master’s degree from Southern Oregon University.
What is Katie most excited about working in the Pendleton School District? “I am excited to be back in my hometown and to work among friends and family in the district. I’m simply excited to be here!”
In her free time, she loves to craft, bake, play games, and travel.
Welcome to PSD – Kate Evans
Kate Evans
1st Grade Teacher
Sherwood Heights Elementary School
Kate grew up in Newberg, Oregon, and is brand new to Pendleton.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Oregon University.
What is Kate most excited about working in the Pendleton School District? “I am most excited to work with such a fun team at Sherwood Elementary.”
In her spare time, Kate likes to read books, hang out with friends, or play hacky sack.
Welcome to PSD – Tabitha Kopf
Tabitha 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
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 – Dana DeCasas
Dana 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.
1st Grade Field Trip to Fire Station
All first graders at Washington Elementary enjoyed a fun field trip to Pendleton Fire Station #1 in May. After walking from their school to the station on Court Avenue, the students rotated to different areas of the facility. Then, paramedics and firefighters talked to them about the fire trucks, equipment, how to put out wildland fires, what it’s like to work as a firefighter, and more.
Students got to walk through an ambulance, climb up into a fire truck, and ask lots of questions.
One firefighter showed them how he puts on all his equipment, including his boots, coat, helmet, gloves, mask, and oxygen tank. He talked to them through the microphone in his mask. He explained that, even though he sounds kind of like Darth Vader and looks different when he has all his equipment on, he is still the same person underneath. He let students walk around him, looking at his clothing and equipment. “If you saw me in your house or in a building with all this on, you can know I am there to help you.”
The paramedic showing children around the ambulance explained how paramedics may have to use oxygen to help people breathe and showed them the thermometer available to take someone’s temperature, just like their parents may do at home.
Morgan Hall, Paramedic and Firefighter with Pendleton Fire and Ambulance, said when students come on field trips, station employees want young people to learn about the tools and equipment they use, see the inside of an ambulance in case they ever have to ride in one and learn the basics of what the fire and ambulance department does and what they provide to the community.
“The fun part for us is interacting with the kids, sometimes kids of people in the community we may know. It’s great to hear the funny things kids say and the questions they ask, and we enjoy seeing their curiosity,” Hall said.
Thank you, Pendleton Fire and Ambulance, for a great field trip!