McKay Animal Project

3rd Grade Animal Adaptation Project at McKay Elementary

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Third graders in Noele Mead’s classroom at McKay Creek Elementary recently worked on a project combining reading, writing, and a little bit of science. The students had to choose an animal to read about and research and then write about the animal.

On the wall outside Mead’s classroom are the resulting reports created by her students, with animals ranging from a koala to a Gila Monster to ocean creatures.

Third grader Gwen said she read and wrote about the Blue Marlin, one of the largest, fastest, and most recognizable fish in the world due to the long bill that grows from the front of its head. Gwen said she chose the marlin because her teacher said to pick an animal, probably nobody else would, so she searched in the fish category. Gwen discovered a Blue Marlin could weigh over 1,800 pounds and live in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans.

A main part of the assignment was to research adaptations of the animal you chose. Andrew, a third grader, said, “An adaptation is one of their special body parts that helps them survive.”

The sharp, spear-like nose on the Blue Marlin is an adaptation that helps it catch its prey, and it’s also a very fast swimmer, Gwen said.

Andrew chose to report on the King Cobra since he likes snakes. He said he learned that the hood of the snake, an expansion of their neck skin, makes it look threatening, and the snake’s bite can kill an elephant. It lives in forests and deserts and eats rats, squirrels, and frogs. The King Cobra’s adaptation is its threatening hood, and one type of cobra can spit venom into a predator’s eyes.

Both students explained that after reading about their animals, they completed pre-writes of their report, which their teacher reviewed and edited to be ready for publishing. Mead, their teacher, said the process of reading a variety of information, in addition to incorporating what they already know, helps them determine the most important items to include in the report. “This is a skill students need to develop that will help them be successful for future third grade lessons, but also as they progress through school,” Mead said.

In addition to their own animals, Andrew said he liked fellow student Noah’s report on the beaver, because he is a big Oregon State University Beavers fan and he also liked the Glass Frog. Gwen said she liked the report on the Gila Monster.

“In this project, I liked learning more about the Blue Marlin,” Gwen said. Would she want to see one in the ocean? Yes, she said, but “I would like to have a safe distance from it.”

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Native Language PELC

PELC – Native Language Signage Project

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Native Language PELC

At the end of last school year, three schools in the Pendleton School District received Native American Families Outreach Grants. The Pendleton Early Learning Center (PELC) received $10,000, Washington Elementary received $7,000, and Sunridge Middle School received $10,000. The purpose of the grants is to support Native American students in navigating public school systems.

Over the summer, the PELC used the funds to create and install signage in the building that incorporates the Umatilla language. Sunridge Middle School is also installing signage. Similar signage is already in place at Washington Elementary School.

Shawndine Jones, Walk to Language Teacher at the PELC, and Mildred Quaempts, Umatilla Language Master Speaker for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), work together at the PELC to teach students the Umatilla language every week. They have worked on the signage project at the school.

A special part of the new native language in the school is a large quote chosen by Mildred Quaempts, which is painted in the school’s library. It says,

Miyánašma pawá átaw ayáyat tɨmnáii ku px̣ʷít
“All children are precious with good hearts and minds.”

Mildred Quaempts said it’s a teaching among her elders that they were always telling the children to have good minds, good hearts, be respectful, and honorable. She chose this particular quote because “the children are precious, loved, they are awesome, valued, innocent and they are strong. And I like to hear what they have to say.”

In addition to the library quote, there is Umatilla language signage in the common areas, including the cafeteria, gym, music room, office, and cafeteria. Jones said there will also be a metal sign installed outside in front of the school in Umatilla that says something like, “Welcome, Little Bucks.”

Why do Jones and Mildred Quaempts think it’s important to have the Umatilla language visible in the school? Mildred Quaempts explained that at one time, both natives and non-natives communicated to one another – the ranchers and farmers and businessmen – locally and around the region. “Before they passed on, our elders all agreed that we were going to share the language with everyone, not just pick and choose who was going to learn it and speak it.” She said that currently five out of 3,000 tribal members speak the Umatilla language, so efforts to keep speaking and teaching it are very important.

“It’s good to see the language because this is the land of the tribes and it should be represented in our schools,” Jones said.

One sign in the school’s entryway is about “Boys with Braids,” which is a positive message for boys with long hair that they are seen and supported. The graphic features a silhouette of a former Washington Elementary and Sunridge Middle School student, Hiyúum Nowland. Jones said, “It’s good to see our schools creating an environment that welcomes all children.” The Pendleton School District purchased “Boys with Braids” signs for McKay Creek Elementary, Sherwood Heights Elementary and Pendleton High School also.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Language Program helped with all of the translations for the signage at the schools.

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PELC Open House Sept 2023

Pendleton Early Learning Center Open House

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What do you get when you take big yellow school buses, tons of new kindergartners, smiling teachers, and a taco truck? A fun Back-to-School Open House at the Pendleton Early Learning Center (PELC)!

Students and their families were invited to the event on Thursday, September 7, 2023, to tour the school and classroom, meet teachers, and enjoy an introduction to their child’s first year in the Pendleton School District.

Out in front of the school were two school buses, with bus drivers from First Student, Inc. (the bus company the district contracts with) standing next to them. The drivers were giving tours of the buses to students and families, showing students where to sit on the bus and sharing a few rules. Driver Brittney Breneman said being a bus driver is challenging, but fun. Bus driver Christina Williams said she showed students where the emergency exits and first aid kit are and the importance of sitting close to the front of the bus so the driver can see you. About being a bus driver for these youngest students, Williams said, “I absolutely love it. You have to be patient, but the kids are so sweet.”

Inside the school, walking along the hallway with her family, was new kindergartner Linnea Davis. Linnea, whose favorite color is red, said her teacher is Mr. Zimmerman. Linnea’s parents, Calvin and Kathy Davis said kindergarten is going great so far for their child. “We are looking forward to her getting to be more social, make friends, and make positive connections to being in school,” Kathy said.

In teacher Rachele Johnson’s class, the Gregg family was enjoying some time in the classroom chatting with Johnson. Patrick and Jill Gregg are the parents of three boys, and their youngest, Chris, is starting kindergarten in Johnson’s class. When Jill was pregnant with Chris, their oldest son, Jack, was a student of Mrs. Johnson’s. “It feels a bit like coming full circle. It really feels like a family here, and the PELC wraps around the whole family,” Jill said. Johnson said it’s nice for the younger sibling to already have that connection at the school, which can give them a bit more confidence.

PELC Principal Angela Lattin said the start of school at the PELC has been positive and smooth, and it’s been great getting to know the new students. “I love every school year, and I love watching students grow. The PELC has expert teachers and an amazing staff in a place that was built just for kindergarten, and there is great energy here.”

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EllaMae Looney

Washington Elementary – New Painting by Native American Artist

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August 29, 2023

When students at Washington Elementary School enter the building for their first day of school this week, they will notice a large, new painting hanging in the foyer of their school. The acrylic painting entitled “Generations Shall Never Fade” was created by EllaMae Looney, an artist who lives in Mission. Looney, of the Yakama Nation, attended Washington Elementary from kindergarten through fifth grade and graduated from Nixyaawii Community School in 2018.

The large, colorful painting has deep meaning for Looney. It shows a woman in the center, who Looney said symbolizes missing and murdered Indigenous women. A young girl and boy on either side of the woman represent Indigenous children who were taken away from their families, put into residential schools, and stripped of their cultural identity.

Looney said her time as a student at Washington is full of good memories of awesome teachers and being very excited to put on regalia during the school’s powwow in Native American Heritage Month to show her friends how proud she was of her culture. “I want Indigenous kids and all kids to be proud of who they are. When they see the painting, I want them to see that a Washington student did that, and they can do good things in their life, too,” Looney said.

Stacey Jacobs, Tribal Attendance Family Advocate for the Pendleton School District, is the person who commissioned Looney to create the painting. Funds came from the district’s TAPP (Tribal Attendance Promising Practices) grant. Jacobs is thrilled that a former Wildcat created the painting and that the Looney family, who have been a large part of Washington Elementary for a long time, have a forever connection to the school. “I don’t expect our students to get the entire meaning of the painting, but it’s a powerful reminder of difficult challenges that Indigenous people historically endured and still face. I hope students can look to the painting by a former student creating art now and think about what they can become,” Jacobs said.

Looney Painting

Ronda Smith

Welcome Back from Principal Smith

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August 22, 2023

It is a privilege and honor to serve as the principal at Sherwood Heights Elementary in Pendleton, Oregon.  This is a very special school with a positive culture of inclusiveness and acceptance for all.  Our dedicated staff serves 470 awesome students in the first through fifth grades.  We have four classrooms of each grade, making our school the largest attended elementary school in our district. 

Every Sherwood staff member believes that every child can and will learn. We strive to provide an excellent academic education for all students enabling them to reach their fullest potential.  We respond to the social and emotional needs of all students, making our school a safe environment to learn and grow.  All of our staff have been trained on Conscious Discipline, providing positive support for all students, and having effective responses to students who struggle socially or emotionally. Our caring staff is committed to the development of each child academically, emotionally, socially and physically.  

We value a safe, caring and respectful environment where each person feels like they belong.  Sherwood Heights Elementary is a place where the staff is proud to work, genuinely cares for our students, and is focused on making a difference in the lives of our students every day.

I get excited to come to work every day because of the amazing kids who attend Sherwood, the BEST staff members who work tirelessly to give students the best possible experience at school, and the wonderful families who send their kids to Sherwood, trusting that their education is in good hands.  Sherwood is simply a GREAT place to be!

Sherwood Heights is a great school where every student can be themselves and grow as a learner and a citizen.  The future is in our school, and we sure are proud of them!

Ronda Smith, Principal
Sherwood Heights Elementary

Sherri Kilgore

Welcome Back from Principal KIlgore

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Dear Mustang Families and Students,

As the proud principal of McKay Creek Elementary School, I would like to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year.  McKay is Mustang Mighty and boasts a reputation of rigor, engagement and kindness.  It is nestled near McKay Creek and stables approximately 250 Mustangs grades first–fifth.  McKay has phenomenal teachers who practice instructional excellence, respond to the needs of all students, and who are innovative.  They promote high expectations for active learning while increasing emotional awareness, self-management, and leadership skills in all of our students.  The staff is dedicated to meeting students where they are and identifying and addressing the learning needs of all students through enrichment and student-specific interventions in reading, writing and math.

The staff and I are excited to have the opportunity to work with you and your child and provide a safe space where all students belong, succeed, learn and grow.  The Pendleton School District will occasionally send messages to families using School Messenger or Remind and the webpage and Facebook pages are also great resources for updates.

McKay and community are dedicated to establishing a safe, nurturing environment in which each student experiences success in learning and positive self-esteem. We hold the interest of children at the heart of all decision making. We nurture, instruct, and encourage our students to become lifelong learners capable of maximizing their potential as responsible, productive citizens. In addition, we value the culture and experiences of every family and welcome you to be part of our school family.

It is a pleasure and honor to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to every student and family as the school year begins. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, my door is open, and I am here to listen. As a staff, we look forward to joining you in this exciting partnership.

Kindly,

Sherri Kilgore
Office Phone: 541-966-3000

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Pendleton School District
107 NW 10th Street, Pendleton, OR 97801
Phone:  541.276.6711  Fax:  541.278.3208

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