TAPP Dinner at Washington
Washington Elementary held its first TAPP (Tribal Attendance Promising Practices) Dinner on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Washington Elementary held its first TAPP (Tribal Attendance Promising Practices) Dinner on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
The Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
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.
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!
Washington Elementary – 4th Grade STEM Week
Washington Elementary had its annual 4th Grade STEM Week earlier this month. Every year, the teachers organize this special week of instruction focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math learning.
This year, there were five stations, each lasting one hour. Two stations used kits from GO-STEM to make catapults and straw structures. Another station involved the construction of tin foil boats, and another was marbles on ramps made from pipe insulation. The last station was coding on Code.org!
According to Michelle Herburger, 4th Grade Teacher, students enjoyed each session, returning ready to share what they had learned. The students also really enjoyed seeing their teachers dressed up as scientists in white lab coats and big white wigs.
What do teachers want the kids to take away from STEM Week? “We really focus on thinking and trying during this time. We offer students the supplies with limited direction and allow them to work together to make mistakes and learn from each other. It is a structure we don’t get to utilize much, and students aren’t used to not having a scripted plan given to them. They persevere and process so many concepts in such a short amount of time,” said Herburger.
Washington’s teachers said it’s powerful to have fun with the students and to watch this style of learning. They said they listen to the conversations that students have with each other and appreciate the respect they have for their peers and their learning. “We love it when they see success after several failed attempts. We love it when it’s time to stop, and they don’t want to. It reminds us why we became teachers.”
Posted 5/25/2023
All fifth graders in the Pendleton School District got a glimpse of the community college in their own hometown on Wednesday, April 19th.
Who doesn’t love Friday? Well, at Washington Elementary School, staff and students are taking Friday fun to a whole new level.
On the last Friday of each month, everyone is allowed to wear their pajamas to school. That day there is also a monthly Snack Sale organized by the school’s Parent Club. Snacks are donated each month by parent volunteers from a designated grade level. Students are allowed to purchase reasonably priced snacks, and proceeds go to the Parent Club.
“This is a fun, easy way to have a little celebration in our building once a month,” said Principal Coree Terjeson.
And what’s better than eating M&M’s in your pajamas?
Washington Elementary kicked off its annual Kids Heart Challenge on Friday, February 17, 2023. This program focuses on whole-body wellness, helping students improve their own health and better their character while raising life-saving donations for the American Heart Association to help kids facing heart-health issues.
The Kids Heart Challenge is held at schools across the country.
Washington Wildcats will learn how to keep their hearts and brains healthy, get moving with fun activities and meet kids with special hearts.
At a special assembly on Friday, students learned about choosing a heart-healthy challenge to Move More or Be Kind. In the next few weeks, students will ask family members and friends to donate to the Kids Heart Challenge. Prizes for fundraising will be awarded, including:
Families are encouraged to register online at: http://www2.heart.org/goto/WashingtonElementaryOR
According to Erin Donnelly, P.E. Teacher at Washington Elementary, the students are always excited to kick off this program in February. “Kids Heart Challenge is a great way to teach kids how to embrace a heart-healthy, active lifestyle while raising money for a good cause with some fun competition.”
The challenge runs through March 13, 2023. The school’s fundraising goal is $3,000.
Coree Terjeson, Principal at Washington Elementary School, understands how hard it is some days to be an elementary school teacher or educational assistant, and that was before the global pandemic. Supporting teachers and staff in her school building is something Terjeson takes seriously. Well, not too seriously, because building relationships and connecting with one another is what it’s all about….and occasionally, adding a little fun.
Starting in August, Terjeson and Assistant Principal Heidi Paullus organized a retreat at Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, funded by the OEA Choice Trust to welcome all Washington employees to the school year. Since then, they have had several other fun events to connect with each other, create a positive staff culture, and support one another. They have been celebrating the Washington staff since the beginning of the school year by planning staff events and treats. “It always makes for a fun time when staff gets together to relax and enjoy each other’s company,” said Terjeson.
“No matter what we do each month during these activities, our goal is the same – to help the
60+ employees at our school feel safe and welcome, and to create a positive workplace climate
so they want to continue to be part of our Wildcat family,” Terjeson said.
Most recently, on a Monday in-service in January, Terjeson and Paullus planned a fun icebreaker that brought many laughs and smiles of appreciation. Each teacher was given a balloon and a permanent marker to write their name. While the music was played, the teachers tossed their balloons in the air and tried to keep them off the ground. When the music stopped, they grabbed the nearest balloon and wrote positive qualities about their coworkers or words of encouragement. “Even though this activity was first thing in the morning, everyone seemed to enjoy their balloons,” said Terjeson.
The activities are funded at all Pendleton School District buildings by a grant to help support the retention of staff.
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