You are invited to participate in a research study, Native Voices Across Generations: Reimagining Discipline in a New School Landscape (Native Voices or NV) project.
The Pendleton School District, in cooperation with a research team from the University of Oregon, is hosting a community conversation/listening session on Monday, April 24, at Washington Elementary, starting at 5:00 pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided.
The research team is seeking to hear from parents, community members, teachers, administrators, and staff.
The purpose of this one-year project is to give voice to teachers, school and district administrators, and other school staff to look at discipline practices and investigate contributors to and consequences of disproportionate discipline for Native students in Oregon K-12 schools.
The findings of this project will inform, design and recommend school-based policies, trainings, resources, and supports that are culturally responsive and integrate Native tribal and community assets to shift any overrepresentation of AI/AN students in discipline data by researching (1) potential contributors to and consequences of disciplinary practices in Oregon K-12 school districts and (2) if district administrators, teachers, and other school personnel might benefit from professional development on Indian Education Policies and Language Restoration; Native Languages of Oregon; and Equity in School Policy for Native Students.
Equally important, this study queries what Native students, families, and communities envision as essential for healthy schools in which Native students belong and thrive culturally, socially, psychologically, and academically.
Community conversations/listening sessions will occur at the Washington Elementary School on Monday, April 24, from 5-7:30 pm. Each participant will receive an incentive of $25 for participating in the conversations.
This project involves the collaboration of the Center for Equity Promotion (CEQP) in the University of Oregon’s (UO) College of Education, the UO’s Northwest Indian Language Institute (NILI), the Native Wellness Institute (NWI), and participating Tribes and School Districts with funding from and in partnership with the Office of Indian Education/Oregon Department of Education (OIE/ODE).
If you are interested in participating in this research study, please complete the Adult Consent form located here: https://tinyurl.com/NV-Adult-Consent.
Hard copies of the consent form will be available at the event.
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Rita Svanks at rsvanks@uoregon.edu, 541-346-4125.
District Selects New Washington Elementary School Principal
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District School Board has selected Mr. Kevin Dinning as the new Principal at Washington Elementary School.
Dinning is currently the Superintendent/Secondary Principal of Ione School District. Prior to that, he served as Bonners County Middle School Principal in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. In 2016, he was selected as the Bonners Ferry High School Principal. In 2015-2016, Dinning served as both an elementary and high school vice-principal in Bonners County School District.
Colleagues describe Dinning as a talented leader who is thoughtful, considerate, and consistent. He is also described as a “people person” who puts the needs of students, staff, and parents at the forefront of every decision he makes. Other colleagues who have worked alongside Dinning describe him as a true professional who operates with a high level of integrity.
Dinning earned a bachelor of science in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, and a master of science degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in Portland.
According to Superintendent Kevin Headings, “Mr. Dinning possesses the qualities we were looking for in our next Washington Elementary principal – high integrity, talented leader, student-centered, and a strong communicator. Finding someone with knowledge and understanding of our region and who is familiar with Pendleton was also important to the selection committee.”
Dinning will replace Coree Terjeson, who resigned effective June 30th earlier in the year. Dinning’s contract begins July 1st. He and his wife, Heidi, have two elementary school-aged children, Sofie and Henry.
Native Voices Community Conversations
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgYou are invited to participate in a research study, Native Voices Across Generations: Reimagining Discipline in a New School Landscape (Native Voices or NV) project.
The Pendleton School District, in cooperation with a research team from the University of Oregon, is hosting a community conversation/listening session on Monday, April 24, at Washington Elementary, starting at 5:00 pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided.
The research team is seeking to hear from parents, community members, teachers, administrators, and staff.
The purpose of this one-year project is to give voice to teachers, school and district administrators, and other school staff to look at discipline practices and investigate contributors to and consequences of disproportionate discipline for Native students in Oregon K-12 schools.
The findings of this project will inform, design and recommend school-based policies, trainings, resources, and supports that are culturally responsive and integrate Native tribal and community assets to shift any overrepresentation of AI/AN students in discipline data by researching (1) potential contributors to and consequences of disciplinary practices in Oregon K-12 school districts and (2) if district administrators, teachers, and other school personnel might benefit from professional development on Indian Education Policies and Language Restoration; Native Languages of Oregon; and Equity in School Policy for Native Students.
Equally important, this study queries what Native students, families, and communities envision as essential for healthy schools in which Native students belong and thrive culturally, socially, psychologically, and academically.
Community conversations/listening sessions will occur at the Washington Elementary School on Monday, April 24, from 5-7:30 pm. Each participant will receive an incentive of $25 for participating in the conversations.
This project involves the collaboration of the Center for Equity Promotion (CEQP) in the University of Oregon’s (UO) College of Education, the UO’s Northwest Indian Language Institute (NILI), the Native Wellness Institute (NWI), and participating Tribes and School Districts with funding from and in partnership with the Office of Indian Education/Oregon Department of Education (OIE/ODE).
If you are interested in participating in this research study, please complete the Adult Consent form located here: https://tinyurl.com/NV-Adult-Consent.
Hard copies of the consent form will be available at the event.
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Rita Svanks at rsvanks@uoregon.edu, 541-346-4125.
Superintendent Message – April 6, 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgOur thoughts and prayers go out to the Nashville Covenant School community in Nashville, Tennessee, for their tragic loss last week.
Pandemic EBT for Summer 2022 Benefits
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgDid you know Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) for Summer 2022 Benefits may be on the way? You can visit us at the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) website at PEBT.oregon.gov.
Questions can be answered using the call center: 844-673-7328 or 844-ORE-PEBT
FAQ for Families – ENGLISH | SPANISH
Pesticide Application Notification
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgPendleton School District will be applying pesticides on the school district properties March 20 – October 31, 2023 between the hours of 6:00 am – 2:30 pm, weather dependent. See the list of pesticides on the Facilities Page.
Superintendent Message – Snow Make Up Day
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgHello PSD Families,
The Pendleton School District will be conducting school as normal on Friday, May 12th. This day was originally put on our 2022-2023 Calendar as a “snow make-up day.” It’s hard to believe, but we have had six late starts and two full “snow days” this school year. Each of these days represents lost instruction for our students. The state requires a minimum number of instruction hours each year, and when we fall below this number, we find ways to make up for the lost time. As a result, we create our yearly school calendar with at least one “snow make-up day.” If we don’t need to use it, great. If we need to make up instructional hours, as we do this year, we use it without adding days to the end of the year. So again, there will be school on Friday, May 12th, so please plan accordingly. Here is the link to the updated school calendar.
Sincerely,
Kevin Headings
Superintendent
Superintendent Video Message – February 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgMcKay Creek Elementary Wax Museum
/in District Site News, McKay Creek School News /by rthornburgAfter a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, McKay Creek Elementary announces the return of the 4th Grade Wax Museum.
National School Counseling Week – February 6-10, 2023
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgNational School Counseling Week 2023 (Feb. 6-10), sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the essential contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Every student deserves a school counselor to help with academic achievement strategies, managing emotions and applying interpersonal skills, and planning for postsecondary options. School counselors are #HelpingStudentsDreamBig. Take a moment to thank your local school counselor(s).
Message from Superintendent Headings – January 12, 2023
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburg1/12/2023 @ 10:45 am
This morning across the street from McKay Elementary School a power pole “transformer” blew and set off the fire alarms at the school. Students were safely evacuated and the fire department was dispatched. The building was checked inside and out by the fire department and once deemed safe, students were allowed back into the school and will continue with classes.