Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the recipients of their Clean School Bus rebate program.  In Oregon, ten school districts will receive over $22.6 million, with the Pendleton School District and First Student receiving $4,165,000.  These rebate funds will be used to purchase 13 electric school buses and aid in the infrastructure required to run and maintain a fleet of electric school buses.

In 2023 the EPA announced the availability of at least $500 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates.  Due to an overwhelming response from school districts across the nation, the EPA doubled the funding to nearly $1 billion.   The Pendleton School District partnered with First Student in applying for these funds.

This program exists to further improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution, and help safely transport our students to and from school.

The selections announced provides funding to school districts in 47 states, along with several federally recognized Tribes. Prioritization was given to school districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities.

Matt Yoshioka, director of student transportation, said these buses will be owned and maintained by First Student Bus company and be used primarily for our bus routes which run within the Pendleton city limits.

“We’re grateful for our partnership with First Student and their willingness to be proactive in their approach to student transportation.  We look forward to seeing these new buses being added to the Pendleton fleet and hope to see more new and innovative ideas and opportunities happen for our district and students in the future” Yoshioka said.

The timeline for when these buses will be purchased and in use is not know at this time; it will take at least a year for the buses to arrive and for the needed infrastructure to be completed.

Kindergartners from the Pendleton Early Learning Center and first graders from the district’s elementary schools enjoyed the Pendleton School District Farm Day on April 24-25, 2024. The event was held at Sunridge Middle School. The event was organized by Kylee Hunt, Agriculture Teacher at Pendleton High School, and students enrolled in Agriculture classes at the middle school and Pendleton High School ran the event.

A variety of stations were set up in the large field adjacent to the school parking lot. Students rotated to each station, learning about the parts of a pig, different types of cows, what products goats can provide, and what commodities are grown and produced in Oregon. Animals, including swine, a steer, sheep, goats, ducks, chicks, and a bunny, were big hits for the young learners.

PHS Freshman Isabelle was helping at the sheep station, where fluffy wool was made into bracelets or key chains for the kids to take home. She said the students seemed ready to learn and were having a lot of fun doing it.

At one station, students made their own “Garden in a Glove” with grass, wheat, and bean seeds placed in each finger of a glove. The welding station highlighted welding equipment and let the students “weld” two crackers together with spray cheese.

Kaitlyn, an eighth grader at SMS helping at a station, said she was enjoying seeing all the kids’ faces and hoping the experience leads them to find new interests as they get older. “It’s also good to learn where everything comes from and how we get food on the table.”

Alden, Addison, and Bethel, three kindergartners who were asked about their favorite part of Farm Day, all agreed that petting the sheep was one highlight because they were so soft and petting the rabbit was also great, as he was very cute. It was fun to see him hopping around.

PHS Teacher Hunt said she is grateful for Abbie Wilks, who was the Farm Day Committee chair and did a lot of work organizing and planning the stations. Hunt also appreciates the help of the Ag students and the teachers and staff who bring the students. “Farm Day is a great opportunity for our older students to share what they have learned and for young students to see what agriculture is about; plus, it’s a lot of fun!” Hunt said.

Farm Day was on Wednesday and Thursday for students and also included an evening event open to the public on Wednesday.