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THE 411 YOUR INFORMATION SOURCE

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

On the Privilege of and Responsibility for Voting… Last week we all got a good lesson in civics from Chiawana

students.

Under the guidance of Rob Gutierrez and his colleagues in

the Social Studies Department, CHS students hosted a fed-

eral congressional debate. Mr. Gutierrez believes this to be

the first federal congressional debate hosted by high school

students in our region, possibly in the nation. (Research

turned up no other such event.)

Prior to the debate students waded through candidate biog-

raphies and issue statements, as well as taking a hard look

at the issues that will be of greatest import to them as young

adults in the coming years. Some of them will cast their

votes in this election and, hopefully, even more will be-

come involved citizens and regular voters.

I know how they feel. I was among the first 18-year-olds in

America allowed to cast their votes in a presidential elec-

tion. I had been in Afghanistan through most of the cam-

paign season (which was blissfully shorter in those days)

and got home in time to vote. Once home, I listened to the

barrage of campaign accusations from both sides and ulti-

mately fell for the smear campaign by the Nixon folks.

And yes, I voted for…Richard M. Nixon. I can remember

how excited I was to vote and in an actual voting booth,

which was still the norm. I had gone inside one with my

mom as a little girl when she went to vote. That’s probably

where the seeds got planted.

My excitement was matched only by my sense of disgust

and betrayal when the whole Nixon debacle began unfold-

ing a few short months after the election that ended with a

helicopter departing from the South Lawn of the White

House on August 9, 1974 with the first president who ever

resigned while in office facing potential criminal charges

and more hanging over his head. That provided a wonderful

“first-time voter” education for me. I learned in my first

election to take the issues and candidates seriously and to

do my best to see through the smoke and mirrors of cam-

paign rhetoric before I vote, which is not always easy.

I decided that casting a vote was not the only important part

of voting. As American citizens we have the right to vote,

while citizens of other countries con-

tinue to fight for the privilege of vot-

ing. Citizens of Hong Kong are cur-

rently battling mainland China’s ef-

forts to curb their democratic options.

I believe it is our civic duty to be thoughtful and informed

when casting our votes. I vowed after listening to endless

Congressional hearings detailing the illegal activities of that

President that I would do my best not to be swayed, duped

or fooled again. I vowed that my vote would not be pur-

chased in TV ads by the hired guns and special interest

groups that drive elections, but that I would do the home-

work necessary to cast a vote I could stand behind.

My generation was thrilled to have the ability to vote at 18,

but in the decades that followed young people became more

and more complacent. According to Project Vote,

“Approximately 21 million citizens under the age of 30 did

not vote in 2008.” That number is staggering. As author

Louis L'Amour said, “To make democracy work, we must

be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who

does not vote has no right to complain.”

And so I am encouraged by our Chiawana students who

have taken the time to do their homework, literally, on

these candidates. Even if they can’t vote in this election I

hope that this experience will shape and guide their roles as

citizens and voters in the future. I hope you will all take

your cue from these bright young people and vote in No-

vember.

If you are a citizen, register to vote. It’s easy and the docu-

ments to register are in every school office. If you are regis-

tered, please vote. It can’t be any easier than it is in our

counties. The ballots come straight to your homes. You

don’t even have to figure out which levers to pull in a vot-

ing booth; you only need a black or blue pen.

Here’s to supporting democracy in our own community….

And, on another note, I have been released to return to

work—at least part time. Hooray.

- OCTOBER 17, 2014 -

2

NEWS

Dr. Adam Saenz Inspires, Offers Employees Tools for Wellbeing

Approximately 650 District employees at-

tended “The Power of a Teacher and How It

Can Affect Your School” professional devel-

opment workshop given by Dr. Adam Saenz

at the TRAC on Oct. 10.

Psychologist and author of “The Power of a

Teacher,” Dr. Saenz merges science with

practice. With authenticity and humor, he

described his five critical areas of wellbe-

ing—occupational, emotional, spiritual, fi-

nancial, and physical—and presented ways

for teachers to control and maintain a healthy

balance in their own lives as well as serve as

a source of support for their colleagues.

The 411: NEWS

Calling All PSD Veterans

Veterans’ Day is Nov. 11. The employees and

students of the Pasco School District wish to

recognize all of our military servicemen and

women who serve, or have served, our country

and our District.

Please send your name, current position/title,

school/department, and service division/rank

to awarren@psd1.org by Oct. 31.

Diana Cissne, Angelou Elementary

Kristi Docken, Captain Gray ELC

Dora Noble, Chess Elementary

Valerie Aragon, Curie STEM Elementary

Josette Mendoza, Emerson Elementary

Deidre Holmberg, Franklin STEM Elementary

Nora Phongsa, Frost Elementary

Susan Sparks, Livingston Elementary

Claudia Serrano, Longfellow Elementary

Kim Mahaffey, Markham Elementary

Jaime Morales, McClintock STEM Elementary

Wendy Lechelt-Polster, McGee Elementary

Wendi Manthei, Robinson Elementary

Barbara Pierce, Twain Elementary

Victor Silva, Whittier Elementary

Dominique Dennis, McLoughlin Middle School

Jacqueline Ramirez, Ochoa Middle School

Charlotte Troxel, Stevens Middle School

John Wallwork, Chiawana High School

Jenny Rodriquez, Delta High School

Brian Leavitt, New Horizons High School

Raul Sital, Pasco High School

Thank You Pasco School District Principals!

October is National Principals Month. Please take a moment to thank

the dedicated professionals who lead our great schools.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Again this year, we invite everyone to show their sup-

port and wear pink during the month of October. Send

us your “pinked out” individual or group photos by Oct.

28, and we’ll publish them in the next 411. Or stop by

the Public Affairs office and we’ll take your picture.

Send photos to awarren@psd1.org by Oct. 28. Thank you!

It’s a Pink Out! Send Us Your

Breast Cancer Awareness Photos

Dr. Adam Saenz, left, meets with PSD employees Marie Feryn, Ruthie Hyslop, Maria

Gutierrez, and Bernadette Flores (left to right) after his presentation Oct. 10 at TRAC.

3

NEWS The 411: FEATURE

Kristine Jaquins remembers well the outstand-

ing mentor she had in Mary Dengerud-Au

when she first began teaching math at Pasco

High School in 1995. Now, as teacher on spe-

cial assignment for the District’s newly devel-

oped New Teacher Mentorship Program,

Jaquins serves as a mentor to approximately

130 newly hired teachers across the District.

“Now I’m able to pay it forward,” says

Jaquins. “It’s not easy being a new teacher.

We’re working really hard to make sure that

they feel supported and want to stay in Pasco.”

Whether teachers are brand new to teaching or just new to

the District, Jaquins guides them through lesson planning,

classroom management, the state Teacher/Principal Evalua-

tion Project, and instructional strategies, such as Guided

Language Acquisition Design (GLAD). She meets with

some new teachers regularly, while others call on her when

they have a specific need.

Jaquins spent the morning in Whittier Elementary School

kindergarten teacher Wysteria Edwards’s classroom recent-

ly modeling a GLAD lesson about farming. Edwards has

taught grades K-12 for 15 years in a variety of settings, but

did not have any formal GLAD training. She has done re-

search and plans to attend the District’s GLAD workshops

this year.

“I’m a visual learner, so for me to see it done is very help-

ful,” says Edwards. “It’s great to have the opportunity to

watch her instead of just reading about it.”

A recent college graduate in her first teaching job, Twain

Elementary School fifth grade teacher McKenzie Bostwick

appreciates the advice and guidance Jaquins provides dur-

ing their regular meetings every other week.

“She’s not just supporting me,” says Bostwick.

“She’s supporting my classroom and my kids.

Kristine has been very important to my success.”

McLoughlin Middle School sixth grade math/

science teacher Maria Keaney, another first-time

teacher, says Jaquins has been a valuable re-

source and has helped strengthen her self-

confidence as a teacher.

“She has been a lifesaver when it comes to com-

ing up with activities to engage my students in

mathematical concepts,” says Keaney. “She has

helped me stay sane this first month, and I am truly excited

to move forward with my students.”

Another important aspect of the New Teacher Mentorship

Program are the monthly meetings Jaquins hosts for groups

of new teachers based on grade level. Meetings are de-

signed around a theme and cover different topics and strate-

gies, all of which align with the District’s strategic plan. In

December, for example, Special Services Director Tracy

Wilson will speak with new teachers about special educa-

tion and individualized education programs, while in Janu-

ary, the meeting will focus on Eric Jensen’s strategies for

teaching with poverty in mind.

After many years teaching math at PHS, Jaquins helped

open Chiawana High School in 2009. And, as math depart-

ment chair and instructional coach there, she served as a

mentor to many new CHS teachers over the years. It’s an

experience she feels has been vital to her new role this year.

“This is the best job ever! We need to retain new teachers.

It’s nice to be able to support them,” says Jaquins.

District Provides Valuable Support for New Teachers Through Mentorship Program

Above: Kristine Jaquins discusses report cards with Twain

Elementary teacher McKenzie Bostwick during one of their

regular meetings recently. Left: Jaquins models a GLAD

lesson in Wysteria Edwards’s kindergarten class at Whittier.

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NEWS The 411: CAPITAL PROJECTS

Construction on Pace at New Delta High, McClintock and Curie STEM Elementary Schools

The Curie STEM Elementary School construction site is pictured Sept. 17.

Construction crews continue work on time

and on budget at Curie STEM Elementary

School, McClintock STEM Elementary

School and the new Delta High School.

All three schools are scheduled to open with

the start of school in 2015.

Curie STEM Elementary will be the biggest

of the three schools at 72,664 square feet

and is the farthest along with the steel

framework of the two-story classroom wing

and the brick walls of the gym/cafeteria tak-

ing shape this fall.

The gym/cafeteria walls are shown at Curie STEM Elementary on Sept. 17. The steel framework of the Curie STEM Elementary two-

story classroom wing takes shape on Sept. 17.

Crews work on the foundation at McClintock STEM Elementary on Sept. 17. The leveled Delta High School site is pictured Sept. 17.

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NEWS

PEAK! of the Week

The 411

Saluting Students: Captain Gray ELC Twins

Captain Gray Early Learning Center twins Kamyla Rodriguez,

Kyara Rodriguez, Anthony Ramirez Leon and J. Concep-

tion Ramirez Leon (pictured at right, from left to right, with

Student Board Representative Daphne Gallegos) presented the

flag salute at the board meeting Sept. 23. The kindergarten stu-

dents are two of ten sets of twins—a school record—currently

attending Captain Gray ELC. They were accompanied by Prin-

cipal Kristi Docken, who says the students are demonstrating

strong character every day at school.

The twin phenomena at Captain Gray ELC made local and na-

tional news lately. Click here to see the story on ABC

News.com. And, see the story on local news channels KVEW

TV and KEPR TV.

For the week ending Sept. 26, PEAK! of the Week

honors went to Angelou Elementary School PEAK!

Partner Advanced Pediatric Dentistry &

Orthodontics.

This dedicated partner took part in Angelou’s “Night

Under the Big Top” open house on Sept. 25. The

tooth fairy was a special guest and assisted in handing

out dental hygiene goodie bags that included

toothbrushes, floss, and tooth paste. Advanced

Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics also partners with

Ochoa Middle School and McGee Elementary

School. They participated in Ochoa's

open house on Sept. 25 and

McGee's round up event on Sept. 19

speaking with parents about the

importance of dental hygiene and

giving away dental care packages.

Ochoa Middle School PEAK! Partner T-Shirt

Factory was named PEAK! of the Week for the week

ending Oct. 3.

T-Shirt Factory donated 50 “Rocket Nation” t-shirts

that were raffled off to students along with other

prizes at the school’s open house on Sept. 25. To be

entered into the raffle, students took their parents to

each of their classrooms and had their teachers and

PEAK! partners sign off on a bingo card.

The school’s other PEAK! partners, Advanced

Pediatrics Dentistry &

Orthodontics and U.S.

Cellular, also took part

in the event and

contributed donations

for the raffle.

Have a PEAK! of the Week nomination? Please let Public Affairs know about the great work your school’s

PEAK! Partners are doing by emailing publicaffairs@psd1.org or calling x2686.

KEPR TV reporter Gina Lazara films the twins on Oct. 2. All ten sets of twins are pictured at Captain Gray ELC on Oct. 2.

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NEWS

Clinic to Serve Ochoa Neighborhoods

The 411

Whittier’s Irene Arreguin Honored

by Parent, Local Business

Officials with nonprofit Tri-Cities Community

Health broke ground on a school-based clinic

next to Ochoa Middle School on Sept 25.

The Pasco School District provided the land for

the clinic but will not have a hand in the daily

operations of the clinic or supervise staff.

Ochoa Middle School Principal Jackie Ramirez

and Pasco School District Board Vice President

Ryan Brault took part in the ceremony. Pictured breaking ground are (left to right) TCCH board members and offic-

ers Ana Ruiz Peralta, Dr. John Intravartolo, Ron Weed, Beverly Herrin,

Ochoa Middle School Principal Jackie Ramirez, and Pasco School District

Board Vice President Ryan Brault.

Board Honors Student Volunteers

The Board of Directors gave out Pride of

Pasco pins at the board meeting Tuesday

in recognition of a group of secondary

students who went above and beyond to

help their younger peers. Pasco High

School student Lucy Rickman, Chia-

wana High School student Miriam Flo-

res, and Ochoa Middle School students

Sabrina Garza, Estefani Mendez, Ma-

ria Cruz Ortiz, Yhoonny Paredes, and

Richard Garcia volunteered their time

to assist kindergarten students on the

first day of school at Captain Gray Early

Learning Center.

Whittier Elementary School second grade bilin-

gual teacher Irene Arreguin and her class re-

ceived a surprise presentation of school supplies

and a gift card on Oct. 9 from representatives of

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA, former-

ly Boise Cascade). Marcial Mendoza—a Whittier

parent and an employee at PCA— was chosen

during a recent prize drawing at work to nominate

a local teacher for the award. He chose Arreguin

because his daughter Amy is currently in her class

as were two of his older children.

Pictured from left to right are: Maria Cruz Ortiz, Richard Garcia, Yhoonny Paredes,

Estefani Mendez, Sabrina Garza (Ochoa), Lucy Rickman (PHS), and Miriam Flores (CHS).

Irene Arreguin is pictured with Amy and Marcial Mendoza.

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NEWS The 411

The 411 Prize Giveaway

Have a story to share? Know someone who

is making a difference at your school?

Let Public Affairs know! We want to hear your

stories. Send us an email at publicaffairs@psd1.org,

or fill out our School Event Submission Form.

Thanks for your support!

Congratulations to Frost Elementary Nutrition Services Unit

Manager Lila Fort for correctly answering the 411 prize

question: Dutch Bros. Coffee raised a total of $5,350. Lila

won a reusable heat/cold pack courtesy of Costco. Check

your email for the next prize question for a chance to win

a $50 Visa gift card courtesy of Gesa Credit Union.

Oct. 18: PHS Homecoming Dance, 8 p.m.

Oct. 19-25: National School Bus Safety Week

Oct. 20: CHS College Fair, all day

Oct. 23: Franklin STEM Elementary Open House (5-6 p.m.) & Dedication (6 p.m.)

Oct. 24: CHS Pink Out, all day

Oct. 28: Board of Directors meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Booth Building

Oct. 31: Gravel Pit Championship, CHS vs. PHS, 7 p.m. at Edgar Brown Stadium

Oct. 31: End of 1st Quarter, grades 6-12

Oct. 31: Halloween

UPCOMING EVENTS

Board Notes 10-14-14 A study session took place to discuss the

school improvement plans. The flag salute

was presented by Emerson Elementary

School students accompanied by Principal

Josette Mendoza.

Ms. Leslee Caul presented special

recognition to secondary students

who assisted with the first day of

school at Captain Gray ELC.

Ms. Liz Flynn and Ms. Glenda

Cloud presented October 1

enrollment update.

Ms. Megan Nelson gave a Science

Technology Engineering Mathematics

Initiative (STEM) update.

Mr. Steve Christensen presented

Washington School Directors’

Association (WSSDA) legislative

assembly update and PSD Board of

Directors 2015 legislative priorities.

Ms. Sarah Thornton and Mr. Kim

Marsh presented Resolution 893:

Acceptance of Portables 2014 Site

Work.

Ms. Sarah Thornton presented

ESEA reauthorization resolution.

The consent agenda was approved with

the following: personnel; warrant report;

2nd reading policy: Policy 2336 Required

Observances; approval of Carl Perkins

grant application and assurances

statements for the 2014-15 school year;

and Rosalind Franklin STEM Elementary

School change order No. 5.

(with the purchase

of two meals)

8524 W. Gage Blvd. , Kennewick

(509) 586-4456

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