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Your information source

The 411

July 25, 2014

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From the Superintendent

I took three vacation days last week. They weren't what you would necessarily expect. No lounging on a beach.

I went to the 9th Circuit Judicial Conference in Monterey, CA for which my daughter was the lawyer chairper-

son. Now you might think Monterey on the Bay—how sunny and beautiful. Well, no. It was cold (65 degrees)

and cloudy most of the time.

In the very middle of this “vacation” I needed to go to a meeting in Olympia for work. I have been appointed to

a Legislative Committee and their first meeting was scheduled for July 16—a Wednesday smack in the middle

of my vacation week. Being the responsible committee member I try to be I contorted my schedule and used

shuttles, vans, rental cars, trains and planes to get from Monterey to San Jose to Seattle to Olympia. I made the

meeting, but I was so exhausted after getting up at 2:30 a.m., I don’t know how useful I was. I made it back to

Monterey late that same night—a 21 hour day. Now in my younger years this wouldn’t have made a difference

at all. But this time I was wiped out so I decided to sleep in a little on Thursday morning and miss two

"exciting" legal presentations at the Conference.

But I did want to see Justice Kennedy who was scheduled to speak on that last day. This is the Justice Anthony

Kennedy who is the swing vote on the United States Supreme Court. Remember my unfortunate contacts with

him in 2012, which I described in a 411? I hadn't let him sit in the chair next to me (I was saving it for our

daughter who was suitably horrified when she learned I had denied him a seat), then I had I nearly knocked him

over with my cane as he was getting into the elevator (I was still recovering from hip surgery).

So, I walked into the conference center and wove my way through a gauntlet of U.S. Marshals who protect the

Supreme Court justices and federal judges, just like the Secret Service protects the President. There were three

visible at the outside door, with another lurking behind a bush near the door. The lurker was a woman with pur-

ple hair, wearing a man’s suit—neither subtle or concealed if you ask me.

Since there was a session still going on (coincidentally on legal education with a panel including the dean of my

alma mater—UW Law School), I slid into a chair at the back of the room. Once settled, I surveyed the room and

noticed U.S. Marshals ringing the edge of the large conference room – most of them staring right at me. What?,

I wondered. Was it the phone in my hand? I had been texting my husband Bill, who of course had been there

since 7:30 a.m. at the very front table, so I could join him and daughter Becky for the Justice's speech. Or, it sud-

denly dawned on me, did they remember my transgressions two years ago in Maui? Face recognition software,

after all. Suddenly I felt like everything I did was suspicious. Should I text Bill? Should I sweep the hair out of

my eyes? Should I shift in my chair? Would any of these innocent actions bring the entire battery of Marshals

swooping in to hold me accountable? As the panel was drawing to a close, I noticed a fit, stern (because they all

are) Marshal making his way to...ME! OK, here it comes…next stop Federal prison. He looked at me, said,

"Excuse me, ma'am," stepped into my row to the chair next to me, and tapped the gentleman in front of me on

the shoulder to speak to him. As the gentleman turned around, I realized I was sitting directly behind Justice

Kennedy and his wife! No, really. What are the chances of that? Another 9th circuit conference and another en-

counter with the Justice. He must have stepped in late as well and also took a seat toward the back. No wonder

all those Marshals were staring at me; they would have checked out anyone who took a seat behind the Justice.

During the break I found Bill and Becky and I moved to their table. We were chatting, waiting for the session to

begin and…you guessed it! Here comes Justice Kennedy and his wife, who sit at our table, escorted by two

Marshals. I snapped a photo on my iPad and got a scowl from a Marshal. So I snapped one of the Marshal. Jus-

tice Kennedy then presented an hour-long speech on the impact of the Magna Carta on the American foundation

of freedom. Did you know that 2015 is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta? I do now. Of course, my in-

tellectual husband and law scholar daughter were entranced by the speech. Me? Not so much. I did chuckle at

his jokes at the expense of King Henry III in 1225, but it could have just been the nervous laughter that comes

with not going to Federal prison. Next time—I’ll share with you my close encounter with Clint Eastwood in

Monterey. Warmly,

On Access to Justice...

2

Board Expands Opportunities, Welcomes Three New Student Representatives

The Pasco School District Board of Directors welcomes 2014-2015 School Board Student Representatives Nayeli Cervantes, Daphne Gallegos, and Adriana Mendez. They were sworn in at the board meeting on July 22.

In 2003 the Dis-trict added a stu-dent representa-tive position to its board of direc-tors. In 2009 the opportunity was extended to two students per year and, at their June 24, 2014 meeting, the Board of Directors voted to add an additional student board position, bringing the total to three.

“We are so pleased that the board vot-ed to extend this opportunity to a third student,” says President Sherry Lancon. “It has been such a benefit to both the board and the student repre-sentatives. We look forward to work-ing with these bright young women in the coming year.”

Cervantes is a senior at Chiawana High School. She attended Markham Elementary and McLoughlin Middle School. Her older sisters are Pasco High School graduates, and she has 12 nieces and nephews who are current or future Pasco students. With a 4.0 GPA, Cervantes will be taking several AP classes this year, including AP Government and Politics. She hopes to study pre-law and political science at Gonzaga University after gradua-tion in 2015 and aspires to be a judge. Her passion for law was strengthened

after playing the role of a Supreme Court justice at the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session leadership conference in San Diego this summer.

“It’s an honor to serve on the board,” says Cervantes. “It’s an even better

way to serve as a role model and show my family I am focused on education.”

Cervantes has been a member of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) for two years and will serve as president this year. She was also

elected National Honor Society co-president. She is currently on track to become a valedictorian for the CHS class of 2015. She is an active leader and volunteer in her school and com-munity and works as an after-school tutor. She is the daughter of Martin and Irma Cervantes.

Pasco High School senior Gallegos is a straight-A student active in drama and French clubs. She will take a number of AP classes this year includ-ing AP French and AP Chemistry. She was elected president of National Honor Society, captain of the speech and debate team, and president of the drama club—a position she has held since her freshman year. Gallegos plans to study medicine and specialize in treating autoimmune disorders—a decision inspired by her mother’s own health struggles. After graduation, she hopes to attend Reed College or the University of Portland.

Gallegos is the daughter of Bernardo and Claudia Gallegos. She attended Angelou and McGee elementary schools and McLoughlin Middle School. Her older sister, Eury Gallegos, also served as a student board representative in 2010-2011. Gallegos is on track to be a PHS vale-dictorian for the class of 2015.

“As a student, you get to experience the trials and tribulations of school. It’s really special to be able to bring

this perspective to the board and to the decisions being made at the Dis-trict level,” says Gallegos.

A senior at Delta High School, Men-dez is a top student and active volun-teer. The youngest of five, she attend-ed Emerson Elementary and Stevens Middle School. Mendez has excelled at Delta by changing her approach to studying and shifting her way of learning, she says. The school has challenged her and made her a more dedicated student. She will take math, English, and Spanish classes for col-lege credit this year and hopes to study medicine after graduation. Men-dez is involved in debate, yearbook, ambassador, and tennis clubs, and was elected Key Club president this year.

Mendez has experienced the fulfill-ment of helping to build homes for families in need through her service at Habitat for Humanity and will serve as an intern there this year. She plans to complete a second internship at Tri-Cities Cancer Center. Mendez has worked with patients and shadowed medical professionals at Kadlec, as-sisted migrant workers at a Wenatchee health clinic, and volun-teered at the Tri-Cities Animal Shel-ter.

“I am excited to serve as a channel of communication between students and the board and to provide student in-sight to the board,” says Mendez.

Cervantes, Gallegos, and Mendez were selected from a pool of 13 out-standing candidates.

CHS Senior Nayeli Cervantes

PHS Senior Daphne Gallegos

DHS Senior Adriana Mendez

3

Former Board Reps Stop By, Check In With Exciting Updates at Reunion The Board of Directors hosted a reun-ion for current and former student board representatives July 22. Sixteen students have served on the board since 2003, and seven were able to attend the event, which included din-ner with board members and this year’s three new student representa-tives Daphne Gallegos, Adriana Men-dez, and Nayeli Cervantes. Those who attended received special recognition during the board meeting.

The former students shared updates on their accomplishments since serving on the board and graduating from high school. Those in attendance were:

Ovidio Castillo (2013-14) will be a senior at Chiawana High School this year and will be taking several AP clas-ses. He is working with GEAR UP this summer at PHS and CHS in addition to leading the ALAS camp for students in the Lakeview community.

Neydeen Martinez (2013-14) is a re-cent PHS grad who is currently finish-ing her AA degree at Columbia Basin College. She will also be a member of the CBC golf team. She hopes to attend Eastern Washington University to be-come a teacher.

Ignacio Bayardo (2012-13), a PHS grad, is currently attending Harvard University. He is a Gates Millennium

Scholar and is working toward being an engineer.

Sergey Gor-batyuk (2011-12) is a PHS graduate who recently re-turned from Europe after traveling and studying at the University of

Maastricht in the Netherlands. He plans to resume his studies in interna-tional business and political science as a senior at Whitworth College this fall.

Trino Chavez (2011-12) is a student at Washington State University pursuing a career in Secondary Education (math and science). He has been active and involved in College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and is a tutor for that program. He has served as a staff

member for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and a mentor for Dare To Dream. He is also an elected member of the Associated Students of Washing-ton State University. He hopes to re-turn to Pasco to teach.

Claudia Euridice “Eury” Gallegos (2010-11) is a Pasco High School gradu-ate and currently a senior at Pacific Lutheran University, where she is completing a double major in political science and global studies with a mi-nor in French. She plans to study abroad this fall in Nantes, France. She hopes to pur-sue a career in the field of di-plomacy or for-eign policy analysis.

Former student board representative joined in the festivities as new student reps were sworn in

for their 2014-15 terms. Former student representatives who were able to visit (back row, left

to right) Eury Gallegos, Trino Chavez, Sergey Gorbatyuk, Courtney Campbell, Ovidio Castillo,

Ignacio Bayardo, and Neydeen Martinez cheered on new student representatives Nayeli

Cervantes, Adriana Mendez and Daphne Gallegos.

4

Courtney Campbell (2010-11) was a member of the first graduating class of Chiawana High School. She just fin-ished her third year at Whit-worth University and will go to nursing school this fall at the WSU College of Nursing in Spo-kane.

Most of those unable to attend sent updates and some even provided “selfies.”

Ofelia Rodriguez (2009-10) recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana—Champaign with a de-gree in mar-keting and business process manage-ment. She has visited Honduras,

Costa Rica, Guatemala, Brazil, India and Puerto Rico studying the environ-mental impacts of our modern society, plant sustainability, nutrition, and many other aspects of food impact. She works for Echo Global Logistics in Chicago.

Kiersten Merrill (2009-10) is serving a church mission in Bul-garia. She has completed three years of study at Brigham Young University and spent a semester studying abroad

in Vienna, Austria.

Sergio Jara Arroyos (2008-09) is a pre-school teacher with Teach for America in Okla-homa and this sum-mer is working with Stu-dents for Education Reform. He held various leadership positions and in-ternships focused on helping un-derrepresented students while attend-ing Whitworth College from which he graduated last year in political science. He also studied in Sweden for six months about the importance of iden-tity and culture in education.

Dustin Cardenas (2007-08) earned his master’s degree in chemical engi-neering from the Universi-ty of Wash-ington. He is a service en-gineer at Metso Auto-mation in Seattle.

Jennifer Petty (2006-07) earned her B.A. in Journalism from the Univer-sity of Oregon. She is currently completing her MA in Profes-sional Counsel-ing at St Ed-ward's Universi-

ty. Her practicum work is with Austin Travis County Integral Care, providing counseling and case management for individuals with a mental illness diag-nosis on probation and parole. She is married and lives in Austin, Texas.

Guadalupe Contreras (2005-06) is a full time mother and student. She earned her AA from Columbia Basin College and is pursuing a de-gree in biology at WSU Tri-Cities. She and her family live in Pasco.

Kimberly Petty (2004-05) Kimberly earned under-graduate de-grees in Archi-tecture and Psychology, as well as her Master’s de-gree in Archi-tecture from Washington State Universi-ty. She works

at Weaver Architectural Firm in Seattle.

Angela Zhang (2003-04) earned her Bachelor of Science degree in molecu-lar, cellular, and developmental biolo-gy from the University of Washington and attended medical school at Touro University in California. She is cur-rently a second year family medicine resident physician at Valley Medical Center in Renton

“This role allowed me to understand that an education system that actively engages with student voices as a component of the solution, will then be able to provide an education that respects the community it serves.” —Sergio Jara Arroyos

5

Around the District Sullivan, Seven PHS Alums Honored with Juneteenth Citizenship Award Pasco School District Di-rector of Student Life Tim Sullivan received the Pasco Juneteenth Com-munity Council Citizen-ship Award at a ceremony June 20 at the Martin Lu-ther King, Jr. Center.

Sullivan was one of seven Pasco High School gradu-ates honored for their achievements and contri-butions to the Pasco community. Tony Johnson, Nolan Harper, Greg Davis, Doug Dorton, Rayford Guice, and Leon Jackson—a security employee at Pasco High School—are all “Pasco-grown” men who have returned to their hometown as adults and are working to make a positive difference in the community. All of them were outstanding high school athletes who went on to play for Division I schools. Now, as coaches, volunteers, or em-

ployees of the District or the city, they each work in ways that directly benefit kids.

“It was awesome to be recog-nized with that group of guys,” says Sullivan. “We all worked very, very hard to make Pasco proud. Each one of us wears Pasco on their sleeve.”

Sullivan, who just completed his first year with the District

as director of Employee Services, played basketball and ran field and track at the University of Arizona. He also trained for the Olympics for sever-al years. For the last 20 years, he worked as a devoted school adminis-trator on behalf of underprivileged students in the Los Angeles school system.

Sullivan says he never planned to move back to Pasco. Then, he happened to

be at a conference where he heard Ex-ecutive Director of Teaching and Learning Michelle Whitney talking to prospective teachers about Pasco schools. A follow-up phone call from recently retired Assistant Superinten-dent John Morgan sealed the deal.

“I said, ‘Why not Pasco? Why not serve the community that served me and my family so well?’” says Sullivan of his decision to apply for a job with the District.

Juneteenth is an American holiday cel-ebrated June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery. Pasco’s Juneteenth committee was established by the Daniels family in the 1980’s, says Sulli-van, but Pasco’s African-American families—many of whom originated from Texas like his own family—were hosting Juneteenth celebrations here long before that.

Tim Sullivan

Employees Explore Language, Culture at District’s Annual Summer Spanish Camp

The District hosted its annual Span-ish Camp for 100 employees at the Red Lion Hotel June 30-July3.

The beginning, advanced beginning and intermediate groups learned con-versational Spanish in addition to producing cultural artwork and crafts. The advanced group reviewed grammar rules and language forms and completed a name-origin project. All groups gave a presentation on the final day.

Clockwise from upper right: Spanish Camp teacher Petra Perez leads a piñata mak-

ing exercise with attendee Kathy Stordahl; a sample of Mexican folk art is on display;

Bernie Hanan teaches Spanish grammar; Sandra Miller, Maria Prado, Michelle

Turner, Maria Molina, ?, ?, and Alma Sandoval (left to right) gather on the final day

of Spanish camp; and Jesus Romero works on his project.

6

411 Highlights Schools Celebrate Summer Graduations Hard work and perseverance paid off for seniors across the District who graduated with the Class of 2014 at summer graduation ceremonies in June and July.

Twelve Pasco High School seniors celebrated graduation during a ceremo-ny at the student mall on July 11. Chiawana High School bid farewell to nine proud grads on July 8. Delta High School also graduated nine sum-mer seniors—five of them PSD students—on June 14 during a ceremony at the Richland Public Library. Columbia, Kennewick, Pasco, and Rich-land students attending the Columbia Basin College High School Acade-my participated in a completion ceremony at the CBC theatre June 13.

Clockwise from upper right: A Chiawana High School graduate shakes hands with Superintendent Saundra Hill; a High School Academy student

breaks a move following the completion ceremony June 13; a High School Academy completer shakes hands with Board President Sherry Lan-

con; a Pasco High School graduate receives her diploma July 11; Pasco High School seniors walk the aisle towards graduation at the student

mall; Pasco High School student speaker Santa Cecilia Alvarado addresses the crowd; Delta High School principal Jenny Rodriquez, left, cheers

on Delta’s summer grads on June 14; Chiawana High School summer grads move their tassels following commencement on July 8.

7

The 411 will be in your mailbox and online all summer long. Be sure to keep up with the latest news and events from Pasco

School District. Plus, we’ll have more great prize giveaways, so

don’t miss an issue!

Thank you for your support.

July and August Paychecks and Direct Deposit Statements July checks/deposit statements will be available on July 31, 2014 at the Booth Building. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. August checks/deposit statements will be sent to your building assignment for the 2014-2015 school year.

Moving or Leaving the District? If you are leaving the District, you must

turn your keys and your badge into your building principal. If you have or will be moving, please provide an updated ad-dress to mail your W-2 and other com-munication to. Please stop by the Em-ployee Services office to update your in-formation.

Workers lay new turf on the field at Edgar Brown Sta-dium June 25. Con-struction continues on time as crews work to finish up the field and resur-face the track. The stadium has been closed during con-struction and is expected to open to the public again in mid-August.

Stadium Turf and Track Updates Continue on Time

Clock Hour Information

You will be given 90 cal-endar days to turn in clock hours for trainings completed from June 10 to Aug. 19. Example: You attend Spanish Camp 2014 June 30-July 3, your clock hours will be due by Sept. 30, 2014. The normal clock hour dead-line of 60 calendar days after the completion date of training will resume August 20, 2014.

Remember you can view your clock hour and credit courses in Employee Online. Go to http://sungardweb/ifas7/emponline, and enter your Pasco School District Username and Password (Same cre-dentials used to login to your district computer).

Important District events are just around the corner!

August 25: Welcome Back Rally and Expo, 7:15-10 a.m. at Pasco High School

Start the school year off right with the annual Welcome Back Rally and Ex-po! Breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m. in the student mall, where benefits provid-ers, PEAK! partners, and other local businesses and organizations will be on hand to answer your questions and give away prizes. Vendors will not be available after the assembly, so be sure to gather your info and ask questions during the breakfast hour!

At 9:00 a.m. the Welcome Back Rally will begin in the auditorium. This PSD tradition offers the perfect blend of inspiration and information, with a good dose of fun to get you motivated

for the first day of school. The Rally will also feature the annual Staff Achievement Awards announcement!

August 26:

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

October 10: Dr. Adam Saenz—The Power of a Teacher and How It Can Affect Your School, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., location TBA

This is a Tier II day opportunity for certificated staff. Free clock hours are available and lunch is provided. Dr. Saenz merges science with practice. With two doctorates and training from Harvard Medical School and Ox-ford University, this former juvenile detainee will share his personal story about how the power of a teacher changed his own life. No registration is necessary.

Save the Date

Subscribe Today: Positively

Pasco, Your PSD News Source!

Visit the web site and click ‘Sign up for District E-Newsletters’ in

the ‘Quicklinks’ section to re-ceive this valuable resource con-

taining news and information

from around the District.

Around the District

8

Around the District

August 6-8: Leadership Academy

August 12: Board of Directors Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Booth Building

August 14: Marie Curie STEM Elementary School Groundbreaking Ceremony, 10 a.m. at 715 N. California Ave.

August 25: Welcome Back Rally and Expo, 7:15-10 a.m. at Pasco High School

August 26: First Day of School

August 26: Board of Directors

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

Board Notes 07-22-14

A study session was held regarding the District’s strategic plan.

Ms. Saundra Hill administered the oath of office to new student board representatives Nayeli Cervantes, Daphne Gallegos, and Adriana Mendez.

Ms. Leslee Caul presented Board Appreciation to visiting former Student Representatives.

Ms. Sarah Thornton presented 1st Reading of Policy Policy 8240 Nutrition and Physical Fitness.

Mr. Tim Sullivan presented Employee Services benchmarks.

Mr. Steve Christensen presented WSSDA legislative proposals.

The consent agenda was approved with the following: personnel; warrant report; and overnight out of state student travel—Chiawana High School GEAR UP selected students to Washington D.C.; Booth Building Second Floor Remodel; Interlocal Agreement – Spokane School District #81; and Franklin STEM Elementary School Change Order No. 4.

Congratulations to Sharon Huisingh for correctly answering the 411 Prize Question: The Curie groundbreaking takes place August 14 at 10 a.m. Sharon won a $75 gift card to Cedars Restaurant courtesy of State Farm Agent Vladimir Krinitsyn. Read the 411 and watch your email to qualify for the next prize, a $50 pizza party courtesy of Grand Canyon University.

The 411 Prize Giveaway

Bus Drivers Needed Pasco School District is hiring bus drivers to work 20-35 hours per week. No CDL experi-ence is needed. The District will train qualified candidates. Requirements include: High school diploma or GED; Valid state driver’s license and three years

driving experience; No more than two moving violations and/

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Ability to obtain a class B CDL with pas-senger endorsement, airbrake restriction removed, and a school bus authorization;

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