The Pendleton School District has announced the appointments of Kevin Dinning, Director of Human Resources, and Heidi Paullus, lead Principal of Washington Elementary School, for the 2024-2025 school year.
Dinning is currently the principal at Washington Elementary. Prior to his time in Pendleton, he was superintendent of Ione School District. Dinning began his administrative career as a secondary principal and then elementary principal with the Bonners Ferry School District in Idaho.
Dinning is pleased with his new appointment but will miss leading Washington Elementary. “Being part of the Washington family has been and continues to be a blessing. I am proud of the hard work, focus on improvement, and commitment to kindness that the staff and students have embraced this year. The Pendleton School District and community have continued to be a great place for my family. I look forward to supporting Washington Elementary School and the Pendleton School District from a position that allows me to engage with a broader range of the district staff and community.”
Paullus is currently the vice principal at Washington Elementary. Before becoming vice principal at Washington, she was an instructional coach with the InterMountain Educational Service District (IMESD). Paullus has worked in education for 25 years as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator.
“I’m pleased to remain at Washington Elementary as the lead principal. We’ve made good progress over the past year with our building goals and priorities, and I look forward to continuing this work alongside our teachers, staff, students, and families.” Paullus said.
According to Superintendent Kevin Headings, moving Dinning and Paullus into these administrative positions will be beneficial to the district. “HR responsibilities have been divided among our current directors, in addition to their other full-time responsibilities, for several years. Having Mr. Dinning assume all Human Resource responsibilities will allow our other directors to focus on supporting our schools with our district goals and mission.” Headings continued, “and appointing Mrs. Paullus to the lead principal position at Washington Elementary was the right move. She has gained the trust and respect of Washington’s staff, students, and parents over the past two years.”
Dinning and Paullus will begin their new positions on July 1, 2024.
https://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/02/PSD-Shield-logo-color.png1050975rthornburghttps://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/04/PHS-Logo.pngrthornburg2024-05-08 11:04:452024-05-08 12:42:23Pendleton School District Announces Administrative Changes
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.
https://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/04/Farm-Day-April-2024-8.jpg17491677rthornburghttps://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/04/PHS-Logo.pngrthornburg2024-04-30 16:08:162024-04-30 16:08:16Pendleton School District Farm Day
Hundreds of Pendleton School District students took field trips to the annual District Art Show on April 9 and 10 to see their own artwork and that of fellow students in the district. The event at the Pendleton Convention Center was also attended by hundreds of district parents, families, and community members.
A wide variety of artwork was on display at the event, from textiles, wooden collages, and painted masks to bird sculptures and paintings.
The show kicked off on Monday, April 8, with an Opening Night celebration that included free books and cookies handed out by Altrusa International of Pendleton.
Abbey Prevot, Art Teacher at Pendleton High School, and John Bradt, Art Teacher at Sunridge Middle School, organized this year’s show. “It’s very exciting to have the show up, and for me, it’s completely new. It’s great to see all K-12 art together. It’s helped our programs make connections with the elementary schools and be able to collaborate on this huge project,” Prevot said.
Bradt said since this is the first year he and Prevot have organized the event, it was a little stressful, but the show turned out great. His favorite part is the variety of the art, even within each classroom where they are doing the same project, but all the pieces look different.
The district thanks the Education Foundation of Pendleton for funding this year’s art show.
https://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/04/IMG_3309-scaled.jpg25601920rthornburghttps://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/04/PHS-Logo.pngrthornburg2024-04-11 15:19:092024-04-12 08:08:14PSD Art Show Recap
https://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/04/Art-show.png500566rthornburghttps://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/04/PHS-Logo.pngrthornburg2024-04-05 17:46:082024-04-05 17:46:08District Art Show
Several Pendleton High School students have worked hard and won awards at recent competitions.
TSA (Technology Student Association)
Students from both PHS Engineering and PHS Digital and Media Arts compete in TSA competitions throughout the year. Students recently competed in February at the competition for Promotional Design at the Boardman BMCC Campus. Pendleton had nine competitors in the event and fifteen total competitors from three regional high schools. The competition was to create three different promotional designs, plus a portfolio cover for the Oregon State TSA Conference that will be held in April.
Laura Ward (Sophomore) won 1st Place for her Promotional Design for TSA. Ward’s designs included a poster, T-shirt, and button design.
EOU Regional High School Art Show
Each year in late February, EOU organizes its Regional High School Art Show, hosted in the Nightingale Gallery, displaying artwork from 13 regional high schools. The following PHS students were awarded:
Atlas Garcia (Junior) won the PCA Promise Award, a $100 cash prize.
Paige Erickson (Senior) won Honorable Mention
Pendleton Center for the Arts (PCA) Poster Contest
This year, Pendleton Center for the Arts hosted its poster contest design in conjunction with the Eastern Oregon Climate Change Coalition to promote climate change awareness. The following PHS students received awards:
Viviana Martinez (Senior) won 1st place, a $500 cash prize.
Jubilee Morrison (Junior) won 2nd place, a $300 cash prize.
Mollie Waterworth (Junior) won Honorable Mention, a $100 cash prize.
Pendleton Center for the Arts Open Regional Photography Exhibit
PHS art students submitted 18 photographs for the teen section of PCA’s Regional Photography Exhibit in early March. The following students received these awards:
Tori Estrada (Senior) won Teen First for “Grandma and Her Room”
Laura Ward (Sophomore) won Teen Third for “Fog”
Atlas Garcia (Junior) won Honorable Mention for “Man Made Stars”
Abbey Prevot, PHS Visual Arts & CTE Teacher, said the recent awards represent the hard work and talent of these high school students. “I am very proud of all the students who participated in these competitions and excited to see the award-winning students recognized for their dedication and skill,” Prevot said.
Pendleton TSA promotional design group.
Viviana Martinez PCA poster – 1st place.
Paige Erickson EOU honorable mention.
Jubilee Morrison PCA poster – 2nd place.
Mollie WAtersworth PCA honorable mention poster.
Laura Ward TSA – 1st place.
Laura Ward TSA promotional design.
https://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/Pendleton-TSA-promotional-design-group-scaled.jpg19202560rthornburghttps://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/04/PHS-Logo.pngrthornburg2024-03-15 10:13:422024-03-15 10:16:53Pendleton High School Student Awards
The Pendleton School District School Board has selected Mrs. Anne Sokoloski as the new Principal at McKay Creek Elementary School.
Sokoloski is currently the Dean of Students at Loma Vista Elementary School in the Hermiston School District. Prior to that, she was a Counselor at Desert View Elementary in Hermiston and a Child Development Specialist at the Pendleton Early Learning Center in Pendleton.
“I am thrilled to return to Pendleton to serve as principal of McKay Creek Elementary,” Sokoloski said. “The past two years as Dean of Students at Loma Vista in Hermiston have been invaluable in helping me grow as a leader. The Hermiston School District, colleagues, students, and families have played a pivotal role in my career, and I appreciate their support and collaboration.”
Sokoloski earned a bachelor of science in Speech Communication from Oregon State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Eastern Oregon University. She received her Professional Administrator Licensure from Lewis and Clark College in 2019.
According to Superintendent Kevin Headings, “Mrs. Sokoloski possesses the qualities we are looking for in our next McKay Elementary principal. She’s a skilled leader, student-centered and a strong communicator. Finding someone with knowledge and understanding of our region and who is familiar with Pendleton is an added bonus.”
Sokoloski will replace the outgoing principal, Sherri Kilgore. Sokoloski’s contract begins on July 1, 2024.
https://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/Anne-Sokoloski-scaled.jpg25601920rthornburghttps://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/04/PHS-Logo.pngrthornburg2024-03-13 08:07:212024-03-13 08:07:23District Selects New McKay Creek Elementary School Principal
PHS Forecasting Night was a success on February 28, 2024! Thank you to all the students and families who joined us to learn about opportunities at PHS.
https://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/FC15.png737991rthornburghttps://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/04/PHS-Logo.pngrthornburg2024-03-04 10:21:542024-03-04 10:25:35PHS Forecasting Night
https://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/10/Pat-Dutcher.jpg604490rthornburghttps://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/04/PHS-Logo.pngrthornburg2024-03-01 07:55:042024-03-01 07:56:22Mr. Dutcher’s Principal Message from PHS
CTE Spotlight – Kaden Clark, Pendleton High School
Your Name: Kaden Clark Your Title: Hospitality/Tourism & Foods Teacher
School/District:
Pendleton High School/Pendleton School District
What do you teach?
I teach basic culinary skills to advanced culinary practices, the importance of cultural diversity, the basic principles of opening and running a business, and much more within the hospitality and tourism industry. Students leave my class feeling comfortable in a kitchen setting and having a new-found perspective on cultural differences and their positive effect on the world.
What is your school’s CTE focus for the 23-24 school year?
Our focus is to give students the greatest opportunity for work-based learning practices and advancement in their future careers early on. Our CTE staff is working to offer opportunities many students have never had the chance to participate in before. A huge part of this is having such a great community that is constantly willing to support PHS students and their goals to work in CTE-related fields.
How is CTE work in your school making a difference for students?
The two greatest attributes I believe CTE students are benefiting from are work ethic and confidence. Our programs offer opportunities for students to leave the ever-growing mobile world and work hands-on and face-to-face with other people. I see a growing number of my CTE students willing to meet new people, promote our program, and engage with community partners because they are becoming more confident through CTE coursework. Putting students into the CTE environment we have created has increased their work ethic tenfold. It has been an amazing experience to work side by side with these students on some really cool projects this past year, and I cannot wait to see what they are able to achieve in the future.
What is something people may not know about CTE in schools?
We have some of the most dedicated and hardworking individuals leading these programs and the most caring people I have ever worked alongside. We are dedicated to working with community partners to give students greater opportunities. We are always willing to partner with other CTE programs to give students a chance to learn and engage in CTE-related activities/events. A huge part of our success is due to the amazing CTE staff and Administration who care about the future of their students and CTE.
https://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/02/CTE.png427448rthornburghttps://hs.pendleton.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/04/PHS-Logo.pngrthornburg2024-02-26 08:51:002024-02-26 08:51:00CTE Spotlight – Kaden Clark
Pendleton School District Announces Administrative Changes
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District has announced the appointments of Kevin Dinning, Director of Human Resources, and Heidi Paullus, lead Principal of Washington Elementary School, for the 2024-2025 school year.
Dinning is currently the principal at Washington Elementary. Prior to his time in Pendleton, he was superintendent of Ione School District. Dinning began his administrative career as a secondary principal and then elementary principal with the Bonners Ferry School District in Idaho.
Dinning is pleased with his new appointment but will miss leading Washington Elementary. “Being part of the Washington family has been and continues to be a blessing. I am proud of the hard work, focus on improvement, and commitment to kindness that the staff and students have embraced this year. The Pendleton School District and community have continued to be a great place for my family. I look forward to supporting Washington Elementary School and the Pendleton School District from a position that allows me to engage with a broader range of the district staff and community.”
Paullus is currently the vice principal at Washington Elementary. Before becoming vice principal at Washington, she was an instructional coach with the InterMountain Educational Service District (IMESD). Paullus has worked in education for 25 years as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator.
“I’m pleased to remain at Washington Elementary as the lead principal. We’ve made good progress over the past year with our building goals and priorities, and I look forward to continuing this work alongside our teachers, staff, students, and families.” Paullus said.
According to Superintendent Kevin Headings, moving Dinning and Paullus into these administrative positions will be beneficial to the district. “HR responsibilities have been divided among our current directors, in addition to their other full-time responsibilities, for several years. Having Mr. Dinning assume all Human Resource responsibilities will allow our other directors to focus on supporting our schools with our district goals and mission.” Headings continued, “and appointing Mrs. Paullus to the lead principal position at Washington Elementary was the right move. She has gained the trust and respect of Washington’s staff, students, and parents over the past two years.”
Dinning and Paullus will begin their new positions on July 1, 2024.
Pendleton School District Farm Day
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgKindergartners 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.
PSD Art Show Recap
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgHundreds of Pendleton School District students took field trips to the annual District Art Show on April 9 and 10 to see their own artwork and that of fellow students in the district. The event at the Pendleton Convention Center was also attended by hundreds of district parents, families, and community members.
A wide variety of artwork was on display at the event, from textiles, wooden collages, and painted masks to bird sculptures and paintings.
The show kicked off on Monday, April 8, with an Opening Night celebration that included free books and cookies handed out by Altrusa International of Pendleton.
Abbey Prevot, Art Teacher at Pendleton High School, and John Bradt, Art Teacher at Sunridge Middle School, organized this year’s show. “It’s very exciting to have the show up, and for me, it’s completely new. It’s great to see all K-12 art together. It’s helped our programs make connections with the elementary schools and be able to collaborate on this huge project,” Prevot said.
Bradt said since this is the first year he and Prevot have organized the event, it was a little stressful, but the show turned out great. His favorite part is the variety of the art, even within each classroom where they are doing the same project, but all the pieces look different.
The district thanks the Education Foundation of Pendleton for funding this year’s art show.
District Art Show
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District is having its annual District Art Show April 8 through 10 at the Pendleton Convention Center.
Pendleton High School Student Awards
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgSeveral Pendleton High School students have worked hard and won awards at recent competitions.
TSA (Technology Student Association)
Students from both PHS Engineering and PHS Digital and Media Arts compete in TSA competitions throughout the year. Students recently competed in February at the competition for Promotional Design at the Boardman BMCC Campus. Pendleton had nine competitors in the event and fifteen total competitors from three regional high schools. The competition was to create three different promotional designs, plus a portfolio cover for the Oregon State TSA Conference that will be held in April.
EOU Regional High School Art Show
Each year in late February, EOU organizes its Regional High School Art Show, hosted in the Nightingale Gallery, displaying artwork from 13 regional high schools. The following PHS students were awarded:
Pendleton Center for the Arts (PCA) Poster Contest
This year, Pendleton Center for the Arts hosted its poster contest design in conjunction with the Eastern Oregon Climate Change Coalition to promote climate change awareness. The following PHS students received awards:
Pendleton Center for the Arts Open Regional Photography Exhibit
PHS art students submitted 18 photographs for the teen section of PCA’s Regional Photography Exhibit in early March. The following students received these awards:
Abbey Prevot, PHS Visual Arts & CTE Teacher, said the recent awards represent the hard work and talent of these high school students. “I am very proud of all the students who participated in these competitions and excited to see the award-winning students recognized for their dedication and skill,” Prevot said.
Pendleton TSA promotional design group.
Viviana Martinez PCA poster – 1st place.
Paige Erickson EOU honorable mention.
Jubilee Morrison PCA poster – 2nd place.
Mollie WAtersworth PCA honorable mention poster.
Laura Ward TSA – 1st place.
Laura Ward TSA promotional design.
District Selects New McKay Creek Elementary School Principal
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District School Board has selected Mrs. Anne Sokoloski as the new Principal at McKay Creek Elementary School.
Sokoloski is currently the Dean of Students at Loma Vista Elementary School in the Hermiston School District. Prior to that, she was a Counselor at Desert View Elementary in Hermiston and a Child Development Specialist at the Pendleton Early Learning Center in Pendleton.
“I am thrilled to return to Pendleton to serve as principal of McKay Creek Elementary,” Sokoloski said. “The past two years as Dean of Students at Loma Vista in Hermiston have been invaluable in helping me grow as a leader. The Hermiston School District, colleagues, students, and families have played a pivotal role in my career, and I appreciate their support and collaboration.”
Sokoloski earned a bachelor of science in Speech Communication from Oregon State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Eastern Oregon University. She received her Professional Administrator Licensure from Lewis and Clark College in 2019.
According to Superintendent Kevin Headings, “Mrs. Sokoloski possesses the qualities we are looking for in our next McKay Elementary principal. She’s a skilled leader, student-centered and a strong communicator. Finding someone with knowledge and understanding of our region and who is familiar with Pendleton is an added bonus.”
Sokoloski will replace the outgoing principal, Sherri Kilgore. Sokoloski’s contract begins on July 1, 2024.
PHS Forecasting Night
/in District Site News, High Schools News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgPHS Forecasting Night was a success on February 28, 2024! Thank you to all the students and families who joined us to learn about opportunities at PHS.
Mr. Dutcher’s Principal Message from PHS
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgCTE Spotlight – Kaden Clark
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgCTE Spotlight – Kaden Clark, Pendleton High School
Your Name: Kaden Clark
Your Title: Hospitality/Tourism & Foods Teacher
School/District:
Pendleton High School/Pendleton School District
What do you teach?
I teach basic culinary skills to advanced culinary practices, the importance of cultural diversity, the basic principles of opening and running a business, and much more within the hospitality and tourism industry. Students leave my class feeling comfortable in a kitchen setting and having a new-found perspective on cultural differences and their positive effect on the world.
What is your school’s CTE focus for the 23-24 school year?
Our focus is to give students the greatest opportunity for work-based learning practices and advancement in their future careers early on. Our CTE staff is working to offer opportunities many students have never had the chance to participate in before. A huge part of this is having such a great community that is constantly willing to support PHS students and their goals to work in CTE-related fields.
How is CTE work in your school making a difference for students?
The two greatest attributes I believe CTE students are benefiting from are work ethic and confidence. Our programs offer opportunities for students to leave the ever-growing mobile world and work hands-on and face-to-face with other people. I see a growing number of my CTE students willing to meet new people, promote our program, and engage with community partners because they are becoming more confident through CTE coursework. Putting students into the CTE environment we have created has increased their work ethic tenfold. It has been an amazing experience to work side by side with these students on some really cool projects this past year, and I cannot wait to see what they are able to achieve in the future.
What is something people may not know about CTE in schools?
We have some of the most dedicated and hardworking individuals leading these programs and the most caring people I have ever worked alongside. We are dedicated to working with community partners to give students greater opportunities. We are always willing to partner with other CTE programs to give students a chance to learn and engage in CTE-related activities/events. A huge part of our success is due to the amazing CTE staff and Administration who care about the future of their students and CTE.
FIRST Robotics Competition at PHS
/in District Site News, High Schools News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg