Our third graders rolled up their sleeves for their annual Rake N Run!
Students helped the local community by raking leaves in neighbors’ yards, spreading kindness, and giving back this season.
#CommunityKindness #ArcadiaElementary #RakeNRun
Fifth graders at Arcadia held their annual Boo-Ography presentations on October 31st. Students selected a historical figure from Colonial times, conducted research on their historical figure, and then created and memorized monologue speeches in character. For their final presentation, they designed backdrops to represent their historical figure. On the day of Boo-Ography Presentations, community members, students at Arcadia, and school staff visited classrooms to see the students’ hard work. Dressed as their chosen figures, the fifth graders stayed in character throughout the presentations, reciting their monologues to visitors as they passed by.
At the Arcadia Elementary, fourth graders in Mrs. Durgin’s class are diving into the theme genre by reading plays, taking on character roles, and exploring scenes and other elements of drama. They’re gaining confidence as readers and performers while bringing each story to life. What an awesome way to learn!
Our High School's Honors World History class recently visited the MAC to explore the Raven and the Box of Daylight exhibit and the Native Plateau Tribes gallery. Students got a close-up look at Indigenous art, stories, and cultural history, from glass sculptures to traditional artifacts. What an engaging, educational experience to bring the classroom studies to life!
Here’s a look at some fun HomeLink highlights from the past two weeks! In Mr. Sciarrio’s Ventriloquism & Puppeteering class, students practiced pronunciation without using their lips. Mrs. Nelson’s Invention Project, students designed and tested their own water-balloon launchers before the daylight ran out. And to promote our upcoming school-wide art and writing contest, students enjoyed a lunchtime showing of a reading of Turkey Trouble. Lots of creativity and hands-on learning happening here at HomeLink!
Students are welcome to attend NEWTech's Annual Career Fair
December 9, 2025
December 9, 2025
In celebration of Veterans Day, HomeLink staff and families gathered outdoors for a ceremonial flag raising, songs, and to honor all who have served. Thank you to all our veterans!
We are proud to recognize Chris Heath as our Deer Park Rotary Student of the Month! Chris believes the community has the power to make a difference and consistently shows his appreciation for teachers, friends, and family. As a mentor, he enjoys guiding others and being a positive role model for fellow students.
Kindness and doing the right thing are at the heart of everything Chris does. Outside of school, Chris channels his creativity through photography, drawing, and a love of music, capturing the beauty in the world around him.
Congratulations, Chris, on being a shining example of character and community spirit!
Kindness and doing the right thing are at the heart of everything Chris does. Outside of school, Chris channels his creativity through photography, drawing, and a love of music, capturing the beauty in the world around him.
Congratulations, Chris, on being a shining example of character and community spirit!
Last week, both our Elementary and Middle School students came together in their Veterans Day Assemblies to celebrate and honor our nation’s heroes! With songs, presentations, and performances, our students shared their appreciation for our veterans and reflected on the values of courage, service, and community. We are proud of our students for demonstrating their school spirit and respect in such a meaningful way.
Remember to vote! Ballots are due November 4.
Did you know that if you are a senior citizen and/or disabled, you may be eligible for a tax exemption? To learn more, contact the Spokane County Assessor’s Office at 509-477-3698 or visit their website here: https://www.spokanecounty.gov/219/Assessor
Remember to vote!
Did you know that the short-term capital levy will focus on the safety and security of ALL of our students? It will replace outdated school intercom and communication systems, ensuring proper notification, communication, and emergency response systems are in place across all campuses. Learn more here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/safetyproject
Did you know that the total value of Deer Park's buses equates to approximately $4.5 million? By providing a transportation facility that can be paved, is located in town, and provides for more space, it will allow:
- the buses to be better protected from vandalism and theft (preserving our assets and employee safety)
- eliminate potholes, standing water, and ice (preserving our assets and employee safety)
- allow the mechanics to complete maintenance within the transportation facility (currently no bus lift, so some services need to be outsourced)
- close distance to schools for easier accessibility by the community and families
- the buses to be better protected from vandalism and theft (preserving our assets and employee safety)
- eliminate potholes, standing water, and ice (preserving our assets and employee safety)
- allow the mechanics to complete maintenance within the transportation facility (currently no bus lift, so some services need to be outsourced)
- close distance to schools for easier accessibility by the community and families
Did you know that Deer Park's local education tax rates have fallen sharply over recent years due to the significant growth in our community? Levies ask for a specific dollar ($) amount, and that amount does not change. When there is population growth, the overall cost is reduced becuase there are more to share the overall cost. If the short-term capital levy is approved, rates are estimated to be $2.60/$1,000 LESS than they were a decade ago. To learn more about the proposed short-term capital levy costs, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025costs
The facilities advisory committee learned and recognized that the current transportation center location is fraught with issues. Limited road access (one-way, potentially unstable bridge), inability to add on to the septic system, right-of-way concerns, and an undersized lot all led to the unanimous conclusion that it needs to be relocated to a more safe and central
site. Learn more about the project here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/transproject
site. Learn more about the project here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/transproject
Some highlights from the last week at Home Link include Mrs. Schneider's students expressing their creativity in painting their favorite scene of The Secret Garden, which they've been reading together in class.
Meanwhile, in Mrs. Pendergrass's STEM Challenge class, these students engineered pillars out of printer paper strong enough to hold up 20 chemistry textbooks! What an impressive feat!
#HomeLink #WeeklyHighlights
Meanwhile, in Mrs. Pendergrass's STEM Challenge class, these students engineered pillars out of printer paper strong enough to hold up 20 chemistry textbooks! What an impressive feat!
#HomeLink #WeeklyHighlights
The DPHS student advisory council learned about the City of Deer Park's Parks & Recreation Task Force and planning. Students had the opportunity to participate in the P&R survey.
Students also shared what they appreciated most about their teachers:
"Teachers who treat students like adults."
"When teachers view students as a person because they want to, not just because it's their job."
"When teachers make it clear that they want everyone to be comfortable, succeed, and are willing to work with students to make it happen."
"Teachers who make us laugh and make class fun."
Students also shared what they appreciated most about their teachers:
"Teachers who treat students like adults."
"When teachers view students as a person because they want to, not just because it's their job."
"When teachers make it clear that they want everyone to be comfortable, succeed, and are willing to work with students to make it happen."
"Teachers who make us laugh and make class fun."
Each morning, students at Deer Park Arcadia Elementary dive into their Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons with the Second Steps program. Through SEL, students learn how to understand their feelings, make positive choices, and build strong, caring relationships.
#DPArcadia #SocialEmotionalLearning #SecondSteps
#DPArcadia #SocialEmotionalLearning #SecondSteps
Did you know that when voters approve a District measure, they are voting for a specific dollar ($) amount, and that total $ amount does not change? Depending on the number of taxpayers in Deer Park (and because Deer Park is growing), the actual cost per taxpayer has significantly decreased because there are more to share the total cost. The District does not receive more $ when there is growth. For example, notice that when the high school bond was passed in 2009, the estimated tax rate was $2.69/$1,000 and $3.20/$1,000 of assessed value in 2010 and 2011. Since then, that same high school bond rate has decreased to $1.04/$1,000! The 4 year capital levy the District is asking voters to consider is estimated to be a cost of $1.45/$1,000 which will allow the District to not only accomplish the four (4) project goals from this capital levy, but provide taxpayers a reasonable, predicable tax rate for future planning.
