Deer Park School District

Deer Park Schools are very fortunate to have assistant principals at our schools to support our children! This is made possible becuase our community supported our EP&O (Educational Programs and Operations Levy). Through this support, our local funds allow the District to provide support for students beyond the basic state allocation (which funds "basic education"). Ms. Maxfield received a 'shout out' from a staff member who recognizes her hard work, "she really shines when things get in a pinch. [She] jumps right in full speed ahead !! Not only does Haley continue to have an open door to anyone who needs to talk, but she handles students who need breaks, parents who need updates, handles pre-school calls, greets everyone that she sees with a smile and a hello, and still takes time to visit with all." Thank you, Ms. Maxfield, for your dedication and support of our children. DPSD would also like to thank the Deer Park community for your ongoing support of our schools - the funding for educational programs and operations beyond the state's allocation is made possible by your ongoing support of our levy.

Highlights from Arcadia this week include Mrs. Spillane's fourth-grade class. They are building their understanding of angles! Students created and classified acute, obtuse, straight, and reflex angles through hands-on exploration. How fun!

#DeerParkArcadia #Learning #Angles

Today Dr. Allman represented the Deer Park School District at the Annual InvestEd conference in Spokane. Her heartfelt words reminded us why investing in students matters and the real impact it has on students.

We especially appreciate her highlighting how InvestEd dollars directly benefit Deer Park students. These funds stay right here in our community — providing immediate support for basic needs, helping remove barriers to learning, and ensuring our students have what they need to succeed. We appreciate the support from our community's partnership and the care given to Deer Park students! (https://invested.org/)

Friendship/Valentine’s Day = KINDNESS day at our schools! 💘Students across the District celebrated and had so much fun! Shoutout to our students for encouraging others, including everyone, and spreading joy with thoughtful notes and helping hands. 🌟

DPHS Freshman, Kason Dean, competed at “Cloverbuds and Corduroy” held at Riverside High School on February 11, 2026. Kason finished in First Place in both the Mock Interview and Demonstration categories. Kason is a member of Gettin’ Grit 4H Club and also owns a flock of Babydoll Southdown sheep. Way to go Kason!

Home Link celebrated the 2nd annual STEAM Night (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). An estimated 450 attended this event. Many thanks to the nearly 70 volunteers who made this event possible!

Congratulations to Deer Park wrestler Solomon Slind as Deer Park's 2A district wrestling champ! Solomon is an avid wrestler and Home Link student. Wishing you best of luck at state Solomon!

Staff and students at Deer Park Elementary School had a fun and exciting Friday! Not only did they celebrate the 100th day of school (do you recognize the staff and students?), but they also celebrated students who demonstrated kindness. February is the month for showing kindness across the District. Way to go, Rangers!

Our awesome Arcadia students gathered in the gym this week to celebrate peers who earned the Safety Award. These students were nominated by their teachers for consistently demonstrating Arcadia’s safety expectations throughout the school day. This includes being safe in the classroom, on the playground, in the cafeteria, in the hallways, on the bus, and when using technology. By making thoughtful, responsible choices, these students help create a safe, respectful environment where everyone can learn and thrive. Nice work!

#StudentAchievement #Arcadia #SafetyAward

Please help us congratulate DPHS student Andrew Feist, as he was recognized by Deer Park Rotary as the Student of the Month. Andrew is an outstanding student! He exemplifies hard work and being kind!

✅ DECA Standout: Andrew's been highly active in the DECA program, competing in six different events and earning recognition as a state finalist.
🌎 International Qualifier: He’s also qualified at the international level—landing in the 91st percentile—and will be heading into his 3rd international competition this April!
🖨️ Campus Leader: Beyond DECA, he serves as the manager of Stag Prints, showing strong leadership and dedication to his school community.
✈️ Future Pilot: After graduation, he plans to attend the University of North Dakota and pursue a career in commercial aviation.

We’re proud to recognize your hard work, ambition, and achievement. Best of luck in April and beyond—we’re cheering you on! 🏆✈️

Good news highlights for this week from HomeLink!
Mrs. Darla's Ballet class is preparing and practicing "Autumn Moon" for their upcoming spring show. Dancers are focused and excited to share their hard work on stage.

#HomeLink #DPSD #Dance

Deer Park values our students and student voice! Today, the DPHS student advisory council participated in the survey, "What are your hopes and dreams for your future?" as the District begins developing the profile of a Deer Park graduate. Students also provided ideas and suggestions for how to improve the school. Way to go, students!

Deer Park High School Band and Choir students performed at the Northeast Music Educators Association Solo and Ensemble Festival at Cheney High School this past weekend. Approximately 40 of our High School students participated, performing unique musical selections that they prepared for the event. Students received ratings and critiques from judges and competed with students from across our region.

Several students placed and may get the opportunity to perform at the State Solo and Ensemble contest in April. Special congratulations to Owen Stapf - Second Alternate (3rd Place) Bassoon category, Pretty Princess Percussion Party (Ava Berg, Onesimo Garcia IV, Emily Harris, Marlon Gomez-Catalan) - Second Alternate (3rd Place) Small Percussion Ensemble category, Christopher Heath - 1st Alternate (2nd Place) Bass Voice category, and Austin Cohrs - State Qualifier (1st Place), Soprano/Alto Saxophone category.

*The DPHS music programs are available to students thanks to our community! Music programs are funded by local levy dollars. Thank you for your ongoing support - our students appreciate it!

Our very own Nyckalyna Strickland received the Girl Scout Lifesaving Award late this past year. She was honored for her quick thinking and resourcefulness in calling 911 while home alone with her dad, who was growing increasingly ill. According to a cardiologist at Sacred Heart, it was possible that if Nyckalyna had not called 911 for her dad, he may not have made it through the night.
We are so proud of the awareness and quick thinking shown by our students. Read the full article here - https://aptg.co/xfm001

#DPSDProud #GirlScout #LifesavingAward

Deer Park Middle School's Math is Cool students participated in their Regional Competition at Mead High School this last weekend. Coaches Andrea Dean and Shawna Cosner led our students to some great results.
Our 6th-grade team placed 1st earning a bid to the Masters Competition in April. Our individual medalists were Joshua Cosner, who placed 2nd, and Anna Bentler, who placed 7th.
The 8th-grade team placed 3rd, with Addy Simonson placing 5th as an individual and Samantha Cosner placing 8th.
Along with those amazing results, congratulations to our school winners: Joshua Cosner for 6th grade, Lochlyn Hardwick for 7th grade, and Addy Simonson for 8th grade.
What a fun and awesome experience!

#DPMS #MathIsCool #Competition

Deer Park's very own Kael Morris (Home Link) has traveled a lot the last couple of weeks. At the University of Montana, Kael scored 1st place in the Middle School Missoula Bullseye Tournament and 2nd for overall (grades 4th - 12th). He also participated in the National Indoor JOAD and National Indoor Tournament, scoring 1st in both events, ranking him #1 in the state for NASP.
Along with Kael, we had Jaiden Johnson (High School), who placed 3rd in the JOAD tournament and 2nd in the Indoor Nationals tournament. And Berkley Haikkila (Home Link) placed 2nd in the JOAD tournament.
Congratulations to all our amazing archers for their hard work and dedication!

#DPSDProud #Archery #NationalTournaments

Belonging. Learning. Inspiring Excellence. That is what DPMS is all about! Congratulations to Jeremy Beal and Nicolas Vavuris, DPMS students in Destination Imagination, and the English Language Arts (ELA) team. At Monday's board meeting, Mr. Beal and Mr. Vavuris were highlighted and thanked for their work that supports students. Destination Imagination students provided a skillful, creative, and fun example of their program that fosters creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. The ELA team highlighted their professional learning community work centered around essential standards, common assessments, and ensuring students are provided with "what they need" and "just in time." Way to go, DPMS!

Highlights from Home Link this week include the Opportunity Fair for middle school and high schoolers and their families. This event supports students by allowing them to connect with and learn about future options during and beyond high school, while engaging families as partners in that process.
This Friday, staff also met together for training and reflection as they roll into the second semester. The collaboration, professional learning is such a great opportunity for staff to connect and be reminded of what Home Link is all about.

#DPSD #HomeLink #FamilyConnection #Opportunity