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 It will replace outdated school intercom and communication systems, ensuring proper notification, communication, and emergency response systems are in place across all campuses.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.
One awesome Arcadia student had a great day demonstrating expectations around being Responsible, Respectful, Safe, and Kind. This student earned the privilege of wearing this fun costume for a few minutes. This brought joy to everyone who saw him in the halls! Keep persevering, Arcadia students!
#wecandohardthings
Did you know that the state’s school funding formula doesn't provide resources or funding for large capital costs? While resources are provided for general care and upkeep, districts must rely on locally-funded capital levies and bonds to address larger renovations and new construction needs. To learn more about the short-term capital levy, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025
The capital levy that the Deer Park School District is asking the community to consider includes capital projects (which the state does not fund) that "preserve our past and plan for the future." This is Arcadia Elementary's roof. It needs to be replaced along with the HVAC system. The roof at Arcadia, along with safety and security systems pre-K - 12 (intercoms, emergency alert systems, and phones), as well as other upgrades to Arcadia Elementary, such as fencing and new carpet, along with the purchase of the land east of Deer Park Elementary School and rebuilding of the transportation facility, are capital projects included in the capital levy. Ballots will hit your mailboxes later this week. Photo credit: Angie McBride
Our youngest learners (pre-school) are eagerly watching and awaiting the extension of their playground! Many thanks to the maintenance and facilities team for their hard work! You make a positive difference for our children!
This week at Home Link, we’ve had a fun and creative week so far! Some of the highlights include Mrs. Ish’s Pour Paint class and Mrs. Hunsaker’s Cheerleading class.
In Pour Paint, students experiment with pouring and splashing paint onto canvas, then use swirling and spreading techniques to create vibrant, abstract art.
Meanwhile, in Cheerleading, students learn how to do a variety of cheer moves and routines each week.
We love seeing our students explore their creativity and energy in such fun ways!
#HomeLink #WeeklyHighlights
In Pour Paint, students experiment with pouring and splashing paint onto canvas, then use swirling and spreading techniques to create vibrant, abstract art.
Meanwhile, in Cheerleading, students learn how to do a variety of cheer moves and routines each week.
We love seeing our students explore their creativity and energy in such fun ways!
#HomeLink #WeeklyHighlights
Last Friday, dedicated educators pre-K - 12 came together to learn, plan, and gear up for student success! Educators learned how assessments can be used as a source of information to build hope, efficacy, and achievement, how to apply an efficient and accurate assessment design with colleagues, and how to enhance the formative purpose of assessments to drive learning.
Are you curious about the history of the current transportation facility (1890)? Many thanks to the Clayton/Deer Park Historical Society for the history, information, and photos! With the influx of settlers into northeastern Washington in the late 1880s came the need to build housing and clear the land for farming. The settlement of the greater Deer Park area began when homesteaders started claiming plots of land. Once a claim had been staked, they had to work hard to make the land habitable by clearing trees and brush to provide enough room for a house, garden, and tillable fields. At first, the trees were used for log houses and firewood. As sawmills were imported, the trees were reduced to lumber. Large amounts of lumber were needed as more and more settlers moved into the area. (Source: https://www.cdphs.org/uploads/3/4/2/0/34204235/newsletter_30_downsizesinglepageweb.pdf). For more information visit: https://www.cdphs.org/index.html
Did you know that the short-term capital levy will address the necessary road improvements on the 42-acre parcel? If the levy is approved, the district will extend the existing D Street and Aspen Streets to provide access to the new transportation center and existing facilities. Improvements will include utilities, on-street parking, and stormwater facilities, five-foot sidewalks, curbs and street lighting on both sides of the roadway. Learn more here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/landproject
Did you know that if the proposed short-term capital levy is approved, Deer Park’s local education tax rate will still be below the average when compared to the 13 Spokane County school districts? To learn more about the proposed short-term capital levy costs, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025costs
