Deer Park School District

At Deer Park School District, we are committed to turning our vision into real-world results for every student. With just 8 weeks left of school, we want to recognize the progress being made in our schools, especially regarding our Strategic Plan, which is Student Well-being, Academic Engagement, Building Bridges, Making Connections, and Maintaining our Facilities.
This week, we want to highlight the progress Deer Park Elementary students have made in Academic Engagement & Growth. This growth is attributed to our staff's laser focus on inclusionary practices and clearly identified standards, in addition to intentional training around early literacy and the science of reading. The fall-to-winter data from iReady scores does a clear job in demonstrating this.
Reading:
• 29% increase in students at or above grade level from fall to winter and 10% reduction in students two grade levels or more below.
Math:
• 24% increase in students at or above grade level and 9% reduction in students two grade levels or more below.

#DeerParkSchools #StrategicPlan #ProgressReport

Strong Schools Build Strong Communities! DPHS DECA invited the community and business owners to learn about the businesses led and run by DECA students. Mayor Verzal, three City Council members, several business owners, and community members visited the high school to learn more. Student businesses include a Jitter-Bucks (coffee), Stag Prints (stag.prints@dpsdmail.org), DP custumz (manufacturing), Stag Box (Stag Merchandise), Very Vendy (vending services). Did you know that by using the student-run businesses, the proceeds directly support the students? This enables the students to continue to compete at the state, national, and international levels and represent Deer Park across the world. Our students are preparing for college, career, and life!

Summer EBT Program/Sun Bucks
States can provide $40 per summer month per child to families with eligible school-age children for them to buy groceries, similar to how USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are used.

If you didn’t fill out a free or reduced lunch form this year because school meals are already free, you could be missing out on the new Summer EBT Program! Students who qualify for Free or Reduced school meals at Deer Park Elementary, Arcadia Elementary, Deer Park Middle School, and Deer Park High School are eligible to receive $120 for summer groceries.

To qualify for Summer EBT, families must complete the Free and Reduced Price Meals application.

Questions?
Call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230
Applications are available at any school office or you can request to have one sent home with your student.

The Middle School recently hosted an energetic Staff versus Student basketball game, elevated by the appearance of the Middle School Band. This high-energy event coincided with Spirit Day, featuring 6th grade in white, 7th grade in yellow, and Minion-themed attire, and 8th grade in blue. It was an outstanding way to showcase school pride and community spirit before heading into Spring Break.

#DPMS #SpiritDay #StudentEngagement

Happy Paraeducator Appreciation Day! DPSD paraeducators play a huge role in creating safe, welcoming classrooms where students feel valued, respected, and supported. Your work strengthens belonging, and student success across our district. Thank you!

#DPSD #Paraeducator #AppreciationDay

Deer Park High School DECA is having a successful year of growth and service. Between managing five student stores, concessions, and leading community initiatives like Night at the North Pole, our 46 members have demonstrated exceptional leadership. A major highlight was meeting with Mayor Verzal to officially declare November as DECA Month for the city of Deer Park!
Our competitive success continues with 27 State qualifiers and 9 students advancing to the International competition in Atlanta this April. Additionally, 25 students gained professional hospitality and sports marketing experience through partnerships that included the Spokane Chiefs and Davenport Grand.
Local leaders and business owners are invited to our Community Business Tour on April 16 to see our operations in action.
Thank you for all the support from our parents and community!

#DECA #DPHS #StagPride

Arcadia students came together to showcase their Tinker Crates! Using hands-on STEM kits, each student built and explored a unique project, then proudly shared their learning with their peers. With fourth-grade teachers joining in and a pizza celebration to wrap it up, the event was both fun and meaningful. Experiences like these help students grow as confident, independent learners and collaborative members of their community.

#DPSD #FourthGrade #FutureReady

How do we ensure ALL DPSD students are ready and successful for college, career, and life? 🎓Educators, leaders, community members, and even a recent graduate came together to answer that exact question.

Using community feedback, research, and our district’s strategic priorities, this team worked collaboratively to define the skills and characteristics our students need to be ready for their future.

We want all DPSD students to be:
- Confident, independent, and self-reliant
- Critical thinkers & problem solvers
- Personally and socially accountable
- Effective communicators
- Flexible and adaptable
- Contributing members to society and the community

We’re grateful for the voices, perspectives, and passion that made this work possible. This is how strong communities build strong future-ready students in Deer Park. 💙

#DPSD #ProfileOfAGraduate #FutureReady #CommunityDriven

Our Home Link students are making the most of their final classes before spring break!
In Ms. Lentz's "Everyday Art" class, students were mixing, stretching, and experimenting as they created their own slime.
Meanwhile, in Ms. Hubbard's "Nail Tech" class, students were fully focused as they brought their ideas to life with custom-designed nails for their upcoming competition.
We love seeing our students engaged, creative, and excited about learning. Home Link classes will continue as normal through Thursday, and we wish everyone a fun and restful spring break next week!

#HomeLink #Creativity #SpringBreak

🎶 Huge congratulations to the DPSD Band on an incredible weekend! 🎉

Students brought home 1st place and silver ratings in all categories, plus the Spirit of the Festival Award! 🌟
Special shoutout to Austin Cohrs, who earned the Maestro Award—and an invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall! 👏🎼
The trip was full of amazing experiences:
• A warm welcome dinner (Thank you, Boosters!)
• Exploring MoPop Friday morning
• Trip to the Seattle Aquarium after the state competition
• A delicious pasta dinner (Thank you, Boosters!)
• Outstanding performances Saturday from Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Choir
• Fun at Westfield Southcenter and a memorable awards banquet & ball

Thank you to our incredible community for your continued support of student activities like these—made possible through local levy funding. We are so proud of our students! 💙

Yesterday evening was full of fun at Deer Park Elementary during our ‘Spring Into Reading’ Family Engagement Night. We love seeing our students and families come together to celebrate learning and literacy!

#FamilyEngagement #DeerParkElementary #SpringIntoReading

Representative Andrew Engell, who represents the 9th Legislative District, visited Mr. Wrigley's political science class at Deer Park High School. Representative Engell stated, "The students were very engaged with deep and sometimes difficult questions that showed their understanding of civics and current events." Representative Engell stated that meeting with the students gives him hope! He enjoyed interacting with the next generation of leaders and sees them preparing to make a difference and bring accountability to the government. Thank you for visiting Deer Park High School, Representative Engell!

The ECEAP staff had the opportunity to attend a conscious discipline training this last Thursday and Friday. Conscious discipline is an approach to behavior and social-emotional learning that focuses on helping children develop self-regulation, emotional intelligence, and positive relationships. How cool!

#ECEAP #DPSD #DisciplineTraining

We are proud to recognize three outstanding Deer Park Elementary staff members who were recently honored by the Board of Directors for going truly Above and Beyond for students, Wendy Bennett-Hill, Shelley Pajimola, & Shelly McLean. 💙

Whether it’s offering extra care and emotional support, being present and engaged with students out on the playground during recess, or providing meaningful instructional support in the classroom—each of these individuals consistently shows what it means to put students first.

Their compassion, dedication, and commitment to student success do not go unnoticed. Thank you for making a difference every single day and for helping create a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for all learners. 🌟

#AboveAndBeyond #DeerParkPride #StudentFirst

At the annual Eastern Washington Regional Science & Engineering Fair, Deer Park 7th-grader, Olivia Jarvis (O.J.) was awarded the ONR Naval Science Award for Cytogenetics Explained.
Held annually at WSU, Spokane, the fair brings together 6th - 12th grade students to promote the development of communication, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.
O.J. was one of only five middle school students among the 100 competitors there. She presented her research to three individual judges and engaged with the public, confidently explaining her project and answering questions.
Congratualtions O.J.! Looking forward to seeing what you'll do for your 2027 project!

#EWRSEF #ONRNavalScienceAward #CytogeneticsExplained #DPMS

With lots of hard work, Deer Park 4th Grade Math is Cool places 3rd in their division.
Hazel Hogan from Ms. Conroy's class placed 6th individually, and Hadlee Burns from Ms. McKenzie's class placed 13th!
Awesome work, you guys, we are so proud of you!

#MathIsCool #FourthGrade #DPSD

It was Spirit Week this past week for Home Link. For "Favorite Storybook Character Day," Colleen and Donelle embrace the role of Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Seuss, complete with homemade wigs!
In "Crafts from around the World," Mrs. Moss is teaching her students about Mexico as they create and stuff their own piñatas, with full intent on destroying them soon. What fun!

#HomeLink #DeerPark #SpiritWeek #WorldCrafts

High School Basketball Head Coaches needed for the 2026 - 2027 school year!
Join our team and make an impact on and off the court!
Please see the link for more information - https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/1585

#DPHS #Basketball #CoachesNeeded