We want to hear from you! Before moving forward with the recommended capital levy, the School Board wants to hear from its families, staff, and community regarding the committee’s priority projects. The district has created a survey that allows stakeholders to provide input. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts to help the School Board ensure that the committee’s recommendation aligns with our community’s priorities. Please take a moment to fill out our survey below. Please complete by June 20th. Survey here: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/168300841/welcome
For more information, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025
Facilities Advisory Committee: https://www.dpsd.org/o/dpsd/page/facilities-advisory-committee
The state’s school funding formula doesn't provide resources for large capital costs. While resources are provided through limited funds for general care and upkeep, districts must rely on capital levies and bonds to address larger renovations and new construction needs.
'Tis the reason for the season! Congratulations to our 2025 graduates (all 188 of them!) Our youngest learners congratulated DPHS graduates today as they walked through the halls. The graduates visited DPE, Arcadia, and DPMS. Pick up the special senior edition of the Tribune (Bob Mart, Pickett Fence, or Yokes)! Many thanks to the educators, families, and the community for supporting this fantastic class! We are so proud of you! #InspireExcellence
Congratulations to DPHS track at State!
MEDAL WINNERS:
Darrin McCanna/Tommy Allison: 5th place 2A/3A/4A combined Unified Shotput
Sophia Phillips, Neveah Gonzales, Darrin McCanna, Keith Schick: 7th place 2A/3A/4A combined Unified SMR 800 relay.
Darrin McCanna/Tommy Allison: 2nd place 2A/3A/4A combined Unified 100m Dash
Myah Desalles: 9th place 2A Girls Triple Jump
Mattison Wainwright: 13th place 2A Girls High Jump
Jacey Boesel: 11th place 2A Girls Long Jump
Sophia Phillips, Brooklyn Coe, Frankie Allison, Darrin McCanna: 11th place Unified 2A/3A/4A combined 4x100 Relay
Today, our 7th graders were out in the community taking part in the Seventh (grade) Spikes Spring Service Project (4S Project)! They’re making a real difference through hands-on service and showing what it means to be thoughtful, engaged citizens. We’re so proud of their hard work and heart!
#4SProject #CommunityService #InspireExcellence
Congratulations to our 2025 Retirees!
We had the honor, a few weeks ago, to celebrate and recognize the staff members who are retiring this year. As part of our tradition, each retiree who has served our district for over five years is presented with a golden apple - a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and the deep appreciation we hold for their commitment.
We are truly grateful to all those who have dedicated themselves to the education, safety, and care of our students. Your hard work has left a lasting impact, and we thank each of you for your passion, commitment, and service.
Thank you, Lauren Inman, Kevin Kernan, Scott Carlson, Adeline Tooley, Dawn Geyer, Kathy Sanborn, Lisa Carnes, Kim Ruyrok, Esther Collin, Joyce Henning, and Renee Attridge!
We wish you all the very best as you embark on new and exciting adventures in the next chapter of your lives.
Congratulations to DPHS senior Katie Nelson. She was selected as the Fire Department Student of the Year. Katie was able to ride in the fire truck with a full escort to school! Way to go Katie!
Yesterday evening, the Board of Directors recognized Laurie Goodnight with the Above and Beyond Award. Laurie leads our Special Education Department with incredible dedication. She’s a role model for staff, a great communicator with families, and works tirelessly to support student success through thoughtful scheduling, connecting with outside resources, and ensuring proper accommodations.
From organizing work-site learning opportunities to building paraeducator schedules, Laurie does it all with high energy and a student-first mindset. She’s often the first to arrive and the last to leave, and is deeply respected for her knowledge, leadership, and work ethic.
Thank you, Laurie, for going above and beyond!
#inspireexcellence
Congratulations to Deer Park Middle School for earning the Washington State Board of Education and Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Outstanding Achievement Award for the 2023-24 school year. Only 16% of schools in Washington earned this award. Deer Park Middle School was recognized for student growth, specifically, " Growth for students in one or more racial or ethnic groups." Their collaboration, focus on standards, common assessments, data analysis, and student growth continue to pay off. For more information: https://sbe.wa.gov/our-work/school-recognition.
A Little Free Library was recently added at Deer Park Elementary. With support from staff, the library was registered and installed to help share the joy of reading with students, families, and the community. Students learned about the program, created bookmarks from old catalog cards, and helped fill the library with donated books. Special guests came during the special ribbon-cutting ceremony, including author and writer Laura Chamberlain and Dexter. Ms. Chamberlain also donated a book she wrote! This small but mighty library is one more way to promote a love of books and learning all year long. Stop by to check it out! Many thanks to Ms. Kellie Hunt, librarian, Jollene Vining, principal, and PTO for their support. Download the Little Free Library app to find others nearby!
Our Unified Track and Field team at DPHS has worked hard all season! The Unified Shot Put & the Unified 100m dash were added to the GSL this year, including our previous events; the Sprint Medley Relay (100m, 100m, 200m, 400m) and 4x100m relay. Now we have a total of 4 events, which is great considering in Track and Field, all athletes are only allowed to compete in a total of 4 events per meet. To compete in the Unified Division, an athlete with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability is paired with a partner on the track team. The athlete and their partner will both get their measurements, and the score will be determined by taking the average of the 2. We are looking forward to competing at State in all 4 events this year and seeing inclusion grow in the world of Track and Field.
DPMS 6th graders are making memories that will last a lifetime at Camp Reed and all doing well at camp this week!
Student voice and perspective matter! Many thanks to this year's DPHS Student Advisory Council for volunteering their time to share their experiences and thoughts. This year, this group of students shared their honest insights as to what is going well and what areas can be improved. Today, students shared their gratitude to staff who have positively impacted them; overall, they shared they were most appreciative of those who challenged them, held them to high expectations, believed in them, listened, and cared for them. Many of these students will be starting a new journey following graduation on June 7. Many thanks to the students!
At the May 12th board meeting, Tanya Barcellos, Head Cook at the High School, was honored with the Above and Beyond award.
In her first year as a lead, Tanya has shown unwavering dedication and a positive spirit every single day. She’s known for her flexibility, always stepping in wherever she’s needed without ever complaining. Whether it’s managing changing schedules or lending a helping hand, Tanya does it all with a smile and a warm greeting for every student.
Beyond the kitchen, Tanya is deeply committed to her community, often volunteering her time and energy. She’s also a proud and loving grandmother who brings that same care and heart to her work.
Tanya truly embodies what it means to go above and beyond, and we’re so grateful to have her as part of Deer Park School District.
As we honor and remember those who have served, please remember there will be no school on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Congratulations to our 5th Graders in the Math is Cool Masters!
While they didn’t make it to the podium, the team delivered an outstanding performance, earning a perfect score on the Team Multiple Choice Test and going undefeated in all their College Bowl matches. The competition was tough, but our students showed incredible determination, teamwork, and academic excellence. We’re so proud of their effort and spirit. Great job, team!
What an incredible STEAM Night community event! Students and families experienced fun, hands-on learning. Students were able to experience the arts, including drama and music, world languages, math, science, Ag science, industrial arts, and marketing! Many thanks to the educators for their creativity, excellence, and innovation in creating such a remarkable event. #inspireexcellence
Today, elementary students lined the sidewalks to watch the high school marching band practice for the Torchlight Parade. A fun break in the day, especially for the younger students who enjoyed watching the high schoolers in action.
Attention Deer Park Families!
Need help with food this summer? Your children may qualify for $120 in grocery benefits through the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program. Plus, kids and teens 18 and under can enjoy free meals at local sites, no paperwork needed.
Both programs help stretch your food budget while school is out.
Find out how to apply and where to get meals:
https://www.hungerfreewa.org/freesummerfood
Congratulations to our DPHS FFA and Agricultural students who have taken part in the Spokane Jr. Livestock Show and WA State FFA Convention. At the State Convention, Deer Park FFA took 5th in state livestock. This was a highly competitive process: 45 teams, 7 classes, 1 team activity of Keep/Cull, and each student gave 3 sets of oral reasons -- a FULL day! The Horticulture and Botany classes had the opportunity to collaborate with the Deer Park ECAP in touring the greenhouse and planting a Zinnia. At the Spokane Jr. Livestock Show a few successes were:
Porter Whitmore: Grand Champion Sheep Fitting & Showing FR/SO
Raegan Reedy: Grand Champion Goat Fitting & Showing JR/SR and 5th Overall Fitting & Showing Swine
Raegan Reedy: Round Robin Grand Champion FFA JR/SR
Kaycee Haney: 4th overall Goat Fitting & Showing
