✅ 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! 🏆✈️
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!
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
This month, we want to publicly thank the Deer Park School District Board of Directors for their time, leadership, and commitment to our students, staff, and community.
School board service is a big responsibility—often behind the scenes—and their work helps ensure our schools are strong, stable, and well-supported. Their duties include:
✅ Hiring and evaluating the Superintendent
✅ Approving the district’s annual budget
✅ Authorizing public bids and major expenditures
✅ Making decisions on property acquisition or sale
✅ Approving collectively bargained agreements
✅ Adopting core curriculum
It’s also important to recognize how school board governance works: individual board members have authority only when acting together as a board in legally held meetings, and district business is conducted in open public meetings (with limited exceptions for property or personnel matters). In short, the board’s role isn’t to manage day-to-day operations—it’s to ensure our schools are managed well.
Thank you, Board of Directors, for your service and dedication to Deer Park schools! 💙📚
Learn more about the Board of Districtors here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/board-of-directors
#SchoolBoardDirectorsMonth #ThankYouSchoolBoard #DeerParkSchoolDistrict #PublicEducation #CommunityLeadership
📣 Community Voices Needed!
The Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) is meeting soon, and we want to hear from you. The FAC discusses large capital projects—the work that helps us plan for the future and preserve our community’s facilities and capital assets.
💬 Please join us to share your reflections, insights, and priorities. Your voice helps shape what comes next.
🗓️ Facilities Advisory Committee Meeting: January 14, 2026
🕒 Time: 6:00 pm
📍 Location: District Administration Office (N 428 Main)
Everyone is welcome—come listen, learn, and be heard. #CommunityInput #FacilitiesPlanning #FutureReady
We’re proud to recognize Austin Cohrs as Rotary Student of the Month!
Austin is a senior at Deer Park High School and is fluent in six instruments, all of which began with learning the recorder. He participates in jazz and concert band and is also enrolled in Running Start at Eastern Washington University. Austin continues to grow as a leader, setting a strong example by striving to be the best person he can be and helping make his school a better place. After High School, Austin hopes to be in a professional symphony, either playing, conducting, or possibly going into business. Congratulations, Austin, on your leadership, dedication, and achievements!
#RotaryStudentOfTheMonth #DPHS #StudentMusician
Jack and Wendy Wood graced Deer Park High School staff and students with their musical gift. Each year, they share their musical talents, creating a nice send-off for the Holiday break.
#DPHS #MusicPreformance #HolidayBreak
#NorthPole #DPHS #DECA
The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a high-wind advisory starting this evening (Tuesday) at 10 p.m. and in effect through Wednesday at 4 p.m. The NWS advisory lists SW winds from 25-45 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH for Spokane and neighboring counties. According to NWS, damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, leading to possible power outages and difficult travel.
We anticipate that some of our bus routes may be affected by road debris. Please be patient as buses may be running behind schedule for student pick-up and drop-off tomorrow. Additionally, we will be monitoring HVAC and electricity in the schools early in the morning.
Families: Please monitor your email in the morning for updates. If no communication is received from the District, please attend school as scheduled.
For information on school delays and closures: https://aptg.co/35_mMX
6-7 is a "real thing" elementary through high school! Staff, students, and the Elf had fun celebrating day 67.
Deer Park FFA also presented at Rotary and shared the many options and activities associated with FFA! Way to go, DPHS!
DPSD thanks the early risers from the transportation department for scouting the roads this morning & to the custodial, maintenance, and grounds team for ensuring our parking lots were cleared for staff and students!
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the incredible Sandy Zimmerman to the district today! From graduating from Selkirk to playing for the Zags, and making history by hitting the buzzer on American Ninja Warrior, Sandy shared her story of "Welfare to Warrior."
A National Teacher Hall of Fame inductee and author of a best-seller, "Get Out of the Car," Sandy reminds us all to DREAM BIG and TRY!
Her message to us today?
Start with belief—in yourself, or borrow it from others.
Keep the bar high and work hard every day to be the best.
Don’t blame, complain, or make excuses.
Listen to the empowering, positive voices.
Thank you, Sandy, for reminding us to keep the promises we make to ourselves and to never wait to be seen, valued, and heard.
#DPSD #WelfareToWarrior #DreamBig #SandyZimmerman #NinjaWarrior #Education
Last Friday, our High School team placed 6th in the Unified Bowling event!
Students had an awesome time and gave it their all!
This year, Deer Park had 4 lanes instead of 2, so the event is growing, and we’re thrilled to be part of it. After bowling, the students headed to Selkirk’s Pizza to hang out and socialize, with lots of laughs and fun!
#UnifiedBowl #GoStags
