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
Did you wonder why the facilities committee recommended a short-term levy instead of a bond? The smaller scope of the projects is far better suited for a capital levy. Unlike a bond that assumes longer-term debt to address larger-scale projects like new schools, a capital levy is a common way Washington schools fund smaller-scale projects like those being proposed. To learn more about the short-term capital levy, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025
Arcadia’s third graders had a blast learning about sustainability with Waste Management. Through fun, hands-on activities and visuals, they explored what it means to Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. What fun!
#DPArcadia #Sustainability #WasteManagement
#DPArcadia #Sustainability #WasteManagement
Arcadia students laced up for their annual Dash for Cash fundraiser on Friday, proudly hosted by the PTCA! Students collected donations to support their school, then celebrated their efforts by running and walking in the Dash for Cash event.
Congratulations to Mr. Seagreave’s 5th graders, the top-earning class overall—they enjoyed the well-earned reward of spraying Assistant Principal Mrs. Link with silly string!
Grade-level champions also included Mrs. Emtman’s 3rd graders and Ms. Conroy’s 4th graders, who each made an impressive showing in their fundraising efforts. Way to go Arcadia!
Congratulations to Mr. Seagreave’s 5th graders, the top-earning class overall—they enjoyed the well-earned reward of spraying Assistant Principal Mrs. Link with silly string!
Grade-level champions also included Mrs. Emtman’s 3rd graders and Ms. Conroy’s 4th graders, who each made an impressive showing in their fundraising efforts. Way to go Arcadia!
Did you know that the DP Transportation facility is surrounded on all sides by a train track, Spring Creek, and wetlands? This prohibits the current Transportation facility from being expanded. Currently, the facility parks 36 buses, contains a 6-bay garage, and a covered carport for 4 SUVs. There are about 35 employees who also need to park their vehicles (and share 2 bathrooms). This is all contained in an area that is less than 2 acres. The District is asking the community to consider relocating and rebuilding the transportation facility.
Did you know that by purchasing the 42-acre parcel from the city, and developing the road and associated infrastructure, this ensures Deer Park will have the necessary space to address current and projected facility and program
needs as we are planning for the future? Learn more about the project here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/landproject
needs as we are planning for the future? Learn more about the project here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/landproject
The short-term capital levy will address many preservation projects at Arcadia Elementary, including replacing the 30-yr old roof, 30-yr old gym HVAC units, 30-yr-old flooring, and installation of safety fencing. To learn more about the proposed Arcadia improvements, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/arcadiaproject
Some highlights from this past Friday's Homecoming!
Our Arcadia students joined the High School for Spirit Day, showing off their blue and gold loud and proud! We've got spirit, yes we do!
#SpiritDay #BlueAndGold #DeerParkProud
Our Arcadia students joined the High School for Spirit Day, showing off their blue and gold loud and proud! We've got spirit, yes we do!
#SpiritDay #BlueAndGold #DeerParkProud
Mrs. Spillane's fourth graders are exploring place value by rolling dice to create five-digit numbers. Then, they’re practicing adding and subtracting hundreds, thousands, and ten-thousands, making learning place values hands-on and fun. A simple way to help make math stick!
#DPSD #MathFun #HandsOnLearning #FourthGrade
Did you know that the Deer Park School District has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by not asking the community to support additional capital projects financially? The last capital project measure that the community financially supported was the high school bond (which will be paid off this December). The following projects have been accomplished by the District recently through demonstrating fiscal responsibility and savings and WITHOUT asking the community for additional funds: Varsity softball field, Bleachers and pressbox, DPE roof, safety vestibules at all of the schools, DPMS addition, Clayton kitchen, Clayton storage unit, paving, & fence, laptops for students, DPE chiller lines replacement, Security cameras installed, Arcadia, ECEAP & DPE, Home Link/Administration exterior paint, High school soffit paint, Home Link bathroom addition/Admin conference room, High school irrigation pump/smart meter, High school stadium fencing, Bus garage parking lot grading and dust control, Bus garage drivers' room remodel and admin office construction. All of these projects have been accomplished while working diligently to provide daily custodial and grounds maintenance.
Did you know that today (9/25/25) is "Perfect Square Day?"
A Perfect Square Day is a date where the month, day, and year numbers can all be represented as perfect squares (like 9, 16, 25). For example, September 16, 2025 (9/16/25) is a Perfect Square Day because 9 is 3², 16 is 4², and 2025 is 45². This particular date is also special because the square roots (3, 4, and 5) form the well-known Pythagorean triple (3² + 4² = 5²), making it a particularly noteworthy event for mathematicians.
Do you know when the next perfect square day will be?
From: Your math educators in Deer Park School District
A Perfect Square Day is a date where the month, day, and year numbers can all be represented as perfect squares (like 9, 16, 25). For example, September 16, 2025 (9/16/25) is a Perfect Square Day because 9 is 3², 16 is 4², and 2025 is 45². This particular date is also special because the square roots (3, 4, and 5) form the well-known Pythagorean triple (3² + 4² = 5²), making it a particularly noteworthy event for mathematicians.
Do you know when the next perfect square day will be?
From: Your math educators in Deer Park School District
How much will my taxes increase if the levy is passed? The short-term, 4-year capital levy is estimated to cost $1.45/$1,000 assessed value. The current bond, which will be paid off after this year, is assessed at $1.03/$1,000. If approved, tax rates would increase by $0.42/$1,000 over current levels for four years. Learn more here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025
Did you know that the district will appoint a 10-member, independent Community Levy Oversight Committee to ensure accountability and fiscal transparency throughout the duration of the levy? To learn more about the committee or if you are interested in serving, contact Dr. Allman (alexa.allman@dpsdmail.org). Click here to learn more: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levyoversight
Students in school are learning! They are learning by thinking, collaborating, and discussing math! Mrs. Easley's 5th graders demonstrate their knowledge by thinking as they explore decimal place value and multiplying/dividing by powers of ten. Way to go, 5th graders - keep up the great thinking and learning! You've got this!
Did you know that the 42-acre parcel, currently owned by the city, was identified as being the last available site within city limits that could reasonably serve to support a future school site? That’s why the Facilities Advisory Committee prioritized it in the short-term capital levy. Learn more about the project here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/landproject
Many thanks to the Spokesman Review for the article featuring, "‘Our last and best hope’: Deer Park School District asks voters for $14.5M levy to replace aging bus barn, acquire land and other projects." The Deer Park School District will be asking the community to consider a short-term capital levy (4 years) to accomplish projects including district-wide safety and security (phones, intercom, emergency alert system, fencing, etc.), new roof & HVAC system for Arcadia, purchase of the last land available in Deer Park (and completion of the road), and re-building of the transportation facility. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/sep/16/our-last-and-best-hope-deer-park-school-district-a/
🐔📚 Third grade students in Ms. Brinkley's class dove into the fun and heartwarming story, "Interrupting Chicken"! Beyond enjoying the story, they explored what it truly means to be a learner.
Students discussed how being respectful looks in the classroom and why listening is just as important as speaking. Each student reflected on their own behavior and completed a thoughtful writing assignment: “Instead of being an interrupting chicken, I will…” 📝💡
It was wonderful to see our students think critically about their actions and set goals for being even more respectful and mindful learners. 🌟
#GrowingLearners #ClassroomRespect #InterruptingChicken #MindfulLearning #StudentReflections
Students discussed how being respectful looks in the classroom and why listening is just as important as speaking. Each student reflected on their own behavior and completed a thoughtful writing assignment: “Instead of being an interrupting chicken, I will…” 📝💡
It was wonderful to see our students think critically about their actions and set goals for being even more respectful and mindful learners. 🌟
#GrowingLearners #ClassroomRespect #InterruptingChicken #MindfulLearning #StudentReflections
