Our High School girls' basketball team was featured in The Spokesman-Review. See the article here - https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/dec/11/2025-26-winter-sports-preview-deer-park-girls-bask/
6-7 is a "real thing" elementary through high school! Staff, students, and the Elf had fun celebrating day 67.
Deer Park Rotary was proud to recognize our Student of the Month, Connor Hallgarth, from Deer Park FFA at today’s meeting! 🙌 With 4 years in FFA, he’s built a custom aluminum fuel tank for his truck in the shop, earned his FFA State Degree and is already working toward his American Degree. When he’s not active in FFA or the trapshooting club, you’ll find him running equipment in the hay fields—baling, stacking, and delivering. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in diesel mechanics. 🚜🔧👏
Deer Park FFA also presented at Rotary and shared the many options and activities associated with FFA! Way to go, DPHS!
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!
🏀Welcome to DPSD, Sandy Zimmerman! 🏀
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
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
Deer Park School District wishes our students, staff, and community a Happy Thanksgiving!
Our High School's Honors World History class recently visited the MAC to explore the Raven and the Box of Daylight exhibit and the Native Plateau Tribes gallery. Students got a close-up look at Indigenous art, stories, and cultural history, from glass sculptures to traditional artifacts. What an engaging, educational experience to bring the classroom studies to life!
We are proud to recognize Chris Heath as our Deer Park Rotary Student of the Month! Chris believes the community has the power to make a difference and consistently shows his appreciation for teachers, friends, and family. As a mentor, he enjoys guiding others and being a positive role model for fellow students.
Kindness and doing the right thing are at the heart of everything Chris does. Outside of school, Chris channels his creativity through photography, drawing, and a love of music, capturing the beauty in the world around him.
Congratulations, Chris, on being a shining example of character and community spirit!
Kindness and doing the right thing are at the heart of everything Chris does. Outside of school, Chris channels his creativity through photography, drawing, and a love of music, capturing the beauty in the world around him.
Congratulations, Chris, on being a shining example of character and community spirit!
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/$1,000 LESS than they were a decade ago. To learn more about the proposed short-term capital levy costs, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025costs
The facilities advisory committee learned and recognized that the current transportation center location is fraught with issues. Limited road access (one-way, potentially unstable bridge), inability to add on to the septic system, right-of-way concerns, and an undersized lot all led to the unanimous conclusion that it needs to be relocated to a more safe and central
site. Learn more about the project here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/transproject
site. Learn more about the project here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/transproject
The DPHS student advisory council learned about the City of Deer Park's Parks & Recreation Task Force and planning. Students had the opportunity to participate in the P&R survey.
Students also shared what they appreciated most about their teachers:
"Teachers who treat students like adults."
"When teachers view students as a person because they want to, not just because it's their job."
"When teachers make it clear that they want everyone to be comfortable, succeed, and are willing to work with students to make it happen."
"Teachers who make us laugh and make class fun."
Students also shared what they appreciated most about their teachers:
"Teachers who treat students like adults."
"When teachers view students as a person because they want to, not just because it's their job."
"When teachers make it clear that they want everyone to be comfortable, succeed, and are willing to work with students to make it happen."
"Teachers who make us laugh and make class fun."
Did you know that when voters approve a District measure, they are voting for a specific dollar ($) 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.
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
