The Deer Park School District Board of Directors is seeking to fill an open position. Residents of the school district may apply to fill the unexpired term ending December 2027. Applicants interested in serving must reside in the Deer Park School District #414. The Deer Park School District map is available on the website: www.dpsd.org.
The vacancy on the five-member board will be filled through an application and selection process per Washington State Law. The remaining School Board members will review materials and will conduct an interview with the applicants in an open public meeting. All citizens are invited to nominate candidates for the position, provided that the nominees will be eligible registered voters who reside in the Director district. Deer Park residents who are interested in the vacant seat must submit a letter of interest and resume to: Alexa Allman, alexa.allman@dpsdmail.org or 509-464-5507. Applications are due by July 15, 2026, at 4:00 pm.
A letter of interest must include answers to the following questions:
1. What experiences, talents, skills, and/or knowledge do you bring to the School Board that you would like to highlight?
2. Given what you know of the community of Deer Park and the Deer Park School District, what do you believe one or two of the Board’s primary priorities should be for the next couple of years?
Materials should be delivered to:
Alexa Allman
Deer Park School District
PO Box 490
Deer Park, WA 99006
For more information or to verify your residency in the Deer Park School District, please contact Joanne Greer, joanne.greer@dpsdmail.org or 509-464-5517.
The vacancy on the five-member board will be filled through an application and selection process per Washington State Law. The remaining School Board members will review materials and will conduct an interview with the applicants in an open public meeting. All citizens are invited to nominate candidates for the position, provided that the nominees will be eligible registered voters who reside in the Director district. Deer Park residents who are interested in the vacant seat must submit a letter of interest and resume to: Alexa Allman, alexa.allman@dpsdmail.org or 509-464-5507. Applications are due by July 15, 2026, at 4:00 pm.
A letter of interest must include answers to the following questions:
1. What experiences, talents, skills, and/or knowledge do you bring to the School Board that you would like to highlight?
2. Given what you know of the community of Deer Park and the Deer Park School District, what do you believe one or two of the Board’s primary priorities should be for the next couple of years?
Materials should be delivered to:
Alexa Allman
Deer Park School District
PO Box 490
Deer Park, WA 99006
For more information or to verify your residency in the Deer Park School District, please contact Joanne Greer, joanne.greer@dpsdmail.org or 509-464-5517.
Rain couldn’t dampen DPE's spirit for field day! 🌧️❌
Even with a little wet weather, Field Day 2026 was an absolute blast! From the classic parachute in the gym and high-energy indoor bowling to epic tug-o-war battles and rock climbing, our students brought the energy. We even braved the elements for some messy outdoor water games before cooling off with popsicles inside! 🍧✨
Huge shoutout to our amazing staff and volunteers for pivoting so fast and making today unforgettable. Our kids definitely proved that a little rain just makes the memories sweeter!
#FieldDay #ElementarySchool #SchoolSpirit #RainOrShine #MakingMemories #BestDayEver
Even with a little wet weather, Field Day 2026 was an absolute blast! From the classic parachute in the gym and high-energy indoor bowling to epic tug-o-war battles and rock climbing, our students brought the energy. We even braved the elements for some messy outdoor water games before cooling off with popsicles inside! 🍧✨
Huge shoutout to our amazing staff and volunteers for pivoting so fast and making today unforgettable. Our kids definitely proved that a little rain just makes the memories sweeter!
#FieldDay #ElementarySchool #SchoolSpirit #RainOrShine #MakingMemories #BestDayEver
Summer is here! The last day of school is this Wednesday, June 10th!
Pickup times vary with each school -
Elementary & Arcadia: 10:30 AM | Middle & High School: 10:10 AM
Bus pickup to follow shortly.
The first day of school for the 2026 - 27 school year is August 26th.
Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe summer break. See you back in August!
Pickup times vary with each school -
Elementary & Arcadia: 10:30 AM | Middle & High School: 10:10 AM
Bus pickup to follow shortly.
The first day of school for the 2026 - 27 school year is August 26th.
Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe summer break. See you back in August!
Students at Deer Park Elementary earned a Bubble Party as a school-wide PBIS reward! Everyone had so much fun, students and staff included. Many thanks to PTO for providing the sno-cones! What a great day!
Deer Park Preschool’s new playground is officially open!
After a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony today, staff had the chance to test it out and have some fun before the preschoolers, who will get to enjoy it starting Monday.
What an exciting addition for our students and school community!
#DeerParkSchools #ECEAP #NewPlayground
After a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony today, staff had the chance to test it out and have some fun before the preschoolers, who will get to enjoy it starting Monday.
What an exciting addition for our students and school community!
#DeerParkSchools #ECEAP #NewPlayground
Many thanks to Deer Park Elementary School's PTO for hosting a fun Donuts with Grownups event! We love that our community gathers at the school for children!
Our kindergarten classrooms have been full of excitement lately. Students have been studying the development and life cycle of chickens, and this week, the lesson came to life as 6 baby chicks successfully hatched.
This hands-on experience provides a great front-row seat to the wonders of biology. How cool is it that our students get to witness this firsthand?!
#DeerParkElementary #LifeCycle #BabyChicks
This hands-on experience provides a great front-row seat to the wonders of biology. How cool is it that our students get to witness this firsthand?!
#DeerParkElementary #LifeCycle #BabyChicks
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.
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.
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
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
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
#FamilyEngagement #DeerParkElementary #SpringIntoReading
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
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
Deer Park Schools are very fortunate to have assistant principals at our schools to support our children! This is made possible becuase our community supported our EP&O (Educational Programs and Operations Levy). Through this support, our local funds allow the District to provide support for students beyond the basic state allocation (which funds "basic education"). Ms. Maxfield received a 'shout out' from a staff member who recognizes her hard work, "she really shines when things get in a pinch. [She] jumps right in full speed ahead !! Not only does Haley continue to have an open door to anyone who needs to talk, but she handles students who need breaks, parents who need updates, handles pre-school calls, greets everyone that she sees with a smile and a hello, and still takes time to visit with all." Thank you, Ms. Maxfield, for your dedication and support of our children. DPSD would also like to thank the Deer Park community for your ongoing support of our schools - the funding for educational programs and operations beyond the state's allocation is made possible by your ongoing support of our levy.
Friendship/Valentine’s Day = KINDNESS day at our schools! 💘Students across the District celebrated and had so much fun! Shoutout to our students for encouraging others, including everyone, and spreading joy with thoughtful notes and helping hands. 🌟
Staff and students at Deer Park Elementary School had a fun and exciting Friday! Not only did they celebrate the 100th day of school (do you recognize the staff and students?), but they also celebrated students who demonstrated kindness. February is the month for showing kindness across the District. Way to go, Rangers!
Staff shout-out to our amazing recess supervisors from Arcadia and DPE! Anita, Jessica, and Carly (Arcadia), along with Hannah, Misti, Kristina (TLC), Ashley, Bella, Lizzy (kitchen), Kelcy, and Wendy (DPE), show up every day, rain, snow, or shine.
They keep our kiddos safe, smiling, and cared for by listening to stories, tying their shoes, and sharing hugs and laughter. Thank you for all you do to help create a space of belonging. We appreciate you!
#DPSD #Elementary #Arcadia #RecessSupervisors
Yesterday, our Elementary School teachers spent their evening diving into the Science of Reading. Their dedication shows how we keep learning at the center of what we do, inspiring excellence in our day-to-day.
#DPE #ScienceOfReading #TeacherLearning
#DPE #ScienceOfReading #TeacherLearning
Happy School Board Directors Month! 🎉
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
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
Did you know that Deer Park School District has a Strategic Plan that identifies top priorities? The strategic plan was created in collaboration with teachers, paraeducators, administrators, school board members, and community members. The team analyzed surveys, academic data, and current progress. These priorities guide the District's focus to ensure all students belong, learn, and we inspire excellence. To read the full strategic plan: https://aptg.co/0Sdh0Z.
Deer Park School District wishes our families and community a happy new year! We look forward to seeing you on January 5, 2026!
