Deer Park School District wishes our families and community a happy new year! We look forward to seeing you on January 5, 2026!
This past week, Mrs. Basta’s Extreme Weather and Disasters class at Home Link experienced life as weathermen, creating and presenting their own weather reports with green screen magic. Home Link students also showcased their creativity at the annual craft fair, making and selling their own amazing creations.
#DeerParkHomeLink #StudentCreativity #HandsOnLearning
#DeerParkHomeLink #StudentCreativity #HandsOnLearning
Notification from DPSD:
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
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
Some highlights from this week from HomeLink included a group of students, parents, and staff, led by Shannon Siemen, caroling after school at local businesses and homes around Deer Park.
In Mrs. Denham's "Dominos Rally" class, students learned about the various stacking techniques as they create one large combined train.
What fun!
#HomeLink #Caroling #LearningInAction
In Mrs. Denham's "Dominos Rally" class, students learned about the various stacking techniques as they create one large combined train.
What fun!
#HomeLink #Caroling #LearningInAction
Here are some highlights from Deer Park Home Link this week:
Students in Mrs. Schaefer’s Farm Class enjoyed a hands-on learning experience with a special visitor, Dottie the Silkie chicken. In Ms. Winterton’s Fiber Arts class, students used donated materials to create baby blankets for the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane.
#DeerParkHomeLink #CommunityService #FarmClass
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!
Deer Park School District wishes our students, staff, and community a Happy Thanksgiving!
Here’s a look at some fun HomeLink highlights from the past two weeks! In Mr. Sciarrio’s Ventriloquism & Puppeteering class, students practiced pronunciation without using their lips. Mrs. Nelson’s Invention Project, students designed and tested their own water-balloon launchers before the daylight ran out. And to promote our upcoming school-wide art and writing contest, students enjoyed a lunchtime showing of a reading of Turkey Trouble. Lots of creativity and hands-on learning happening here at HomeLink!
In celebration of Veterans Day, HomeLink staff and families gathered outdoors for a ceremonial flag raising, songs, and to honor all who have served. Thank you to all our veterans!
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/$1,000 LESS than they were a decade ago. To learn more about the proposed short-term capital levy costs, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025costs
The facilities advisory committee learned and recognized that the current transportation center location is fraught with issues. Limited road access (one-way, potentially unstable bridge), inability to add on to the septic system, right-of-way concerns, and an undersized lot all led to the unanimous conclusion that it needs to be relocated to a more safe and central
site. Learn more about the project here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/transproject
site. Learn more about the project here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/transproject
Some highlights from the last week at Home Link include Mrs. Schneider's students expressing their creativity in painting their favorite scene of The Secret Garden, which they've been reading together in class.
Meanwhile, in Mrs. Pendergrass's STEM Challenge class, these students engineered pillars out of printer paper strong enough to hold up 20 chemistry textbooks! What an impressive feat!
#HomeLink #WeeklyHighlights
Meanwhile, in Mrs. Pendergrass's STEM Challenge class, these students engineered pillars out of printer paper strong enough to hold up 20 chemistry textbooks! What an impressive feat!
#HomeLink #WeeklyHighlights
Did you know that when voters approve a District measure, they are voting for a specific dollar ($) 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
