Deer Park School District wishes our families and community a happy new year! We look forward to seeing you on January 5, 2026!
3 days ago, DPSD
Deer Park Middle School has been full of fun and excitement these last days of school! Here are some highlights from Ugly Sweater Day and the Christmas Band Concert, which wrapped up our holiday celebrations.
#DPMS #ChristmasCelebreation #Concert
16 days ago, DPSD
Deer Park Middle School students got the opportunity this week to earn a trip to the Spokane Valley Mall for strong academics and positive behavior. These students maintained all C's or higher, no tardies, and no referrals for a quarter, which earned them a Plus Card. A Plus Card entitles the holder to a myriad of special responsibilities and privileges. Students who got to go on this field trip had to have a Plus Card, Spike Bucks to enter the drawing, and/or have a friend who had been drawn (as each drawing winner got to bring a friend). These hard-working students got to spend the day at the mall, shopping and having fun!
#DeerParkMiddleSchool #PositiveBehavior #StudentRewards
16 days ago, DPSD
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 19 days ago, DPSD
Middle School Spirit Week highlights! Lots of fun, excitement, and school spirit to wrap up the last few days of school before the new year.
#SpiritWeek #DPMS
19 days ago, DPSD
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!
about 1 month ago, DPSD
Deer Park School District wishes our students, staff, and community a Happy Thanksgiving!
about 1 month ago, DPSD
Last week, both our Elementary and Middle School students came together in their Veterans Day Assemblies to celebrate and honor our nation’s heroes! With songs, presentations, and performances, our students shared their appreciation for our veterans and reflected on the values of courage, service, and community. We are proud of our students for demonstrating their school spirit and respect in such a meaningful way.
about 2 months ago, DPSD
Remember to vote! Ballots are due November 4.
2 months ago, DPSD
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/Assessor2 months ago, DPSD
Remember to vote!
2 months ago, DPSD
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 2 months ago, DPSD
Did you know that the total value of Deer Park's buses equates to approximately $4.5 million? By providing a transportation facility that can be paved, is located in town, and provides for more space, it will allow:
- the buses to be better protected from vandalism and theft (preserving our assets and employee safety)
- eliminate potholes, standing water, and ice (preserving our assets and employee safety)
- allow the mechanics to complete maintenance within the transportation facility (currently no bus lift, so some services need to be outsourced)
- close distance to schools for easier accessibility by the community and families
2 months ago, DPSD
Did you know that Deer Park's local education tax rates have fallen sharply over recent years due to the significant growth in our community? Levies ask for a specific dollar ($) 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/$1,000 LESS than they were a decade ago. To learn more about the proposed short-term capital levy costs, click here:
https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025costs2 months ago, DPSD
The facilities advisory committee learned and recognized that the current transportation center location is fraught with issues. Limited road access (one-way, potentially unstable bridge), inability to add on to the septic system, right-of-way concerns, and an undersized lot all led to the unanimous conclusion that it needs to be relocated to a more safe and central
site. Learn more about the project here:
https://www.dpsd.org/page/transproject3 months ago, DPSD
Did you know that when voters approve a District measure, they are voting for a specific dollar ($) 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.
3 months ago, DPSD
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/levy20253 months ago, DPSD
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
3 months ago, DPSD
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.
3 months ago, DPSD
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 3 months ago, DPSD
