Spokane Public Schools

WELL-DESERVED: Join us in celebrating a few amazing members of our staff as they embark on an exciting new journey – retirement!

We asked several retirees to reflect on their decades-long careers and experiences. Find all responses at spokaneschools.org/article/2923757.

Please give a round of applause for Shadle Park High School Spanish teacher Donelle Osborne who started working for Spokane Public Schools after student teaching at the district 33 years ago!

Q. When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?

A. I did my student teaching at Lewis and Clark High School back in the winter of 1993 and graduated from Eastern Washington University that quarter. While I was student teaching, I received a call that the district needed someone endorsed in Spanish and English to do a long-term sub for the spring.

That’s how I came to Shadle. I taught 4 English classes and 1 Spanish class. Over the following summer a position opened in English and Spanish, and I was so happy to get the job! I have been here ever since.

Q. What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?

A. I think the most rewarding part of my work is building connections with staff and students. I truly believe that personal relationships are the key to a good environment for teaching, working, learning, and growing as a person. I love those “aha” moments when my students “get” the content, but I also love the life moments when we learn from each other.

Q. What are you most looking forward to about retiring?

A. Travel, volunteering, and spending time with my grandkids!

Q. What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?

A. Your students may not remember how to conjugate a verb (or do whatever your content teaches) 10 years from now, but they WILL remember how you made them feel in your classroom and what they learned about being a good citizen. It all goes back to personal relationships and really getting to know your students.

Q. Anything else you’d like to share?

A. I have been so fortunate and blessed to work at Shadle Park High School for 33 years. I know that being in one place does not happen for everyone; I am thankful to have been a Highlander and a part of Spokane Public Schools. So many have shared my journey: my students, staff, admin, and colleagues in World Languages at the other schools in our district. It has been a wonderful ride!

WHEN IS THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL? There are only a few days of school left! Here are a few reminders to make sure you have everything squared away for a successful start to summer!

• Preschool Programs: Our littlest learners finish up this week:

- June 10: Last day of AM/PM Preschool
- June 11: Last day of PreK, SSP & CIP Preschool

PreK graduates, remember to register for kindergarten this fall at spokaneschools.org/kindergarten.

• Seniors: Our soon-to-be graduates will finish up by the end of this week to prepare to receive their diplomas. For commencement dates and livestream links, visit spokaneschools.org/graduation.

• Grades K-11: Remaining students finish school with a half-day on Tuesday, June 16. Schools will be dismissed three hours after regular start time. There will be no lunch service at schools on this day; breakfast will be served.

School buses will run on an adapted schedule according to dismissal times. Spokane Transit bus riders should visit spokanetransit.com/spsconnect to determine when to catch your bus for home.

Most end-of-year questions will be answered best by your school, but if you’re not sure who to ask, you can always reach out at spokaneschools.org/letstalk and we’ll make sure your query is directed to the right person.

And while we have your attention, remember that the first day of school next year will be Wednesday, Aug. 26! Learn more at spokaneschools.org/balancedcalendar.

CLASS OF 2026: “The world needs your talents, your perspectives, and your determination.”

With family, staff, and friends, eight Secondary Transition students celebrated their completion of Project SEARCH, an internship program in partnership with Providence Inland Northwest for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“As you move forward, remember this: Attitude matters. A positive attitude can open doors. It can build connections, and it can help you overcome obstacles,” said teacher Aaron Kagan.

Providence INW chief executive officer Susan Stacey also thanked students, parents, and mentors for their partnership. “This is important work and you are able to support us and learn along the way,” she said.

Students received awards for Perseverance, Intern of the Year and Employee of the Year before receiving their diplomas at the celebration.

See more photos of the celebration at spokaneschools.org/article/2976988.

WELL-DESERVED: Join us in celebrating a few amazing members of our staff as they embark on an exciting new journey – retirement!

We asked several retirees to reflect on their decades-long careers and experiences. We’ll be highlighting their responses as we approach the end of the school year. Find all responses at spokaneschools.org/article/2923757.

Please give a round of applause for Instructional Technology Support Center (ITSC) hardware repair specialist Chris Lougheed who has worked for Spokane Public Schools for 24 years!

Q. When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?

A. My hire date was Dec. 12, 2002. Back in the days of Palm Pilots and GroupWise and before the Cloud took over. I was hired out of North Idaho College’s tech department, where I had done a mid-life career change.

Q. What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?

A. Keeping technology up and running and knowing the impact that has on the future of the students of Spokane Public Schools. This position has forced me to exercise my grey matter to keep up with the pace of change, which was rewarding as well.

Q. What are you most looking forward to about retiring?

A. Hanging with my 1-year-old grandson Cedar James and the family as well as getting outside and upright as much as possible. We live in a beautiful part of the world.

Q. What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?

A. Stay curious. It’s essential to keep up with the rapid change of technology and society in general these days. Keep an open mind.

Q. Anything else you would like to share?

A. I would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the many hardworking staff of SPS I have worked with over the 8,570 days of my employment. I have been very fortunate to share time with so many bright and engaging co-workers here at ITSC. It’s been an honor and a pleasure.

CLASS OF 2026: On Friday, 14 seniors from The Enrichment Cooperative at Bryant celebrated the completion of their high school career with staff and loved ones.

"You’ve grown in confidence, independence, and learning more about who you are. You've learned how to ask questions, how to work through hard times, and how to keep moving forward, even when the next step wasn't always clear,” said principal SuzaNne Smith during the ceremony. “Those are skills that matter far beyond graduation. Whether your next step is college, work, training, or still figuring it out, you are all very ready. Not because you have every answer, but because you know how to learn, how to problem solve, and how to ask for support when you need it.”

This parent-partnership program also invites caregivers to the mic to share reflections on their student’s journey — accompanied by a slideshow of cute childhood photos.

Thank you to Musha Marimba for sharing their musical talents at the ceremony.

Check out more photos at spokaneschools.org/article/2971826.