Richland School District

03/17/2026

We are proud to celebrate Brian Sites, College and Career Specialist at Hanford High School, who has been recognized by the Washington School Counselor Association (WSCA) as the College and Career Counselor of the Year!

This statewide honor recognizes staff who demonstrate exceptional leadership in connecting college and career readiness with students’ academic and social-emotional development. Brian’s impact is felt every single day.

At Hanford, Brian builds meaningful relationships with students through simple, consistent acts of care, whether it’s his daily “Question of the Day,” offering support in the Career Center, or taking time to truly understand each student’s goals and aspirations.

He leads major initiatives that shape students’ futures, including:
• A schoolwide Career Day that brings community partners to campus
• Oversight of Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs
• Falcon Flight Day, ensuring every senior meets one-on-one with a mentor to plan for life after graduation

Brian’s work is not only comprehensive, it’s deeply personal. When one student earned a full-tuition scholarship but couldn’t afford room and board, Brian stepped in, worked directly with the university, and secured additional funding, turning it into a full ride and changing the course of her future.

Always positive, approachable, and student-centered, Brian exemplifies what it means to serve with heart. His leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment to student success make a lasting difference for the Hanford community and beyond.

Join us in congratulating Brian on this well-deserved recognition.

03/16/2026

Student artists from Richland and Hanford high schools as well as Three Rivers HomeLink showcased their creative talent at the annual Educational Service District 123 Regional High School Art Exhibition.

Eleven students were honored for their artistic abilities, and seven qualified for the Washington State Superintendent’s High School Art Show later this spring.

Congratulations to all the talented high school artists who participated and poured their creativity into their artwork! Your passion and dedication truly shine through in every piece.

We are excited to announce the Judge’s Choice Award recipients for the 2026 ESD 123 Regional High School Art Show:

- Amaya Shaklee (Richland High School) – "Me and Mochi"
- Marcella Mendoza (Richland High School) – "Miss America"
- Reese Mosey (Hanford High School) – "Ring #1"
- Charlotte Amaya (Richland High School) – "Friendship"
- Mia Warner (Richland High School) – "Where the Color Goes to Smile"
- Brody Cortina (Hanford High School) – "Borrowed Time, Overdue"
- Olesia Tverdokhlib (Richland High School) – "Impermanence"

Judge's Choice winners are eligible to advance to the OSPI Superintendent’s High School Art Show, where they will compete against the best young artists from across Washington State.

We also want to recognize our Honorable Mention recipients, selected by the judges:

- Charlotte Amaya (Richland High School) – "Daze"
- Keira Blair (Three Rivers HomeLink) – "Monachopsis"

Additionally, we are pleased to announce our scholarship recipients, each of whom will receive between $2,000-1,000 scholarships from Central Washington University:

- Amaya Shaklee (Richland High School) – "Me and Mochi"
- Mia Warner (Richland High School) – "Where the Color Goes to Smile"
- Harper Linn (Hanford High School) – "Eve3"
- Drake Richards (Richland High School) – "Plague Doctor"

Superintendent Dr. Shelley Redinger chose Briar Best's (Hanford High School) artwork "Cat and Cloth" as her Superintendent's Choice Award.

03/16/2026

RISE Award Spotlight – Recognizing Innovation, Service, and Excellence in the RSD

Please join us in celebrating Jane Toth, Fiscal Analyst in our Special Education Department, a truly deserving RISE Award recipient!

Jane exemplifies Innovation, Service, and Excellence through her unwavering dedication to supporting the Special Education Department and the many staff members who rely on her expertise every day.

As the longest-standing member of the department, Jane serves as a steady compass and trusted resource. She began her career as the Lead Secretary and now serves as Fiscal Analyst, continually expanding her knowledge and skills to meet the evolving needs of the department.

Jane’s service is evident in the way she supports staff at every level. Whether she’s answering questions, helping navigate complex fiscal processes, or guiding colleagues through budgeting, records management, and compliance requirements, Jane is always ready to help. Her deep knowledge provides valuable context and helps ensure thoughtful, informed decision-making.

Her innovation shows in how she proactively strengthens systems and supports others. Jane has trained numerous new staff members, not only in technical budget processes but also in how the broader work of special education operations functions. She anticipates needs, identifies opportunities for improvement, and helps streamline processes so others can succeed in their roles.

Jane also demonstrates excellence through the care, professionalism, and integrity she brings to every interaction. Her work behind the scenes ensures the department runs smoothly, and many colleagues describe her as a moral compass within the team.

Though much of her work happens quietly, Jane’s impact is profound. Her dedication strengthens the department and ultimately supports the students and families we serve.

Thank you, Jane, for the incredible difference you make in the Richland School District every day!

The RISE Award, sponsored by Gesa Credit Union, honors RSD staff members who exemplify Innovation, Service, and Excellence.

Pictured left to right: Dr. Redinger, Jane Toth, and Zac Carpenter (Executive Director of Special Education).

03/13/2026

Is your child entering kindergarten in the 2026–2027 school year? Consider the Dual Language Program at Tapteal Elementary, where students learn in both English and Spanish every day!

In this program, students spend half of their learning time in English and half in Spanish, helping them develop strong bilingual skills while achieving high academic outcomes. The program is open to students from Spanish-speaking households and students from non-Spanish-speaking households who are committed to learning Spanish as a second language.

Important Dates:

- Lottery sign-up: March 11 – August 8, 2026
- Information Night: May 20 at 6:00 PM at Tapteal Elementary (705 N 62nd Ave., West Richland). Information will be presented in English and Spanish.

Classes are filled through a lottery system. Students living in the Tapteal attendance boundary receive priority.

To apply for the lottery, visit https://bit.ly/3P0oZWg.

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¿Su hijo/a ingresará al kínder en el año escolar 2026-2027? ¡Considere el Programa de Lenguaje Dual de la Escuela Primaria Tapteal, donde los estudiantes aprenden en inglés y español todos los días!

En este programa, los estudiantes pasan la mitad de su tiempo de aprendizaje en inglés y la otra mitad en español, lo que les ayuda a desarrollar sólidas habilidades bilingües y a alcanzar altos resultados académicos. El programa está abierto a estudiantes de hogares hispanohablantes y de hogares no hispanohablantes que estén comprometidos con el aprendizaje del español como segundo idioma.

Fechas importantes:

- Inscripción al sorteo: 11 de marzo - 8 de agosto de 2026
- Noche informativa: 20 de mayo a las 6:00 p. m. en la Escuela Primaria Tapteal (705 N 62nd Ave., West Richland). La información se presentará en inglés y español.

Las clases se llenan mediante un sistema de sorteo. Los estudiantes que viven en el área de asistencia de Tapteal tienen prioridad.

Para solicitar el sorteo, visite https://bit.ly/3P0oZWg.

03/12/2026

Carmichael Middle School students and staff enjoyed a fun “Drop Everything and Read” activity last week as part of their Read Across America celebration.

03/11/2026

Stop by the Richland Public Library and check out some amazing artwork by our high school students (as well as other area high schools)!

The 2026 Regional High School Art Show is officially open!

Now on display at its new home inside the Richland Public Library, this year’s exhibit features more than 250 incredible works of art created by talented high school students from 13 schools across Finley, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and Walla Walla.

Coordinated by Educational Service District 123, the show runs March 3-12 and is open to the public during library lobby hours - we invite our community to stop by and be inspired by the creativity of our region’s students.

🏆 Awards will be presented during a public ceremony on Thursday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the Richland High School cafeteria. Join us beforehand for an Artists’ Open House from 4-5:15 p.m. at the library to celebrate these outstanding young artists.

Fifteen Judges Choice winners, 10 Honorable Mentions, and six Superintendent’s Choice awards will be recognized, and selected students will receive scholarships from Central Washington University. Judges Choice recipients will also advance to represent our region at the State Superintendent’s Art Show this spring in Olympia.

We are proud to celebrate the talent, creativity and future of Southeastern Washington. 🎨💛

Click this link to learn more - https://www.esd123.org/about/news/recent/2026_regional_hs_art_show

03/11/2026

Celebrating Our National Merit Finalists!

Richland School District is proud to recognize four outstanding students who have been named National Merit Finalists, an incredible academic achievement that places them among the top high school seniors in the nation.

This year's finalists are:
From Richland High School - Dylan Trigg, Cameron Hornell, and Victor Petyuk
From Hanford High School - Emma Yuan

Becoming a National Merit Finalist requires years of dedication and academic excellence. Students first qualify through their exceptional performance on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), placing them among the highest scorers in their state. From there, semifinalists must complete a rigorous application process that includes submitting academic records, demonstrating a strong record of leadership and service, earning a recommendation from their school, and confirming high SAT or ACT scores.

Finalists now move on to the last stage of the program, where they are eligible to compete for National Merit Scholarships sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, colleges and universities, and corporate partners. Scholarship recipients will begin to be announced later this spring.

Please join us in congratulating these four remarkable students for their hard work and well-deserved recognition!

03/10/2026

Last week, Richland High School AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) seniors joined Badger Mountain Elementary to celebrate Read Across America Day. The seniors spent time reading their favorite books with classrooms and connecting with students throughout the school.

The seniors also joined students during specials and recess, creating even more opportunities to interact, laugh, and build connections. They did a great job stepping into the role of mentors and role models.

We are incredibly proud of these Bomber AVID seniors for the kindness, leadership, and positive example they shared with our younger students. Thank you to Badger Mountain Elementary for welcoming them and creating such a meaningful opportunity to connect!

03/09/2026

CHAMPS!

Richland School District is proud to celebrate two incredible state champions from Richland High School who made history this winter season.

The Richland High School Boys Basketball team captured the 4A State Championship, defeating Gonzaga Prep 63–49 in the title game at the Tacoma Dome. The Bombers finished an extraordinary season undefeated at 28–0, setting multiple school and Mid-Columbia Conference records along the way. The championship marks Richland’s first state boys basketball title since 1979. Congratulations to the players and coaches on an unforgettable season!

We also celebrate Savannah Thorpe, who was crowned the 4A Girls Wrestling 115 lb. State Champion. Savannah is the first individual girls wrestling state champion in Richland High School history. A senior and three-year leader of the Bomber Girls Wrestling program, Savannah has served as team captain and has set the standard both on and off the mat.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding student-athletes and coaches for their dedication, leadership, and championship performances. Go Bombers!

03/09/2026

We want to hear from you!

The Richland School District is beginning a Long-Range Facilities Planning process to help guide future investments in our schools, and community input is an important part of that work.

As part of this effort, we are inviting parents, staff, students, and community members to complete a short anonymous survey to share their thoughts on district facility priorities.

Your feedback will help inform the work of the Community Facilities Task Force, a group of community representatives who will review facility needs, enrollment trends, and long-term planning strategies before providing recommendations to district leadership and the School Board.

The survey closes March 27, 2026.

To complete the survey, visit: www.rsd.edu/district/facilities-planning/survey

To learn more about the Facilities Planning process and to apply to join the Community Facilities Task Force, visit: www.rsd.edu/district/facilities-planning

03/09/2026

We are celebrating our amazing Education Support Professionals March 9-13!

Education support professionals are involved in nearly every aspect of education, including maintaining buildings and grounds, preparing and serving meals and keeping school facilities clean and orderly. They assist in the classroom and provide instructional hours to students with special education needs and those learning English as a second language. Education Support Professionals also provide administrative support functions, safe transportation, and many other specialized services that help our students learn in safe and supportive environments.

Education support professionals are crucial partners with teachers, parents, and administrators by ensuring our schools have the resources and support needed to make each day count for kids. If you see them around our schools, be sure to thank them for all they do!

03/07/2026

Reminder: Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend, so set your clocks ahead one hour before you head to bed Saturday night. Longer days and brighter evenings are just around the corner!