Garfield Elementary School

Great night for McDonalds! Come get some food at the 16th and Lincoln location to support Garfield Elementary. A portion pf the sales will be donated to our school!!

🏫 As part of the proposed April 28, 2026 bond, Garfield Elementary is identified for replacement.

🛠️ Like many older facilities, the current building presents challenges:
• Limited office and entry space can create congestion during busy times
• Open and shared learning areas can make it more difficult to support small-group instruction
• Some classrooms and programs have been adapted into spaces not originally designed for learning
• Limited storage and narrow hallways impact daily operations
• Aging infrastructure, including plumbing and playground surfaces, requires ongoing maintenance

🏗️ As part of the proposed bond, Garfield is identified for replacement to better align with current school design standards, improve functionality, and support student learning.

🔗 Learn more: ysd7.org/bond

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM2seicf2j8

Yakima School District YouTube 1 like. "Tour of Garfield Elementary"

🏫 Garfield Elementary has been part of the Yakima community since 1966, serving generations of students and families.

✨ As learning environments and student needs have evolved, the proposed bond includes replacing Garfield with a modern facility designed to better support today’s students. This would include updated classrooms, dedicated spaces for small-group learning, and improved technology and electrical systems.

🔒 A new building would also support student safety with a single-point-of-entry, improve campus visibility, and include energy-efficient heating and cooling.

🌳 Outdoor learning and play spaces would be designed to be accessible for all students.

🛠️ Garfield was identified for replacement nearly 20 years ago. While updates have been made over time, the current building is now beyond its expected lifespan and increasingly difficult to maintain.

🔗 Learn more: ysd7.org/bond

Earlier this month, Garfield Elementary transformed its gym into a lively celebration 🎉 of reading 📚, creativity 🎨, and community during its Dr. Seuss Literacy Night 🎩. Families gathered for an evening filled with fun, connection, and a shared love of books 📖.

Staff and students embraced the spirit of the event by dressing as beloved Dr. Seuss characters, helping create a colorful 🌈 and welcoming atmosphere. Families enjoyed a variety of activities 🎲, from reading stories together 📖 to participating in hands-on crafts like face painting 🎨.

The event also gave families time to simply enjoy being together. A special highlight of the evening was ensuring that every kindergarten through second grade student received a Dr. Seuss book to take home 🏠, encouraging continued reading 📖 long after the event ended.

Garfield Elementary’s Literacy Night showcased the powerful connection between school 🏫 and home 🏡. By bringing families together 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 in a joyful 😊, engaging environment 🎉, the event reinforced the importance of literacy 📚 and encouraged families to read together, and often 🔁. A special thank you to Garfield’s Library Media Specialist, Evangelina Cunningham, who organized this impactful event. ❤️

Read more stories at ysd7.org/ysdstories 📖

Garfield Elementary is proud to host the upcoming YAMA Muestra performances in our gym!

Students from across Yakima School District who participate in YAMA orchestras will take the stage right here at Garfield:

🎻 Preludio and Chamber
📅 March 3 at 4:45 PM

🎶 Combo and Philharmonia
📅 March 5 at 4:45 PM

📍 Garfield Elementary School Gym
612 N 6th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902

We’re excited to welcome families and community members into our school to support these talented student musicians. Come enjoy an evening of music and see the incredible work students from across the district have been preparing.

Want to see what the YAMA orchestras are working on? Join us at our Muestra!
Preludio and Chamber on March 3 🙌🏽
Combo and Philharmonia on March 5 ✨
Come by the Garfield gym!
612 N 6th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902
A parent meeting will be happening after the performances for important updates

🚒 Yakima Fire Department Team Visits Garfield Elementary School!

Excitement filled the halls of Garfield Elementary School as the Yakima Fire Department brought fire safety education directly to second grade classrooms! 👨‍🚒 Officer Stilley and his dedicated team spent the morning of October 20 teaching students how to respond should they ever have a fire occur in their homes. 🏠

The hour-long visit was packed with interactive learning opportunities, as the firefighters used specially designed materials from the YFD to help young minds understand the importance of fire safety. From learning how to call 911 📞, our students absorbed crucial information that could one day save lives. 💪

The highlight of the morning? A real fire truck parked right on Jerome Avenue! 🚨🚒 Students had the unique opportunity to explore the vehicle up close, asking questions and discovering the various tools and equipment firefighters use to keep our community safe. 🛠️👀

We extend our thanks to Officer Stilley and the entire Yakima Fire Department team for their commitment to educating our Yakima School District Youth. ❤️ These visits not only teach critical safety skills but also help build positive relationships between our students and the community.

Read more stories at ysd7.org/ysdstories 📖

YAMA presented to our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students today! YAMA is currently recruiting 3rd, 4th and 5th graders for this year’s orchestra program. If you are interested, you can attend one of the registration nights next week on Monday or Tuesday. Fliers will go home today.

3rd Grade students in Mrs. Morales’ class are working hard in their Spanish reading class. They are reading about Aladdin!

🏫 Garfield Elementary School staff went out in the community on Wednesday, August 20, for their annual day of home visits, personally welcoming all students and families as they prepare for the start of the school year on August 27 📅.

⏰ Starting around 10:00 a.m., teachers and staff traveled in teams to greet families at their doorsteps 🚪, providing key school materials 📂✏️ and offering a warm introduction ahead of the new year. Each family received a folder that included a parent-student handbook, and Garfield swag 🐾 including a ROAR bracelet, a school magnet 🧲, and a personalized calendar 🗓️.

💬 "This event is all about building connections," said Garfield Elementary Principal Steve Brownlow. "For many of our students, seeing their teacher show up at their home sends a powerful message—that school is a welcoming place where they are seen and valued."

The visits were designed to be short, two to five minutes each, but meaningful 💡. Families were encouraged to connect with staff, ask questions, and know that support was only a call 📞 away.

Local businesses also showed their support by providing lunches for Garfield staff during the day. Participating restaurants included Major's Restaurant, JJ's Birrieria and Antojitos, Ay Caramba, Anita's, and Sweet Bees 🍔🌮🍩.

"This is one of Garfield's most special traditions," said Assistant Principal Michele Qualo. "It's a chance for our staff to meet families where they are, strengthen relationships, and start the year with trust and partnership."

☕🍩 The Garfield Booster Club also supported the effort by providing coffee and donuts for staff as they assembled in the morning. The annual home visits reinforced Garfield Elementary's commitment to family engagement and student success.

Read more stories at ysd7.org/ysdstories 📖

Special thanks to Jessica and Garfield Booster Club for helping us organize school supplies!