Roosevelt Elementary School

🏛️ Students in Mrs. Goins' class at Roosevelt Elementary School recently brought the Constitution to life through a series of mock congressional hearings using We the People resources.

🎤 Taking on the role of expert witnesses, students presented their understanding of constitutional principles to a volunteer panel of community judges, who asked follow-up questions and provided thoughtful feedback. The exercise challenged students to think about, and defend positions on both historical and contemporary issues, demonstrating civic learning in action.

🌟 Activities like this give students the opportunity to engage with their community while building real confidence in their knowledge and voice.

👏 We are grateful to Mrs. Goins for facilitating such a meaningful civic learning experience, to Principal Miller for leading this project, and to the community judges who gave their time and expertise to make this possible. Thanks to their combined effort, Roosevelt Elementary students are growing into informed, engaged citizens.

Read more stories at ysd7.org/ysdstories 📖

Our Roosevelt second graders recently traded the comfort of their classrooms for a one-of-a-kind 🏔️ outdoor learning adventure at the Oak Creek Elk Feeding Area. 🦌

Students traveled by truck tour through the elk feeding grounds, observing dozens of elk up close in their natural winter habitat, watching in awe as the elk gathered for their daily feeding. The experience gave them a rare opportunity to see wildlife in action while learning about animal behavior, habitats, and conservation. 🐾

For many students, it was their first time seeing elk outside of books or videos 📚. In addition to the truck tour, students explored the visitor center, which features educational exhibits, a video program, and a kid-friendly learning corner. 🎥

The field trip combined science learning with hands-on exploration, reinforcing classroom lessons about Washington’s wildlife and diverse habitats 🌿. Most importantly, it gave students an unforgettable day in the outdoors, one filled with discovery, fresh air, and wide-eyed wonder.

Opportunities like this that get students outside of the classroom and experiencing the world around them align directly with Yakima Public Schools Strategic Goal #2, Ensuring “All Students: Empowered, Connected, Supported, Resilient, Engaged.” 🤝

Read more stories at ysd7.org/ysdstories 📖

🎓 Kinder enrollment is open! If your child will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2025, we invite you to stop by our school. We’d love to welcome your family and help you get started with enrollment.

Kindergarten benefits available in the Yakima School District include:
✅ Dual Language Program
✅ K–8 Virtual School
✅ After-School Childcare
✅ Out-of-District Enrollment Welcome
**Programs vary by school.

Visit ysd7.org/kinder to learn more!

🏛️ Future Leaders in Action at Roosevelt Congressional Hearing! Roosevelt Elementary students recently concluded their American Revolution/We the People unit by holding their own Congressional Hearing, where they testified in front of a panel of judges! 📜

Four teams of students with different sets of questions participated, including all students in Debbie Blodgett-Goins's fourth grade class and three students from a self-contained special education classroom. 🌟 One student even presented in Spanish while a teammate interpreted! Every student felt a well-earned sense of accomplishment when preparing and presenting their final statements – an impressive display of high-caliber presentation and speaking skills. 🎤

👩‍⚖️ A distinguished panel of judges, including two parents, two Teaching & Learning directors, an attorney, and a law clerk, evaluated the student presentations. Prior to the competition, Yakima County Superior Court Judge Sonia Rodriguez True gave an inspirational speech to the class about what it takes to achieve one's goals, emphasizing perseverance and determination. 💪 She even brought her judge robes, giving students the chance to take a special photo as a memento of their hard work! 📸

📚 This project was introduced to students after Debbie and fellow Roosevelt teacher Linsey Hiles participated in the We the People project, sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, during which they received a week of instruction last summer and engaged in monthly seminars throughout the school year. Holding a Congressional Hearing in their classrooms was part of the curriculum for this project, and their students rose to the challenge! 🚀 Amazing job, Roosevelt Bears!

Read more stories at ysd7.org/ysdstories 📖

Our schools are on a two-hour delay today, Friday, February 7, 2025. Middle and high school begins at 10:00 am and elementary school begins at 10:45 am. Bus routes 2, 8, 19 and 26 on snow routes. Breakfast available upon arrival. No a.m. preschool and no a.m. YV-TECH.

Two-Hour School Delay
Thursday, February 15: Due to very icy conditions on the west side of our district boundary, all YSD schools will be delayed by two hours today. There will be no morning preschool, no morning classes at YV-TECH. Buses will be on snow routes (morning only).

🎉 A heartfelt thank you to the Yakima School District community! Preliminary results show strong support for our educational levy measure (63.89% YES as of tonight!). Your vote is an investment in our students' future and ensures continued excellence in learning.

🗳️Don't forget to vote! Check your mailbox today! 📬

**URGENT UPDATE** Due to road conditions, schools in the Yakima School District are now CLOSED today, Tuesday, January 23. There was a previous delay, but schools are now CLOSED.

Have you checked your mailbox?