Welcome Back to School! September is Attendance Awareness Month.
Backyard Brawl - Omak v/s Okanogan at Omak
LiveStream: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wa/omak/organization/13919/omak-high-school
LiveStream: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wa/omak/organization/13919/omak-high-school
Our East Omak Elementary staff are on board the Energy Bus and ready to roll into a year full of learning, growth, and positivity! Together, we're fueling a community where every student feels welcomed, inspired, and empowered to SOAR like Eagles.
🦅♥️🚌♥️🦅
🦅♥️🚌♥️🦅
No Cost Meals (SUN Bucks)
Apply: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/child-nutrition/school-meals/national-school-lunch-program/meal-application-and-verification-information
OSPI
Drivers: Know the Laws About School Bus Safety
OLYMPIA—August 28, 2025—Across the state, students are preparing to return to their classrooms for another year of learning and school transportation teams are ensuring their buses are ready to safely transport students each day.
A survey recently released by The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) suggests drivers need reminding of the laws about school bus safety.
Since 2011, school bus drivers from across the country have participated in the NASDPTS one-day survey, which aims to determine how many motorists illegally pass stopped school buses. More than 114,000 school bus drivers participated in the 2025 survey, including over 3,000 in Washington state.
During the one-day survey, Washington school bus drivers documented 1,156 instances of drivers illegally passing a stopped school bus. Multiplied by the number of days in the school year, the survey results indicate that drivers are illegally passing a school bus in Washington state more than 200,000 times per year. Nationwide, drivers reported the total for the one-day survey was 67,258.
Data from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) shows that, on average, 340,000 of Washington’s K–12 students rode the bus each day during the 2024–25 school year, accounting for over 90 million miles traveled during that time.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) analyzed school-transportation-related crash data from 2013–2022. The NHTSA reports that school bus crashes resulted in approximately 1,082 fatalities nationwide during that period.
In 2024, there were 271 collisions in Washington involving school buses, according to data from the Washington State Patrol. Of those collisions, the majority were the fault of the other drivers.
School bus drivers in Washington undergo a rigorous certification process. Prospective drivers must hold a Class A or B Commercial Driver's License with passenger and school bus endorsement. Qualified applicants must also complete a Driver Instructor Training Course and, once certified, complete annual in-service training.
School Bus Safety
Washington state law lays out the different scenarios for when motorists must stop for school buses. For instance, on a two-lane road, drivers traveling in both directions must stop when a “visual signal” such as flashing red lights or a retractable stop sign is in operation.
The included graphic shows when drivers must stop on three-lane roads and roads divided by a median. Motorists who fail to stop for a school bus when required face a $500 fine.
The Department of Licensing’s Drivers’ Guide includes guidance that cautions drivers to actively look for children along the side of the road even after the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop sign is no longer extended.
As school buses across the state fill the roads, drivers should use caution and patience. When in doubt, stop!
ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives
Drivers: Know the Laws About School Bus Safety
OLYMPIA—August 28, 2025—Across the state, students are preparing to return to their classrooms for another year of learning and school transportation teams are ensuring their buses are ready to safely transport students each day.
A survey recently released by The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) suggests drivers need reminding of the laws about school bus safety.
Since 2011, school bus drivers from across the country have participated in the NASDPTS one-day survey, which aims to determine how many motorists illegally pass stopped school buses. More than 114,000 school bus drivers participated in the 2025 survey, including over 3,000 in Washington state.
During the one-day survey, Washington school bus drivers documented 1,156 instances of drivers illegally passing a stopped school bus. Multiplied by the number of days in the school year, the survey results indicate that drivers are illegally passing a school bus in Washington state more than 200,000 times per year. Nationwide, drivers reported the total for the one-day survey was 67,258.
Data from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) shows that, on average, 340,000 of Washington’s K–12 students rode the bus each day during the 2024–25 school year, accounting for over 90 million miles traveled during that time.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) analyzed school-transportation-related crash data from 2013–2022. The NHTSA reports that school bus crashes resulted in approximately 1,082 fatalities nationwide during that period.
In 2024, there were 271 collisions in Washington involving school buses, according to data from the Washington State Patrol. Of those collisions, the majority were the fault of the other drivers.
School bus drivers in Washington undergo a rigorous certification process. Prospective drivers must hold a Class A or B Commercial Driver's License with passenger and school bus endorsement. Qualified applicants must also complete a Driver Instructor Training Course and, once certified, complete annual in-service training.
School Bus Safety
Washington state law lays out the different scenarios for when motorists must stop for school buses. For instance, on a two-lane road, drivers traveling in both directions must stop when a “visual signal” such as flashing red lights or a retractable stop sign is in operation.
The included graphic shows when drivers must stop on three-lane roads and roads divided by a median. Motorists who fail to stop for a school bus when required face a $500 fine.
The Department of Licensing’s Drivers’ Guide includes guidance that cautions drivers to actively look for children along the side of the road even after the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop sign is no longer extended.
As school buses across the state fill the roads, drivers should use caution and patience. When in doubt, stop!
ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives
Back-to-School Nights
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.busright.watchdog&hl=en_US&pli=1
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/busright/id1471941927
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/busright/id1471941927
2025-26 Benefits Fair!!!!
Celebrating Excellence Across Omak School District!
We are proud to recognize the 2025 Omak School District Excellence Awards Winners — individuals who go above and beyond every day to support our students, staff, and schools. These outstanding team members embody dedication, compassion, and excellence in their educational pursuits.
District-Level Awards
• Saisa Stroumbaugh – Transportation Excellence Award Winner
• Scott Freemen – Maintenance Excellence Award Winner
Omak High School
• Sunshine Klewin-Velasco – Classified Excellence Award Winner
• Melony Pecha – Certificate Excellence Award Winner
Omak Middle School
• Pamela Edmonds – Classified Excellence Award Winner
• Lynn Hoover – Certificated Excellence Award Winner
🏫 North Elementary School
• Paula Duck – Certificated Excellence Award Winner
• Lindsey Borge – Classified Excellence Award winner
🏫 East Omak Elementary School
• Marilyn Oestreich – Certificated Excellence Award Winner
• Cathy MacDonald – Classified Excellence Award Winner
Please join us in celebrating these incredible individuals for their commitment to our students, schools, and community. You are truly the heart of Omak!
East Omak Elementary End-of-Year Jog-A-Thon!
What a fantastic way to close out the school year! Our students laced up their sneakers and gave it their all during our annual Jog-A-Thon — running, walking, and celebrating every step toward summer break!
We’re especially grateful for the Omak High School students and volunteers who joined us to help track laps and cheer on our young runners. Your support made the event even more special and showed the strength of our school community.
From energetic kindergartners to determined upper graders, every student brought their best — and the smiles said it all!
Thank you to our staff, families, and volunteers for helping make this event a huge success. Here’s to a well-earned summer full of sunshine, rest, and adventure!
Touch-A-Truck
United Way of King County’s (UWKC) summer meals text line is now live!
Starting June 2025, families can text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 509-509 to instantly locate nearby summer meal sites. The service is fast, free, and available in English and Spanish, ensuring easy access to nutritious meals all summer long.
#WAedu #SFSP #NoKidHungry #OSPIChildNutriton #SummerFoodRocks
¡El United Way de King County (UWKC) comidas de verano línea de texto ya está vivo!
Empezando el junio 2025, las familias pueden enviar un mensaje de texto, "COMIDA" a 509-509 para rápidamente localizar sitios de comidas de verano. El servicio es rápido, gratuito y disponible en inglés y español, asegurando acceso fácil a comidas nutritivas todo el verano.
#WAedu #SFSP #NoKidHungry #OSPIChildNutriton #SummerFoodRocks
Omak High School Graduation 2025, Saturday, May 31st, at 1:00 p.m.
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/PQYKAXTEnHM?feature=share
🌻 Thank You to the Colville Confederated Tribes! 🌻
East Omak Elementary is incredibly honored to receive a $2,000 CCT Charitable Grant from the Colville Confederated Tribes!
This generous grant will support:
🚍 Transportation to the Sunflower Festival at Paschal Sherman Indian School on May 23rd for North's 1st graders and East's 3rd graders
📚 Native American children's books for classroom libraries at East
🎓 Scholarships for staff to attend the Summer Indian Education Teaching Institute
A special thank you to Tahshina Gorr of the Colville Youth Development Program for presenting the check to East's principal, LeeAnn Schrock, on Wednesday.
We are beyond grateful for this opportunity to enrich learning and cultural connections to our local tribe for our students and staff! ❤️
NOW HIRING PARAEDUCATOR Apply online: https://omaksd.schoolspring.com/
Washington Professional Paraeducators: https://www.pesb.wa.gov/paraeducator-certificate-program/certificate-options/
Washington Educator Skills Test: https://www.west.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/SA001_TestPage.html
No School May 26th - Memorial Day
Kindergarten Orientation 2025
A big thank you to STCU for awarding a $200 grant to our amazing 3rd grade teacher, Katie MacLean! She will use the funds to purchase much-needed classroom supplies and student incentives that support engagement and learning in her classroom.
We’re so grateful for community partners like STCU who invest in our students and educators. Thank you for helping make a difference at East Omak Elementary!
