September District Highlight
Omak School District / 2026-27

September 2026 launched our school year with energy, teamwork, and a shared commitment to helping every student feel safe, known, and prepared to reach their highest potential. Across the district, staff built strong routines, solved problems together, and created new opportunities for our students. Thank you for the care, creativity, flexibility, and teamwork you bring to our students every day. September gave us many reasons to celebrate, and it also gave us a strong foundation for the work ahead. Together, we are creating schools where our students thrive.

A Strong Start Across the District

• Welcome back. Staff gathered for breakfast, a district welcome, and a benefits fair that connected employees with helpful resources and support.

• Technology support. The district recognized its in-house technology team during IT Professionals Appreciation Day and celebrated the behind-the-scenes work that keeps teaching, learning, and communication moving.

• Early learning growth. Kindergarten enrollment rose to 88 students! After reviewing enrollment, classroom needs, and available resources, the district approved a fifth kindergarten teacher for the remainder of the year, reducing average class size and increasing support for our youngest learners.

• Calm and capable teams. Staff adapted quickly during the opening weeks, supported one another through changing schedules and procedures, and established welcoming environments where students could begin learning with confidence.

Learning Culture and Student Support

• Hands-on learning. Elementary students strengthened digital literacy, keyboarding, computer basics, and problem-solving through STEM Lab experiences.

• Positive middle school momentum. The opening middle school assembly set a strong tone around relationships, belonging, and high expectations. New student and

  staff recognition practices, attendance work, PLC conversations, and parent partnerships began strengthening culture and consistency.

• Focused high school instruction. Early walkthroughs showed strong implementation of classroom expectations, including limited student cell-phone use.

• Intentional relationships. Staff reflected on being a positive first face for students and colleagues, emphasizing that everyday kindness, respect, and care shape the school communities we want to create.

September By the Numbers

Students Learning Beyond the Classroom

• Government and civic learning. A group of middle and high school students attended a Washington Supreme Court meet-and-greet and observed live oral

  arguments at the Government Building in Nespelem.

• Career and leadership development. Four FFA students represented Omak at the Othello Fair, and the team earned fourth place at the Jamboree.

• Community connection. Wings and Wheels brought airplanes, classic cars, and community members together while raising more than $3,200. Volunteers also

  continued Sunday work at the Omak Rose Garden to help beautify the community.

• Homecoming spirit. September closed with the start of Once Upon a Homecoming. Students and staff brought energy and creativity to dress-up days, class themes, assemblies, lunchtime activities, the parade, pep rally, dance battle, football game, and dance. The Dance-Off is always one of my favorite traditions; the staff's

  Jungle Book routine begins at 15:20. Watch the 2026 Homecoming Dance-Off

Safety Care and Preparedness

• Prepared staff made a difference. When an elementary student began choking during lunch, the Life Skills team responded immediately and calmly, successfully

  clearing the student's airway and ensuring follow-up care.

• Practice strengthens readiness. North completed a fire-drill evacuation in five minutes, while the middle school completed an orderly drill in just over three minutes. Staff used each exercise to reinforce safe, consistent procedures.

• Mental health support. Middle school students engaged with suicide-prevention and mental-health resources, including an interactive positivity activity that

  encouraged students to share supportive messages with one another.

• Special education systems. The district began gathering evidence and completing narrative work for its 2026-27 state monitoring review, an opportunity to strengthen systems and improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

Caring for Our Schools

The maintenance team continued improving learning and activity spaces across the district. At the high school stadium, damaged bleacher boards were repaired and replaced, creating a safer and more welcoming setting for students, staff, families, and community members.

At North, staff responded quickly when flushable wipes caused a significant plumbing blockage. The team coordinated temporary restroom access and student support while a plumber used a water jet to clear the line. Their communication, flexibility, and teamwork kept the school day moving while the issue was resolved.