Board selects Gonzalez as representative

DAYTON-The Dayton School Board heard several presentations by students in both the elementary and secondary schools during the April 19 meeting; approved revised Dayton Athletic Codes for parents and athletes and approved the declaration of April 20, 2023, as Crimson/Gold Pietrzycki Day to commemorate the school's cornerstone dedication on that day in 1923.

Three eighth-grade students presented a Career Showcase of their future career to the School Board to choose one to represent Dayton at the regional competition at WSU Tri-Cities on Friday April 28 with a chance to go on to a state competition. Each presenter is required to include general information about the field of work including salary range and outlook, steps to get into the field like education and experience required. The student also shares about their goals to get there and preferred colleges, and other relevant information. English teacher Jeff McCann worked with students to develop and refine their PowerPoint presentations.

Christian Gonzalez was chosen to represent Dayton Middle School from the three presenters. He chose the career of neurosurgeon with a specialty in tumor removal in the brain. He hopes to graduate top of his class at all levels of education and said he knows it will take stamina and dedication to complete it, as well as in the work itself. He hopes to go to UCLA. He wants to help people in his work. There is a strong demand for doctors in this field and he hopes to be the best in the field. Stewart provided feedback and told him that he has thought his goals out well.

A few different groups of two to three students from Angela Kenney's fourth grade class presented their Salmon Reports to the Board. These reports reflected different topics about Salmon like the lifecycles and migration. They have raised salmon from egg in the classroom to be released in the Touchet River in May. Superintendent Rich Stewart asked questions of the students after each presentation.

The revised Dayton Athletic and Parent Code of Conduct Agreements were presented to the Board for approval from Athletic Director Sam Korslund. He asked that they be approved to enable him to open fall registration for sports before the end of the school year. Board member Grant Griffin questioned a portion of the agreement about permitted grades to participate. Korslund replied that the policy exceeds WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) standards, and he does not want to be limited by having a policy that is too specific in a "one size fits all" approach but would rather work with each student and staff to tailor the expectations and plans meet standard.

The Board heard from volunteer and former teacher Denise Hoon about the events planned for next day to celebrate 100 years since laying the first capstone of the high school building. She said during the school day students would hear a presentation about Dr. Marcel Pietrzyski who funded the building and watch a drama about his life written and performed by the eighth-grade drama class. They would participate in an educational scavenger hunt of landmarks relating to Dr. Pietrzyski and play games. Hotdogs, cake, and punch were also provided. An open house for the public was scheduled for that evening as well.

The Board approved the declaration of April 20, 2023 as Crimson and Gold Pietrzyski Day.