Meet Carmen Vargas, our new 2nd Grade Teacher at Whitstran Elementary! 🦁 Originally from Yakima, WA, Carmen has an educational background in Elementary Education. In her free time, she loves reading 📚, hiking ⛰️, and spending quality moments with her family.
Carmen was inspired to become a teacher by the amazing role models she had in her own life—her teachers. She says, “Each teacher instilled something in me and changed my life for the better. I truly hope I can do the same for my students.”
As she embarks on this journey in the Prosser School District, Carmen wants her future students to know: “I believe in incorporating diverse and engaging lessons that strive for student success. I encourage movement, hands-on work, and multiple opportunities to learn. Mistakes are proof of learning, and I aim to create a positive and safe environment where everyone can grow. We are all lifelong learners!” ✨
Carmen is super excited for this school year and can’t wait for the amazing adventures that lie ahead! Let’s give her a warm welcome! 🦁
We are excited to introduce Genevva Kitchen, our new Resource Room ELA teacher at Housel Middle School! 🎉
Genevva holds an AA from Green River Community College and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education with a minor in Literacy from Central Washington University. She is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Special Education at Eastern Washington University. 📚✨
In her free time, Genevva loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, playing board games, and going camping. 🏕️🎲
What drew her to Prosser? Genevva is thrilled to be part of such a warm and welcoming community and is excited to work alongside a wonderful group of people. 💖
As she steps into her role, Genevva wants to share this message with her future students: "I am so excited to get to work with each and every one of you and to be a part of your education journey. We are going to have a great year growing and learning together!" 🌱
Join us in welcoming Genevva to the Prosser community!
We are thrilled to introduce Debra (Debbie) Johnson as our new District Librarian! A long-time resident of Prosser, Debbie has deep roots in our community, having raised her three daughters—Kara, Marissa, and Hannah—here since 1990. ❤️
With an Associate of Arts in Teacher Education and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Western Governors University, Debbie is currently pursuing her Library Media Endorsement. 🎓 Her passion for education and reading is evident!
In her free time, Debbie loves spending time with family and friends, traveling to new places 🌍, attending concerts 🎶, and, of course, curling up with a good book. 📖 She believes that reading opens doors to new worlds, and she encourages students to find books that spark their interest.
Debbie is excited to work in the libraries of Prosser, where her daughters graduated and where her granddaughters currently attend school. She can’t wait to inspire the next generation of readers! 📚💖
Mark your calendars: the Book Fair is coming October 8th-10th during conferences at Keene-Riverview School! 📅
Debbie is grateful for the warm welcome she has received from the community and looks forward to making a positive impact in our schools. Join us in welcoming her to the Prosser School District!
We are thrilled to welcome Kooper Blair as our new STEM/Robotics teacher at Housel Middle School! As a proud alumni of Prosser High School, Kooper brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our community. 🐴
Kooper holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Western Governors University and is currently pursuing his Master's in Secondary Education at Grand Canyon University. 📚 His dedication to learning and teaching is truly inspiring!
Outside of the classroom, you can find him cheering for the Mariners ⚾, watching sports 📺, or taking his dogs for a walk 🐾. He’s also a dedicated coach for the high school baseball team, showcasing his passion for mentorship and teamwork!
Kooper began his journey in education through coaching and quickly realized that teaching was his true calling. He is excited to meet his students and looks forward to an incredible school year ahead!
Please join us in giving him a warm welcome to the Prosser School District!
As of approximately 3:00 p.m. today, there is a power outage affecting the District Office, the Boys and Girls Club, Keene Riverview Elementary, Transportation Department and possibly other locations. Dismissal and after-school bus schedules will continue to run as normal. Depending on the severity and longevity some afterschool programs may be affected. Please contact your coaches and program administrators.
In case of an emergency please contact Superintendent Kim Casey at 509-781-8628.
On this National IT Professionals Day, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Ashlee, Israel, Blake and Shawn, our dedicated IT professionals at Prosser School District. Your expertise, hard work, and unwavering commitment ensure that our students and staff have the tools they need to succeed every day. Thank you for continuously going above and beyond to keep us connected and operational. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for everything you do!
The Pulse of Prosser: Volume 45
Prosser School District Publication
Superintendent Kim Casey
https://5il.co/2wui2
We are thrilled to introduce Jessica Vizcaino, who has joined us as a 2nd Grade Bilingual Teacher at Whitstran Elementary! 🏫 🦁
Originally from Grandview, WA, Jessica is a proud alumna of Central Washington University, where she earned her Bachelor's in Elementary Education with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. 🎓
In her free time, Jessica loves spending time outdoors, attending live music events, and reading. Most importantly, she cherishes quality moments with her loved ones. 🌳🎶📖❤️
Jessica's passion for giving back to her community shines through her choice to work at Whitstran Elementary, a place she feels is perfect for making a positive impact. 🏫 🦁
Jessica would love to share this with her future students: “You are able to achieve anything you set your mind to. If you can think it, you can do it. Also, sometimes when things are hard and challenging, they are simply opportunities to learn from and become stronger people.”
Jessica is excited and eagerly looking forward to this school year, where she can’t wait to meet and work with all of her new students! 🎒👩🏫
Let’s give Jessica a warm welcome to the Whitstran Elementary family! 👏 🦁
We are thrilled to announce that Shelby Moore, a proud Prosser High School alumna, is returning to her roots as our new School Psychologist! 🐴
Shelby, who grew up right here in Prosser, WA, is bringing her expertise and passion for student support to our district. With an EdS degree in School Psychology, she’s ready to make a positive impact on the lives of our students and families. 🎓
When she’s not at work, Shelby enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her adorable dog. 🐾❤️
Her journey from being a student in our schools to now supporting our students is truly inspiring. Shelby’s dedication to working in the community she grew up in is a testament to her commitment to our district. 🏫💪
Shelby wants to share this message with our future students: “I am excited to support students and families through my role as a school psychologist.”
Let’s give Shelby a big, warm welcome back to the Prosser School District! 🎉👏
We’re delighted to introduce Heather Fuller Jones, who is joining our Prosser School District team as our new Speech-Language Pathologist! 🌟
Heather is from Amarillo, Texas, and holds a Master of Science in Communication Disorders. 📚✨ Her dedication to helping students communicate effectively and confidently is truly inspiring.
In her free time, Heather loves entertaining, trying out new recipes, and is an avid reader. She enjoys sitting outside with a good book and cherishes spending time with her precious girls. 📖🌞
Heather decided to join the Prosser School District after a conversation with Niki Swanson, our Director of Special Services. She was impressed by the wonderful environment here and knew she wanted to be part of the team. 🌟
As a new member of the Prosser School District, Heather wants to share that “of all the things you can learn in life, being kind to others and to yourself may be the two most important.” She adds, “I am excited to become a part of the Prosser School District and look forward to a long career here.”
Let’s give Heather a warm welcome! We’re thrilled to have her on board and can’t wait for the positive impact she’ll make in our schools. 😊
We are excited to introduce Nathan (Nate) Conway, who is joining our Prosser High School team as our new Sports Medicine Teacher and Athletic Trainer! 🌟
Nathan is from Puyallup, WA, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training. 📚✨ His passion for sports medicine and dedication to student health and wellness are truly inspiring.
In his free time, Nathan loves spending time with family, friends, and his dog. He’s also a fan of morning exercise, action movies, and outdoor activities like pickleball, basketball, and hiking. 🏀🏞️
Nathan’s interest in working with high school students stems from his own experiences as an athlete. He wants to educate students on injury prevention and health, helping them avoid the mistakes he made in his own athletic career. 🌟 “I am really looking forward to getting to know all of you and making some great memories this year!” he says.
Let’s give Nathan a warm Mustang welcome! We’re thrilled to have him on board and can’t wait to see the positive impact he’ll make at Prosser High School. 🐴
We are thrilled to welcome Diana Perez to our Whitstran Elementary team as a Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher! 🦁 Originally from Prosser, Diana is excited to return to the community she grew up in and share her passion for teaching with our youngest learners. 🌟
Diana holds an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education 🎓 and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education 📚. Her strong educational background equips her to create a nurturing and dynamic learning environment for our students.
When she’s not teaching, Diana loves getting outdoors with her husband and three kids. They enjoy biking 🚴♂️, hiking 🥾, snowboarding 🏂, and camping ⛺—always on the lookout for their next adventure!
Diana’s decision to join the Prosser School District was inspired by her roots as a Prosser alumni 🎓 🐴 and she is eager to give back to the community that shaped her.
As she starts her journey with us, Diana wants her future students to know: “You are important, your experiences are vital to our classroom culture. When we work together, anything is possible. ¡Sí se puede!” ✨
Diana is looking forward to working at the school she grew up in and providing your child with a meaningful and memorable school experience. Please join us in giving Diana a warm welcome to the Prosser School District family! 🏫🦁
We are excited to introduce our new Housel Middle School English teacher, Kathleen (Katie) Woolcutt! 🌟 Originally from Nine Mile Falls, Washington, Katie brings a passion for teaching and a love for learning to our school. 📚
Katie holds a degree in Secondary English Education from Eastern Washington University (EWU) 🦅🎓 and a Master’s in Literacy from the American College of Education 📖. Her educational journey has equipped her with the skills and knowledge to inspire and engage students.
In her free time, Katie loves spending time with her husband and daughter, diving into a good book, and going for relaxing walks. She’s also a proud pet parent with two dogs 🐶🐶 and a cat 🐱!
Katie’s interest in teaching was inspired by her family’s connection to the Prosser School District. Her uncle and aunt, Doug and Heidi Fassler, have shared so many wonderful stories about the district, fueling her excitement to join us. ❤️
As she starts her journey with us, Katie wants her future students to know: “I am so eager to be your teacher this school year; we are going to have a blast!” 🎉✨
Katie also has a background in coaching, having led teams in volleyball 🏐 and girls' wrestling 🤼♀️.
Please help us give Katie a warm welcome to the Prosser School District family! 🏫🎊
🍎🍴 Did you know? 🍴🍎
All students in the Prosser School District are offered FREE meals! That's right—FREE breakfast and lunch for every student. 🎉🥪🥣
It's our way of ensuring that every student starts their day off right and stays energized for learning. 📚✨
Make sure your student takes advantage of this amazing benefit!
We’re thrilled to introduce Jose Martin, the new Spanish Teacher at Prosser High School! 🎓🌍 A proud Prosser, WA native and member of the PHS Class of 1993, Jose continued his education at Washington State University, where he earned his degree in Secondary Education with a focus on Spanish Literature and Culture, along with a minor in Psychology. He also holds a Masters in Teaching from the University of Phoenix (2012). 📚
Jose is returning to the Prosser School District to be closer to his family and reconnect with the community he loves. With a strong bond to Prosser and great friendships with his colleagues, he’s excited to join our team once again. 🤝🏠
When asked about his return to Prosser, Jose shared, “This is my hometown, and my entire nuclear family is in the area and I found myself drawn back here to be with them.”
Outside the classroom, Jose stays active with gym workouts, yoga flows 🧘♂️, and enjoys gaming (World of Warcraft) 🎮, hiking trails 🥾, and playing volleyball 🏐.
Jose’s message to his future students is, “Ultimately, I want them to be informed and educated citizens with regards to the world that exists around them. Living in a multifaceted society is a part of life, and knowing more about the values, languages, and customs that make up our society can only lend perspective.” 🌎✨
We’re excited to welcome Jose back to the Prosser School District and look forward to a fantastic year ahead. Let’s give him a warm Prosser welcome! 🎉👏
And in true Mustang and Cougar spirit, Jose adds, “GO MUSTANGS and GO COUGS!” 🐎🐾
We’re excited to introduce Jasmin Rivera, our new Special Education Reading Resource Room teacher at Prosser Heights Elementary! 🎓📚 Jasmin is a proud Wapato native who graduated from Wapato High School in 2015. She went on to earn her Childhood & Family Studies degree from the University of Washington Seattle and recently completed her Masters in Teaching at Heritage University in 2022. 🎉
After moving from Wapato to Grandview in October 2023, Jasmin sought an opportunity to work closer to her new home and felt that Prosser, with its familiar community ties, was the perfect fit. 🏠🌟 Her connection to the area and her dedication to teaching make her a wonderful addition to our district.
When she’s not in the classroom, Jasmin enjoys playing with her two dogs 🐶🐶, spending time with family and friends, reading 📖, and getting creative with crafting on Canva 🎨.
Jasmin is looking forward to meeting her new students and promises a year full of excitement and fun. She’s committed to making learning an enjoyable experience for everyone and can’t wait to get started! 🚀
Welcome to the Prosser School District, Jasmin! We’re thrilled to have you with us. 🌟👏
📚 September is Attendance Awareness Month! 🏫
Did you know that just two absences per month can be considered chronic absenteeism? That's right—missing only 10% of the school year can impact a student's success. 📅
Why is attendance so crucial? There’s a direct link between regular school attendance and student achievement. Every day counts toward a brighter future!
Who can help improve attendance? It’s a team effort:
- Students: Remember to wash your hands regularly, get enough sleep, and eat nutritious meals.
- Parents: Set regular bedtimes, wake-up times, and keep electronics off at a reasonable hour.
- Schools: We strive to make personal connections with students and celebrate regular attendance.
At Prosser School District, we believe that attendance matters and is essential for student success. Let's work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to excel! 🎓✨
We are thrilled to introduce Jullysa Palencia as the newest member of the Keene Riverview Elementary team! 🏫🐝
Jullysa, a proud Prosser native and alumni, is bringing her expertise and enthusiasm to our 1st-grade bilingual classroom. She holds a BA in Education, Communities, and Organizations and an M.Ed. in Teaching K-8 from the University of Washington. 🎓
Outside the classroom, Jullysa loves long walks, picnics, shopping, traveling, visiting new places, and trying new foods—all enjoyed with friends and family. 🌳🍉🛍️🌍
Jullysa is excited to return to her hometown and deepen her connection with the community she loves. Her passion for bilingual education and commitment to engaging students make her a fantastic addition to our team. 🌟
To her future students, Jullysa says: “We’re going to have a year full of learning and fun, and I can't wait to meet and get to know each of you!” 🎈📚
Welcome to Keene Riverview Elementary, Jullysa! We’re so excited to have you with us! 🎉
We are thrilled to introduce Anne Melcher as our new Developmental Preschool Teacher at Keene Riverview Elementary School! 🐝🏫 Anne is joining us from Yakima, and she and her family have recently made Prosser their new home. 🏡❤️
Anne holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Family Studies and a Master's in Special Education from the University of Washington. 🎓📚 Her passion for Early Childhood Special Education is evident in her commitment and enthusiasm.
When she's not in the classroom, Anne loves spending quality time with her family, including her adorable 2-year-old son. They enjoy traveling and exploring new places, with a fun goal to have a family adventure every month! 🌍🚀
Anne's journey to Prosser began with a move from Yakima and a plan to substitute teach in our district. When the Developmental Preschool position became available, she knew it was the perfect opportunity to follow her passion for Early Childhood Special Education.
Anne is eager to work with our students and their families, focusing on building relationships and nurturing each child's unique strengths to help them grow and succeed. She’s also excited to become an active member of the amazing Prosser community she’s heard so many wonderful things about.
Welcome to the team, Anne! We can't wait to see all the fantastic things you’ll bring to our school. 🌟
The Pulse of Prosser: Volume 44
Prosser School District Publication
Superintendent Kim Casey
https://5il.co/2wcfo
