Touchet School District

Touchet School District
August 2025 Community Update

Dear Touchet Families and Community Members,

As the 2025–26 school year approaches, we are excited to share updates and celebrate the people who make Touchet School District a place where students can thrive. Our staff, volunteers, and community partners have worked hard all summer to ensure a smooth and successful start to the year.

Our Campus is Ready for Students
We are grateful to our custodial, grounds, and maintenance team for their hard work over the summer. Thanks to their dedication, our buildings and grounds are clean, safe, and ready to welcome students back in September. The pride they take in their work truly shows across our campus.

Staffing Updates & Welcomes
This year, we say farewell to Mrs. Tobin, who has served the Touchet School District with dedication and care. We thank her for the positive impact she has made and wish her all the best in her next chapter.

We also thank Brandi Zuger for her outstanding service as ASB Advisor. Brandi has been instrumental in building a strong student leadership program and leaves behind a wonderful legacy for our future leaders.

In Special Education, we are partnering with ESD 123 to expand support services for our students, ensuring they receive the highest level of care and attention. We are also opening a new part-time Special Education teaching position to better meet student needs.

A special thank-you goes to Nancy Taylor, who has guided us through important financial transitions, including the year-end reports and the 2025–26 budget. Nancy will continue part-time until the end of October, when ESD will assume fiscal management responsibilities.

Finally, we are excited to welcome Angie McColley as our newest bus driver. Angie brings a positive attitude, a commitment to safety, and a warm welcome for the students she serves. We’re thrilled to have her join the Touchet team!

Looking Ahead
As we begin this new school year, we are reminded that our strength comes from working together. We look forward to another year of learning, growth, and community pride—made possible by your support and involvement.
Important Dates:
Robotics Program – August 11–16
Community Meeting – August 20 at 6:00 p.m.
All Staff In-Service – August 25–26
Back-to-School BBQ – September 2
First Day of School – September 3
Thank you for partnering with us in making Touchet School District a great place to learn and grow. Here’s to a fantastic 2025–26 school year!

Touchet School District

Inspiring Learning. Building Community. Creating Success.

Dear Touchet Parents and Guardians,
I don’t have all the sports details yet, but I wanted to share what I do know so you can plan ahead as much as possible.
This year, we are moving exclusively to www.FinalForms.com for all athletic registrations. You can access Final Forms directly from our school website. All student-athletes must have their Student Athletic Agreement signed and their sports physical submitted in Final Forms before participating in their first practice. Physicals are valid for two years, but they must be current through the end of this upcoming season. If you do not have access to a computer or smart device at home to access Final Forms, you are welcome to come to the school and complete the forms here. Our secretaries, Mrs. Durfee and Mrs. Short, will be happy to help.

High School Sports
Football
First Practice: August 20, 3:00–4:45 PM


Parent Meeting: August 19, 5:30 PM


Volleyball
First Practice: August 25, 3:00–5:00 PM


Parent Meeting: August 25, 6:30 PM



Middle School Sports
Football
This year, we will not have a middle school football team because all our 8th graders are committed to the high school team.


Students in Grades 6–7 may practice with the high school team (first practice also August 20), but will not be eligible to play in games.


Volleyball
First Practice: September 3, 3:00–4:30 PM


Parent Meeting: September 3, 4:30 PM (following practice)


Cross Country
First Practice: September 3, 3:00–3:45 PM


Parent Meeting: September 3, 4:00 PM (following practice)



If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me or your student’s coach. Thanks!

🚗 Touchet High School Driver’s Education 🚗
Fall 2025 Session
PARENT INFORMATION MEETING
📅 Monday, September 8, 2025
🕖 7:00 – 8:30 PM
📍 Touchet High School Commons
Required for all participating students and a parent/guardian
________________________________________
FIRST DAY OF CLASS
📅 Monday, September 22, 2025
🕕 6:45 – 7:45 AM
📍 Touchet High School – Room TBD
Classes held before school on weekdays
________________________________________
Instructor: Mr. Dave Brennan
For more information, contact the high school office.
✔️ Approved? Add to calendar.
🌐 Will be added to the school website as the date approaches.

Our RedHawk boys basketball team hit the road for an unforgettable weekend of growth, grit, and fun during our Trail to the Title experience!

Over three packed days, the team stepped out of their usual competition zone, facing off against schools and players they don’t typically get to play—challenging themselves in new ways on the court while sharpening their skills as a unit. 💪

Off the court, the memories were just as big:
🏕 Camping under the stars
🔥 S’mores by the fire
🏎 Late-night go-kart races
⛳️ Mini golf showdowns
🤣 Team bonding and nonstop laughs

This trip wasn’t just about basketball—it was about building brotherhood, confidence, and connection. An experience we can’t wait to see transition onto the court come this November! 🏀

Huge thanks to everyone who helped make this weekend happen!

#TrailToTheTitle #TeamBonding #BoysBasketball #WallowaLakeWeekend #GrowthOnAndOffTheCourt #redhawkbasketball #Touchetschooldistrict
Sent from my iPhone

🎉 They're HERE! 🎉
The Touchet 2024-2025 Yearbooks have officially arrived and we have 12 additional yearbooks available for purchase! 📚✨
If you want to snag one of these memory-filled gems for your student (or yourself—we’re not judging 😉), now’s the time! They're $45 each and packed with photos, highlights, and all the unforgettable moments from this school year.
➡️ Call or swing by the Touchet Main Office to grab yours!
📍 Open Monday–Friday, 8AM–12PM.
Once they’re gone… they’re gone! 💨 Don’t miss out on this keepsake!
#TouchetPride #YearbookSeason #GrabYoursQuick

SAVE THE DATES - Touchet LEGO Robotics Camp!
August 11-14 and Aug 15- 16. Sign up now!!!!
Sign up at - https://forms.gle/smr9o7z8VfKDDiQH9

Touchet FBLA Shines at National Leadership Conference in Anaheim
Touchet High School's FBLA chapter proudly represented both their school and the state of Washington at the 2025 FBLA National Leadership Conference, held June 28 to July 3 in Anaheim, California. The event drew over 15,000 participants from across the nation, making it one of the largest student business conferences in the country.
Seven outstanding members from Touchet traveled to compete, connect, and grow as future business leaders. A special congratulations goes to Holly Kolb, who brought home 2nd place in the nation in the Exploring Business Issues event — a tremendous achievement that highlights both her hard work and the strength of Touchet’s FBLA program.
Touchet FBLA continues to make the school and community proud through its dedication to excellence, leadership, and achievement. Way to go, Touchet — and way to represent!

Touchet School District – Summer Update !
Dear Touchet Community,
We hope everyone is enjoying a well-deserved summer break and had a wonderful time celebrating Independence Day with friends and family. While campus may feel quiet, there’s been plenty of exciting activity happening behind the scenes!
A big congratulations to our FBLA team who represented Touchet at the national competition in California! We are incredibly proud of their hard work, professionalism, and commitment. Their participation on the national stage reflects the excellence we’re building in our student programs.

Our athletic programs have also been active this summer, with student-athletes participating in camps and training sessions to build skills, teamwork, and momentum heading into the upcoming school year. Coaches and students alike are showing their dedication and pride in preparing for a strong season ahead.

Meanwhile, our custodial staff is hard at work deep cleaning classrooms and facilities in preparation for the first day of school on September 3, 2025. The team began in the elementary building and will begin work in the middle/high school on July 28. Their efforts are essential in making sure our students and staff return to a clean, safe, and welcoming learning environment.

Thank you all for the energy and passion you bring to Touchet. We look forward to another great year ahead.

Go REDHAWKS!

Touchet School District Community Notice:

In observance of Independence Day, Touchet School District will be closed on Thursday, July 3rd, and Friday, July 4th.

Our team will be periodically checking emails during this time and will respond as needed.

We wish you and your family a safe and joyful 4th of July holiday! 🇺🇸

Touchet School District

Dear Touchet Families, As we wrap up another wonderful school year, we want to take a moment to thank each of you for your continued support and partnership. It has been an incredible year of growth, learning, and achievement for our students, and we are grateful to have shared this journey with your family. Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, we are excited to continue providing exceptional educational opportunities for all of our students. New for next year, we are proud to introduce a Highly Capable Program at the elementary level, designed to enrich further and challenge our young learners. In addition, our middle school students will have expanded elective offerings to explore new interests and develop their skills. (Ag, M.S. Wood Shop,. M.S. Robotics/Coding, Music, Choir and Art/Commerical Art) At the high school level, we continue to strengthen our academic pathways with dual credit classes in Math, Agriculture Science, Computers, and English in the near future.. These courses will provide students the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit, preparing them for future success while still in high school. Please note that the Touchet School District will not be offering summer school courses this year. Our first day of school for the 2025-26 school year is September 3, 2025. The full academic calendar is available on our district website for your reference and planning. On behalf of the entire staff at Touchet School District, we sincerely thank you for entrusting us with your most prized possessions—your children. It is an honor and a privilege to serve our PK-12 students, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in September for another outstanding year! We wish you and your family a safe, restful, and enjoyable summer! Mr. Elizondo

I’m happy to share a brief update regarding our building's cooling system. The chiller is currently up and running, thanks to a temporary fix provided by Apollo. While this solution is keeping things operational for now, its long-term performance will depend on how well the coils continue to function. In the meantime, we have taken steps to secure a more permanent solution. We have reached out to OSPI to apply for emergency repair funding. The new funding cycle opens on July 1, 2025, and we plan to submit our request as soon as the application window opens. Additionally, Apollo is preparing a quote for the full repair so we can move forward as quickly as possible once funding is secured. Thank you again for your ongoing support and understanding as we work through these facility needs. We will keep you updated as new information becomes available. Mr. Elizondo

High School Air Conditioner Under Repair! We want to update you on the air conditioning issue in our secondary building. We know this has been frustrating, and we truly apologize for the inconvenience. A safe and comfortable environment is important for both students and staff. Our HVAC partner, Apollo, is working to fix the problem as quickly as possible. After a full check, we found the issue is with the building’s chiller system, which is not holding freon. Freon is necessary for cooling, so without it, the system cannot run properly. We’ve also reached out to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to ask about emergency funding. A new round of funding opens on July 1, and we plan to apply as soon as it does. We appreciate your patience and understanding. We will continue to share updates as we make progress.

🎉 Redhawk Happenings – Wrapping Up the Year with Joy! 🎉 As we enter our final week of school, we’re feeling grateful, proud, and excited for all that’s ahead! There are still celebrations to be had and memories to be made before we say goodbye for the summer. 🌞❤️ 📽️ Monday: Preschool kicks off the week with a movie celebration at 9:30 AM in the commons with Mrs. Tobin! Then at 11:45, K-2 students will join her for a movie to celebrate their amazing iReady growth! 🏐 Monday at 5:15–6:30 PM High School Volleyball with Coach Mim! 🚌 Tuesday: Our 3rd–5th graders head out on a field trip to Fort Walla Walla to celebrate their iReady progress and dive into some local history fun! 🎉 Wednesday: 8:15 AM – Final Elementary Assembly Move-Up Day – students visit their next year’s teacher/classroom! 2:00 PM – ECEAP & TK Celebration – families welcome to honor our littlest learners! 🎊 🎓 Thursday: 8:15 AM – Kindergarten Graduation in the multipurpose room – families invited! 11:45 AM – Water & Outdoor Field Day! Pack a towel & clothes to get wet! 6:00 PM – 8th Grade Promotion – celebrating our students as they step into high school! ☀️ Friday. 8:00 AM- 10:00 AM Our last day of school! Bittersweet goodbyes and warm wishes for a safe, fun, and amazing summer ahead! ⚾️🥎🏆 8:05 AM- Middle School Sports Awards in the Commons. Families are welcome to come! Go Redhawks! Thank you for a fantastic year full of growth, laughter, and learning! ❤️💙

📣Redhawk Happenings📣 🎉 It’s the FINAL COUNTDOWN – just 2 weeks left! 🎉 Let’s make these last 10 days count by showing kindness each day: 💛 Monday: Use your manners – say “Thank you!” 🌍 Tuesday: Pick up trash and help keep our school clean 💌 Wednesday: Leave a kind note for someone 🍎 Thursday: Tell a teacher what they’ve taught you this year ✍️ Friday: Write a thank you note to someone you appreciate 🚨 4th & 5th Graders: It’s your final week of swim lessons – don’t forget your swimsuit, towel, dry clothes, and a bag to carry everything in! 🎶 Wednesday at 6:00 PM – Join us in the Multipurpose Room for our last Choir & Band Concert: “The Sounds of Music” featuring Mr. Palmer and our incredible middle and high school musicians. You won’t want to miss it! 🏅 Tuesday at 6:00 PM – Celebrate our amazing athletes at the High School Spring Sports Awards in the cafeteria. The Booster Club will provide food and drinks. Thank you for a great season! 🎓 Saturday at 1:00 PM – Join us outside at the May Day Court for the Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony! Let’s send our seniors off with love and support. Let’s finish strong, Redhawks! ❤️💙 #TouchetPride #FinalCountdown #KindnessMatters #FinishStrong #Classof2025

📣 Redhawks Weekly Happenings – Short Week, Big Energy! 🔴 It may be a short week, but we’re packed with excitement! 🏊‍♂️ Swim Lessons Begin! Our 4th & 5th graders will be diving into swim lessons at the YMCA this week from 12:30–2:30 PM. Don’t forget: ✔️ Swimsuit ✔️ Towel ✔️ Appropriate shoes ✔️ Dry clothes ✔️ Bag for wet clothes ✔️ Something to carry it all in! Let’s make a splash and have fun while learning! 🧪 Science State Testing – Thursday Our 8th and 11th graders will be showcasing their science skills this Thursday. Good luck, students—you’ve got this! Make Mrs. Garcia proud! 💪🔬 🥎 Middle School Girls Softball Wednesday @ 4:30 PM – at Bethlehem Lutheran Thursday @ 4:30 PM – at Liberty Christian in Richland Play hard and represent, Redhawks! ⚾ Middle School Boys Baseball Thursday @ 4:30 PM – at Waitsburg Let’s go, Redhawks! Play proud! Let’s make the most of this action-packed week! GO REDHAWKS! ❤️#RedhawkPride #WeekInTouchet #GoRedhawks

It’s a big week ahead, Redhawks! 3rd–5th graders — get plenty of rest 😴, eat a healthy breakfast 🥣🍎, and do your best on state testing this week! We believe in you! You got this! 6th graders will be off to Camp Wooten 🌲⛺ for a week full of outdoor learning, adventure, and memory-making — have a blast! Monday- Mrs. Garcia and Miss Castillo are taking their students to release their salmon at 1:45. 🐟Tuesday at 1:00PM seniors will have their cap and gown pictures taken in the May Day court. 📸🎓👨‍🎓👩‍🎓Tuesday night, join us for two special community events: • 6:00-7:00PM Community Meeting- follow up with positive conversations. 🗣️ • 5:00 -7:00PM ECEAP Family Night – Come create cool insects out of ordinary things during a fun art project 🎨🐞. Bring the whole family! Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. – Our K–4th grade musicians will take the stage in the multipurpose room 🎶🎤 for their spring performance. You don’t want to miss it! Thursday- Mrs. Garcia and the High School Science students are going to the Reach Museum in TriCities for a fun field trip. Reminder: NO SCHOOL ❌🏫 Monday & Tuesday, May 26 & 27 Middle School Sports this week: • Baseball ⚾ vs. Waitsburg – Wednesday @ 4:00 (Home) • Baseball ⚾ vs. Liberty Christian – Thursday @ 4:00 (Home) 8th Grade Recognition! 🎓 • Softball 🥎 vs. St. Patrick’s – Wednesday @ 4:00 (Home) Let’s show our Redhawk pride ❤️💙and make it a fantastic week!#Redhawkpride

🌟 Redhawks Weekly Happenings! 🌟 It’s a busy and exciting week in Redhawk Country! 📝 6th-11th Graders will be working hard on the State SBA Assessments in ELA and Math during 1st-3rd periods this week. Remember: ✅ Eat a healthy breakfast ✅ Get plenty of sleep ✅ Take your time and do your best! You’ve got this, Redhawks — show what you know and make yourselves proud! 💪📚✨ 🦷 Our littlest learners in ECEAP and TK will have dental screenings on Tuesday morning — bright smiles ahead! 😁 🎉 Friday = Assembly Day! Join us at 8:15 AM as we celebrate: 🏅 iReady growth 🏃 Fun Run achievements 🎯 Perfect attendance 📚 Reading buckets 🌟 Good behavior awards ...and more! Parents and families are welcome — come join the fun! ❤️ 🏌️‍♂️ Sports Highlights: HS Golf heads to Districts in Moses Lake – Monday @ 12:00. Good luck, team! ⛳ HS Softball finishes the season with 2 home games: 👉 Wed @ 4:00 (8th Grade Recognition!) 👉 Sat @ 2:00 (Senior Recognition!) MS Softball plays at home: 👉 Mon @ 4:00 👉 Thu @ 4:00 MS Boys Baseball: 👉 Home on Mon @ 4:00 👉 In Waitsburg Thu @ 4:00 Let’s cheer on our teams and celebrate all the hard work and achievements this week. Good luck to everyone — let’s make it a fabulous week, Redhawks! ❤️Redhawks Rise by Lifting Others!💙 ❤️Be Responsible. Be Respectful. Do the Right thing.💙 💪 Stand Up. 🫶 Speak Out. 🤝 Include Everyone. Together, we make our school a safe and happy place! #RedhawksRise #KindnessCounts #NoBullyingHere#RedhawkPride #StriveForGreatness

🎉 Redhawks Weekly Happenings 🎉 🌟 Teacher Appreciation Week Edition! 🌟 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week — let’s give a huge THANK YOU to our amazing teachers! 🙌🍎 Not just for the fantastic May Day celebration last Friday 🎉🌸, but for all they do every single day to support and inspire our students in the classroom. ❤️📚 A big shout-out to all the parents and community members who came out for May Day, the FFA BBQ, and the Plant Sale — your support means the world! 🌼🌱🍔 📢 Important Reminders This Week: ✅ Mid-Term 4 Grades are due Friday! ➡️ Check Skyward or contact teachers if you have any questions or concerns. 📲✉️ 🏅 Academic Awards Ceremony 📅 Friday at 2:10 PM 📍 Commons ➡️ Come celebrate our students’ hard work and achievements! 🎉 🕺💃 Middle School Dance 📅 Friday at 6:00 - 8:00 PM 📍 Commons ➡️ Time to dance and have fun! 🎶✨ ⚾🥎 Sports This Week — Come Cheer on Our Touchet Redhawks! 🏅 High School Softball: 🏠 Home Game Monday at 4:00 PM 🏠 Home Game Wednesday at 4:00 PM Middle School Softball: 🚗 Monday at 4:00 PM @ Bethlehem Lutheran 🚗 Thursday at 4:00 PM @ Liberty Christian (Richland) Middle School Baseball: 🏠 Home Game Monday at 4:00 PM 🚗 Away Game Wednesday at 4:00 PM @ Dayton 🏠 Home Game Thursday at 4:00 PM Let’s show up and make some noise for our Redhawks! 🎉🔥 Let’s pack the stands and cheer loud! 📣❤️