Peshastin-Dryden Elementary welcomes TK and Kindergarten students with donuts and smiles

PESHASTIN – Cascade School District’s youngest and newest students entered the halls of Peshastin-Dryden Elementary to start their first day of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten on Sept. 3.

“It's kind of sad, because it's my last little kid. She's the youngest, so this is our last first day of school for Kindergarten. But she's ready. She's so excited. And she loves all the teachers here, because there's brothers in second grade here,” said parent Christine Bender.

To spark excitement about starting school for the first time ever, the Peshastin-Dryden and Alpine Lakes Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) greeted families during morning drop-off with coffee and donuts. After grabbing a donut, students posed with their friends and family in front of a wide-ruled paper backdrop with the words “First Day of School” on it, holding giant pencil props. The photo display was handmade by PTO members as a way to commemorate the special moment.

“I think it just helps people feel happy and welcome, and it introduces them to the joyfulness of what we want school to be for them,” said Principal Emily Ross.

The PTO has hosted “Donuts at Drop-Off” on the first day of TK and Kindergarten for three years now, according to PTO President Rachel Fischer. It started post-pandemic, as a way to calm the nerves of parents and children starting school for the first time, and introduce new faces.

“The valley really bloomed during COVID, and a lot of new families moved here. So, it was a way for people to meet each other,” said Fischer. “It's always fun, as a mom who has older kids, seeing the little kids and seeing them all excited…And this is like a fun [way to say], ‘you got this!’”

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media