“We’re always full. We’re always full here,” said Lauria Oliver, owner of A Child’s Place child care centers in Yakima and Toppenish.
Throughout Central Washington, lack of child care is a years-old problem with significant ramifications.
Few local schools are hearing concerns about critical race theory, but subtle echoes of the national debate can be heard in Yakima County.
Heather Hastie-Ulery is gregarious, has a vibrant smile and recently received her seventh tattoo — an anchor with her two children’s names on it.
With school out for the summer and the state edging closer to fully reopening, demand for child care is on the rise throughout Washington, even as capacity remains low.
Many Yakima area school districts are reporting a similar trend: Summer school classes are full, and the needs are significant.
“The demand is much higher than usual this year,” said Yakima School District summer school coordinator Heather Hastie-Ulery.
The waivers, provided to high schools as a last resort to help seniors graduate on time after showing a “good effort to meet requirements,” allowed districts who requested and received the permission to waive two credits.
With a smile under her mask, Sidalia Mendoza, a site supervisor at Toppenish High School, handed out bags of packed apples, string cheese and a warm corn dog, among other food, on Monday to children participating in the free summer meal program.
Lower Valley K-12 students can register for summer learning programs during a community fair at the Sunnyside Fiesta Foods on Saturday.
In ninth grade, recent Yakima Valley College graduate and aspiring teacher Michael Rodriguez was frequently referred to the school office for bad behavior.
Central Washington University Police arrested a student and charged them with theft and malicious mischief over the burning of a campus LGBTQ pride flag last week, a university official confirmed.
A new principal will take the helm of A.C. Davis High School in Yakima next month as Principal Ryan McDaniel becomes the new principal of East Valley High School after 16 years in Yakima School District.
Toppenish School District had launched an internal investigation into allegations of employee misconduct against high school staffers John L. Cerna and Bertha Cerna before deferring to the county sheriff’s office, school officials confirmed.
Heritage University’s 35th annual Bounty of the Valley Scholarship dinner brought in a record of more than $861,000 in funds for student education.
Central Washington University officials condemned the theft and burning of a campus flag representing the LGBTQ community earlier this week.
Two Toppenish High School staff have been placed on paid administrative leave, Superintendent John Cerna said Thursday.
Numbers are a universal language. Kamila Rubio Gonzalez quickly discovered that after moving from Guadalajara, Mexico, to Grandview three years ago with her mother and sister without knowing any English.
MOST POPULAR
-
Toppenish School District started internal investigation of two staff members, but deferred to sheriff's office
-
School officials say critical race theory isn’t taught in the Yakima Valley. Here's what to know about the debate.
-
Why child care can be hard to find in the Yakima Valley
-
West Valley Superintendent Brophy placed on paid administrative leave pending investigation
-
Child care providers grapple with new tax questions during pandemic
-
Demand for child care ramps up as schools let out, Washington state reopens
-
New principal named at A.C. Davis as McDaniel moves to East Valley High
-
How cracks in the child care system could fail Central Washington's youngest learners
Growing up, Jacob “Robert” Ortiz could often be found taking the lead among his friends on the playground of Adams Elementary School in Yakima.
That old chestnut about bravery — that it’s not lack of fear; it’s being afraid and doing it anyway — is true in Lessley Martinez’ case.
High school graduates throughout the Yakima Valley will get to celebrate with in-person ceremonies this graduation season — a welcome turn of events following a challenging and atypical conclusion to a K-12 career.
Yakima School District Technology Director Andy Gonzalez was named Regional Classified School Employee of the Year on Wednesday for his leadership in expanding internet and technology access for students.
Heritage University’s 35th annual Bounty of the Valley Scholarship event will take place virtually this Saturday to raise funds for students.