SPS Podcasts

Stephanie and Nicole are joined by SPS Superintendent Adam Swinyard and Parks Director Garrett Jones to talk about Together Spokane, a bond/levy partnership between Spokane Parks and Spokane Public Schools.By working together and with a range of private partners, we can make strategic, fiscally responsible investments that benefit every part of our city—whether it's ensuring our children have safe places to learn and play, expanding recreational opportunities for all ages, or creating vibrant spaces that bring our community together.

In the March episode of SPS Extra,  Stephanie and Nicole are talking about the Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks joint bond/levy initiative called Together Spokane. In this sneak peak of the episode, hear from Greg Forsyth. He explains how bond dollars are critical to keeping schools functional.

Tim Fortune joins Stephanie Splater and Nicole Hernandez in this month's SPS Extra podcast to talk about CTE opportunities across the district. CTE, which stands for Career Technical Education, provides students with hands on experience in potential career paths.In this episode, we hear from teachers and students involved in Culinary Club and Construction Club. Both clubs teach students the basics of their field with hands-on classroom experience. Every year, students use their experience in CTE classes to secure part-time jobs or pursue full-time careers after graduating. 

In the upcoming podcast, which releases Thursday, February 20th, Stephanie and Nicole talk about CTE opportunities available to students in SPS. Hear from students in culinary club and construction club, and staff about how beneficial these programs are for students.

In this episode of SPS Extra, Stephanie and Nicole talk with students and mental health experts about the benefits of participating in extracurricular activities. From elementary to high school, the students and their support systems see obvious benefits after being involved in their communities.

On every episode of SPS Extra, we feature student voice. Many of the students we've talked to told us they benefit from the extracurriculars they participate in. On the January episode of SPS Extra, we're focusing on the benefits extracurriculars bring students. We're chatting with a student counselor and expert in youth mental health, as well as several student clubs.

Stephanie and Nicole sat down with all five SPS Engagement Navigators to talk about extracurriculars during the Fall semester. Hear from each of them about what activities have been popular at different schools and what the plan is to keep students engaged in real life as the school year continues. 

The relationship between Spokane Public Schools and our numerous community partners is symbiotic, providing activities, support and community engagement for students, while bolstering the reach of our partners.In the November episode of SPS Extra, Stephanie Splater and Nicole Hernandez chat about how important our community partners are. Hear from Hoopfest, Treehouse and Spark Central, and learn about how community partnerships are born.

"I think it's beneficial for everybody," Riley Stockton, Executive Director of Spokane Hoopfest said about the partnership between Hoopfest and Spokane Public Schools. Hoopfest is one of many SPS partners, all dedicated to providing students with more access and opportunity within the community. On this month's episode of SPS Extra, Stephanie Splater and Nicole Hernandez discuss the importance of community partnerships. Hear from Hoopfest, Treehouse and Spark Central, and learn what goes into developing and maintaining partnerships that are mutually beneficial.  

From the football field to the classroom, research proves youth involvement in extracurricular activities is beneficial, particularly when started at a young age.In this months episode of SPS extra Stephanie Splater and Nicole Hernandez talk about those benefits, including higher performance in academics, lower rates of externalized problems and increased success in the activity."I can dream about these big things, since I'm really young," 6th grader Juliette Stevens said. Juliette has been participating in All-Star Cheer for five years. In just sixth grade, she is already attending the Ferris Cheer Clinic to prepare for the high school level. Not only does that participation help the Juliette, it also helps the high school teams whose participants come in with experience and knowledge. The five high school football coaches will be learning that soon, as the district's middle school football program started this year. Hear from North Central's coach and a student-athlete who has been committed to football since Kindergarten in the October episode of SPS Extra. 

In October's episode of SPS Extra, Stephanie Splater and Nicole Hernandez are talking about the importance of getting students engaged in extracurriculars young. In this snippet from the podcast, hear from the North Central High School quarterback who has been playing football since he was in Kindergarten. The full podcast drops in one week! You can listen by searching for “SPS Podcasts” on your preferred podcast app or online at spokaneschools.org/listen.

In this month's episode of SPS Extra, hear from students about their passions and teachers who see first hand how phones have changed their classrooms. We're talking about the districts new initiative Engage IRL (In Real Life). We talk to students, teachers and staff about how critical it is to get students off their phones and engaged in extra curricular activities. Research shows anxiety and depression have more than doubled since 2010, and 95% of teachers say mental health is an issue in public schools.To combat the mental health issues, SPS hired 5 new Engagement Navigators, whose jobs are dedicated to making sure every child is involved in at least one extracurricular activity. We talked with one of the Engagement Navigators about how they're planning on accomplishing that. 

SPS Extra is back! Here's a snippet from this month's podcast episode, which will be available Thursday, September 19th. In the  episode, we talk to students about they're involvement in extracurriculars and staff about their role in getting students involved. Here, you're hearing from students and staff at North Central High School's summer band camp.SPS launched Engage IRL this year, an initiative aimed at getting kids off cell phones and engaged in real life activities, both inside and outside the classroom. Students we talked to said the activities they're involved in keep them grounded, which is testament to how important extracurriculars are. You can follow ‘SPS Podcasts' on your preferred podcasting app to automatically have the latest episode uploaded to your library.

For this month's episode of SPS Extra, Stephanie and Taylor highlight the Northeast region of Spokane Public Schools. In-field interviews feature Rogers Football, Communities In Schools and 21st Century Learning, as well as the Esports team at NEWTech Prep. 

For this month's episode of SPS Extra, Stephanie and Taylor dive into leadership and what it takes to rise to the challenge. In-field interviews  feature North Central boys basketball, Shadle Park volleyball, the pickleball club at Ferris as well as the knitting club at Lewis and Clark. 

Groovy Shoes and Rubber Chicken has come and gone once again for North Central, Shadle Park, Lewis and Clark, and Ferris.This year, school pride and spirit was overflowing at the arena as North Central took home the groovy shoes for the eighth straight year, and Ferris won the rubber chicken for the first time in three years. Let's not forget about the newest tradition in Spokane Public Schools though, and that's the Railroad Rumble between Rogers and Cheney. The Railroad Rumble will take place at Reese Court in Cheney on January 31st with a 5:30 PM tip. 

SPS Extra is ending 2023 by celebrating the non-traditional extracurricular activities in our schools!Taylor Scheib (Brooks) and Stephanie Splater dive into the unique and intriguing clubs across our elementary, middle, and high schools. They interview the Cooking Club at Franklin Elementary School, Saxon Snow Sports at Ferris, and the Pep Squad at Peperzak Middle School. 

In October, the world celebrated Mental Health Day. This was a day to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to show efforts in support of mental health. In this month's episode, we dive into the importance of mental health awareness and how extracurriculars statistically prove a better well being. We have interviews with the Wellness Club at North Central as well as health and fitness teacher at Lewis and Clark, Heather Lefriec. We head to Hutton Elementary School and talk with school counselor Gretchen Snider and navigating teaching students social and emotional learning. Student athletes at Ferris High School have a candid conversation with Taylor Brooks (Scheib) about the pressures of high school and how they keep a positive attitude on the field and in the halls. 

Spokane Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Adam Swinyard, sits down with Stephanie Splater and Taylor Brooks from SPS Extra to start off the school year! Dr. Swinyard is encouraging students to participate in at least one extracurricular this school year. This conversation dives into the importance of extracurriculars, and how to get students off the screen.  

The start of the 2023-24 school year is here, and Spokane Public Schools is leveling up! On this month's episode of SPS Extra, hear from district superintendent, Dr. Adam Swinyard.  He is encouraging students to participate in at least one extracurricular activity this school year! Along with Dr. Swinyard, you will hear from North Central girls soccer and Ferris cheerleading. Both teams are in full swing right now as they anticipate their One Spokane Stadium debut in either late September or October. 

In episode eight of SPS Extra, Taylor Brooks and Stephanie Splater pump up the excitement around ONE Spokane Stadium. All Spokane Public Schools girls and boys soccer teams as well as football teams will play their home games at ONE Spokane Stadium. The stadium is set to open on September 28th with Shadle Park hosting Pullman in girls soccer with a 4 PM start. North Central and Clarkston will go head to head in football at 7 PM that night as well. Building a new stadium to replace the aging Joe Albi Stadium is one of many projects funded by a school facility bond passed by voters in 2018. The new stadium is being built downtown near the Spokane Arena and new Podium Sportsplex. Also included in the $495.3 million district-wide plan are three new middle schools; replacements of three existing middle schools; adding space for option programs at two locations; safety/security and technology updates for the entire school district; and building, field or playground improvements for all schools.This episode will feature Shawn Jordan, the Chief Operations Officer, as well as Shelly Radtke, North Central athletic director. 

Happy Summer Break! Stephanie Splater and Taylor Brooks jump into everything summer programming and how everything is going in our schools. Before we know it, the school year will be here, but for now, let's enjoy what summer has to offer at Spokane Public Schools!This episode will feature Le'Andra Myers, the after school activities director as well as Shadle Park football. 

In this episode, Taylor Brooks and Stephanie Splater dive into what's it like to be a senior in high school. You will hear from Catherine Dietschak, a recent graduate of Lewis and Clark High School. She shares her experiences about Tiger Drama and how the program set her up for her future. Brooklyn Holbrook also just graduated from John R. Rogers. She spent four years immersing herself in the legendary dance program. With all of this future talk, career and college readiness counselor, Dawn Hilsendeger, chats about how the world has changed when it comes to life after high school. 

In this interview, Taylor Brooks sits down with Catherine Dietschak. Catherine is a recent graduate of Lewis and Clark High School. She immersed herself in Tiger Drama for the last four years, gaining experience on stage and off stage. Catherine will head off to New Jersey in the fall where she will major in musical theatre at Rider University. 

For the month of May, SPS Extra focuses on the building of programs and schools from the ground up. Spokane Public Schools opened two brand new middle schools named Denny Yasuhara Middle School and Pauline Flett Middle School. SPS also replaced Glover Middle School and Shaw Middle School with new builds. In the fall of 2023, Carla Peperzak Middle School will open and Sacajawea Middle School will be replaced with a brand new school as well. In this episode, Taylor Brooks and Stephanie Splater interview athletic director, Sarah Goodey, as well as seventh graders at Sacajawea Middle School. 

Spring has sprung in Spokane! With the weather finally turning around for the better, Taylor Brooks and Stephanie Splater check in on spring sports around Spokane Public Schools. Unified sports also introduced pickle ball for the spring. This episode features interviews from Lewis and Clark Athletic Director, Dave Hughes, as well as Hutton students who participated in Fit For Bloomsday. We also visit with Ferris girls track and field. With spring acting like its here to stay, summer is on the horizon too as we talk about SPS summer programming. Check out: spokaneschools.org/summer for more details! 

Spokane Public Schools offers so many different types of extracurriculars. Each school has the typical sports programs, but Taylor Brooks (Scheib) and Stephanie Splater dive into the non-traditional extracurriculars like Cyber Patriots, theatre and drama, esports, and so on. If you want to see what schools have to offer, please visit spokaneschools.org. 

We hit the court in the second episode of SPS Extra! The school district and AAU have combined their efforts with Hoopfest to create the Hooptown Youth League. This is a league where there are three levels: recreational, competitive, and advance competitive for youth participants grades K-6th. In this episode, Stephanie Splater and Taylor Brooks talk about the importance of youth development when it comes to extracurriculars. Joining Stephanie and Taylor is Hoopfest Executive Director, Riley Stockton, and Gonzaga Strength and Conditioning Coach, Mike Nilsen. They talk about how successful the Hooptown Youth League was this season and where they want to see it go. Roosevelt Elementary hoopers also express how much they enjoyed HYL. 

SPS Extra sheds light on all of the extracurricular activities that students engage in at Spokane Public Schools. Each episode will feature a main topic with in-studio and field interviews with students, coaches, and community members. In this episode, Stephanie Splater and Taylor Brooks dive deep into the spirit games. This is a rich tradition across SPS as Lewis and Clark faces Ferris in the Rubber Chicken while Shadle Park and North Central go head to head in Groovy Shoes. Rogers also has a new rivalry with Cheney called the Railroad Rumble. Each school competes in a spirit competition while the girls and boys basketball games are going on at the Spokane Arena. 

“Every day is a reward, but seeing kids break through some of those things that are tough for them, that's really what makes my heart happy.” Homeless Community Specialist Danielle Duffey assists some of the nearly 700 students supported by our Homeless Education and Resource Team, or HEART.HEART is holding its annual gift card drive for unaccompanied youth in our district who are experiencing homelessness. Learn more and consider giving at spokaneschools.org/heart.

"I don't know anything... And ultimately I don't really need to know. What I need to be able to do is to hear that story and to be able to pick up the things that they are in need of in that immediate moment, to just help, and provide caring and love."Sarah Miller has been with the Spokane Public Schools Homeless Education and Resource Team for a dozen years. HEART is the district's way of implementing the McKinney Vento Act – a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth.HEART is holding its annual gift card drive for unaccompanied youth in our district who are experiencing homelessness. Learn more and consider giving at spokaneschools.org/heart.

Haili Andreas and her husband have two awesome girls. Her oldest, Temperance, was diagnosed with autism and sensory processing disorder when she was three.“It's very heart-wrenching when you get told your kid's going to be in special education, because when you have that baby you don't think you're going to have those struggles. You don't see your child like that. You don't see your child as underdeveloped or below standards." In this week's Friday 5, she shares some tips for other families as they navigate the special education process, and talks about her dreams for Temperance's future.

This drum chant was performed by Dr. Martina Whelshula and her husband, SPS Native Ed Support Specialist Martin Whelshula, in front of more than 100 community members during a dinner and award ceremony held at Shaw Middle School on Nov. 18, 2022. “We are honoring our students who have shown some of the Seven Grandfather Teachings that come from my culture (Anishinaabe),” said Native Education Coordinator Tamika LaMere.She called individual students up to receive awards for representing one or more of the following attributes: humility, honesty, courage/bravery, respect, wisdom, love, and truth.Indigenous educator and consultant Dr. Martina Whelshula, a member of Arrow Lakes Nation of the Colville Confederated Tribes, spoke about the importance of holding youth up and providing them with opportunities to know and take part in Native traditions, cultures, and values.She also shared the words of Pauline Flett, a Spokane Tribe elder who was instrumental in preserving and teaching the Salish language to younger generations before her death in 2020. “She told me, ‘The thing that I want most for my grandchildren is for them to get up every day, look in the mirror and like what they see. That sense of strong cultural identity. To feel good about who we are as indigenous people.' And so that's what we're here to do. To celebrate our children and that cultural character they've demonstrated in their day-to-day life.”

"It takes trauma to know trauma. I experienced my own set of trauma as a child and I want them to know that you don't have to be defined by that trauma. You can have a successful life and you can have a wonderful life. Over the years I've only grown a deeper love, a deeper need to work with them."Trisha Rosema is a paraeducator in a Behavior Intervention classroom at Jefferson Elementary. Here, she talks about what led her to work in Special Education, and what keeps her here, despite the challenges.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five-ish minutes worth of questions posed to experts on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen.

"It takes a village to support a child, and that village might be bigger or more complex if you have a student with a disability."Mollie Weber is the district's Special Education Parent Liaison. Here, she shares where families can go for special education services, the greatest challenges and rewards of her work, and what working with special needs students has done for her perspective.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five-ish minutes worth of questions posed to experts on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen.

Throughout the month of October we've talked to a range of experts about early learning. How important it is, what parents can do to set their little ones up for success, and more. But one group of experts we haven't spoken with much is the kids themselves.Meet Desmond and Gianna, who are in preschool and first grade, respectively. They share what they're learning now and what they're excited to know next.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - about five minutes worth of questions posed to experts on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen.

Rebecca Hill has taught early childhood education for the past 23 years. For the past six, she's managed a preschool that matches 3-and 4-year-olds with North Central High School students. The program has benefits for students in both age groups, like Salima, a senior who plans to pursue an education career.Here, Rebecca and Salima share why preschool is a good idea for toddlers, and why they love it themselves.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in around five minutes to an expert on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen.

Bambi Howe is starting her 32nd year as a Spokane Public Schools teacher. She's spent the past 20 of those years with Madison Elementary kindergarteners, mostly in a big, colorful space at the end of the hall.Here, she shares what the ideal kinder student should know on day one, why early socialization is vital to learning how to “do school,” and a few reasons kindergarten is a magical place.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in around five minutes to an expert on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen.

SPS Early Learning Coordinator Angela Haberman works with a team of psychologists, pathologists, teachers, paraeducators and others to make sure brand new students get off on the right foot.She walks through what parents can do at home to make sure their child's preschool experience is positive and gives some key reasons experts like herself believe preschool is vital for 3 and 4 year olds, especially those who may have special needs."The earlier that we can support with specific and individually designed interventions for kiddos with unique needs, the quicker they grow and develop and the more likely they are to not need such intensive interventions later on in life."Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in around five minutes to an expert on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen.

"If you don't learn about it, certain aspects will repeat. Because a lack of knowledge creates arrogance, I feel, which can lead to more problems."- Gus, a Rogers High School junior, who visited Gonzaga University with his classmates this week to view “Americans and the Holocaust.”Gonzaga was among just 50 venues across the country selected to host the traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. through October 6. Admission is free. Details at gonzaga.edu/holocaustexhibit.  

Myo Myo Aye is a Class of 2021 grad who's now earning her Pharmacy Tech Certificate and AA at Spokane Falls Community College. She's among the first in her family to attend college. Here, she shares how programs like the College Success Foundation helped her navigate the postsecondary planning process and what she'd tell her freshman self.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in around five minutes to an expert on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen.

"Graduation is an amazing ritual, it's not a stopping point. It's really a launch into something else. And this High School and Beyond Plan that starts when they're younger is part of what will launch them into a meaningful life after high school."For the past 36 years, Kitty Hennessey has served as a counselor at all grade levels within SPS. Here, she outlines the purpose of a High School and Beyond Plan and shares some tips for talking with students who may be anxious when discussing their future.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in about five minutes to an expert on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen. 

Jeremy Day is the Graduation Assistance Specialist for SPS, working with students who need a little extra aid to make it across the stage and on to postsecondary success. Prior to this, he was a school counselor for 15 years, much of it at Rogers High School.In this week's Friday 5, Jeremy shares his take on when families and students should begin considering life after high school (hint: it should start earlier than you think), and how parents can approach planning for the future while still letting their kid be a kid.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in about five minutes to an expert on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen. 

Will Merritt is a Class of 2022 Lewis & Clark High School grad who's now at the University of Portland studying biology on a pre-med track. Here, he talks about what helped him plan for postsecondary success, what he'd tell his freshman self, and ways the adults in his life helped him start thinking about life after high school.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in about five minutes to an expert on a given topic. Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen. 

Before he became the SPS Executive Director of Student Success, Scott Kerwien spent about a decade as a high school counselor. Here, he shares his take on how to talk to a teenager, the top three things parents of high schoolers should be doing to prep their student for a successful new year, resources for families, and more.Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in about five minutes to an expert on a given topic. This is the third of three episodes focused on preparing students to get back to school.Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen. 

Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in about five minutes to an expert on a given topic. This is the second of three episodes focused on preparing students to get back to school.New Glover Middle School Principal Mike Stark came from 20 years as a principal in the Cheney Public Schools district, where middle school consists of 6-8 grades. As SPS begins the process of moving up our own sixth grade students to the middle level this year, Mike shares what parents should know about the transition.He also talks through the top three things parents of middle schoolers should be doing right now to prepare for the start of a new school year, what traits the most successful students of this age have in common, and where families should go to find resources that will make this school year great.Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen. 

Welcome to the SPS Friday 5 - five questions posed in about five minutes to an expert on a given topic. This is the first of three episodes focused on preparing students to get back to school.Spokane Public Schools Director of Early Learning Karin Thompson talks through the top three things parents of young children should be doing right now to prepare themselves for the start of a new school year.She also reveals why it's vital to get to know your kid's teacher, what traits the most successful elementary students have in common, and where families should go to find resources that will make the first day great.Find all our audio stories at www.spokaneschools.org/listen. 

We visited a new hire orientation this week to speak with fresh SPS teachers and other staff about who they are, what they'll be doing, and why they're excited for the coming school year.

Arthur Wedge suffered serious injuries after he was hit by a car in September of 2021. With the help of his teachers, school counselor and family, he was able to recover and continues to be a model student at Shaw Middle School.

Students at The Community School worked with Generation Alive to raise funds for Spokane Public Schools' Homeless Education and Resource Team (HEART) and support their fellow students who may be experiencing homelessness.

Each year, the Spokane Symphony invites fourth and fifth grade students from across the city to the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.Last Thursday, 2,500 students from every elementary school in Spokane Public Schools had the chance to see this historical theater and learn about music in a way many of them have never experienced before.