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  • May 2026 Around Finley Schools

    Destination Imagination Congratulations to our Finley Elementary and Middle School Destination Imagination (DI) teams who participated in this year's competition days in March! Destination Imagination is a creative problem-solving program that encourages students to work collaboratively to solve open-ended challenges using critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and innovation. It is an incredible opportunity for our students, and competition days are always inspiring and fun.   Congratulations Superintendent Long, Visionary Impact Awardee! Finley School District Superintendent Bryan Long was selected as the Washington Association of Agricultural Educators Visionary Impact Award winner! This award recognizes educational leaders who have made significant contributions related to agricultural education. Read more on the district website here. Athletics Update RVHS Panthers The regular season has ended for the Panther baseball and softball teams. We celebrated senior day on April 21.  The varsity baseball team finished with an overall record of 15-5 and a league record of 5-1. The team shared the EWAC East Division Championship and earned the #2 seed into the EWAC League Tournament. The Panthers went 1-2 in the tournament securing a 4th place finish to advance on to the CWD5 District tournament. The Panthers went 3-0 at the district tournament and finished 5th to advance on to the WIAA 2B State Tournament. The team will play Adna High School at Northwest Christian High School on Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. Coach Eisenbarth has high expectations for this group, led by six seniors who have lots of post-season experience. The varsity softball team finished with an overall record of 17-2 and a league record of 7-1.  The team shared the EWAC East Division Championship and earned the #1 seed into the EWAC League Tournament. The Panthers went 2-0 in the tournament and placed 1st overall to advance to the CWD5 District Tournament. At the district tournament, the Panthers went 2-0 to have another 1st place finish earning the title of District Champions and advancing to the WIAA 2B State Softball Tournament. The team will play Colfax in Yakima on Friday, May 22, at 9:00 a.m. As with baseball, Coach Clayton has high expectations for this group, led by four seniors who have lots of post-season experience. The Panther boys and girls track team finished their regular season earlier this month. We also hosted our EWAC League meet and celebrated our seniors at the same time. Coach Curbow had around 34 athletes who qualified for the EWAC League Championship meet in Cle Elum on May 13. The Panthers had an amazing finish at the EWAC League Championships resulting in 20 athletes qualifying for the WIAA 2B State Track and Field Tournament. The state tournament will be held on May 28-30 in Yakima. FMS Falcons The Falcon baseball and softball teams are in full swing playing league games. Each program has one team made up of both 8th and 7th graders. The baseball team, coached by Griffin Hanberg, has a record at 1-2 right now with five more games to play. The softball team, coached by Ceira Hall, has a record of 1-2 right now with five more games to be played. The season concludes May 21. Finley Elementary School Salmon Release Finley Elementary 4th graders released salmon into the Columbia River on May 7 at Two Rivers Park. These salmon were raised from eggs with our elementary students observing their progress from egg to fully grown and learning about their lifecycles and habitats. Finley Middle School 21st Century Program Community Event The 21st Century before- and after-school program held a parent and community event at Finley Middle School. Thanks to everyone who joined us and made this fun event possible! Finley's Finest for April Congratulations to our April Finley Middle School's Finest Caught in Action who we celebrated with donuts! STEM Like Me STEM Like Me joined students in Mr. Hayfield’s 8th grade science classes for several hands-on STEM activities. River View High School May is Mental Health Month Students in Ms. Ward’s Mental Health and Counseling Class recently created and launched an awareness campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month, including promoting a week-long lunchtime movie event focused on mental health topics. Throughout the week, students gathered in Ms. Ward’s classroom during lunch to watch the film, connect with peers, and take part in meaningful conversations. The class also partnered with FCCLA, who helped make the event extra special by providing popcorn, brownies, and fun prizes.   Look for RVHS Student Art in the 2026 Election! River View High School senior Neydin Padilla’s art will be featured on I-Voted stickers in Benton County! Ballots for the November General Election will go out in the mail October 14, 2026, with Neydin’s I-Voted sticker included in each ballot packet that goes out to voters. Benton County Commissioner Jerome Delvin and Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton presented Neydin with a certificate for the accomplishment on April 29. Congratulations, Neydin! FFA Updates Mark It On Your Calendar! May 20 - 8th grade state testing in science May 25 - NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day May 26 - Middle & High School Spring Concert, 6 p.m. May 27-28 - Middle school SBA Testing in math (for all middle school students) May 27 - Career Day for Kindergarten-2nd grade May 27 - Elementary Music Spring Showcase, 2:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., elementary gym May 28 - FCCLA End of Year Banquet for alumni, current members, and families, 5:30 p.m. June 1 - Night of the Arts June 2 - Spring Sports Awards Night, 7 p.m. (dessert social starting at 6:30 p.m.), RVHS Commons June 5 - Graduation, 7 p.m. June 18 - Last Day of School June 19 - School Offices Closed, Juneteenth Observance August 31 - First Day of the 2026-27 School Year! (Find the full academic calendar on the Finley School District website.)   Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Road | Kennewick, WA 99337 | 509-586-3217 www.finleysd.org | Nondiscrimination Statement Find us on social media: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to Finley e-news

    Wednesday, May 20 2026

  • April 2026 Around Finley Schools

    Athletics Update RVHS Panthers The Panther varsity baseball team is off to a 7-4 start with big wins over Brewster, Okanogan, Asotin, and Prosser and with tough losses to Liberty Bell and Kittitas. Head Coach Brian Eisenbarth has six seniors playing for him in his last season as head coach. League play has begun with the post-season starting May 4. Senior night for baseball is Tuesday, April 21.   The Panther varsity softball team is off to a 6-1 start with big wins over Ki-Be, Prosser, and Othello and with a tough loss to Warden. Head coach Andy Clayton has six seniors playing for him in what could be another return to state season. League play has begun with the post-season starting May 5. Senior night for softball is Tuesday, April 21.   The Panther girls and boys track teams are off and running for the season. We hosted the Panther Invite on March 25 with three other schools in attendance. Head Coach Ron Curbow has 21 seniors competing for him this season. We host another track meet on May 7, which is also our senior night.   FMS Falcons Spring sports at FMS have begun. Baseball and softball are currently practicing with games starting on April 2nd.  Finley Elementary School State Testing Finley Elementary started Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) testing for 3rd-5th grade students this week. Testing will be held in morning sessions between April 13-May 6. Be sure your students get plenty of sleep and get a good breakfast either at home or at school on test days! Finley Middle School 8th Grade Trip to Perry Tech 8th grade students took a field trip with GEAR UP to Perry Tech where they had the opportunity to see several of the programs offered.  A big THANK YOU to GEAR UP for providing this opportunity for Finley Middle School 8th graders! Middle School Art Show Artwork by five Finley Middle School students is on display in the Regional Middle School Art Show now through April 24 at Educational Service District 123. Participating students and their families, friends, and teachers are invited to attend the opening reception and awards ceremony on April 16 at 5:30 p.m. Finley's Finest Caught in the Act Congratulations to our Finley's Finest Caught in the Act students for February! Tri-Tech at Finley Middle School Tri-Tech Skills Center visited Finley Middle School to provide an opportunity for all middle school students to see what they offer. River View High School Teen Mental Health First Aid With funding from ESD 123, 61 River View High School freshmen recently earned Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) certification after completing the six-week, evidence-based program during their health class. Students learned how to recognize signs and symptoms of common mental health challenges and safely respond as caring peers who can connect someone in need with a trusted adult or appropriate support. The program concluded with a celebration recognizing the students achievement. Learn more about the tMHFA program here. WSU Food Sciences Visit River View High School Food Science students had the opportunity to visit Washington State University in Pullman in March for an engaging, hands-on learning experience in the field of food science. Students explored food science concepts and real-world applications, including a creative product development workshop where students designed their own original food product and marketing plan and a tour of Ferdinand’s Creamery. A special thank you to GEAR UP for sponsoring this field trip and making the experience possible, as well as to the RVHS Booster Club for treating students to some delicious ice cream during their visit. Read more about the visit here. FCCLA Updates FCCLA State Leadership Conference Congratulations to Desi Nelson for earning gold for career investigation and Kaytie Ebright for earning a silver in professional presentation at this year's FCCLA State Leadership Conference. We are all so proud of you! We hope to have Ray Curtis as an evaluator again, and hope you'll eventually even compete! Everyone who went to state had quite the fun time with workshops, like public speaking, careers in FCS, culinary practices, resume tips, and networking with business members. Read more FCCLA updates here. FFA Updates FFA Plant Sale (April 16-18) This Thursday-Saturday (April 16-18) is the Finley FFA Plant Sale! Stop by the school greenhouse to get your supply of various bedding plants, hanging baskets, vegetables and fruit. This year's hours will be: Thursday (4/16), 9 am - 5 pm Friday (4/17), 10 am - 4 pm Saturday (4/18), 9 am - 2 pm Money earned from the plant sale goes to the Finley FFA Chapter to support events, travel and more for members. Cash, check or card accepted. Mark It On Your Calendar! April 13-24 - Middle School Art Show on display, Educational Service District 123 April 13 - May 6 - Elementary School SBA Testing begins for 3rd-5th graders in the mornings April 14 - Finley Middle School PTG Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room 103 April 16-18 - FFA Plant Sale (Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. / Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. / Saturday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.), in the CTE building greenhouse beside Finley Middle School April 20-23 - Middle School iReady Testing for ELA April 21 - Senior Night for Baseball and Softball April 27-30 - Middle School iReady Testing for Math May 5-11 - Goodwill Donation Trailer will be in the middle school parking lot - all donations go to the Finley Middle School PTG May 7 - Senior Night for Track May 11-13 - Middle School State Testing for ELA May 25 - NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day May 26-27 - Middle School State Testing for Math May 28 - FCCLA End of Year Banquet for alumni, current members, and families, 5:30 p.m. June 5 - RVHS Graduation, 7 p.m.   Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Road | Kennewick, WA 99337 | 509-586-3217 www.finleysd.org | Nondiscrimination Statement Find us on social media: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to Finley e-news

    Tuesday, Apr 14 2026

  • March 2026 Around Finley Schools

    Finley Honored with OSPI Award for Educational Excellence Finley School District was selected as 1 of 25 award-winning school districts for the inagural State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence in Student Progress. The State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence recognizes the 25 top-performing school districts in educational achievement in the previous school year and the 25 top-performing school districts in progress over the last three school years. Read more about this award on the district website.   Congratulation to Sydney Freitag, Finley's 2026 Crystal Apple Award Winner Finley School District is proud to announce Sydney Freitag, English Language Arts and STEM elective teacher at Finley Middle School, as our 2026 Crystal Apple Award winner! We invite staff, families, and community members to join us in celebrating her at the public ceremony on Thursday, March 19, at 4:30 p.m. at Educational Service District 123 in Pasco. Read more about this honor here.   Remember to Complete the Family Survey by March 20 If you haven't already, we invite you to take a few minutes and fill out the CEE Family Survey. We want to get a feel for how we're serving our students, family, and community. The deadline to fill out this form is Friday, March 20. You can select any language in the top right corner of the survey. Athletics Update RVHS Panthers The boys and girls basketball season came to an end during the EWAC League Championship tournament. For the boys' EWAC All League, Maddox Tyutyunnik was voted honorable mention, while Aiden Tyutyunnik was voted to 1st Team. For girls' EWAC All League, Taylor Russell was voted honorable mention, while Kearsten Suarez was voted 2nd team. The boys and girls wrestling season came to an end at the WIAA Mat Classic in Tacoma. We brought nine boys and two girls to the state tournament, with two boys placing. Landon Los got 7th place, while Carter Pease wrestled in the state championship, losing a tough battle to place 2nd. It’s the highest placing by a Panther wrestler in 15 years! We had four wrestlers achieve All League honors: Carter Pease and Julian Barrera earned honorable mention while Landon Los and Tatum Cram earned 2nd team honors.   Spring sports have begun at the high school. We have over 100 athletes competing in baseball, softball, and track. We have 8th graders in all three high school spring sports.   FMS Falcons The girls basketball teams have completed their season. The 8th grade record was 0-8, while the 7th grade record was 7-1. FMS baseball and softball begin April 6th.   Finley Elementary School Sons of the American Revolution at Finley Elementary Finley fifth graders were privileged to enjoy a visit from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Mid-Columbia Chapter. It was the perfect compliment to our Social Studies unit on the American Revolution! Students got to hear stories of life in the 1770s in the colonies, as well as hold artifacts children their age would have used during that time in history. It was exciting to see our guests show up in clothing like what they would have worn during the Revolutionary War, especially the minutemen! A big THANK YOU to the Mid-Columbia SAR Chapter for this special experience! Finley Middle School STEM Lego Robots In Mr. Westberg’s elective class, students are engaged in some hands-on STEM learning by building Lego Robots, which they will program to do different moves or actions. River View High School River View Student in Olympia as a Legislative Page Ismerai Mendoza, a freshman at River View High School, recently served as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives. She was sponsored by Rep. Gloria Mendoza. Pages assist representatives and House staff by delivering messages and documents throughout the Capitol campus, preparing the House chamber for floor sessions, and supporting other legislative duties. In addition to their work in the Legislature, pages attend daily classes where they learn about the legislative process and the operations of state government. "Hosting young people as pages is one of the most rewarding parts of serving in the Legislature," said Rep. Mendoza. "It gives students a firsthand look at how state government works and encourages them to stay involved in their communities."   Alicia Stith Takes 2nd in Short Story Competition! Congratulations to Alicia Stith, a junior at River View High School, for placing 2nd in the short story division at RadCon. RadCon is a general Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention held in Pasco, WA with over 1,500 attendees annually. Alicia's short story was about a group of teenagers based off of her friends trying to survive and figuring out how to live in a post-apocalyptic Finley, Washington. Alicia's inspiration for her story was found through her love for dystopian media and her friends!   Regional High School Art Show The Regional High School Art Show wrapped up last week with six student artists from River View High School having had their artwork on display at the Richland Public Library. A special congratulations to Deicy Mendoza for earning the Superintendent’s Choice Award in the Regional High School Art Show for her peice, “Sunshine Sunflower”. She was awarded with a certificate from Superintendent Long at the awards ceremony on March 12. Congratulations, Deicy! FFA Updates   Lower Columbia Basin FFA Jamboree The last week of February was National FFA Week at RVHS. From dressing up like Mrs. Yochum and Mr. Bush to celebrating those who earned Discovery and Greenhand awards to showing gratitude for teachers and staff with a pancake breakfast, it was a busy week celebrating agricultural education in our district and culminating with the Lower Columbia Basin Jamboree. FFA Chapters from across our region joined us at the Finley CTE building for competitions and a lot of fun! Congratulations to our Finley students and team groups who won awards for all of their hard work during the competition: Food Science Finley Team, 2nd Place Ava Teagle, 1st Place Trell Miles, 4th Place Hailey Herrin, 5th Place Extemporaneous Speaking Soren Miles, 2nd Place Horse Evaluation Finley Team, 2nd Place Victoria Sartain, 3rd Place Creed Speaking Rayanne Curtis, 4th Place Tractor Driving Finley Team, 1st Place Jantzen Newton, 1st Place Ag Materials & Tools Finley Team, 2nd Place Kian Pounds, 2nd Place First Year Team - Finley Team, 4th Place Ag Sales - Finley Team, 2nd Place Mark It On Your Calendar! March 19 - Crystal Apple Awards Ceremony, 4:30 p.m., ESD 123 (3924 W Court Street in Pasco) March 20 - Deadline to submit CEE Family Survey March 26 - End of Quarter 3 March 30 - April 3 - NO SCHOOL, Spring Break April 14 - Middle School 3rd Quarter Report Cards sent home with students April 16 - FFA Plant Sale, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. April 17 - FFA Plant Sale, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. April 18 - FFA Plant Sale, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.   Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Road | Kennewick, WA 99337 | 509-586-3217 www.finleysd.org | Nondiscrimination Statement Find us on social media: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to Finley e-news

    Tuesday, Mar 17 2026

  • February 2026 Around Finley Schools

    Our Roots (Raíces) Student Art Contest Students are invited to participate in the Our Roots (Raíces) Student Art Contest, celebrating identity, culture, and where we come from. The contest is held by 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program and Tri-Cities LULAC, and artwork will be displayed at The REACH Museum from April 10–June 5, 2026. The contest is open to local elementary, middle, high school, and college students. Artwork is due by March 31, 2026. Learn more and register here. For questions, contact Margarita Alaman at malaman@esd123.org or Noemi Simental at portugal.noemi@gmail.com. Athletics Update RVHS Panthers The season has ended for the Panther basketball teams. Both the girls and boys varsity teams qualified for the post-season EWAC League Tournament. The boys beat White Swan in the 1st round but lost in the 2nd round to Cle Elum. The girls upset Goldendale in the 1st round but lost to Warden in the 2nd round. The girls ended with a league record of 2-8 and an overall record of 6-15. The boys ended with a league record of 4-6 and an overall record of 7-14. The varsity boys team had a team GPA of 3.03, while the varsity girls team had a team GPA of 2.95. Thank you to our seniors as we celebrated them on January 23.  The boys and girls wrestling teams have concluded the regular season and are now competing at post-season events. The girls are at sub-districts in Granger, while the boys are at Highland. District 5 wrestling is February 12 for the girls and February 14 for the boys. The boys team had a team GPA of 2.88 while the girls team GPA was 2.95. Thank you to the seniors as we celebrated them on January 6.  We inducted two former Panther players into the Hall of Fame. Nate Clinton (pictured above) and Marina Jimenez were both 2024 graduates. FMS Falcons The Finley Middle School girls' basketball teams are halfway done with their season. The 8th grade record so far is 0-4, while the 7th grade record is 4-0.  The season concludes February 23. Finley Elementary School Family Engagement Night Finley Elementary School hosted a great family engagement night and kindergarten open house on February 5! From creative science projects and games to the unforgettable experience of holding reptiles, it was truly one to remember. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers and families who made this event such a success! Kindness Week & PTG Fundraiser Finley Elementary held another great Kindness Week celebrating acts of kindness. As part of the event, the Elementary Parent Teacher Group (PTG) held a "Kindness Fundraiser" to raise money for an upgrade to the elementary gym's sound and video system. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community and their friends and families across the country, the PTG received more than $5,700 in donations! The PTG will continue the fundraiser with an online auction planned for March 10. Students enjoying a Stuffy Day with their stuffed animals joining them for a day! Finley Middle School 7th grade held another great Washington State History Predator Prowl Night at Finley Middle School, where families joined us to see the student's predator project displays. This is a 7th grade-wide project that stems across all subject areas. A special thank you to Kristal Solorzano, our Migrant Education Program Liaison, for arranging for service dogs to visit Finley Middle School during lunch once a month! River View High School Artist Presentation at RVHS Last week, River View High School’s art students had the incredible opportunity to learn from Jeff Sturgeon, a Northwest artist renowned for his stunning, award-winning metal paintings. Before focusing full-time on his artwork and traveling to conventions, Jeff built an impressive career as a game designer and art director with Electronic Arts. Students were inspired not only by his creative journey, but by the real world insight he shared about building a future in the arts. FCCLA Updates FCCLA Regionals This January, FCCLA went to the regional competition in Pasco along with over 40 other teams. The people who attended were: Logan Arellano, Yazmin Zuniga, Nikki Lotz, Ray Curtiss, and Kay Hall. The state competition will be in Spokane, March 11-18, where Ray Curtiss will be our freshman evaluator! FCCLA Week & Pasta Mama's Fundraiser We celebrated FCCLA Week from February 9-13 at River View High School with activities each day from making bracelets to sharing free italian sodas at lunch! It was another great week of celebration and recognition for FCCLA! FCCLA is also currently running a Pasta Mama’s Fundraiser. If you want to buy some pasta, ask an FCCLA member or contact FCCLA Advisor Jennifer Ward. FFA Updates Competition Season Underway FFA competition season is underway, as Finley FFA members compete in a variety of Career and Leadership Development Events (CDEs / LDEs) with the goal of earning a spot at districts and the state FFA convention in Pullman this May. Students who earned a spot at districts include: Ava Teagle: 4th in Employment Skills LDE, 2nd in Prepared Public Speaking Rayanne Curtis: 3rd in Creed Speaking Soren Miles: 3rd in Prepared Public Speaking, 2nd in Extemporaneous Public Speaking Trell Miles: 5th in Prepared Public Speaking, 3rd in Extemporaneous Public Speaking Ava and Soren also took part in the District FFA Officer selection process. The officer team will be announced at districts in March. Read more about FFA competitions here. WA Potato Conference On January 28, Finley FFA members competed in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking competition at the Washington State Potato Conference. Members tested their communication skills while learning more about one of Washington’s most important agricultural industries. Members drew speaking topics focused on current issues in the potato industry, ranging from labor challenges to sustainability and future innovations. Finley FFA members represented their chapter well, with Soren Miles earning 6th place, Ava Teagle placing 8th, and Trell Miles finishing 10th against strong competition from both Washington and Oregon States. Read more about the WA State Potato Conference. FFA Boot Camps The Finley FFA Chapter brought learning, leadership, and a lot of fun to lunchtime with its FFA Boot Camp series. Designed and led by FFA officers, the three days of boot camps gave both members and non-members a chance to learn more about FFA in a relaxed, welcoming environment with the simple goal of introducing FFA, agriculture, and leadership opportunities while building connections and having fun. Read more about the FFA Boot Camps here. Family Fun Night FFA held the second Family Fun Night of the year for members and their families. The evening was all about enjoying quality time together, as well as holding the annual Soup Challenge. Congratulations to Finley FFA alumna Karli Teagle for bringing the winning soup out of some fierce competition! Finley FFA would like to thank all the members, families, and alumni who attended and helped make the night a success. Read more about the family night here. Mark It On Your Calendar! February 26 - Mid-Quarter 3 February 21-28 - National FFA Week February 27 - Lower Columbia Basin FFA Jamboree, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., RVHS CTE Center March 3 - Middle School Progress Reports sent home March 4 - Winter Sports Awards Night, 7 p.m. (dessert social starting at 6:30 p.m.), RVHS Commons March 5 - Spring Conferences March 30 - April 3 - NO SCHOOL, Spring Break   Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Road | Kennewick, WA 99337 | 509-586-3217 www.finleysd.org | Nondiscrimination Statement Find us on social media: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to Finley e-news

    Tuesday, Feb 17 2026

  • Student Art Contest Opportunity

    Our Roots (Raíces) Student Art Contest Students of all ages are invited to participate in the Our Roots (Raíces) Student Art Contest , a regional student art show in partnership with the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program from ESD 123 and Tri-Cities LULAC. Theme : Raíces (Roots) — exploring identity, culture, and where we come from Eligibility : Open to students enrolled in local elementary, middle, high schools, and local colleges Artwork Due:  March 31, 2026 (deliver to Margarita Alaman at ESD 123 or request a pick up from your school building) Art on Exhibit : April 10 – June 5, 2026 at The REACH Museum in Richland, with a family celebration on May 5 Learn more and register here For questions, contact Margarita Alaman at malaman@esd123.org or Noemi Simental at portugal.noemi@gmail.com Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Rd | Kennewick, WA 99337 PH: 509-586-3217 | WWW.FINLEYSD.ORG Nondiscrimination Statement

    Wednesday, Feb 11 2026

  • January 2026 Around Finley Schools

    Thank you, Finley School Board! January is National School Board Appreciation Month, and we are excited to celebrate our dedicated and community-driven school board at Finley School District. Thank you to our board members: Chris Knighten, Jayme Finch, Rory Bush, Laramie Holden, and McKenzie Kennedy-Slatick. Your efforts make a lasting difference, and we’re so grateful for all that you do! Athletics Update RVHS Panthers We have reached mid-season for winter athletics at the high school. The girls varsity basketball team is 1-1 in league play and 3-7 overall. The boys varsity basketball team is 1-1 in league play and 3-7 overall. The regular season for both teams ends January 30 with playoffs to follow. The girls and boys wrestling season is going great. Both teams traveled to tournaments over the holiday break, with Carter Pease taking 1st place in one of those tournaments. The regular season ends January 24 with districts to follow.  The cheer team competed for a spot to state over the holiday break. They finished 2nd but did not qualify for state, although they plan to try again this season. FMS Falcons Girls basketball has begun at Finley Middle School. The 8th grade team is coached by Katie Suituno, while the 7th grade team is coached by Rob Hayfield. Their games begin on January 22. Finley Elementary School Ag Day at the Elementary Before winter break, Finley FFA members brought agriculture to life for Ms. Merkley's and Mrs. Witt's 4th grade classrooms at Finley Elementary. High schoolers taught the younger students how holiday favorites like turkey and cranberries connect to agriculture, with food samples to make real-world connection for each item. They even ended the day by making pumpkin pie in a bag! Read more about Ag Day at the elementary school on the FFA news page.   Winter Assembly Things got a little messy at Finley Elementary's Winter Assembly when two students scored the ultimate honor of being able to pie Mr. Aguilar and Principal Kinne for showing up for the Helping Hands Food Drive. Students filled the room with holiday cheer showing up in festive outfits or cozy pajamas and singing joyful songs, making it the perfect send-off before winter break! Finley Middle School Service Dogs at FMS Once a month, service dogs visit Finley Middle School during lunch to give students a chance to recharge and relax with their furry friends. River View High School Reality Fair This month, RVHS seniors participated in the annual Reality Fair, an interactive event designed to give students hands-on experience with real-world financial decision-making. With the support of local community volunteers and WSECU, students navigated real-world scenarios, such as getting a monthly salary, paying student loans, selecting phone plans, and balancing everyday expenses, all while learning about the impact of their choices. Thank you to our community volunteers and partners who helped make this event possible and provided our students with a valuable and engaging learning experience.   Mock Interviews Students in Mrs. Ward’s Reality Class practiced real-world interview skills before winter break, everything from resumes and cover letters to professional dress and communication. With help from amazing community volunteers, our students gained confidence and valuable feedback for their futures. A big thank you to everyone who came out to support our students! FCCLA Updates FCCLA December News December was filled with fun and community service for Finley FCCLA between volunteering with Helping Hands, sharing information at the community lighted parade, and holding their annual lock-in and sock exchange. This month, members are will be attending a STAR events regional competition and joining in another retirement home visit for the new year. Read the full December FCCLA wrap-up here. Mark It On Your Calendar! January 21 - Kindness Week Kick-off at Finley Elementary School January 21 - 7th Grade Predator Prowl Project Night, Finley Middle School, 5:30 p.m. January 22 - End of the First Semester January 22 - Finley Food Pantry, Finley Community Center, begins 10:00 a.m. January 23 - Senior Night for Basketball February 16 - NO SCHOOL, Presidents Day   Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Road | Kennewick, WA 99337 | 509-586-3217 www.finleysd.org | Nondiscrimination Statement Find us on social media: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to Finley e-news

    Tuesday, Jan 20 2026

  • December 2025 Around Finley Schools

    Congratulations, Retirees! Congratulations to Laurie Tufford and Teresa Nicholson on their retirement! Laurie has served Finley School District for 12 years as the Special Programs secretary, supporting our programs with exceptional skill, heart, and unwavering commitment. Teresa retires after 22 years as a Finley School District bus driver and leader in our transportation team. We want to thank both Laurie and Teresa for their years of hard work and dedication to supporting our schools and students, and wish them both the very best in retirement!   Finley Moose Lodge Annual Holiday Donations We want to thank the Finley Moose Lodge for their ongoing support. Last week, members of the lodge presented school staff with items for local families in need. We are very thankful to have community partners like Finley Moose Lodge who go above and beyond to help. Athletics Update RVHS Panthers River View winter sports have begun playing contests this week. The basketball teams opened the season against rival Kiona-Benton and had great games, but came up short in the end for both boys and girls. The boys team, coached by Mike McGee has five seniors playing. The girls team, coached by Kellie Ross has eight seniors on its roster. The teams have a couple more non-league contests before beginning East Division play against Granger on December 20. The boys and girls wrestling teams opened the season with a Jamboree in Burbank. The team, coached by Rick McLaughlin, has two senior girls and three senior boys on it. Our winter cheer team, coached by Mickayla Bennion, is in full swing also with three seniors on the team.  FMS Falcons The boys basketball team is entering mid-season. The 7th grade team, coached by Brian Eisenbarth is 3-1 on the year. The 8th grade team, coached by Kent Johnson is 2-2 on the year.  Both teams' season concludes on December 18th. Fall Sports Award Night The Fall Sports Awards Night was on November 24th. The middle and high school programs came together to celebrate the fall season. The Varsity Football team and Varsity Volleyball were recognized for their team GPA, each receiving an award from WIAA. We celebrated the Varsity Volleyball team for finishing 8th at the WIAA State Championships. It’s the highest finish since 2008. Finley Elementary School Elementary Students Pick Out Books from RVHS Honor Society Book Drive River View High School's National Honor Society held a book drive for young reader books to donate to Finley Elementary students. Thanks to the generosity of our community, they were able to collect enough books for every student in the elementary. Thank you to our RVHS students and to everyone who donated books to make this event possible!   Elementary Family Game Night Mrs. Bradshaw and Mrs. Guzman hosted the first Family Game Night at Finley Elementary School on Tuesday, December 9. Kids and families had a great time with reading and math games for families to take home to build skills outside school! Finley Middle School Learning About Finley FFA at FMS Finley FFA officers brought energy, excitement, and agricultural education to Finley Middle School with Ag Day at the middle school. To spark curiosity and interaction, the officers created a couple activities along with fun questions about farming, livestock, ag careers, and FFA traditions. Finley FFA looks forward to welcoming many of these future leaders into the program in the coming years! River View High School Practicing Pie Crusts & Table Etiquette Students in the Foods Science Class at River View High School learned how to make pie crusts this November and practiced their skills by making pumpkin and sweet potato pies, even comparing a fresh pumpkin puree versus store-bought canned filling to taste the difference. To round out holiday preparation, the class also practiced manners and table etiquette. FFA Updates FFA Gives Back The holiday seasons are a time of giving, and Finley FFA has done their part with several annual community service events. During Knot Night, members spent an evening tying fleece blankets that were donated to the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission to support individuals and families in need this winter. Over Thanksgiving week, FFA members also brought in food items to make up a complete Thanksgiving meal to donate to a local family, providing them with a warm, memorable holiday. Members learned responsibility and compassion by working together to make a difference and serve their community in a meaningful way during the holiday season. Read more from Finley FFA here! Mark It On Your Calendar! December 22 - January 2 - NO SCHOOL, Winter Break - We'll see you back on January 5th! January 5 - Middle School Girls Basketball Practice begins January 6 - Senior Night for Boys & Girls Wrestling January 19 - NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 21 - WA State History Night (7th grade), 5:30-6:30 p.m., Finley Middle School January 22 - End of First Semester January 23 - Senior Night for Boys & Girls Basketball and Cheer   Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Road | Kennewick, WA 99337 | 509-586-3217 www.finleysd.org | Nondiscrimination Statement Find us on social media: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to Finley e-news

    Tuesday, Dec 16 2025

  • November 2025 Around Finley Schools

    Inclement Weather Reminders Before we know it, winter weather will be here! When snow, icy roads, and other inclement weather make it necessary to delay or cancel school, Finley School District will use multiple communication methods to notify our students, parents, and staff: Automated calls and notifications through ParentSquare (make sure your contact info is current in Skyward Family Access!)  Finley School District website Social media (Facebook, Instagram)  FlashAlert and local media (TV, radio) Announcements of a delay or closure will be made by 6:00 a.m. The Finley School Board has approved the option of 3-hour delays as needed. In the event of inclement weather, the district will first call a 2-hour delay. If weather is still poor but improving, we may then move to a 3-hour delay and reevaluate at that time whether to hold or cancel school. If there are no announcements, assume school is operating as usual. Athletics Update RVHS Panther Volleyball The Panther volleyball team qualified for the WIAA state playoffs for the third year in a row. The end of the regular season was eventful with the celebration of our seniors on October 23. We finished in second place in the East Division and started the playoffs with a win over Cle Elum. We beat La Salle to finish third in the EWAC league tournament. We continued post-season play to finish fifth in the Central WA District 5 playoffs, qualifying for the state tournament in the Yakima SunDome on November 12-13. The team faced a loss in the first round but went on to defeat Mount Vernon Christian, 3-1, and then reverse swept Toledo to win, 3-2. After two back-to-back victories, the Panthers advanced to the seventh-place game against Davenport and finished eighth overall, the program’s highest state placement since 2009. We ended the season with a 17-7 record. Congratulations to our all-league award winners: Danika Koch and Victoria Sartain on 1st team; and Lillian Holt, Anastasia Tyutyunnik, and Elleanna Murillo on 2nd team.  RVHS Panther Football The season has come to an end for our Panther football team. On October 16, we celebrated our seniors and got a win over Granger. The team ended the regular season in a tie for 3rd place with two other teams, so we traveled to Wahluke High School for a mini-playoff. We came out of it in third place for the East Division. We opened the playoffs with a win over White Swan but fell to Kittitas in week 10 to end the season. Our overall record was 4-6.  Congratulations to our all-league award winners: Wyatt Curtis, Maddox Tyutyunnik, and Justin Smith on 1st team; Pablo Romero and Carter Pease on 2nd team; and Owen Curtis and Aiden Tyutyunnik as honorable mention.  -- High school boys and girls basketball and wrestling began practice Monday, November 17. FMS Falcons The season has come to end for our Falcon Football and Volleyball teams.  The volleyball team was recognized at our high school volleyball game on October 23. The 8th grade team finished with a record of 0-8, while the 7th grade team finished with a 2-6 record.  The FMS football team was recognized at our high school football game on November 1. The team finished with a 4-2 record. Middle school boys basketball began practicing November 3. Fall sports awards night for middle and high school is Monday, November 24, with a dessert social at 6:30 p.m. and the program beginning at 7:00 p.m. Finley Elementary School Visits from State Representatives! Washington State Representatives Gloria Mendoza and Deb Manjarrez both stopped by Finley Elementary School at the end of October to tour the school, visit with administrators and staff, and learn more about the great things happening in the Finley School District. Representative Manjarrez also took time to visit River View High School while in Finley. Thank you to Communities in Schools of Benton-Franklin Counties for organizing these visits!   Fall Festival Finley Elementary School started off November with the annual Fall Festival for students and families. We had different games and activities for students and families, as well as our Book Fair running. A big thank you to the Finley Elementary Parent Teacher Group and Dillon Lane Photography for also organizing family photo sessions during the event! Finley Middle School STEM Like Me Students in Mr. Hayfield’s class got a look at real-world STEM careers during the STEM Like Me event at Finley Middle School! Guest speakers included LIGO science educator Cassidy Eassa, chemist Scott Long, and STEM Foundation representative Cristin Yurkoski, who all shared how science, technology, engineering, and math play a part in their day-to-day work. Students explored career paths and got hands-on insight into how what they’re learning today connects to their future. Big thanks to our presenters for inspiring the next generation of innovators! River View High School BFSRA Mini-Grant to Ms. Ward Congratulations to Jennifer Ward, family consumer sciences teacher at River View High School, who received a $300 mini-grant from the Benton Franklin School Retirees’ Association to go towards a class field trip to the Country Mercantile. Thank you to Ms. Ward and the BFSRA for support unique opportunities for our students! Fall RVHS Career Day River View High School students explored a wide range of career paths during our Fall Career Day! From tattoo artists and funeral directors to news reporters, educators, and more, students learned about the many careers that shape our community. Thank you to all the local businesses and professionals who shared their knowledge, experiences, and passion with our students and showed them what their future can look like! Veterans Day Assembly River View High School hosted a Veterans Day assembly where students and staff had the privilege of hearing from local veterans. Thank you to all who have served and to all those who joined us in honoring them. FCCLA Updates October Member of the Month: Desiree Nelson Congrats to Desiree Nelson, our Finley FCCLA Chapter member of the month for October! From Chapter President Kaytie Ebright: Desiree has been a giant help with presidency and meeting when the president was away. She has a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. Her dedication to FCCLA has not only kept our chapter running smoothly, but also motives other members. Her commitment to leadership development and community service perfectly embodies the main core values of FCCLA. FFA Updates Members of the Month Congratulations to our Finley FFA Members of the Month so far this year: Victoria Sartain for August, Ava Teagle for September, and Mya Steagall for October! “Boots, Beans & Boogie” Dance The Finley FFA Chapter hosted a fall dance with the theme “Boots, Beans & Boogie,” inviting FFA members from Kiona-Benton City High School to join in for an evening filled with music, laughter, and community spirit. In addition to having a lot of fun, attendees brought non-perishable food items to be donated locally to help families in need. Read more about the dance here. Mark It On Your Calendar! November 17 - December 4 - Helping Hands Food Drive November 24 - Fall Sports Award Night, 7 p.m., RVHS Commons (with dessert social beginning at 6:30 p.m.) November 26-28 - NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break December 4 - Mid-Quarter 2 December 9 - Middle school progress reports sent home with students December 9 - Family Game Night at Finley Elementary School, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (RSVP on ParentSquare here) December 11 - FMS/RVHS Winter Band & Choir Concert, 6 p.m., Finley Middle School gym December 22 - January 2 - NO SCHOOL, Winter Break   Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Road | Kennewick, WA 99337 | 509-586-3217 www.finleysd.org | Nondiscrimination Statement Find us on social media: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to Finley e-news

    Thursday, Nov 20 2025

  • October 2025 Around Finley Schools

      Family Science Night Science took center stage at last week's annual Family Science Night at Finley Middle School. Families dove into hands-on science demonstrations with puzzles and a "touching table" full of animal pelts and encased insects from OMSI, and a demonstration on dry-ice from SubZero Ice Cream & Yogurt. The night ended with a live chemistry demonstration showing everyone can be a scientist along with some heat! Thanks to all the families who joined us; it was a great night of learning and laughter! Athletics Update RVHS Panthers We have reached the midway point in the regular fall sports season as we have just started playing league games.  Our football team, led by Coach Welch, has victories over White Swan and Goldendale. We lost a heart-breaker against Warden on Homecoming giving the team a record of 2-3. Senior night is October 16 at 6 p.m.  Our volleyball team, led by Coach Moore, has victories over Goldendale, Quincy, Warden, and many others for a record of 7-2. Senior night is October 23 at 6:30 p.m.   FMS Falcons We have reached the halfway point in the season for Falcon football and volleyball.  The football team has beat Sager and Ki-Be, but has a loss to Warden for a record of 2-1.  The Falcon volleyball team is working hard and improving every game as they continue the season. The 8th grade team is 0-5, and the 7th grade team is 1-4. Finley Elementary School Mrs. Greer's 3rd Grade Classroom Economy Thanks to a mini-grant from the Benton Franklin School Retirees’ Association, Mrs. Greer’s 3rd grade class at Finley Elementary will get an extra boost to their daily learning experience through a classroom economy! The $300 grant will go in part toward stocking a classroom store with prizes which students will be able to purchase using “class cash” they earn throughout the school year. Read more about this awesome classroom project here! Finley Middle School The Words That Shape Us During the school-wide “Words that Shape Us” project, middle school students chose a meaningful phrase, motto, or saying used in their home to turn into a poster during their advisory class. The resulting posters celebrate each student’s unique identity, while hanging side-by-side to demonstrate the power of our community when we come together. Read more here. River View High School School Safety Training During last week's district-wide PLC Day, River View High School staff met to discuss school safety and strategies for maintaining a secure learning environment across Finley schools. Corporal Perez and Deputy Hansen from the Benton County Sherriff's Office shared information and had discussions with staff focusing on lockdown safety protocols and emergency preparedness. We appreciate the ongoing collaboration with local law enforcement and remind everyone that if you see something, say something! FFA Updates 2025 Columbia Basin Junior Livestock Show Finley FFA earned many blue ribbons and top awards at the September 2025 Columbia Basin Junior Livestock Show in Connell, including Supreme Overall Steer and Grand Champion FFA Market Steer for Brekkyn Ward! See all of our members' CBJLS placements here. Central Washington State Fair Finley FFA members traveled to Yakima to participate in Career Development Events at the Central WA State Fair. Our Tractor Driving team took 3rd place overall, and the Horse Evaluation team took 5th place. A special congratulations to Soren Miles for taking the 5th place individual award in goat judging! Read more about the fair here. #TeachAg Day Finley FFA members attended the #TeachAg Day celebration on September 18th hosted by the Kiona-Benton FFA Chapter, along with almost 100 students from across the FFA district. Read more here. Washington State FFA Evergreen Tour On September 30, Finley FFA members traveled to Grandview for the Evergreen Tour, bringing FFA members from across District 4 together for a day of leadership growth and networking. Read more here. FFA BBQ Fundraiser The Finley FFA Chapter fired up the grill with their FFA BBQ Fundraiser at home varsity football games, with funds supporting the Finley FFA Chapter. Community members are encouraged to stop by to grab a bite and enjoy the game at our last regularly scheduled home game on Thursday, October 16. AET Nights Finley FFA started our AET Nights, where members gather to work on their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project documentation through the AET online system. Upcoming AET nights are scheduled for Oct. 20 and Nov. 3 & 17, at 4:00 p.m. in Mrs. Yochum’s classroom. Read more about AET Nights here. Read more from Finley FFA here! Mark It On Your Calendar! Wednesday, October 15 - Jostens collecting orders at RVHS during lunch (11:25 a.m.) and parent night from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 16 - Elementary Picture Day Thursday, October 16 - RVHS Career Day, 9-11 a.m. Thursday, October 16 - Football & Cheer Senior Night, 6 p.m. Monday, October 20 - 21st Century After-School Program begins for grades K-8 (forms to register are available in the main office) Thursday, October 23 - Quarter 1 Ends Thursday, October 23 - Volleyball Senior Night, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 29 - NO SCHOOL (Fall Conferences) - Elementary and Middle School Conferences, 9:45 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 30 - NO SCHOOL (Fall Conferences) - Elementary and Middle School Conferences, 7:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, November 4 - Middle School Report Cards sent home with students Thursday, November 6 - Veteran's Day Assembly, 1:45 p.m., at RVHS Tuesday, November 11 - NO SCHOOL, Veteran's Day November 26-28 - NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break   Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Road | Kennewick, WA 99337 | 509-586-3217 www.finleysd.org | Nondiscrimination Statement Find us on social media: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to Finley e-news

    Tuesday, Oct 14 2025

  • September 2025 Around Finley Schools

    Welcome back to another exciting year at Finley School District! Athletics Update RVHS Panthers Summer Update The Panther athletic program had a great summer. We had six sports programs participating in summer activities. The football program practiced and played all summer long. They also attended the Eastern Oregon University 7-on-7 camp, as well as their team camp. The volleyball and wrestling programs practiced all summer long.  The girls basketball program competed in many tournaments, as well as going to the Newport Basketball Camp. The boys basketball program competed in many tournaments, as well as going to the Eastern Washington Basketball Camp.  The cheer program held its own cheer camp here at RVHS, as well as going to the Benton Franklin Fair.  Fall sports are just starting to play games. We will have a Varsity and JV football team this season, as well as a Varsity and JV volleyball team. Our football team opens the season at White Swan, while our volleyball team opens their season at Goldendale. Schedules can be found on the Arbiter Sports app. FMS Falcons Falcon fall sports have begun, and we will be playing football and volleyball games the week of September 15th. Volleyball opened on the road at Warden on September 15th. Football opens its season at home on September 18th against John Sager.  The Falcon football team has a large number of players out, so in some games, we will be playing a 5th quarter. The volleyball program will have an 8th and 7th grade team.  Finley Elementary School Welcome to our newest students! Congratulations on a great first day of Kindergarten! Finley Middle School Close Up in Washington, D.C. This summer, several Finley Middle School students had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., through the Close Up program! Throughout the trip, they had the chance to deepen their understanding of American history through visits to important landmarks and engaging activities. Beyond the historical knowledge, it was inspiring to see the students grow in their advocacy skills, confidently expressing their views and learning how to be active participants in our democracy. This experience has been invaluable for their personal and academic growth. River View High School CTE Completer Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs prepare students with the hands-on skills, leadership experiences, and workplace knowledge they need for success in college, careers, and beyond. At River View High School, students who complete the CTE pathway not only gain valuable real-world experience but are also recognized at graduation with a special medallion and certificate for their outstanding efforts. To earn the distinction of CTE Completer, students must meet certain requirements. Learn more about becoming a CTE Completer here. FCCLA Updates Back to School with FCCLA FCCLA is looking for new members! FCCLA is a student-led national organization promoting personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Learn more about FCCLA here. This is a great time to join because FCCLA has an exciting year planned! This month is the Red Cross Blood Drive on September 18, and FCCLA will be doing concessions at football games (Go Panthers!). Read the FCCLA back to school message from FCCLA Historian Alicia Stith here. FFA Updates Get Involved with FFA 7th and 8th grade and high school students enrolled in an agriculture class with Mr. Bush or Mrs. Yochum are encouraged to get involved with the Finley FFA program! FFA prepares students for leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. There will be an FFA Rootbeer Float Orientation in Mrs. Yochum's room on September 17 starting at 3:30 p.m. for all interested students in grades 7-12 to learn more about FFA. Learn more about FFA here. Officers Retreat The 2025-26 Finley FFA Officer Team had a great leadership retreat over the summer and planned a fun and productive year! Read more about the trip here.  Farmer for a Day FFA members represented our school and community with pride at the annual "Farmer for a Day" event, alongside farmers, local industry leaders, and elected officials. Read more about the event here. Benton Franklin County Fair Finley FFA had another incredible year at the county fair, with members bringing back blue ribbons in individual and group categories!  Read more about students' awards at the fair here. Mark It On Your Calendar! Fridays - No school; lunches available for enrolled students to pick-up at River View High School between 10-11 a.m. September 17 - FFA Rootbeer Float Orientation, Mrs. Yochum's room, starting 3:30 p.m. (make sure you have a ride home afterwards) September 18 - Mid-Quarter 1 September 18 - Finley Food Pantry, Finley Community Center (222204 E Game Farm Rd.), starts 10:15 a.m. September 18 - FCCLA Blood Drive, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., River View High School (in the old band room) September 23 - Middle school progress reports sent home with students September 30 - Hat Day at the Elementary School! October 2 - Homecoming Football Game, 7 p.m. October 16 - Football and Cheer Senior Night, 6 p.m. October 23 - Volleyball Senior Night, 6:30 p.m.   Finley School District 224606 E Game Farm Road | Kennewick, WA 99337 | 509-586-3217 www.finleysd.org | Nondiscrimination Statement Find us on social media: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to Finley e-news

    Tuesday, Sep 16 2025