Page 10 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - May 2025

10

Safe, inclusive playground dedicated

Chehalis Tribe serves WHAT IT MEANS FOR SCHOOL,
local students with STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY
new space at Rochester The following quotes are
Middle School reprinted with permission
from Emily Fitzgerald’s
article in The Chronicle:
By Bobbie Bush
Dr. Jennifer Bethman: “This
A special needs playground is just a wonderful project
at Rochester Middle School was with the Chehalis Tribe and
dedicated and blessed on May 15. the Rochester School District
The fenced playground is coming together for our kids.”
intended to help kids who can’t Laura Staley, Director
self-regulate stay safe while using of Special Services and
equipment and playing with Assessment: “We’re so
peers. incredibly grateful for our
The Chehalis Tribe had partnership with the tribe. Just
excellent representation at the the fact that they were willing
dedication with Tribal Elders, to come in and help us with
parents and staff. something that we as a district
Business Committee members couldn’t provide our kiddos is
Chairman Dustin Klatush, Vice just incredible.”
Chairwoman Sheilah Bray, Cheyenne Marcellay-
Secretary Cheryl Starr and Fifth Howe posted on Facebook:
Council Member Thomas Trott “My family and I would
also attended. like to express our heartfelt
Winona Youckton and Theresa appreciation to the Chehalis
Youckton were present to bless Tribe and our elected Business
the playground at the beautiful Committee for fully supporting
celebration. and funding a brand-new
Cheyenne Marcellay-Howe special needs playground at
spoke about her son, Jordan, who Rochester Middle School. My
was getting ready to transition son Jordan is a sixth grader
from one school to another at RMS. He was born with an
last year. She wanted to know extremely rare genetic seizure
what kind of accommodation condition called KCNH1. There
Rochester Middle School had are less than 100 known cases
available for Jordon, who has a in the world and 5 known cases
rare genetic seizure condition in the United States. Today we
called KCNH1. had the official blessing of the
After her initial assessment playground. Sharing a few
of the school, Cheyenne said she photos and thank you again.
found the classroom was ready This playground will benefit
for him but there was no place for special needs students for years
Jordon to safely play outside. to come.”
Cheyenne wanted to make sure Rodney Youckton, Chief
her son was able to be outside, Community Relations Officer
and she knew of funds available for Lucky Eagle Casino:
through the Chehalis Tribe’s “It’s a special moment for the
gaming compact that are directed Rochester and Chehalis Tribe
toward nonprofits in the state. communities. Since time
Requests for those 1% funds are immemorial, we have been
approved by the Chehalis Tribe’s connected to each other for so
Business Committee. many generations and we can
First, it needed to be continue to help each other out.
determined if there was space A special needs playground was created at Rochester Middle School with When in need, there’s things that
for the proposed playground. nonprofit funds provided by the Chehalis Tribe. we could do to help each other,
An estimate of costs was then support each other. It’s just like
developed with Rochester School Chairman Klatush spoke to we’re celebrating an asset that will the braids that we have in our
District. the group gathered to witness the be in the community for years to hair. Each strand represents
The plan was presented blessing and dedication. come, so my hands go up to our you. We put this braid together.
and approved thanks to the “The Chehalis Tribe receives Tribe, Tribal leaders, our Tribal We’re strong as one. There’s
collaboration of Tribal member a lot of requests for donations. Elders, who brought us to where nothing that can break that
parents, the Business Committee Many do not get funded, but we are today, and the faculty braid because of what we believe
and Rochester School District’s those that do get funded, my here at Rochester. We appreciate in, what our strength is and
commitment to serve local personal favorites are ones that everything you guys do for our how we can help each other out,
students. help kids out,” he said. “Today, kids and our community.” because now we’re connected.”