School notes for May 22, 2012

‘Pridelands’ to open this weekend

Christian Youth Theatre will perform “Pridelands,” this weekend at the Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St. The play is inspired by the story of “The Lion King,” and celebrates music, dance and harmony. It incorporates African dance rhythms, colorful comedic characters and a coming-of-age story,

The show runs Friday through Sunday of this week, and Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3. Show times are 7 p.m. for Friday and Saturday shows, with an additional 3 p.m. show on Saturday, June 2. Sunday show times are 2 p.m.

June 3 at the Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School.

Ticket prices start at $9 and can be purchased at www.cytvanport.org or by calling 750-8550. Tickets are also available at the door.

CHS makes list of America’s top high schools

Camas High School was once again recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best high schools. The magazine partnered with the Washington, D.C. based American Institutes for Research and analyzed schools at the state level in terms of how well students in each school performed on state assessments.

The research took into account the comparative success of students from minority and underprivileged backgrounds, as well as participation in and performance on Advanced Placement exams.

The high schools that met the criteria fell into three categories of distinction: Gold, silver and bronze. CHS was ranked 981 out of the magazines’ 4,850 top-performing schools and 26th out of nearly 500 high schools in Washington, qualifying the school for a silver medal.

“Our great staff and parents deserve a lot of the credit for school-wide achievements like this one,” said Steve Marshall, principal. “So do our parents. Your support helps put Camas High School on the map.”

Local students graduate from Concordia

Several local residents earned degrees from Concordia University in Portland on Saturday, May 5.

They include Stephen Baranowski, master of arts in teaching in middle level/high school education; Jameson Futter, bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies; Dana Roy Byrd, master of arts in teaching in early childhood/elementary education; Jason Scott, master of arts in teaching in high school/middle level education; and Kristie Stevens, master of arts in teaching in high school/middle level education.

Skills Center sets summer school sign up

Clark County Skills Center summer term registration is open for students now completing grades 8 through 11.

Classes begin June 25 and run through July 17. The classes are free except for possible $10 to $25 lab fees in some classes. Students can earn one-half high school elective credits for successfully completing a summer school class.

Classes to be held on the Skills Center campus, l12200 N.E. 28th St., in Vancouver, include auto detailing, basic car maintenance, carpentry basics, health careers, introduction to baking and cooking, introduction to dental careers, team building and leadership, introduction to fashion, Microsoft Office Professional, travel and tourism, web page design and desktop publishing.

Off-campus classes include renewable resources in the Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center on Southeast Evergreen Highway; careers in aviation at Pearson Air Museum; and small engine operation and repair at Evergreen High School.

Registration forms are available locally from Camas and Washougal high school counselors.

For more information, call (360) 604-1050.

WSU Vancouver students, faculty help create app for national historic site

Those who want to learn about history at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in a new way will soon have an app for that.

The Fort Vancouver Mobile application will make its public debut from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9, in conjunction with a Brigade Encampment and National Get Outdoors Day.

Admission to the event is free.

The free app is funded by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Clark County Commissioners and Washington State University Vancouver.

It is the first interpretation-oriented app in the National Park Service system.

This research project has been developed by a core of about 20 scholars, many in the creative media and digital culture program at WSU Vancouver, with the support of students as well as new media professionals in the region and more than 100 community volunteers. While many apps provide textbook-like information about people or places in history, the Fort Vancouver Mobile app distinctly is designed as an interface for narrative immersion into a historical place.

On June 9, the focus of the festivities will be on the debut of the first two modules created for the app.

The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is located at 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver.