Camas-Washougal Post-Record

October 2, 2012

Tarzian takes the helm at Mount Pleasant

Peter Tarzian's retirement didn't last too long. He was recently named as part-time superintendent at the Mount Pleasant School District, after retiring in 2011 from a superintendent position in Oregon. He and his wife, Dawn Tarzian, relocated to the area after she was named superintendent of the neighboring Washougal School District in July 2011. The Mount Pleasant School District has been embroiled in turmoil over the last several months, after it was discovered a longtime employee had been stealing fuel from the district. Board members were at odds with each other over the situation, and Superintendent Linda Slattery resigned in August, saying she felt threatened and harassed.

September 25, 2012

Mayor for a day

Incredible. That's how Camas teen Danielle Colwell described her recent "Mayor for a Day," experience, which included lunch, private tours of the local police and fire departments, and an opportunity to address the City Council.

September 25, 2012

School enrollments on the rise

The Camas and Washougal school districts continue to grow in enrollment, with each reporting a 1.7 percent increase this year. Camas's full-time equivalency count is 5,948, 61 more than last September. Washougal's full-time equivalency count is 2,885, an increase of 52 from last September, and 50 more than expected in the budget. "The high school is actually down 33 from projected and the elementary schools are sitting at 78 more than projected," said Rosann Lassman, business manager. "We have added another kindergarten session, but the rest of the increase is spread over multiple grades at multiple levels." Camas had projected for the growth in its budget, so staff has already been added, said Donna Gregg, business services director.

September 18, 2012

Soroptimists Marilyn Brown (right) and Marjorie Rorabaugh discuss pricing during a recent estate sale in Washougal.

Helping with the next step

During an estate sale, organizers serve as everything from counselors to advertisers to business planners.But for a local non-profit group, it goes even further than that.

September 18, 2012

Camas students excel on state tests

Students in Camas continue to score well above average on all parts of the state tests. Recently, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction released the results, which included the Measure of Student Progress, end-of-course exams, and High School Proficiency Exam. "While scores in Camas continue to exceed state averages, we have focused efforts on growth and improvement, said Dana Lighty-Jones, director of teaching, learning, and special services. "We work to identify students who might not be at grade level and implement intervention and prevention strategies to assist and support them." All five Camas elementary schools have a reading specialist and two have a part-time math specialist. "These specialists recognize students at risk of not meeting grade level standards through ongoing assessment and progress monitoring and respond with intensive instruction specifically designed to meet individual student needs," Lighty-Jones said.

September 11, 2012

From left, principals Laura Bolt, Rex Larson and Mary Lou Woody display backpacks their schools received, filled with supplies, for children in need.

Rotary program gives away 200 backpacks to children in Camas and Washougal

Picking out school supplies and a new backpack is a much-anticipated tradition in most families. However, due to household budgets that have been stretched to the breaking point, many school kids begin the new year without these items. But thanks to the generosity of the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club's backpack program, 200 local elementary school students started classes on the right foot.

September 11, 2012

Local students fare well on ACT

Scores for the ACT college readiness test were released recently, and local students exceeded state and national average scores in all subject areas. Washougal High School students had a composite score of 26.3, above the state average of 22.9, and the national average of 21.1. Camas High School students had a composite score of 24.1 percent. A composite score consists of four content areas: English, reading, math and science. Scores are scaled from 1 to 36.

September 4, 2012

Kathy Sork, AnnaMarie "Suzy" Clement and Linda McCulloch (left to right) pose by a six-paneled group watercolor they helped create. The other artists who painted panels were Julianne Schreiner, Carolyn Gunderson and Judith Sanders-Wood.

Four artists will share Second Story Gallery in September

The joy and excitement of creating art is shared by a group of women who have gotten together over the years for artists' retreats, classes, or just painting in their garages.Now, AnnaMarie "Suzy" Clement, Kathy Sork, Julianne Schreiner and Linda McCulloch will share their love of art with a group show at the Second Story Gallery through the month of September. The four met while serving on the board of the Southwest Washington Watercolor Society in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Like their friendship, their artwork continues to grow and evolve. "We all bring something to the table, be it a new material, a new idea, a new approach, a new style or the joy and excitement of just being together, sharing our art," said McCulloch, 69, a Camas resident. Currently, they are experimenting with mixed media in addition to traditional watercolor painting, which is the basis behind the art show theme of "Inspiration/Exploration."

September 4, 2012

Fourth-grade students at Dorothy Fox Elementary School had the opportunity to learn about the famous "Voyage of Discovery" through an Oregon Museum of Science and Industry interactive outreach workshop. It included hands-on stations exploring cartography, taxonomy, anthropology, astronomy and botany. It was made available through a grant from the Camas Educational Foundation.

Camas Educational Foundation is seeking airline miles for its annual auction

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Camas Educational Foundation. To celebrate, board members have named the annual auction, "Soaring with CEF: Our 15 year Journey," and are asking community members to donate unused airline miles. "The idea came from the Make-A-Wish Foundation," said Mandy Huth, CEF president. "They have a great message about donating miles or tickets to children. Since this year's auction is based on a journey, I thought this was a good approach to ask our community to support the children in this manner."

September 4, 2012

Washougal teachers ratify 3-year contract

Washougal teachers overwhelmingly approved a new three-year contract on Thursday. The new agreement came after negotiations between the Washougal Association of Educators and the School District. "I am very pleased with the negotiation process," said Dawn Tarzian, district superintendent. "It is important and we have learned a lot, and reached an agreement that the association, board and administrators can feel good about." "Washougal teachers feel that this was an equitable contract, given the current economy," said Sheila Good, WAE co-president.