School notes for Dec. 25, 2012

Camas resident makes dean’s list

Cameron Kwan, a second-year student in Rochester Institute of Technology College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, has made the dean’s list for the fall 2012 quarter.

RIT offers computing, engineering, imaging science, sustainability, and fine and applied arts, in addition to support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

It is located in New York.

Locals land on honor roll

Washougal and Camas students have made the honor roll at Oregon State University for fall term.

To be named to the honor roll, students must carry at least 12 graded hours of course work and earn at least a 3.5 GPA.

Students include Shalese A. Mosley and Ashlyn K. Price, Camas; and Macy J. Leaptrott of Washougal.

23 school boards named as ‘Boards of Distinction’

The Camas School board was among 23 statewide recognized as 2012 “Boards of Distinction.”

Washington State School Directors’ Association awards honor school boards that demonstrate effective use of the Washington School Board Standards.

The standards, developed and adopted by WSSDA in 2009, promote researched-based governance practices that lead to high levels of student and district achievement.

This is the first year school boards have been put into small, medium and large district categories, however.

Award applicants submit an essay and supporting evidence to demonstrate how they are putting the standards into practice.

These are evaluated by an independent review panel, and awards are given to those who receive at least an 80 percent score.

Award-winning essays are made available to all school boards and districts in the state as an example of successful implementation of the Washington School Board Standards.

Camas School District board members are Casey O’Dell, Julie Rotz, Connie Hennessey, Douglas Quinn and Mary Tipton.

Washougal School District chosen for grant

With the help of McKinstry, a leader in construction, energy and facility services, 13 school districts in Washington state have secured more than $9 million in grant funding in the latest round of the 2012 Jobs Now Act.

The Washougal School District was among those chosen, and will receive a $911,324 for making its buildings more energy efficient.

This funding will allow districts to make improvements to their educational facilities in order to make the buildings safer and more enjoyable for students and staff.

“We deeply appreciate McKinstry’s expertise in guiding us through the needs assessment and application process for the Jobs Now Energy Grant,” said Dawn Tarzian, Washougal School District superintendent.

“The award could not have come at a better time as we work to stretch every dollar to serve our students and staff.”

With these grants, the school districts will be able to replace or upgrade old and outdated facility systems such as air handling, water, heating and lighting systems, while lowering energy usage and waste and providing substantial financial savings.

Approved by the Washington State Legislature in April, the 2012 Jobs Now Act has been allocated to competitive grant programs that fund energy and operational cost saving improvements in public buildings across the state.