School notes for Sept. 10, 2013

‘Walk the Walk’ registration is open

Registration is now open for the fourth annual “Walk the Walk” event on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Clark County Public Safety Complex, 505 N.W. 179th St., Ridgefield, Wash. The 5K Walk/Run provides community awareness about drug and alcohol prevention, in addition to serving as a benefit for the Teens Care Too Youth Leadership and Prevention Summit, a free summit for Clark County youth.

The event is hosted by PREVENT!, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Clark County.

The 5k walk/run serves as a kick-off to the annual Public Safety Complex open house.

Check-in runs from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m. Registration fees are $10 for youth and $20 for adults. An open house will follow from noon to 4 p.m., and includes demonstrations, booths and food.

Participants may register online at www.signmeup.com/94568. More information is available at www.preventclarkcounty.org/5k_walk.

Organizers are seeking volunteers to assist with the event. If interested, contact Sean Chavez at sean.chavez@esd112.org. For further information about the event, e-mail 5kwalk@preventclarkcounty.org.

Busy Bees preschool returns to Camas

Busy Bees Preschool, an educational program for children ages 3 to 6, is returning to the Camas Community Center.

Children will explore the world through hands-on projects, “messy” art, kitchen creations, learning stations, games and “large muscle” activities. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

Adults are required to sign their children in and out, and the children must be toilet trained and able to use the bathroom independently. Parents are asked to pack a snack and water bottle daily.

Classes begin Monday, Oct. 7 and run from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Fees are $45 per session for in-city residents, and $50 for out-of-city. Sessions include “Pumpkin Fair” and “Falling Leaves.”

To register, call 834-5307 or visit the Community Center, 1718 S.E. Seventh Ave.

Community ed offers new fall classes

Camas Community Education and Washougal Community Education are offering fall classes for children and adults.

For information about Camas classes, visit www.camascommunityed.org or call 833-5544. For Washougal classes, visit www.washougal.k12.wa.us/districtinfo/communityed.htm, or call 954-3838.

CEF sets annual auction at Hilton

The Camas Educational Foundation has set its annual auction for Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Vancouver Hilton. For more information, including ticket purchase options, visit www.cefcamas.org, and click “events.”

Search underway for Washington’s top youth volunteers of 2014

Now through Nov. 5, students in fifth through 12th grade are invited to apply for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service within the past 12 months. The application is available at http://spirit.prudential.com and www.nassp.org/spirit.

The awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, were created in 1995 to recognize middle and high school students for helping people in need, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment or volunteering in other ways. The awards are presented annually on the local, state and national level.

Applicants for 2014 awards must complete an online application by Nov. 5, then submit it for certification to a middle or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA or HandsOn Network affiliate. Paper application forms can be requested by calling 877-525-8491.

Participating schools and local organizations will select local honorees in early November and present them with Certificates of Achievement. They will also receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama if they have contributed the minimum number of volunteer hours to qualify.

A national selection committee will name 10 of the 102 state honorees from across the country as America’s top youth volunteers of the year. They will receive additional awards of $5,000, gold medallions and crystal trophies for their nominating schools or organizations, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice.

Bank of America donates $15k to Clark College

Bank of America has donated $15,000 to Clark College’s Career and Volunteer Service-Learning program to prepare more than 1,000 students with on-the-job training.

Clark President Robert K. Knight said the college’s primary goal is to improve the rate of post-secondary completion.

“As a result of the alignment with Bank of America, Clark anticipates students will receive high-quality work history experiences, particularly for students with little or no previous work experience, through service learning and community engagement experiences, and opportunities for civic and community engagement, career exploration, life and soft skill development.”

Additionally, job readiness and employment opportunities will be enhanced by connecting students to agencies related to their career and employment goals, he added.

“Providing grants to local nonprofit organizations that support career readiness is part of Bank of America’s broader effort to help create economically vibrant communities,” said Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America’s president in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “As part of that, we’re proud to support Clark College’s Career and Volunteer Service-Learning Program which helps prepare college students to enter the workforce and, in turn, support our local economy.”