School notes for Sept. 23, 2014

Flu shots offered at Washougal High School

The Washougal School District is partnering with the Seattle Visiting Nurse Association to provide a flu shot clinic at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St.

Many people believe that seasonal influenza is much like the common cold and that it cannot be prevented. But, influenza is a serious and potentially dangerous disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Each year, students miss approximately 38 million school days due to the flu and each year parents miss more that 10 million workdays caring for their sick children.

The CDC recommends that everyone older than six months should be vaccinated against the flu. The WHS flu shot clinic will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.

Clinics will be open to all Washougal School District children at least 4 years old and their families.

Students under the age of 18 will need a patient consent form signed by a parent or guardian. Forms are available at the clinic.

All participants will be asked to provide a health insurance information card to receive an immunization.

The SVNA accepts all insurance plans and will electronically bill for the flu shot, which are considered preventative care and are not subject to the deductible or co-pay. This means no out-of-pocket expense for participants.

‘Knitting Kninjas’ starting at library

The “Knitting Kninjas” is a new group meeting at the Camas Public Library for students in seventh through 12th grade who want to knit in a social group.

All experience levels are welcome. Participants are asked to bring their own needles and yarn. There will be an adult on hand to answer knitting questions.

The group will meet every first Thursday of the month at 4 p.m. beginning in October.

The library is located at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave.

Kids Vote 2014 hosting mock election

Kids Vote 2014 will let every kindergarten through 12th grade student in Clark County vote in a mock election this fall.

The electronic voting will go live the same day ballots go out, which is Oct. 15. Voting ends at 8 p.m. on election day, Nov. 4.

Elected offices, ballot measures and advisory votes will be included. Voting takes place at www.KidsVote2014.com.

Kids Vote 2014 is an all-volunteer group. Its mission is to involve kids in the voting process from an early age. Kids Vote 2014 has no paid staff or overhead.

WSU Vancouver offers financial aid, scholarship workshops

Washington State University Vancouver will host a series of “A-Z of Financial Aid and Scholarship” workshops this fall for prospective college students, no matter the college they choose. These workshops are free and open to the public.

Prospective students and parents will learn from financial aid experts how to make a college education attainable.

Presenters will answer commonly asked questions about financial aid and scholarships, including what scholarships are available, how to apply for financial aid and when and how to receive awarded funds.

Workshops will be held in the Student Services Center, Room 101 unless otherwise specified, on the following days:

o 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1

o 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110

o 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30

o 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12

o 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110

o 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Vancouver Community Library, 901 “C” St., Vancouver.

WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. Parking for on-campus workshops is free in Orange Lot 2.

VFW youth essay competition accepting entries

The District 6 Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary are once again participating in the annual scholarship essay programs for third- to 12th-grade students.

The Youth Essay Program is open to all students in third through fifth grade. The theme is “What Can I do to Make our Country Better?” Students must submit an original essay, up to 250 words, either handwritten or typed.

Students will be judged on addressing the theme, clarity of ideas, theme development, and spelling and grammar.

The Patriot’s Pen is open to all students in sixth through eighth grade. Participants must submit an original, 300 to 400 word typewritten essay wit the theme, “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.”

Students will be judged on knowledge of the theme, development of the theme and clarity of ideas. A positive approach to expressing viewpoints is recommended.

The Voice of Democracy is open to all students in ninth through 12th grade. They must submit an original, three to five minute essay on a standard cassette tap or audio CD with the theme, “Why Veterans are Important to our Nation’s History and Future.”

Students will be judged on originality, content and delivery.

All entries are due to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Schick-Ogle Post 4278 at midnight, Saturday, Nov. 1.

For more information on the contest rules, visit www.vfw.org. To submit entries, contact Bob Hitchcock at 260-7879 or roberth271@aol.com.