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July 9, 2013

WHS students can earn volunteer letter

Washougal High School students who demonstrate commitment to their school and community through documented volunteer service work can now earn a varsity letter for that effort. "We are very excited to be able to provide recognition that is very meaningful to students for the time and energy they put forth volunteering," said Marsha Spencer, advisor at the WHS Career Center. "We hope the program will also help foster positive interaction between Washougal students and the community, and help to encourage a habit of service."

July 2, 2013

Choi earns spot as Aerospace Scholar

A Washougal High School junior will have the opportunity to attend a six-day summer residency program at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. Brian Choi is one of just 160 students from across the state to earn a spot in the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) Summer Residency Program from July 14-19. Choi's high academic performance on the WAS Phase One curriculum, an online course with quizzes, research papers and assignments, qualified him for the program. The residency will be held at The Museum of Flight. Choi will join a team of four students to work cooperatively to plan a human mission to Mars with support from professional engineers, scientists, university students, and educators.

July 2, 2013

School notes for July 2, 2013

Local students earn degrees from George Fox More than 700 students received undergraduate and graduate diplomas at George Fox University’s spring commencement recently.

June 25, 2013
Gause Elementary second-grader Susie Liston shares information she has learned about Jane Goodall with Darren Taie and students (left to right) Emma Gorham, Caitlyn Bailey and Abigail McBride.

Gause Elementary students get opportunity to act as historical characters

Gause Elementary students, parents and staff had the unique opportunity to hear from important people throughout history such as Jane Goodall, Jim Henson, Elvis Presley, Helen Keller and Leonardo DaVinci at the Famous Person Museum in the school's library on June 14. The "famous people" were actually Julie Taie's second-grade students sharing research they had completed over the past five weeks. The students stood like statues around the library, many dressed as the people they had studied. When someone touched the "magic red dot" in their palm, they would come to life as that person and explain what had made them famous. "The kids really pulled it off," said Taie. "They did such a great job and I am very proud of them. They did very well at public speaking and got to practice sharing information that they know."

June 25, 2013

School notes for June 25, 2013

Camas students earn degrees from Gonzaga Several local students have earned degrees from Gonzaga University.

June 18, 2013
A fifth-grader in the iPad pilot program shows Washougal School District Superintendent Dawn Tarzian some of what she learned using her tablet this past year. The district has decided to expand the pilot to include all fifth-and sixth-graders next year.

iPads in the classroom allow more creativity, teachers say

After a year of using iPads, student absences and tardies have significantly decreased, and students are more engaged in learning.These results come from a fifth-grade iPad pilot program in the Washougal School District. At the start of the school year, students in three classrooms were given an iPad to see how it would impact learning. "Both students and teachers in the iPad pilot report high levels of interest in continuing the pilot, and look forward to showcasing the student projects and learning that have taken place throughout the year," said Les Brown, technology director. Results from the pilot group show unexcused absences to be nearly half of those who did not have the devices in the classroom. In addition, excused absences are 34 percent lower and tardies are about 30 percent lower. "This translates into more students being at school and ready when school starts," Brown said.

June 18, 2013
Hayes Freedom graduating senior Nicholas Bacon performs during the commencement ceremony on Saturday.

Hayes Freedom High School graduation

Hayes Freedom High School Principal Amy Holmes described the 2013 Hayes Freedom High School graduates as "smart, talented and strong-willed." "It took some of you a while to see yourselves the way I see you," she said.

June 18, 2013

Washougal to host summer lunch program

During the school year, children have access to a hot, nutritionally balanced lunch at school. For those who arrive early enough, breakfast is also included. Many of these students receive the meals for free or at a reduced price due to family income levels. But come summer, many may go hungry. That's why the Washougal School District will sponsor the Simplified Summer Food Program for the fifth year in a row. During July and August, free hot and sack lunches will be offered to all children, ages 1 through 18, who want to come.

June 11, 2013
Kimi Knight is the third child in her family to have perfect school attendance. She will continue her education at Clark College this fall.

Kimi Knight continues family tradition of perfect attendance

When Kimi Knight walks across the stage at Camas High School's commencement ceremonies, she'll be continuing a proud family tradition.Not only did her two older sisters, Hillary and Allie, graduate as Papermakers, but they had perfect attendance during all their years of school. Come Friday, so will Kimi. "I've just never gotten sick, and when I have, it is always on weekends or over break," Kimi said. "When I have a doctor's or orthodontist appointment, I schedule it after school."