September 25, 2012
School notes for Sept. 25, 2012
Free Childfind screenings set There will be free screenings for all children ages 3 to 5 who live within the Camas School District boundaries on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
Free Childfind screenings set There will be free screenings for all children ages 3 to 5 who live within the Camas School District boundaries on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
Lego Challenge set for October The Washougal Community Library is having monthly Lego Building Bash events. Participants ages 5 to 11 are invited. Each event features a different theme and snack. The next challenge is 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17. The library is located at 1661 "C" St.
A Camas resident will serve as trustee at the school where her college education began. Rekah Strong, who attended Clark for a year in 1993-94, has recently been named to its Board of Trustees by Gov. Chris Gregoire. Her term will begin Oct. 1. She will succeed Rhona Sen Hoss, who has served as a trustee for 10 years. "Rekah's commitment to community and its success makes her a valuable asset to the board," said Gregoire in a press release. "She cares about the people she serves and understands the importance of a solid foundation in education. I welcome her to this new role." Clark College President Robert K. Knight said, "Rekah Strong is a well-respected leader in the community. We know that she will be a great advocate for our students and Clark College."
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.
WHS turf fundraiser kicks off Friday The Washougal High School Turf Campaign Committee will kick off its fundraising efforts Friday at the first WHS home varsity football game.
Sullivan graduates from Juilliard Macy Elizabeth Sullivan of Camas graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance from The Juilliard School in New York City.
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."
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.
The Washougal School Board has approved a $28.8 million budget for the 2012-13 school year. It is a $1.5 million increase over the 2011-12 budget. Of that, approximately $800,000 is for a planned gym floor and turf field replacement at Washougal High School. "I feel very positive about this year's budget," said Dawn Tarzian, district superintendent. "It identifies key priorities and sets aside money for those things."
Educators in the Camas-Washougal area spent a recent Tuesday morning exploring ways to teach their students by getting outside of the classroom and into nature. Jim Clapp, Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge manager, coordinated two environmental education teacher trainings held at the refuge and nearby Jemtegaard Middle School in Washougal. With the help of the Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, Educational Service District 112 and Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, teachers from Camas, Washougal and Battle Ground spent six hours learning how to teach using the outdoors. "It is geared toward elementary schools, but there are applications for any level," explained Josie Finley, one of the environmental education workers at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the area. "We really try to address the needs of the students. "Teachers especially need to know about the area since we don't have the number of volunteers to host tours ourselves." There will be another training program held on Oct. 20. Educators can register through ESD 112. For more information, contact Clapp at 835-8767.
