One of the first things one notices when speaking to Lindy Treece is her goal-oriented nature. The 17-year-old Hayes Freedom High School senior will graduate with an associate's degree and then begin Portland State University as a junior, where she will major in speech and hearing services. So, to learn that Treece is autistic may come as a surprise. It is something she keeps private. Opening up about it has been a process.
Phones will be ringing across the city soon as the Camas Educational Foundation launches its annual phone-a-thon fundraising campaign.
Midles named to St. Mary's dean's list Madeleine Midles of Camas earned dean's list honors for the fall 2013 semester at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. To be named to the dean's list, students must maintain a 3.4 or higher GPA.
Skyridge Middle School recently hosted its building level National Geographic Bee competition. The winner is Korrie MacIntyre, who claimed her second consecutive title and the chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. The eighth-grader will now advance to a written examination, which determines state competitors. The state-level competition will be held on April 4, followed by the national-level in Washington D.C., May 19 to 21.
Taylor Vincent walks carefully between the lines of excited, energetic kindergartners coming in from recess.From time to time, she'll gently remind the young students to stay in line and keep their voices down. Vincent, a Hathaway Elementary fifth-grader, is a member of the Peacemakers program, designed to help decrease playground conflicts among younger students and promote positive behavior. "It's also an opportunity for our older students to pay it forward," commented Molly Hayes, school social worker. "They're learning to problem solve and in turn, help the younger kids resolve their own conflicts."
Camas resident Natalie Burton was one of four students who participated in Portland Piano International's "Up Close with the Masters," last month. The master was Vladimir Feltsman, one of the best known concert pianists in the world. Feltsman was in the area to play sold-out recitals for Portland Piano International. His style of music encompasses everything from Baroque to 21st-century composers. He has appeared with all the major American orchestras and at musical stages and festivals worldwide. "Up Close with the Masters" are work sessions to promote music education. They are offered to the public free by Portland Piano International and provide an opportunity to see and hear a "master" teach and the student learn."
Camas School District sets Childfind screening There will be free screenings for all children ages 3 to 5 living in the boundaries of the Camas School District on Wednesday, Feb. 19. The screenings test children in hearing, vision, speech, concepts and motor development, and last approximately one hour. Results are confidential and shared with parents only. Call the Special Services Department at 833-5570 for an appointment.
Natalie Wilson is definitely not singing the blues. The Grass Valley Elementary School music teacher and vocal jazz instructor has received regional and national accolades for her work.
The Camas School District is hosting a "Big Learning for Little Learners" event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 at Helen Baller Elementary, 1954 N.E. Garfield St., aimed at parents and their children ages 3 to 6.
When some of your book subjects include ghosts, Big Foot and aliens, fact checking and reliable sources are very important aspect of the research process. Author Kelly Milner Halls writes non-fiction, science based children's books, several of which deal with these topics. Recently, she spent a day at Dorothy Fox Elementary School in Camas. A highlight was the author's lunch, which included fourth- and fifth-grade students. Her book, "The Tales of the Cryptids," is currently one of the most popular choices in the school library. "I don't tell you for sure Big Foot is real, I don't tell you for sure aliens are real. I don't tell you for sure ghosts are real. I give you the evidence that I found through years of research, and I leave it for you guys to decide," she said. "You have to control the rest of your lives what you believe. You're smart. People forget how smarts kids are. You can take that information and you can make a decision for yourself, or you and your parents can sit down and you can say 'Hey, Mom and Dad, look at this book, what do you think'?"
