Penny Andrews is 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Penny Andrews who has been selected as the Washougal School District's Teacher of the Year for the 2011-2012 school year.

Penny is a fourth grade teacher at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary School. She has been a teacher in the district for seven years and has her National Board Certification.

Her nomination by a fellow teacher emphasized her joy of teaching, knowledge and expertise, collaboration with staff, and involvement in district and state committees.

Congratulations Penny!

Board Approves Calendar for 2011-2012

The Washougal School Board has approved the calendar for the 2011-2012 school year. The calendar, approved at their meeting on April 26th, 2011 is available for download here, or via the link from District Information/Calendars in the menu on the WSD Site.

Rotary Scholar of the Month for April: Kelly Brown

Kelly Brown was selected as the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for April 2011. Kelly is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a 3.845 GPA. Kelly’s Business teacher, Lisa Leonard, says Kelly “is a kind student others often look up to” and adds that she “can count on Kelly to pay attention to detail, listen to instructions and ask intelligent questions.”

Kelly is described by English teacher Sheila Good as a “very highly capable” student and that “she is an excellent writer.” Physical Education teacher Stephanie Watts says “Kelly is the kind of student you pass in the halls and always has a smile on her face and says hello.” Her world Geography teacher Scott Boothby says “Kelly is a really hard worker – quiet, dependable, and a pleasure to have in my class.” Congratulations Kelly Brown!

WHS Blue Note Cafe 4/15/2011 in the Washburn PAC

WHS brings back the coffeehouse
of the '50s and '60s with the
Blue Note Cafe concert series.

Students, faculty, alumni, and

community members perform acoustic folk,

blues, jazz, and rock tunes in a casual, cafe atmosphere.

It's way gone, daddy-o!

Concerts begin at 7:00pm in the Washburn Performing Arts Center at 1201 39th St.
Free coffee & tea at intermission!

$5.00 adult
$3.00 student/child/senior
FREE with WHS Arts Pass

WHS Jazz Band & Wind Ensemble place 1st at Heritage Music Festival in Anaheim CA

During Spring Break, the WHS Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band I, and Chamber Choir traveled to Anaheim, CA and competed in the Heritage Music Festival. This festival was attended by bands and choirs from all over the country and Canada. Our students did an exceptional job, bringing home several awards. Both the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble placed 1^st in their categories, and the Chamber Choir placed 2^nd. The three groups also received the top award, the Festival Sweepstakes Award, given to the school with the highest combined score. Alto saxophonist Aleks Arzhanov received the Maestro’s Award, given to the outstanding soloist.

We are incredibly proud of the performance of our students, and the manner in which they conducted themselves during the entire trip. They did an outstanding job of representing Washougal High School. Congratulations to the bands and choir!

Washougal School Board Selects Oregon Administrator as Superintendent of Schools

The Washougal School District Board of Directors has selected Corvallis School District Superintendent Dawn Tarzian as its next Superintendent of Schools. Tarzian will begin work July 1, succeeding Teresa Baldwin who retires in June.

One of four finalists in an extensive search process, Tarzian has served as Superintendent of Corvallis School District in Corvallis, Oregon, since 2005. Prior to that she served as Assistant Superintendent and Director of Teaching and Learning for the school district. Prior to becoming an administrator in Corvallis, Tarzian served as Director of Student Services for Linn Benton Lincoln ESD, Principal for Greater Albany School District in Albany, Oregon, and Principal in Falls City School District in Falls City, Oregon. Tarzian earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her Master's in Education from the University of Oregon. She holds an Oregon administrator’s license.

Tarzian and the other three finalists visited Washougal School District on March 25 to tour schools, meet district staff, students and community members and interview with the Board of Directors.

"I am honored by the opportunity to become the superintendent of the Washougal School District," said Tarzian. "The reputation of the district is one of quality and of a place where caring staff challenge students to meet high expectations. Through the application process, I had the opportunity to meet students, staff, parents and community members up close. In addition to academic achievement, I saw a commitment to the whole child – developing healthy, engaged citizens who are applying what they learn in the classroom to their community and the world beyond. I am very impressed and excited that I soon will be a part of the Washougal community. I believe that I will be able to support and enhance the vision and goals that have been set for learning and student development."

"The Board was very fortunate in having extremely qualified applicants," said Board President Blaine Peterson. "That presented us with a very difficult problem, but after much discussion and deliberation we feel we have an excellent new superintendent to help our students reach their full potential. We appreciate all Teresa has done for our district and look forward to continuing the growth and improvements we have been experiencing in our district."

Lacamas Community Credit Union Donates $3,000 to Washougal High School

Washougal High School ASB President, Aviv Bressler and senior, Hunter Ringsage, accept a Community Partnership donation from Kathleen Romane, President and CEO of Lacamas Community Credit Union, assisted by Darcie Williams. This generous donation was used to finish a beautification project at the athletic entrance to the gymnasium at Washougal High School. The check was presented during an assembly at WHS on March 29th, 2011.