Fall practice/sports info

For WHS Athletes and Parents

Important Information:

1. Practices for high school sports start in August. Some sports have limited numbers of participants and hold try-outs during the first few days of practice to determine the teams. If you miss the try-outs you will not have an opportunity to join the team later. Cuts are common on these teams as there are typically more athletes turning out than spaces on the teams.
2. Athletes must pay fees and have all clearance paperwork on file in the athletic office prior to the first practice. Coaches are not authorized to collect paperwork or fees, or to determine if an athlete is cleared. Physicals must be current.
3. Clearance forms can be downloaded and printed at home by going to the following address:

http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/whs/athletics_activities/WHS-physical-clearance-forms.pdf

Important Dates:

June and July- Most teams are conducting practices, open gyms or workouts. Check the WHS Facilities Use Calendar for dates and times.

August 9^th- Parent/Player All-Sport Orientation, 6:00pm in the Main Gym.

Please come meet the coaches for all sports, pay your participation fees, and turn in your paperwork.

Fall coaches will be conducting sport specific parent/player meetings following a short informational program in the gym.

August 17^th- First day of Football practice. This includes 9^th graders! You must participate in 12 practices to play in your first game which is on September 2^nd. There are only 14 practice dates prior to the first game!

August 22^nd- First day of practice for all other Fall Sports. Except for Football, all other athletes must participate in 10 practices to play in their first game.

September 2^nd- Varsity Football at Home vs Hudson’s Bay, 7:00pm

C Team Football at Hudson’s Bay, 4:00pm

September 6^th- JV Football at Kiggins Bowl vs Hudson’s Bay, 6:30pm

Volleyball at Home vs Fort Vancouver, C: 5:30, JV: 5:30, V: 7:00pm

Boys Golf at the Jamboree at The Cedars, TBD

September 7^th- Girls Soccer at Home vs Fort Vancouver, JV: 5:00pm, V: 7:00pm

Boys Tennis at Prairie, 4:00pm

If you have questions regarding your participation in athletics here at Washougal High School please contact the Athletic Director at 954-3104, or by email at doug.cox@washougal.k12.wa.us .

Go Panthers!!

Clausen Youth Program allows students to explore the Gorge

Washougal School District middle school students had the opportunity to participate in the Clausen Youth Program, a two-day outdoor themed program focusing on history, stewardship, and plant & animal identification in the Columbia Gorge. The program is a partnership between Washougal School District and the Friends of the Columbia Gorge and allows students to experience the Gorge in a new way, aligned with state standards. “The Gorge is such a wonderful resource in our own back yard and we feel so grateful to the Friends of the Columbia Gorge for giving our students a chance to experience it in a meaningful and educational way,” said Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Miner.

The Clausen Youth Fund was established in 2008 by long-time supporter and Vancouver resident Phyllis Clausen in honor of her late-husband. With a strong environmental background, Phyllis saw the need to provide an environmental education experience.

The goal of the program is to expose local youth to the wonders of the Columbia Gorge, its significance as a national treasure, and story of its preservation through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Act.

Spring sports wrap up

Spring sports concluded with great performances and some new school records. It’s been 14 years since Washougal had a individual State Champion in Track and Field, but the fantastic senior duo of Dylan Croeni and Brendan Casey continued to leave their mark of excellence on the season and the record books, as each brought home State Championships in 2011. Dylan got things started with a State Best, and new School Record time of 9:23.61 in the 3200M. He followed that up with a 4^th place finish in the 1600M. Brendan chucked the Javelin 177’ 8”, a new personal best, to place 2^nd. He followed that up with a vault of 14’ 6” to take home the State Championship in the Pole Vault. The points earned by Brendan and Dylan were enough to place 5^th as a team, one point behind Cheney. Also competing for the boys team were Sean Eustis and Isaac Bischoff.

The girls team had two representatives competing in three events at the State Meet. Kelley Young competed in the 100 and 300 Hurdles, bringing home a 5^th place medal in the 100 Hurdles. Kelley broke the school record that she set as a junior three times this season. It now stands at 15.44, the time that she ran at district to qualify for the State Meet. Also competing for the girls team was Kaitlyn Johnson in the 100M.

Another stellar performance was turned in at the State Tennis Tournament by Bolivian foreign exchange student Niko Lima-Severich. Niko finished 3^rd in the singles competition after losing a well-played and exciting match to the eventual state champ in the semi-finals. The girls doubles team of Shelby DeLong and Allie Reeves played well and made the medal round placing 8^th. Also competing for the boys was the doubles team of Patrick McCarthy and Ian Cagle.

Two boys advanced to the State Golf Tournament. Connor O’Neill made the cut after the first round and finished in a tie for 14^th place. Beau Scott also represented the Panthers but did not advance to the second round.

Several students set school records this spring…Brendan Casey set a new school record in the Pole Vault with a vault of 15’ 3”. Dylan Croeni set new school record marks in the 1600M (4:23.21) and the 3200M (9:25.20). Katelyn Wright broke the school High Jump record that she had shared with Roxie Niedert of 5’ 3”, with an incredible jump of 5’ 4”.

Blue Note Cafe Alumni Show TONIGHT at 7 PM

You are invited to the annual Blue Note ALUMNI SHOW tonight, Thursday June 16 at WHS, 7:00pm. We welcome back many of our talented alumni and feature them on this fantastic evening...

Bre Johnson 2008
Alexis & Roman 2009 2010
Kyle Henick 2006
Amanda Goolsby & Justin Brewer 2007, 2006
Mike Gilbert 2006
Liam Tully, Jamie McPherson, Rose McPherson 2007, 2004
Nate Coltrane 2004
Frank Holmes 2007
Nicole Cooper 2009 & Steven Goolsby, 10
Aaron Eklove '06
Caroline Young 2008

...plus several Class of 2011 performers will appear. Help us end the year with the best show yet!

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

Washougal Public School Employees Union Awards Scholarship

Washougal High School Senior Kelley Young is the recipient of this year's Washougal Public Employees/Len Bottemiller $1,000 scholarship. Kelley is the daughter of PSE member Lisa Young. Applicants for the scholarship completed an application including an essay and personal statement on the value of education. Congratulations Kelley!

Rotary Scholarship Winners 2010-2011

The Camas Washougal Rotary awarded their annual scholarships to students in the Camas and Washougal School Districts during a regular meeting on Thursday June 2nd. Pictured are Rotary Club President Lindsey Korell, who presented the awards, and Washougal High School students Brian Price, Darcy Akers, Patrick McCarthy, and Cassaundra Helland. Each student received $1,000 scholarships toward their higher education expenses. Four students from Camas High School were also awarded scholarships.

To qualify, the students filled out an official Rotary application and wrote an essay based on the Rotary principle of 'Service Above Self' and what that means to them. The selections were based on the student's essay and other submitted criteria. Rotarian Liz Stiles headed up the Scholarship Committee, and said "It's amazing what a group of bright, college-bound students we have in our two school districts."

Funds from the Camas Washougal Rotary Club's fundraising efforts, such as proceeds from Ducky Derby ticket sales during Camas Days, serve as the source for the local scholarship fund. The students and members of their families were present, as well as representatives from each respective school district.

For additional information about the scholarship program or Camas Washougal Rotary, please contact Carol at (360) 606-4960 or visit the club's website at www.cwrotary.com.

Former WHS Student Accepted to National Society of Collegiate Scholars

WHS Graduate Sarah J. Walker, class of 2010, was accepted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars after finishing her freshman year at the University of Alaska Fairbanks with honors. Congratulations Sarah!

For more information about the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, please call 202-265-9000 or visit their website at www.nscs.org.

Rotary Scholarship for Sophomores Winner: Kari Johnson

Kari Johnson has won the $500 Camas Washougal Rotary Scholarship for Sophomores for the 2010-2011 school year. Kari is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a 3.97 GPA. She is the daughter of Eldon and Laurie Johnson. Kari's Honors Chemistry teacher, Bruce Stanton, says that she is "a consistently great student." Kelly Ritter, Kari's Band teacher, notes that "she was the only Freshman in Jazz Band 1 last year," and describes her as "pleasant, always respectful, hardworking, and involved in lots of other activities." Other teachers describe Kari as the picture of quiet diligence, and able to demonstrate her understanding of concepts when called on in class. Congratulations, Kari Johnson!

Superintendent's Farewell Message

Dear Staff,

Our work this spring has played out against the grim backdrop of the worst budget scenario that the education community has seen in many years. Even as I write this message, the full impact of the state's economic downturn on next year's education budget is unknown.

In spite of the economy, there are still 3k students in Washougal who at summer's end will stream into our classrooms, ready for school and all that it means to them. Our district and our staff will be as prepared as any district in the state to meet, greet and teach these students. We will be as prepared as any district in the state to fulfill the promise of a quality education for every student who enrolls in Washougal schools. This reality is the bright spot in a gloomy economic forecast.

Like all districts, Washougal is not without its challenges. We continue to face the tough challenge of increasing the percentage of students meeting those high academic standards in reading, writing, mathematics and science. As the budget is prepared over the next few weeks, resources for teaching and learning remain a top priority. Superintendent Dawn Tarzian is grounded in the core mission of supporting academic growth and greater achievement for all students. Rebecca Miner, assistant superintendent, is planning a curriculum budget for next year that can be used to advance the district's work in curriculum, instruction and assessment. Les Brown, technology director, is preparing a continuum of technology classes designed to enhance instruction and learning. Doug Bright, human resources director, is communicating regularly and often with WAE and PSE leaders regarding the unfolding budget picture, and the Board of Directors is committed to a balanced budget that protects the community's investment in schools known for quality learning and safe environments. All of these forces are working together to ensure the best possible outcome with respect to the allocation of scarce resources in support of the district's core mission, raising the achievement of all students.

As I waltz out the door in July, I have to leave a few philosophical thoughts in my wake, ideas I have perfected by watching highly effective instructional practice and teachers in Washougal classrooms. I challenge you to find yourself in these images of classroom best practice:

1) There is no substitute for a great teacher who knows how to connect students to important ideas, concepts and skills.

2) Learning occurs at the intersection of two best practices: 1) Active, engaging opportunities to read, write, discuss, investigate and explore, and 2) The opportunity to construct and demonstrate or present (individually or in groups) an understanding of complex ideas and concepts. In this process, students need to gain proficiency in the use of technology and traditional learning tools.

3) Interdisciplinary instruction, small-group instruction, advanced placement classes, student choice, community service opportunities, career and technical education courses, alternative learning options (Excelsior), and real-world applications/simulations provide effective means of scaffolding student expertise in increasingly complex knowledge and skills.

4) A student’s incentive to vigorously pursue knowledge springs from a growing level of competence. To insure momentous gains in achievement over time, students should be able to excel or be re-taught at any point along their continuum of learning.

5) Creativity in all aspects of learning, and more specifically in the arts, builds excitement for learning. Public performances by students enhance learning and build community spirit by showcasing and highlighting achievement that is unique and of value in our culture and our programs.

5) Sports, clubs, academic teams and other extra-curricular activities build student confidence, expand upon student talents and interests, teach teamwork and sportsmanship and may provide the foundation for life-long leisure activities.

6) Schools are communities of educational practice and staff must take advantage of time to work together and perfect their practice, as exemplified in the Professional Learning Communities best practice model.

Remember that at the end of the day, we are preparing students for life, higher education and work as citizens of a global economy in the 21st Century. It has been a blessing to work here. I wish you all the best!