Washougal High Reader's Club Creates Tree Honoring Troops for Festival of the Trees Event

“I’ll be Home for Christmas” is the inspiring theme of the Festival of Trees tree decorated by the Washougal High School Book Club members.  The eight-foot noble fir will boost dozens of student-made milk carton houses, more than 800 lights and 100 feet of yellow ribbon garland.   It will be auctioned to the highest bidder at the annual Festival of the Trees celebration on December 6 and 7 at Hathaway Elementary, 630 24th Street, Washougal and benefits Washougal Schools.

 “The book club buys all the materials and does the building.  It is a lot of fun and is a good thing to do,” said WHS Book Club president Sarah Hardy. “The money raised by the auction of the tree will come back to the high school.”  The Book Club is one of the WHS organizations benefiting from proceeds.

Approximately WHS 12 students have been working on the project since November, under the leadership of Fran McCarty, Washougal High School library aid.  They meet at lunch hours, 3rd period and after school. McCarty came up with the Christmas song theme and immediately thought of US troops aboard. “The students have really put their heart into this project,” McCarty said. “And they have had a lot of fun being creative and seeing it all come together.”

Rotary Scholar of the Month for November: Caleb Bischoff

Caleb Bischoff was selected as the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for November 2013. Caleb is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a 3.95 GPA.  Mr. Isaacson, Caleb's AP World History Teacher, says "Caleb is a good, solid and steady student."  Caleb's Honors Biology teacher Pauline Rule adds that "Caleb exemplifies the all-around outstanding student. Hard worker, excellent grades, positive attitude, friendly, helpful, respected by teachers and fellow students, and fun to have in class. He somehow managed to make an Honors Biology research project into a physics project (no surprise there!)."

Kelly Ritter, her Symphonic Band teacher, says "Caleb is a courteous, pleasant, hardworking young man.  He plays the clarinet in the Symphonic Band, and is always positive and prepared.  He is a pleasure to have in class!"  Caleb's Algebra II Teacher Rochelle Aiton notes that, "Caleb is an enthusiastic and hard-working student.  He comes in with an attitude to learn, ask questions, and participates.  He is commendable because he learns simply for the love of learning."  Caleb is the son of Brent and Sharon Bischoff.  Congratulations, Caleb!

November Excelsior “Phoenix on Fire”, Savannah Johnson

Washougal’s alternative school, is proud to announce the November Student of the Month or “Phoenix on Fire”, Savannah Johnson!. Savannah has great attendance, an admirable work ethic, a contagious smile, and is an inspiration to her peers. Savannah embodies the character traits below that we hope to instill in every Phoenix at Excelsior: Inspiring,  Responsible, Respectful, have Great attendance, an Excellent Work Ethic, and a Positive Attitude.

November’s student of the month is Savannah Johnson!  Congratulations Savannah!

Cape Life Skills Assembly

The area of study of Cape Horn Skye Elementary 4th and 5th graders goes beyond reading, writing, science and math as they participate in monthly "Life Skills" assemblies.

“The 4th/5th grade teachers got together to determine which social skills (or Life skills) would be most important to teach to send kids on from Cape as responsible students,” said fourth grade teacher, Darcy Hickey. “Each month another life skill is showcased; in September our focus was on integrity, October was organization, and this month is friendship.” Other life skills the teachers will feature are effort, initiative, problem solving, flexibility, and perseverance.

“We also felt that it was important for the fifth grade students to be put in a leadership role during these assemblies by creating posters, as well as participating in skits that display the life skill of the month,” Hickey explained.  The friendship assembly featured 5th grade students speaking as famous people who had tremendous friends help them in life.

Fifth grader Hayley Courtney spoke as Helen Keller and the importance of her special friendship with teacher, Ann Sullivan. 

Washougal Schools Celebrate Veterans Day

Students Honor Veterans for their Service There are a number of wonderful Veterans Day Programs happening in Washougal schools. Veterans, teachers, staff, and volunteers work together to help instill in our students an appreciation of the sacrifices made to preserve our democratic freedoms.

- Lt. Matthew Bezold, flying in from Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, will present at an assembly for Cape Horn-Skye students. Immediately afterwards local veterans and current military are invited to a brunch hosted by Cape Horn-Skye staff. The staff are expecting around 30 guests.

- Hathaway Elementary students will honor veterans at a special assembly where the WHS X-tet choir will perform. Students and staff are inviting veterans they know and have created a Wall of Honor with photos and stories of veterans from their families that is on display

- Gause Elementary traditionally commemorates the holiday by having 5th graders perform a patriotic music program for the entire school. Veterans are invited to attend in uniform, and are recognized and honored at the end of the program, with each student in the school shaking their hand and saying thank you for their service.

The Washougal School District thanks all veterans for their service and time, and to those who came to share their experiences with our students.

Monster Mash Carnival at WHS

Washougal High School Interact Club members treated area elementary school students to a safe, funfilled carnival on Halloween night.  This is the seond annual Monster Mash and is planned and implemented totally by the students.

 

“Day of the Dead” comes to life for WHS Spanish students

An important component of learning a foreign language is to gain an understanding and appreciation for its culture.  Recently, Washougal High School Spanish language students were introduced to the Mexican celebration of El Día de los Muertos or “The Day of the Dead,” a yearly experience provided by the Spanish teachers.

The celebration is a fusion of Catholic and indigenous traditions that has come to manifest itself differently in each region of Latin America.  “The key is that it's a celebration of life: mostly of those who have gone before us,” explained Brian Eggleston, WHS Spanish Teacher.  "Students learn about the different way a culture looks at death without the unnecessary dread or horror that we've seen in some other societies."
As a part of the celebration, students created actual sugar skulls.  They combined sugar, meringue powder, and water together, and then with a mold, they made skulls that harden for decoration.  “After learning about the holiday and surrounding customs in Mexico, the students will decorate them in class,” Eggleston said.  “They always turn out beautiful.  The best work goes on display in each Spanish classroom for others to admire.”

“Students become more invested in a culture when they can get involved with hands on activities such as this,” said Spanish teacher Rochelle Aiton.

Take your parent to school day at Canyon Creek

The student population at Canyon Creek Middle School grew by more than 70 on Tuesday, October 29, as parents joined their students for the second annual “Take your parent to school day.”

Principal Sandi Christensen was excited for parents to spend time in class with their students. “There are a lot of opportunities for them to come into the elementary schools, but parent involvement really drops off in middle school,” she said.  “We want to encourage our parents to make connections with the school and their students and know they are welcomed here.”

CCMS School Counselor, Michele Mederos said parents get more out of this experience than the students.  “Education has changed a lot since these parents were in school,” she said. “While students enjoy their parent's presence and showing them around, parents get valuable insight out of the experience. They come away with a better understanding of what their kids are exposed to and get a flavor of the higher expectations they are working under.  That helps the parents realize how to be more supportive of their students.”

Harvest Festival at Cape Horn-Skye

Students, parents, siblings and teachers of Cape Horn-Skye Elementary enjoyed a fulfilled evening at the annual Harvest Festival carnival on Saturday, October 26.  A big thank you to the many volunteers who worked hard to make this great community/school tradition so successful.

Artifact Detectives Program Gives Students Hands on Experience with History

Third graders at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary got a hands-on opportunity on Thursday, October 17 to explore area history participating in a new “Artifact Detectives” curriculum developed by their teacher, Lucia Willeman.  Students not only learned about early life in the Northwest, but were allowed to take on the role of an archeologist as they brushed, washed, measured, discussed and categorized real local artifacts.

The project was supported through a Teaching American History (TAH) grant, administered by Carol Boyden, Federal Projects Director for the Washougal School District, and by the Clark County Historical Museum.

Rotary Scholar of the Month for October: Cassie Tran

Cassie Tran was selected as the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for October 2013. Cassie is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a 3.8 GPA.  Heather Carver, Cassie's Honors English teacher, says "Cassie is a really hard worker and has a great sense of humor."
To read more, please visit the Student Success Blog.

Kelly Ritter, her Symphonic Band teacher, says "Cassie is a wonderful young lady" adding that she "plays the flute in the symphonic band and pep band" and that she is "positive, always smiling, pleasant to be around."  WHS Biology Teacher Pauline Rule notes that Cassie is an excellent student, quiet leader, has great attitude and is a friend to all."  Social Studies Teacher Ryan Isaacson notes that "four weeks and a few days is all it takes to notice strength, patience, and perseverance."

Cassie is the daughter of Hao Tran and Kao Yang.  Congratulations, Cassie!

Excelsior Phoenix on Fire for October 2013 - Richard Young

Congratulations to Richard Young, Excelsior High School's "Phoenix on Fire" for October 2013.  Richard is a new student at Excelsior and is starting the school year off with a bang.  He's already finished a course, has great attendance, an admirable work ethic, and is an inspiration to his peers.

Richard exemplifies the characteristics we would like to see all of our students at Excelsior achieve: Inspiring, Responsible, Respectful, Have great attendance, An Excellent Work Ethic and a Positive Attitude.

Congratulations to Hathaway Elementary students of the month!

Teachers from each grade level choose students for this special honor.  Students are selected who have proven that they are striving to do their personal best. September honorees are: back row, left to right: Paige Maas, 4th grade and Elizabeth Moreland, 5th grade.  Front row, left to right: Karina Berry, 2nd grade; Wyatt Brannen, kindergarten; and Aubrey Hettling, 1st grade. Kailey Rhyner, 3rd grade (not pictured).

Washougal students raise funds with Sport a thon

Cape Horn-Skye Elementary (CH-S) students earn money for their school through the Booster’s annual Sport-a-thon fund raiser September 25-27 . Students had friends and family sponsor them to reach their goal for completing a number of activities including football tosses, basketball shots, and Frisbee throws.
 The kindergarten event was a carnival style format with fifth grade students as escorts.  "We depend on the kindness and support of our older students to ensure the kindy children enjoy the event," explained Kim Daniels, Physical Education Teacher.

All of the money raised goes to the school and this year funds will be spent to purchase a new portable sound system that can be used in music class and for events.  Also, ten percent of the money raised will be donated directly to the CH-S physical education program. The sport-a-thon is the CH-S Boosters largest fund raiser and brings in between $6,000-$7,000 annually.

EHS Students Learn Environmental Science through Gardening

Excelsior High School students learn environmental science lessons through the planting and cultivating of gardens outside their classrooms.  Students prepare the soil each spring, help with planting and then community members take on the gardening in the summer.  Their outdoor lab is complete with worm bin, compost container and rainwater barrel.

Pictured Front left to right: Emily Head, Qyuressa Zehner

Standing left to right: Kayla Head, Randee Schneider,  Matt McIntosh, and Tere Gustafson

Canyon Creek students celebrate good behavior and another great year

Canyon Creek Middle School students ended the year by celebrating their hard work and positive behavior with a drawing for cool prizes  June 19.  The event was made extra special thanks to donations from community members and businesses. Students had the opportunity to win some amazing prizes including a Kindle, headphones, gift cards and other fun rewards.

The rewards were well-deserved. Canyon Creek just completed the first year of the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Program (PBIS) which encourages creating common expectations and modeling positive behavior.

“We are excited to keep it going due to the improvements we are seeing within the culture of our school,” said ASB advisor and PBIS Coordinator Lori Schilling. “The data is pretty significant.”

Thank you to local businesses, families in the community, the CCMS Boosters and ASB for donating rewards for ongoing rewards and Cougar Card drawings.