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.

 

Hathaway Elementary Band Members Joined by New Horizons Band in Concert

Hathaway Elementary band members experienced being part of a big 55-piece band when they were joined by the New Horizons Band at an assembly on June 12. New Horizon Band, founded by the late Dale Beacock of Beacock Music, consists of adults of various ages and musical ability.

 “Our 5th Grade Band students sat next to musicians who played the same instrument they chose and quietly and politely watched them play their music.  It was a really big sound that surprised the kids at times when the music got pretty loud,” said Amy Switzer, Hathaway music teacher.

Switzer said the conversations that took place between students and the New Horizons Band members were very thoughtful and meaningful for both sides.  “As a music teacher, I tell my students and their families that learning the language of music and to play an instrument is a gift that can last a lifetime.  The students got to actually experience exactly what I'm talking about!

“Our experience with the New Horizons Band was so incredible and touching not only for the band students but for the entire student body and staff,” Switzer added.

Kindergarten students try out their green thumbs

Kindergarten students in Cecilia Goodling's class at Gause Elementary had a garden party in the courtyard June 5 to celebrate growing fruits and vegetables in class garden boxes. The project was funded by a grant from the Washougal Schools Foundation. 

Mrs. Goodling asked students what they learned about growing plants in their garden.  The class made a list and agreed that the most important things were:

"Plants need air, sun, and water."

"Without bees, plants would die."

"The roots keep the plant from falling over."

2012-2013 Retirees

Congratulations to the staff retiring this year.  We appreciate your hard work and dedication to making a difference in the lives of children!

Canyon Creek and Jemtegaard Students Participate in Outdoor School

More than 80 sixth grade students from Canyon Creek Middle School in Washougal put on their hiking boots and enjoyed the wonder of outdoor school June 6 and 7. Students did not have to travel far to be at two sites rich for environmental study; Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Beacon Rock State Park.

Washougal School District has worked with Friends of the Gorge for the past three years on the outdoor school program. The Friends have sponsored the trip, put together volunteers for each of the sites and planned the daily activities. At Steigerwald students took a nature walk with volunteers who specializes in the projects there and know the land, animals and plants.  Students also participate in a Learning Service Project to remove invasive weeds.  While at Beacon Rock students visited a variety of stations learning about nature around the Columbia River Gorge including learning about trees, plants, animal tracks, leaves, and Lewis and Clark.

 Approximately 150 students from Jemtegaard Middle School in Washougal will have their outdoor school experience June 12, 13, and 14.

Congratulations to Grace Collins for Winning the $500 Camas Washougal Rotary Scholarship

Grace Collins, who was selected as the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for October 2012, has received the $500 Camas Washougal Rotary Scholarship.  Grace is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a 4.0 GPA.

WHS Honors Chemistry Teacher Bruce Stanton says that Grace “is an excellent chemistry student AND a very nice person.” WHS Textiles and Apparel Teacher Mary Walker says Grace is “thoughtful of others” and that “She helps other students with a smile., always does her best work, and is a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day or  a sunny day!”

WHS Spanish Teacher Rochelle Aiton describes Grace as “sweet and attentive, intelligent, talented and self-disciplined, in addition to being a joy to have in class.”  WHS Honors Sophomore English Teacher Sheila Good says she “really enjoys having Grace in her class.”  She adds that she is “very pleasant and kind, and sets a positive tone in the classroom.  She is also extremely conscientious and makes sure that her work is as perfect as it can be.”

Her parents are Mark and Leann Collins.  Congratulations, Grace!

Brian Choi Earns Opportunity to Study Space at the Washington Aerospace Summer Residence Program

Washougal High School junior, Brian Choi, is one of just 160 students from across the state to earn a spot in the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) Summer Residency Program.  Choi’s high academic performance on the WAS Phase One curriculum qualified him to attend.

The six-day summer residency experience will be held at The Museum of Flight in Seattle during June and July.  Choi will join a
team of 11-12 students to work cooperatively to plan a human mission to Mars with support from professional engineers/scientists, university students, and certificated educators.  “The biggest challenge to supporting life on Mars is really the distance,” he said.  “If they run into a problem or something needs to be fixed, there is no way to communicate with Earth quickly.  They have to solve problems and manage everything themselves.”


WHS Math teacher Jason Blaesing was Choi’s faculty advisor. Blaesing is also a WAS online evaluator and a counselor during the summer program.  “The amount of work these kids have to do to qualify is incredible,” he said.  “And this is added on to their regular high school course work which often includes Advanced Placement classes.  It is just wonderful when you see all that hard work pay off for them.”

Phoenix on Fire for June - Rosalyn Crawford

Excelsior High School, Washougal’s alternative school, is proud to announce the May Student of the Month or “Phoenix on Fire”. Rosalyn Crawford has overcome many challenges in life and is excelling academically and socially, even looking at Running Start for next year. Rosalyn 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.