WHS Knowledge Bowl Team earns Third in Regionals

High school Knowledge Bowl is where education meets competition. The new program at Washougal High School recently buzzed in an impressive third place Regional finish on February 22 held at Lower Columbia College in Longview.  Their sights are now set on the State competition on March 19 in Arlington, WA.

Pam Crockford, WSD Substitute Teacher, is the new WHS Knowledge Bowl coach after a previous coach left the district.  Crockford has coached the WHS Science Olympiad team for 3 years.  The Science Olympiad team recently earned a second place title at its regional competition also at Lower Columbia College in Longview.  That State meet will be at Eastern Washington University, April 16th.

“I am just learning about the logistics of coaching Knowledge Bowl,” Crockford said.  “But it is not about me. It is about the kids and they are the ones who make it all work.”

Sophomore Emma Hein is the WHS Knowledge Bowl captain.  She and other teammates had come from strong Washougal middle school programs.  As captain, Hein gives the final team answer in competition. “I also help to facilitate which answer is the correct one if several people disagree on the team,” she said. According to Hein, it is difficult to study for competition due to the huge range of questions.  But practice in thinking quickly and working together does help.

Asked if the competitions feel like a sport, Hein agreed that they could be considered mental athletes and they do work as a team.  “Chemistry between team members does impact how well you do,” she explained.  “I‘d say we finally nailed it at regionals.  We worked together and it showed.”

Crockford agrees. “Chemistry is important and so is having fun and enjoying who you are teamed with,” she said. “Having a variety of knowledge backgrounds is a real plus.  It is also good to know who on the team knows what topics really well.”

“At competition a student can buzz in even if you don’t know the answer but they know a teammate who probably does,” explained Hein.  “You have to be fast to push the button.  It can be very strategic.”

This year WHS also has enough interest to field a Junior Varsity team.  “They are a group of kids who really enjoy each other,” Crockford said.  “And they were very strong against some big competition.”

Gause First Graders Catch the Learning Bug

First graders in Marvina Bugajski’s class at Gause Elementary became “bug experts” on a wide variety of insects and then shared their knowledge with other students, parents and the community at an Insect Showcase, February 12.

“The students completed their research for this informational writing lesson about insects using books and the internet,” said Bugajski.  “This year we did a lot more research online.  They used what they found for writing the poster information at school and then created a diorama as a family project at home.”

Parent Kristie Williams was impressed with how much daughter, Sawyer, knew about bugs and took leadership in the family project to create her diorama.  “I took her to the store but she knew what she needed like trees and grass because that is where the insect lives,” she said.  “Her dad helped cut the dowels used for trees and hung the butterflies and sister even donated the box.  It was fun to work together on.”

“The students get so excited about the insects and love to share it with their family,” Bugajski said.  “They really take ownership of the project and then love to tell people what they learned.”

Washougal Middle School Students Get the Fact Drugs and Alcohol

Schools all across the country took part in National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week January 25-29.   NDAFW is a national health observance for teens to promote local events that use National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIDA) science to shatter the myths about drugs.  More than 1,800 events were held across the country and internationally that week.

“We are taking advantage of this week in Washougal to start conversations about drugs and alcohol with youth,” said Wendy Butler C.W.D.P., Student Assistance Counselor from Educational Service District 112 working in Washougal. “The focus on drug and alcohol information has changed since the days of using scare tactics for kids. Now our information is more evidence based facts.”

Butler spent two days each at Canyon Creek and Jemtegaard Middle Schools talking to students at lunch time.  “They would line up for a chance to read a slip of paper with a fact about drugs or alcohol on it,” Butler explained. “They would read the fact and then paraphrase the information back to me.”  Stating the fact in their own words helps students to understand and retain the information.

“We are not with these kids every second so they need to be prepared with the tools to think on their own,” Butler said.  “It is best to give them information to process so they can make their own decisions.  We are approaching our kids on a more mature level.”  An outcome of the fact sharing is also to create student interest in Prevention Clubs starting at both schools.

“I think it is cool and interesting to hear these facts,” said CCMS 8th grader Alexis Brock.  Brock’s fact was about e-cigarettes, a topic she was already aware of. “I have talked with my family about how it is not right that e-cigarettes can be sold to kids when it is really the same stuff in them as regular cigarettes!”

CCMS 8th grader Casey Rappe’ said he found the facts interesting to think about.  “My fact was on alcohol blood levels,” he said.  “Some kids don’t realize that what you drink gets into your blood.  That is what makes you woozy but it can also kill you if you have too much.  It is kind of scary that know that alcohol goes into your blood.”

Facts were presented in several categories including marijuana, tobacco and nicotine, synthetic drugs, prescription drugs and alcohol.  “Kids are surprised by the information about prescription drugs and that it is the source of most drug overdoses,” Butler said.  The danger of additives in synthetic drugs is also new to many.

“We want to let them know the most important thing they have is their brain and they should not harm it while they are still growing,” Butler said.  “My job is really to empower kids to make positive choices.”

WHS Unified Team Offers Opportunities for Youth

Playing youth sports and being a part of team competition provides life lessons that extend far beyond the play field.  Now that Special Olympics Washington Unified Sports has come to Clark County, there are opportunities for high school students with special needs to have the experience of being on a team and playing competitive sports.    

The Unified Sports model combines Special Olympics athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) as teammates on sport teams for training and competition.  The Unified Team provides students an opportunity to use sports as a way to bond, create friendships and working together as a team.

Washougal Teacher Dani Allen began coaching the Unified soccer team at Washougal High School last spring and is now coaching the new basketball team.  “Being a part of this program has been life changing,” she said.   “It is touching on so many levels.  These kids are able to build friendships and camaraderie that you just can’t do in the classrooms.  Some of what you see can bring you to tears.  The sportsmanship, the athletes, the partners’ interaction.  It’s amazing.” Allen taught Special Education for 15 years, with seven of those in Washougal.  She started at Hathaway Elementary and then taught at WHS. She is currently the art teacher at Jemtegaard Middle School.

“It has been great to play basketball,” said team athlete and WHS senior, Shawn Fredericksen.  “We have a positive attitude and work together. It is fun being a part of a team.”

Fredericksen also gave credit to his coaches.  “I like my coaches,” he said.  “They are fun and teach us new things.   We are getting better each week.”

Allen is helped by assistant coaches Lin and Greg Guiles of Washougal.  “They are an important part of the program,” said Allen.  “I am not sure what I’d do without them!”

 “Being on the team provides surprising benefits and life lessons for these kids,” said Allen. “Like having to have their uniform washed and ready for games or to remember to bring shoes and clean shorts and shirts with you to school on practice days.  Those are responsibilities these kids are having to step up to.”

 The team members also enjoy recognition at school during morning announcements that tell about the games and posters on the wall with their names on them.  “Being on a team is a huge self-esteem booster for these students,” said Allen.  “And the interaction with the general education kids who help as partners is positive and great to watch.”

 WSH junior, Tyler Bowlin, got involved as a partner on the Unified team at the recommendation of a friend.  “I’m glad I got involved. It is really fun to come out and help these kids who genuinely want to be here and try hard,” he said.  “What we are doing is all for the athletes. It is not for the partners to better ourselves in the sport.  It feels good to help the athletes gain self-confidence so they see they are just as good as everyone else. The amount of happiness that shows in their face when they make a shot is just amazing. It’s a great feeling for everyone.”

“We have good spirit, we fight hard, and have team work,” said WHS senior athlete, Mikey Nuketuk.  “To not give up and to have a positive attitude are the most important parts to the game.  We have a good team. We try our best and we all pushed hard. But you don’t always win.”

 Although the players are working to win, there is a high emphasis on sportsmanship.  In a game against Camas in January, a Camas athlete made a basket and came to the Washougal bench to celebrate.  “Our whole team cheered and gave him high fives,” said Allen.   “It was awesome.”

 Allen has been struck by the pride the families are showing for their student athletes.  “Some parents are seeing skills that they had not known their child had,” commented Allen.  “One parent commented that they did not know their son could run so fast.  This is first time many of these students have participated in an organized sport programs and had their parents on the side line cheering them on.  The parents are very supportive.”

 “My family thinks that is it cool that I am playing basketball,” said Fredericksen. “And they know it is fun for me to be with my friends.”

The WHS team has competed at several tournaments and its next is Saturday, February 6 at Kelso High School and then February 13 at Prairie High School. One of the challenges is to get fans in the stands at these games.   “We are planning to do a scrimmage during a high school game half time or during a pep assembly,” Allen said.  She also commented that after the WHS cheerleaders attended a Unified game one of the squad members commented, “Everyone needs to see this.”  The games are free to attend.

Unified Sports compete in two divisions.  Division one are those teams that are very competitive and division two are more recreational players.  Washougal started with a single team but has grown to have a team in both division.  Camas also has a team in each division.

 According to Allen, Special Olympics helps with funding through a $2,000 grant for equipment and uniforms.  WSD Special Education pays the rest.  The coaching is all volunteer and there is no fee for students.

VFW Essay Winners

Veterans of Foreign War members recently traveled to Washougal and Camas schools awarding the winners of their yearly essay contests.

Elementary students competed in the State Junior Essay contest by supporting the statement “Why America is My Favorite Country.”  Winners at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary were fifth grader Nolan Johnson with a first place and fourth grader Keagan Payne with a second place.  At Gause Elementary, Anna Chaffee won first place for fourth grade and Emelia Warta from the fifth grade received an Honorable Mention.  Winning the third grade competition were Madison Dodge, first place; Aidan Hasselbush, second place; and Brooklyn Lowe, third place.  Hathaway Elementary did not participate this year.

This year, all 3rd grade contest winners came from the classroom of Gause teacher, Jim Schroeder.  “Consistently, year in and year out, he produces more winners for his grade level than anyone else,” said Gause Principal Rex Larson.  “Jim had also been the 3rd grade teacher for this year's 4th and 5th grade winners from Gause.”

“Taking part in this contest helps students to understand that our rights and privileges in the United States are not the same as in other parts of the world,” said Schroeder.  “Students begin to recognize that they are very lucky to be living in a free country, and to honor those that have fought to keep it that way.”

Schroeder has been surprised by how many students incorporate personal stories into their essays. “There many stories that demonstrated how living in our free country has touched, or had an impact on their own family's life history,” he said.

Middle school winners of the Patriot Pen Essay contest at Canyon Creek Middle School were second place winners Thomas Hein, eighth grade and Simone Velansky, sixth grade.  Seventh grade winners were Bryce M. Holmes with a third place and Charlotte Baker was awarded an Honorable Mention.   Jemtegaard Middle School did not participate this year.

At the high school level, students competed in the Voice of Democracy competition.  Washougal High School senior Taylor Brown won first place and a $500 check.  Winning fourth place and a $100 check was senior Aisha Marcos. WHS Honorable Mention winners were seniors Courtney Shelley and Christian Mishler and junior Mitchell Leon.

All winners of 1st, 2nd and 3rd places from all grade levels will advance to the state competition. High school students can advance to nationals were there is a $35,000 college scholarship for the top prize.

Hathaway students visit Two Rivers Heritage Museum

Second graders from Hathaway Elementary School had the chance to take a peak at people who helped shape the local community at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum on a field trip Thursday, June 11.  Groups of students stopped at several stations where museum docents would describe artifacts and stories of early residents. "This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get an appreciation for the local history and past community leaders," said Debbie Kramer, Hathaway second grade teacher.

Donuts with Dad at Gause

Donuts and a good book were on the menu at the annual "Donuts with Dad" breakfast at Gause Elementary, Friday June 12.  The event is meant to encourage reading and create a special time with dads and their students.

"It is a lot of fun to be here," said Gause father, Zane Dillion, who was the guest of daughters Abby, kindergarten, and first grader Emma.  "And I love books," he added.   Dillion was reading poems from Shel Silverstein’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” captivating his young girls’ attention.  Daughter, Emma, also enjoyed the special morning and said, "I like the books and seeing everyone walk by with their dad."

The event, now in its fourth year, keeps getting bigger and has outgrown the library where it began and now packs the cafeteria.  The morning also featured drawings for books and prizes courtesy of the Gause Boosters.

Standout student: WHS junior balances academics, work experience and career exploration

WHS junior Riley Coffman is an expert at time management. Not only does he currently have a 4.0 GPA, he also holds down a part-time job at Lutz Hardware in Camas, working approximately 16 hours per week. Riley is also a participant in the rigorous and highly competitive Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program.  WAS is a two-part program for high school juniors focused on topics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

After successfully completing phase one of the WAS program (a five-month distance learning course designed in partnership with NASA and the University of Washington), Riley will attain five college credits through U.W. As one of the program’s top scorers with an overall grade of 88%, he has been invited to attend the summer phase two portion of this program, a six-day summer residency in Seattle working with Boeing and NASA engineers.

“Riley is a very self-driven individual that continues to amaze his father and myself every day,” said his mother, Jessica Coffman. “We are so proud of him, we are bursting at the seams.”

Riley says that good time management helps him juggle his busy schedule. “I just set priorities for myself and try to take everything in bite-sized chunks,” he said. “I do homework every night but I alternate the nights I work with nights I participate in WAS. I just take it one step at a time.”

Participating in WAS has sparked in interest in engineering for Riley, who thinks he may pursue a career in electrical or computer engineering. “I knew I wanted to do something with science and math,” he said. “But I now know that I love engineering.”

Riley says parental support was key to his success. “My parents played a big part in helping motivate me during stressful times,” he said. “It’s as much their success as it is mine. They’ve always been there to support me and to tell me it’s ok to have fun too.”

Riley currently has Mr. Bennett as a Physics teacher and Mr. Anderson for Pre-Calculus.

Canyon Creek Middle School Students among Winners of Clark County Youth Achievement Awards

Five Canyon Creek Middle School eight grade students will be presented Youth Achievement Awards from the Clark County Youth Commission on Sunday, June 14 at Skyview High School.  This 17th annual county-wide celebration recognizes the achievement of youth that demonstrate personal growth and community contributions.

It is the Youth Commission’s belief that every young person has the potential for achievement in a number of categories including Arts, Career Development, Citizenship, Courage, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Family Life, Inspiration and Leadership.

CCMS students to be honored are Tori Corkum and Gabe Dinnel for demonstrating empathy towards others.  Rachel McDonald and Jasmyne Mason for art achievement. A third CCMS student also received recognition in art achievement but is unable to have her information shared in the media.

“I believe that everyone deserves respect,” said Corkum.  “I really had not seen myself as someone who was empathic but I try to be nice, even when people are angry.”  Soft spoken Dinnel agreed at the surprise that he was recognized for achievement in this area.  “I just don’t want to be rude and ignore people,” he said, pointing out that, “It can make people feel good to be talked to.”

McDonald, Mason and another student were awarded for their skill in the arts.  McDonald enjoys drawing realistic images and says she can take any photo and draw what she sees.  She has been drawing since age five, when her artwork appeared on cardboard boxes and walls at home.  She wants to pursue a career in graphic design.  Mason’s art specialty is anima and animal art.  She remembers drawing giraffes when she was just two years old.  “I’m not sure why I chose giraffes,” she said.  Now her preference is tigers.

The Youth Commission is a diverse group of 30 youth from throughout Clark County dedicated to bringing the voices of youth into the community and raising awareness about the remarkable achievements made by youth year round.  Awards will be presented to 300 area youth.

Hathaway Elementary Fifth Graders Grow Through Rotary Young Men in Action Program

Hathaway Elementary School fifth grade boys were provided an opportunity to develop new life skills as a part of the recently concluded Young Men in Action (YMIA) program.

Young Men in Action, sponsored and staffed by the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club, strives to promote positive behaviors by leading youth from problem behaviors.  The program allows boys an opportunity to interact with peers who are not in their circle of friends and focuses on development of life skills such as friendship, health, hygiene, careers and manners, while being fun and age-appropriate.

The boys and their male mentors met for 2 hours and concentrated on a different topic weekly for seven weeks. The curriculum included a field trips to such places such as Hearth Restaurant and the Washougal Fire Department and in-classroom instruction and conversations about mature behavior and choices.

“Through the program we worked to show these boys that they have choices in how they react to others and to situations,” said Rotary member and YMIA mentor Blaine Peterson. “We hoped to demonstrate that the mentors have all had to make choices.  We made the right ones for us and now we have fulfilling and successful lives, and they too have the opportunity to make the right choices for themselves.”

In a thank you note to program volunteers, Hathaway fifth grader Gaerett Bailey said how grateful he was to his friends at Young Men in Action.  "I learned so much. Like how to have good hygiene and I learned to exercise more. Thank you for the checkbook.  I will use it to find a good job and a house.  I will miss you all."

This YMIA program recently concluded and was a natural fit for those Wednesday afternoons when school dismissed early and the boys had some free time to spend.  Young Men in Action and the companion program, Young Women in Action, are always looking for passionate, dedicated volunteers from the community. The programs are paid for by the Camas Washougal Rotary Club and are made possible with the help of local organizations who make donations, provide special pricing or facilitate field trips to their businesses.  Participation in Rotary is not a requirement to be part of the programs.

To get involved, visit cwrotary.com and click on the YMIA/YWIA link at the top of the page.

WHS Student Actors Perform for Young Audiences

Washougal High School drama students recently took their original production, “The Fish and the Clam" or "Keep Clam and Be Yourshellf,” on the road to several Washougal schools.  A student-created show has been a part of the curriculum of the WHS Second Year Drama class for the past eleven years and is a capstone project for the young actors.

“Students start by submitting ideas at the beginning of the semester,” said WHS drama instructor, Kelly Gregersen.  “A premise is chosen and then they work at improvisation to get a feel for the flow of the show.  After that, I take everything that they have created and turn their ideas into a script.”

WHS junior, Krysia Woods said the process was fun. “We took the main idea and then acted out what were wanted our characters to say,” she explained.  “This way we could build in our own personalities into the characters.”

The play tells the story of Marlin, a fish who is not happy being a fish.  Thanks to a magical clam, he is able to try being other sea creatures but, in the end, finds that he is most happy to be himself.

Through Marlin’s transformation, the plot also explores the nature of cliques.  “The sharks are tough, the jelly fish are mellow, crabs are, well, crabby,” Gregersen said. “The moral of the story is really to be happy with who you are and that is it is ok to try new things but you don’t need to try to be something that you are not to do that.

According to Gregersen, this year’s half-hour production is particularly entertaining since it started off with a very streamlined idea and a strong focus.  “This show also plays well to both the younger and older students,” he said.  “We stuck every fish pun in the book into this thing.  And there is even some modern music snuck in.”  The clever script also incorporates comical references to popular movies such as “Finding Nemo” and Little Mermaid.”

“The drama students get so much out of this,” Gregersen explained.  “First, they get to see their ideas become a show.  It creates a very deep ownership for them.  And then they get to perform it to various audiences.  They put everything they have into the play.  These kids own this show and their parts.  And you can see it in the performances.”

For senior Marshall Graham, the class production meant being able to have an additional theater experience that did not require the afterschool commitment that the larger productions have.  Graham, who played Kenickie in the Fall production of Grease, was not able to be a part of the Spring show due to his busy schedule.  He enjoyed the process to create an original script and said it was different to take a show on the road and perform in front of very young students.  “The children are a lot more energetic as an audience,” he said. “Sometimes they will laugh for minutes.  They really get into it.  Adults hold more in.”

Woods hopes that the play will not only send a powerful message to young students about being themselves, but will also help inspire them to look into the drama program at WHS.  “I did not have older students that I could look up to when I was their age,” she said.  “I hope we can have an impact on these kids.”

CCMS bands entertain Washougal elementary schools

The student bands from Canyon Creek Middle School were “on tour” Friday, May 29, performing at each Washougal elementary school.

“There are several reasons for this field trip,” explained Lora Brandt, CCMS music teacher.  “It’s important for students to take part in multiple performances of music literature for a variety of audiences and in several new venues.  They are also getting the opportunity to play music that is recognizable to them and their audience.”  The grade level bands represented 6th, 7th and 8th grades and played many popular songs including “La Bamba,” “Theme from Mission Impossible,” “Thriller” and “Star War.”

“This tour was also a way for these very hard working students to get the chance to socialize and enjoy time together,” Brandt added.

The audiences were also introduced to each instrument with band members playing a short song that featured each instruments' unique sound.  “We hope the concert entertained and inspired future band members,” Brandt explained.

Award-winning author inspires Hathaway Elementary writers

Hathaway Elementary School students were visited on May 26 by Elizabeth Rusch, an award-winning children's book author, magazine writer, and writing teacher. She writes lively fiction and nonfiction books in the areas of science, art and the magic of discovery.

Rusch presented two assemblies for grades K-2 and 3-5 and taught three writing workshops to 4th grade students.  In her assemblies and workshops, Rusch shares her life as a writer, where she gets ideas, how she researches and develops her books and articles, her writing and revision process, and some funny and scary adventures she’s had along the way.  Besides being a celebrated author and a scientific researcher, Rusch is also a highly acclaimed writing teacher.

“Ms. Rusch creates presentations and writing workshops based on her deep knowledge and love of non-fiction subjects,” said Cathy Burrows, Hathaway Title 1 reading specialist.  “During the workshops at Hathaway, students were inspired by her interactive, common-core writing instruction.  Our students gained important insights about how to make their writing “come alive” for the reader. They were so excited about the process that they wanted to continue creating and sharing throughout the day.”

“You never know what will spark a student’s interest and feed the flame of learning,” states Rusch in her philosophy about school visits.  “For me, all subjects are connected: writing, reading, science, art, music, math, social studies. By presenting myself as a writer with wide ranging passions - for astronomy, volcanology, art, music, history, and community service – I hope to inspire not only budding writers but also budding scientists, artists, activists.”

This author visit was made possible through a grant from the Washougal Schools Foundation and from Hathaway Boosters funding.

The Hathaway library has several of her books, and teachers have been checking them out to use in instruction.  “Ms. Rusch has already provided common core discussion questions/activities to our teachers to accompany each book,” Burrows said.  “The classroom study of nonfiction text enriched our curriculum as teachers prepared the students for this event.”

For more information about Rusch and her books, go to: http://elizabethrusch.com

Cape Horn-Skye Elementary Students Swing into Golf

Cape Horn-Skye Elementary School 3rd - 5th grade students got into the swing of golfing with a special PE lesson from representatives of the Washington Youth Golf Academy at Camas Meadows on May 21 and 22.

The short golf class gave students basic instruction and practice on how to hold and move the clubs through chip and putt swings.  The instructors were Camas Meadows Golf Pros Bryce Poulin and Chris Garrison, who will work to introduce the game of golf to approximately 3,000 students in several local school district during the 2014-15 school year.  The two used humor and visual cues to help the young golfers understand safety and swing techniques.

Poulin also invited students to participate in the upcoming Junior Demo Day on Saturday, May 30 from 3-5 p.m. at Camas Meadows.  The WYGA event is free to attend and will feature practice aiming at the large inflated Golfzilla, meeting the golf teaching staff, junior club fittings and complimentary ice cream.

“The event is completely free for all youth and the first of our many great WYGA special events at Camas Meadows this summer,” Poulin said.  “The core value of the WYGA is community outreach and providing a place for youth to learn golf and skills for life,” For more information about the WYGA contact Poulin at 833-2000 or at http://camasmeadows.com/EventJuniorDemoDay2015.asp

WHS student earns master certification through Microsoft IT Academy

Brendon Moen, Washougal High School freshman, is the first student in the Washougal District to earn a Microsoft 2013 Word Master Certification as a part of the Microsoft IT Academy (ITA).  Moen had to pass five exams (Word, Word Expert 1 & 2, Excel and one optional test). He passed two optional exams, 2013 PowerPoint and One Note.

WHS teaches ITA through the Computer Applications classes. “This program started late spring of 2013 and since then students have passed over 200 tests,” said Katherine Sturdyvin Scobba, WHS yearbook and digital photography teacher.  “The program has shown an increase in participants and has prepared them in the application of Microsoft Office products in the academic and job arenas.”

Microsoft ITA is a partnership between The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Microsoft to provide the training at all Washington high schools. Microsoft ITA bridges the gap between the world of education and the world of work. It boosts Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education statewide and the employability and global competitiveness of our students and future workforce.

Washougal Youth Win Award for Community Prevention Work

Washougal School District Youth have won an scholarship award to attend The Spring Youth Forum at Great Wolf Lodge, May 13 and 14th. This scholarship will pay for forum attendance, lodging and meals for six students. These students are part of a group of  UNITE! coalition members that helped plan and organize the recent Let’s Draw the Line Community  survey and Above the Influence Project.   They have been meeting since January to organize an event to encourage youth to become more aware of the marketing strategies that affect youth alcohol consumption.

The event was held April 25th at River Rock Church, and featured a Community Assessment of Neighborhood Stores, an Above the Influence activity that encourages youth to create their own personal brand, as well as music and prizes donated by the community. The students surveyed 10 area stores to get to know their community and see how product placement of  alcohol and tobacco affects  purchase by youth. They also received training on advertising awareness as part of Maddie Gregory’s Washougal High School’s Senior Project. Maddie and her team shared their desire to work with local retailers to create a healthy community for youth.

This award will allow 6 of the youth team to attend to allow the Spring Youth Forum to give a presentation about Let’s Draw the Line and attend a conference to learn about prevention projects throughout the state. The youth team that developed this project are Maddie Gregory, Michael Stevens, Carson Connors, Sydney Mederos, Sammie Mederos, Bridgette McCarthy, and Scott Anderson.

For more information about UNITE! please visit their website.  The Unite! Community Coalition meets the 4th Thursday of every month at 4:30 pm at East County Family Resource Center, 1702 C. Street, Washougal.

For more information about other prevention efforts in our state, please visit the DHSH website.

JMS Parents attend iPad Training and Internet Safety Night

Parents of students at Jemtegaard Middle School attended an evening of learning about the iPads and ways to help students be safe online on April 23.  JMS teachers Kelli Dizmang, Cherise Marshall, and Rebecca Bohlin worked with students who served as "experts" to develop the lessons taught to their peers' parents.  Approximately 40 to 50 parents attended with at least that many students.

“Parents went with their students to a series of stations where they learned about the apps that students use in class, projects that are done on the iPads, how to access WESPaC from a mobile device, and more,” said Les Brown, WSD Director of Technology.  “Each station was run by a JMS student, who created their mini-lesson on an iPad to share with parents and other students.  The parents who attended shared that they were amazed at how much the students have learned, and the variety of skills they have with the iPads.”

Parents also attended a session on Internet Safety and building student's skills to make wise choices and be safe online.  The session focused on practical steps parents can take to help keep kids safe while online.  “We discussed parents’ concerns about online safety, helping make sure they have an awareness of monitoring student activities online, as well as tools and strategies to help them make sure their kids are learning to be good digital citizens while staying safe online,” Brown said.

“Many of the parents who attended the Internet safety presentation were taking notes, sharing their own safety tips, and asking more questions about how we can work together to keep kids safe online,” said Dizmang.  “The response was very positive.  Many parents were also surprised to discover how much their middle schoolers know about using technology for learning, and were amazed at what the kids do and create every day.  Our students did an excellent job sharing their skills with parents!”

The act of students presenting the lessons was a sign of the success for the tech parent night in the eyes of Bohlin.  “It demonstrated to parents how students are benefiting and learning from the technology they have the chance to use in school,” she said.

According to Bohlin, student are already asking about having the event next year.  “The way that students stepped up to create quality presentations was outstanding! I was so impressed with what students put together to show parents, including QR code activities, wi-fi troubleshooting situations, thoughtful questions, and hands-on demonstrations.”

Hathaway science fair inspires young scientists

Hathaway fifth graders from Mr. Schlauch’s and Ms. Kurtz's classes participated in a Science Fair April 22. Students were required to choose a project, follow the scientific process, make a slide presentation on their iPad, and create a display board. The 49 young scientists shared their hard work and creativity with parents and other Hathaway students who attended the fair.

Students tested freezing temperatures, tested sounds with homemade “telephones”, created slime, and generated reactions with baking soda, vinegar, Mentos and soda pop.

Lauren Widmer: Flowers of the Rainbow. Lauren added food coloring to the water of white daisies over a six-day period to see how the daisies absorbed the color and how the various colors behaved differently.

Retired WHS science teacher Bruce Stanton was on hand to see what students had created and offer his scientific observations as well.

Marinah Vargo: The Soap Experiment. Marinah tested Charles’ Law, “As the temperature of a gas increases, so does its volume.”  Marinah microwaved Dial and Ivory soaps and found that their volume expanded greatly as they were heated.

“I was very impressed with the overall professionalism that these Hathaway fifth graders were able to maintain throughout the entire fair,” said teacher Andrew Schlauch. “I especially enjoyed watching them take on the role of the expert and teach their newly mastered concept to their peers, family members, teachers, and community members. I had multiple parents express their excitement and appreciation about the enthusiasm towards science they saw in their students for the first time. One parent told me that this fair has sparked a life long interest in science that may have never been. I am definitely looking forward to doing this again next year.”

Gabriel Hoffman: The Lucky Number 6. Gabriel invited fair participants to attempt to draw a number 6 while rotating their leg clockwise. His research supported the conclusion that as humans have evolved, we have not developed same side anti-coordination.

Jemtegaard Middle School​ students compete in Japanese Speech Contest

Three Jemtegaard Middle School​ students were winners in the 27th Annual Japanese Speech Contest held April 18 in Portland.  Winners of Middle School Division 1 were first place, Imagen Huey; second place, Brandon MacArthur; and third place, Monty Scott.

The competition is organized by the Consular Office of Japan for students studying Japanese language in high school, middle school and immersion programs in Oregon and SW Washington.  There were 22 students participating from 10 schools.

Awards were presented by Consul General Hiroshi Furusawa.

Washougal Elementary Students Participate in Battle of the Books

Elementary students in Washougal School District battled it out in a most unlikely location, their libraries, as a part of the district-wide Battle of the Books competition.

"The Battle of the Books competition is sleuthing out the intricate comprehension details of each novel,” said WHS Library Media Specialist, Hillary Marshall.  Students read at least six books from a pre-determined list of 15.  During the competition students are given questions about content and answer by identifying the book title for five points and the author for an additional two points. Teams have 30 seconds after the reading of the question to give its response through the team captain. If the team gives an incorrect title or author, the opposing team may then pick up points for that question with the correct answer.

The competition is for 4th and 5th graders at all Washougal elementary schools.  Teams consist of four to six players.  The preliminary rounds were held Friday, April 17th, with the top two teams from each school battling it out at the Grand Battle on Friday, April 24 at WHS.  The winning team, from Cape Horn-Skye, was Ryan Langston, Immy Hinchliff, Rose Hinchliff, Sophia Krasnogorov, Gavin Keyser and Trey Keyser.  

Participation in this second annual event was high.  Gause Elementary had 30 students qualify for their school's battle and Hathaway Elementary had 35 students.  Cape Horn-Skye Elementary had a whopping 80 student compete at their school level.  “All together almost 30% of the district's grade 4 and grade 5 students read enough books to qualify for a school battle and a trip to Washougal High School to support their classmates competing for the title,” said David Tudor, WSD Curriculum Director. “The students and library staff have worked very hard to make this a fun and exciting event.”

Planning for the event began in Fall with Marshall and the elementary library assistants, Kathy Stanton, Hathaway; Marlene Leifsen, Gause; and Tammy Asbjornsen, CH-S.
“The students who participate love the competition,” said Leifsen. “As a librarian, I see students check out a book every week, do their 20 minutes of reading and return the book, unfinished.  I love seeing the kids enjoying and finishing books.  It's also really fun for me to get to know students better personally.”

“The students get a lot out of this competition by learning what team work is all about,” said Asbjornsen.  “Our students build valuable speaking skills while giving verbal summaries of the books they have read. Students are also exposed to different types of genres that they have never read before. They gain self-confidence and pride within themselves but most of all a love for reading.”

This year’s theme, “Race into Reading.” Guest speaker, Sam Reigel, talked to students participating in the Grand Battle about biodiesel technology and how he converted his automobile to run on refined vegetable oil.  The theme also inspired some extra fun during the preliminary battle days.  At Gause, students were treated to a “gas station lunch” featuring corn dogs, and at CH-S, motocross and race car driver, Kelly Harness of Camas, brought his racing bike and talked to students after their outside picnic lunch.  Harness stressed the importance of reading in his line of work.  “When I have to get into an engine and do repair work, I have to be able to read the instruction manual to know what I need to do,” he explained.  

High school students also participate by volunteering to read the battle books to help create questions for the competition.  They also served as team leaders, escorting the elementary student to each battle venue, and time and score keepers during the battles.  They also planned and ran indoor recess activities for entertainment during the luncheon.  "Our high schoolers love this leadership opportunity to inspire younger readers and they are always amazed how well the elementary students know the intricate details of each novel," said Marshall.

The final grand battle and award ceremony took place in the WHS auditorium.  Jamie Dotson from iQ Credit Union was on hand to present books purchased through their Read With Me literacy program that gives a $75 grant to literacy programs that inspire lifelong reading.  “This money was used to purchase books from the Scholastic Warehouse to reward our high school students for all of their help with the event,” Marshall said.  “Each high school student who participated received a book they selected to call their very own.”

“I think for young children to pick up a book with more than 30 pages is very daunting to them,” Asbjornsen said. “When they first look at the battle books, any books for that matter, they think that the book is too big and that they can't finish it. But once they do, it is very gratifying for them. I love it when students come up to me and tell me that they really like a certain book.”

“For me it is all about the love of reading,” said Stanton.  “I enjoy reading as entertainment and through this experience these students are getting the chance to develop that love and become lifelong readers.”