Washougal Schools Foundation Hosts Ninth Annual Student Stride for Education Fun Run Event

The Washougal Schools Foundation’s ninth annual Student Stride for Education (The Stride) all-student fun run and 5K run/walk will be held at the Washougal High School stadium and the surrounding area on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Proceeds raised will fund teacher grants and student scholarships distributed by the Washougal Schools Foundation (WSF).
The WSF is proud to have Dave and Tom Stinchfield of Discovery Dental in Washougal as the Title Sponsor for the 2012 event. "We are grateful for the opportunity to be the title sponsor of The Stride for a third year,” said Tom Stinchfield, D.D.S. “Discovery Dental is dedicated to serving within our community to support the great team of leaders and selfless volunteers that make this worthy event happen each year.”

Runners of all ages throughout Clark County are invited to participate in The Stride. Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students will run a 1.5K course. The 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will run a 2K. Middle and high school students and adults will take part in the 5K run or walk or as volunteers. The final heat of the day is The Dash, a special race for the pre-kindy crowd, just one lap around the track. The Stride kicks off at 8:00 a.m. with the 5K run and walk and then individual grade-level heats follow starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending around noon.
“The Stride has become a mainstay in our community,” said Stephanie Eakins, Stride Event Director. “The magic of the event is that it not only promotes Washougal Schools, but it promotes the well-being of the community.”

Each year The Stride event features a unique logo created through a contest among Washougal art students. This year the contest was open to middle school students. Dozens of creative designs were submitted. The winning 2012 event logo was created by Jemtegaard Middle School 7th grader, Tessa Walcott, and features a happy running Stride Cat with a Stride banner above him.
“We expect between 500-600 students, teachers and community members to register for The Stride,” said Eakins. “If you have never been to the event we really encourage you to sign up or at least come down and see it. It is so heartwarming to watch these kids cross the finish line with such a sense of accomplishment.”

The Stinchfields were drawn to the event years ago. "My immediate and extended family has participated in The Stride for the last six years,” said Dave Stinchfield, D.D.S. “Our passion for physical fitness and running, combined with our passion for our community, education and children, compelled us to throw our full support towards the annual Stride.”

The Stinchfield brothers enjoy running so much that they have added a little fun and friendly competition to The Stride’s 5K. The doctors are challenging participants to beat them across the finish line. Everyone who is able to “Beat the Docs” will get a special award from Discovery Dental. The two will be easy to spot with targets on the backs of their shirts. “I have been so anxious to be a part of this great event,” said Tom Stinchfield, who recently joined his brother in the business and moved his family to the Washougal community. “Running is a huge part of our lives. My wife, Tracey, and I can frequently be seen running the streets of Washougal in the early morning hours. We are excited to have our kids be a part of this great event too.” More information on the “Beat the Docs” competition and a map of the 5K course can be found at www.discoverydentistry.com

Sponsors joining Discovery Dental in support of WSF as of April 3 are Watercare Industrial Services, Waste Connections, Sodexo School Services, Corwin Beverage Company, Washougal School District, City of Washougal. According to Eakins, The Stride is also pleased to make its medal and t-shirt purchases locally with new Stride sponsor, Glory Days. “We depend on our sponsors as well as donations from local businesses and families for the fund raising component of the event,” Roger Daniels, WSF Fund Raising Chair explained. “The Foundation does not profit from runner fees.”

Registration remains just $10 for all runs. The fee covers race costs and provides each runner with a commemorative t-shirt, race-day medal and finish line refreshments. Deadline to guarantee a race shirt is April 26. Runners can still register up to and including race day, but for best chance to get a shirt, they should register in advance. If runners would like to have their name listed on the back of the shirt with other donors, they can donate $10 per name. Deadline for those donations is also April 26. Registration forms are available at all Washougal schools and their websites, Discovery Dental and at www.washougalschoolsfoundation.org or www.discoverydentistry.com

For more information on the Washougal Schools Foundation or The Stride contact Eakins at 360-513-0525 or visit the WSF website.

Challenge Day unites Washougal and Excelsior High School students and adult participants around common vision

On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 100 Washougal and Excelsior High School students and more than 30 adults participated in Challenge Day, an event designed to unite participants around a common vision, addressing issues of suicide, harassment, racism, conflict management, and alcohol and drugs.

The goal of challenge day is to make WHS and EHS an even more welcoming place to be, to increase personal power and self-esteem, to shift peer pressure to positive peer support and to eliminate the acceptability of teasing, violence and all forms of oppression. Trained Challenge Day Leaders created an environment of safety and trust to address social issues. Challenge Day is designed to unite the members of the school and community and to empower them to carry the themes of the program back to the greater school and community population.

Adult participants included 30+ members of the Washougal School District staff, elected officials, and community members. More than 100 WHS and EHS students across all grade levels participated in the event.

Challenge Day was made possible through a grant from the Clark County Department of Community Services. Washougal High School Counseling Center staff wrote the grant and WHS/EHS was one of just two recipients this year.

Since 1987, Challenge Day Programs have touched the lives of over half-a million teens and adult’s, receiving awards from the juvenile justice system, government officials, and many school districts and cities nationwide. Through thought-provoking games, activities, and discussions, Challenge Day provides participants with tools to break down the walls of separation and isolation and build new levels of respect and communication.

Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar Winner for March: Meagan Sharp

Congratulations to Meagan Sharp, the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for March 2012. Meagan is a sophomore at Washougal High School, and has a 3.906 GPA. Lisa Leonard, Meagan's Computer Applications teacher, says she "can be found helping others where she can," and that "her work is always quality and she pays attention to detail. She is the type of students look forward to in the classroom." English teacher Sheila Good describes Meagan as "one of the sweetest students - very hard working, committed to doing her best." Jason Blaesing, her Integrated Algebra III teacher says Meagan is "a very respectful student." Spanish teacher Rochelle Aiton describes Meagan as "pleasant, respectful, dedicated and intelligent." She also says Meagan is "a joy to have in class." Meagan is the daughter of Bradley and Shannon Sharp.

Congratulations Meagan Sharp!

"Washougal's Got Talent" competition 3-23-2012

Washougal's Got Talent - a fundraiser for the WHS Drama program, will take the stage in the Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School on Friday, March 23 at 7:00.

The show is only $5  and will feature a number of talented WHS students performing in front of "celebrity" judges and trying to win the coveted WGT Trophies.  The show will also feature guest performances by WHS alumni.  Don't miss it!

Washougal School District’s sound financial management noted by Moody’s

The Washougal School District received good news last week when it was notified by Moody’s Investors Service that the district’s sound financial operations warrant a bond credit rating of “Aa3”.  This is two steps above the most recent “A2” rating received during the most recent review in 2000.
While a credit rating takes into account may factors such as the size of the tax base, area employment and economic growth, Moody’s noted that the district has been able to sustain balanced budgets through difficult financial times and maintain prudent financial reserves.

“This is a strong credit rating, just one notch lower than our larger neighbors such as the Vancouver and Evergreen school districts.  It will definitely help Washougal School District taxpayers in the future by lowering borrowing costs,” said Superintendent Dawn Tarzian.  The Board of Directors, business manager, and district staff are to be credited with the thoughtful management of district resources.
The district applied for the rating in anticipation of refinancing a portion of the district’s outstanding bonds to provide lower interest rates.  If successful, it is anticipated that the Washougal School District will be able to pass along substantial savings to taxpayers in the coming years.

American Sign Language Competition 3/7/2012 in the WHS Performing Arts Center

Washougal High School is proud to host the Clark County American Sign Language (ASL) Competition on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in the Washburn Performing Arts Center. The competition begins at 7pm with tickets going on sale at 6:30 PM. Entrance is $2.00. Students from around Clark County will compete by interpreting songs and stories from English into ASL. Students will be scored by a panel of judges consisting of Nationally Certified Interpreters from across the country. Come show your Panther Spirit and support our local students!

Blue Note Cafe at WHS Performing Arts Center March 9, 2012

Friday, March 9, 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
Free coffee & tea at intermission!

$5.00 adult
$3.00 student/child/senior
FREE with WHS Arts Pass
 
Auditions are one week prior to each concert on Fridays at 3:30pm in the WHS Choir room.

Washougal students should sign up on the audition list posted on the door.

Community members and WSD staff: please email Jennifer Mahorney at jen.mahorney@washougalsd.org  if you want to be added to the audition list.

Professional musicians who want to be guest artists, please send your request and info to: arts@washougalsd.org.

Blue Note is for acoustic musicians performing all styles and types of tunes.  No drum sets and no inappropriate lyrics allowed!