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.

 

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.