School notes for May 31, 2011

Grass Valley teacher receives grant Second grade classrooms in the Camas School District annually put on theater productions of a bug-themed play called "Goin' Buggy." For years, the five elementary schools have shared aging bug costumes, losing and wearing out things along the way. Additionally, each year much parental labor and love go into making stage props. This year, Grass Valley second-grade teacher Juli Hanson is changing all of that. She applied for and received a PTA grant and received $500 to outfit close to 100 Grass Valley second-graders with custom-made costumes and props. Second grade teachers Kara Curtin, Scott McCoy and Colleen assisted her in securing the grant. "Several families have donated their energy, sewing skills, set design and love to this second-grade project," Hanson said. "We have grandmas and grandpas, friends and neighbors pitching in -- some from thousands of miles away -- to give our students the chance to have an unforgettable experience." The performance will take place at 6:30 p.m., Tues., June 7, at the Grass Valley Elementary auditorium, 3000 N.W. Grass Valley Drive. 'Imagineers' perform well FIRST Lego League open The Future Imagineers, a team of five 13- and 14-year-old boys from Camas and Hockinson, competed recently in the National FIRST Lego League Robotics Tournament at Legoland in Carlsbad, Calif. The team captured first place in robot design. "This is the end of a pretty amazing season for this team," coach Bob Croucher said. Overall, 76 teams from 33 states, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico competed in robotics competition. The Future Imagineers were among teams from Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Puerto Rico also took home awards. The competition was judged on project presentation, robot performance, technical design and programming of the robot; as well as professionalism and teamwork. River Homelink student wins scholarship Jared Welch, a student at River Homelink in Camas, received a $5,000 scholarship from the Washington Association for Learning Alternatives. It is the oldest alternative education association in the United States. CEF delivers thousands in major grants On May 14 and 15, Camas Educational Foundation volunteers and board members visited schools across the district to award $28,000 in major grant funding. Major grants areas funded this year include: elementary school science, middle and high school technology, and art training for elementary school teachers. A total of $93,000 in requests were received. This funding was in addition to the $25,000 awarded earlier this year for mini grants, bringing the total awards for 2011 to $53,000. "The Camas community continues to value education and CEF is delighted to provide funds to our fantastic teachers so they can encourage innovation and enhance curriculum," said Ron Gompertz, CEF president. "We hope to see you at our upcoming fun run and next fall's auction." For more information about upcoming CEF events, visit www.cefcamas.org.

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