School notes for Sept. 18, 2012

Lego Challenge set for October

The Washougal Community Library is having monthly Lego Building Bash events. Participants ages 5 to 11 are invited. Each event features a different theme and snack. The next challenge is 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17. The library is located at 1661 “C” St.

Camas student is National Merit semifinalist

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Marcus Bintz, Jake Hsu and Evan Roche, seniors at Camas High School, are among the semifinalists.

Semifinalists have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 8,300 scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for an award, they must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship.

The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state who took the SAT in 2011.

To become a finalist, the semifinalist and their high school must submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and honors and awards received.

A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships that will be awarded on a state representational basis.

Second-annual ‘Everyone Walks’ will benefit kids, those with MS

“Everyone Walks,” a 24-hour walk which benefits various charities, will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Sept. 30. It will include a silent auction and raffle prizes.

Camas resident and football coach Dale Rule will lead the effort. Rule, who was once morbidly obese, dropped more than 140 pounds with a walking program.

Last year, he held his first “Everyone Walks” event at Cardon Field at Camas High School, and walked 76 miles in 24 hours. This year, the event is being hosted by CHS seniors John Norcross and Troy Patterson, for their senior projects.

The community is invited to join Rule for as long as they want to walk. All proceeds will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society, preventing childhood obesity and to CHS athletics.

For more information, browse www.everyonewalk.com or call 360-798-5633. Cardon Field is located behind Camas High School, 26900 S.E. 15th St.

WSU Vancouver accepting nominations for diversity awards

Washington State University Vancouver is accepting nominations for the annual Community Awards of Distinction.

The awards will be presented to individuals or organizations in two categories: Community Partnership; and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Any member of the community may submit a nomination. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.

The award for Community Partnership will be given to an individual or organization whose leadership has made a significant impact on the community. The recipient will have demonstrated commitment to community partnerships, prosperity, vitality and overall well-being within WSU Vancouver’s region–Southwest Washington and the greater Portland metropolitan geographic areas.

Nominators are encouraged to consider value to community, length of service, sustainability of effort/impact, leadership and collaboration.

The award for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will be given to an individual or organization whose achievement has broadly impacted equity, diversity and inclusion within WSU Vancouver’s region. Nominators are encouraged to consider value to community, length of service/effort, long-term sustainability of achievement, breadth of reach, advocacy and impact.

Nomination forms may be completed electronically or downloaded from www.vancouver.wsu.edu/community/community-award-distinction.

Questions may be directed to Lisa Abrahamsson at 546-9600.

A committee of staff, faculty and community members will select award winners. The awards will be presented at WSU Vancouver’s Scholarship and Service Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 8.

District sets immunization exclusion date

Clark County is currently facing the worst whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic in 70 years and children and babies are at the highest risk.

According to a press release from the Washougal School District, it is committed to providing a healthy, safe environment for all students and wants families to know that immunization has proven to be one of the most effective ways to control the spread of preventable diseases.

Whooping cough is very contagious and it spreads when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. Pertussis usually begins with cold-like symptoms and a cough that worsens over one to two weeks. This illness is often very severe in small infants and can lead to hospitalization and death. Pregnant women who become infected during their third trimester are at risk of passing the illness on to their newborns after birth.

Adults and children 7 and older need a dose of Tdap if they have not had it before. Children 2 months through 6 years need the DTaP vaccine.

Since the vaccine wears off after several years, adults are encouraged to become aware of their own immunization status to see if they are up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Although adults and children may catch pertussis even if they have had all or some of their vaccinations, vaccination against pertussis is still the best way to reduce the risk of getting this disease.

In addition, state law (RCW 210.080) requires that all students be properly immunized in order to attend school. All students must have a signed Certificate of Immunization Status or exemption information on file with their school by Oct. 15, or they will not be allowed to attend school until state immunization requirements are completed.

There have been recent changes to the age requirements of several immunizations, so parents or guardians are encouraged to double check with their child’s pediatrician.

Also, notices will be sent home from the child’s school if they are missing the required documentation.

Immunizations are available at doctors’ offices, local pharmacies, Sea Mar Community Health Center and The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington. Low- and no-cost options are also located at www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/care/index.html.

Camas Ed Foundation selling raffle tickets

As part of its 15 year anniversary auction, “Soaring with CEF: Our 15 year Journey”, the non-profit Camas Educational Foundation is hosting a raffle called “Journey of a Lifetime.”

Tickets are $25 each, with 1,000 tickets sold. Participants need not be present to win.

The drawing will be held at the auction on Nov. 17, at Pearson Air Museum in Vancouver.

The raffle is for a single winner, who may choose from one of two trips, which include round trip airfare for two, accommodations and breakfast.

The first is a five-night stay in Paris with a “Le Cordon Bleu” experience; or a six-night stay in Sydney.

Both trips are valued at more than $13,000 each.

To buy tickets, browse www.cefcamas.org and look at the auction page for details, or check with the PTA at any Camas school.

All proceeds will go into the CEF grant process for the 2012-13 school year, providing enhanced curriculum and innovation in Camas schools.