School notes for Oct. 6, 2016

Canyon Creek named school of distinction Canyon Creek Middle School has been named a School of Distinction, an award given for sustained improvement in English language arts and math achievement. Canyon Creek is one of 94 schools that received the award, which is given by The Center for Educational Effectiveness in partnership with the Association of Educational Service Districts, the Association of Washington School Principals, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State School Directors' Association, and Washington State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. The school will be receiving a banner and having a recognition ceremony in the near future. Preschool children benefit from new playground equipment Preschoolers at Hathaway Elementary School now have age-appropriate playground equipment. The project was led by the Educational Opportunities for Children & Families, which offers state-funded early learning programs in a portable next to Hathaway preschool. The new equipment features a climb and discovery cave, swift twist spinner, a playhouse and step pods. The playground was made possible through a gift from the EOCF Board of Directors; a $10,000 grant from the Nike Community Impact Fund; a donation from local Keller Williams broker Shannon Saylor; and work by the EOCF and Washougal School District facilities department. "We are grateful for the generous support of Nike, EOCF, and Shannon Saylor for making this project possible," said Mike Stromme, superintendent. "Now, the EOCF and Hathaway preschool children and the Washougal community can enjoy a fun, safe outdoor learning environment." Haines named to university singers Sarah Haines of Washougal has been named to Bob Jones University's University Singers, its largest choral organization. Haines is a sophomore majoring in music education. The choral program at BJU, located in Greenville, South Carolina, is a developmental program comprised of seven graded choirs. Performances include concerts of standard choral literature, sacred service music, and the annual opera and oratorio performances. Each participant must audition. WSU sets events for Disability Awareness Month October is Disability Awareness Month. Washington State University Vancouver will include a month-long schedule of events, in recognition of Disability Awareness Month. The following are free and open to the public. All month, there will be an exhibition featuring artists from Artworks, a Collaborative Employment Innovation Program that creates employment opportunities for artists with disabilities. From noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11 there will be a panel discussion featuring artists from Artworks. From 4 to 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27: Nicole Campbell and Sue Phelps, library faculty, will discuss their research findings on the usability of library resources for students with vision impairments. Mike Mello, adaptive technology specialist from the Department of Services for the Blind, will also speak. There will be a discussion to follow. For information about additional events, visit events.vancouver.wsu.edu. To request accommodations related to a disability, contact the Access Center at 546-9238 or van.access.center@wsu.edu. No school for students Oct. 14 Friday, Oct. 14 is a non-attendance day for all students in the Camas and Washougal school districts. Teachers will spend the day participating in district directed professional development. Washougal students to take healthy youth survey The Washougal School District is participating in the Washington State 2016 Healthy Youth Survey during Oct. 10 through 21. The survey includes questions related to physical activity and diet, unintentional and intentional injury, substance use, risk and protective factors, and access to school-based services. Survey results are used by schools, communities and state agencies to plan programs to support youth and reduce risks. The Healthy Youth Survey is given to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 across Washington State. Participation in the survey is voluntary and the students' answers are anonymous.

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