Camas-Washougal Post-Record

December 3, 2013

Students work on improving their math skills with hands-on activities. Grass Valley Elementary was selected as a statewide "School of Distinction" for achievement in reading and math.

School honored for achievement

A local elementary school has made the prestigious statewide, "Schools of Distinction" list for the second year in a row. Grass Valley Elementary in Camas was one of six schools in southwest Washington to receive this honor, by being among the top 5 percent in the state posting improved student achievement in reading and math over a 5 year period. "The School of Distinction is a great honor," said Sean McMillan, principal. "Grass Valley has now won this award two years in a row. I am very honored to be joining this wonderful school and community."

November 26, 2013

School notes for Nov. 26, 2013

Christmas concert set The Washougal Schools Foundation will host a Christmas Holiday Family Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Washburn Auditorium at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St. There will be several local vocalists participating in the event.

November 26, 2013

Post-Record file photo
Students at Camas and Washougal high schools will work toward a common goal of collecting 85,000 pounds of food during the sixth annual Stuff the Bus food drive. Donations can be dropped off at either high school from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.

Helping feed those in need

Since 2008, the Stuff the Bus food drive has raised more than 339,000 pounds of food for people in need.It began as a friendly competition between Camas and Washougal high schools to support The Children's Home Society of Washougal and the Christmas Activities Relief Organization Limited. The event, created by the Camas-Washougal Business Alliance, designated those two organizations in an effort to keep all donations in the local community. As Stuff the Bus enters its sixth year, there are changes in store. The biggest one is that the two high schools, in conjunction with elementary and middle schools, will work together toward a common goal of 85,000 pounds of food and personal care items.

November 19, 2013

School notes for Nov. 19, 2013

Journey Theater will present 'Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr.' The Washburn Performing Arts Center will host "Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.," beginning Nov. 29. The musical is based on the Broadway version and is set in New York City, circa 1922, full of intrigue and jazz. It's a time when women were entering the workforce, and the rules for love and social behavior were changing forever.

November 19, 2013

Tanner Howington (left) and Eli Crabtree (right) were honored by the American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 for their substantial donation to its holiday food basket program.

An opportunity to help others

When it came time to pick an eighth-grade project, Canyon Creek Middle Schoolers Eli Crabtree and Tanner Howington wanted to do something to make a difference."It seemed like most everyone was doing easy stuff, and we wanted to do something unique and help people who really needed it," Howington said. The two, who are now ninth-graders at Washougal High School, decided to raise money for the American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 holiday food basket program. Crabtree's dad, Vince, a Navy veteran, is the finance officer for Post 122. "They really needed funds for the food basket program," Crabtree said. "So we decided to ask businesses for donations and have a raffle."

November 12, 2013

Michelle's Coffee Corner in Washougal is auctioning off decorated cups as a fundraiser for the arts program at Excelsior High School.

Cups for a cause

A Washougal business is offering the opportunity to own a unique, hand-designed coffee cup while supporting a local school. Michelle McKnight, owner of Michelle's Coffee Corner, is auctioning off reusable cups designed by community members. All styles and ages are represented. "I was wanting to do something fun and thought that taking cups and letting my customers draw, paint and color them was a good idea," she said. "Then I decided to auction off some of the better ones and donate all proceeds to Excelsior High's art program."

November 12, 2013

Students, parents, teachers and veterans attended a special assembly at Hathaway Elementary School in Washougal on Friday. It was one of several school events in the area, aimed at thanking veterans for their service.

Students honor those who served

With this past Monday being Veteran's Day, several schools in Camas and Washougal marked the occasion with assemblies, brunches, patriotic singing and guest speakers. This year, the Post-Record will focus on Hathaway Elementary School's efforts. Next year, another local school will be selected. Hathaway fifth-graders had the opportunity to hear first-hand from World War II veteran and Washougal resident, Duncan MacDonald. MacDonald, 86, told the students about running away from his home on Mount Pleasant at age 16 to join the Navy. With his keen eyesight, he was given the assignment of range finder, and would help shoot down enemy planes that were threatening his ship.

November 12, 2013

School notes for Nov. 12, 2013

Catching Fire' party set There will be a party at the Camas Public Library for teens in seventh- through 12th grade to celebrate the release of the movie, "Catching Fire."

November 5, 2013

Camas celebrates school bus safety

The Camas School District celebrated National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 21 to 25. This event is intended to call attention to school bus safety and promote school bus transportation. This year's theme was: "At my Stop - You Stop!" It reminds students to be cautious any time they must cross the street, and to do so where they can be seen by the bus driver and watch for traffic.

November 5, 2013

The Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium is partnering with Washougal Community Education's Safe Place Activities Center to bring before- and after-school care to kindergarten through fifth-grade students. It is housed at Hathaway Elementary School.

New childcare option opens in Washougal

Two childcare programs are joining forces to offer local families increased options. The Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium is partnering with the Washougal Community Education's Safe Place Activities Center to bring before- and after-school care to kindergarten through fifth-grade students. It is housed at Hathaway Elementary School. SPACE operates out of Gause Elementary, but is not open on non-school days such as teacher in-service times, or winter break. However, SWCCC is only closed for major holidays and is open during all school break times. Unlike SPACE, it also accepts state subsidies.