Camas-Washougal logo tag

Schools

September 10, 2013
Sean McMillan is the new principal at Grass Valley Elementary School. He served as a principal in the Vancouver School District for 10 years before coming to Camas.

Sean McMillan is looking forward to getting to know Camas’ Grass Valley community better

Very few of us know in elementary school what our future career choice will be.As a young student at Francis Willard Elementary in Rock Island, Ill., Sean McMillan made that decision. "Mrs. Turnbull, my second-grade teacher, and Mrs. Findley, my third-grade teacher, kept me on the straight and narrow," he said. "I always knew they really believed in me and held me accountable." McMillan is hoping to do the same for the students at Grass Valley Elementary School, as its new principal. He replaced Patricia Erdmann, who retired in June.

September 3, 2013
Contributed photo Paige Maas, 9, is all smiles after completing the 26-mile course in the recent Tour de Cure event in Hillsboro, Ore. Her team, Paige's Pilots, raised more than $14,000 to help find a cure for diabetes.

Riding for a cure

Nine-year-old Paige Maas was all smiles after crossing the finish line of the Tour de Cure bike course in Hillsboro, Ore. Not only did she ride her bike 26 miles, a personal record, but she and other team members raised money for the American Diabetes Association. Paige, a Washougal resident, has type 1 diabetes, which requires that she check her blood sugar six times a day and carefully monitor her food and fluid intake. For the first year, she used a syringe for blood sugar monitoring but now has an insulin pump. She first participated in Tour de Cure as an 8-year-old with her team, Paige's Pilots. Inspired, Paige set two personal goals after the event: Double the team fundraising from $5,000 to $10,000; and ride 10 miles instead of 5.

September 3, 2013

School notes for Sept. 3, 2013

'Imagined Ink' teen writing contest begins Teens interested in writing and having their work published are invited to enter the "Imagined Ink" teen writing contest. It is open to students in sixth- through 12th-grade who attend school, are home schooled or live within the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District boundaries.

August 27, 2013

Sheth wins spot at national science convention

Camas High School student Meghal Sheth has compiled an impressive list of academic accomplishments in the last several months. State Science Fair award winner. A spot at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. A $1,000 prize from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Now, she's won a Washington State Academy of Sciences Award. This qualifies Sheth, a student in the CHS Math, Science and Technology magnet program, to participate in the American Junior Academy of Sciences convention in Chicago. Only three students in Washington state were selected. Sheth's study, using zebrafish, found that Bisphenol A, a common molecule used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, may lead to hearing loss in humans. "I applied for the award in July and knew that the other students applying were talented researchers," Sheth said. "I sort of just told myself to try my best and put my heart into my essay and see what happens."

August 27, 2013

School notes for Aug. 27, 2013

Page Turner book discussion group returns Sept. 10 Students in fourth-grade and up, and their parents may participate in the Page Turner book discussion group at the Camas Public Library.

August 20, 2013
Jill Conley of Washougal gets a chicken pox immunization during a free clinic at Lacamas Medical Group in Camas. Her mom, Bettina Conley, comforts her. "It's a lot worse if they don't get these shots," she said.

Helping students stay healthy at school

Jill Conley's lower lip began trembling as the nurse prepared her chicken pox vaccination."Is it going to hurt?" she asked her mom, Bettina. "A lot less than chicken pox," Bettina replied. Jill, 9, and her younger sister, Isabel, 8, were at the free immunization clinic offered by Lacamas Medical Group last week. It was coordinated for families who are without a regular health care provider. A free immunization clinic will be offered at the Free Clinic of SW Washington, 4100 Plomondon St., Vancouver, on Wednesday, Aug. 28 beginning at 5 p.m., on a first-come, first-served basis.

August 20, 2013

School notes for Aug. 20, 2013

4-H forestry program for teens honored with national award The Forest Youth Success program in Skamania County has been recognized nationally for its "outstanding impact" on youth, the environment and the local economy.

August 13, 2013
Kids give their creations one final inspection before the Camas Farmer's Market Veggie Derby last Wednesday, while others work on last minute touches. Awards were given out for most use of veggies, fastest/farthest and most creative.

Veggie Derby encourages young participants to build unique cars with vegetables

There was excitement in the air as youngsters assembled zucchini, potatoes, green beans, carrots, radishes, cucumbers and peppers into race cars at the Camas Farmer's Market last week. The Kids Connections booth was overflowing with children and veggie cars in all shapes and sizes during the fifth annual Veggie Derby. The derby is an annual highlight at the market, organizer Marilyn Goodman said. "The market kids look forward to playing with their veggies and making them 'vroom' once a year," she said. "Kids worked very hard making their cars and vying for prizes."

August 13, 2013

School notes for Aug. 13, 2013

'Stuff the Bus' school supply drive to benefit local students A "Stuff the Bus" school supply drive to benefit kids in the Washougal School District is currently underway at Wal-Mart in Vancouver.

August 6, 2013

School notes for Aug. 6, 2013

Free back-to-school vaccinations available A local health care provider will be offering free vaccinations for kids as they prepare to head back to school this fall.