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Schools

March 19, 2013
WHS senior Cassie Holcombe launched the Save Our Scraps program after learning her school was behind in its recycling efforts when compared to others county-wide.

Making a lasting impact

When Cassie Holcombe discovered that Washougal High School was far behind other Clark County schools for recycling, she decided to make a change.It became the basis of her senior project, Save Our Scraps. "I want to leave the school with something lasting," she said. "And I wanted to educate people on what their decisions mean. I basically want people to learn to compost more." Until her project, WHS recycling efforts were limited to bottles and paper. "I've always recycled at home," Holcombe said. "I think a lot of people don't realize the impact our behavior has on the environment. If they think about their actions, they could really make a difference."

March 12, 2013
Danielle Frost/Post-Record Jemtegaard Middle School students were all smiles at the Future Business Leaders of America regional conference at Kalama High School, where they won several awards. It is the only middle school chapter in the region, so the members compete against high school students.

JMS students fare well at conference

Students at Jemtegaard Middle School in Washougal garnered several awards at the Future Business Leaders of America 2013 Winter Business Leadership Conference recently. It is the only middle school chapter in the region, so the wins came against high school competitors. According to JMS advisor Susan Nesmith, the mission of the FBLA is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs and prepare students for careers in business and business-related fields. "This is the fourth year of FBLA at JMS and we have placed in regionals every year," Nesmith said. "I am so proud of my kids. They worked really hard to compete against high schools students."

March 12, 2013

School notes for March 12, 2013

WSD boundary requests due May 17 The Washougal School District is accepting applications for in-district boundary exceptions for 2013-14. All families making the request to have their child attend a Washougal school other than their designated neighborhood school must complete a new transfer request every year.

March 5, 2013

School notes for March 5, 2013

Festival poster contest set All youth are invited to participate in the Camtown Youth Festival poster contest.

March 5, 2013
Contributed photo Washougal elementary school librarians are happiest when surrounded by books. They are (back row, left to right): Marlene Leifsen and Tammy Asbjornsen, (front row, left to right): Holly Vonderohe and Kathy Stanton.

Washougal librarians share their love of reading with students

A Chinese proverb says that 'A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.' And planting those love-of-reading seeds is the goal of librarians at Washougal elementary schools. Recently, they got together in a Professional Learning Community meeting to discuss streamlining teacher book needs to support common core curriculum, managing and maintaining the volumes of books on their shelves, the emergence of e-books and e-readers, and ways to engage young students while nurturing a love of books and reading. Marlene Leifsen, Gause Elementary librarian, has always loved books. When her young children became school-aged, she found work at the Washougal High School library so their schedules would align. That was nearly 30 years ago.

February 26, 2013

School notes for Feb. 26, 2013

Leadership development conference set The Southwest Washington Red Cross Youth Council will share its collective knowledge with middle and high school students during the sixth annual Leadership Development Conference Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10 at Camas High School, 26900 S.E. 15th St.

February 26, 2013
John Grall was honored as Youth of the Year for all Boys & Girls Clubs in the Portland metro area. He is a sophomore at Camas High School.

Grall is honored as Youth of the Year

A local teen has been named "Youth of the Year" for the Boys & Girls Club of the Portland metro area. John Grall, 15, is a long-time member and now volunteer at the local Jack, Will and Rob Boys & Girls Club in Camas. He was selected for Youth of the Year based on several different categories, including service to the local club, community and family, academic success, strong moral character, life goals, and poise and public speaking ability.

February 26, 2013
Sabore Ole Oyie, of Kenya, teaches Gause Elementary School second-graders a traditional dance that is typically performed following a successful lion hunt in the Ewaso Nyiro region. Ole Oyie is raising awareness and funds to complete two wells, which will allow for clean drinking water for 9,000 of the African region's residents.

Sabore Ole Oyie visits with Gause Elementary School students

Classroom studies of the faraway African country of Kenya were recently brought to life for a group of Washougal students.Gause Elementary School second-graders caught a glimpse into a vastly different culture thanks to a visit from Maasai Warrior and Elder, Sabore Ole Oyie, from the Ewaso Nyiro region of Kenya. Students in the classrooms of Lisa Haskin, Christina Russell, Julie Taie and Erin Darling participated. "We have been busy studying facts about Kenya and its culture," said Haskin. "The students have been preparing for Sabore's visit by learning about the animals, geography and customs of Kenya, as well as studying the Kiswahili language and creating mock passports. They have been very excited for him to come." Dressed in traditional Maasai clothing, Ole Oyie spoke to the students about life in his village and the different challenges they face. "You must learn to recognize the footprints of many animals," Ole Oyie explained. "You need to know when there is a dangerous animal like a lion nearby so you can take your herd of cows the other way." For more information visit www.blueplanetnetwork.org or www.saboreswell.org.

February 19, 2013

Trip leaves a lasting impact on CHS grad

A volunteer trip to Costa Rica nearly four years ago changed the direction of Adrienne Engel's life. Engel, of Camas, stayed with a host family in the small village of Herradura. There, she worked alongside other high school students in the community, helping to build a church and a community center. "It was a real collaborative effort," she said. "We spent a lot of time with our host families as well. "I even learned how to milk a cow. I've always had an itch to travel and see how people really live. I thought this would be fun because it was also service oriented."