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Schools

November 9, 2010
Skyridge Middle School students (left to right) Lindsey Kosaki, Adam Ryan and Kate Fritz are helping with the peanut butter collection efforts organized by science teacher John Condon (background).

Kids helping kids

A jar of peanut butter seems like such a small thing to most of us. But to orphans eking out a daily existence in the filthy garbage dumps of Mexico, it's a lifeline. Students in John Condon's seventh-grade science class at Skyridge Middle School are helping to contribute to this important nutritional need by collecting jars of peanut butter. These will be taken to Mexico by the brother of another Skryidge teacher, Gail Welsh. It is the fourth year of the school peanut butter collection efforts.

November 9, 2010

WHS students recognized for academic success

Several Washougal High School students recently earned academic honors. Alexander Maxa has been awarded semifinalist status in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. He is among 16,000 semi-finalists and is one of the highest scoring entrants in Washington state. Patrick McCarthy has been named a "commended student" in the national merit program. McCarthy is one among 34,000 students throughout the nation to be recognized for exceptional academic promise.

November 4, 2010
Comic book author and educator Aron Nels Steinke recently spoke to students at Skyridge Middle School in Camas about setting high goals and achieving success. Steinke has written several comic books aimed at children in elementary and middle school.

Cartoonist provides education through animation

After Skyridge Middle School's art teacher Gail Welsh read an article about former student Aron Nels Steinke's success in the comic book industry, she quickly arranged a time for him to talk to Skyridge students about his accomplishments. When Steinke was in middle school, he enjoyed art and writing, and that became his main interest, and eventually developed into a career in animation and cartoon making.

November 2, 2010
Camas High School Principal Steve Marshall stands with teacher-librarian Rosemary Knapp, after he won the Washington Library Media Association Principal of the Year award.

Marshall earns library media association honors

Camas High School Principal Steve Marshall was recently named by the Washington Library Media Association as the high school level Principal of the Year. He was nominated by CHS teacher-librarian Rosemary Knapp. He was honored at the WLMA annual conference at a banquet in October at the SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel.

October 26, 2010
The following Grass Valley Elementary students recently hit the 100-mile mark for the school jogging program, which just finished its seventh week. They include fourth-grader Rachel Blair, fifth-grader Patrick Upkes, fifth-grader Will Schultz and second-grader Cole Kendall. Not pictured is second-grader Abby Sherwood, who was also the school champion last year for girls.

Students are staying on the move

In just seven weeks, six Grass Valley Elementary students have achieved an important milestone: Running at least 100 miles in the school jogging program. The students achieved this goal by logging laps on a dirt path during recess. They include Rachel Blair, Patrick Upkes, Will Schultz, Cole Kendall, Jordan Chase and Abby Sherwood, who ran 125, 115, 125, 115, 101 and 100 miles, respectively.

October 26, 2010
Marci Caputo speaks at a Girls Night Out event, hosted by "Cathy Anna Mayer Encouraging Others" (CAMEO). Caputo is one of the founders. The charity raised $29,000 for another charitable organization, Bridge the Gap. It helps children in foster care pay for clothing, toiletries, sports and more.

Program aims to give every child a childhood

Imagine being in the seventh-grade, and starting school without new clothes, school supplies or even basic hygiene products. Although this may sound like a bad dream, it's a reality for thousands of foster kids who are literally whisked away on a moment's notice, unable to pack more than a few basic items. This is where Bridge the Gap comes in. The Clark County organization is a community outreach program designed to enrich the lives of abused and neglected children.

October 19, 2010
Students at Lacamas Heights Elementary School in Camas participate in a tug-of-war as part of the school's annual Sport-A-Thon. The event raised $7,500, which will go toward student and family activities at the school.

Students catapult, kick, jog and stretch at Sport-A-Thon

On a clear day in late September, Lacamas Heights Elementary School students, teachers and parents took action to gather funds and improve students' awareness about their health. Lacamas students participated in a school-wide Sport-A-Thon held at the Camas High School track, where they participated in activities to promote muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. The Sport-A-Thon, a partnership between the school and parents, was held during the school day as part of the students' physical education program.