CSD Newsroom

The Latest from Camas School District

Board Highlights (just the facts)

At the September 23 regular board meeting:

Budget Report – We're growing! September enrollment was 1.5% higher than budgeted with some increase in revenue as a result. Enrollment data were shared and can be accessed in the full budget report. To accommodate enrollment growth, additional certificated and classified positions have been posted and are in the process of being filled. OSPI also released some additional transportation funding which will help to offset some of the state funding gaps for those services. We also received ecology grant funds that reimbursed us for some of the cost of purchasing new buses.

Superintendent Report – We have recently been making a lot of presentations to staff, parent and community groups as part of the start of the new school year. Last week, we presented at the State of the Community alongside the Port and City of Camas. You can access the presentation HERE. It’s a great opportunity to share our work with the community!

There is an ongoing school board discussion about where to set the levy rate for 2020. The legislature raised the “levy lid” to $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value in the 2019 legislative session. The school board must certify the levy and rate by the end of November.

Amendment to Architectural Services for The Heights Learning Center – The Board approved an amendment to an existing agreement with Mahlum Architects Inc. for $17,980 to add design services, permit documents and construction administration for the seismic improvements to the gym and music room at The Heights Learning Center. While there are both preschool and high school students currently on campus, they are not accessing these areas until the upgrades are complete.

Elementary Chromebook Replacement Project – Our Technology Department received approval for the purchase of 1,200 replacement Chromebooks from Micro K12 for $250,024.60 which was funded from the Tech Levy. This purchase completes the elementary schools' replacement project. Great news! Since the new model year Chromebooks will be out soon, we purchased these at a savings of approximately $100/unit!

Mill Town Pride Awards

Ashlyn Anderson

Ashlyn Anderson went head-to-head with the top high school equestrians in the Pacific Northwest and finished No. 1 in the “showmanship” category a the Pacific Northwest Invitational Championships in Redmond, Oregon this summer. Ashlyn, a senior at CHS, qualified by finishing second in showmanship at the Washington State Championship in May. She rides three horses in a wide array of events, she racked up more points than any other rider at the Moses Lake competition, earning the coveted high-point performance buckle.

Pictured: Board President Doug Quinn, Ashlyn Anderson, Superintendent Jeff Snell.

Emma McBride

After being recognized as a Rotary Student of the Month for Camas High School in 2018, the U.S. State Department invited Emma to be an ambassador in Ghana for the US Department of State YES Abroad program.

Pictured: Board President Doug Quinn, Emma McBride, Superintendent Jeff Snell.

Roshni Madugula, Sujatha Chutkay, and Ananya Pattamatta: Last summer, students submitted posters to compete in the National School Bus Safety Poster Contest. We are pleased to announce the following safety posters won at the regional level, each winning $50 and advanced to compete at the state competition:

Roshni Madugula – Prune Hill – Division #1, Grades K-2
Sujatha Chutkay – Dorothy Fox Elementary – Division #2, Grades 3-5
Ananya Pattamatta – Skyridge Middle School (now attending CHS) – Division #3, Grades 6-8

At the state competition, Ananya Pattamatta’s poster placed first in her division and she won an additional $50 from WAPT State board; her poster is now competing at the national level.

Pictured: [back] Camas School Board President Doug Quinn, Superintendent Jeff Snell, Transportation Director Laura Nowland, Ananya Pattamatta, [front] Sujatha Chutkay, and Roshni Madugula.

CSD Mechanics Team

Miles Bergmann, Zack Crane, Rodney Driver, and Doug Johnson were commended by Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal noting that for the past two (2) years, our Washington State Patrol annual bus inspections have been completed with exceptional results!

Pictured: Camas School Board President Doug Quinn, Miles Bergmann, Zack Crane, Rodney Driver, and Superintendent Jeff Snell. Not pictured, but part of the team, is Doug Johnson.

Other News, Events, and Opportunities

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Youth Opportunity Pass

C-TRAN, Battle Ground, Camas, and Washougal school districts have formed a partnership to offer all middle and senior high school students the Youth Opportunity Pass (YOP).

As a participant in this program, your child would receive one full year of free public transit access starting September 1, 2019, and continuing through August 31, 2020. (It does not provide service past the Columbia River or on C-VAN paratransit, TriMet, or the Portland Streetcar.) The total value of the pass for the entire year is over $300.

Get the YOP Consent Form here: http://www.camas.wednet.edu/Camas2016/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/YOP-Consent-for-BG-Washougal-and-Camas.pdf

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Steward of the Year

We are pleased to share that Dorothy Fox Elementary's Lee Gilronan is being honored by the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership as 2019 Steward of the Year!

Executive Director Deborah Marriott had lots of wonderful things to say about Lee, including this: “We have worked alongside you since 2008, and through that time brought hundreds of students to Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Students plant trees, remove invasive plants and marvel at the abundance of wildlife just minutes from their school. Your enthusiasm, even on the windiest and rainiest of days, is infectious and creates a space for students to feel comfortable outside."

Lee will be recognized at the organization's Dinner & Gala on October 10. Great job, Lee! It's a privilege to have you as part of Camas School District.

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NEW! Online Ticketing

Adults and senior citizens can now buy tickets online for all home Camas High School athletic events. Just head to bit.ly/CHStickets, buy your ticket, and then show your phone or printed ticket at the gate/door. Tickets will go on sale a minimum of 24 hours before each event. There is a small processing fee for this service.

Did you know? Students from all three of our high schools – Discovery, Hayes Freedom & Camas – participate in CHS Athletics!

Also, back by popular demand, is an Annual Group Pass option. For $150, you’ll receive four (4) Annual Group Passes, good for unlimited entry to CHS home events, excluding postseason and playoff events.

For more details on online ticketing and Annual Group Passes, click here.

Event Information

Tots and Tales Story Hour

Join us for a FREE, enriching experience for families with children ages 1-5. During Tots and Tales, we will read stories, sing songs, create art projects, play with a variety of fine motor and sensory toys, eat a fun snack, and take home an extended learning activity and book! Starting October 16 and continuing on the first and third Wednesday of most months, we’ll meet at The Heights Learning Center from 9:30-10:30 AM. Registration is required, and each class is open to 30 children. Starting one week before class, families can reserve their spot online at http://communityed.camas.wednet.edu/classes/early-learning.

When?

Wednesday, Oct 16, 2019, 09:30 AM

Where?

The Heights Learning Center, Northeast Garfield Street, Camas, WA, USA

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Now Hiring Substitute Bus Drivers – Looking for a fun and exciting part-time position? Camas School District needs substitute bus drivers! Working in a substitute driver position is a great way to help students, learn some new skills, learn about our schools and their programs, and earn some extra money. Substitute drivers earn $22.50 per hour! Learn more now.

Event Information

Chromebook Clues for Parents

Parent Education Opportunity – Would you love to understand your child’s Chromebook better? Not sure if they really are done with their homework? Want to offer help when they say their Chromebook isn’t working? This class is for you! Choose from two dates.

Option 1: Helen Baller Elementary – Mon., Oct. 7, class code 1049-19
Option 2: Grass Valley Elementary – Thurs., Oct. 17, class code 1050-19
Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
Fee: $20 for up to two adults per household
Instructor: Adam Green, CSD Tech
To Sign Up: Visit Camas Community Education

When?