CSD Newsroom
The Latest from Camas School District
Inside this issue:
- The rise in COVID-19 Rates
- HFHS student Sage Edwards chats with Earth Day founder Denis Hayes
- Meet Our CCA Principal Dr. Daniel Huld
Board Highlights (just the facts)
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Jeff Snell discussed the recent rise in COVID-19 rates in Clark County and its possible impact on our learning delivery models currently in place. The Department of Health recommended transitioning to more in-person learning for middle and high school students when COVID-19 case rates fell below 200 cases per 100,000 population over 14 days, and test positivity was less than 10%. Rates have steadily been climbing since that transition. The rate is currently at 198.1 cases per 100,000 in Clark County, and test positivity is 5.55%. Snell shared that our CSD data suggest that rates are relatively low for students and staff who learn and work on campus. He recommended that the Camas School Board include this data in monitoring COVID levels and learning delivery models. Recognizing the challenge of rising cases in our community, a bright spot has been only one transmission involving a student at schools since September 1. “This speaks to the effectiveness and importance of countermeasures at school. This will be an ongoing situation this spring where we will consider multiple data and ask the board to weigh in on any changes to our learning delivery models. We will continue to update the community and let them know of any changes,” stated Snell.
Snell also noted that although the CDC’s guidance recently changed to 3-foot physical distancing for students in classrooms, a close contact is still defined as being within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period. This means that when a student tests positive for COVID-19, other students in the classroom within a 6-ft. radius are considered close contacts and must quarantine as outlined in the Student Symptom Flow Chart. He noted that two positive cases at CHS last week resulted in 28 close contacts.
“We recognize this can be challenging for students, families, and staff,” commented Snell. “One tool we have is vaccination. Staff and students who are vaccinated do not have to quarantine if they are exposed to some who tested positive for COVID-19,” he added.
NOTE: The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is still the only vaccine approved for people aged 16 years and older. If you schedule a vaccination appointment for your student, be sure to inquire about the type of vaccine offered.
Budget Report
Business Services Director Jasen McEathron shared that we are currently expecting a deficit at year-end of $4.1M. However, actions taken by the state legislature are expected to support districts facing lost revenue due to the effects of the pandemic. He indicated that we will know more in the coming weeks as agencies sort through the adopted state budget to determine the impact for school districts.
Would you like to see more? Agendas, supporting documents, and minutes are posted here.
HFHS student Sage Edwards chats with Earth Day founder Denis Hayes
In honor of Earth Day (last Thursday), our Camas-Washougal Rotary Club organized an interview with Earth Day founder and Camas alumnus Denis Hayes. The interviewers are Rotarian and former Camas Mayor Nan Henriksen and Hayes Freedom High School freshman Sage Edwards. It's an interesting retrospective on Camas and the history of Earth Day.
Take a look!
Meet Our CCA Principal Dr. Daniel Huld
We are happy to announce Dr. Daniel Huld, pictured top left, as the principal of Camas Connect Academy. Huld is currently serving as the superintendent of two charter schools in Oregon and has spent the last decade developing virtual and early college programs throughout Oregon. He is also the President of the Oregon Digital Leaders Coalition, an advocacy group for online learning in Oregon.
A resident of Camas, Huld serves on the district’s Citizens Advisory Committee. He and his wife, Karah, are raising their two children who attend Lacamas Lake Elementary. Huld graduated from Camas High School and is excited to return to his educational roots.
"I am incredibly honored by the opportunity to come work for the district I grew up in and where my own kids have received such an amazing education. Working for Camas is a dream come true for me. When we moved back here to raise our family about 10 years ago working for Camas was always in the back of my mind if the right position came up. When the Camas Connect Academy position opened it was the perfect fit I was looking for,” stated Huld.
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CHS Key Club Lends a Hand
Camas High School Key Club members helped out on April 25 at the annual Camas Downtown Association's Clean-Up Day.
Key Club members around the world are learning how to lead and stand for what’s right through service and volunteerism. In partnership with their local Kiwanis club, high school students are making a positive impact as they serve others in their schools and communities.
Meet Mrs. Brandi Wagner!
The Grass Valley Elementary teacher was recently interviewed by Superintendent Jeff Snell for his "Hope & Joy" blog. When asked about a pandemic takeaway, she says, "Kids are okay with hard things and they generally have a great attitude about it. I think things are difficult, but this is the first time they've done it this way, so it's just plain normal for them."
Let us show you where we're going!
Slides provided by the @papermakerasb Instagram account.
Virtual Parent Workshop: Transitioning to High School
Please join Camas School District's Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan as she gives practical guidance on how to help your child navigate the transition to high school. Don't miss it!
This Zoom meeting will be recorded and posted on our website for those unable to participate.
