Chehalis Schools 2023 in Review
Dec. 29, 2023
Goodbye 2023
Celebrating the Class of 2023
In June, we watched 186 Bearcats from the class of 2023 walk across the stage and receive their high school diplomas. This represents a 95% graduation rate, compared to the state average 82% graduation rate. The class of 2023 received a total of 370 scholarships worth a one year total of $985,586 and a grand total of $3,326,744 including renewable funds. Also, 100% of those graduates were accepted to a college or university, post-secondary training or military program. Read more about the class of 2023 graduation HERE. Read more about that 100% statistic HERE.
10 Years of Student Achievement Initiative
In October, we invited community members, stakeholders and potential stakeholders to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of Chehalis School District's Student Achievement Initiative. The effort began in 2013 when district and community leaders learned that only 20% of Chehalis graduates were going on to earn some sort of post-secondary degree. The aim was to raise that number to 60% earning post-secondary degrees or credentials within 8 years of graduation by the class of 2022. This year, we got to report that it appears the district will likely reach this goal as 48% of the class of 2018 have already received some sort of degree or credential. Read The Chronicle's coverage HERE. Read more about this event HERE.
CMS Assistant Principal Best in State
130 Years of Graduations
In November, our District was gifted with a precious piece of history and became part of preserving that history for future generations. Paul Holman of Tigard, OR found a ticket to Chehalis Schools' first-ever commencement in 1893 and a souvenir pamphlet from the 1898 commencement in a box of papers passed down through his family and decided to donate them to the Chehalis School District. Photography teacher Alison Clinton and her advanced photography students Kody Peterson, Ella Bray, Linnea Whaley and Arlo Phillips worked together to create digital images of these important historical documents. The original documents are now on display at the Lewis County Historical museum through Jan. 30, 2024. The documents will then be preserved at the Washington State Archives. Read The Chronicle's coverage HERE.
Happy Tylie Tobin Day
In November, students and staff of Chehalis School District proved how we show up for one another when we all came together for Tylie Tobin Day. Tobin, a 5th grader at Orin Smith Elementary, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on her brain stem in September. For her 11th birthday, the Chehalis School Board declared Nov. 22 Tylie Tobin Day and Chehalis staff and students were urged to wear pink to show their support for Tylie and her family. Beyond the Chehalis School District showing up for this day in a big way, others in the community also participated including the Chehalis Police Department, St. Joseph School, Centralia Schools and numerous local businesses. Read The Chronicle's coverage of Tylie Tobin's cancer fight HERE.
More 2023 Highlights
- In January, Superintendent Dr. Christine Moloney named members of a new Capital Facilities Needs Advisory Committee to work on updating the district's Facilities Master Plan. The work of the committee concluded in October. Read more about the committee and its work HERE and HERE.
- In March, W.F. West DECA announced a partnership with Lewis County Coffee Company that would create job training opportunities for students and an on-campus coffee stand. Read The Chronicle's coverage HERE. Read more about it HERE.
- In April, W.F. West alumni Barbara Feigin visited and held a book signing for her book "My American Dream: A Journey from Fascism to Freedom". Read The Chronicle's coverage HERE. Read more about it HERE.
- In May, W.F. West student Castulo Gonzales was named a student representative on the State Board of Education. Read more about the honor HERE.
- In August, W.F. West and its community partners hosted its annual University of Washington STEM Camp. Read The Chronicle's coverage HERE and HERE.
- In December, Dr. Kevin Fleming spoke at a gathering for parents at Chehalis Middle School about (RE)Defining the Goal of Education. Read more about it HERE.