Panther Update
April 17, 2020
Checking In, grading, and more!
I hope that this message finds you well and healthy! We are just ending our second week of virtual learning and it is going really well. Many teachers are reporting strong attendance in their Zoom classes and students are engaged! We definitely still have some wrinkles to iron out, but the transition is progressing well.
We are now in the next phase of our distance learning plan/virtual learning of students learning new content. With that asks the big questions: how will students be graded and earn credit. We have been following the guidance of OSPI to determine the best course of action for grading during these unprecedented times. We took a variety of factors into consideration when developing the plan including: student access to work/internet availability, college and NCAA requirements, college in the classroom, and more.
School Work Pick Up Information
Please check Skyward after Monday April 20th for updated bus routes...they may be different than before so double check! If you have questions please email Mr. McGarvie at gary.mcgarvie@washougalsd.org
Fishback Stadium
When originally we planned this event it was a statewide movement that was intended to be a symbolic (not attended) tribute that honored our seniors and adhered to the "stay home, stay healthy" orders. Many schools across the state have since chosen not to participate, canceled, or come up with alternatives because of the same concerns. Canceling was not an option for us; we felt the need to still do this, but had to do it in away that was safe.
I am a strong believer that positive things emerge when faced with challenges. As we discussed what we could do instead of canceling, we understood that there was a need for people to "be present" at this tribute. The question came to my mind of "why do we have to do it on Friday?". We tell our students all the time "If you want this, go after it. Fight for it, find a way and stand above the rest". I believe this to the core and it made this tough decision much easier; we can be the first school to kick off the stadium lighting, we do stand above and we can still honor our seniors! We then began to brainstorm ways that we could still do this and have all of our seniors be able to view it. This is where the idea of sending a message and live streaming came from; this also allowed us to think about including drone footage and music. So in this challenge that we were faced with, we found a way to not only honor our students, but provide a way for all of our students to watch, for families far away to watch, for our grandparents and relatives to view safely from their homes and it's now archived so that seniors can keep this memory.
I hope this provides you with the information on why the change was made and allows this to be the honor it was intended to be. I will end on this; once the stay at home orders are lifted, we will have more opportunities for the potential in-person (social distancing in place) in the meantime , we are committed to honoring our seniors that are unattended but visible (online, virtual, etc) events. Thank you again for your grace and patience as we work through this very trying time.
Peace,
Mrs. Clark and your WHS Leadership Team
Washougal High School
Website: www.washougal.k12.wa.us/whs
Location: 1201 39th Street, Washougal, WA, USA
Phone: 360-954-3100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WashougalHS/
Twitter: @WhsWashougal