Community Weekly
Week of January 14
#PANTHERPRIDE
"One of the Dorian photographers stopped by the office to thank us and let us know what an amazing day they had here. She told me that they have never been thanked so many times by students and that everyone was very helpful and respectful. She said besides being very organized the day left her feeling appreciated."
1st Semester Ends on February 1
It is hard to believe that first semester is coming to a close. The end of 1st Semester represents the halfway point of the 2019 school year. Below you will find some key tips and grade appropriate information for your student(s) for the quickly approaching milestone for WHS students.
9th Graders: The end of the fall semester represents the first set of grades for our 9th grade students. These grades are the foundation for their GPA as they move through the next three years. Building a solid resume for college admission starts with this first semester. We can’t stress enough the importance of finishing the first semester strong. Please encourage your student to use his/her time wisely while at school, access teachers during PRIDE Time and before/after school, complete and submit all assignments and to prepare for their upcoming finals.
10th Graders: We are just a four months away from state testing in the spring. That’s right…one of the three graduation requirements (24 credits, completing the High School & Beyond Plan, and passing state proficiency exams in ELA, math and science) could be partially completed with successful testing this spring. Students will be taking their first attempt with the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts and math assessments in May. Similar to the 9th graders, we can’t stress enough the importance of finishing the first semester strong. Please encourage your student(s) to use his/her time wisely while at school, access teachers during PRIDE Time, complete and submit all assignments and to prepare for their upcoming finals.
11th Graders: The end of the first semester for juniors is a huge reality check and one that usually causes some concern. Our juniors are one step closer to the college application and admission process. This is a good time to make sure they are signed up and ready to take the SAT at some point during the junior year. We strongly recommend making some college visits and building a sense of urgency for plans after high school. This is a great time to check in with your student’s counselor to talk about graduation status and post high school options. Similar to the 9th and 10th graders, finishing the first semester strong is important. Please encourage your student to use his/her time wisely while at school, access teachers during PRIDE Time and before/after school, complete and submit all assignments and to prepare for their upcoming finals.
12th Graders: Hopefully, seniors have submitted their senior paper and are working on corrections. It is very important that we remind seniors of the importance of second semester. They need to finish strong academically. Seniors will be wrapping up their graduation requirements with their senior projects and racing to the finish line. This is a great time of year to be narrowing down their college and/or program choices, working on college/job applications, and applying for financial aid/apprenticeships. Please encourage your senior to use his/her time wisely while at school, access teachers during PRIDE Time, complete and submit all assignments and to prepare for their upcoming finals.
Upcoming Events
Parent Advisory Council – We will have a Parent Advisory Council meeting on Monday, January 14 starting at 6:00 pm in the career center. Dr. Templeton will be asking for input regarding what is going well and what we need to improve on for the future. The information provided will help us develop our strategic plan for the next five years.
Running Start Meeting (PRIDE Time) - For Sophomores and Juniors interested in Running Start for next school year, there will be a Running Start Informational meeting on Thursday, January 17, 2019 during PRIDE Time (12:55 pm) in the auditorium.
Running Start Meeting (Evening) - There will also be an evening Running Start Informational meeting for parents and students on January 17, 2019 at 6:00pm in the Excelsior Building Commons. Please plan to attend one of these meetings if you are interested in participating in the Running Start Program.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - All Washougal Schools and the District Office will be closed in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on Monday, January 21, 2019.
WHS Finals – Our schedule for 1st Semester finals is set. Wednesday (1/30) is our first day of finals, but it is a full day. We will have two early release days on Thursday and Friday (1/31 & 2/1). The early release is only for the high school. Students will be released to lunch at 11:20 am and the buses will depart shortly after on both days.
Second Semester - Second semester begins on Monday, February 4, 2019
Spring Sports - Spring Sports begin on Monday, February 25, 2019. Students who want to practice on the first day of the spring sports season should make sure they are cleared through the athletic office. If you have questions or need guidance please contact Misty Young at Misty.Young@Washougalsd.org or call 360-954-3106.
Support @ School
Tamara Crites - Student Assistance Professional
Tamara Crites is a Student Assistance Professional working at Washougal High School. Tamara aims to help students develop healthy coping skills, make positive lifestyle choices, and avoid substance abuse problems. Her support includes:
- Early alcohol and substance education
- Prevention in classrooms and for school wide-activities
- Screening and early intervention services to students and their families as well as referrals to treatment providers
- Assistance with transitioning back to school for students who have had alcohol and/or drug problems.
- She works closely with Washougal Unite! Community Coalition
Tamara provides a variety of support groups for students who have concerns or issues that may interfere with their optimal academic progress. The groups focus on the development of
skills and self-confidence necessary for students to make positive choices in their lives related to the following:
- school success
- resolving conflicts
- coping with grief
- peer pressure
- self-esteem
- anger management
- drug and alcohol use.
The purpose and goals of these time-limited groups is to help students develop skills necessary to realize their academic and personal potentials, help students develop self-awareness and self-understanding, build confidence and self-esteem and help students develop positive relationships with their peers and other significant people in their lives.
Building Concerns
Cell Phones & AirPods (headphones)
What Can You Do to Prevent Your Student from Using E-cigarettes or to Help Them Stop?
- Set a good example by being tobacco-free.
- Talk to your student about why e-cigarettes are harmful for them. It’s never too late.
- Let your student know that you want them to stay away from all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, because they are not safe for them.
- Set up an appointment with your student’s health care provider so that they can hear from a medical professional about the health risks of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
- Contact Aaron Hansen, WHS Principal about what the school is doing.
- Encourage your student to learn the facts and get tips for quitting tobacco products at Teen.smokefree.gov.
- Contact Tamara Crites at tamara.crites@washougalsd.org and ask about tobacco prevention curriculum.
PRIDE Time Planning
Monday, January 14 - Character Strong Lesson
Tuesday, January 15 - Hop & Stop
Thursday, January 17 - Hop & Stop
Friday, January 18 - Hop & Stop
Monday, January 21 - No School (MLK Day)
Tuesday, January 22 - All School Assembly
Thursday, January 24 - Hop & Stop
Friday, January 25 - Hop & Stop
Monday, January 28 - Stay and Study: Please Share ACTS of P.R.I.D.E
Tuesday, January 29 - Hop & Stop
Thursday, January 31 - No PRIDE Time
Friday, February 1 - No PRIDE Time
Panthers in the News
Panther Basketball
Team 2471 (Washougal Robotics w/Camas & Hockinson)
Use Your Voice
Upcoming Sporting Events
Helpful Links
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The Washougal School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights
Coordinator: Marian Young, 4855 Evergreen Way, Washougal WA 98671
<https://maps.google.com/?q=4855+Evergreen+Way,+Washougal+WA+98671&entry=gmail&source=g>
, (360) 954-3050;
Title IX Officer: Marian Young, 4855 Evergreen Way,
Washougal WA 98671
<https://maps.google.com/?q=4855+Evergreen+Way,+Washougal+WA+98671&entry=gmail&source=g>
, (360) 954-3050;
Section 504 Coordinator: Allison Blakely, 4855
Evergreen Way, Washougal WA 98671<https://maps.google.com/?q=4855+Evergreen+Way,+Washougal+WA+98671&entry=gmail&source=g>, (360) 954-3020.