COLUMBIA RIVER WEEKLY NEWS
January 15. 2021
Columbia River High School
800 NW 99th ST.
Vancouver WA 98665
360-313-3900
Principal/ Head of School - Alex Otoupal
Associate Principal/Curriculum - Rob Duncan
Associate Principal/Activities - Ken Roberts
Associate Principal/Athletic Director - Nick Davies
Report Card
We Celebrate The Legacy Of Dr. King
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, was a famous Civil Rights leader. He is best known for his peaceful, nonviolent protests and speeches calling for change!
Columbia River's Diversity Equity Club (DEC) presents a
portion of the famous "I have a Dream" speech. This speech was delivered by Martin Luther King Jr 57 years ago.
A link to this video can also be found on our homepage. We published this as a virtual assembly today, January 15. Reminder that Monday, January 18, we celebrate Dr. King as a nation.
River Alumni
We are trying to keep in contact with all Columbia River Alumni!
If you are a graduate, please fill out this short form so we can keep you updated on all Alumni news. Please share this form with your high school friends as well!
Knowledge Bowl Domination
Under the leadership of Mr. David Douglas, Columbia River Varsity and JV Knowledge Bowl Teams both took 1st place Wednesday night in the 2nd Metro Vancouver Knowledge Bowl Meet. They took on teams from Hela, Skyview, Hudson's Bay, Fort Vancouver, Seton, Heritage, and Mountain View. Congratulations!
Academic "Boot Camp" Support
As we are nearing the end of Semester 1, some students may be contacted to participate in Academic “Bootcamps” on Wednesdays. Identified students may be invited to attend focused in-person work sessions in small pods. In keeping with current COVID 19 procedures, pods will be limited to 4 students per adult. Teachers will be contacting students and families individually to invite them to the optional in-person sessions.
Special Schedule on January 27 and January 29: Semester 1 Final Exams Schedule
Wrapping up Semester 1
Semester 1 will officially end on Thursday, January 28, 2021. In keeping with currently scheduled classes, Remote Semester 1 Finals will be on Tuesday, Jan. 26 and Thursday, Jan. 28. Students should check with each individual instructor to determine if a final semester exam is being held.
Friday, January 29, 2021 is a non-student attendance day, with no classes being held.
Teachers will be finalizing and entering semester grades between January 28 and February 5, 2021. It is anticipated that Semester 1 report cards will be sent out on Thursday, February 11, 2021.
Graduation date is set!
The commencement ceremony for the legendary Columbia River High School Class of 2021 is officially set for June 14 at 8 pm. Location: to be determined
IB Magnet Night and Application Information
We are excited to announce that our IB Magnet applications are now open!
Click here to start your application.
Check out our YouTube channel to learn more about the program from the perspective of our Principal, Coordinators, teachers and staff and our students as well.
Want to stay up-to-date on all things IB throughout this process? Check out our newsletter that is updated with information and links regularly.
Curious about other VPS Magnet Program Options?
Click
here for more information and check out the video below, which overviews each available magnet program in our district.
River Athletics
Here is the 2AGSHL statement on returning to sports! We are planning all of the specifics, so stayed tuned for additional information:
The 2AGSHL league has decided to start Fall sports on 2/1/21 to match the WIAA schedule. We will continue to meet weekly and adjust as needed. Per WIAA guidance, only low risk sports can have competitions while in phase 1. Our Fall low risk sports include boys golf, boys and girls cross country, and boys tennis. The remaining Fall sports, football, slowpitch softball, volleyball, girls swimming, and girls soccer will not start competitions until we are in Phase 2 but can start practice on 2/1/21.
Again, stay tuned as there are many questions left unanswered. As we learn more, we will share all relevant information in our weekly communications and on twitter. Athletic Directors in SW Washington are working hard to ensure there are opportunities for our athletes. We continue to be optimistic!
Apply for Varsity Academics!
Juniors and Seniors:
The CR Varsity Academic Letter program honors students who have consistently shown a high regard for academics, citizenship and involvement in the school community. After the completion of their sophomore year students may apply for the CR Varsity Academic letter award.
Check out the requirements for Varsity Academics below, and if you believe you qualify, complete this form by January 31st!
1. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher based on at least 4 semesters of high school courses; the most recent 2 semesters or coursework must be from Columbia River High School.
2. Students must have no truancies.
3. Students must have no discipline referrals and no violation of Vancouver Public Schools Drug and Alcohol policies.
4. Students must have participated in a school club or organization for at least one semester or an athletic activity for one season.
We will hold a virtual ceremony for all students who applied and qualify in February.
College Application Workshops
Seniors -- would you like support in applying to one of our incredible Washington universities? Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV), Central Washington University, and Eastern Washington University are offering virtual opportunities to work with an admissions counselor on the application process.
Washington State University Vancouver: January 13th, 10:30-2
Drop in any time in this window. Register by end of day Tuesday, 1/12, and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher to receive a same-day admissions decision! Use this link to register.
Central Washington University: January 20th, 12-2
Drop in any time between 12 to 2 to get support in completing your application for CWU! Use this link to register.
Eastern Washington University: January 27th, 10-12
Drop in any time between 10 to 12 to get support in completing your application for EWU! Use this link to register.
Upcoming College & Military Visits
Future Me Podcast Episode 3: Military Options
Check out our new Future Me Podcast focused on understanding the military. Hear from guests from the Army, Air Force, and Marines, as well as one of our very own VPS counselors who served in the military!
Cascadia Technical Academy
Interested in trying
Cascadia Technical Academy your junior or senior year? Cascadia Technical Academy is a hands-on half-day program. Students choose a career pathway of interest and spend half of their school day onsite in one of Cascadia Technical Academy's programs and half of the school day taking courses at CR.
Want to learn more about what programs they offer? Check out the videos below to learn more!
CTA will offer a virtual tour process for students this year. Find instructions and register for the event here.
Running Start Information Sessions
If you are considering Running Start for your junior or senior year, let your counselor know check out the information below on the program and on available information sessions.
About this event: These optional information sessions are for students and their families who want to know more about beginning the Running Start program in the 2021-2022 school year. You’ll hear current Running Start students describe their experiences in the program and learn about eligibility, enrollment steps, placement options and tips for academic planning. There will also be a designated Q&A time at the end of the event.
What is Running Start? The Running Start program allows high school juniors and seniors to earn college credits while completing their high school education—saving students money while advancing their education. Students are able to attend college, at minimal cost, while still living at home as a high school student.
Virtual Running Start Information Night Dates (All nights are optional and provide the same information.):
Monday, January 25 at 6:30pm
Tuesday, February 9 at 6:30pm
Wednesday, February 24 at 6:30pm
Thursday, March 18 at 6:30pm
Location: Zoom Webinar
Registration: Register to attend on Eventbrite for a link to the Zoom webinar and reminders as the meeting approaches. All Eventbrite registrations will receive a packet of information and a link to the meeting prior to the event. You can also find links to the Zoom Webinar on the Running Start webpage.
Still Unsure About How to Pay for College?
Join us for a Financial Aid Help Session on Thursday, February 4th from 6-8p.m. Receive help from VPS staff and Washington State University staff in completing the FAFSA or the WASFA!
Click here to sign up for the session.
Interested in Learning More about the Trades?
Did you know that you can make great money, even if you don’t go to college? Did you know that in an apprenticeship, they train you on-the-spot, WHILE you get paid?! We call this “earn while you learn”. Some apprenticeships even pay for tuition at a college! Would you like to consider going into a trade or apprenticeship that has these benefits? Hear what it’s all about directly from the people working in those trades!
Click on each link below to pre-register for an event. If you want to learn a little bit about what any of these are about before signing up, check out these videos!
Tuesday, 2/9 @ 12:10 PM
Laborers
Tuesday, 3/9 @ 12:10 PM
Operating Engineers
Tuesday, 4/13 @ 12:10 PM
Bricklayers
Tuesday, 5/11 @ 12:10 PM
Lineworkers
Check Out our Industry Insider Series!
Our Industry Insider series is a chance for you to learn about great careers that you may have never known existed! On Fridays during lunch time (11:40-12:10) you can hear directly from professionals working in these industries! Make sure to register in advance.
Friday, January 22nd: Chiropractor
Join us during lunch (11:40-12:10) to learn more about what it's like to be a chiropractor. Karis Cooper graduated from Hudson's Bay and opened her own chiropractic practice in 2006!
Click here to register in advance! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Friday, February 5th: US Army Corps of Engineers
Join us during lunch (11:40-12:10) to learn more about what it's like to join the US Army Corps of Engineers from mechanical design engineers Yuliya Nikiforets and Ryan Sonders!
Click here to register in advance! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Friday, February 12th: Watershed Alliance
Join us during lunch (11:40-12:10) to hear from the Executive Director of Southwest Washington's Watershed Alliance, Sunrise O'Mahoney. Check out more about the Watershed Alliance on their website!
Click here to register in advance! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
BigFuture Days College Fairs
the College Board is hosting several college fairs for students to learn more about their college options.
Register by clicking this link.
Students can attend any (or all) of the events listed below.
BigFuture Day West + Southwest
Saturday, February 6
BigFuture Day Southeast
Tuesday, February 23
BigFuture Day Northeast
Sunday, March 7
BigFuture Day Midwest
Thursday, March 11
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
Vancouver Public Schools is an equal opportunity district in education programs, activities, services, and employment. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, age, families with children, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The district complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Older Worker Protection Act, and all other state, federal, and local equal opportunity laws. You may contact any of the following people at 2901 Falk Rd., Vancouver, WA, 98661, or by writing to them at VPS, PO Box 8937, Vancouver, WA 98668-8937 or by calling 360-313-1000: ADA & Affirmative Action/Title IX Coordinator––kathy.everidge@vansd.org; Title VII, 504–steve.vance@vansd.org; IDEA–daniel.bettis@vansd.org; Title IX Elementary–debra.hale@vansd.org; Athletic Equity & Title IX Secondary–james.gray@vansd.org. This notification can be provided in the appropriate language for communities of national origin and minority persons with limited English language skills by contacting 360-313-1250.
