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Skyridge Students Win 2 Awards at WA State Science & Engineering Fair 

Bremerton, WA — Aaria Lankireddy and Joyce Zhang from Skyridge Middle School won two awards at the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF), which was held on March 28.

Aaria and Joyce were awarded first place in 7th grade for their invention of a specialized tea-based dental gauze prototype model. Their 6 months of innovative scientific research project was titled: “Pioneering the First Scientific Tannin Acid-based Emergency Solution for Dental Bleeding Control.” 

The team experimented in creating a specialized gauze which helps control emergency dental bleeding especially in the case of post extraction bleeding and for patients on anti-coagulation medication who may have bleeding problems. The team created an over-the-counter remedy that is accessible and affordable. They also won a special award in Oral Health Care by the Washington State Dental Association with an invitation to present their science project at the PNW Dental Conference in Seattle.

The team gives special thanks to all their volunteer participants in their experiment, MST senior mentors Yuna Lee, Meghana Parasa, and teacher Mrs. Abraham from Camas High School for facilitating Youth Research Scholar Club, NHS Oral Consultant, Dr Sekhar Reddy, MDS, FRCSed, UK for his professional guidance and Sarala Padala, MedTech Surgery – Sterilization expert, Johnson & Johnson, Switzerland for her professional guidance, and Dr Kala Sagar of Aspen Dental Clinic for the donation of dental sterilization pouches. 

Aaria Lankireddy was also recently awarded with patriot pen essay award from Veteran Foreign of Wars (VFW) as an outstanding spokesperson of youth presented at Skyridge Middle School by VFW Camas Post 4278. She is also library ambassador for Little Wings Library founded by Laura Sheppard, where she volunteers her free time with helping events, processing books that is displayed around the little libraries in the city of Camas. She achieved over 100 hours of Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award. She is also a participant member of Math is Cool Team at Skyridge, which recently placed first in the regional. 

Joyce is a member of a stem non-profit, where she has helped run workshops, events, and teach classes to students worldwide. She has earned herself the Presidential Volunteer Service Award with gold medal multiple years in a row demonstrating commitment.  Joyce is also a member of multiple school clubs including ASB and Science Olympiad with several medals, representing her school. She has also started to venture into small business to teach herself about entrepreneurship.

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WSD Improves Financial Health Score, Strengthens Financial Planning

Washougal, WA — Washougal School District (WSD) has made significant progress in improving its financial health, and the district is no longer listed as a district with a financial warning on the OSPI Financial Health Indicator list. This improvement reflects the district’s commitment to sound financial management, using community feedback to guide budget adjustments, and achieving long-term fiscal stability. The district’s OSPI School District Financial Health Indicator has increased from 1.55 in the school year 2022-23 to 2.6 in 2023-24. 

The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) assigns financial health scores to each school district in the state based on key indicators including the ending fund balance to revenue ratio, expenditures to revenue ratio, and cash on hand. Previously, WSD’s 2022-23 score placed it in the “financial warning” category, prompting the district to take proactive measures to stabilize its financial position. 

Superintendent Aaron Hansen emphasized the district’s commitment to responsible financial stewardship, stating, “we recognized the urgency of addressing our financial situation and took deliberate steps to stabilize our budget. We asked for community feedback to guide reductions, and led with reductions in areas furthest from the classroom. While challenges remain, we are on a positive trajectory and committed to being strong stewards of public resources. We are thankful for our positive relationship with our labor partners and their help supporting staff impacted by the reductions.”

Next Steps for Continued Financial Stability

As WSD continues working toward long-term financial health, the district is implementing the following strategies to further strengthen its fiscal position and regain the full confidence of the community:

  • Restoring the Fund Balance to 6% – The district remains committed to meeting its 6% fund balance policy, which provides the operational cash flow the district needs to pay bills each month as well as handle unexpected financial challenges.
  • Advocating for Increased State and Local Funding – Given regional funding challenges, WSD is actively engaging with legislators and encouraging the community to advocate for changes in education funding to keep pace with inflation, fully fund special education, and fix the prototypical staffing model.
  • Demonstrating Fiscal Responsibility – The district is reinforcing its commitment to financial transparency by providing monthly financial updates to the Board and implementing clear financial reporting to ensure informed decision-making.
  • Developing a Long-Term Financial Plan – WSD is focused on building a multi-year financial strategy that ensures long-term stability, reduces the risk of future budget deficits, and sustains quality educational programs for students.

Commitment to Transparency and Board Engagement

At the request of the Washougal School Board, the district has increased the frequency and depth of financial reporting to ensure Board members remain fully informed. WSD now provides monthly financial updates, giving real-time insights into revenues, expenditures, and fund balance trends.

“The board is being provided with financial information in a clear, concise format to support our governance and decision-making,” said Sadie McKenzie, WSD School Board President. “The board appreciates the ideas shared by the community and has worked closely with the Superintendent to make sure we are preserving excellent programs for students as we create a sustainable budget.”

As WSD continues working toward long-term financial stability, district leaders remain committed to collaborating with the Board, staff, and community to make informed, responsible financial decisions that support student success.

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Preliminary Work Begins on Vancouver Washington LDS Temple Site

Camas, WA — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has received approval to begin early construction work on the site of the future Vancouver Washington Temple. With the necessary permits in place, crews will start clearing the land, installing essential utilities, and realigning Bybee Road to accommodate the temple’s construction. These initial steps will prepare the site for further development and ensure proper infrastructure is in place.

“The commencement of this work marks an exciting milestone in the process of building a house of the Lord in the Vancouver area,” said Elder Gordon L. Treadway, Area Authority for the Church. “This sacred place will be a tremendous blessing for the many Latter-day Saints in the area and throughout Southwest Washington. We are grateful for the ongoing support and collaboration from the city of Camas.”

The building permit and design work for the Temple is ongoing, and while an official groundbreaking date has not yet been announced, an announcement regarding the groundbreaking will be forthcoming.

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are considered sacred places of worship, where members participate in religious ordinances that strengthen their faith and family bonds. The Vancouver Washington Temple will serve Latter-day Saints in the region, providing a place of peace, worship, and spiritual growth.

Further updates, including the groundbreaking date and additional construction milestones, will be announced as the project progresses.

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Choosing the Right Business Structure: Beyond the Basic LLC

When starting a business, choosing your business structure is one of the most critical decisions you’ll face. While many entrepreneurs automatically gravitate toward forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company), this one-size-fits-all approach might not be optimal for your situation. Your choice of entity will affect everything from your tax obligations and personal liability to your ability to raise capital and plan for succession. Making the wrong choice could expose you to unnecessary risks or burden you with excessive taxes and administrative requirements.

Understanding Tax Implications Across Different Structures

Each business structure comes with distinct tax treatment that can significantly impact your bottom line. As a sole proprietor, for instance, all business income passes through to your personal tax return, where you’ll pay income and self-employment taxes on your earnings. While this arrangement offers simplicity, it could come with an increased audit risk.

An LLC offers more flexibility in tax treatment than just defaulting to sole proprietorship/pass-through treatment. A single-member LLC can be taxed as a sole proprietorship, while multi-member LLCs can be taxed as partnerships. However, an often-overlooked option is to tax your LLC as an S Corporation, which can provide significant tax savings once your business reaches around $60,000 in annual revenue. With S Corporation tax treatment, you only pay payroll taxes on your actual salary, not on your profit distributions, potentially saving around 15% in payroll taxes on those distributions.

One crucial consideration with S Corporation tax treatment is the requirement for “reasonable compensation.” The IRS requires S Corporation owners to pay themselves a reasonable service salary before taking profit distributions. What constitutes reasonable compensation can be subjective, but getting it wrong could result in serious consequences, including reclassifying all distributions as wages subject to employment taxes and potential penalties of up to 100%. 

Beyond Basic Liability Protection

While liability protection is often the primary reason entrepreneurs choose to form an LLC or corporation, each structure offers different levels and types of protection. For instance, professional corporations (PCs) can provide specialized protection for licensed professionals like doctors, lawyers, and accountants. Series LLCs allow real estate investors or entrepreneurs with multiple business lines to create separate “series” within one legal entity, each with its liability shield.

C Corporations, despite their reputation for complex administration and double taxation, can offer unique advantages for businesses generating significant profits because a C Corporation structure allows for sophisticated planning opportunities (the nature of which is outside the scope of this article, but book a call with me to learn more). The current corporate tax rate of 21% can also be advantageous for businesses reinvesting profits into growth.

However, C Corporations face double taxation, where profits are taxed first at the corporate level and then again when distributed to shareholders as dividends. This is why many smaller businesses opt for pass-through entities like S Corporations or LLCs, where profits are only taxed once at the individual level.

Making Your Decision with Growth in Mind

When choosing your business structure, consider where it is today and where you want it to be in five or ten years. Will you want to bring in outside investors? Are you building a company to sell or creating a legacy to pass down? Do you plan to expand internationally? These plans should heavily influence your choice of entity today.

For example, if you plan to seek venture capital funding, a C Corporation might be more appropriate despite its higher administrative complexity. Venture capitalists prefer C Corporations due to their flexible stock structure and familiar operating requirements. Or if you’re a solo professional service provider expecting steady growth, an S Corporation election could offer better long-term tax advantages than a simple LLC.

Remember that certain structures have specific requirements that might affect your future flexibility. S Corporations must meet several criteria, including:

  • Having no more than 100 shareholders
  • All shareholders must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • Can maintain only one class of stock
  • Must be a U.S. corporation
  • All shareholders must consent in writing to the S Corporation election
  • Shareholders must be individuals, estates, or certain qualified trusts

Additionally, consider the administrative burden each structure requires. While sole proprietorships and partnerships offer simplicity in formation and operation, corporations and S Corporations require more rigorous record-keeping, regular meetings, and documentation when choosing; factor in these ongoing requirements, as they represent both time and monetary costs to your business.

Finally, to maximize the benefits of the right business structure for your business, make your decision with your eyes wide open – educated about and aware of all available options. The stakes are too high to go at it alone; you need a knowledgeable, trusted advisor on your side.

The Advisor You Need When Decisions Matter

As your trusted LIFTed Business Advisor and attorney, I understand that choosing the proper business structure involves carefully weighing multiple factors, from tax implications to growth plans. That’s why I offer a comprehensive LIFT Business Breakthrough Session™, during which we’ll analyze your current and future needs to help you make the best choice for your unique situation. Together, we’ll develop a plan that protects your business today and positions it for the growth and success you envision for tomorrow.

Contact us today!

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Clark College Treble Ensemble & Chorale Winter Quarter Concert

VANCOUVER, WA —  The Clark College Treble Ensemble & College Chorale under the direction of Dr. Jacob Funk, present their Winter Concert on Thursday, March 13, 2025, 7:30 pm at First United Methodist Church, 401 E 33rd St, Vancouver, WA.  The admission is free and open to the public. Donations to the Clark College Choral Fund accepted at the door. 

The Treble Ensemble will start the concert with a varied set of choral octavos. Included in that set is a piece by our Music Department Chair Dr. Appert titled “A Red, Red Rose.” Other pieces include some Renaissance polyphony, an original setting of the Korean folk song “Arirang”, and a rousing/complicated arrangement of kid’s songs the likes of which you’ve never heard! Next on the program is The Chorale. There are two main themes in this portion of the program—love and water. The first three pieces are filled with joy and pain and features the music of Alec Powell, Jay Rouse, and Gwyneth Walker. The last four pieces are loosely tied together with mentions of water: “Sweet Rivers” by Washington composer Reginald Unterseher, “MLK” by Chilcott, “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Podd, and “In Time of Silver Rain” by Dilworth. Please come out and join these musicians for a wonderful night of beauty.

For complete information about all the Clark College Music Department concerts including the orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble, and choirs, please see http://www.clark.edu/campus-life/arts-events/music/music-concerts.

Dr. Jacob Funk is the Director of Choirs at Clark College where he conducts three choirs in addition to teaching theory, ear training, music appreciation, rock history, and applied voice. Jacob completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Missouri—Kansas City where he was a Graduate Assistant to the Choral Department, Associate Conductor of the Conservatory Concert Choir and co-conductor of the University Singers. While at UMKC he also served as Opera Chorus Master and the director of Canticum Novum. Dr. Funk earned his masters in choral conducting from the University of British Columbia, and his undergraduate degree in vocal performance from John Brown University. Before coming to UMKC he was on the music faculty of John Brown University and Northwest Arkansas Community College, where he taught choir and voice. 

A native of South Korea, Dr. Jeongmi Yoon is a pianist, educator, and adjudicator. As a soloist, collaborative pianist, and chamber musician, she has performed in numerous cities within the United States, China, and South Korea. She has participated in masterclasses with: Richard Goode, Gilbert Kalish, Julian Martin, Arnaldo Cohen, Natalya Antonova, Susan Youen, Roy Howat, Robert Beaser, Dana Brown, and Alan Smith. As an adjudicator, Dr. Yoon has served the Greater

Portland area, including Monday Musical Club and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) competitions.

Dr. Yoon received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of North Texas, where she held both Teaching Assistant and Fellow positions, while studying under Joseph Banowetz. She holds a Master of Music in Piano performance from Portland State University and a Bachelor of Music from Chonnam National University in South Korea. Currently, Dr. Yoon serves on the faculties at the University of Portland and Clark College.

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How Do 3D Glasses Work Anyways?

If you take a look around the room, you’ll notice that you already see in 3D. Yet, something changes once you start to watch a movie or view an image that causes everything you see there to take on a two-dimensional appearance. New technology has transformed how you can enjoy a movie today by offering the ability to wear special glasses that create a 3D experience. Naturally, being able to put on a pair of glasses and see things differently sparks curiosity. Whether you’re wondering how 3D glasses work or are preparing to teach a science or technology class, it’s fun to delve into the details of what makes this magical experience happen.

Start By Understanding How Normal Vision Works

The first thing you’ll want to know is that the human head already functions like a 3D viewer. Although it’s a part of your face that barely gets much thought, the space between your eyes plays an important role in how you see the world. This gap helps you to see items that are in the distance while also being able to judge the general location, depth and shape of the things that you see in your field of view. The reason why you only see things from a 2D perspective in a movie or picture is because the image is taken from only a single camera rather than how things would be perceived through two eyes.

Get a Basic Overview of How 3D Images Work

To make a 3D photo or image, the creator uses multiple angles that are eventually superimposed on each other. Since your eyes currently operate as a 3D viewer, this causes the 3D images to appear blurry and unfocused when you view them without the special glasses. Adding the right type of 3D glasses gives the images depth and distance so that your eyes can process them properly again.

Interestingly, the history of 3D cinematography involved creators considering adding special views to the floor of theaters to allow people to view the movies from there. Unfortunately, the installation process was too expensive for the average theater to feasibly include in their budgets. The good news is that the ability to create individual glasses for people to wear helped to make 3D movies affordable for theaters to show and more enjoyable for the typical moviegoer.

Know the Difference Between Polarized and Anaglyph Glasses

You might have noticed that various theaters and other entertainment sources sometimes have different 3D glasses that they hand out. Exploring how the two most common types of 3D glasses work gives you more insight into why you may want to pick out a specific pair.

Anaglyph glasses are the typical cardboard glasses that you’ve seen in theaters that have one red lens and one cyan, or blue, lens. The simplest way to understand how these glasses work is that the red lens serves as a filter that takes out the redness in an image while the cyan lens does the same for blue. When this happens, the image takes on greater shape and depth that is capable of being processed by your eyes. Despite the lenses in these glasses filtering out the colors, you’ll notice that your eyes make up the difference in colors to allow you to see all of the hues in the images.

Polarized glasses look similar to sunglasses, but they have a slight tint on the lenses. At first glance, it may be difficult to tell how these could ever function as 3D viewers. But, it makes a lot of sense once you understand the technology behind them. To work, polarized 3D glasses only allow light waves to pass either vertically or horizontally through them. These types of 3D movies are made using two different images that are meant for each eye, and the polarization ensures that your eyes only see the specific image they are meant to. This has the effect of creating an illusion of depth.

Now that you understand how 3D glasses work, you’ll be able to take a moment to appreciate the effects when you watch a movie or view an image. In fact, it’s fun to pick up both types and conduct a brief experiment to see how each one works as you view different types of images and movies. Now that you understand how your vision changes in response to lenses that reflect colors and light in unique ways, you’ll be ready to tell everyone you know about how amazing this type of technology is for enhancing your favorite movies.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for American Paper Optics

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5 Ways to Prepare for Your Spring DIY Projects Now

Over the winter months, you might have noticed parts of your property starting to degrade. Or, you might have big dreams for your backyard that you can’t wait to start working on. When you love DIY projects, it’s hard to wait for the winter to end. But, the recent warm weather serves as a reminder that sunny days are just around the corner. While you might still have a few weeks to wait before you can dig into your project, you can take steps now to prepare for your upcoming springtime renovations.

Start With An Overview of Your Project

Now is a great time to start creating strategies for your spring projects. Whether you’re planning a small update such as hanging string lights or a major landscaping overhaul, getting a plan in place helps you know what arrangements you’ll need to make in a few weeks. This is also a good time to brush up on any skill sets that the project requires. Reviewing how to sand wood or install a water feature gives you a head start on your seasonal updates. Since you’re starting out early, consider putting the plan into writing. You can also draw a general outline of what you plan to accomplish. Bringing your outline with you when you shop for supplies helps you get everything on your list.

Recruit Assistance With Heavy Lifting

If you’re planning a large-scale project, then you might need assistance as you work. For instance, building a shed could involve lifting heavy panels or boxes. Take a moment to review your plans and identify any areas where you might need help. Then, reach out to your family, friends and others who might be able to assist you with doing the work safely. As you work through this process, you might also need to connect with special service providers such as electricians.

Prep Your Truck For Hauling Materials and Tools

Owning a truck makes these kinds of projects easier, and you’ll be able to leave rental vehicles out of your budget. Yet, you’ll also want to consider how your project can impact your truck’s value. If you plan on hauling branches, heavy materials and other supplies for your project, then now is a good time to make sure the bed is up to the task. Choosing a truck bed liner requires thinking about your preferences for the final results, and you’ll be glad you put in the effort to update your vehicle when it’s time to throw heavy tools in the back.

Determine Your Preferred Disposal Method

If you have a solid truck bed liner in place, then you might be able to haul away trash and debris on your own to save on disposal costs. But, you might also prefer to contact your local trash services company to find out if they pick up large objects on specific days for free or if there are any community clean-up days hosted by your HOA that offer this service. If not, then you can also explore dumpster rentals for bigger projects such as tree removals that you know will generate large amounts of debris.

Establish Safety Protocols at the Project Site

After you have the main plan in place, you’ll be ready to finish up by focusing on a few of the easier details. For instance, you might want to pick up some caution tape, cones or other safety warning signs that let people know to stay away from the area while you work. This is especially important if you share the yard with children who might be curious about what is happening during the project. If your plans involve pouring concrete, then erecting barriers can also ensure that no one accidentally walks across the new surface until it is fully dried.

Taking some time now to plan for your spring projects helps you to break through the winter doldrums with thoughts of sunny weather in the future. You’ll also enjoy knowing that you have time to tackle smaller projects that are better to do before you begin the bigger ones. From maintaining your tools to updating your work truck, you’ll be ready to get to work on the first spring day with perfect weather for working outside.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Brumleve Industries

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Gluesenkamp Perez, Dunn Introduce Bipartisan Vehicle REPAIR Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) introduced the bipartisan REPAIR Act. The legislation will ensure vehicle owners have access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs.

Vehicle owners and small automotive repair shops must pay a fee to the vehicle manufacturer to access repair data generated by their car or truck, making it increasingly difficult and costly to fix one’s own vehicle or take it to a preferred local shop. The REPAIR Act would affirm that this data belongs to the vehicle’s owner, not the manufacturer, making high-quality repairs more proximate for rural Americans and less expensive, while empowering more Americans to undertake their own repairs.

“Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades. We want to be able to fix our own stuff and to be stewards of our stuff and not reliant on a stream of cheap disposable crap. But auto manufacturers have made it increasingly difficult to exercise real agency,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “It’s time for Congress to listen to ordinary Americans and pass right to repair legislation.”

“American consumers deserve full control over their vehicle repair and maintenance data to ensure they can find the best service for their vehicle at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, vehicle manufacturers are standing in the way of American consumers accessing their own data to use the repair shop of their choosing, limiting consumer choice,” said Rep. Dunn. “For far too long, manufacturers have championed anti-competitive practices by withholding crucial maintenance information, squeezing their customers and independent repair shops. Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer. I am introducing the REPAIR Act to provide a binding, workable solution to anti-competitive behavior in the auto repair industry to reaffirm consumer control over their vehicle maintenance data and empower them to work with repair shops big and small.”

“Americans want a car repair market that guarantees choice and protects accessible, affordable, and safe vehicle repairs,” said Justin Rzepka, Executive Director of the CAR Coalition. “We commend Rep. Neal Dunn and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their leadership in upholding consumer rights and promoting a free and fair car repair market. Today’s reintroduction of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act marks an important step forward in limiting unfair repair restrictions and empowering consumers to fix their vehicles on their own terms.”

“We sincerely thank Dr. Dunn for his leadership in tackling this existential threat to consumers and standing up for the rights of vehicle owners and vital businesses,” said Bill Hanvey, President and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “The REPAIR Act gained significant support and momentum in the previous Congress, demonstrating the broad, bipartisan recognition of the need to protect consumers’ right to repair their vehicles. Lawmakers, industry leaders, and everyday drivers understand that fair access to vehicle repair data is essential for competition, affordability, and consumer choice. With its reintroduction, we have an even greater opportunity to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”

“NFIB is excited to work with and support Rep. Dunn on this important legislation. The REPAIR Act is a much-needed piece of bipartisan legislation to increase competition in the automotive repair industry,” said Andrea McGee, Principal of Federal Government Relations at the National Federation of Independent Business. “Almost 90 percent of NFIB members support right to repair, making it one of NFIB’s top ten priorities. NFIB thanks Rep. Dunn for his tireless work on this issue that impacts so many small businesses across all industries.”

“MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers thanks Congressman Dunn for reintroducing the REPAIR Act. This bill is a critical step toward protecting consumer choice, competition, and innovation in the automotive aftermarket,”said Paul McCarthy, President of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. “Ensuring fair access in a cybersecure way to critical repair and maintenance data allows aftermarket manufacturers to continue innovating and providing high-quality, affordable parts to consumers. Without this access, competition is stifled, costs will rise, and consumer choice will be diminished. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers strongly supports this legislation to protect a vibrant and competitive aftermarket that benefits drivers, repairers, and manufacturers alike.”

Full text of the bill is available here.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez previously helped introduce the legislation in the 118th Congress and it passed a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee markup.

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Washougal Early Learning Enrollment Now Open

Washougal, Wash — Washougal School District early learning program applications are open now for the 2025-26 school year. Families of children aged four or younger as of September 1, 2025 are invited to apply to Transition to Kindergarten, Developmental Preschool, the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP), or Birth to Three programs in Washougal School District. These programs are free to families and provide high-quality learning experiences that will prepare early learners for a great start to kindergarten. The district is also surveying interest in restarting the tuition based Community Education preschool program.

Transition to Kindergarten (TK)

TK is a free kindergarten readiness program for four-year-old students. TK students attend five full days of learning per week beginning in late September. The TK curriculum is built around purposeful play, active learning, and low student to staff ratios.  Students benefit from art, music, library, PE, and more in a fun, hands-on learning environment. This early learning opportunity is in high demand and seats are filling quickly. Families are encouraged to apply now for the 2025-26 school year. 

Transportation is provided for students outside of the walking boundary of their local school. Students can also participate in the school meal program as well as recess and other school opportunities. Programs are located at each Washougal elementary school.  Interested families can fill out an interest survey on the district’s website https://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/transitional-kindergarten/

Developmental Preschool

Washougal’s Developmental Preschool is a free early learning program for students aged 3 and 4 with identified developmental delays. The program is for students who qualify for additional support in the areas of cognitive development, motor skills, social skills, behavior, speech, language, hearing, or vision needs. The program is tailored to the needs of each student, working with specialists and the students’ family to make decisions about ways to best serve the child. Transportation is provided for students in the developmental preschool. The Developmental Preschool program is located at Hathaway Elementary School.


The Developmental Preschool program supports students with a half day of learning, four days per week.  If you have concerns with your child’s development, reach out about a Child Find Screening appointment by calling 360-954-3831.

Birth to Three Program

Washougal School District partners with Educational Service District 112 to screen students aged three and younger to determine if they would benefit from additional support and services through the Birth to Three program. You can learn more about the program by visiting the ESD 112 webpage, which includes information about how to contact program staff and create a referral.

EOCF ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program) at Hathaway

Early Opportunities for Children & Families and Early Childhood Education Assistance Program The EOCF ECEAP Preschool program at Hathaway invests in young learners by providing a free comprehensive school day preschool model to eligible families serving three- and four-year-old students. The program operates from September to mid-June. Visit the EOCF page or call 360-567-2720 to learn more about these programs and how your child and family may qualify based on current enrollment factors.

Tuition-Based Community Education Preschool for 3 & 4 year olds

Washougal School District is surveying families of three and four year olds to determine if there is enough interest to restart the Community Education Preschool program.  The Community Ed Preschool program is a tuition-based program which would serve students in a half day program four days per week, with a low student to instructor ratio, with an estimated monthly cost of about $600 per student.  If you have a three or four year old, and would be interested in this program which would start in September, let us know using our interest survey.

Washougal
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Two Rivers Heritage Museum Reopens After Winter Maintenance Closure

Washougal, WA — The Two Rivers Heritage Museum (TRHM) will welcome back visitors Saturday, March 1 after its annual winter maintenance closure.  Open each Saturday through October from noon to 4 pm, the museum is located at 1 Durgan Street in downtown Washougal, across from the Pendleton Woolen Mill. TRHM is operated by Camas-Washougal Historical Society (CWHS) volunteers and features a wealth of photos, artifacts and information about the people, places, and businesses prominent in the early years of Camas and Washougal. 

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers during the winter closure, guests will enjoy improved displays that bring local history to life in new and interesting ways. Recently, museum leadership prepared for reopening with a volunteer training session and a clean-up day to make sure the space shines.

“We are excited to welcome visitors back and to share the updates we have made,” said Dick Lindstrom, CWHS President.  “Our volunteers have put in many hours during our closure to make sure our exhibits are informative, engaging, and reflect the incredible heritage of our community. There is also a lot of volunteer effort all year long behind the scenes to manage artifact donations, update our archive database and to work on building maintenance.”

Popular displays include artifacts and information on Native American baskets and stone tools, early physicians, the fishing, lumber and farming industries, a 30s style kitchen, woodworking tools, early mining, military uniforms and wartime artifacts, teddy bears, items from historic Fern Lodge, traveling loom, household items, toys and more.

One of the newest exhibits, “Pieces of History: An Artifacts Timeline,” was dedicated in May 2024.  

“It is filled with stories and images recounting monumental moments and everyday events of our history and is inspired by items from the museum’s collection,” said Karen Johnson, TRHM Display Committee Chair. “It has quickly become a favorite among visitors.”   

“There is just so much to see and learn here,” said Lindstrom. “Our space is bigger than most people think it is.  We have around 6,000 square feet of displays! We joke that we are the ‘best kept secret’ in the area. We get more visitors from out of town than from our own community.  We hope more locals will come in.  We are sure they will see items that stir up some memories.”

The museum gift shop offers a selection of postcards that feature historic photos of Camas and Washougal and images of artifacts in the museum, beautiful rugs woven onsite with Pendleton wool fabric trimmings, a variety of surplus antiques as well as many books about local history by local authors.

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all CWHS members. Group tours for eight or more are available any day of the week (by appointment only).  Leave a message at 360-835-8742 for scheduling.

CWHS is always looking for volunteers and new members to join and help support the preservation of local history. More information about the CWHS and the Two Rivers Heritage Museum can be found on their website at www.2rhm.com.

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum, 1 Durgan Street, Washougal, opens its doors for visitors on Saturdays through October starting March 1, from noon to 4 pm. Admission costs are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all Camas-Washougal Historical Society members.

About Two Rivers Heritage Museum:

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Camas-Washougal area. Through exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs, the museum provides a glimpse into the past, celebrating the people and events that shaped the area.

Two Rivers
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