Clark County, WA — As parents and students of the Class of 2021 in Clark County and throughout the region navigate a school year without in-class instruction and the normal activities that come with a senior year one Vancouver parent sprang into action and created a fun and innovative Facebook group called “Adopt a 2021 Senior Clark County, Wa”
“Essentially, this is a way to provide seniors with something special so they can have some positive memories,” said Dionna Hickox, of Vancouver. “It’s a way to make it special. It’s not an ideal year for them. It stinks they are missing out on their senior year, and a friend in the mid-West asked if our county has this adopt-a-senior program. They can be adopted and supported. My son (a senior at Skyview) just received two cards in the mail.”
How does it work?
A parent, guardian, or even a senior will make a post on this Facebook group on what they’re like, what they want in the future. The original post will say “not adopted” and if a member of the group wants to adopt the child, and if you’re comfortable with the person you can give them your address to send cards or words of encouragement. Then once the senior is adopted, they will have a sponsor, and the post will change to “adopted.”
“I’m finding that people are getting adopted quickly, they’re finding a match to support,” said Hickox.
What are people doing?
“I just started it last week,” she said. “My son got a gas card, and a Subway gift card with words of encouragement. We’re in the infancy stage so it’s early to tell what will really happen.”
It’s a public group. The parent or student is the gatekeeper and they will be able to make decisions on who they communicate with.
“I find a lot of Camas people enjoying the group, but there’s a lot of support at Skyview, as well,” she said. “We are encouraging the students to get the word out. I have another friend whose daughter attends Fort Vancouver, so we’re trying to expand.”
To participate, go to Facebook and search for ‘Adopt a Senior — Clark County, Wa’ to join.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/23202914/23569E98-3F48-4DCE-BD62-29BF9024BD76.jpeg508960Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-23 20:40:372020-12-23 20:40:45Vancouver Parent Starts ‘Adopt a 2021 Senior Clark County’ Facebook Group
Camas and Washougal have varying New Year’s Eve fireworks ordinances that the public needs to know about, says Camas Washougal Fire Marshall, Ron Schumacher.
“This year like in the last three years, the city limits of Washougal doesn’t allow mortars that explode in the air,” said Schumacher. “Washougal only allows the ‘safe and sane’ fireworks that travel vertically nor more than a foot, and horizontally no more than 6 feet.”
Camas, however, does allow the mortar fireworks.
You can purchase these products at any fireworks stand, which will be on sale December 29-31 in Camas and Washougal. You can only use them on December 31 — in both cities until 1 am, says Schumacher.
In Washougal, you can be fined $250 on the first offense, which is a civil fine. Camas will not fine residents for using mortars.
“Safe and sane” fireworks are those that are neither projectile nor explosive—basically anything that doesn’t leave the ground.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/23182534/3676393F-9BE7-406E-BDC8-303AB6CF7C38.jpeg6021200Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-23 19:30:442020-12-23 19:30:52Camas, Washougal Have Varying New Year’s Eve Fireworks Ordinances
Washougal, WA — Spending time with family in the kitchen cooking during the holidays is a tradition for many. And thanks to an extension of USDA Federal funding to Washougal School District (WSD) and some ingenuity, food kits will be created for Washougal families who participate in the district’s meal distribution program, to prepare meals together.
“Typically, we would not offer meal service when schools are closed and staff are on break,” said Margaret Rice, WSD CTE Director. “But with the pandemic we have seen a higher need and each week provide food for 400 students through our meal takeout and delivery options. We were excited to get the news that the program can extend over the winter break. Our team was compelled to take advantage of this opportunity to provide additional food service for children 18 and under in our community.”
WSD offered additional meal pick up Friday, December 18 and will again on Monday, December 28 for students participating in the program.
The challenge came in providing a week’s worth of meals on the second distribution date while WSD staff are on break and the facilities closed. Culinary services employee, Sheri Cranford, had attended a State child nutrient webinar and heard that other districts were offering grocery style food kits over the holiday break.
“She brought the idea to the team and everyone grabbed hold of it,” said Rice. “So, our students will receive fresh components and recipes to create their own delicious meals at home.”
The next challenge was to create meals for a week with limited staff and access to facilities available to cook them.
“We believe we’ve been able to secure enough of our staff coupled with some outstanding community and student volunteers to get the job done,” Rice said. “It has been a real showing of support and teamwork. The proposed menu for the two weeks of Winter break include items like Penne Pasta with Marinara Sauce, Beef Vegetable Stew, Cheesy Green Enchiladas, Ham & Cheese Ciabatta and Chicken Ranch Sandwiches with build your own meal kits with ideas like, English muffin Pepperoni Pizza, Chicken Yakisoba with veggies, Italian Sausage Bowtie Pasta and Carnitas Street Tacos.”
“We created simple, playful recipe directions to accomplish the dishes,” said Johnattan Curiel, WSD Sous chef. “And we hope families will share with us the finished product using #Washougalchefsintraining on social media.”
“The idea is to encourage students to spend time together with their families in the kitchen,” said Rice. “There is a special feeling of togetherness you get while cooking. We hope these meals will not only nourish our students but provide some joy and a fun activity to do while at home during the break.”
The food service meals have changed significantly since they transitioned to scratch cooking at the start of the school year. “It feels like we are providing a better, healthier product,” said Glenda Huddleston, of Food Service. “The meals are fresh and not processed and prepackaged. It is so not really more work but different work, and so much more rewarding.”
“It definitely feels fulfilling to be helping our students and community in this way,” Curiel added.
The federal food program has been extended through June 2021.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/21203522/7B1F9168-D6F2-4399-B44B-A947CB5E8CD8-e1608612636297.jpeg5561280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-21 20:56:252020-12-21 20:56:34Washougal School District Prepares Weeks of Holiday Take Out Food
Washougal, WA – Washougal School District is making plans to reopen a two-day per week hybrid learning model in January. Following Washington State Department of Health updated guidelines for school reopening released this week, the district will begin the phased implementation of its hybrid model, starting with students in grades K-3. The hybrid model features both school and remote learning components.
“We are so excited to welcome additional students back in-person, we know how critical this is for student success,” said Mary Templeton, WSD Superintendent. “We know this will be a huge support to our students and their families, and make so much more learning possible.”
These new state guidelines include new metrics, based on emerging research and data gathered by state and national officials, that will allow schools to have increased in-person learning opportunities for students.
“We are working with our teachers and staff, public health officials, and other area school districts to review our safety protocols,” said Aaron Hansen, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Student Support, in a letter to parents and staff. “We will get students into classrooms as quickly as we safely can within these new frameworks.” School and class schedules will be posted as soon as they are available.
The WSD timeline calls for grades K-3 to begin the hybrid model starting Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Grades 4 & 5 would begin the hybrid learning model starting shortly thereafter, as long as transmission in the school environment is limited. Students are placed in small cohorts, or groups of 15 or fewer students per group. They will be assigned their group alphabetically by their guardian’s last name.
“We want our families to know they have a choice to come back to the classroom in the hybrid learning model, or to stay in distance learning,” said Templeton. “Families can let the school office know if their student will remain in full-time distance learning, and teachers are provided time each week to support these students.”
According to state guidance, plans for middle and high school will be available once the spread of COVID in our community declines to levels specified in the updated reopening guidance (average cases per 100,000 over 14 days below 350 for middle school, below 200 for high school). “In order to serve more students in our classrooms safely, all of us must wear masks, watch our distance, and wash our hands,” added Templeton. “Health officials studying the spread of COVID emphasize these simple, but critical steps the entire community can take to enable next steps in our reopening.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/18211034/F47A8439-550F-4058-B480-73E1618F8734-scaled-e1608355017393.jpeg12922560Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-18 21:35:562020-12-18 21:39:15Washougal School District Prepares For 2-Day/Week K-5 Hybrid Learning In January
Camas, WA — Late Wednesday night, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they found the body of Tyler Schmidt, 15, a Camas resident who has been missing since Monday.
Deputies on the scene said they went searching for Schmidt in the woods near Discovery High School, and about 200 yards from the road — Nan Hendricksen Way— is where they discovered his body. The deputies said it appears to be a suicide, and don’t suspect foul play.
Schmidt went missing Monday at 11 am after leaving his home in the Winchester Hills neighborhood in Camas. The report said he threw his cell phone in a moment of anger, and left the residence.
This story will be updated.
Tyler Schmidt flyer.
Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies near the site where Schmidt’s body was found.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/17002417/70BBD49A-05F5-4A87-ABF8-41BD26B15E92-scaled.jpeg19202560Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-17 00:41:102020-12-17 00:43:23Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies Find Body of Missing Camas Teen
Camas, WA — Parents and students in the Camas School District are holding their second rally along with a ZOOM classroom blackout December 17 to once again ask the district to open Camas Schools to wider in-class instruction.
Andrea Seeley, one of the event’s organizers, said “the group is gathering in a safe, socially distanced manner aimed at sending a message to the Camas School District that we want our students to have the choice to be back in school, in person. We are marching in solidarity with other Clark County school districts (Hockinson, Ridgefield, Evergreen and Vancouver) on the same day to their respective district offices.”
Seeley added: “We believe our teachers and our schools are essential and that kids need and deserve the option to return to in-person learning. On this day, December 17, our students will not be engaging in any classwork, attending any ZOOM classes or doing homework.”
Heather Deringer, who is also helping with the rally, said parents and students of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend, wearing masks and with their own homemade signs.
The group has partnered with several local businesses to set up stations to sign petitions for a return to a broader in-person learning option. Currently, Camas School District has about 600 students in the classroom. Petitions will be set up at Hidden River Roasters (536 NE 5th Ave), A Beer at a Time (216 NE 3rd Ave), Camas Barber Shop (214 NE 4th Ave), Squeeze and Grind (537 Cedar St) and Salud (224 NE 3rd Ave).
“We encourage the community to sign the petition and order takeout at these businesses at the same time, supporting our local community during the recent extension of the shutdown in Washington State,” said Seeley.
The Open Camas Schools group cites a growing body of evidence at the national and state levels, including the Director of the CDC, UNICEF and Dr. Anthony Fauci, who have all stated that schools are the safest place for kids to be.
“Washington State School Superintendent, Chris Reykdal, recently acknowledged the failure of distance learning to appropriately engage students,” said Seely. “Numerous research studies around the world have documented the alarming rise of depression, anxiety, suicide, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse as a strong driving factor that support the return of children to in-person learning. The skyrocketing number of failing kids is a trend that needs to be addressed differently and immediately. Other Washington state school districts and private schools within the state where COVID case numbers are similar are open to in-person learning and are providing good models for moving ahead safely and effectively.”
Today, Governor Inslee encouraged school districts statewide to start re-opening.
“Now that we have a better understanding of how the disease spreads and have developed health and safety protocols specific to schools, we are in a better position, we have more confidence when it comes to phased-in, in-person learning,” he said.
Inslee said that while he does have the ability to close schools for emergencies, he does “not have the statutory authority to make them reopen.”
He is, however, hoping that these new recommendations will give school districts the confidence to begin in-class instruction.
Open Camas Schools rally on Everett several weeks ago.
Inslee’s new reopening guidelines include the following:
Districts where COVID cases are less than 50 residents per 100,000 people: In-person learning should be made available to all students.
Districts where COVID cases are between 50 and 350 residents per 100,000 people: Districts are encouraged to phase in in-person learning, starting with elementary and middle school students.
Districts where COVID cases are greater than 350 per 100,000 people: Districts are encouraged to bring elementary students “and those with the highest needs” back into classrooms in small groups of 15 or fewer.
Clark County has 450 cases per 100,000.
The Washington Education Association (WEA) issued a statement following Inslee’s announcement that said:
“The trust and confidence that we can safely return to school is something that must be earned. It would have been easier to build that trust with educators with more communications in advance from the Governor about these pending changes.
“We agree with the Governor that the spotlight should be on L&I safety requirements, which are key for building trust with educators, students and families. Districts must meet those requirements on day one. We need to know that there is adequate PPE, distancing, ventilation, an active and trained safety committee in each building, effective plans for contact tracing, testing and clear communications regarding protocols for what happens when a case is detected in school.
“Implementing these guidelines in areas where school is still remotely operating will take time. We are concerned that the way these changes were rolled out implies that school can resume before there is time to put these safety measures in place.
WEA’s focus will be to advocate that these requirements are fully in place before any expansion of in-person teaching and learning.”
The Open Camas Schools group feels they represent many students.
“Students are not being heard,” said Seeley. “Their pleas to return to school and resume extracurricular activities fall on deaf ears as administrators from school districts to teacher’s unions to health districts all seem to want to point fingers in other directions without taking responsibility. Nobody is asking students what they need or listening to their voices. Open Camas Schools believes that the district needs to put the students first. We are hopeful that Dr. Snell will renew his focus on the Camas School District and its students, teachers and staff. Our hope with the event is to keep the focus on putting ALL kids first.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/17200328/AECEC0D2-0C1A-44EB-836B-49CDA0A64174.jpeg6581280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-16 19:44:352020-12-16 19:53:27Open Camas Schools Group to Hold 2nd Rally, ZOOM Blackout Thursday
Olympia, WA — Governor Jay Inslee issued new statewide recommendations Wednesday that encourages Washington schools to begin a phased return to in-person instruction that should begin with younger students.
Citing new data that indicates COVID-19 doesn’t spread as prominently among young children, Inslee said he is confident that following proper safety measures will control virus spread in schools. He emphasized the wearing masks at all times, maintaining six feet of physical distance whenever possible, improved ventilation, and increased cleaning.
“Now that we have a better understanding of how the disease spreads and have developed health and safety protocols specific to schools, we are in a better position, we have more confidence when it comes to phased-in, in-person learning,” he said.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said he doesn’t believe remote learning has been successful “for a lot of kids.” Reykdal said his ability to re-open schools is limited. Inslee echoed that sentiment.
Inslee said that while he does have the ability to close schools for emergencies, he does “not have the statutory authority to make them reopen.”
He is, however, hoping that these new recommendations will give school districts the confidence to begin in-class instruction.
Inslee’s new reopening guidelines include the following:
Districts in counties where COVID cases are less than 50 residents per 100,000 people: In-person learning should be made available to all students.
Districts in counties where COVID cases are between 50 and 350 residents per 100,000 people: Districts are encouraged to phase in in-person learning, starting with elementary and middle school students.
Districts in counties where COVID cases are greater than 350 per 100,000 people: Districts are encouraged to bring elementary students “and those with the highest needs” back into classrooms in small groups of 15 or fewer.
Clark County currently has 450 cases per 100,000.
“Our teachers and school administrators have done a phenomenal job navigating unprecedented challenges,” Inslee said. “This updated guidance provides a framework and will help schools plan and prepare so that when the metrics reach the appropriate level, they’re able to resume in-person instruction quickly.”
Inslee advises against high schools returning to classrooms until “areas see a plateau and decrease in cases.”
Camas, WA — Natalia’s Cafe is hosting a fundraiser and silent auction this week for Camas resident Mariah Corbin and her family. Mariah was diagnosed with Stage 3 anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (an extremely rare brain tumor) in September and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments following two brain surgeries.
The purpose of the fundraiser, said Wendy DelBosque, is to help the Corbin family through the financial burdens associated with Mariah’s treatment, including medical and travel expenses, as well as employment income loss. Mariah’s mother, Michal, is a yoga instructor and owner of Camas Yoga & Co. While Michal fights for her daughter’s life, she is also trying to keep her business afloat during the pandemic.
“We are coming together as a community to try to raise money that will allow Michal to focus on her daughter, her treatments, and God willing, her recovery instead of worrying about her business and the overhead she continues to have while she is shut down due to the pandemic,” said Samantha Horner-Boucher, who is organizing the silent auction. “Your generous gift will make this happen.”
The silent auction begins this Thursday, December 17 at 10 am and runs through Sunday, December 20 at 8 pm.
Camas, WA — The Camas City Council has approved the acquisition of 115 acres of land on the west side of Green Mountain adjacent to Ingle Road in Camas with the intent of preserving it as open space.
The acquisition includes 60 acres of donated land and 55 acres for purchase, including the top of Green Mountain itself and the area north of the former Green Mountain Golf Course. The land is currently zoned for residential development and includes 159 preliminarily approved property lots near Ingle Road. Construction of the lots had not yet begun and, as a result of the acquisition, will not move forward.
The city plans to engage the community and explore possibilities for the land’s use that are consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and its Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.
The city will acquire the land, which has been valued at $20.1 million, for $3.8 million. The purchase price of the 55-acre parcel will be paid in October 2021 to allow leaders the option of securing grant funding.
“The advantages of acquiring this Green Mountain land are tremendous,” said Mayor Barry McDonnell. “By securing this property, the City of Camas will preserve more forested areas, ensure public access to green spaces, and provide connections to recreational amenities in the region for the foreseeable future.”
The acquired land has been part of the community vision for over 20 years due to its importance in linking existing and proposed public trails, viewpoints and recreational opportunities around Green Mountain, Lacamas Lake and Camp Bonneville. The existing Lacamas Lake recreation and conservation corridor includes nearly 1,000 acres on the south, east and west sides of the 320-acre Lacamas Lake.
The acquired land also preserves significant open space in Camas, as requested by the Camas community. It is positioned in an area where considerable open-space acreage is owned by other public agencies, including Clark County, Camas School District and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
The current owners of the property, who applied and received approval from the City for the Green Mountain Planned Residential Development, recently approached the city with this opportunity. The appraised value of the 60 acres of donated land is $15.5 million and the appraised value of the additional 55 acres has been estimated at $4.6 million. The timing of the acquisition is connected to year-end charitable gifting rules, as represented by the developer.
The vision for the city’s open spaces has been developed over several years with substantial input from citizens, stakeholders, city staff and key conservation partners. It reflects a variety of city, county and regional plans, including the Clark County Conservation Areas Acquisition Plan; the City of Camas Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan; the Lacamas Corridor Master Plan and the City of Camas Strategic Plan. The council considered the details and impacts of the acquisition at the Dec. 7 workshop and regular meeting before formally approving the acquisition.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/07073830/916C6F57-4941-4CC7-BB2B-E6464E74EED9.jpeg393878Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-14 17:30:412020-12-14 17:30:48Camas City Council Approves 115 Acres of Land to Preserve as Open Space
Everett, WA — The first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by Pfizer, arrived in Washington state today, as medical professionals start working to distribute it to citizens most at-risk.
The vaccine is authorized by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which is comprised of health experts from Washington, California, Oregon and Nevada. The workgroup has been meeting in recent weeks to review the vaccine to ensure its safety.
Governor Inslee’s office said the first groups to receive the vaccine will be those most at risk, including healthcare workers, firefighters, paramedics, ambulance drivers and others who come into direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Inslee said he would get the vaccine himself once he is eligible. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it is 95 percent effective.
Michele Roberts, acting Assistant Secretary of the Washington State Department of Health, said this first round of 62,000 doses is not enough.
“It’s tight right now. 62,000 doses of vaccine is not enough for that whole 1A group, which is at least a half-million people,” Roberts said.
Roberts is optimistic, though. The DOH believes it will take two months to administer the two-dose vaccination to frontline workers, and that it could take several months to get it to the general population.
By the end of of December, the state is expected to get a total of 220, doses. Roberts also expects the Moderna vaccine to be approved for distribution within two weeks. Pending approval, Washington would receive 180,000 doses of Moderna’s version before the New Year.
Pfizer’s vaccine offers some protection after the first dose, with nearly full protection after the second dose, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The information was made public before a meeting 10 days ago of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, or VRBPAC — an advisory group to the FDA that voted to grant emergency use of the vaccine to the general public.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/14163113/59840288-923A-421D-8071-F8163E839DDF.jpeg570850Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-14 16:56:272020-12-14 17:06:19Washington State Receives First Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccine
;
