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The Camas Shirt Project: Helping Out Downtown Businesses

In an effort to help Downtown Camas businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, several local businessmen banded together to create The Camas Shirt Project.

Mel Locke, owner of Universal Martial Arts, and Joseph Graves, Founder of HYVÄ SPC, are working hard to do what they can to help out. The shirt was designed by Tolo Tuitele, of Fuel Medical, and printing is being handled by David McCalib’s team at Printforia at the Port of Camas-Washougal.

Their goal is to sell 20,000 T-shirts, with profits to be distributed to downtown businesses.

“Mel wanted to do something to help out downtown, which is the heart of Camas,” said Graves, who lives in Washougal, but was raised in Camas. “This all came together very quickly after that first conversation.”

To get your shirt, visit www.shirtsforcamas.com

To have your business included in the profit sharing, join at: www.shirtsforcamas.com/signup

Program Overview

  • The shirts will be printed on demand so there is no need for pre-ordering or buying a large amount of inventory
  • They’ll add up the online sales, subtract the cost and divide by the number of participating businesses
  • To be considered a participating business and receive an equal portion of the profit, a business only needs to do two things:    
    • Help get the word out, this can be done through: 
      • social networks
      • email lists
      • physical displays 
    • Let them know who you are and that you want to participate at www.shirtsforcamas.com/signup
  • Buy shirts at cost and sell directly to your customers:
    • Let them know you want to resell on your sign up form
    • This provides more revenue to you as a merchant
  • Shirts can be purchased at www.shirtsforcamas.com  
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Camas Schools Clarifies Student Learning For Remainder of School Year

Camas School District (CSD) Superintendent, Jeff Snell, provided additional clarity today about how to assess student learning for the remainder of the school year.

He said the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) convened a task force to consider the challenges school districts are facing across the sate.

“Our staff has been working diligently to create meaningful learning experiences for your students,” he said. “They also want to provide relevant and helpful feedback to each student in their growth journey. Trying to determine an equitable way to assess student learning during these extraordinary times is very challenging. We appreciate the thought and care that went into this guidance, which you can access at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance & Resources: https://bit.ly/2KDuAgR.” 

Below is a summary of how the Camas School District will assess student learning for the remainder of the school year, which includeS adjustments to the CSD high school model based on OSPI’s guidance.

“Your student’s schools and teachers will be communicating more details with you in the weeks to come,” said Snell.  ”Tomorrow, we will be sending a survey link to share feedback about the remote learning experience to date.  We’re hoping you can share what’s working and any feedback about how we can improve.”

Kindergarten through 5th grade

During this period of remote learning, each grade level team at every elementary school has identified essential standards for instruction beginning May 4. Grading and feedback for K-5 students will only be for those essential standards that each grade level team has identified. These are the same essential standards that are being used by teachers to design learning experiences for their students. 

Elementary school report cards will be completed at the end of the school year in June, like in previous years. For the third trimester, to align with OSPI’s expectations, each student will receive a mark of 2, 3, or 4 for the essential standards identified for this period. The language and rubric to be used for a 2, 3, or 4 are those currently displayed on the report card. Standards that were not addressed (those not identified as essential) will be left blank.

”The practice of teaching and learning continues during this time and our teaching staff is committed to providing engaging learning opportunities for each student and family,” said Snell. “Students are expected to participate and engage in the remote learning activities that are being provided by classroom teachers and specialists.“ 

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Middle School

Final grades during remote learning for middle school students will be a pass or incomplete for non-high school courses. Middle school students taking high-school level courses will be graded in the same manner as high school students (see below).  Schools will provide continuous learning through the end of the school year and learning feedback to students and families about progress made on prioritized learning standards. This feedback will be used to help students transition into learning next year. 

High School (including any middle school classes for high school credit)

Teachers will provide continuous learning for each student. Students will be awarded letter grades in the C to A range, or receive an incomplete. Students have the opportunity to raise their grades from whatever their grade was on March 13, 2020, which was the last physical attendance date. That grade will be the baseline grade for the student moving forward. No grades will be lowered below that baseline grade if students engage with remote learning opportunities offered by their teachers. Teachers will assign grades or assign an “incomplete” for students that cannot engage in an equitable way. The schools will continue to provide multiple ways for students to engage. In the event an incomplete is assigned, there will be opportunities for students to convert that incomplete to a grade after the school year concludes.

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COVID-19: Inslee Hopeful Construction, Elective Surgeries Resume May 4

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Governor Jay Inslee said in an address Tuesday that Washington state would not be able to lift many of its novel coronavirus restrictions by May 4, and that he’s seeking more data in the coming days to make major decisions in some sectors of the economy.

There have been mounting calls for Inslee to ease the state’s stay-at-home order after a weekend protest drew about 2,500 to Olympia. The governor’s stay-home order runs through May 4.

“Some of you watching right now understandably want to know when we’ll get back to normal,” Inslee said.

Inslee said a few activities could return in the state on May 4 if data continues to show a downward trend in new coronavirus cases. 

The governor said he’s hopeful in the coming days that the state would be able to lift some restrictions on:

  • Construction
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Elective surgeries

Inslee also said Washington needs more tests, and until there is a COVID-19 vaccine workplaces will need to have physical distancing and protections in place for workers.  

“Until we have a COVID-19 vaccine, workplaces are going to look much different … ample physical distance will be required,” he said.

The state will provide guidance for businesses to know how and when to reopen in the coming days.

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Downtown Camas Business Signs Program Now a Fun, Cool Reality

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, with most people confined to their homes, you probably haven’t seen the long-planned Downtown Camas Signs program become a reality.

“We have been wanting way-find signs for years,” said Carrie Schulstad, Executive Director of the Downtown Camas Association (DCA). ”Last year there was a little extra funding through downtown maintenance, and so we reached out to businesses to see what we could do with those funds. The way-finding signs are what stuck. We did a collaborative effort, and it’s an example of how Main Street works. The merchants all paid their signs, but the city paid for the poles and the installation. The end result is stunning!”

The DCA coordinated the project with all the local merchants.

A total of eight poles and 40 signs for downtown retail stores and restaurants were constructed and placed a few weeks ago. In addition, there’s a mill town collage, which is covered in plastic, and will be unveiled when society reopens. It was supposed to be unveiled April First Friday.

A few signs have to be re-done and will be installed soon.

“We are expanding the vibrancy of downtown Camas to 3rd and 5th streets and to all the side streets. It’s been a challenge because those streets don’t have all the electrical infrastructure that 4th Avenue does,” said Schulstad. “These signs help people know what stores are on these other streets. It creates awareness.”

And, of course, the timing of this is the great irony. When businesses re-open they will see a nice addition to downtown.

“We look forward to seeing everyone back as soon as it’s safe to do so,” said Suzanne Ferguson, owner of Juxtaposition, which is a brand-new furniture store. “The signs are beautiful.”

Wendy DelBosque, who manages Natalia’s Cafe, says the new signs add a nice touch to a “beautiful downtown.”

Signs
www.artfuljuxtaposition.com
Signs
On the corner of 4th and Dallas.
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Vancouver Police Launch Temporary Prescription Delivery Program

Vancouver, WA – On April 16, 2020, following the lead of neighboring law enforcement agencies, the Vancouver Police Department will begin a pilot prescription delivery program that is anticipated to be in effect for City of Vancouver residents while the Washington State Stay-At-Home Order is in place.

Vancouver Police Officers, teamed with Vancouver Police Recruit Officers who are waiting to attend the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy, will be providing free prescription delivery service to qualifying City of Vancouver residents.

In order to qualify for this free delivery program residents must:

Because the Vancouver Police Department cannot guarantee the time of the delivery, if an urgent delivery is needed, another delivery option must be considered.

Residents who meet the above criteria may call the Vancouver Police Department at (360) 487-7355 to request a prescription delivery from a Clark County pharmacy.  This service is available Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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Immediately following pick-up arrangement residents must:

  • Contact their pharmacy to order and pay for their prescriptions and notify the pharmacy that Vancouver Police personnel are authorized to pick up their prescriptions. 
  • If the pharmacy informs the resident of a delay to fill the prescription the resident must call the Vancouver Police Department with information on when the prescription will be available for pick up.
  • The participant will need to present valid photo identification to the Vancouver Police employee at the time of delivery.

During deliveries, Vancouver Police personnel will be in their official uniform, will carry identification, will wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and will follow physical distancing guidelines. 

The Vancouver Police Department will be monitoring this pilot program daily and based on this assessment, the program will be evaluated for continuation or may be discontinued if it is not meeting the needs of the community effectively or appropriately. All pending and confirmed prescription deliveries will be completed prior to the program being discontinued.   

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COVID-19 Data Update: Latest Numbers For Washington State, Clark County

This is the latest COVID-19 data from multiple sources: Washington Department of Health, CRESA, Johns Hopkins, University of Washington, and updates from local hospitals.

Agencies in Washington and throughout the nation continue to update websites, and provide conference calls explaining what’s happening with the data they gather. This is a quick snapshot of what’s happening, as of April 15, 2020.

  • COVID-19 positive tests statewide: 10,694 (+156 over 2 days).
  • COVID-19 negative tests statewide: 112,160
  • COVID-19 deaths statewide: 541 (+25 over 2 days).
  • Clark County COVID-19 deaths: 15 (unchanged over 2 days).
  • Clark County positive COVID-19 tests: 258 (+19 over 2 days).
  • Clark County COVID-19 cases hospitalized (ICU): 7 (unchanged)
  • Clark County COVID-19 cases hospitalized, total: 20 (+1 over 2 days).
  • Local produce growers are having difficulty getting plant starts for their operation due to reduced workforce/capacity among their suppliers.
  • PeaceHealth Southwest is currently low for testing supplies and PAPR hoods.
  • Legacy Salmon Creek is critically low on duckbill N95 masks (Med-line & Kimberly Clark) and PAPR face shields. They are low on PAPR helmets, Oxivir Wipes, and GlideScope Blades and Disposable covers.
  • Otherwise staffing, beds, and other supplies are currently green for area hospitals.
  • In-house testing capabilities are now operational at PeaceHealth Southwest.
  • Clark County Community Services ​has established 116 beds​ in the Vancouver area for isolation of people who are unhoused and are confirmed to have COVID-19 but do not require medical treatment, and quarantine of people who are confirmed to have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

We will continue to post new COVID-19 data.

Data
COVID-19 data: Cases in Washington show the curve starting to flatten.
Long
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COVID-19 Effect: Camas Parks & Rec Cancels June’s Camtown Youth Festival

Camas, WA — Camas Parks & Recreation is cancelling the annual Camtown Youth Festival at Crown Park in Camas on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak and considering the health and safety of our event participants, the decision has been made to cancel this year’s on-site park event.

“We know that our community is eager to gather and engage in many of the wonderful events and activities (such as Camtown) that our city has to offer. We also know that it will only be a matter of time until we can come together for enjoyment, whether it’s to attend a concert, sporting event, festival, or a fundraiser,” says Krista Bashaw, Special Events Coordinator for the City of Camas Parks & Recreation. “We have future events in our sights and continue to plan for those, so that when the gathering green light is given, we’ll be ready to go with many of the great events our community is used to and ready for.”

Stay home. Stay healthy.

For information on any of the City of Camas events, contact Camas Parks & Recreation at kbashaw@cityofcamas.us

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Camas Schools: Update on Meetings, Video Conferencing, Grading, Graduation

The Camas School District (CSD) continues to make adjustments related to the COVID-19 outbreak and its lingering effects on education. This article contains the latest CSD updates.

School Board Meetings

The CSD School Board has now conducted their second school board meeting remotely. If you’re interested in joining in the future, you can do so through the information provided at http://www.camas.wednet.edu/about-csd/school-board/meeting-info/

School Communication

Schools will be sending information about the remote learning week with any announcements and special events. CSD will be continuing to work at streamlining this communication with you. 

Video Conferencing

Earlier this month, CSD notified families they were delaying video-conferencing between students and teachers as they researched the safety and security of various platforms. As of Wednesday, April 15, Google Meet will be supported as the teacher-student video-conferencing platform for Camas School District. 

  • CSD Netiquette – Message to Families: Please review these guidelines with your student(s), if you have not done so already. The information includes an explanation of video-conferencing and an opt-out process, should families so choose. Complete the opt-out process by Tuesday evening, April 14, as teachers may begin using Meet the following day.
  • The Zoom video-conferencing platform will still be used for some teacher-parent communication.

Print Resources

Please contact your school administrator or teacher for more information if you are having difficulty accessing resources online or need additional support. The team continues to find creative ways to problem-solve with you. 

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Grading

High School: Due to the emergency closure of schools by Governor Inslee, high school students and middle school students earning high school credits will have two options for how final grades will be posted. Additionally, the governor has stated that student grades will not be harmed as a result of the closure. Students not meeting minimum passing requirements shared by their teachers by the end of the term will receive an incomplete and be given opportunities to work towards the credit.  Please review the grading expectations document for more important details.

Senior Project: Camas High School will be adjusting the criteria for completing senior projects. High school staff will provide information and support to help students complete projects with adjusted criteria. 

High School Credits: Students will still be required to meet the 24 credit requirements. Should students receive a No Credit or Fail a course, they will be required to make up work for those classes as needed to meet core graduation requirements. Class of 2020 students who were previously on track to graduate may be eligible for additional considerations due to new waiver legislation. 

For middle school trimester three final grades, students will be receiving a pass or no credit grade. Middle school students taking high-school level courses will be graded in the same manner as high school students. Students can select a pass/no credit or the grade option by June 1. 

Elementary school report cards will be completed at the end of the school year in June, like in previous years. Teachers will record marks for all applicable areas which apply under distance learning circumstances; some areas will not be able to be assessed and will be left blank. Our practice of teaching and learning continues during this time and our teaching staff is committed to providing engaging learning opportunities for each student and family. 

Graduation

Graduation is such an amazing celebration for each student, their family, and our community. CSD will be working with staff and students to plan a virtual ceremony in June, and they will also plan on having a traditional graduation ceremony at the earliest, safe date allowed by our state. CSD is committed to providing a graduation ceremony for all of our seniors.

Lacamas Magazine will keep you updated on Camas schools when new developments arise.

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COVID-19: City of Washougal Closes Playgrounds, Docks, Sports Courts/Fields

The City of Washougal Parks Department is responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency and related federal, state and city directives in order to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the community and our staff. To ensure the safety of its citizens, the City of Washougal has closed playgrounds, restrooms, docks, sports courts/fields, and picnic shelters until at least May 4th. The City will continue to work with Clark County Public Health to evaluate our options beyond this timeline. The closure coincides with the extension of Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy,” order.

”During this time please continue to exercise and spend time outdoors,” said Michelle Wright
Interim Deputy Director of Public Works for Washougal. “Please note parks and trails should always be limited to current social distancing of six feet or more between people from different households.”

In order to meet public health recommendations for protecting citizens and employees, parks maintenance crews have been split and are working every-other-week shifts. During this time, the City’s park will be mowed less frequently and other routine tasks will be deferred.

Please continue to practice physical distancing:

  • Follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on personal hygiene prior to heading to parks and trails. Wash your hand, carry hand sanitizer, do not visit public space if you have symptoms, and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
  • Observe at all times CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other people. Practice it and know what it looks like. Keep it as you walk, bike or hike.
  • Bring a suitable trash bag. Leave no trash, take everything out to protect city works.
Camas
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com

For information on the status Clark County parks within Washougal, please visit https://www.clark.wa.gov/covid19.

For information about the City of Washougal’s response to COVID-19, please visit http://cityofwashougal.us/COVID19.

The City will continue to monitor newly released information to determine additional modifications as needed and would like to thank the public for its patience and understanding.

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COVID-19: City of Camas Rolls Out Utility Relief Options to Homes, Businesses

CAMAS, WA – The City of Camas Finance department is now offering multiple ways to ease the burden of utility payments for Camas residents already in arrears and all Camas small businesses while the community continues to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

“We understand that our customers may be experiencing financial hardship due to the widespread closure of businesses across the country during the pandemic,” said Finance Director Cathy Huber Nickerson. “If you are experiencing financial hardship, maintaining a dialogue with the City about your situation and having a plan in place ensures we can work with you on the extended resolution of your utility balance.”

For residents already in arrears as of February 19, 2020:

  • Payment Plans – After setting up a plan, residents may make partial payments toward their utility balance in the amount and the frequency they can afford.
  • No Late Fees – For payments due from March through the duration of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation, currently set to end on May 4, 2020, residential customers will not incur late fees on utility payments.
  • No Shutoffs – The City recognizes the vital need for access to water for sanitation during the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, residents with an outstanding balance for November/December 2019 service, originally due on Feb. 10, 2020, did not have their water service shut off on March 18 as planned. No shutoffs will occur through the duration of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation, currently set to end on May 4, 2020. The balance will still be owing and may be paid in full or through a payment plan. No late fees will apply.

To set up a payment plan, residents currently in arrears must complete and submit the Residential Utility Assistance Payment Plan form.

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Utilities cannot be suspended during a payment plan and charges will continue to accrue. For this reason, residents are encouraged to set up a payment plan with installments as large as possible.

The City will revisit these programs in late April and determine whether more residents and businesses need relief options. Moreover, if the current Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation is extended, the duration of these programs may be modified.

For small businesses, defined as those in incorporated Camas with fewer than 50 employees:

  • Payment Plans – After setting up a plan, small businesses may make partial payments toward their balance in the amount and frequency they can afford; or
  • Balance Deferment – Small businesses that are unable to fulfill a payment plan and have applied for a small business loan may be eligible to defer their utility balance while awaiting loan funds. Deferments can be up to three months long or until loan proceeds have been received.
  • No Late Fees – For payments due from March through the duration of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation, currently set to end on May 4, 2020, residential customers will not incur late fees on utility payments.
  • No Shutoffs – The City recognizes the vital need for access to water for sanitation during the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, residents with an outstanding balance for November/December 2019 service, originally due on Feb. 10, 2020, did not have their water service shut off on March 18 as planned. No shutoffs will occur through the duration of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation, currently set to end on May 4, 2020. The balance will still be owing and may be paid in full or through a payment plan. No late fees will apply.
  • Temporary Opt-Out of Garbage Collection – While their operations are closed, small business may elect to stop garbage service from City of Camas.

Utilities cannot be suspended during a payment plan or deferment, and charges will continue to accrue. For this reason, businesses are encouraged to set up a payment plan with installments as large as possible or to make partial payments during a deferment. Both options limit balance accrual.

To pursue a payment plan or deferment, small businesses must complete and submit the Small Business Utility Assistance form.

The City will continue to monitor feedback from residents and businesses, as well as the guidance of public agencies, to determine future modifications and support mechanisms. For an up-to-date listing of changes to city programming and operations during the COVID-19 crisis, the public is encouraged to visit www.cityofcamas.us/ourcommunity/covid-19.

Members of the public who have a need or concern may contact administration@cityofcamas.us or 360-834- 6864. For assistance with errands, food, supplies and more, residents may call the City of Camas Resource Helpline, 360-382-1300, Monday-Friday, 9 am – 6 pm.

To request a payment plan, deferment or waiver, residents already in arrears and small businesses should contact the City of Camas Finance Department at finance@cityofcamas.us or 360-834-2462, Monday- Friday, 9 am- 5 pm.

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