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Washougal School District Welcomes First 200 Students Into Classrooms

Washougal, WA — Washougal School District (WSD) last week welcomed their first 200 students into the classroom at all grade levels and the experience is helping administrators and educators shape their next phases of a detailed reopening plan.

“Just like everybody else we are moving to the first reopening category even though we’re in a high infection rate countywide,” said Dr. Mary Templeton, Superintendent of Washougal School District. “We are bringing back small groups of students totaling 200 who are coming to our campuses for in-person learning.” 

The district is only serving special needs students in the classroom during this phase, who are dispersed through all Washougal schools. This is week two, and Templeton said WSD will likely roll in the second wave of students in mid-October — which includes students who are homeless or disadvantaged. 

“We know which groups of students are not achieving at the rate we want them to,” said Templeton. “We want to level the playing field for them. Right now, all high school, middle school, elementary school students with special needs are in the classroom. We’ve identified them and that’s the breakout. We are busing, which is nice, it’s an indicator that we’re progressing. We had to temporarily lay off many employees, but we did keep a small group of transportation staff for this first phase.”

WSD has 40 staff members onsite operating in the classroom or working directly with children. 

“I’ve been on campus several times and everybody is excited to be with the kids, and they tell me it’s going well,” said Templeton. “These are the comments I heard when I was out and about. I walked in and spoke with office staff who say it’s so great. I loved hearing the sound of children laughing and talking. The cafeteria had children laughing.” 

Classrooms mostly consist of groups of five. There is no requirement for what small group means, but WSD is averaging five per class. Students and staff are following all the COVID-19 guidelines. Most tudents are not there for the entire day. They are having lunch and then busing them home.

Some students, however, are there five days a week, and some are attending hybrid and it’s based on student need.

“It’s one step in the right direction and it’s what is being recommended,” said Templeton. “We are fast-forwarding in our minds what will be the need, what do need to have ready to go in the next step, which we hope to be a hybrid elementary situation. Just like everybody we have community members and parents who would like us to go faster, and some would like us to go slower. We are taking a measured approach. We don’t want to move too quickly. We are trying to be respectful of everyone’s desire and to make sure we are prepared.” 

Here are some of the things WSD is doing to get ready for the hybrid in-class phase:

  • Hygiene stations throughout the schools
  • Distance protocols
  • Staff training
  • Recommended PPE
  • Isolation rules and protocols 
  • Quarantine process 
  • Health screening at entrances
  • Signage and markers
  • Increased sanitation receptacles

Templeton said they are working with the health department on a regular basis.

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“Everybody needs to mask up and social distance, which will make our schools open faster,” said Templeton. “The last thing is that we need to maintain our focus on our remote learning. We can’t lose our remote learning momentum. It’s going well, but it does have problems. We are working through those. We must maintain our focus on keeping the learning going and keeping those relationships strong.” 

For the next wave, WSD will possible add another 200 students that would most benefit from onsite instruction.

“We are taking a thoughtful and measured approach,” Templeton said. “I don’t have teachers telling me they don’t want to be in the classroom, but several have asked us to have a choice of being in the classroom or to teach strictly remotely.  Some are choosing to be onsite and some are choosing to be at home.”

There is a process for a staff member who requires an accommodation, and WSD is able to offer that to them. These accommodations may be for them to have a completely virtual classroom, based on parent and student requests. 

Washougal
Dr. Mary Templeton, Superintendent of Washougal Schools.

There might be teachers who may need to take a leave of absence. 

“I think teachers miss students and they want to be in the classroom, and we’re making sure it’s a safe opening,” Templeton said. “What are things we need to shore up? We’ve been having this conversation for several months. Each building has a designated COVID safety coordinator.” 

Templeton is in her third year as WSD Superintendent, entering the job at the height of the 2018 teacher’s strike. And, now these past six months she’s dealing with the pandemic.

“It’s all hands on deck, we have a good time,” she said. “We have accomplished much. We have successfully marketed the district with Washougal Rising. There’s a high self-esteem. We are now a destination district. It’s an indicator things are working. We’ve had three state recognized schools. Equity is very important to us. We have many students of color participating in accelerated programs. It’s unprecedented excellence. We are aggressively optimistic. If you can’t maintain your optimism it’s hard to move forward. We are all impacted by what is happening. We must have grace and patience with each other. I live here and those are the things we must maintain.” 

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Camas Public Library to Begin Loaning Wireless Hotspots October 1

Although the building is still closed to the public, the Camas Public Library wants to keep you connected. Beginning Thursday, October 1 you can check out a WiFi hotspot using your Library card.

These devices, which connect you to the Internet using a mobile network provided by the Library, are perfect for those in the community who don’t have access to the internet or could use extended coverage. Maybe you need a bit of extra internet coverage at home while your network is taxed with online meetings, virtual classrooms, or simply more people home at the same time. Maybe you’re just going on a road trip and could use the extra data to keep the family entertained. Whatever the reason, a WiFi hotspot may provide the boost you need. 

“People are struggling right now to stay connected, in every sense of the word,” said Connie Urquhart, Library Director. “Let us help with that. When you connect to the Library, you connect to your community”.

The hotspots can be checked out for 3 weeks. Call the Library at 360-834-4692 or go tocatalog.camaslibrary.org to reserve one today. Hotspots may be picked up through the Library’s curbside service, Monday-Friday 10am-6pm.

The 15 devices were provided as part of a grant from the Washington State Library. They work in conjunction with the T-Mobile network, so the Library recommends checking T-Mobile’s coverage map to view the signal strength in your area.

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Camas Parents Seek Compromise, Better Dialogue With District to Open Schools

Four weeks into a mandated at-home public school learning environment, a growing number of Camas parents are working together and reaching out to Camas School District (CSD) administrators — and School Board members — to find solutions that will bring students back into the classroom as soon as possible.

These parents, led by Bill Criddle and Casey Taylor, have formed a Facebook group called Open Camas Schools, which now has more than 670 members.

“We formed this group as concerned Camas parents because of our desire to get our children back into the classroom as soon as possible,” said Criddle. “We feel our children are suffering academically and emotionally in this remote learning environment, and it’s also causing teachers to be overworked. It’s not a good situation. We feel like the school district administrators and School Board members are not listening to us or hearing our concerns so we’ve created a Facebook group to share our experiences to help create solutions that will get our children in the classroom sooner rather than later. Many other school districts in other states and counties with far worse COVID-19 case numbers have found practical and safe ways to return to school. We want CSD to listen and act.”

The group encourages open and civil discussion because they feel their children deserve to be in a better situation. The group has done extensive research with COVID-19 cases in similar districts in Washington and around the nation. 

Members cite Mead School District near Spokane that found a way to open up safely. They also see districts in Utah (Utah County) and Arizona of similar size, and with more than quadruple the COVID-19 cases operating using a hybrid model — half the time in school, half the time remote learning.

They said many school districts gave parents these options: 1) Attend school full-time; 2) Follow a hybrid model; and 3) At-home remote learning.

The group feels that CSD families were never given an option; they were simply mandated to have distance learning without having a voice.

As of Friday, Clark County Public Health reports that overnight 32 people have tested positive for COVID-19. To date, 3,298 Clark County residents have tested positive since March. Clark County currently has 163 active cases. The number of active cases reflects the number of confirmed cases who are currently in their isolation period. 

Presently, 25 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in Clark County and 10 persons are under investigation for COVID-19 are hospitalized. Clark County has had 58 COVID-19 deaths.

By contrast, Spokane County has had 6,808 COVID-19 cases since March, and 168 COVID-19 related deaths. Spokane County has also reported more than 100 overnight COVID-19 cases over the last three days.

Mead School District reports one confirmed positive COVID-19 case at Midway Elementary School, with seven close contacts in quarantine, as of September 24. There are no reported cases in the district’s 14 other schools.

The group says the nationwide COVID-19 numbers show it’s possible to operate schools using a hybrid model, and they want a real explanation from CSD about why they’re not doing that now.

“We have created a set of questions that we are presenting to the CSD administration,” said Criddle. “To date all we’ve received are canned responses from Superintendent Jeff Snell, and absolutely no responses from School Board members.”

Snell said they are following Clark County Public Health guidelines for reopening schools.

“Twenty-five to 75 cases per 100,000 in the county is moderate,” said Snell. “And this is the window in which we can have a hybrid model. Anything below 25 is full onsite. But we have to meet that indicator over two to three weeks staying in the moderate range. After three weeks of staying in that range, we plan to sit down with public health, and the following week we would start K-5 in a hybrid model.”

The week of September 21, according to Clark County Public Health, the numbers spiked to 76.15 cases per 100,000, which puts the county back in the HIGH range, which comes with the following recommendation: “Distance learning with the option for limited in-person learning for students who need it most, such as children with disabilities and students living homeless. Sports and extracurricular activities postponed or canceled.”

The moderate range — 25 to 75 cases per 100,000 — has this health recommendation: “Distance learning with the option for limited in-person learning for students who need it most, such as children with disabilities and students living homeless. Gradual expansion of in-person education, beginning with elementary students. Over time, consider adding hybrid in-person learning for middle or high school students. Sports and extracurricular activities postponed or canceled. Consider low-risk activities when all students have some level of in-person learning.”

These CSD parents feel like their students may miss half or more of the school year, which includes sports, dances, academic contests, etc.

“So far, the dialogue has been constructive among Camas parents, and we have appreciated the responses,” said Criddle. “Now, we simply want them to hear us, work with us, and come up with a smart solution.”

To that end, the group has drafted these questions for CSD administration:

  1. What considerations have you made, what studies have been done or considered to estimate the specific educational / intellectual deterioration taking place in the minds of the kids by not attending in-person school? How have you determined this risk is less than the risk to our children attending in-person school now? (The longer this goes on the worse academic outcomes become for everyone. One of many studies and estimates: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/covid-19-and-student-learning-in-the-united-states-the-hurt-could-last-a-lifetime#)
  2. How many kids will drop out of school before we return or after as a result of how far they are getting behind? What is your estimate? How have you determined this risk is less than the risk to our children attending in-person school now?
  3. What considerations have you made, what studies have been done or considered to estimate specific mental, social and emotional damage being done to kids by not attending in-person school, participating in extracurricular activities, etc.? How have you determined this risk is less than the risk to our children attending in-person school now? (Current studies are showing the isolation of no school and perpetual lockdown is causing childhood depression and anxiety to skyrocket. Here is one of many articles – https://time.com/5870478/children-mental-health-coronavirus/)
  4. What considerations have you made, what studies have been done or considered to estimate the increase in violence against children being waged in the homes of Camas? How have you determined this risk is less than the risk to our children attending in-person school now? (We believe data shows that child abuse reports, which is often reported by teachers, nurses etc. is down 30% – 50% – One of many sources: https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200512/covid19-lockdown-increases-child-abuse-risk
  5. How many suicides have you considered may take place sometime this year as a result of the extended isolation many kids are feeling? What have you done to test or seek information on this? How have you determined this risk is less than the risk to our children attending in-person school now? (Childhood suicides could be going up with the isolation from school. One analysis from London: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-uk-child-suicide-mental-health-nhs-a9617671.html)
  6. Given that children contract COVID-19 at rates much lower than they contract the flu, that they pass it less easily or frequently to adults (teachers) and once having caught COVID-19 survive at much greater rates than they do versus contracting the seasonal flu, what studies, data, medical opinions are you basing your decision to not be convening in-person school today?

“We’ve been patient, but if these questions aren’t answered soon, and if we continued to be ignored by CSD administration and the School Board, we will pursue other means of getting our voices heard and that could include picketing and having peaceful demonstrations in town,” said Taylor.

Snell added what he said publicly a couple days ago: “As we previously shared, our goal is to get students back to in-person learning as soon as we can. We are entering the transition part of our planning timeline as we begin to add in-person learning experiences for more students. Hybrid learning blends in-person experiences (2 days per week) with remote learning.“ 

“Over the next three weeks, we will monitor COVID-19 activity levels in Clark County to determine if we can start our transition to hybrid learning. Parents will continue to have the option to keep their students learning remotely if they prefer. If we are below the high COVID-19 activity level for the weeks of 9/28 and 10/5 we will start transitioning our kindergarten students the week of October 12. If we continue to stay below the high level we will transition grades 1 – 5 the week of October 19. We will follow a similar three-week model for transitioning secondary students that goes through the weeks of October 19 to November 2 with a full transition scheduled for the week of November 9. For more details about the timeline and rationale please refer to the CSD Phased Return to In-Person Learning Plan.”

“The transition plan brings up a lot of questions, concerns, and emotions for many people. I want to address some of them in this communication, and also share more information in the Town Hall scheduled for Tuesday, September 29 from 5 – 6 pm. The Town Hall will be recorded for anyone who cannot attend at that time.”

Lacamas Magazine is also in the process of conducting a poll asking these questions:

  1. As of today, what would you choose for your child/children’s learning if given the choice?

        a. Online

        b. Hybrid

        c. In-Person

2. Should the CSD School Board take community input into consideration when deciding on when to send students back to school?

        a. Yes

        b. No

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Drive-in Horror Movies + Live Monsters At Clark County Event Center This Halloween

Treadway Events announced today “The Cinema of Horrors: Drive-In Experience,” a new contactless, Halloween experience is coming to the Clark County Fairgrounds & Event Center. This unique horror movie drive-in series offers a COVID-19 safe way to celebrate Halloween in 2020. The month-long event features twelve of the scariest horror blockbuster movies and combines real live actors, over the top lighting and special effects throughout the film each night.

Since many indoor haunted houses and Halloween parties canceled, this is the next best option for many thrill-seekers.

“Our team has been working on a variety of ways to pivot from our normal indoor haunted house events since COVID-19 gathering bans went into effect. We’re excited to be able to bring Halloween and horror fans together to enjoy our favorite horror films and safely celebrate Halloween with scares along the way,” says Brandon Treadway, President & Creative Director at Treadway Events.

The Cinema of Horrors Drive-In will run for twelve nights, weekends in October. Tickets are on sale now at a discounted rate of $49.00 per vehicle. Prices rise to $59.00 on October 1st, 2020. Since tickets went on sale, most shows have already hit nearly 50% capacity. There are no age limits, but parents are encouraged to use discretion based on the film rating each night.

The event is 50 percent sold out, so thrill seekers are encouraged to purchase tickets soon.

For film listings, tickets, and more event information, visit www.CinemaOfHorrors.com.

To view the promotional video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7os2Oy9jYLU

About Treadway Events: Treadway Events is a full-service event management agency based in Portland, OR. Helping nonprofit organizations, individuals, and Fortune 500 companies in Oregon, Washington deliver unmissable live event experiences. Treadway produces and owns a variety of annual, themed events such as the Cinema of Horrors haunted house in Kelso, WA. 

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Clark County Public Health Issues New Lacamas Lake Cyanotoxin Warning

Camas, WA — Clark County Public Health has upgraded their advisory at Lacamas Lake to warning, due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.

“Cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, especially young children, and deadly for small pets that drink the water,” said Clark County Public Health.

The agency recommends the following:

  • No swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing
  • No water contact for animals
  • Clean fish well and discard organs
  • Avoid areas of scum when using motorized boats

Today’s announcement comes as Camas city leaders and Clark County officials are working on an inter-local agreement to start improving the water quality of Lacamas Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake.

Camas City Council member Steve Hogan has taken a leadership role with the city to keep the discussions moving. Lacamas Magazine has a more in-depth feature coming, but Hogan provided an update on Tuesday, September 23.

”We are in the process of working between the staffs and the attorneys for both Clark County and the City of Camas to come up with an inter-local agreement that will lay out who’s responsible for what,” Hogan said. “Basically what the City of Camas is interested in now in trying to take control of or lead on is the water quality, that’s what we are trying to focus on. Specifically, algae has been a huge problem, and we want to address that, but the overall water quality is what the city council appears to want to get their hands on and work on moving forward.”

Hogan addresses the timing of this water quality effort. Why now, and not years ago?

”There’s been a shift over the last few years,” Hogan said. “The Camas paper mill originally had control over the dam and the lake and Lacamas Lake for years wasn’t in the city of Camas so we’ve basically taken control of all the land around the lake and the paper mill is backing away from using any of this water in their operations so Clark County was overseeing the water quality when the paper mill was using the water. It was an industrial lake, and now it’s no longer considered an industrial lake. The City of Camas now owns the dam and we own the former ditch that used to lead down to the paper mill, so now it’s time to make a change. We are trying to work with the scientists who were involved with the county, they are on staff at the county and now we want them to work with our staff to begin to move forward at looking at where the science was and where we need to move in the future so that the water quality is available at a high level of cleanliness for people to recreate here.”

The advisory and signs will be updated as conditions change. For the latest info, visit our website: www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/public-beaches

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Business: McKean Smith Law Partner a Women of Vision Award Winner

The Daily Journal of Commerce has announced its Women of Vision award winners for 2020, and McKean Smith’s co-owning attorney Annelisa Smith has made the list. The awards honor women who strive to shape the communities of Oregon and Southwest Washington through their leadership, mentoring efforts, community involvement, and promotion of industry diversity.

Smith’s efforts extend beyond her own practice with comprehensive, hands-on attorney mentoring to attorneys both in her own firm and also in the broader Oregon legal community. She serves on the board of several legal committees, including acting President of the Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners, Chair-Elect of the OSB Family Law Section and she previously served on the Family Court Enhancement Project Committee and acted as conference chair for the annual OSB Family Law Conference.

These organizations and activities all strive to improve the quality of legal representation and professionalism in Oregon. With her background as a juvenile public defender representing parents and children in child abuse and neglect cases, Smith also serves the community by participating as a Director on non-profit boards like Allies In Change and as one of the founding directors of BRAVO Youth Orchestras.

Smith’s firm also has an office in Washington at the Vancouver’s Waterfront.

To learn more, visit www.mckeansmithlaw.com

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Annual Camas Washougal Chamber Golf Tournament A Commercial Success

Washougal, WA — The second annual Camas Washougal Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, held at Orchard Hills in Washougal in early September was the first major event the organization has had this year — due to COVID-19 restrictions — and it was a social and commercial success.

“Sponsorship support was very generous as local businesses know that not having Camas Days, due to COVID-19 restrictions, was a major financial hit to the Chamber,” said Jennifer Senescu, the CW Chamber’s Executive Director. “We had 26 sponsorships in total to support the event, and it was such a gorgeous September day.”

Affordable Exterior Solutions was the title sponsor.

Eighty-four players comprising 21 teams participated were unable to have a shotgun start, but were able to have individual tee times.

The event netted $13,000, which is $3,000 less than last year, but given virus restrictions, Senescu feels this was a success.

“I was on the True Insurance team,” Hung Tran, a CW Chamber Board member, player and sponsor. “It was great that everyone got together to be able to help the chamber out in a pandemic.”

Senescu said there were games on the course at sponsored holes, putting contests, straight drives, and two KPs. Boxed lunches were served with tasty black and blue burgers.

“We know so many businesses have been hit hard this year,” said Senescu. “We continue to work with companies to network and find solutions as we navigate the pandemic. We do see many hopeful signs.”

To learn more about the Chamber, visit www.cwchamber.com

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Golf fun.
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Washougal School District Implements New Culinary Approach to Student Meals

Washougal, WA — If asked the question ‘what’s cooking’ at Washougal schools, the answer may surprise you.  Washougal School District (WSD) is implementing a new approach for school meal service, with restaurant style, scratch-made, healthy, and nutritious food available for students and employees. 

“At the end of the day it is really about the desire to provide our students with high quality, delicious, homemade meals,” said Mary Templeton, WSD Superintendent.  “This program builds on our efforts to achieve our mission to know, nurture and challenge all students to rise.  It is important for our students to know they are loved and cared for and we know food nourishes the body, the mind and the spirit.” 

The work toward this change began in early 2020 with Templeton along with WSD Business Manager Kris Grindy and Career and Technical Education Director Margaret Rice researching schools across the country who were moving in a similar direction.

Grindy and Rice met with a local chef to start a needs analysis and survey of school kitchens.

“The main goal was to create a transition plan based on his findings and help us work through this complex transition, which included hiring an Executive Chef Supervisor to lead our own Culinary Staff,” explained Rice.

At the end of July, the district hired Chef Chris Youngren to lead the new Culinary Services team.  Youngren has worked in the culinary business for more than 20 years. Her career started in restaurants, but she has worked extensively in schools, most recently for the Stevenson-Carson School District.

“Our goal is to transition our former Nutrition Service program into a Culinary Service Program that prepares meals with love and care for our students from scratch; meals we would be proud to serve our own families at home,” said Rice. “By doing this we will continue to work toward building a more inclusive culture/community, one where people sit down and eat together, share stories, and laugh while filling their stomachs.”

Meals
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Even without students in classrooms, Culinary Services is already working with fresh produce and scratch cooking to provide meals for the district children, which are free through December.  This program, funded by the Federal Government, is available at no cost to any child 18 or under. The District will return to charging students for reduced and full-price meals starting in January, unless the federal program is extended. 

In the past, the food program meals were created with previously frozen foods. Now the ingredient quality is better, and all the meals are fresh.  “This means we are starting with high quality ingredients,” explained Chef Youngren. “For example, we might purchase a ham and slice the meat for our deli sandwiches ourselves ensuring a higher quality product than what we might get if we purchased deli meats already sliced.  Everything is being cooked in our central kitchen at Gause Elementary and then cooled immediately and prepared for distribution.”

Adjustments were made to the take-out model of delivery so families can easily reheat the meals to eat right away or freeze it to be eaten later.  Meals include reheat instructions and are packaged in containers that can be used for reheating.  Take-out bags include handles, which makes it easier for students and their families to carry several meals at once.

Washougal families who have not yet completed a Free and Reduced-Price Meal application form for the 2020-21 school year are encouraged to do so.  This application needs to be resubmitted each school year.

“In addition, there may be families in our community who have never thought to apply, but who may qualify if their circumstances have changed due to the COVID crisis,” said Grindy. “Families are asked to apply before October 15, but can still apply any time during the year, especially if the family experiences a change in situation that may qualify them later.”  To apply or reapply, even for those currently receiving meals, go to http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/food-services/.  The Washougal School District is an equal opportunity provider. 

And while students have not yet returned, WSD employees working in buildings or offices are getting the opportunity to order and buy these meals too.

“Staff are invited to pre-order and purchase meals that will be available each day in all buildings at lunch time (11am-1pm),” explained Rice.  “If they work in a District building other than a school, they come by the closest school to pick up their meals.”  Staff meals are charged at the adult price, and the additional participation provides additional revenue that the culinary program will use to continue future innovations and investments. 

Feedback from customers has been positive, with comments about how fresh and tasty the meals are.  “We are also getting good suggestions to improve the service,” said Chef Youngren. “For instance, we have been asked to include more condiments and plastic silverware.  We had in our minds that meals would be eaten at home and those items would not be necessary, but for instance, we are now serving staff in our buildings and they need those things.  We are taking this time to listen and adjust to be ready when we are all back together again in the schools.”

Meals
Preparing food.

According to Rice, a key to success will be providing an excellent product at an excellent value. 

“We want our food quality to match up with other restaurants, to be just as good but not as expensive,” she said. 

A regular priced lunch at Washougal High School is $3.40 and adult meal cost is only $4.50.

“Once our students return to school, they will be greeted with the smell of delicious food cooking,” said Templeton. “Meals will be a higher quality and more restaurant style food.”  

Menu items will include items such as teriyaki rice bowls, bento hummus boxes, pulled pork sliders with coleslaw, Taco Tuesday, and even chicken and waffles.  You only need to step into the school kitchen to experience the welcoming smell of fresh pizza coming out of the ovens to understand the difference.

Another change students will see is the Culinary Services staff wearing chef coats as they prepare and serve meals.  “We are professionals and we want staff to look like the professional team they are,” said Chef Youngren. “These folks work hard and deserve respect for making these meals with love and care. Our staff is extremely excited to be a part of this new Culinary Services model.  They are looking forward to the direction it is going and proud to be a part of it.  Everyone is excited, onboard, and willing to do whatever is needed to make sure we can meet our goals of this program.”

“It is exciting,” said Glenda Huddleston, Culinary Services Server 1. “It just feels better to actually be cooking and serving fresh food.  And it tastes good!”  Staff involvement includes the use of their recipes. Culinary Services Server 2, Linda Manire’s fresh pineapple salsa and pico de gallo recipes were used for a recent Taco Tuesday meal.  

Rice, as WSD CTE Director, is playing a large part in the development of the new meal service program.  “My role is to see the bigger picture as well as watch the fine details,” she explained. “I’m helping guide the program in the direction we want it to be in the future.”  Long-term, WSD would like to build in the opportunities for WHS culinary students to learn and grow their skills working with Culinary Services staff in partnership with their teacher, Chef Brenda Hitchins.  Eventually they would like to leverage partnerships to develop and establish a registered Youth Apprenticeship Program.

“We hope our students will enjoy the food more and that less students feel they need to bring lunches to school,” Rice said. “As a parent, I remember the added stress of trying to get a healthy, yet delicious meal together every day for my child and we would like parents to know that we have their backs. We want the food they eat here to be some of the best meals they had all day. We’re creating a food experience, one where folks look forward to what is on the menu for the next day and they are talking about it.”

“The highest compliment will be when students are posting photos of their school lunch on social media to tell others how yummy is,” Rice added.  

Meals
Getting pizza out of the oven.
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Clark County’s Largest Newspaper Endorses Long Campaign For Congress

VANCOUVER, WA —Carolyn Long, candidate for Congress in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, received a political endorsement from The Columbian, which serves Vancouver and greater Clark County. 

“Our recommendation hinges on Long’s demonstrated ability to meet with and listen to constituents throughout the district; her understanding of economic policy; and her understanding of Congress’ role in holding the executive branch accountable,” the paper editorial board said. 

The Columbian concluded that she was the “superior choice to represent the Third.” Read the full endorsement from The Columbian below.  

“I am honored to receive The Columbian’s endorsement for the second time,” said Long. “In Congress, I will fight hard every day to bring affordable healthcare, family-wage jobs, and will only work for Southwest Washington. We desperately need new leadership to guide us out of this economic and public health crisis. And we need a leader who will listen. I will continue to listen to Southwest Washington by holding town halls, roundtable conversations on policy issues, and Coffees with Carolyn in our community.”

Abby Olmstead, Campaign Manager said, “Like many Southwest Washingtonians, The Columbian recognizes that our leadership has failed us. Small businesses continue to close, people are out of work, and our infrastructure is crumbling, all while D.C. politicians prioritize their corporate donors over their own constituency. It’s clearer than ever that it’s time for a change.”

Read the full endorsement below: 

Although each will try to portray the other as an extremist, congressional candidates Carolyn Long and Jaime Herrera Beutler are relatively moderate representatives of their parties. Each is capable of being an effective voice for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, and each has demonstrated a strong understanding of the issues that impact our region.

The Columbian Editorial Board recommends a vote for Democratic challenger Carolyn Long against Herrera Beutler, the Republican incumbent. As always, this is merely a recommendation; The Columbian trusts that voters will study the candidates and the issues before casting an informed ballot.

Our recommendation hinges on Long’s demonstrated ability to meet with and listen to constituents throughout the district; her understanding of economic policy; and her understanding of Congress’ role in holding the executive branch accountable.

Long, a political science professor who lost to Herrera Beutler by 5 percentage points two years ago, built her 2018 campaign on a series of town hall meetings. That strategy has been hampered this year by social distancing, but it reflects her willingness to engage with constituents ranging from Goldendale to Long Beach. Herrera Beutler has not held an in-person town hall since early 2017, opting instead to answer selected questions on conference calls.

Long also demonstrates a strong understanding of economics. During a joint interview with the editorial board, Herrera Beutler defended the tax cuts and spending increases she supported in 2018, inaccurately claiming that the federal deficit was decreasing before the pandemic scuttled the economy. Long said: “We were told two years ago that the Republicans’ tax plan was going to pay for itself. We learned that within a year, a trillion dollars was added to the federal debt. That’s money that my daughter is going to pay for.”

Herrera Beutler also lauds President Trump’s economic policies and tariffs. Those policies devastated American farming prior to the pandemic, with taxpayers shelling out $28 billion in aid to farmers over two years.

Meanwhile, Herrera Beutler revealed to the editorial board that she plans to vote for Trump in his bid for reelection. In 2016, she declined to support Trump and says she voted for then-Rep. Paul Ryan as a write-in candidate. Last year, she voted against the House of Representatives’ impeachment of the president, at one point calling the proceedings a “farce.”

Regarding checks and balances, Long said, “Congress needs to reassert itself.”

Herrera Beutler has some strong selling points to warrant a sixth term in Washington, D.C. Those include a genuine ability to work in a bipartisan fashion and to focus on the needs of Southwest Washington. She has been active in trying to reduce sea lion predation on salmon in the Columbia River and in developing measures to reduce maternal mortality. Her work often focuses on health care issues, but we disagree with her frequent votes to overturn the Affordable Care Act without offering a viable alternative. For her part, Long supports strengthening the Affordable Care Act but does not support Medicare-for-all.

It is impossible to paint a complete picture of either candidate’s positions in a single editorial, and we recommend that voters do their homework rather than believe what they see in TV ads. Video of The Columbian’s interview is available online, and both candidates have agreed to debate on Oct. 9.

But in our opinion, Carolyn Long is the superior choice to represent Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.

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Wildfire Evacuee Donations Support 100’s of Families, Say Local Organizers

Camas, WA — When Jacquie Hill, owner of Body Bliss Yoga, decided to organization a donation center for regional wildfire evacuees, she had no idea the incredible response she’d get.

The announcement that she’d partner with neighboring business, Lily Atelier, isn’t even a week old, and the donations pile in daily.

“I’m super happy that so many people were generous both with their time and with the supplies they donated,” said Hill. “We have received games, school supplies, nice clothes for all ages and genders, pet supplies, diapers, backpacks, all kinds of great things. The studio is filled with such great energy, and now all these supplies are heading our to Oregon communities devastated by the wildfires.”

Hill partnered up with Blake Brinker, a local Camas resident, who is working with the Global Empowerment Mission to ensure these supplies get to people who need them the most.

Since last Wednesday, Body Bliss Yoga Studio and Lily Atelier have been serving as drop off centers that pile up daily, which are then sorted by type, gender and age in boxes, bins and bags. It’s all quite organized.

“Jacquie has done an incredible job making this happen,” said Marilyn Reed, owner of Lily Atelier, a women’s boutique in downtown Camas. “We were happy to partner with her and we received so much support from our customers. Thank you so much!”

Hill said the donations received these past several days will support hundreds of families.

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www.artfuljuxtaposition.com
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Donations at Body Bliss Yoga.
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