Message from Mary – June 11, 2021

It’s a Wrap!!…Last MfM for School Year 2020-21 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF US

In Schools –

Panther Rising Event at WHS – There they were with their yard signs and signing pens as they declared to the rest of the senior class and all of the underclassmen their future plans!  Our principal, Sheree Clark, created this event two years ago and I must say that she has successfully created a culture where ALL of our students are expected to reach their potential.  Over the loudspeaker, you heard trade schools, apprenticeships, church missions, two-year universities, four-year universities, and military plans loudly announced.  Yay for a climate and culture that inspires and expects all of our Panthers to Rise to their bright futures!

Panthers “Score Scholarship Cash” at Senior Awards – Despite a global pandemic, our WHS seniors brought home top awards and scholarships, totaling over $2 million dollars this year.  This is $1 million dollars more in scholarship money than was awarded last year!  Wow!!!  Great job to our seniors and the entire WHS staff (and the rest of the WSD team in the earlier years) for this impressive Rise to the next step in your bright futures.  Our students are fulfilling the mission of “stretching” for the stars and actively planning for their next steps in life! Graduation is tomorrow at 5 pm at Fishback Stadium and we are beyond thrilled to be able to honor this special group in person!  Let’s hope it does not rain!!

Camas-Washougal Rotary Awards Scholarships – This week, the CW Rotary club awarded 4 of our graduating seniors with scholarships for their next steps after graduation. They also awarded the Sophomore of the Year. Congratulations to all of our students.  You represented the Washougal School District well and impressed our community members with your dedication, aspirations, and servant hearts!  Here are our winners

Sophomore of the Year:  Tucker Kneipp

Rotary Senior Scholarship: Amara Farah, Mariah Moran, Lauren Bennett

Rotary Trades Scholarship: Wyatt Grindy

In the Community –

ESD 112 SW Washington TEACHER OF THE YEAR- Chef Brenda Hitchins was just named SW Washington (ESD 112) Teacher of the Year!!!!! Yay for Brenda and all her work to support our students.  The Washougal School District is so proud of you and this important accomplishment!  Washougal Rising, Indeed!!!

In the District Office –

Communications Team Honors Retirees: Congratulations to all of our Retirees.  The communications Team has been highlighting our staff on our Facebook page and it is heartwarming to see all of the wonderful comments from students (current and former), parents, and colleagues which celebrate the important investment in public education.  I have been able to stop by a few of the celebrations this week and present the “Crystal Apple” as a token of our thanks and appreciation of service.  I have often said as I present this gift to staff, “you could have invested your energy, intellect, care, and education, and creativity in something else for a career…but you did not!  You chose to SERVE in public education and you have, indeed, impacted generations of people in the most positive way”!  Thank you to all of our retirees!!

Inspiration this week:  The inspiration of the week goes to all of us, of course!!  We made it through the most difficult year in public education that any of us have ever known.  We did it with courage, resiliency, commitment, service, dedication, creativity, care, success, and…we did not lose our passion for kids or our sense of humor.  On that note…I leave you for the summer with the “blooper reel” from this year’s Snow Day songs.  I made an extra (just in case!!) and here you go!  Who doesn’t enjoy a little bit of Mary Poppins!!

Enjoy the last week of School and have an EXCELLENT SUMMER!!

mary