Challenge Day @ WHS

On Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Challenge Day, involving 100 WHS & EHS volunteer students from varying backgrounds and grade levels, will take place at Washougal High School.  Adult participants include 30+ members of the Washougal School District staff, mainly from WHS and EHS, elected officials, and community members.

Since 1987, Challenge Day Programs have touched the lives of over half-a million teens and adult’s, receiving awards from the juvenile justice system, government officials, and many school districts and cities nationwide.  Through thought-provoking games, activities, and discussions, Challenge Day provides participants with tools to break down the walls of separation and isolation and build new levels of respect and communication.

The overall goal of challenge day is to make WHS an even more welcoming place to be, to increase personal power and self-esteem, to shift dangerous peer pressure to positive peer support and to eliminate the acceptability of teasing, violence and all forms of oppression.  Trained Challenge Day Leaders expertly create a program environment of safety and trust.  Challenge Day is designed to unite the members of the school and community and to empower them to carry the themes of the program back to the greater school and community population.  Challenge Day also successfully addresses issues of suicide, harassment, racism, conflict management, alcohol and drugs.


We are very excited about Challenge Day and the impact it will have on the the WHS & EHS Community.  If you have any questions regarding Challenge Day, please contact either Christina Mackey or Owen Sanford in the Counseling Center.

It is HSPE Time Again!

2012 HSPE TESTING SCHEDULE

Every year, as required by the state legislature, all sophomore students must take the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE).  In addition to 10^th graders, all 11^th and 12^th grade students who did not meet standard on the 2011 HSPE will automatically be signed up to retake the exam in which they did not meet standard.  This test is an important measure of achievement for both your student and our school. 

Students in the class of 2012 must pass the reading and writing exams or a state-approved alternative in order to be eligible to graduate. Students in the classes of 2013 and 2014 must pass exams in reading, writing and one end-of-course math exam. Science is no longer required through the class of 2014. Beginning with the class of 2015, students must pass reading, writing, two end-of-course math exams and a biology end-of-course exam.

The HSPE reading exam takes one day, while the writing exam is two days. The HSPE testing dates for spring 2012 are: March 13-14 (Writing) and March 15 (Reading).  March 13-15 will be late start days.  All 9^th and 10^th grade students will be expected to attend.  The 10^th graders will be testing and the 9^th graders will be in their regularly scheduled classes.  All 11^th and 12^th graders who have not met standard will need to be at school starting at 7:55 to take the exam in which they have not met standard.

The math and biology end-of-course exams are going to take place June 5 and 6.  Those will also be late start days with testing in the morning.  All 9^th and 10^th graders will need to be at school 7:55 a.m. on those dates.

HSPE test dates are as follows:

                           Tuesday, March 13                         Writing, Day 1

                           Wednesday, March 14                   Writing, Day 2

                           Thursday, March 15                       Reading, Day 1

           

The school schedule for ALL students will be modified to accommodate HSPE testing.

FRESHMEN:

·   All freshmen are expected to be in attendance during each HSPE testing session.  They will be following their normal schedule starting at 7:55 a.m. each day.

ALL SOPHOMORES and JUNIORS and SENIORS NOT MEETING STANDARD:

·      All sophomores and juniors and seniors not meeting standard from the 2011 HSPE must be assessed. Those not tested will be scored as not passing the exams and “not passing” scores will be recorded on their school record.

·      Testing each morning will be from 7:55 a.m. - 10:35 a.m. Students not completing the test during a testing session will be moved to a different location and given more time to complete the test.

·      There will be NO opportunity for make-ups until August if any part of the test is missed for any reason.  

·      We must have 100% attendance.

·      Students need to be present for both days for Reading in order to receive a score.  Students who are absent for either day of a two-day test will not receive a score.

·      The HSPE Reading and Writing exam results will be given to students and parents in June.

JUNIORS/SENIORS:

·      Regular bus transportation will be provided to juniors and seniors at the regular time.  If juniors and seniors arrive at school between 7:55 a.m. and 10:35 a.m. they will be required to attend a quiet study hall or AP study sessions until classes begin at 11:15 a.m.

·      During the testing schedule, juniors and seniors who provide their own transportation may arrive on campus at 11:15 a.m. to attend their classes.

·      Students will not be allowed to “roam” around campus as this could disrupt the assessment process.

·      Students will not be allowed to visit other schools during this time (i.e., Jemtegaard, Canyon Creek).

SPECIAL JUNIOR/SENIOR OPPORTUNITIES:

·      Juniors and Seniors not participating in the WASL assessment will be able to take advantage of the following opportunities:

·      On March 13, 2012, the U.S. Army will be administering the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) to interested 11^th and 12^th grade students.  Students will be testing from 8:15 – 10:35 a.m. in the Career Center and must sign up in the Career Center in advance to be included in the test. This test is designed to help students learn more about themselves and the world of work, to identify and explore occupations, and develop an effective strategy in goal setting for post-high school planning. 

REMINDER FOR ALL PARENTS

Now, please pay careful attention to this last bit of information and rumor control.  Even though classes do not officially start until 11:15 a.m. during these upcoming assessment weeks, all 9^th and 10^th graders, as well as 11^th & 12^th  graders who have not met standard, are expected at 7:55 a.m. every day.  Attendance in planned activities and testing is mandatory for all except those 11^th and 12^th graders who have met standard on the HSPE previously.  For those students only, classes begin at 11:15 a.m.  It is during this late start that seniors and juniors have the option of coming to school late or as normal, using the time either as a study hall or for working in the library.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your son/daughter’s counselor at 954-3113/3114.

WHS Metals program competes well at competition!

On Saturday, Feb. 12, four students from the Washougal High School Metals program took part in a machining competition at Clark College for Skills USA. Ilia Svistun was the first place winner and Douglas Murray was the third place winner. These two students are now eligible to compete at the state level. Also representing WHS were Robert Raynor and Braden Devlin "These student should be congratulated for their outstanding accomplishment," said CTE teacher Don O'Brien.

Five local high schools – Evergreen, La Center, Mountain View, Prairie and Washougal -- were represented in the machining contest, which began at 9 a.m on Saturday. It was held in the machine shop in at Clark College, The top three finishers will take the next step by advancing to the state contest in the Tacoma Dome.

For additional information about Clark College’s machining and welding programs or the Regional High School VICA/Skills USA Machining and Welding Contest, call 360-992-2341.

Pictured are Douglas Murray, Ilia Svistun, Robert Raynor, and Braden Devlin from left to right. Photos courtesy of Clark College.

Great Weekend for Panther Athletics

Panther Wrestlers Compete Hard at State

Congratulations are in order for Erin Locke, Haven Camden and Stephen Camden.  They each competed Friday and Saturday at the State Mat Classic in Tacoma.  Haven and Stephen each finished 6th place.  Erin Locke finished in 7th place.
I was fortunate to watch each one of them wrestle on Friday and I was impressed with their effort, skills and determination.  All three represented the Washougal HS Community very well. We are extremely proud of them as well as the coaching staff. John Carver, Heather Carver, Rob Anderson and Mike Lawson did a tremendous job this year coaching a young squad.  Panther Wrestling is going to be strong next year because of the work done this season.

 Panther Basketball Continues to Roll!

The Panther Boys Basketball team continues to work hard and believe!  They beat an outstanding team from W.F. West on Saturday evening at Mark Morris.  It was again, a team effort with several Panthers contributing at crucial moments.
After losing their first game at districts to North Thurston, they have won two straight.  The Panthers are playing North Thurston once again Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm at the W.F. West High School gymnasium  The winner of the game will join the 16-team tournament and probably have a game either Friday or Saturday night.

If you are interested in reading The Columbian article about the game, click on the link below.
The Columbian Article

Watercare Industrial Services Student Achievement Highlight-February

     Joseph Elsensohn

If you are looking for a student with a positive attitude and a winning smile, you will find him in WHS senior Joseph Elsensohn.  This exceptional student is a super hard worker, one who is always there to help in any way needed.  A respectful young man, Joseph is also a talented musician, playing trumpet in the Wind Ensemble and Pep Band.  Because of his many fine qualities, other students gravitate to Joseph and he has a positive influence on all those around him.  This is a priceless ability that will serve Joseph well wherever life leads him. 

Congratulations! WHS has three more Washington Aerospace Scholars

Washington Aerospace Scholars  2011-12 Participant Update
	February  2012
We are pleased to announce that the following student(s) from The Washougal School District are currently participating in Phase One of the Washington Aerospace Scholars Program: Joshua Banks-  Washougal High School Jacob Bischoff-  Washougal High School Anna Kellogg-  Washougal High School The following teachers is currently participating in the WAS Program: Jason Blaesing- Washougal High School

Selected from 297 talented students from 110 different public, private and home-school organizations who applied to participate in WAS in November 2011, accepted students will spend the next five months competing academically for one of the 160 slots in a Summer Residency session held at The Museum of Flight in June and July of 2012. To qualify for the Summer Residency, students must satisfactorily complete ten online lessons, consisting of research essays, space-related math problems, and detailed graphics that illustrate their ideas.