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May 1, 2018

Two students honored for achievements in technology

Pictured above from left: Skyview High School teacher Kim Hansen, students Ojasvi Kamboj and Annika Epperly and Associate Principal Jeremy Tortora

In February 2018, juniors Annika Epperly and Ojasvi Kamboj earned recognition from the Oregon and Southwest Washington regional affiliate of the National Center for Women and Information Technology. Epperly was named a 2018 regional winner of the Award for Aspirations in Computing. Kamboj earned a regional honorable mention.

More than 3,600 students applied for the award in 75 regions. Judges reviewed their interest and achievements in computing, leadership skills, academic records and college plans.

Read the rest of the story.

April 24 board work session

2018-19 preliminary budget recommendations

Superintendent Steve Webb prefaced a presentation on the 2018-19 preliminary budget recommendations at the April 24 school board work session. Nearly all the recommended staffing investments are classroom/school-based or additions for support services.

Said Dr. Webb, “At the March 13 school board work session, Chief Fiscal Officer Brett Blechschmidt presented the 2018-19 consensus budget.

“The budget adds approximately $21.2 million in additional revenue, but it also requires nearly $3.8 million in expenditure adjustments. These adjustments are related to staffing; retirement contributions; and materials, supplies and operational costs. The elimination of a one-time fund balance 'bridge' from the 2017-18 budget of $2.8 million leaves a total forecasted surplus of $14.6 million.

“As a reminder, $10 million of the surplus revenue will be offset by an equal reduction when the state fully executes the property tax levy swap, reducing the district’s local levy revenue in 2019-20.

“As the board is aware, the district will need to bargain the impacts of ESSB 6362, including a locally developed certificated instructional staff schedule and working conditions."

Pictured above from left: Becky Hilfiker, Emily Hart, Jesse Sawyer and Alice Winczer. Not pictured: Catlin Anderson.

Congratulations, April Excellence Awardees

The following employees were selected for the April 2018 Excellence Award recognition and were honored at the April 24 school board meeting:

Becky Hilfiker, teacher, Ogden Elementary
Emily Hart, HR specialist, human resources department
Jesse Sawyer, district resource officer, Discovery Middle School
Dr. Alice Winczer, teacher, Alki Middle School
Not pictured: Catlin Anderson, district resource officer, safety department/Columbia River High School

Board director Mark Stoker congratulated the April winners. "Each month we have the opportunity and privilege of hearing the stories of employees making a difference each day in the lives of our students. To be recognized by your peers for your daily contributions at work is something truly special," he said.

Learn more about the April Excellence Award recipients.

Pictured from left: Hudson's Bay students Jaalen Calhoun and Ulices Ortiz Soto

Design II Showcase: Programs of Choice

New course builds on career skills

The new Building Trades course at Hudson’s Bay High School increases opportunities for students in the Architecture, Construction and Environmental Services magnet. Hudson's Bay Principal Val Seeley and students Daniel Cantrell and Alyssa Andrews provided an overview of the course at the April 24 school board meeting.

More than 15,000 jobs are expected in our region in the next 10 years. The growth is expected to outpace that of many other industries.

Said Career and Technical Education Director Mark Wreath, "Students who complete this comprehensive program are going to graduate in the ACES magnet program in building trades with the opportunity to continue in a trades program, go straight to work or continue their post-secondary education plans."

Students in the class gain hands-on experience in several aspects of construction including blueprint reading, plumbing, framing, electrical and green construction. Partnerships with trade professionals provide valuable in-class demonstrations and construction-site visits.

"For the future, I plan on taking the next level of this class, but in the long run I hope to go to WSU Pullman and become a landscape architect," said sophomore Alyssa Andrews.

Learn more about the Building Trades course.

New turf fields coming to Columbia River, Fort Vancouver, Hudson’s Bay and Skyview high schools

As part of the district-wide improvements funded through a bond measure that local voters approved in February 2017, Vancouver Public Schools plans to install artificial turf fields at four of its high schools.

Columbia River, Fort Vancouver, Hudson’s Bay and Skyview high schools each will receive a multipurpose artificial turf field. The new fields will replace existing natural grass fields and will be used for football, soccer, lacrosse, physical education and additional sports. Fort Vancouver’s varsity softball field and Hudson’s Bay’s baseball infield also will receive artificial turf.

Read more about the athletic field projects.

Highlights from the board of directors:
Recap of the April 10 and April 24 meetings

Regular business of the school board

Directors approved the following regular business at the April 10 and April 24 meetings:

Restoration of pavement at Hudson's Bay and Skyview high schools and at Gaiser Middle School
Sports field improvements at Columbia River, Fort Vancouver, Hudson's Bay and Skyview high schools
Agreement with Bassetti Architects for architectural and engineering services for the addition of K-3 classrooms at Harney and Salmon Creek elementary schools
Purchase of 382 new Vicon security cameras
Purchase of Raptor Technologies visitor management and safety system for all schools
Purchase of new tower computer workstations to provide CTE and other educational programs with up-to-date technology
Purchase of new laptop computers to provide CTE and other programs with up-to-date industry-standard equipment

From the Foundation for VPS

Engagement grants add meaning to learning

Digital storytelling with animation, robotics equipment, a song-writing workshop, a trip to the Portland Art Museum and a student-led glass-fusing workshop are among the experiences granted to students through the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools' engagement grants.

“Each year, thanks to generous community contributors, the Foundation for VPS provides engagement grants so that thousands of students have the opportunity to explore learning through enriching activities,” explained Nada Wheelock, executive director of the Foundation for VPS. “This year, we are pleased to award more than $100,000 in grants to 62 different projects and programs at 33 schools, which will impact more than 16,000 students. To all of our donors, we want to say thank you for making such a huge difference in the lives of Vancouver children.”

Learn more about the Foundation's engagement grants.

Around the district

Featured tweet:

Gov. Inslee visits Fruit Valley

Today’s Washingtonian of the Day is Fruit Valley Elementary student Anaiyah Andre of Vancouver. She earned the honor by giving a clever response to this question I posed to her class: What does the Incredible Hulk eat for breakfast? Her answer? Incredible things, of course. pic.twitter.com/5x1QdsArNN
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) April 16, 2018

See #VPSAmazing tweets from our staff

Featured video:

iTech student develops paint for visually impaired students

A student from Vancouver iTech Preparatory created special paints for visually impaired students. The paint combines colors with textures and scents so the students can feel and smell the difference between the colors.

Did you know?

VPS is mobile

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Upcoming:

Dates to know

May 7 – One-hour early release

May 28 – Memorial Day, no student attendance

June 8 – Graduation, GATE program

June 11 – Graduation, Vancouver Flex Academy and Vancouver School of Arts and Academics

June 13 – Graduation, Fort Vancouver and Columbia River

June 14 – Graduation, Hudson's Bay and Skyview

June 15 – Graduation, Vancouver iTech Preparatory

June 15 – Two-hour early release

June 18 – Two-hour early release, last day of school

See more calendar dates

The calendar for the 2018-19 school year has been approved. Get the details.

Congratulations, retirees!

Wayne Benson, a teacher on leave, retired March 1 with 14.6 years of service.
Regina Blood, a painter in maintenance, retired April 30 with 28.5 years of service.
Nancy Boone, a teacher at Hudson's Bay High School, will retire June 18 with 20.7 years of service.
Beth Brisson, a teacher at Gaiser Middle School, will retire June 18 with 39 years of service.
Terri Clements, a teacher at Lieser School, will retire June 18 with 12.6 years of service.
Sandra Cook, a teacher at Franklin Elementary, will retire June 18 with 32.4 years of service.
Carol Donovan, secretary at King Elementary, will retire June 22 with 25 years of service.
Barbara Edwards, a school psychologist, will retire June 18 with 9.8 years of service.
Constance Fox, a paraeducator at Fruit Valley Community Learning Center, on June 18 with 12.8 years of service.
Jo Greco, secretary at Felida Elementary, will retire June 22 with 26 years of service.
Jenifer Hudson, a teacher at Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, will retire June 18 with 18.5 years of service.
Melinda Johnson, a teacher at Discovery Middle School, will retire June 18 with 18.4 years of service.
Cathy Kreger, a counselor on leave, will retire June 18 with 15.2 years of service.
Timothy McCuistion, a heavy equipment operator in maintenance, will retire Aug. 31 with 31.8 years of service.
Russell Menenberg, a paraeducator at Roosevelt Elementary, will retire June 18 with 11.8 years of service.
Jeannie Meyer, a counselor at Jefferson Middle School, will retire June 18 with 29 years of service.
Barbara Moore, a secretary at Columbia River, will retire Sept. 18 with 19 years of service.
Allison Oakes, a teacher at Ogden Elementary, will retire June 18 with 19.8 years of service.
Melinda Ottosen, a paraeducator at Walnut Grove Elementary, will retire June 18 with 23.4 years of service.
Victoria Peck, a paraeducator at Sacajawea Elementary, will retire June 18 with 13.8 years of service.
Tom Petersen, a teacher at Hudson’s Bay High School, will retire June 18 with 21 years of service.
Cynthia Shelton, a teacher at Eisenhower Elementary, will retire June 18 with 40.2 years of service.
Susan Stratton, a teacher at Gaiser Middle School, will retire June 18 with 20 years of service.
Alice Winczer, a teacher at Alki Middle School, will retire June 18 with 20 years of service.
Kelvin Wolther, crew leader at the warehouse, will retire July 31 with 46.4 years of service.

Listen to audio recordings of board meetings.

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Copyright © 2018 Vancouver Public Schools. All rights reserved.

Our address is:
2901 Falk Rd., Vancouver, WA 98661
P.O. Box 8937, Vancouver, WA 98668

Superintendent: Dr. Steve Webb
Board of Directors: Rosemary Fryer, Michelle Giovannozzi, Dale Q. Rice, Wendy Smith, Mark Stoker

Vancouver School District is an Equal Opportunity District in education programs, activities, services, and employment. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, age, families with children, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The district complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Older Worker Protection Act, and all other state, federal, and local equal opportunity laws. You may also contact any of the following people by writing to them at Vancouver School District, PO Box 8937, Vancouver, Washington 98668-8937 or by calling 360-313-1000: ADA–Kathy Everidge; Title VII, 504–Kym Tyelyn-Carlson; IDEA–Daniel Bettis; Affirmative Action–Kathy Everidge; Title IX Elementary–Debra Hale, Doug Hood; Title IX Secondary–Chris Olsen, Doug Hood; Athletic Equity–Albert Alcantar. This notification can be provided in the appropriate language for communities of national origin and minority persons with limited English language skills by contacting 360-313-1250.

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Vancouver Public Schools · 2901 Falk Road · Vancouver, Wa 98661 · USA