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Students in TK engage in purposeful play in foreground while students listen to a book being read aloud in the background.
Students in TK engage in purposeful play in foreground while students listen to a book being read aloud in the background.
Early Learning Enrollment Now Open in Washougal School District for 2024-25 School Year (Photo) - 03/07/24

Washougal School District early learning program applications are open now for the 2024-25 school year. Families of children aged four or younger as of September 1, 2024 are invited to apply to Transition to Kindergarten, Developmental Preschool, the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP), or Birth to Three programs in Washougal School District. These programs are free to families and provide high-quality learning experiences that will prepare early learners for a great start to kindergarten.
 

Transition to Kindergarten (TK)

TK is a free kindergarten readiness program for four-year-old students. TK students attend five full days of learning per week beginning in September. The TK curriculum is built around purposeful play, active learning, and low student to staff ratios.  Students benefit from art, music, library, PE, and more in a fun, hands-on learning environment. This early learning opportunity is in high demand and seats are filling quickly. Families are encouraged to apply now for the 2024-25 school year. 

Transportation is provided for students outside of the walking boundary of their local school. Students can also participate in the school meal program as well as recess and other school opportunities. Programs are currently located at Hathaway, Cape Horn-Skye, and Columbia River Gorge elementary schools. Based on family interest in the program at every elementary school, the district is also hoping to add a TK classroom at Gause Elementary for the 2024-25 school year. Interested families can fill out an interest survey on the district’s website. 

 

Developmental Preschool

Washougal’s Developmental Preschool is a free early learning program for students with identified developmental delays. The program is for students who qualify for additional support in the areas of cognitive development, motor skills, social skills, behavior, speech, language, hearing, or vision needs. The program is tailored to the needs of each student, working with specialists and the students’ family to make decisions about ways to best serve the child. Transportation is provided for students in the developmental preschool. The Developmental Preschool program is located at Hathaway Elementary School.

The Developmental Preschool program supports students with a half day of learning, four days per week.  If you have concerns with your child’s development, sign up for a Child Find Screening appointment by calling 360-954-3831.

 

Birth to Three Program

Washougal School District partners with Educational Service District 112 to screen students aged three and younger to determine if they would benefit from additional support and services through the Birth to Three program. You can learn more about the program by visiting the ESD 112 webpage, which includes information about how to contact program staff and create a referral.

 

EOCF ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program) at Hathaway

Early Opportunities for Children & Families and Early Childhood Education Assistance Program The EOCF ECEAP Preschool program at Hathaway invests in young learners by providing a free comprehensive school day preschool model to eligible families serving three- and four-year-old students. The program operates from September to mid-June. Visit the EOCF page or call 360-567-2720 to learn more about these programs and how your child and family may qualify based on current enrollment factors.

CTE Culinary Arts Instructor Alexandra Yost (left), Drake Leifsen (middle) and Jackson Lockard (right) prepare the kabobs
CTE Culinary Arts Instructor Alexandra Yost (left), Drake Leifsen (middle) and Jackson Lockard (right) prepare the kabobs
Shoug Shack Serves Up Fresh Meals, Hands-On Learning at Washougal High School (Photo) - 03/05/24

On February 16, students at Washougal High School served up their first meals out of the Shoug Shack, the high school’s new student-run food truck. The school parking lot transformed into an active mobile learning lab for the first time since the food truck’s official ribbon cutting last school year. This milestone represents an innovative way for high school students to explore career options and gain job-readiness skills.

The Shoug Shack is a student-run project, from conceptualization of the food truck to menu development, meal preparation, customer service, and more. The experience equips students with experience in entrepreneurship and culinary arts. Career & Technical Education (CTE) classes like culinary arts combine academic, employability, leadership, and technical skills that help students achieve success in education and life. “I’m learning a lot about business and how much effort and planning goes into running a small business,” said Drake Leifsen, student in Advanced Culinary Arts at Washougal High School.

Culinary students at the high school prepared and served a menu of beef kabobs, vegetable kabobs and seasoned rice with apples and milk for the food truck’s inaugural lunch. The culinary arts department at Washougal High School plans to serve meals out of the food truck once a month this school year. “The food tasted really good,” said Dexter Baca, Washougal High School student. “I’m looking forward to them doing this more often.”
 

About CTE Programs at Washougal High School

Last year, Washougal High School students earned 827 job readiness certifications in CTE classes.  “CTE programs prepare students with tangible skills directly relevant to current industry standards,” said Margaret Rice, Director of Career & Technical Education at Washougal School District. “Job readiness certifications provide students with a competitive edge in today’s workforce.” 

CTE programs in Washougal schools provided more than 1,850 student work-based learning experiences last year.  These included service learning projects, industry experts as guest speakers, and industry tours, which help students explore career pathways as they prepare to enter the workforce. In 2023, Washougal High School had an 89% on-time graduation rate, the highest on record at the school.

Despite budgetary constraints, the district has been able to maintain important job readiness programs like the food truck project by leveraging state CTE funding, grants, and community partnerships. Organizations like Workforce SW provide funds that let the district provide excellent, innovative programs that build the skills students need to succeed in local jobs. Washougal School District is able to offer these high quality job-readiness programs thanks to strong local community support and targeted funding sources.

Students participate in the 2019 canvas painting activity hosted by The Paint Roller. This year, The Paint Roller will host a rock painting event.
Students participate in the 2019 canvas painting activity hosted by The Paint Roller. This year, The Paint Roller will host a rock painting event.
Washougal School District Celebrates Washougal Youth Arts Month (Photo) - 02/20/24

Washougal, WA – Washougal School District and Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance announce Youth Arts Month, an annual celebration of student creativity and innovation throughout March 2024. This month-long celebration includes over 10 different free, family-friendly events to showcase the talents and creativity of students across all Washougal schools. Washougal Youth Arts Month has been an annual tradition in Washougal since 2019. 

Washougal Youth Arts Month is a tradition that our students and community look forward to each year,” said Alice Yang, art teacher at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary and Canyon Creek Middle School. “It showcases the many talents of Washougal kids as they learn and grow.”

The community is invited to view a collection of student artwork at the Washougal Youth Arts Month Gallery at the Washougal Town Square on March 21 and 22 from 5-7 PM, and March 23 from 12-4 PM. The gallery includes multimedia, watercolor, clay, video, photography, metal and wood student-crafted pieces. This event, hosted by Washougal School District with generous support from the Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance, is free of charge.

"Art is good for kids so they can feel like they accomplished something," said Easton, student at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary School.

Musical performances are presented by Washougal School District students of all grade levels throughout the month of March. Visit the school district website for a full list of scheduled performances and art events throughout the month.

Families are also invited to participate in free community art events hosted by the Washougal Community Library and The Paint Roller this month. The Washougal Community Library offers Everyone’s An Artist programs, where families can explore new art forms and create a piece of take-home art, on March 6th and 20th at 4-5pm. Take-home art kits are also available to families during library open hours, while supplies last. The Paint Roller is hosting rock painting events on March 2, 9, and 16 at 1-3 pm at the Reflection Plaza. Rocks painted with The Paint Roller will be included in the Kids of Washougal Rock Garden downtown.

Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA) member Chuck Carpenter, who also serves on the Washougal School Board, said, “Washougal has become known for its support of the arts, and a real important part of that support is in fostering the abilities of our young people. This is why WACA, the City, and the schools work together on Youth Arts Month.” 

Visual and performing arts events like the student programs offered throughout Washougal Youth Arts Month are funded by the Washougal School Levy. The levy supports great opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop their talent, and share their passion with our community.