Washougal Sch. Dist.
Emergency Messages as of 5:58 pm, Thu. Mar. 28
No information currently posted.
News Releases
An example of student artwork created in craft club, which will be transformed into a custom sticker.
An example of student artwork created in craft club, which will be transformed into a custom sticker.
Craft Club at Washougal High School Bridges Generations Through Art (Photo) - 03/26/24

Washougal, Wash - Washougal High School (WHS) students come together every other week at the after-school craft club, a unique space where students share their passions and learn new skills. Community volunteers and school staff teach crafting skills like knitting, cross-stitching, crocheting, sketching and more to high school participants at each meeting. This January, volunteers with the East County Citizens Alliance (ECCA) facilitated knitting lessons for the teen craft club.

“I love knitting with a group of people, no matter what age,” said Annie Soutter, East County Citizens Alliance (ECCA) volunteer. Soutter mentored craft club members learning to knit this winter. “Getting to have teenagers in the group is not so common, and it just feels really special to have their unbridled energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. It’s really important to create these kinds of multi-generational groups.”

WHS School Counselor Lexie Groves and Associate Principal Mary Andreotti started the club earlier this school year. Each time the club meets, students engage in creative projects and build community. “[Craft club] has really become my favorite part of the month to plan. Getting to invest and spend time with our students while relaxing and creating new projects is both fun and rewarding,” said Groves. 

“The mentors were really nice and understanding. They helped us walk through the steps and gave both positive and constructive feedback. The mentors could recognize when the project wasn’t going quite right and provide help,” said Riley, a WHS student and Craft Club participant. Evey, Washougal High School student and a member of the craft club, echoed the same sentiments.

Students take a leadership role by brainstorming topics for future months like creating slime and clay modeling. Students also promote the club to their peers, including managing the club’s social media channel. “We have really built a community, and continue to see new faces all the time,” said Groves. 

“I love watching the students’ intense focus and determination when they are working really hard to learn something. And then, seeing that sparkle of accomplishment in their eyes when it all clicks - it’s just really special. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside every time,” said Soutter.

Crafting can bring people of all different ages, personalities, levels of experience, and perspectives into the room. The craft club at Washougal High School promotes intergenerational community building by creating opportunities for students to build strong relationships and a passion for learning alongside adult community volunteers.

“Craft club offers a variety of healthy coping skills through crafting to deal with the stress and challenges in teens’ lives. Beyond the crafts, this club also gives students a space to build healthy relationships with each other and staff,” said Groves.  

Riley said her “favorite part is being in a safe and lively place... that students create.”

Volunteers help make great things happen in the craft club and across all Washougal schools. Community members interested in volunteering with the craft club should contact Lexie Groves at lexie.groves@washougalsd.org. For more information about volunteering in Washougal School District, visit the district volunteer page. 

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.