Students Work Together To Bring Art To Life (Photo) -05/13/25

It’s not every day that a Kindergartener gets to see their art brought to life, but that’s what happened at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary this month!  Students in Mrs. Alice Yang’s art classes at Cape created “monsters” in their art class.  These drawings were brought to life by Yang’s Canyon Creek Middle School Art students!  

 

Yang first worked on the art project with the younger set of students, with some drawing inspiration from books, games or movies.  Others let their imaginations run wild as they created artwork that depicted a monster they wanted to see made into a tangible stuffed animal. 

 

Yang said, “I was so happy to see how hard the middle schoolers worked because they didn’t want to disappoint the younger students!  It really brought to light the strong sense of community we have at Cape and Canyon.  The student engagement was incredible.  I had several students sew more than one project and ask to work on them at home as well.”  

 

The middle school students worked with Yang, who ordered fabric in a number of different colors, learning sewing techniques and strategies for creating the complex designs the younger students imagined.  

 

CCMS Student Hayley Lomax said that in the art she created, “it was a little challenging to figure out how to make the head stand up, so it is a little floppy.” 

 

Yang added that, “Something about the real world application of the sewing / crafting - challenge to put skills together to make the art work as a project.” She added, “I love that our middle schoolers are not only connecting with the little artists, but they are also learning how to sew, which is such an important skill. There were several drawings that were challenging to interpret with felt and thread, but the students’ creativity and problem-solving skills shone through.”

 

Lomax said that “it was cool to create art for someone else; you don’t normally get to see the enjoyment someone else receives when they see or experience art!”

 

The younger students were amazed by the work the middle school students had done, and were presented both with their artwork that was the inspiration for the stuffed animal, and the new monster that was created just for them.  

 

Cape Horn-Skye Principal Brook Henley said,  “Our students have such a special opportunity to learn on a Transition to Kindergarten  to 8th grade campus.  The staff’s commitment to ensuring our students are role models to one another is phenomenal.  Mrs. Yang’s project is a wonderful example of utilizing our unique school setup for developing lifelong skills, community mentorship, and memories.”

 

Visual arts classes and projects like this one 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. 

Washougal School Board Member Chuck Carpenter To Resign June 30, 2025 (Photo) -04/28/25

The Washougal School Board announces the resignation of Board member Chuck Carpenter, effective June 30, 2025.  Carpenter has served on the school board since September 2020, representing district 5.

 

Carpenter said “As I look back, being a daily volunteer in our schools and having the opportunity to visit each of our schools every year has given me insight into the lives of students that has been invaluable to me as a school board member. I have been particularly impressed by the respect and courtesy shown by our students toward visitors – and each other. We have great kids and great schools!” 

 

Chuck brought extensive experience in education to his role, having served as a teacher, principal, human resources director, and superintendent. He drew on this background to thoughtfully guide his oversight of the district and support sound decision-making.

His passion for public education and unwavering support for our schools, staff, and students have been evident throughout his tenure. His experience, insight, and steadfast commitment to doing what’s best for our community have been invaluable.

 

Superintendent Aaron Hansen noted that Carpenter’s service to the community began before his service to the board. “Chuck has been an active and engaged community member, serving on boards and commissions, running community events, and volunteering in our schools for years, especially with youth serving organizations and in support of the arts in Washougal.”

 

After spending many hours in each school during board site visits and as a volunteer, Carpenter added, “...I have a renewed respect for the good work that is being done by students and staff every day.”

 

Board President Sadie McKenzie said, “Chuck will be deeply missed, and the board is sincerely grateful for the positive and lasting impact he has made.”

 

The Washougal School Board of Directors will follow their policy to fill the vacancy, and details about the process will be posted to the website and shared with the community once they are ready. 

Rotary Donation Brings Nature To The Classroom (Photo) -04/21/25

Reading under a canopy of trees is now a possibility for students at Hathaway Elementary School thanks to generous support from the Camas-Washougal Rotary. 

 

The Camas-Washougal Rotary donated $2,875 to create a “Nature in the Classroom” scene in the Hathaway school library. Hathway third grader Kinzlee Kalian said, “The display is really nice, it's very relaxing when we look up, and it makes me really calm.” Barb Crozier, a long-time Rotarian, volunteer, and Washougal resident, spearheaded this thoughtful initiative. Her inquiry to Hathaway Elementary School Principal Wendy Morrill was met with an enthusiastic “yes,” and the project quickly moved forward. 

 

A student survey conducted by Morrill asked which tree scene would be most desired, and the students overwhelmingly selected the majestic MacDonald Oak tree. Kalian added that, “it was really neat for students to be asked, and that the school wanted to know what students thought about the different choices for the ceiling."

 

This special nature scene was made possible through the Camas-Washougal Rotary’s financial support and was installed by the Washougal School District’s maintenance team. The location of the tree mural in the library ensures that all students and staff who visit the space each week will benefit from the calming effects of nature.

 

Research supports the idea behind the project, as studies have shown that exposure to nature—whether through direct views of the outdoors or immersive natural imagery—can improve attention, focus, creativity, and emotional well-being. The installation reflects the district’s commitment to providing students with an enriching environment that promotes both academic and emotional growth.

 

“This donation highlights the positive impact that strong community partnerships can have on our students’ learning experiences,” said Aaron Hansen, Superintendent of Washougal School District. “We are incredibly grateful to the Camas-Washougal Rotary for their continued dedication to supporting our schools and the district.”

 

The Camas-Washougal Rotary has long been a valued partner in the district, making countless contributions that support both students and staff. This donation, which enhances the learning environment at Hathaway Elementary, is just one of many ways the Rotary continues to make a difference in the community.

 

"We are so pleased to support this wonderful project that will bring a little bit of nature into Hathaway Elementary’s library," said Ernesto Rodriguez, Rotary member and community advocate. "We believe this will not only brighten the space but also contribute to the well-being of students for years to come."

 

For more information about the Camas-Washougal Rotary and their community initiatives, visit https://www.cwrotary.com/.  Further information about classroom tree ceilings can be found at https://www.natureintheclassroom.org.