Updated 1/16/2012: Will it snow in Clark County? And, if it does, many residents, both young and not so young, wanna know, “Is school going to be closed or delayed?”

“The decision to close schools or delay opening them is not taken lightly. The priority is always the safety of students and staff.” Transportation crews begin driving routes as early as 3 am on days of inclement weather; and that information, along with advice from a meteorologist are all taken into consideration for delays or closures. Also keep in mind, road conditions and terrain can vary greatly across Clark County, and even within the same school district.

To stay up to date on what Emergency Notifications are going on in your school district, the list below includes the school districts within Clark County Washington with the link to their Emergency Notification system. You can also sign up to receive instant notification by text message, email, or Twitter alert.

Battle Ground School District
Camas School District
ESD 112
Evergreen School District
Green Mountain School District
Hockinson School District
LaCenter School District
Ridgefield School District
SW Washington Child Care
Vancouver School District
WA School for the Blind
WA School for the Deaf
Washougal School District

*Originally published November 21, 2010.

The Clark County Skills Center Automotive Technology Class is in the running to win $25,000 towards a shop overhaul; they’ve already done all the work, you just need to “LIKE” it. Voting opened today (January 11, 2012) and ends Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11 am.

Here’s how we (and that includes you) can help: Log in to Facebook, go to the UTI Foundation Facebook page and “Like” it, click the “Auto Shop Video” tab on the left, then “VOTE” for the “CCSC Auto Submission”.  Voting so easy a caveman can do it (watch the video, you’ll understand ) And, hey, while you’re on Facebook, be sure to visit us, Clark County Live!

The guys from the Clark County Skills Center Automotive Technology class put together a funny video for their entry; they wrote, filmed and edited their video in just two days to meet the December 9th deadline; and are now one of the top eight finalists in the nation for a grand prize $25,000 from the Universal Technical Institute (UTI). “The mission of UTI Foundation is to support and encourage technical education for the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, NASCAR and other transportation industries through scholarships, grants, career development and other special programs.”

“The Clark County Skills Center began in 1983 as a cooperative educational venture between eight Southwest Washington School Districts. The vision of those districts was to create a school, in partnership with business, “to prepare students for the work force” by offering students the opportunity to be trained in technical career areas too expensive for a single district to fund.”

To find out more about the opportunities available at the Skills Center, visit the Clark County Skills Center, the Clark County Skills Center Foundation, or take a real life VIP Tour (call Jan Stickland at 360-604-1050 x2151) and see that “Excellence, innovation, and a passionate spirit define the Clark County Skills Center.”

*Special thanks to Tamy Hicks for the tip! If you have an event you would like to share, please let us know!

The Goddard School, located at 13201 NE 27th Avenue in the Salmon Creek area of Vancouver, is scheduled to open summer 2012; offering early childhood education, and childcare, for children ages six weeks to six years old.

“The new state-of-the-art 8,000 square foot building is conveniently situated between Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital and Washington State University Vancouver, near the junctions of both Interstate 5 and Interstate 205; it has been designed to accommodate approximately 130 children from six weeks to six years old. The new school will offer flexible schedules for children Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Goddard School offers a year-round program where children are encouraged to develop at their own pace in a warm environment supported by a team of dedicated teachers. The Goddard School FLEX™ Learning Program is based on a unique learning continuum that encompasses developmental guidelines, formative assessments and child-focused lesson plans that are delivered in a creative and fun environment with a child-centered approach to meet each child’s individual needs.”

Michelle Solari, owner of the Goddard School in Salmon Creek, says the school will provide the community with approximately 25 new job opportunities for full- and part-time faculty members. “I am eager to welcome children into this nurturing environment with dedicated professional teachers,” says Michelle. “Along with our core curriculum, we include several enrichment programs such as foreign language and yoga which are specifically designed to encourage children’s lifelong love of learning.”

For an opportunity to meet the School owner and learn more about The Goddard School program, all are invited to visit The Goddard School table at the MOMS Club Preschool Fair on Saturday, January 21st, from 11am to 3pm at the Vancouver Community Library (901 C Street, Vancouver).

For more information call Michelle at 360-573-2466.

Some parents like them. Some parents hate them. Most kids love them! We’re talking about the two hour late start Mondays that take place about once each month in the Vancouver School District. So, what do teacher’s do on late start days? (Hint: They don’t get to start late.)

They work together in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to improve student learning. PLCs began in Vancouver Public Schools in 2009. Research shows significant learning gains may be achieved when time is provided for educators to work together to discuss lesson planning, assessments of students, and interventions or enrichment of lessons.

Professional Learning Communities support the district’s Design II Strategic Plan. Educators participating in PLCs routinely focus on four essential questions:
• What do we expect students to learn?
• How will we know when they have learned it?
• How will we respond when they don’t learn?
• How will we respond when they already know it?

Already the results of PLCs are positive, “We have had much success with our concentrated focus on math data. This has allowed our teachers to better meet the needs of our students. Our test scores and student learning have increased in amazing ways,” wrote one Vancouver teacher.

The following dates are two hour late start dates for the Vancouver School District 2011-2012: September 19, October 24, November 14, January 9, February 27, March 12, April 16, and May 21.

New tools are changing the way teachers teach and students learn. Students are more motivated, more involved in their learning, and they’re gaining the skills they’ll need for the future. You are invited to the weLearn Technology Showcase 2011 presented by the Vancouver School District on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at Skyview High School (1300 NE 139th St) in Salmon Creek; admission is free.

“Learning is changing in Vancouver schools, for the better. New tools and resources allow teachers to enhance their lessons. Opportunities are unfolding, and limitations are disappearing. “Down time” is being replaced with engaging activities, giving students more time to hone their skills and build confidence. With the right tools and infrastructure, learning can take place anytime, anywhere.

“Technology is integral to our work, our lives, and education. Students must develop skills, learn to think critically, and discover new ways to seek answers. In their careers, they will need to find solutions and adapt to tools that have yet to be developed. We need to prepare them now for their future.” ~ Steve Webb, Superintendent, Vancouver Public Schools

This is your opportunity to see how teachers and students are using technology for learning. Tour the exhibits, view demonstrations, and try out new technology tools.” For more information, please visit the Vancouver School District page, or call 360-313-1000.

This post: “weLearn Technology Showcase 2011″ was originally featured at Salmon Creek Live!
For more detailed neighborhood coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events in your Salmon Creek neighborhood, please visit Salmon Creek Live!

The Pleasant Valley PTA, which presides over both the middle and primary schools, is organizing their 3rd Annual Family Fun and Fitness 3K Walk and Wellness Fair which will take place Saturday, June 4, 2011 at the beautiful Washington State University Vancouver Campus.

The event will begin at 10 am with walk registration and vendor booth viewing, performances by Pleasant Valley’s own Unicycle Team (which will also be leading off the walk) and a Zumba warm-up. The 3k walk begins at 11:15, followed by prizes, face painting, Groove Nation dance performance, and more.

The Pleasant Valley PTA is sponsoring this event to bring about awareness of the ever increasing problem of obesity affecting our nation’s children, and to encourage fun and healthy habits that start with something as simple as walking.  It also helps support our local businesses who are Wellness Fair Participants, and the event proceeds will go to help support the  SHARE program that helps to feed many of our less fortunate Pleasant Valley families and to help with grants for educational programs.

“Walk for Fun. Walk for Life.”

This post: “Pleasant Valley PTA 3K Walk and Wellness Fair” was originally featured at Salmon Creek Live!

For more detailed neighborhood coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events in your Salmon Creek neighborhood, please visit Salmon Creek Live!

This Friday, March 4, 2011, is the First Friday of the month! Camas First Friday Event will feature local Camas Middle School and High School students in the second annual Arts & Letters showcase, which was a huge hit last year for the locals. Visitors will be able to vote on their favorite works of art and the artist will win a prize.

Some other activities will include local authors doing readings and book signings at Journey Church starting at 6 pm and a local historian, Virginia Warren, with a look at Camas History at the Camas Hotel.

Hours for first Friday are always 5-8 pm; local merchants keep their doors open late and welcome visitors with special offers and showcases of the themed art. Participating merchants include 360 Threads & 360 Boards – Local Author; Alida Art Gallery- Local Author; Bloom Organic Body – Student Art; Caffe Piccolo – Student Art & Local Author; Camas Antiques- Student Art & Local Author; Camas Hotel- Virginia Warren/Camas History; Déjà Vu Camas(window on 4th)- Student Art; El Rancho Viejo- Student Art; Journey Community Church-Local Authors; Lily Atilier- Local Author; Lizzabeth A- Student Art & Local Author; Mesa- Student Art; Navidi’s Olive Oils & Vinegar- Student Art & Local Author; and The Uncommon Gift- Student Art & Local Author.

For more information visit Downtown Camas Association or call 360-561-0600. Downtown Camas Association is a non-profit organization that promotes the revitalization of the City of Camas.

Annette Yonemoto at Lake Shore Elementary School has been collecting tabs for about two and a half years, and now has about 377,331 (+ or -)! The tabs that Annette has been collecting are the tabs like on pop cans, but the tabs also come in different shapes and sizes and are found on many types of cans; beverage cans, soup cans, pet food cans, etc… If you pop it open with a tab, she is collecting it!

Her goal is to reach ONE MILLION!

Have you ever wondered what a million (1,000,000) of something looks like? Well, Annette did, and she chose tabs because it was “something everyone could get involved in.” The students and staff at Lake Shore Elementary School have a friendly classroom “challenge” going on to see which class can bring in the most tabs. (Mrs. Woodruff’s 3rd Grade Class is in the lead.) There are also a few collection jars around the neighborhood; if you know someone who wants to join in the fun, there are plenty of collection jars to go around. Just email Annette at adyonemoto@gmail.com, or leave a comment on this post.

What will she do with 1,000,000 tabs? “Once we receive a million tabs, they will be donated to The Ronald McDonald House. The tabs are a higher quality aluminum than the cans. The Ronald McDonald House will cash the tabs in for recycling.” Since 1987, the Pop Tab Program has raised nearly $1 Million for the Ronald McDonald House.

Did you know:
1 tab = 1 inch
63,360 tabs = 1 mile
1,267 tabs = 1 pound
1,000,000 tabs = 730 pounds
730 pounds = $511

So keep collecting the tabs and bring them in to Lake Shore Elementary School. We’ll let you know when they reach a million!

This post: “Lake Shore School Picking Up the Tab” was originally featured at Hazel Dell Live!

For more detailed neighborhood coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events in your Hazel Dell neighborhood, please visit Hazel Dell Live!

Is your child ready for kindergarten? Come learn about Kindergarten Readiness Skills at Salmon Creek Elementary on February 24, 2011 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

Kids ages 3-5 are invited to Salmon Creek School, with their parents  , to enjoy activities you and your child can do together to help prepare him/her for Kindergarten. There will even be fun handouts to take home. Please feel free to invite friends and neighbors who also have preschool children who might be attending school at Salmon Creek in the future.

Early childhood education is an essential foundation for readiness and success in school. Parents and other family members can support their preschoolers by working with them at home.

Monthly family packets, available from the Vancouver School District website, are full of fun, hands-on activities for math, science and art. They include:  a calendar of activities to build skills in math, language, science, fine motor, problem solving, social studies, safety, and cooking; a journal for drawing pictures and writing letters and numbers; a book that children can cut out, color and assemble; and suggestions of books to read with your child.

This post: “Getting Ready for Kindergarten at Salmon Creek Elementary” was originally featured at Salmon Creek Live! For more detailed neighborhood coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events in your Salmon Creek neighborhood, please visit Salmon Creek Live!

The Skyview High School Choirs and Orchestra will be presenting their Storm Forecast Concert on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 7 pm, at the Skyview High School Auditorium (1300 NW 139th St, Salmon Creek).

The concert is free and open to the public and will feature music they have prepared for the competitive season.

This year, in conjunction with the concert, will be Skyview’s Art Walk from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Skyview Commons. Come see the talented young artists we have here in Salmon Creek, and maybe even buy a piece to take home!

This post: “Storm Forecast Concert and Art Walk in Salmon Creek” was originally featured at Salmon Creek Live!

For more detailed neighborhood coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events in your Salmon Creek neighborhood, please visit Salmon Creek Live!