online here - Clarkston School District

1294 Chestnut, PO Box 70
Clarkston, WA 99403-0070
PH: 509.758.2531
www.csdk12.org
Resident
Clarkston, WA 99403
r
a
u
n
Ja
5
1
0
2
y
Growing the Community
C
larkston School District takes great
pride in its alumni who have gone on
to do great things after graduation.
Generations of Clarkston graduates
are finding success and improving
their communities.
One such
alumnus who is giving back to the
Lewis Clark Valley is 2005 Clarkston High School
graduate, Ms. Breanne Durham.
Serving as Executive Director of Beautiful
Downtown Lewiston, Breanne joined the non-profit
organization over four years ago. The mission
of Beautiful Downtown Lewiston is “to create
a vital, inviting downtown district in Lewiston
which promotes quality business, cultural and
community growth.”
As Executive Director,
Breanne collaborates with a thirteen-member
Board of Directors comprised of area business
owners and city officials who are all focused on
revitalizing the downtown atmosphere into a place
where community members of the Valley are eager
to shop, work, and grow.
To help achieve the mission and goals of Beautiful
Downtown Lewiston, Breanne’s role as Executive
Director is to support local businesses and to plan
quality community events with the aid of a network
of talented and dedicated volunteers. There really
is no such thing as a typical day in her work, which
may include anything from hosting an event, to
recruiting businesses or working on property
development projects. She recognizes now that the
area of community development is an interest that
was fostered throughout her schooling, especially
thanks to her classes and activities at Clarkston
High School.
During her education at CHS, Breanne became very
involved in FCCLA (Family, Career and Community
Leaders of America) and DECA. Both organizations
focus on preparing students to become
entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities.
These programs and their advisors, Lynn Carey
(DECA) and Debbie Romesburg (FCCLA), played a
(continued on P6)
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT 21
LEWISTON, ID
NON-PROFIT
CARRIER ROUTE SORT
ECRWSS
ALUMNI
(continued from cover)
lead role in shaping the direction Breanne took for
her career. The Associated Student Body (ASB) at
the high school, led by Kay Anderson, also shaped
Breanne into the leader she is today.
as Executive Director where she could do
something positive for the community – a
community which clearly extends beyond the
city of Lewiston in Breanne’s mind.
In addition to the quality programs available during
her high school years, Breanne is quick to point out
that she was fortunate to learn from outstanding
teachers throughout her entire schooling in
Clarkston. Directly impacting her work today, which
includes a great deal of writing and communication
work, are the numerous teachers who advanced
Breanne’s writing skills. In fact, Breanne can still
cite specific writing assignments from third grade
at Heights Elementary, all the way through her
Advanced Placement writing classes at CHS.
“Once you graduate from high school, there’s
no more Bantam vs. Bengals,” Breanne smiles.
Beautiful Downtown Lewiston is viewed by
many as the entire community’s downtown,
and city lines do not exist when it comes to
the non-profit organization. “We’re working
for the entire Valley because we know that a
revitalized downtown has a positive impact
on our entire community.”
Once you graduate
from high school,
there’s no more
Bantam vs. Bengals
“I
love
the
communication
aspect of my job,”
says
Breanne.
“It’s an amazing
opportunity to get to
interview downtown
business
owners
and tell their stories. These people are just so brave
and fascinating, and sharing their stories with the
public is very rewarding for me.”
The classes and activities in which Breanne was
involved during her K-12 education clearly shaped
her interests and provided her with the skills needed
to develop her current career. Following graduation
from CHS, Breanne attended Whitworth University
in Spokane, where she pursued journalism and
earned a Sociology degree in Peace Studies from
the Political Science department. She was pleased
to return to the Valley and accept the position
P2
As a CHS graduate now managing volunteers
living throughout the Valley, Breanne has
some advice for current students:
pay
attention in both English and math class!
“I’m a lot more likely to give responsibility to
an employee if I know I don’t have to worry
about his or her writing and math skills,”
says Breanne, who emphasizes that writing
skills are invaluable no matter what field one
chooses.
While her job often draws on her writing
skills and journalistic traits, Breanne points
out that she uses math in her job every
day as well. “If you’re ever in charge of an
organization or a business, you need to be
able to manage budgets, work with money,
and understand figures.”
Having a “go get ‘em attitude” is also a
great asset that should be encouraged in
all students, according to Breanne. Being a
clear communicator and having enthusiasm
for one’s job will make a candidate
stand out above the rest.
The skills and values fostered in
Breanne while attending Clarkston
schools helped to pave a pathway
into a successful career that is now
positively impacting the community
that raised her. Breanne’s parents,
Terry and Jan Durham, are both
educators who worked for Clarkston
and Lewiston schools for more than 20
years and instilled in Breanne a deep
regard for education. Additionally,
her Clarkston’s teachers, schools,
and mentors shaped Breanne into
the community-minded and driven
business woman she is today.
Ironically, the high school DECA
project Breanne hosted for two years
at CHS was the Entrepreneurship
Conference, which involves CHS
students working with 4th graders on
creating business plans.
“It’s a funny, full-circle sort of thing
that I ended up working with actual
small businesses after I left high
school,” she says.
“It’s definitely
become a passion of mine, and I’m
just so honored to have grown up in
such a supportive community.”
Important Dates & Reminders
JANUARY
DATE
Jan. 12
Jan. 14
Jan. 16
Jan. 16
Jan. 19
Jan. 20-21
Jan. 21
Jan. 21
Jan. 22
Jan. 22
Jan. 26
EVENT
School Board Study Session 5:30PM,
Board Meeting 6:30PM
First Financial Aid/FAFSA meeting
for students and parents, 7 PM in the
CHS Library
4th, 5th, and 6th grade Spelling Bee,
12:30 PM
Spelling Bee, 2:00 PM in the Highland
Library
NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day observed
Grinovations Dental Van visits
Second Financial Aid/FAFSA meeting,
6PM at WWCC Auditorium
Grinovations Dental Van visits
Grinovations Dental Van visits
3rd/4th Grade Music Concert,
9:30 AM rehearsal / 7:00 PM concert
at CHS
School Board Meeting 6:30PM
SCHOOL
District-Wide
Clarkston High School
Heights Elementary
Highland Elementary
District-Wide
Grantham Elementary
Clarkston High School
Parkway Elementary
Heights Elementary
Parkway Elementary
District-Wide
FEBRUARY
Feb. 6
Feb. 7
Feb. 9
Feb. 16
Feb.19
Feb.19-20
Feb. 23
Feb. 24
Highlight an Alumni
Online registration guide for the
2015-2016 year available
Applebees 5th Grade Boat Trip Fund
Raising Breakfast @ Applebees/8:00
– 10:00 am – cost $10.00 per person
School Board Study Session 5:30PM,
Board Meeting 6:30PM
NO SCHOOL, President’s Day
observed
Online registration opens at Noon for
2015-2016 classes
Student-led Conferences. Early
release at 11:40 AM.
School Board Meeting 6:30PM
Jazz in the Schools, 10:00 AM
Clarkston High School
Grantham Elementary
District-Wide
District-Wide
Clarkston High School
Clarkston High School
and Lincoln Middle
School
District-Wide
Parkway Elementary
(continued on P6)
Do you know a Clarkston graduate who is doing great things? We’d love to feature him/her in our next newsletter. Contact
Communications Director Molly Curtiss at [email protected] or 509.544.5787 for more information.
P3
(continued from P3)
Important Dates & Reminders
MARCH
Mar. 2
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, Read Across
America
Mar. 3
District Bus Tour visits Grantham &
Heights Elementary Schools, 9:30AM12:00 PM
Mar. 3
Fire Prevention Show, 9:00 AM in the
Highland Gym
Mar. 4
Group and Spring Individual Picture
Day
Mar. 5
Dr. Seuss Book Fair/Spaghetti Feed 5:30-7:30 PM
Mar. 9
School Board Study Session 5:30PM,
Board Meeting 6:30PM
Mar. 18-20 Parent Conferences. Early release at
Noon each day.
Mar. 23
School Board Meeting 6:30PM
Mar. 26
Spring Band Concert, 9:30 AM
rehearsal / 7:00 PM concert at CHS
Mar. 28
State Archery Tournament in
Ellensburg, WA
Mar. 30NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
Apr. 3
All Elementary Schools
Grantham Elementary
and Heights Elementary
Highland Elementary
Grantham Elementary
Grantham Elementary
District-Wide
All Elementary Schools
District-Wide
Parkway Elementary
Participating schools
District-Wide
APRIL
Apr.8-May
1
Apr. 9
Apr. 13
Apr. 24
Apr. 27
Apr. 30
P4
Kindergarten Registration, 9:00
AM to 3:00 PM. Register at the
Elementary School your child will be
attending in the fall.
Classroom Pictures
School Board Study Session 5:30PM,
Board Meeting 6:30PM
NO SCHOOL, Asotin County Fair
School Board Meeting 6:30PM
Kindergarten Music Program, 9:30
AM rehearsal / 7:00 PM concert at
CHS
All Elementary Schools
Parkway Elementary
District-Wide
District-Wide
District-Wide
Parkway Elementary
A Message from the Clarkston
Education Foundation
The Clarkston Education Foundation is very
pleased to award the following Mini-Grants
to these most deserving educators and their
students:
2014 Clarkston Education Foundation MiniGrants - $3500.00 Total
 $621.65 to Brian Frazier at Clarkston High
School for 3-D Printer – Shared Grant Funding
with Setlow Science Mini Grant
 $399.95 to Judi Akers at Parkway
Elementary for 50 User Licenses for Zoombinis
Math Program – All Grades
 $468.00 to Gordon Glenn at Clarkston High
School for Six TI-Smartview Emulator Software
Downloads – 9th-12th Grade
 $587.67 to Celia Piper at Parkway
Elementary for Classroom set of Magic
Treehouse Books – 3rd-6th Grade
 $300.00 to Liane Hill at Lincoln Middle
School for Classroom Set of Dictionaries – 7th8th Grade
 $945.00 to Veronica Lyon at Lincoln Middle
School for ALEKS Math Program – 7th-8th Grade
 413.00 to April Lockard at Grantham
Elementary for Enhancement Materials for
Social Skills Curriculum – Pre-School
2014 Setlow Science Mini-Grants $2578.35 Total
 $578.35 to Brian Frazier at Clarkston High
School for 3-D Printer – Shared Grant Funding
with CEF Mini Grant
 $1000.00 to Luann Nedrow at Grantham
Elementary for Materials to aid in EUCAPS
Science Curriculum – 2nd-3rd Grade
 $1000.00 to Tami Heath at Grantham,
David Howard at Heights, Tim Weber at
Highland and Marney Bolen at Parkway
for Materials to Create a “Science Quest”
competition and contest between the four
elementary schools.
Spring Assessments and
Testing
Though the temperatures are low, it’s hard to imagine
that spring is not too far away and with it comes the many
spring assessments for our schools and students. For
Clarkston School District, in each school, at each grade
level, and in each subject, focus on assessment can look
different. Regardless of the grade or subject, teachers
prepare for the tests through curriculum planning and
the improvement of instructional strategies in order
to ensure that each student is receiving the tools and
skills needed to learn and succeed.
How can I help my child prepare?
The following are some helpful tips that EVERY family
can provide its child(ren):
 Make sure your child has a full, healthy
breakfast the day of the exam.
 Assure that your child gets a full night’s
sleep.
 Check your child’s daily planner and
discuss the day’s assignments/activities.
 Provide a consistent study period each day
without distractions.
 Expect your child to read 20 minutes each
night.
 Limit TV and video games.
 Communicate with your child’s school
about any questions or concerns.
The test dates and schedules vary at each school and
grade level, so please make sure to contact individual
school offices for testing dates and times.
Social Media In Our Schools
S
chools serve a wide and varied demographic of audiences. While
many may assume a school system’s target audience begins and
ends with students and their families, the reach is much more
extensive. Community members (both with and without children
in school), business owners, media outlets, legislators – the list
goes on. So how do schools remain connected to this myriad of
audiences? The answer lies
in effectively utilizing the corresponding
myriad of communication platforms to
deliver timely and relevant messages.
An increasingly popular communication
vehicle that is being embraced by more
and more schools and public agencies is social media. Over the past five years,
the number of schools in our state using social media has grown exponentially.
“We are always looking for ways to communicate in the most effective manner
with our families,” says Highland Elementary Principal, Angela Baldus. Her
school is just one in the Clarkston School District utilizing the social media
platform.
(continued on P6)
P5
SOCIAL MEDIA
(continued from P4)
“Facebook provides an avenue to not only reach our families but the
larger community. In a matter of minutes, one post will be seen by
upwards of 250 people, and we are in the early stages of acquiring
‘likes’ to our school page.”
While printed communication such as newsletters and mailings are still
very much utilized (this edition serving as case in point), many schools
are embracing the shifting tide toward digital communication. In the
Clarkston School District, four of the six schools, along with the district
office, have developed Facebook pages in an effort to enhance two-way
communication with our many audiences.
Clarkston High School, Heights Elementary, Highland Elementary,
Lincoln Middle School, and Clarkston School District each have a
separate Facebook page. A major thought behind using social media
platforms like Facebook is: Meet the people where they already are.
According to a new report recently released from the Business Insider,
71% of Internet users report having a Facebook account (Guimarães).
Breaking down the age groups demographically, the report indicates
the following percentage of adults with Facebook accounts: 84% of 1829 year olds; 79% of 30-49 year olds; 60% of 50-64 year olds; and 45%
in the 65 and older demographic. With statistics pointing to numbers
this high, many school administrators agree that it only makes sense
to take advantage of a communication platform used daily by so many.
“Social Media is another great platform we can use to talk to our
community and help us meet our goal of transparent communication
about what is going on in the Clarkston School District,” says
Superintendent Tim Winter.
Individuals have unique preferences on how they prefer to send and
receive communication, and these preferences are ever changing. While
some may prefer to receive postcards at their home mailing address
reminding them of an upcoming appointment, others may opt to have
text messages sent to their cell phone with the same reminder. One
parent may find that receiving email messages is the most effective
way of staying on top of so many “to-do” items, while his next-door
neighbor’s email inbox is so inundated that it will take weeks before
that same email message gets read. At the elementary school age, it is
much more feasible for a parent to check his or her student’s backpack
and school folder each evening for important updates and reminders
from the teacher and school. This becomes more difficult as children
mature; therefore, receiving information and staying on top of school
P6
trict
s
i
D
l
D
tonS
choo
s
S
k
n
r
la
ksto
m/C
o
Clar
c
.
book
e
c
a
f
.
y
pack
www
ntar
d
e
n
a
m
l
d Ele
high
/
n
a
m
l
o
c
High
ook.
b
e
c
.fa
s
awk
www
h
s
t
h
y
ntar
heig
e
/
m
m
e
o
l
c
hts E cebook.
g
i
e
H
.fa
www
ston
hool
k
c
r
S
a
l
iddle m/LMSc
M
n
l
o
o
ok.c
Linc
o
b
e
gh
ams
.fac
t
n Hi
w
n
o
a
t
w
s
b
w
k
/chs
Clar
m
o
c
.
book
e
c
a
.f
www
news at the touch of a button on a computer or smart phone
helps families and communities stay one step closer to what is
happening in their schools and in their children’s lives.
For those wishing to learn more about the methods of
communication used by the Clarkston School District or any
of its schools, please contact the District Communications
Department at 509.544.5787, or feel free to contact any of our
school offices.
Reference:
Guimarães, Thiago. “REVEALED: The Demographic Trends For
Every Social Network.” The Business Insider (12 Dec.
2014) <www.businessinsider.com>.
We’re just about half-way through the school year, and Clarkston’s students, staff, and families have been up to some great things! Check
out just a few of the highlights below:
PHOTOS:
1. Clarkston High School’s boys’ basketball team continues to hold on to the top ranking in Washington State. They are USA Today’s top
ranked Washington 2A team. 2. Community members attended the first District Bus Tour of the year in September 2014. This tour featured
Highland Elementary and Clarkston High School. 3. A local volunteer helps out in the Highland Elementary school. We sure appreciate,
Ada! 4. Lincoln Middle School students pledge to be Drug Free during DECA’s Red Ribbon Week in October. 5. Heights Elementary students
perform at one of the many winter music concerts that filled out community with the sound of music this winter.
1.
2.
4.
3.
5.
P7
What’s Inside:
P8
Cover
CHS Alumni Highlight:
Breanne Durham
P3-4
Important Upcoming
Events In Our Schools
P5
More Clarkston Schools
Use Facebook to Reach
Out
P7
2014 Photo Highlights
NONDISCRIMINATION: The Clarkston School District
does not discriminate in any programs or activities
on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color,
national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual
orientation, gender expression or identity, disability,
or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal
and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other
designated youth groups. The following employee has
been designated to handle questions and complaints
of alleged discrimination: Title IX Coordinator, Roger
Trail, Executive Director of Human Resources, 1294
Chestnut, Clarkston, WA 99403 (509)758-2531 trailr@
csdk12.org; Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Rebecca
Lockhart, 1294 Chestnut, Clarkston, WA 99403, (509)
758-2531, [email protected].

Download Report