Schedule Changes for 2011-12

The Camas School District staff and administration have developed a modified school schedule which will begin this fall. Camas High School, Liberty Middle School and Skyridge Middle School will all begin and end the school day 15 minutes later than in previous years. The Hayes Freedom High School schedule has been adjusted as well.

This change will benefit both secondary and elementary students. For elementary students, the actual start and end times will remain the same which is 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The change for elementary students will occur in the morning bus drop-off time. In the past, elementary students who rode a bus to school would typically arrive thirty minutes before the school day began. Although students were supervised by adults during that period, thirty minutes is a lengthy amount of unstructured time before school. Beginning this school year, buses will drop elementary students off at 8:45 AM. Parents of elementary students are also welcome to drop their kids off at school beginning at 8:45 AM. Secondary students will benefit from the later start time as well. Research is very clear that providing a later start time for teens improves student performance. Additionally, this change creates efficiencies in busing district wide.

Families should anticipate that busing will be affected by about 15 minutes, however, some re-routing may occur that could impact pick-up and drop-off schedules. As in previous years, the transportation department will mail bus route information to parents in late August.

All regular, secondary late start, and inclement weather late start schedules are outlined in the table below.
If you have any questions, please contact the transportation department at 360-833-5585.

Regular Schedule for 2011-12 School Year
7:45 AM   -    2:25 PM	Camas High School
8:10 AM   -    2:15 PM	Hayes Freedom High School
8:00 AM   -    2:45 PM	Liberty and Skyridge Middle Schools
9:00 AM   -   3:30 PM	All Elementary Schools
Secondary Late Start for 2011-12 School Year
10:15 AM   -    2:25 PM	Camas High School
Normal Schedule	Hayes Freedom High School
10:15 AM   -    2:45 PM	Liberty and Skyridge Middle Schools
Normal Schedule	All Elementary Schools
Inclement Weather Late Start for 2011-12 School Year
9:45 AM    -   2:25 PM	Camas High School
10:10 AM   -   2:15 PM	Hayes Freedom High School
10:00 AM   -   2:45 PM	Liberty and Skyridge Middle Schools
11:00 AM   -   3:30 PM	All Elementary Schools

Part III, 2011 Staff Award Winners

Join us this summer as we spotlight our 2011 Staff Award winners each week. In our third post, we honor Bonnie Murdock.

Courage, determination, and strong work ethic are words that describe Bonnie Murdock, CSD senior grounds staff member. Challenging tasks and hard work do not daunt Bonnie; she just rolls up her sleeves and gets the job done. In recent years, she faced serious health challenges, but Bonnie always put her best effort forward saying, “It is what it is, and I just need to make the best of it.”

Whether Bonnie is on the mower, lining a sports field, spraying for weeds, or any other task, she will gather input, comply with all regulations, and complete the job to the very best of her ability. She is driven by her desire for Camas students and staff to thrive in an attractive, safe, and healthy outdoor school environment. She is always friendly and strives to keep positive connections among her colleagues.

Working in the “back lot” of the district can sometimes keep the limelight away. Undaunted, Bonnie lets her internal drive and self-satisfaction of a job well done be her reward. She is a hard worker who keeps her certifications current by attending classes and reading books and articles to keep her skills sharp. She is careful to safeguard student and staff safety by applying pesticides prudently and keeping diligent, detailed records. Bonnie is always willing to share her expertise with coworkers and is excited about new equipment and training. She is a gem!

Part II, 2011 Staff Award Winners

Join us this summer as we spotlight our 2011 Staff Award winners each week. In our second post, we honor Richard Mancini.

Music man Richard Mancini goes above and beyond as a teacher and staff team member. He offers an extensive music curriculum that includes marching band, concert band, symphonic band and three jazz bands. However, he is dedicated to much more than classroom instruction—which he does at both Camas High School and Skyridge Middle School. Richard inspires students and colleagues alike to be their best and do “what is right” (a Mancini quote). He connects with his students and instills a desire within them to learn and excel at a level many of his fellow staff members admire and appreciate. He teaches much more than music to our youth as he focuses on life’s lessons and continually integrates the importance of discipline, perseverance, achievement and pride in them while encouraging them to “set the bar high” (another Mancini quote) on both a personal and group level.

His students are proud to be self-described “band nerds.”  They support school spirit during sporting events and perform extraordinary half-time shows at football games. Richard also engages the band in gigs not only in the Camas community and regions in Oregon and Washington, but also as far away as California and Florida. Thanks to his efforts, the Camas High School marching band is the premier band for the annual Portland Macy’s Holiday Parade each November.

Through endless hours of dedication and detailed organization, he impacts our students, staff members, and the Camas community in ways that go far beyond the norm.

District seeks parent input via survey

District officials in Camas are currently seeking feedback from parents through a comprehensive survey titled "Taking the Pulse of Our Parents." Initially launched in 2004, the survey asks questions specifically aligned with AIMS and goals set by the district’s strategic plan.

Parents are encouraged to respond and have two options to do so: online by clicking here or by filling out a hard copy of the survey at the district office. For additional information, patrons can call Doreen McKercher, Public Information Officer, at the district office at 360-335-3000, extension 78220.

Part I, 2011 Staff Award Winners

Join us this summer as we spotlight our 2011 Staff Award winners each week. In our first post, we honor Cathy Carlson.

In the early part of 2009, Cathy Carlson, who had worked in various jobs around the district, took a position in the capital programs department. Since that time, she has become a furnishings and moving genius. She took on the responsibility to work with the planning principal and lead office staff of our new or remodeled schools and offices to determine furnishing needs including the purchasing, installation and troubleshooting of said furnishings. Additionally, she also arranged for the physical moving of contents of these schools.

To date, Cathy has coordinated the moving of more than half of our district staff and programs including Helen Baller, Grass Valley, Hayes Freedom, Extended Day, Special Services, District Office, Technology, Operations, Community Ed, Copy Center, and more. She also took on project management responsibilities, such as the conversion of JDZ into the Zellerbach Administration Center–which turned out amazing.

Cathy is highly organized, and refers to herself as the Queen of Spreadsheets. She also notices things that need to be done, and does them without fuss. However, what makes her special is her personal touch, caring attitude, and style. Her ability to treat all staff with the same kindness and patience has removed much of the difficulty engendered by the stressful process of moving. She brings problem-solving skills and a calm, cool, professional demeanor to work every day, and consistently does an incredible job.