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09/02/2011 Please click on The La Center Way to view a digital copy of our district's newsletter.

10/15/10 La Center School District No. 101 welcomes newly appointed Board Member Todd Jones to our team. Todd will fill Director Position #2, which was recently vacated by long-time Board Director Melissa Miller.
Todd was born in Bellevue, Washington and attended Elementary School there before moving to Idaho for Jr. High and High School where he was a state champion wrestler. Todd attended both BYU and the University of Utah where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Economics. Todd is the Northwest District Manager for Multiquip Inc. which is a manufacturer of equipment for the construction industry.
Todd's wife, Lisa, is a homemaker and volunteers at La Center Elementary. They have 2 children, Annie a 1st grader and Cole a 5th Grader in La Center Elementary. They have lived in La Center for more than 12 years.
Todd and his family love to go waterskiing, sailing, and camping.

10/11/10 Please click on The La Center Way to view a digital copy of our district's newsletter.

9/2/10 The La Center School District No. 101 has a vacancy for Board Director Position #2, due to the resignation of Melissa Miller. For a map of the boundaries of Director Position #2, please go to our website @ www.lacenterschools.org and click on SCHOOL BOARD located in the black bar. The map is accessed under "Board Member Information" by clicking on "Meet the Board of Directors" and scrolling to the bottom. Director Position #2 is in green and covers the southern part of the district. (A map of Director Position boundaries is also available for review at the District Office.)
To qualify, interested persons must be a United States citizen, and a qualified voter resident in the school district and appropriate director district. The duration of this appointment will be until November of 2011. Qualified parties are encouraged to call the district office for information on the application process as soon as possible @ 263-2131. Applications will be accepted until NOON on Friday, October 1, 2010.

1/28/10 La Center School District will run a two-part levy on February 9, 2010. Everyone is encourage to vote on the replacement maintenance and operation levy and the technology levy. For more information please go to our home page and click on the information links or call the district office at 263-2131.

4/15/09 Celebrate Spring!!! Life Skills Hanging Flower Basket Sale - May 7th & 8th - 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Hanging baskets, assorted potted flowers and vegetable plants along with a variety of trees to choose from. For questions, please call Karla Karukes at 263-1700.

2/12009 The La Center School District Board of Directors has decided not to run a bond for a second elementary school this spring, despite the overcrowded conditions at the district's K-8 campus. The decision was finalized at the January 27th regular meeting of the Board.

Discussions by the Board over the past few months on this topic have centered on finding a way to balance the needs of students and our community. As members of the community and taxpayers themselves in this district, all board members are very aware of the struggles our current economic conditions cause. The district's need to "hunker down, tighten the collective belt, and do the best possible with current resources - just as stakeholders are doing in their own lives" seems to be the prevailing sentiment on the Board.

The need for a second elementary school will be revisited by the Board in the future. Community members can expect opportunities to weigh-in on the subject once economic conditions improve. For the time being, district administrators and staff are working hard to find ways to support students using the current facilities provided by our patrons.

1/28/2009 Morning snow took everyone by surprise yesterday. The elementary students had fun playing in the snow during recess.

1/27/2009 Saul & Dayee G. Haas foundation
A middle school student was able to participate in sports for the first time this year because of funds provided by the Saul Haas Foundation. This was certainly encouraging for the student and a boost to his self-esteem. When all was said and done, the student earned three awards and was an asset to the team. Without the Saul Haas Foundation, it's doubtful that the student would have had this great opportunity. Click here for more information on the the Saul & Dayee G. Haas Foundation.

12/9/2008 Christmas Carolers
A group of high school students spent an evening caroling around town. A community member sent us this picture along with her deep appreciation of the students taking the time to spread joy this time of year.

11/20/2008 Mark Your Calendars
The La Center High School Fashion Design Program will present "Little Black Dress" Tea and Fashion Presentation supported by the La Center Garden Club on Monday, January 20, 2009, 6 p.m. in the high school student lounge. Students from the Fashion Design Program will be modelling the "Little Black Dress" that is their own original creation. Male students will be modelling a shirt they have made and will also be showing their dress design using a model. You can join the fun by also wearing your favorite black outfit!

10/29/2008 Football Players Team Up to Help Out Assistant Coach
Members from both La Center and Prairie football teams came together to help Wildcats assistant football coach Karl Johnson and his family. Coach Johnson has been in the process of remolding their home when his wife Julianne was diagnosed with cancer. Finding time to finish the remodel was getting harder to do, so team, church and community members volunteered their time, materials, and/or money to help give back what Coach Johnson has given to our community for years.

10/29/2008 Announcer's Booth
An announcer's booth is being built with mostly donated materials and labor, community members and businesses have stepped up to provide a dry place to house the volunteers that serve as game announcers, clock keepers or videographers during the many sporting events that take place on our field. Many thanks to those who have already contributed. If you would like to help with the costs still remaining, please contact Steve Frucci for more information at 263-1700.

10/29/2008 Safety Railing Installed
Students walking to the K-8 campus in the mornings have their backs to traffic as they enter the main driveway and are only inches away from moving vehicles. Concerned bus drivers recommended a railing be installed along the sidewalk to help keep kids out of harm's way. The installation of a safety railing is part of an ongoing effort to fulfill the levy "student safety" promise.

10/16/2008 Middle School Drama Class
The middle school 7th & 8th grade drama class invites the public to their performances during the day from 8:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m. the week of 10/27-11/6 and in the evenings on 10/29 & 11/5 at 6:30 p.m. Please check into the middle school office before going to Mrs. Stoll's classroom to watch the performance.

10/16/2008 LCHS Financial Aid Night for Students & Parents
Alyson Galloway, Financial Aid Coordinator from WSU-Vancouver, will be here in the High School Library at 7:00 PM on Thursday, 11/06/08. She will explain how to use and apply for financial aid for college using the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. She'll discuss other forms of financial aid as well. We invite all students, particularly seniors, and their parents to attend this important information session and hope to see you there. Please contact Amy Fernandes in the La Center High School Career and Counseling Center if you would like further information, 263-1700.

10/15/2008 Observing Veterans Day
In less than a month the La Center School District will be observing Veterans Day in many ways. The middle school will start out by having an all student body assembly on 11/7 in the middle school gym. They will also have a Veterans Day Community Celebration that evening to honor our local vets. The elementary school will observe Veterans Day by having an all student body assembly the afternoon of 11/10. The high school student body will pay tribute to Veterans Day by participating in an assembly directed by Mrs. Bounds on 11/10 at 2:00 p.m.

The La Center School District is proud of our community and our Nation's veterans and will observe the Veterans Day National Holiday by closing school on 11/11.

10/15/2008 Bill of Rights
Mrs. Bounds AP U.S. Government class has been learning about the Bill of Rights. They started out by translating the Bill of Rights into "common" language, then added what a citizen's responsibility is to maintain that right. They then created the "Protect and Respect" bar. The"Protect and Respect" bar located in the high school student lounge is a shadow box, to each amendment was illustrated with items that pertained to its message. They then gave a presentation to a panel of veterans, Dr. Mansell, Mr. Holmes, Mrs. Landerholm, and Mrs. Link. A job well done by all!

10/13/08 Fire Safety Month
As part of Fire Safety month, all first grade classrooms will be taking a walking field trip to the La Center Fire Station next week. They will tour the fire station, see all the equipment, and use the fire hose to put out the fire bug. Have you checked the batteries in your smoke detector lately?

New Director of Position #5
We are pleased to introduce to you our newest member of Board of Directors, John Parsons. Mr. Parsons and his wife have four children, the youngest of which is in the eighth grade and have been a member of the La Center community for a number of years. He is a Natural Resource Manager (Fire Management Officer) for the USDA Forest Service. Mr. Parsons is quoted as saying “I truly enjoy people, fostering creative team relationships and highly value the ongoing work to assess and improve the quality of La Center schools.”

Annual Community Meeting
La Center School District Board of Directors will hold their Annual Community Meeting Tuesday, September 16, from
6:00 - 7:00 pm in the High School Library. The regularly scheduled Board Workshop will follow from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. The Board is seeking stakeholder input on the following topics:

Notice of Board Vacancy
The La Center School District No. 101 has a vacancy for Board Director Position #5 (red area on map). Click here for a map of the boundaries of Director Position #5. To qualify, interested persons must be a United States citizen , a qualified voter resident in the school district and appropriate director district. The duration of this appointment will be until November of 2009. Qualified parties are encouraged to call the district office for information on the application process at 263-2131.

Sewing Machines Needed
The Fashion Design class needs simple sewing machines that do straight stitch, zigzag stitch and are in good condition. If you have one you could donate, please contact Don Landes-McCullough at the high school, 263-1700.

Happy Retirement!!!!
The La Center School District would like to recognize four wonderful employees who will be retiring after the 2007-2008 school year.

Leaving our high school math department is Pam Nesland. Mrs. Nesland joined the staff at LCSD in 1981. During her career she taught both at the middle school and high school.

Also leaving the high school is Nancy Stupfel. In 1991 Mrs. Stupfel joined the staff at LCSD and taught English and history at both the high school and middle school.

Barb Carroll is leaving the middle school. Mrs. Carroll joined the middle school staff in 1993 teaching environmental science. If a student went through La Center Middle School, they had Mrs. Carroll in the 7th grade for science.

Le Ann Witherspoon leaves the elementary office after 15 years. Starting in 1993 Mrs. Witherspoon was the secretary for the primary building. After remodeling of the K-8 campus the primary and elementary office merged which brought Mrs. Witherspoon into the elementary office.

These four very dedicated employees will be greatly missed from our district. They have given many years of selfless service to the students of the La Center School District.

New Director of Position #4
We would like you to meet our newest member of Board of Directors, Wendy Chord. Wendy has been a resident of La Center for 15 years, all of which she has been an active volunteer in our community and school district. You probably have seen her at La Center Our Days, PTO meetings and at LCSD Bond Committee meetings just to name a few of the many organizations she is involved with. In her spare time Wendy enjoys camping and snowmobiling with her husband and two daughters.

When asked what she is most proud of at La Center School District, Wendy replies “the caring staff”. As a school district board member her long term goals are “to keep up with the growth and to be proactive”. Wendy represents position #4 which covers the central/western part of the district.

K-5 Spring Celebration
This year instead of hosting an “Open House” the elementary staff hosted a “Spring Celebration.” On the evening of April 24th, K-5 students and families were invited to a hot dog barbecue on the K-5 playground to spend informal time visiting with teachers and staff. Families also had the opportunity to inquire about different organizations in the community which sent representatives such as La Center Community Library, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, La Center Fire Department, and the La Center Bond Committee. The event was well attended with staff serving approximately 950 hot dogs. Feedback concerning the “Spring Celebration” has been very positive an may turn into an annual event.

The Life Skills Plant Sale was a huge success thanks to all the support of the community. Our sales were higher than last year and we saw a lot of new faces. The profits from the plant sale support our program by allowing the students to do classroom activities such as cooking, grocery shopping,and many other classroom activities that teach and reinforce important life skills. We're also able to go on field trips in the community to learn and reinforce independent living skills. The students and staff all worked hard but had a great time. The students continue to gain the skills and knowledge about being in the business of customer service. Karla Karukes - Life Skills Teacher

ALC Graduation
Calling all LCSD Alternative Learning Center (ALC) graduates from 1999-2007. ALC will be celebrating graduation on June 6, 2008, 6:30 p.m., along with having an alumni reunion. If you are a LCSD ALC graduate and would like to participate in the alumni reunion please call Rebecca Morris at 263-1700 ext. 539.

LCHS Baseball Team Volunteers at PGE Park
Everyone was a winner on May 3^rd at PGE Park. LCHS Wildcats baseball players volunteered to help members from the Columbia River Miracle League (CRML) with their baseball skills. CRML is an organization currently forming baseball leagues in southwest Washington for children and adults with disabilities. As the games were played, CRML team members received help with their batting, throwing and fielding skills from the Wildcats team. A great time was had by all and plans are being made to make this an annual event for the Wildcats baseball team.

La Center Bond Resolution
The La Center school board has formally approved a facilities bond (LC bond resolution) that will be put before the voters this coming May 20th for $32 million. This bond would construct the following projects:
1) Second elementary school at the Bolen Road site (grade configuration to be determined),
2) Stadium/track complex at the high school with a 1,500 seat covered grandstand, all weather track and artificial turf field (both MS and HS students will use this field for games/events - i.e. football, track and soccer),
3) Auxiliary gym, multi-purpose mat room and additional locker room capacity (this project will also include additional parking at the high school),
4) Purchase additional property for a future school estimated to be needed and built by 2020 to handle further enrollment increases (See the twenty-year plan on the district website under the link "How Big is Too Big"),
5) Develop an off-site bus parking solution to get all our buses off the school campus.

Think you can't afford college?.... Think again. The /College Bound Scholarship/ offers the promise of tuition and books to 2-year and 4-year colleges in Washington state for 7th and 8th graders who make a "pledge" now. To be eligible, your family must meet certain income qualifications. Then, your student will make the pledge to work hard in school, graduate from high school with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better, and stay crime free. To find out more information or apply, please visit this link: http://www.hecb.wa.gov/paying/waaidprgm/documents/CBSQandAs.pdf
or call Lori Jeske, La Center High School Counselor @ 263-1700, ext. 544.

No Name Calling Week
No Name-Calling Week is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds. It also provides schools with the tools and inspiration to launch ongoing dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities and create safe and caring schools.

Notice of Board Vacancy
The La Center School District No. 101 has a vacancy for Board Director Position #4, due to the resignation of Bernie Schockelt. Click here for more information.

Ms. Patton Kisses Pigs
Excitement rippled through the 800 plus spectators crowded into the elementary school gym. Children from Kindergarten through 5th grade sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes big with anticipation. Little hands with big hearts had worked hard to gather over 7,000 non-perishable food items.....enough to fill over 100 boxes.... each of which would feed a family of 4 for an entire day!

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame"
On January 24, 25 and 26, the La Center High School Drama Department will be presenting the classic tale by Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Click here for more information.

Saul & Dayee Haas Foundation
Saul & Dayee Haas Foundation has made a generous donation to La Center School District to help pay for graduation and sports fees and to help a family reunite for the holidays.

House Joint Resolution 4204
Have you been wondering what the passage of House Joint Resolution 4204 means for school districts? Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions and find out the answer to this and other questions.

Connect Ed
You may have received one of our test messages in the past weeks. La Center School District has added this parent notification system to allow us to contact parents in a very timely fashion when necessary. You may update your child(s) contact information by contacting the appropriate school office.