The Falcon Flash

Dear Skamania Families,

As we move into the heart of winter, we want to remind you that we are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for next week. In the event of any delays or school closures, please refer to ParentSquare for up-to-date information. We will also post updates on Facebook and Flash Alert.

Currently, there is no school next Friday, February 14, but we will notify you if anything changes. Please also note that there will be no school on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents' Day.

Join us on Tuesday, March 11 at 5:30 for a special event with the Skamania School PTO and School Board! This is a great opportunity to connect with other parents, meet the school board members, and enjoy a casual dinner. The evening will include our regular PTO meeting, followed by a School Board Meet & Greet, where you can ask questions and share feedback about our school community. Childcare will be provided to help parents fully participate. No RSVP is needed to attend, but please RSVP if you plan to eat or need childcare. We look forward to seeing you there!

We are excited to invite you to our annual Dr. Seuss Breakfast on Friday, February 28, from 7:30 to 8:30 AM. Join us for a fun breakfast of green eggs and ham, followed by guest readers in each classroom. It's always a wonderful event, and we hope to see you there!

Thank you for your continued support, and stay safe as we navigate the winter months together!

Warmly,

Katie Chavarria

Principal

February 11

2:45pm-3:45pm

Skamania School PTO Meeting (in school cafeteria)

February 14

Potential Snow Makeup Day

NO SCHOOL if no weather-related closures before then

February 17

Presidents' Day

NO SCHOOL

February 28

7:30am-8:30am

Dr. Seuss Breakfast

March 11

5:30pm-6:45pm

Skamania PTO Meeting & Meet the School Board Event

March 24 - 28

Conference Week

Early release each day

March 31 - April 4

Spring Break

NO SCHOOL

January's character trait of the month was honesty! Honesty is about telling the truth, being sincere, and acting with integrity. Throughout the month, our teachers emphasized the importance of honesty, encouraging students to practice truthfulness in their words and actions.

We are excited to recognize students who consistently demonstrated a strong sense of honesty. Below, we proudly highlight one exceptional student from each class who exemplified outstanding honesty towards their peers, teachers, and their work. Congratulations to these remarkable individuals!

TK/K - Nash B.

1/2 - Jerry M.

3rd - Ani F.

4th - Macee H.

5/6 - Amara B.

7/8 - Kaleb C.

At the December Skamania School Board meeting, Donald Collins was elected as Chair for a 1-year term, and Lisa Young was elected Vice-Chair. Lisa will also serve as the Legislative Representative to the Washington School Directors Association.

The Board discussed a potential vacancy and is seeking interested citizens to fill it. Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• U.S. Citizen
• Legal Washington State resident
• Registered voter within the Skamania School District
• At least 18 years old

For questions or interest, please contact Superintendent Milt Dennison at mdennison@skamania@k12.wa.us.

The next School Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 19, at 6:30 PM at the school. The public is invited to attend in person or remotely via Google Meet. Connection details will be posted on the School District’s website.

• If your child is absent, please call or email the school office to excuse them. This applies even if the child was sent home sick the day prior. We have state requirements for tracking and reporting excused and unexcused absences. Thank you!

• Attention bus riders: If your child rides the bus daily and you intend to pick them up instead, please inform the office as early as possible.

• Please dress your child for the weather. We try to go outside most days- rain or shine. Also, please remember to wear PE-appropriate shoes on PE days (every day but Wednesday and other early dismissal days.)

• Please contact the office if your child is supposed to ride the bus home with another student or get off at another student's stop. We do not have much (if any) extra room on the bus for additional riders. We also like to hear from a parent on both sides to make sure everyone is on the same page.

• Cell phones must remain in backpacks during the school day. Phones that are taken out will be held in the office until the end of the day.

• Gum is not allowed at school. Please help to remind your child of this policy.

Katie Chavarria

Principal

Hi, I’m Katie Chavarria, and it’s an honor to serve as the principal of Skamania School. With 16 years in education and 5 of them spent here at Skamania, I can honestly say this is a place I deeply cherish. I love the strong sense of community we have, where every staff member knows every student by name, and the family-like atmosphere that makes Skamania so special. It’s a privilege to contribute in so many ways to the success and growth of our school.

I grew up in Virginia Beach, but I’ve always been drawn to the mountains and the natural beauty they offer. My husband, Raymond, and I have three wonderful children—Emmalyn, Levi, and Landon—and three golden retrievers that keep our home lively and full of energy. When I’m not at school, you can usually find me on the baseball or softball field, cheering on one of my kids or spending time outdoors with my family.

Being a part of Skamania School is truly a dream come true for me. I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to work alongside such an amazing team of educators and to serve the incredible families and students in our community. It’s a privilege to be here, and I look forward to continuing to support and nurture our students in every way I can. Thank you for being a part of what makes Skamania such a special place!

VALENTINE GRAM ORDER FORMS!

You can sponsor a whole class for $25 (everyone and teacher get a random bracelet)

Or order smaller amounts at $2 each or 3 for $5!