Newsletter
Welcome Back
Dear WSVSD Families,
Warm greetings as we begin the 2024-25 school year! I hope this message finds you well and filled with excitement for the year ahead. As we begin this new school year, I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to support your children and our entire community.
This summer, my family and I enjoyed some truly memorable moments together, from a week of adventures with relatives in the gorge to a special three-generation trip to a San Francisco Giants game. These experiences remind me how important family and community are, and I’m excited to see our students return, eager to learn and grow.
This year, we are guided by a new strategic plan focused on inspiring each student to succeed and preparing them for their future. Our efforts will be driven by six key goals:
Exercise stewardship over resources to ensure sustainable expenditures and safeguard the welfare of our students and district.
Prioritize student and staff safety and well-being as a critical component of a thriving school community.
Ensure safe and sustainable WSVSD facilities for now and in the future.
Create a culture of belonging through equitable, inclusive, and welcoming practices so that each student can fully invest in their educational experience.
Provide high-quality learning experiences to enable each student to achieve their highest potential.
Prepare each student to graduate with the skills necessary to excel in their chosen college or career pathway.
I also want to extend my thanks to our maintenance and custodial staff for their hard work in preparing our schools. Thanks to their dedication, we were ready to welcome students back into safe, clean, and welcoming environments. I look forward to partnering with you to ensure an exceptional year for our students.
My best,
Rich Polkinghorn, Superintendent
Certificated Employee of The Year - Megan Sheffels
Megan has served as the reading specialist at Wallace & Priscilla Stevenson Intermediate School for the last five years. In this role, Megan oversees the Title I program and works closely with teachers and paraprofessionals to provide intervention support to students. During the 23-24 school year, Mrs. Scheffels went above and beyond her regular duties while the principal was out on medical leave, ensuring the smooth operation of the school.
Classified Employee of The Year - Jim Anderson
Jim has been with the school district since 2007 and has been the student success coordinator at W&P Stevenson Intermediate School and Henkle Middle School since 2017. Mr. Anderson handles most of the schools’ minor behavior issues. When working with students, Jim takes extra time to build relationships to help them make good choices. He is usually the first person students see when they enter the school each morning.
Showing Up Matters
This year, White Salmon Valley School District is working hard to ensure every student can learn and grow by being at school regularly. Being at school is important for learning, building friendships, and participating in the school community. We want to support your student’s success through attendance and engagement in school.
FBLA Golf Tournament Fundraiser
The Future Business Leaders of America will be hosting a golf tournament on Saturday, October 19th at the Elk Ridge Golf Course in Carson to raise funds to attend the FBLA state competition. The cost of the golf tournament is $125/person or $500/4 person team. To register, you can complete the google from HERE. For more information, reach out to FBLA Chapter President, Garrett Kock via email at garrett.kock@whitesalmonschools.org.
The Bruin Club
The Bruin Club was launched in White Salmon, WA, to enhance community involvement and raise funds for all sports programs at Columbia High School. Led by Sean Ciemiewicz, the club seeks to unite students, families, and the wider community in supporting student athletics through volunteer and financial contributions. Bruin Club membership is open to all members of the community, whether or not they have children in the school.
Pink Week
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In support of the fight against breast cancer Columbia High School Athletics, The Bruin Club and Skyline Hospital are partnering to support “Pink Week” October 14-18. PINK WEEK 2024!
Hosted by The Bruin Club, CHS students and CHS student-athletes are raising awareness and money for the Skyline Breast Health Fund. Join in the fight against breast cancer by attending games in your favorite pink attire to show your support.
Skyline Health will be giving away prizes for all to enjoy.
The Skyline Breast Health Fund is an essential life-saving program that assists breast cancer screenings and diagnostic tests for under/uninsured individuals, regardless of age or gender. It also supports the purchase of the latest breast health technology, which is vital for early detection.
Learn more about the fund here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hy-jkkiOxQ
Support PINK WEEK 2024 by attending CHS home games and/or by donating to the Skyline Breast Health Fund by following this link.
October 14 @ 5pm - JV Football
October 15 @ 4/5:30/7pm - Girls Volleyball
October 16 @4pm Henkle Middle School Football
October 17 @4/6pm Girls Soccer
October 18 @7pm Varsity Football
Would you like to be a part of your child’s education but can’t volunteer during school hours because of work or young children still at home? Get involved in White Salmon Valley K-8 PTO!
Monthly PTO Meetings
2nd Tuesday of every month
6pm-7pm
Whitson Elementary Library
Free adult-supervised childcare provided for each meeting.
Attending monthly meetings is a fun way to meet K-8 parents and staff while learning about school curriculum, events, volunteer opportunities, and discussing ways to raise and spend PTO funds.
