NEWSLETTERCentralia School District 401

SUM

MER

2015

www.CentraliaSchools.org

213Members of the

Class of 2015

$1,245,700The renewable value of

scholarships earned

6Valedictorians

1Huge celebration

Centralia High School said farewell to the class of 2015 in typical, lighthearted CHS fashion on June 11. Jokes were made, bal-loons were released, and silly string flew in abundance.

Interim Superintendent Steve Warren rec-ognized the work ethic and giving spirit of the valedictorians saying “they all help remind us it is not intelligence that gets you ahead in this life - it is hard work!” Warren also rec-ognized the role of parents in education. Hav-ing interviewed each valedictorian, Warren shared that they all cited “the encouragement their parents have provided over the courses of their lives” as a major influencing factor in their academic success.

The class now heads to colleges and uni-versities across the country. Some will enter the workforce, others are pursuing military careers.

(Continued on page 2)

360.330.7600www.CentraliaSchools.org

Newsletter EditorEd Petersen

publicrelations@centralia.wednet.edu

Please recycle this publication.

CHS ANNOUNCES TOP TEN 2015 GRADUATES More than GPA factors into placement on CHS top ten list

Centralia High School has released the list of the Class of 2015’s top ten graduates. Placement in the top ten is determined by an equation that includes grade point average, activities, and other factors. This year’s top ten seniors are:

#1 Shelby DuffyWestern Washington Univ.or George Fox Univ.

#2 Euchari MajorsWillamette University

#3 Serena WallacePacific University

#4 Rachel WoodSpokane Community College

#5 Chandler JohnsonWestern Washington or University of Washington

#6 Samuel JuarezUniversity of Washington

#7 Mali ChristianUniversity of Washington

#8 Ciara KimballCentralia College

#9 Max DulinGonzaga University

#10 Tucker McAuleyWestern Washington University

THREE CHS SENIORS NAMED WASHINGTON SCHOLARS BY AWSPGrads are awarded the highest academic honor in the state

Shelby Duffy - Shelby is ranked #1 in this year’s graduating class. Her high school career has been filled with rigorous AP and honors classes and she has a long list of involvements in student and community service organizations. Shelby plans to attend ei-ther Western Washington University or George Fox University and hopes to eventually become a pediatrician. Shelby is one of the Class of 2015’s valedictorians.

Mali Christian - Mali has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school while enrolled in AP and honors classes. She is ranked #7 in this year’s graduating class. She has held leadership positions in the ASB and played varsity tennis for two years. Mali plans to study Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Washington. Mali is one of the Class of 2015’s valedictorians.

Euchari Majors - Euchari is ranked #2 in this year’s graduating class. In addition to her high school diploma, Euchari has also graduated from Centralia College with an Associates Degree by virtue of the Running Start program. After graduation Euchari plans to attend Willamette University to major in Asian Studies.

Three Centralia High School seniors have been recognized as Washington Scholars by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and by the Washington Student Achievement Council as Washington Scholars. The recognition is the state’s highest aca-demic honor.

Each of the three students also occupy spots on the list of CHS’ top ten graduating se-niors. A press release from AWSP said nominations are based on grade point average, SAT/ACT scores, leadership, community service, and other activities. The award “highlights the incredible talent of our young leaders,” said Gary Kipp, AWSP Executive Director.

2015 GRADUATION CEREMONYContiuned from page 1

Presiding over his first graduation cere-mony as principal, Josue Lowe encouraged graduates to use their compulsory education experience as a “springboard” for the rest of their lives and to consider it one of three legs that support their futures. He finished his comments by saying, “if you, as the graduat-ing class of 2015, are able to look back upon your 13 years and say you left here with an open heart, that is the most important mea-suring stick of all.”

While many high schools conduct their commencement ceremonies under strict rules of pomp and circumstance, Centralia allows graduating classes to put their own stamp on graduation. The class of 2015 re-leased balloons in honor of a lost classmate, and selected their own music to close the event. And, of course, a large volume of sil-ly string was expended. A complete list of graduates is available at centraliaschools.org

CSD THANKS RETIRING STAFF MEMBERSThis year’s group of retirees has given a combined 285 years of service to education

The Centralia School District honored retir-ing staff members and thanked them for their service to the District, community, and to pub-lic education in a ceremony held on May 20th.

“The group of retirees this year has given 285 years of service to public education,” said Superintendent Steve Warren. “Many of them have worked here in Centralia for their entire careers. They’ve all made a lasting impact on thousands of students who have walked through our halls over their many years.”

Fred Brattain12 years in public education

12 years of CSD service

Carina Chatwin36 years in public education

36 years of CSD service

Karen Cothren10 years in public education

10 years of CSD service

Tim Draper21 years in public education

21 years of CSD service

Patti Holmes26 years in public education

20 years of CSD service

Suzanne Heap30 years in public education

27 years of CSD service

Linda Horwath30 years in public education

30 years of CSD service

Tom Kirkbride37 years in public education

37 years of CSD service

Cherie Manke25 years in public education

25 years of CSD service

Lionel Pinn22 years in public education

11 years of CSD service

America Smith17 years in public education

13 years of CSD service

Ray Smith22 years in public education

22 years of CSD service

First Knights of futurus high

The Futurus High School Class of 2015 stormed the stage during their graduation on June 11. The group of fourteen students are the first graduating class of FHS, which was formerly known as Centralia Alterna-tive Programs and Services (C.A.P.S.) and op-erated as part of Centralia High School until this school year.

During his commencement speech, Princi-pal James Bowers noted the significance of the event. “This is the first time a high school diploma in the district will read something other than Centralia High School,” he said. “This is the first opportunity for this com-munity to share in the start of a new tradi-tion.”

Bowers also had advice for the graduates. “Believe in yourself,” he told them. “Find your passion, take control of your life as time is limited, and you should not live someone else’s dream, but instead live your own” he added. He also left them with some final words of wisdom, “be generous and give. Your time and your love are both needed in your community.”

Futurus offers an alternative path to grad-uation for students who, for a wide variety of reasons, are not able to find success in

a traditional high school environment. The school helps students overcome barriers to graduation. To some extent, the school al-lows students to work at their own pace.

Head Teacher, Faye Olasen, noted sever-al examples of how this freedom benefits students like Jacob Frakes, who completed more than ten credits in one year because he was “determined to graduate this year.” Olasen also highlighted Emma Brown, who graduated a full year ahead of schedule. “We are very proud of you all,” she told the class.

“These graduates have made it all around, over, and through brick walls,” Olasen said. “They’ve done some pretty amazing things. Several of these students have, from time to time, lived on their own, and held jobs while attending school.”

The former C.A.P.S. program moved into a new building that once housed Centralia Parks and Recreation at the beginning of the school year. This new location allows for future growth of the school, and brings Fu-turus students more into the District’s fold than the old location inside Yard Birds Mall. The school has three full-time teachers, a principal, a paraeducator, and a shared spe-cial education teacher.

CSD UNVEILS ONLINE STUDENT REGISTRATIONParents may now enroll students online

Parents seeking to enroll new students in the Centralia School District may now do so online from the comfort of their own homes. The District has unveiled a new online regis-tration process at www.CentraliaSchools.org. Parents can enter all necessary registration information and then either scan required documents and send them as attachments, or bring the documents to their child’s new school during business hours.

Parents are reminded that elementary school offices are closed in July and for most of August. The District Office remains open on its regular schedule through the summer.

As my one-year, interim role as su-perintendent winds down, I wanted to share how excited I am to welcome the first new superinten-dent, selected as an outside candidate, in over 30 years to our district. I have

had the opportunity to visit at length with Mr. Mark Davalos and truly believe we are hand-ing over the reins to a highly qualified profes-sional who is also a high caliber human being! His knowledge regarding education, along with his ability to interact with people, has been impressive.

I know that many Centralia School District employees and community members will

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #214

Centralia, WA 98531Carrier Route Sorted

POSTAL PATRON

2320 Borst Ave. | Centralia, WA 98531www.CentraliaSchools.org

Equal Rights Compliance - The Centralia School

District #401 complies with all federal and state rules

and regulations and does not discriminate on the

basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin,

age, honorably-discharged veterans or military status,

gender, sexual orientation including gender identity,

marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental,

physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide

or service animal by a person with a disability. This

holds true for all district employment and opportuni-

ties. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance

procedures may be directed to the school district’s

Title IX/RCW28.A640 Officer, Section 504 Coordinator,

Matt McCauley, Assistant Superintendent, 2320 Borst

Avenue, Post Office Box 610, Centralia, WA 98531-

0610, (360) 330-7600.

DATES TOREMEMBER

SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

CSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kim Ashmore

Bob Fuller

Chris Thomas

Amy Buzzard

Neal Kirby

July 15: School Board Meeting, budget hearing at 5:30 p.m., regular meeting at 6 p.m.

Aug. 19: School Board Meeting, 6 p.m. @ District Office

Sept. 8: First day of 2015-2016 School Year!

We hope everyone has a fun and safe summer. Remember, school offices are closed for all of July and most of August. The District Office will maintain normal business hours through the summer (7:30-4:30 Monday through Friday). Please visit our website,centraliaschools.org, and our Facebook page (facebook.com/centraliaschooldis-trict) often to stay up-to-date.

A summer schedule for the CHS and CMS offices is also available online.

FAREWELLS AND NEW BEGINNINGS FOR CSDMessage from Interim Superintendent Steve Warren

want to get to know Mr. Davalos upon his ar-rival, and I know that he wants to reach out to as many of you as possible and as quickly as possible. At the same time, he will be learn-ing the culture of a new district, a new state, and trying to get to know his school board. As he begins building relationships and learning a new system, he is also developing his transition plan in an effort to accomplish all the above.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Centralia School Board and staff for one of the most unique opportunities any admin-istrator could have. Now, as we all turn our attention toward the future, serving students and the community of Centralia, let us never forget that all of us, parents, students, com-munity leaders, and teachers play a hand in the success of our district. Here’s to the fu-ture!

NEW PRINCIPALS FOR 2015-16 SCHOOL YEARHeidi Bunker at CMS, Andy Justice at Edison, and Heidi Jenkins at Oakview

Three new principals will greet students when they return in September.

Andy Justice has been named the new prin-cipal at Edison Elementary School. He has taught sixth grade at Oakview since 2010, and served as an administrative intern during the past school year.

At Centralia Middle School, Heidi Bunker will assume leadership beginning with the new year. She has been the principal of Yelm Middle School for the past four years and was previously principal at Pioneer Intermediate/Middle School near Shelton. Heidi and her

family live in Chehalis and they are well known in the community as fervent support-ers of youth sports. She stated to CMS staff that she “loves working with kids [at the mid-dle school age]” and that she is ready to hit the ground running in August.

With the recently announced retirement of Jay Sparks, Oakview will also have a new face at the helm next year. Heidi Jenkins will take that leadership spot for the new school year. Her official confirmation is awaiting board approval during their regular meeting on July 15.

SuperintendentMark Davalos