Junior high and high school students often find themselves struggling to fit in socially. Adding a disability that affects social skills to the mix only makes things more difficult.

To help students who have developmental disabilities such as autism and Asperger’s syndrome adjust to social situations, licensed clinical social worker Maggie Bagley is offering two programs through the Washington Park District.

 Katie Evans, a teacher at Washington Community High School, was among 50 educators from across the United States who recently participated in the Siemens STEM Institute.

Having ample school supplies is an important part of a successful education, said Nicolas Lareau, of Edward Jones in Washington, who has started a local school supply drive.

“We are trying to let people know that there are children out there who need an extra little help when it comes to school supplies,” said Lareau. “Quality education is very important these days, as it becomes more and more competitive.”

Washington’s District 308 School Board adopted a policy for use of the new football/baseball viewing deck and appointed a committee to choose a name for it at its meeting Tuesday.

“I think it’ll be done before the first game on (Sept.) 17,” Superintendent Dr. Jim Dunnan said.
Tickets for the viewing deck are $12 each.

Central Primary School recently concluded its first academic summer program aimed at combatting the dreaded scholarly summer slide.

“We started thinking about doing a summer program in December. Some of the teachers were worried about summer slide and the students losing what they learned over the year,” Molly Kosbab, Central Primary principal, said.

The Book Nook is a monthly book review written by Washington Community High School book club members.

Had a one-car accident not tragically killed Evan Knoblauch in January 2008, he would have graduated alongside his fellow Washington Community High School students in May 2008.

Knoblauch and 20 other students who died while still attending WCHS now have their names and would-be graduation dates memorialized on a new granite memorial.

A hot and humid graduation ceremony for the class of 2010 has left District 308 officials weighing their options for the class of 2011.

“In light of Torry Gym in terms of the heat and humidity, obviously that is not going to change,” Dunnan said. “I know it’s something that has been dealt with on a year-to-year basis, but this year was probably as bad as it ever has been.”

Fun in the sun, waves, luaus and leis are expected when vacationing in Hawaii. However, a 2007 Washington High School graduate is in the midst of a trip to the island paradise that may not be quite as relaxing as the typical Hawaiian get-a-way.

Eureka College junior Natalie Wetterauer is currently participating in an internship with the Hawaii Robotics Organization Committee as part of the Ronald W. Reagan Fellowship she earned at the college.
She arrived in Hawaii May 19 and will remain on the island until July 1.

Hard work, dedication and the “little things” are what helped Washington Community High School’s valedictorian of the class of 2010 earn that coveted top spot.

“It was doing the seemingly little things like homework every night and putting forth the effort in every assignment, even when it meant missing whatever was going on that night,” Kelsey Mayginnes said.
Mayginnes, 18, added that she never considered putting her studies first to be a sacrifice.

The class of 2010 graduated Sunday afternoon.

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Shawn Armstrong, a soon-to-be fourth grader, was not impressed by the interactive white board in Alicia Sturm’s eighth-grade classroom at Beverly Manor School.

“I’ve been using computers since I was 3,” he said.

Washington Community High School has a new athletic director.

It was decided at the District 308 school board meeting Monday that Herb Knoblauch will take over as the new athletic director July 15. He will take the reins from current athletic director Craig Anderson, who will be leaving to become an assistant executive director with the Illinois High School Association.
Knoblauch, a Washington resident, has served as the dean of students at Pekin Community High School since 2007.

Little feet stomping, hands clapping, instruments shaking in rhythm and voices singing along are what it means to bring out the children’s musical side in Amie’s Music Together class.

Here, once a week, babies, toddlers and young children come together to learn a wide variety of tonalities and musical patterns through songs and instruments in an entertaining and relaxed way.

The outer walls that will soon be erected on the newly poured foundation of the athletic facility at Babcook Field are a testament to the dedication of the Washington community in more than one way.

Not only will they be built with donated materials and labor, they will be covered with exterior blocks donated by people to show support for the Washington Community High School athletic department and to honor people who made a difference in their lives.

On the first Thursday of each month, an advisory board meets at Washington District Library to discuss and plan events, express opinions in selecting new library material and make its voice heard. This board has a great impact on the library, but one detail sets them apart from the typical advisory board. This board is made up of teenagers.

Washington High School freshman, Sierra Moreno, 14, said she has been involved with the Washington Advisory Board of Teens for more than a year.
 

In response to an article published last week, Washington Community High School administration has released new information concerning the growing problem of prescription drug abuse.

Last year, eight students received out-of-school suspensions due to the possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia.

Rachel Young, a 16-year-old sophomore at Dunlap High School, reluctantly admitted to sending text messages while stopped at red lights in her car. However, after a presentation given to her and fellow sophomore students last week, she said she plans to ditch the habit.

The presentation came from the family of Evan Knoblauch, a Washington High School student who lost his life in a one-car accident Jan. 5, 2008.