Education

WHS assistant principal honored, appointed by governor

WENATCHEE — An assistant principal at Wenatchee High School was named “Distinguished Assistant Principal of the Year” for the Columbia Basin League. Ricardo Iñiguez said he learned about the honor about a week ago.

Catapult builders pit their machines against each other Friday

WENATCHEE — Wenatchee Valley College physics students will be hurling tennis balls from their ancient artillery Friday during the school’s almost-annual catapult-building contest. Initiated a decade ago by now-retired history teacher Celia Hall-Thur, the contest combines knowledge of ancient artillery with creative engineering. The competition pitted history and physics students in the past. The history department didn’t get involved in the challenge this year, so contestants will likely be only from the school’s two physics classes, said WVC physics instructor Bruce Unger. The contest wasn’t held last year.

Brewster schools to run levy on February ballot

BREWSTER — The Brewster School District will ask voters to approve a two-year maintenance and operations levy in February. If the measure passes, the levy will replace a two-year levy passed in 2008 with 60 percent voter approval.

Bridgeport awarded health award

OLYMPIA — The Washington Health Foundation named the Bridgeport community “Heroes of Healthy Living” on Friday. The annual state award was given to Bridgeport because of its city and school initiatives to promote better health, according to the WHF.

Brewster not waiting for state’s Core 24 requirement

BREWSTER — Brewster School District is one credit ahead of the game. As state committees work out the details of “Core 24,” a plan that would raise Washington’s graduation requirements from 19 credits to 24, Brewster didn’t wait. The school district now requires 25 credits to earn a diploma, starting with this year’s freshmen.

Grading teachers: Student performance counts in schools' new scoring plan

CHICAGO — Teachers in Illinois’ Evanston-Skokie School District 65 used to be judged solely on what they did in the classroom. Now their evaluations — and their pay — will also depend on what their students do. The district has begun tracking the test scores of students classroom by classroom, trying to figure out whether they achieve sufficient progress. If they don’t, teachers could see their raises jeopardized, or even their jobs.

College life

PULLMAN — Karina Garibay of Wenatchee recently received a $1,000 Auvil Undergraduate Scholars Fellowship for the fall semester.

FFA chapter earns award

CHELAN — The Chelan FFA received a 3-Star National Chapter Award at the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., held Oct. 21-23. The rating is the highest a chapter can earn.

Band, color guard top division at competition

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee High School Golden Apple Band and Color Guard earned honors at the Auburn Veterans Day Marching Band Competition Saturday in Auburn.

Cashmere hosts pre-kindergarten workshops

CASHMERE — The Cashmere School District will teach parents how to play like a teacher on Tuesday with their kindergarten-bound kids. The meeting is the first of three “Ready for Kindergarten” workshops this year for families of Cashmere 4-year-olds. School staff will teach parents small things they can do every day with their children to better prepare them for literacy and reading.

Wenatchee Valley College students to honor veterans

WENATCHEE — A ceremony to honor Wenatchee Valley College military students, veterans and family members will be held Monday. The event will be at 3 p.m. at Van Tassell Center on the Wenatchee campus.

Childfind screening Nov. 17

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee School District will conduct Childfind developmental screenings Nov. 17 for children living within district boundaries. Parents of children ages 3-21 may request a screening.

Class about kindergarten in Cashmere

CASHMERE — The Cashmere School District will hold a free READY! for kindergarten class for parents who have children ages 4 or 5 not yet enrolled in school. The class will take place 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Vale Elementary School, 101 Pioneer Ave.

Chelan-Douglas Head Start expanding

WENATCHEE — Chelan-Douglas Head Start will enroll 18 more babies and young children in January thanks to a nearly $294,000 federal stimulus grant awarded Monday. The local Head Start was one of 1,200 agencies nationwide competing for the Early Head Start Expansion funding, said Chelan-Douglas Head Start Director Sara Bartrum.

Garces picked as new Quincy School Board director

QUINCY — The Quincy School Board appointed Joann Garces as its newest member at a special board meeting Monday. Garces will complete the term left by District 3 Director Alan Balciar, who resigned last summer. The position expires in November 2011.