What’s happening

School safety–a  current topic of various opinions and many comments–is the subject of  a digital conversation offered by Longview starting Monday, June 4.

Through the Thoughtexchange process, all community members are encouraged to take part in voicing their ideas on their ideas for the most important considerations about school safety and security.

Improvements to Thoughtexchange now make it possible for participants to review and respond to others’ ideas after a number of ideas have been collected.

The information gathered in this Thoughtexchange will help the district as it constantly works to keep students and staff members safe, and to best respond when school safety is threatened.

Email us and say you’d like to be added to the Thoughtexchange process.

Rich Reeves, R. A. Long High School principal, received top honors at the May 2 annual Pillars of Strength/Crystal Apple Awards presented by the Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce.

The event held at the  Lower Columbia College Rose Center for the Arts  honored Reeves for his work at R. A. Long over the past nine years to build a culture of success.

Under his leadership, the school has been recognized for the increase in its graduation rate, student participation in  Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and participation in advanced placement classes.

Rich is a R. A. Long graduate and former Longview coach and teacher who brought successful principal experience from Vancouver when he returned to Longview.

Local area educators, along with business persons were honored May 2 at the annual Pillars of Strength/Crystal Apple Awards presented by the Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce.

A number of Longview nominees were included in all categories, and Rich Reeves (R. A. Long) was named Principal of the Year and Travis Ruhter (Mark Morris) was named Teacher of the Year with their Crystal Apple Awards.

Sandy Catt, Director of Communications and Technology, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominees included assistant principal Lacey Griffiths and teacher Jodi Kruse (R. A. Long); principal Scott Merzoian and teacher Tracy Gould (Monticello); principal Aaron Whitright (CVG); assistant principal Brooks Cooper, paraeducator Jamie Allred (Mark Morris); principal Chris Rugg and teacher Dawn Julian (Cascade); director Mary Carr-Wilt; teacher Marie Gilchrist (Robert Gray); teacher Kimmie Flint (Mint Valley);  paraeducator Kara Warner (Robert Gray); and secretary Laura Norton (Northlake).

Cowlitz County high school students, including incoming freshmen and just-graduated seniors, are invited to experience “Terra Trackers”. This week-long summer camp at R.A. Long High School will allow students to work with electronics and robotics. The camp will run July 16 through July 19, and there is no charge to attend.  Applications are due June 15. Read more about the camp, and complete the camp application.  Completed applications may be returned to the ASB office at R.A. Long, or scanned and emailed to Hanna Burleson.