New superintendent announced

    The Monday, March 25 school board revealed the future Cascade School District superintendent and explored the dynamics behind the tiniest tots of the district - the preschool department.
    After Procedure 3211 (the procedure regarding transgender students) was passed, with a 4-1 vote, the audience dispersed down to just a few to hear other business tended to. Lindsay Camp used visuals and humor throughout her presentation of both the preschool department and the high schoolers enrolled in the Child Development classes offered through the program.
    “Preschool in our school district is serving a specific function that is not babysitting,” opened Camp in her introduction. “It takes a big heart to shape little minds.”  
    Camp went over the number of students in each age range, such as 27 enrolled in the three to four age group and the array of learning standards tackled. She also brought up the high school class options that are a branch of the preschool program,
    “There is about 32 students in Child Development I. They (Child Development I) are learning the theory of education and education of young children. They also do an observational piece, where they are divided up into three groups and come over in groups of three and observe the preschoolers,” explained Camp. “Child Development II has about 9 students this year.”
    Child Development I & II are courses offered for Cascade high school students that are interested in a future teaching or education. The hands on approach doubles as college credit through Wenatchee Valley College for child development, the local college. Child Development I is more of the theory, observing and Child Development II is the practicum.
    She also gave a synopsis of the family nights that are sessions devoted to helping Kodiak kindergartners have a seamless transition from preschool to kindergarten. Family Pajama Night is Thursday, March 28.
    “We’re hoping to outreach to not just students in families in our program but all students in Cascade School District,” said Camp. “The family nights what we want them to know and how can families replicate these at home. That was the critical questions at family night.”
    The school board passed the approval of the hire of new superintendent, Tracey Beckendorf-Edou, effective July 1. This was after rounds of interviews and deliberation amongst the board.
    Some other hires approved during the meeting was some spring sport additions - Derek Crites, Cascade High School track coach and Icicle River Middle School softball coach, Jesica Hoiland.