Cascade school board tours high school to see classroom learning firsthand

LEAVENWORTH — Members of the Cascade School District (CSD) board toured Cascade High School on Feb. 5 to observe classroom instruction, view specialized learning tools and better understand how board-level decisions translate into day-to-day student learning.

“The board represents the community,” said CSD Superintendent Tracey Edou. “When they get into schools, they can see what's actually happening. So if a community member has a question…they can give a real answer to their constituents.”

The tour took board members to art class students learning about composition for photography as well as freshman Integrated Physics and Chemistry students learning about plate tectonics with graham crackers and marshmallow creme. Board members also observed the Anatomage Table, a 3D, touchscreen table that allows health sciences students to virtually dissect, rotate and examine human cadavers.

“Our focus this year is engagement,” said CHS principal James Swanson. “The staff has already been doing a lot of pieces of engagement…So we're just continuing to have that be at the forefront.”

Board members told Ward Media that the periodic school tours help them visualize the everyday impact of strategic decisions made at the board level. The in-person observations also help the board measure student success by giving them a broader snapshot of their learning experience. CSD Board member Zachary Miller noted that the tours serve as a reminder that student education “is so much more expansive than just the testing.”

“Schools are organically siloed, and it's really nice to have board members come in and they get to see what is happening inside the walls,” said CHS principal James Swanson. “There's a level of validation. Our teachers work really hard, our kids work hard, and I’m happy that other people get to see it.”

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media