CSD SUMMER 2015 WEB

NEWSLETTER
Centralia School District 401SUMMER
2015
www.CentraliaSchools.org
213Members of the
Class of 2015
$1,245,700
The renewable value of
scholarships earned
6Valedictorians
1Huge celebration
Centralia High School said farewell to the
class of 2015 in typical, lighthearted CHS
fashion on June 11. Jokes were made, bal-
loons were released, and silly string flew in
abundance.
Interim Superintendent Steve Warren rec-
ognized the work ethic and giving spirit of the
valedictorians saying “they all help remind
us it is not intelligence that gets you ahead
in this life - it is hard work!” Warren also rec-
ognized the role of parents in education. Hav-
ing interviewed each valedictorian, Warren
shared that they all cited “the encouragement
their parents have provided over the courses
of their lives” as a major influencing factor in
their academic success.
The class now heads to colleges and uni-
versities across the country. Some will enter
the workforce, others are pursuing military
careers.
(Continued on page 2)

360.330.7600
Newsletter Editor
Ed Petersen
publicrelations@centralia.wednet.edu
Please recycle this publication.
CHS ANNOUNCES TOP
TEN 2015 GRADUATES
More than GPA factors into placement on
CHS top ten list
Centralia High School has released the
list of the Class of 2015’s top ten graduates.
Placement in the top ten is determined by an
equation that includes grade point average,
activities, and other factors. This year’s top
ten seniors are:
#1 Shelby Duffy
Western Washington Univ.
or George Fox Univ.
#2 Euchari Majors
Willamette University
#3 Serena Wallace
Pacific University
#4 Rachel Wood
Spokane Community
College
#5 Chandler Johnson
Western Washington or
University of Washington
#6 Samuel Juarez
#7 Mali Christian
#8 Ciara Kimball
Centralia College
#9 Max Dulin
Gonzaga University
#10 Tucker McAuley
Western Washington
University
THREE CHS SENIORS NAMED WASHINGTON
SCHOLARS BY AWSP
Grads are awarded the highest academic honor in the state
Shelby Duffy - Shelby is ranked #1 in this year’s graduating
class. Her high school career has been filled with rigorous AP and
honors classes and she has a long list of involvements in student
and community service organizations. Shelby plans to attend ei-
ther Western Washington University or George Fox University
and hopes to eventually become a pediatrician. Shelby is one of
the Class of 2015’s valedictorians.
Mali Christian - Mali has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high
school while enrolled in AP and honors classes. She is ranked #7
in this year’s graduating class. She has held leadership positions
in the ASB and played varsity tennis for two years. Mali plans to
study Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Washington.
Mali is one of the Class of 2015’s valedictorians.
Euchari Majors - Euchari is ranked #2 in this year’s graduating
class. In addition to her high school diploma, Euchari has also
graduated from Centralia College with an Associates Degree by
virtue of the Running Start program. After graduation Euchari
plans to attend Willamette University to major in Asian Studies.
Three Centralia High School seniors have been recognized as Washington Scholars by
the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and by the Washington Student
Achievement Council as Washington Scholars. The recognition is the state’s highest aca-
demic honor.
Each of the three students also occupy spots on the list of CHS’ top ten graduating se-
niors. A press release from AWSP said nominations are based on grade point average, SAT/
ACT scores, leadership, community service, and other activities. The award “highlights the
incredible talent of our young leaders,” said Gary Kipp, AWSP Executive Director.
2015 GRADUATION CEREMONY
Contiuned from page 1
Presiding over his first graduation cere-
mony as principal, Josue Lowe encouraged
graduates to use their compulsory education
experience as a “springboard” for the rest of
their lives and to consider it one of three legs
that support their futures. He finished his
comments by saying, “if you, as the graduat-
ing class of 2015, are able to look back upon
your 13 years and say you left here with an
open heart, that is the most important mea-
suring stick of all.”
While many high schools conduct their
commencement ceremonies under strict
rules of pomp and circumstance, Centralia
allows graduating classes to put their own
stamp on graduation. The class of 2015 re-
leased balloons in honor of a lost classmate,
and selected their own music to close the
event. And, of course, a large volume of sil-
ly string was expended. A complete list of
graduates is available at centraliaschools.org

CSD THANKS RETIRING
STAFF MEMBERS
This year’s group of retirees has given a
combined 285 years of service to education
The Centralia School District honored retir-
ing staff members and thanked them for their
service to the District, community, and to pub-
lic education in a ceremony held on May 20th.
“The group of retirees this year has given
285 years of service to public education,” said
Superintendent Steve Warren. “Many of them
have worked here in Centralia for their entire
careers. They’ve all made a lasting impact
on thousands of students who have walked
through our halls over their many years.”
Fred Brattain
12 years in public education
12 years of CSD service
Carina Chatwin
Karen Cothren
Tim Draper
Patti Holmes
Suzanne Heap
Linda Horwath
Tom Kirkbride
Cherie Manke
Lionel Pinn
America Smith
Ray Smith
First Knights of
futurus high
The Futurus High School Class of 2015
stormed the stage during their graduation
on June 11. The group of fourteen students
are the first graduating class of FHS, which
was formerly known as Centralia Alterna-
tive Programs and Services (C.A.P.S.) and op-
erated as part of Centralia High School until
this school year.
During his commencement speech, Princi-
pal James Bowers noted the significance of
the event. “This is the first time a high school
diploma in the district will read something
other than Centralia High School,” he said.
“This is the first opportunity for this com-
munity to share in the start of a new tradi-
tion.”
Bowers also had advice for the graduates.
“Believe in yourself,” he told them. “Find
your passion, take control of your life as time
is limited, and you should not live someone
else’s dream, but instead live your own” he
added. He also left them with some final
words of wisdom, “be generous and give.
Your time and your love are both needed in
your community.”
Futurus offers an alternative path to grad-
uation for students who, for a wide variety
of reasons, are not able to find success in
a traditional high school environment. The
school helps students overcome barriers to
graduation. To some extent, the school al-
lows students to work at their own pace.
Head Teacher, Faye Olasen, noted sever-
al examples of how this freedom benefits
students like Jacob Frakes, who completed
more than ten credits in one year because
he was “determined to graduate this year.”
Olasen also highlighted Emma Brown, who
graduated a full year ahead of schedule. “We
are very proud of you all,” she told the class.
“These graduates have made it all around,
over, and through brick walls,” Olasen said.
“They’ve done some pretty amazing things.
Several of these students have, from time to
time, lived on their own, and held jobs while
attending school.”
The former C.A.P.S. program moved into
a new building that once housed Centralia
Parks and Recreation at the beginning of
the school year. This new location allows for
future growth of the school, and brings Fu-
turus students more into the District’s fold
than the old location inside Yard Birds Mall.
The school has three full-time teachers, a
principal, a paraeducator, and a shared spe-
cial education teacher.
CSD UNVEILS ONLINE STUDENT REGISTRATION
Parents may now enroll students online
Parents seeking to enroll new students in the Centralia School District may now do so
online from the comfort of their own homes. The District has unveiled a new online regis-
tration process at www.CentraliaSchools.org. Parents can enter all necessary registration
information and then either scan required documents and send them as attachments, or
bring the documents to their child’s new school during business hours.
Parents are reminded that elementary school offices are closed in July and for most of
August. The District Office remains open on its regular schedule through the summer.

As my one-year,
interim role as su-
perintendent winds
down, I wanted to
share how excited I
am to welcome the
first new superinten-
dent, selected as an
outside candidate,
in over 30 years to
our district. I have
had the opportunity to visit at length with Mr.
Mark Davalos and truly believe we are hand-
ing over the reins to a highly qualified profes-
sional who is also a high caliber human being!
His knowledge regarding education, along
with his ability to interact with people, has
been impressive.
I know that many Centralia School District
employees and community members will
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District#401complieswithallfederalandstaterules
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holdstrueforalldistrictemploymentandopportuni-
ties.Inquiriesregardingcomplianceand/orgrievance
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Avenue,PostOfficeBox610,Centralia,WA98531-
0610,(360)330-7600.
DATES TO
REMEMBER
SCHOOLDISTRICT
NEWSLETTER
CSD BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Kim Ashmore
Bob Fuller
Chris Thomas
Amy Buzzard
Neal Kirby
July 15: School Board Meeting, budget
hearing at 5:30 p.m., regular meeting at
6 p.m.
Aug. 19: School Board Meeting, 6 p.m. @
District Office
Sept. 8: First day of 2015-2016 School
Year!
We hope everyone has a fun and safe
summer. Remember, school offices are
closed for all of July and most of August.
The District Office will maintain normal
business hours through the summer
(7:30-4:30 Monday through Friday).
Please visit our website,
centraliaschools.org, and our Facebook
page (facebook.com/centraliaschooldis-
trict) often to stay up-to-date.
A summer schedule for the CHS and
CMS offices is also available online.
FAREWELLS AND NEW BEGINNINGS FOR CSD
Message from Interim Superintendent Steve Warren
want to get to know Mr. Davalos upon his ar-
rival, and I know that he wants to reach out to
as many of you as possible and as quickly as
possible. At the same time, he will be learn-
ing the culture of a new district, a new state,
and trying to get to know his school board.
As he begins building relationships and
learning a new system, he is also developing
his transition plan in an effort to accomplish
all the above.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank
the Centralia School Board and staff for one
of the most unique opportunities any admin-
istrator could have. Now, as we all turn our
attention toward the future, serving students
and the community of Centralia, let us never
forget that all of us, parents, students, com-
munity leaders, and teachers play a hand in
the success of our district. Here’s to the fu-
ture!
NEW PRINCIPALS FOR 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR
Heidi Bunker at CMS, Andy Justice at Edison, and Heidi Jenkins at Oakview
Three new principals will greet students
when they return in September.
Andy Justice has been named the new prin-
cipal at Edison Elementary School. He has
taught sixth grade at Oakview since 2010, and
served as an administrative intern during the
past school year.
At Centralia Middle School, Heidi Bunker
will assume leadership beginning with the
new year. She has been the principal of Yelm
Middle School for the past four years and was
previously principal at Pioneer Intermediate/
Middle School near Shelton. Heidi and her
family live in Chehalis and they are well
known in the community as fervent support-
ers of youth sports. She stated to CMS staff
that she “loves working with kids [at the mid-
dle school age]” and that she is ready to hit
the ground running in August.
With the recently announced retirement of
Jay Sparks, Oakview will also have a new face
at the helm next year. Heidi Jenkins will take
that leadership spot for the new school year.
Her official confirmation is awaiting board
approval during their regular meeting on July
15.
Superintendent
Mark Davalos

CSD SUMMER 2015 WEB

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