October 10, 2025

Mount Adams and Harrah staff Eat from Around the World!

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting menu promotion coming next week in celebration of National School Lunch Week (October 13–17)!  This year, we’re following the School Nutrition Association’s theme — and taking our students on a culinary adventure around the world! Each day, our cafeteria will feature a delicious, themed meal inspired by a different region of the globe. Students can collect stamps in their “Lunch Passport” and even earn a special prize at the end of the week!

Here’s what’s cooking:

 10/13 – Taste of Asia (Vietnam)
Entrée: Banh Mi Burger (Chicken Patty Sandwich with Ham & Pickled Veggies)
Side: Fresh Cucumber with Zesty Lemon & Chili

 10/14 – Taste of the Middle East (Lebanon)
Entrée: Kofta Meatballs with Mediterranean Rice (Served with Tzatziki Sauce)

 10/15 – Taste of Latin America (Caribbean Islands)
Entrée: Jerk Chicken & Caribbean Rice
Side: Seasoned Black Beans

 10/16 – Taste of Asia (Japan)
Entrée: Chicken Teriyaki with Rice & Egg Roll

 10/17 – Taste of Europe (United Kingdom)
Entrée: Baked Cornish Pastie (Beef, Potatoes & Carrots in a Golden Pastry)
Side: Seasoned Green Peas

How It Works:
Students who eat lunch each day will get their passport punched. Those who collect punches for all 5 days will receive a fun reward at week’s end!
If a student doesn’t eat the featured meal, no worries — they can complete a short activity sheet in the cafeteria to earn their punch instead.

We’d love your help in spreading the excitement — please encourage students to join us in this delicious global celebration of school lunch!

Thank you for your continued support in making school meals something to look forward to every day. Bon appétit!

Growing Skills: Microgreens Inspire Culinary Creations

Last week, our talented students planted fresh microgreens, and this week, they used those greens to prepare some fancy hors d'oeuvres, truly elevating their culinary experience. As they crafted these elegant bites, the students felt a sense of pride and sophistication, boosting their confidence while creating impressive and delicious appetizers. Watching their creativity come to life was inspiring, and it was clear they enjoyed the challenge of turning simple ingredients into gourmet-style dishes. This journey from planting to cooking fostered a fun, educational, and hands-on learning experience.  It allowed students to see the connection between gardening and cooking, encouraging a deeper appreciation for fresh, local ingredients. The sense of accomplishment they gained from successfully preparing these appetizers was evident, and many students expressed excitement about trying new recipes in the future. We are proud of their progress and enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing what they will create next. 

  

White Swan High School Mini Cheer Camp Recap!

Our White Swan High School Mini Cheer Camp was a huge success! The students practiced diligently, learning cheerleading routines, teamwork, and school spirit. Their hard work paid off when they performed confidently at the White Swan HS football game, thrilling the crowd and showcasing their skills.  A special thank you to our dedicated coaches, Maria Anguiano and Aidee Frias, for their guidance and support throughout the camp. It was inspiring to see the students’ dedication and enthusiasm, and we are proud of all their efforts. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event. We look forward to more opportunities for our students to shine and cheer on our teams in the future!

Football Team Gets Ready: Warm-Up Highlights

Our football team has been working hard with their warm-up routines to kick off practices and games strong. These warm-ups help players improve flexibility, build team chemistry, and prepare mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. It's great to see everyone focused and energized as they gear up for an exciting season.  A big thank you to our coaches for guiding the team through effective warm-up drills that set the tone for success on the field. Stay tuned for more updates as our team continues to train and prepare for upcoming games.

Our staff recently participated in a valuable professional development session with Bridget, focusing on strategies to promote language development. The discussion highlighted the strong connection between language skills, academic language acquisition, and reading comprehension. Bridget shared effective techniques to support students’ language growth, which in turn enhances their ability to understand and engage with complex texts across subjectsThis training is part of our ongoing commitment to providing teachers with tools to foster strong language skills, ultimately supporting our students’ academic achievement. We look forward to applying these strategies in the classroom to help all students succeed!

 



Professional Development with Kristin Trease: Strategies to Boost Reading Comprehension 

Kristin Trease recently led a professional development session focused on effective strategies to enhance students’ understanding of complex texts. She demonstrated how to model the Skills Chart strategy, helping students analyze key elements of a story to develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, she showcased the Picture File Sort strategy, which encourages students to organize visual and textual information to make meaningful connections. Kristin Trease shared how she used these strategies to facilitate deeper comprehension of “The Handmaid’s Tale”, a novel chosen by her Bridge to College English class. By applying these approaches, her students engaged more critically with the themes, characters, and symbolism within the book, leading to richer discussions and improved understanding.  This PD session provided valuable insights into how targeted strategies can improve language skills and comprehension, equipping teachers with new tools to support student success.

White Swan High School Seniors Explore Post-Secondary Opportunities at Central Washington University 

On Friday, October 3rd, seven of our White Swan High School seniors had an incredible visit to Central Washington University! The students enjoyed a campus tour, attended admissions presentations, experienced an amazing planetarium show, and dined at the CWU Dining Center. A highlight of the visit was the onsite admissions opportunity, each of our seven students received an acceptance letter from CWU during the event! This exciting milestone opens new doors for their future educational journeys.  In addition, several members of our White Swan High School College Success Team participated in Heritage University’s Counselor Day. They learned about scholarships, guiding students through the transition to college, the importance of college credit, financial aid completion, the nursing program, and updates from Heritage University. Each staff member received a $1,000 scholarship to award to a White Swan High School senior planning to attend Heritage in Fall 2026.  We look forward to seeing our students continue to thrive as they pursue their dreams! 

Staffle” Kickoff Unites Team Spirit and Positivity Across Campus

Mr. Kolve, in collaboration with the leadership team, launched the first Staffle of the year—an exciting and uplifting kickoff to their ongoing efforts to build stronger connections and celebrate positivity throughout the Harrah campus. The Staffle—a friendly blend of “staff” and “raffle”—is designed to align with Harrah’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) framework. This initiative provides both staff and students with opportunities to recognize acts of kindness, celebrate positive behavior, and reinforce a culture of respect and encouragement. Each Staffle serves as a reminder that creating a supportive school climate is a shared responsibility. By recognizing the everyday moments that   make our campus thrive, we are continuing to grow a community where every individual feels valued, seen, and motivated to succeed. This launch marks the beginning of a year filled with collaboration, encouragement, and collective celebration—a perfect reflection of Harrah campus staff’s commitment to cultivating a positive, student-centered culture across Mt. Adams schools.

Harrah Elementary 6th Graders Discover Learning and Leadership at Camp Dudley

Harrah Elementary’s 6th-grade students recently experienced an unforgettable adventure at Camp Dudley, where learning came alive beyond the classroom. Immersed in the natural beauty of the outdoors, students engaged in hands-on science activities such as biodiversity hikes, canoeing and water testing, and habitat studies—connecting classroom lessons to real-world environmental exploration. In addition to science-based learning, Camp Dudley offered opportunities for students to strengthen teamwork, perseverance, and trust through collaborative challenges like low ropes courses and rock climbing. These activities encouraged communication, problem-solving, and mutual support, fostering both confidence and leadership. Students also enjoyed a meaningful cultural component as they listened to a traditional Yakama Legend, deepening their understanding and appreciation of local heritage. The experience concluded with a campfire celebration, where students reflected on their growth, shared stories, and celebrated their accomplishments together. The Camp Dudley experience provided Harrah Elementary’s 6th graders with a memorable and enriching opportunity to learn, lead, and connect—building skills and memories that will last well beyond their time at camp.

Mount Adams Study and Survey Approved by OSPI — ICOS System Updated for Seven Years

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has officially approved the Study and Survey file for the Mount Adams School District, marking an important milestone in the district’s long-term facilities planning process. This approval confirms that the Integrated Condition and Operations System (ICOS)—the state’s platform used to track and assess school facility conditions—has been fully updated and certified for the next seven years. Maintaining an active and approved Study and Survey, along with an up-to-date ICOS system, is a prerequisite for eligibility to receive state funding for school construction and modernization projects. This approval ensures that Mount Adams remains positioned to pursue future capital projects with OSPI support, aligning the district’s facility planning with state requirements and long-range strategic goals. Board members and community stakeholders can view the approved document by clicking the link below:

View the Study and Survey Grant Application (2025)