CLARKSTON, WA - Ten winning students from five Clarkston schools will compete to be named as district champion at the Clarkston School District Spelling Bee on Wednesday, January 28 at 6 PM. Fourth through eighth grade students competed in individual school competitions on January 16 and 23, naming first and second place winners at each of the five buildings. These students will compete on January 28 in the District Spelling Bee to determine who will represent Clarkston at the Regional Spelling Bee held in March.

After much excitement and a bit of tears, the winners from each school building were identified as follows:

Grantham Elementary: Winner - Alyzae' Simmet (6th grade); Runner Up - Madison Wapnowski (4th grade)
Heights Elementary: Winner - Cassidy Arnot (6th grade); Runner Up - Zane Leslie (5th grade)
Highland Elementary: Winner - Caleb Ortiz (5th grade); Runner Up - Ryder Roberts (4th grade)
Parkway Elementary: Winner - Madilyn Harper (4th grade); Runner Up - Logan Murrin (5th grade)
Lincoln Middle School: Winner - Kyler Nichols (8th grade); Runner Up - Ashlyn Martin (8th grade)

Following the District Spelling Bee on January 28, the winner will compete at the Inland Northwest Regional Spelling Bee at the LCSC Conference Center on March 7. The winner of the Regional competition will go on to the National Spelling Bee held in Washington, D.C. More information on the regional contest is available by contacting Laura Wilson at LCSC at 208.792.2060.

The Clarkston School District Spelling Bee takes place on January 28 at 6 PM at the Walla Walla Community College in Clarkston, and the public is welcome to attend. For more information on this event, contact District Communications Director Molly Curtiss at CurtissM@csdk12.org, or Enrichment Coordinator Holly Ledgerwood at LedgerwoodH@csdk12.org.

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CLARKSTON, WA - Please note the following changes to the Clarkston School Board meetings. On the second and fourth Monday of each month, a Regular School Board Meeting of the Board of Directors of Clarkston School District J250-185 will be held at 6:30 PM at the District office Board Room, 1294 Chestnut Street, unless otherwise posted. On only the first Board meeting of each month, an additional Study Session will be held from 5:30-6:20 PM in the District office Computer Lab.

For more information, please contact the Superintendent's Office at 509.769.6338.

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Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into the discovery of a deceased man who washed ashore at Baker Beach in Lane County this past weekend.

On Saturday, December 27th, prior to 10:00 a.m., OSP troopers were dispatched to Baker Beach in Lane County where a person walking in the area discovered a deceased man on shore.

Upon arrival, troopers discovered a deceased adult male that had come ashore after being in the ocean. Troopers worked with the Lincoln County Medical Examiner's Office and the Lane County Medical Examiner to identify the man by dental records as BRYAN E. McKINNEY, 27, of Wenatchee Washington, who was reported missing on December 16th. While the investigation is ongoing, troopers do not suspect foul play was involved.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Lincoln County Medical Examiner's Office and the Lane County Medical Examiner. No photographs or further information are available for release.

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CLARKSTON, WA - Kick off the New Year with a seat on the next Clarkston District Bus Tour, scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The January 14 Bus Tour will visit Parkway Elementary and Lincoln Middle School as participants are shuttled from the District Office to each of the schools aboard a Clarkston school bus.

What exactly is a District Bus Tour? Clarkston School District offers three free bus tours each year as a unique opportunity to look at what's happening in our schools. Tours allow those who may not normally have the opportunity to visit schools a chance to see first-hand what learning looks like today.

Observe and interact with students and teachers inside classrooms, visit with district and school staff, and learn more about what is needed for students to succeed in school today. The bus tour begins and ends at the Clarkston School District Office. Each tour concludes with a free lunch and question and answer session with Superintendent Tim Winter.

Space is limited, and anyone wishing to attend must register first. Community members are encouraged to reserve their spot by contacting Communications Director, Molly Curtiss, at CurtissM@csdk12.org or at 509.544.5787.

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Attached Media Files: Sept. 2014 Bus Tour