CamasSchoolDistrictBoardofEducation holdsdiscussionwithDHS

Thediscussionleftsomestudentsangry, othersneutral,andafewsympathetic.

By:AliferiaGonzalez

On April 25, 2023, the Camas School District (CSD) school board held a discussion at Discovery High School (DHS) to have a conversation about their choices regarding the execution of recent budget cuts throughout the district.This board meeting induced a variety of reactions from students across the spectrum of anger to even agreement.

The discussion was held during the last two periods of the Tuesday school day. Every student was invited to attend, whether they could schedule it or not.

Teachers and staff of DHS were not allowed to attend the meeting, as stated by both DHS principal Aaron Smith during the discussion and multiple other staff before it occurred. In particular, Smith stated that it was a request from the school board and not a decision made by DHS staff.

Prior to the discussion, many events and controversies surrounding the budget cuts and their consequences were spoken about—the oldest of which was a board meeting on March 27, 2023.

DHSseniors’ post-graduationplans

Fromhospitalitytocomputerscience, seniorsaregoingmanyplacesafterhigh school.

By:AveryPerry

This month is a big one for seniors everywhere. Here at Discovery High School (DHS), seniors are gathering to celebrate their experiences and share some advice for the lower classmen of our school.

“My experience at Discovery has been kind of what I expected, a school more so for one-on-one if you took advantage of it—which is good, as long as you take advantage of it,” said Sky Fellows, a senior at DHS.

A lot of seniors reported being a lot more included at DHS, feeling like part of one big family.

“Throughout my experience in Discovery High School, I always felt included in every situation and every class,” said Jordan Basal, another senior at DHS.“Along with that, the support that students and teachers provide when needed is always useful.”

The execution of the budget cuts led to the formation of DHS Save Our Staff (DHSSOS)—an organization dedicated to speaking out against position removals and staff cuts at the Camas Project-Based Learning (PBL) campus.

Seniors have many things in store for their life after high school.

“I'm going into the hospitality industry; if I can, I would like to work at a hotel,” said Allie Gallaway.“It interests me because I was recommended it, and I enjoy hospitality and interacting with guests, co-workers, and supervisors. Right now I’m interning at a hotel in Vancouver.”

It's always good to get a jump start into your future before you leave high school, whether that's interning at a potential job or even applying to colleges early.

There's a different path for everyone, even if you don't have a plan now, you could always find a major you're interested in when you get to college.

“I'm majoring in computer science and hopefully getting a job in cyber security or programming computer software,” said Fellows, who had no question about what

Among the staff removals, DHSSOS also took time to speak out against the merging of Camas Connect Academy (CCA) and DHS—which would make the position of DHS administrator responsible for managing Odyssey Middle School their goals were after high school.

COVID-19 had a huge effect on DHS seniors, taking away most of their sophomore year.

“It feels wrong to be graduating so quickly after covid—my life flashed through my eyes and it doesn't feel real at all,” said Gallaway.“It feels like I'm still in ninth grade.”

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Discoverystudentsplanon transferringnextyear

StudentsarechoosingtoleaveDHSfor otherschools.

By:BradenTricola&WillowNusbaum

It’s coming to the end of the school year for Discovery High School (DHS) students.At this point in time, many students are deciding whether to transfer to a different high school, or stay at DHS. Some students, including a significant number of freshmen, are planning on leaving Discovery and going to different high schools.

Students are choosing to transfer for a variety of reasons, ranging from everything from budget cuts to simply just not liking the project-based learning experience.

Discovery Digest interviewed some students who were planning to transfer regarding their thoughts about that decision.

Silvia Pujol is currently a sophomore at Discovery High School (DHS), but is thinking about transferring to Seton Catholic High School. She mentioned a desire to experience a more traditional type of high school, as opposed to DHS’ project-based learning style.

“I love Discovery and it’s such an amazing school, but I also want like a new experience with traditional learning environments—I want to study for like finals and stuff,” Pujol said.

Uncertainforecastingfor nextyearatDHS

Studentshaveanunclearfuturefor forecastingclassesfornextyear.

By:ElGrimes&HayleeKohler

As this year is wrapping up, Discovery High School (DHS) students are very aware of the lack of forecasting for next year, confused on when the forecast will actually happen.There seems to be no clear information available at this time due to the uncertainty of what classes will be available and how the curriculum will be presented.

“I'm sorta waiting for information from Mr. Smith about that,” said Tim Warren, the DHS counselor. "He's been working on finalizing the master schedule for that.”

Warren wants to make the forecasts as accurate as possible.Although most schools have already done forecasting for the new school year,Warren has said he predicts that Discovery will do forecasting, hopefully, by the end of May.

Many classes that students are taking this year will be offered next year as well.This includes all core classes as well as art and shop classes.The classes Warren is unsure about are: P.E., Health, and Mandarin.

“I don't know what is going to happen to P.E. and Health yet,” said Warren.“This year we had to offer some P.E online because we didn't have enough offering and time for everyone to do it.That may still be the case, some P.E is offered live and some is independent.”

Students who’ve had the want for a more traditional high school experience have represented a large proportion of people who are transferring schools.

Another student who shares similar opinions to Pujol is freshman Elijah Chilton.

“I don't connect with people here as much as I imagine I will at Camas… I very much believe that Camas High School (CHS) emulates college more and has much more to give me, too,” said Chilton.

Chilton also brought up the variety of electives provided to students at CHS.

“[CHS has] more elective opportunities that fit my goals,” Chilton stated.“Cooking stuff is one, we don’t got any cooking classes here, [that’s a] huge part of me as a person.”

Chilton also brought up that many freshmen at DHS may only be here because they went to Odyssey Middle School (OMS) and wanted to stick with what was familiar.

“I was just anxious about going to a new place,” Chilton said in reference to his choice to go to DHS this year over CHS.

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Many students are caught in the school-wide miscommunication and are left with an unclear idea of what forecasting will look like.

“I was told that it will happen in a couple of weeks, maybe two weeks from now?” said Carmen Bellini, a sophomore at DHS. She further explained the confusion she was feeling and how that affected her plan for her upcoming years of high school.

“I have no idea what’s offered next year,” said Bellini. “I don’t even know what's available now! My classes got chosen for me, so I’m not fully sure of what my schedule will be.”

This seems to be a trend amongst other students, as classes are up in the air for next year.

“To be honest, I don’t think it’s going to happen this year,” said Theodore Sampey, a DHS sophomore.“I think it’s probably going to happen next year, next school year, when it starts.”

Sampey explained that they would like a variety of science classes available to take next year, as well as some art classes.

“I don't think we have any idea what we’re going to do for our classes, like not even one,” said Sampey.“I really want there to be a lot of science options next year, I’m not even sure what range I'm going to have for science.”

Students and staff are both hoping for some details to clear up the foggy idea of forecasting for next year at DHS. Classes and curriculum will look different, but hopefully students can still get their desired classes.