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Stories by Susan Parrish

Columbian Education Reporter

Melanie Green from Evergreen Public Schools, oversees the district's 10 family and community resource centers. She has been named the state's Classified School Employee of the Year.

Evergreen Public Schools employee honored by state

Melanie Green from Evergreen Public Schools, oversees the district's 10 family and community resource centers. She has been named the state's Classified School Employee of the Year.

May 15, 2016, 6:05am Clark County News

Melanie Green recalls a day she’d taken blankets to a homeless family with young children living in a tent in a field near the Orchards Fred Meyer. The homeless shelters were full. The Winter Hospitality Overflow shelters weren’t open for the season yet. The family was out of options. Read story

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during a news conference at the Texas Republican Convention Friday, May 13, 2016, in Dallas. Texas is signaling the state it will challenge an Obama administrative directive over bathroom access for transgender students in public schools.

Policies on transgender students in place at local districts

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during a news conference at the Texas Republican Convention Friday, May 13, 2016, in Dallas. Texas is signaling the state it will challenge an Obama administrative directive over bathroom access for transgender students in public schools.

May 13, 2016, 9:41pm Clark County News

The three largest school districts in Clark County — Evergreen, Vancouver and Battle Ground — weighed in on the Obama administration’s school restroom guidelines Friday. All three districts already have policies in place. The policies are set by each district’s school board, but must comply with a 2006 state law… Read story

Student Oryann Fitim, 16, foreground, plays for Superintendent Dean Stenehjem on Monday afternoon at the Washington State School for the Blind. He is retiring at the end of the school year after 26 years at the helm of the state school.

Washington State School for the Blind superintendent to retire

Student Oryann Fitim, 16, foreground, plays for Superintendent Dean Stenehjem on Monday afternoon at the Washington State School for the Blind. He is retiring at the end of the school year after 26 years at the helm of the state school.

May 10, 2016, 6:02am Clark County News

Bent over a drill press, Alexis Payne, 17, drilled holes in a box that will eventually hold a collection of essential oils such as lavender. Read story

Members of the Griffith family pose for a portrait on their Ridgefield farm. Pictured from left: Jennica Griffith, 12, Samson Griffith, 15, mom Julia Griffith, Mirlie Griffith, 18, and Silas Griffith, 17. Not pictured are Billy, 17; Abraham, 20, and Abby, 22.

Mother of 7 finds balance in kids, school, farmvideo icon

Members of the Griffith family pose for a portrait on their Ridgefield farm. Pictured from left: Jennica Griffith, 12, Samson Griffith, 15, mom Julia Griffith, Mirlie Griffith, 18, and Silas Griffith, 17. Not pictured are Billy, 17; Abraham, 20, and Abby, 22.

May 8, 2016, 6:00am Clark County Life

It’s a typical early evening on the Griffith family farm. Brothers Silas, 17, and Samson, 15, shoot hoops in the driveway, while their sister, Mirlie, 18, watches. Standing nearby at a fence, Jennica, 12, deftly braids the mane of an Arabian horse. Their brother, Billy, 17, is still at track… Read story

Five years ago, Allegra Koupal was a homeless drug addict and high school dropout incarcerated in the Clark County Jail.

Once on meth, Allegra Koupal now graduating WSUV with honors

Five years ago, Allegra Koupal was a homeless drug addict and high school dropout incarcerated in the Clark County Jail.

May 6, 2016, 6:08am Editor's Choice

When Allegra Koupal crosses the stage to receive her college diploma Saturday, she will be completing an arduous journey that began with a single step in a Clark County Jail cell five years ago. That’s when she hit rock bottom. Read story

Joe Siler takes a sample of water to be tested for lead at Jason Lee Middle School on Wednesday morning. Vancouver Public Schools is among several Clark County school districts testing their drinking water for lead.

Clark County school districts on the lookout for lead

Joe Siler takes a sample of water to be tested for lead at Jason Lee Middle School on Wednesday morning. Vancouver Public Schools is among several Clark County school districts testing their drinking water for lead.

May 4, 2016, 7:58pm Clark County News

Joe Siler held a sterile 20-ounce plastic bottle under a water fountain in a hallway at Jason Lee Middle School before classes started Wednesday morning. Read story

Tom Dwyer demonstrates blacksmith skills at the Pomeroy Farm Country Life Fair. Dwyer also volunteers in the blacksmith shop at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Cynthia Johnson, from left, of Goodwill Job Connection speaks with Evergreen High school senior Cory Wiese at the Digital Technology Expo on Thursday at the Hilton Vancouver Washington.

Tech expo allows students to interact with professionals

Cynthia Johnson, from left, of Goodwill Job Connection speaks with Evergreen High school senior Cory Wiese at the Digital Technology Expo on Thursday at the Hilton Vancouver Washington.

April 28, 2016, 6:03pm Business

Andrew King missed the school bus to Vancouver’s inaugural Digital Technology Expo on Thursday morning because he had to take a test. But the Fort Vancouver High School student was determined to make it to the expo’s education preview so he could meet potential employers and learn what education and… Read story

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics Principal Jim O'Banion is retiring. Lori Rotherham, current associate principal, will become principal. Jennifer Hockhalter will become associate principal. She currently is a teacher at VSAA.

Vancouver names new school principals, administrators

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics Principal Jim O'Banion is retiring. Lori Rotherham, current associate principal, will become principal. Jennifer Hockhalter will become associate principal. She currently is a teacher at VSAA.

April 27, 2016, 12:00pm Clark County News

Vancouver Public Schools has announced several administrative staff changes for the 2016-17 school year. Personnel assignments are subject to approval by the school board. Read story

Police: Man makes suicidal threats, causes schools to lockdown

April 27, 2016, 10:53am Clark County News

McLoughlin Middle School was placed on a modified lockdown this morning after a man made suicidal threats to a student on their way to school, Vancouver Police Department Spokeswoman Kim Kapp said. Read story