“We’ve had a great first day of school,” said Ann Varkados, Lyle School District Superintendent. “Kids are excited to be there and teachers are excited. We’re looking forward to having kids in class every day.”

North Wasco County Public School District 21 hosted a listening session to hear staff and community questions and concerns about returning to full-time in-person learning on August 30th. Stakeholder feedback was then incorporated into D21’s 2021-2022 Back to School Plan during the school board work session.

Columbia Gorge Community College is offering $600 “Rebound” scholarships to students enrolling for Fall Term 2021 and who enrolled in CGCC credit classes previously but dropped because of the pandemic. Find out more here.

While the ribbon-cutting is still planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, the college will offer a livestream of the event for people who do not wish to attend in person. The college is encouraging people to participate via the livestream, while still keeping the ribbon-cutting open to those who prefer to attend in person.

Several local clinics are teaming up to give children a healthy head start for the school year with checkups, immunization, even a free backpack with school supplies.

CGCC is bringing a new aviation maintenance technician program to the Gorge to address a shortage in the industry. “The average starting annual pay for a certificated mechanic is $45,000,” and this is increasing every year. Experienced mechanics earn $70,000 per year or more. Read more here.

CGCC is now taking applications for its new dormitory, Chinook Residence Hall. The building features some incredible views and good energy with blues, whites and light wood tones. The building will be able to house 50 students in its current configuration. Read and SEE more here.

Eleven-year-old Tavin Smith is a hustler in a good lemonade, hot chocolate kind of way. His sister, Sydney, chips in with her cookies.

David Osborn will facilitate a program named “The Meaning of Climate Change” via Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 4th, at 6 p.m. through the Wasco County Library District. Learn out what else is happening in this month’s Library Happenings newsletter.

CGCC students who transfer to Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University are now able to receive a scholarship of $22,000 per year, guaranteed for up to three-and-a-half years, for a total of $77,000.

Kurtz Gym is undergoing some major structural enhancements as the foundation is secured and the upper structure is girded against earthquake forces. The $2.276 million in upgrades intends to make the building sound for many games and rallies to come.

Our P.E.O. funds raised locally have assisted qualified applicants this past year whose educational goals were: firefighter EMT, nursing, auto mechanics, architecture, math teacher and medical doctor.

There are some simple recipes at Riverbend Community School on the Columbia Gorge Community College campus in The Dalles. Want to learn about physics? Build a roller coaster. Learn more about the school’s Spring Exhibition of Learning here.

A partnership between local art organizations is bringing a full slate of interesting art classes for local children in The Dalles, said The Dalles Art Center’s Director Scott Stephenson. Students generally falling into grades second through fifth can explore mosaic tiles, try some bucket drumming, use recycled materials to make mixed media costumes or jump into fiber arts, learning about knitting, sewing and dyeing.

First Annual Golden Apple Awards bestowed on D21 staff and volunteers along with $500. Recipients were nominated by colleagues, family and friends. Judges had a lot to read as 52 nominations were made this year. Check out the winners here.

Gorge Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, located at the Hood River Airport, hosted an Awards Evening on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, to honor its top cadets. Find out who right here.

For some kids today is just the end of the school year, but for some staff, it is their last. D21 officials recognized four employees from local elementary schools that have made lasting impacts on the youth of this community. Read more about them and their amazing contribution here.

Gorge STEM Hub creates Columbia Gorge Career Connect to increase career exposure for local youth, bridging the gap between high school and the workforce through guest speakers, job shadows, and academic internships. The program is seeking matching donations in time and money after receiving a matching grant. Read more here.

Fourth-graders hit the trail this morning, June 8, at Dry Hollow Elementary as the classes re-enacted the historical 2000-mile Oregon Trail journey from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City.

TD Public Library Opens Back Up