Education notebook: Spokane Public Schools’ C.A.T.S. wins Lego regional title; advances to international meet in Legoland California Resort

The C.A.T.S. Lego League team ( The acronym represents members Cole Bonawitz, Alice Rudders, Thomas Glavin and Sasha Sharman) recently won the First Washington Regional championship.

The members, representing Spokane Public Schools’ Montessori and Odyssey programs, the North Central Institute of Science and Technology and Sacajawea Middle School, will advance to compete in the First Lego League International Open competition at Legoland in California.

First Washington is an organization that hosts mentor-based programs that aim to prepare future STEM leaders through education and healthy competition. The First Lego League challenges teams to build, test and program an autonomous robot using Lego Mindstorms technology. The robot is put to the test by its ability to solve a series of tasks in the Robot Game during competition. The qualifying team semifinalists would get to travel to Washington, D.C., this June to compete for the Global Innovation Award.

Freeman baseball coach Ripke honored

Freeman High School baseball coach Chad Ripke was recently awarded the 2019 Northwest Baseball Coaches Merit Award from the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association. The award honors the role and personal investment of coaches in their school and community.

Rapid Rabbit Run sign-up underway

East Valley High School has opened registration for the Rapid Rabbit Run on March 24, a fundraiser for their senior “All-Knighter.” Participants can choose from a 5-mile or 3-mile run. The 5-miler is a qualifying race for the Bloomsday second seed.

Registration is $25 with T-shirt or $20 without. Registration after March 1 is $25, but does not include the T-shirt. Awards will go to the top male and female finishers and the top three finishers in each age group for both races. Participants must be present to receive their award. Prizes will also be drawn following the race.

Registration can be completed online at eastvalleyhs.wixsite.com/rapidrabbitrun. Questions may be addressed to Rhonda Allen at (509) 701-3565 or rhonda3turtles@gmail.com.

WV City School teacher Hamm honored

Nick Hamm, a teacher at West Valley City School, was presented with the West Valley School District’s Above and Beyond Award at a recent school board meeting. Principal Dusty Andres spoke on Hamm’s innovative and engaging project-based middle school curriculum.