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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Education Notes: Dads, sons will exhibit art

Dads and their sons will share their artistic talent in a “Father and Son Art Exhibit” hosted by Discovery School, 323 S. Grant St. in downtown Spokane.

The event will start with a reception on Sunday at Discovery’s Bob Evans Art Center, 5:30 to 7 p.m. The exhibit is coordinated by Discovery School’s artist-in-residence Priscilla Barnett and will run through May 5.

The reception and exhibit are open to the public.

For more information, call the school at (509) 838-0606 or visit www.discovery-school.org.

Trees honor memory

Students at Lewis and Clark High School recently had the opportunity to give back to their community and participated in planting a number of trees along Sixth Avenue between Washington and Stevens streets.

On March 25, groups of LC students involved in drama, advanced art, ecology, special education, debate and Japanese clubs helped plant the trees and adorned them with tree-grams, sharing a wish, hope, quote or a poem written on a biodegradable strip of paper. After losing her daughter nine years ago, local resident Nancy MacKerrow shared the project with the students with the idea that “there are lots of students in Spokane who find interesting and fulfilling extracurricular activities to participate in. Why not make these special trees that honor students who may not get recognition otherwise,” she said.

MacKerrow’s daughter, Susie Stephens, graduated from LC in 1983. Stephens was killed after she was hit by a bus while crossing a street in a crosswalk. MacKerrow helps plant trees throughout Spokane and the world in honor of her daughter. “When I hear about tree plantings I try to contact the people involved and see if I can help make the event more memorable,” she said. To date, 119 trees have been planted in her daughter’s honor.

Immunization clinics

The Mead School District and Spokane Regional Health District will hold free local immunization clinics for students. Parents must be present and bring their child’s vaccination records to identify required immunizations. The clinics are available for all children.

The clinics will be held April 12 and May 17 at Farwell Elementary School, 13005 N. Crestline St., and April 14 and May 19 at Shiloh Hills Elementary School, 505 E. Stonewall Ave. All clinics are from 3 to 6 p.m.

For more information call the Spokane Regional Health District (509) 324-1600.

Open houses planned

• Spokane Public Schools will have a second open house tonight in the gym at Jefferson Elementary School, 3612 S. Grand Blvd., 5:30 to 7 p.m., regarding the Jefferson Elementary project as well as Lewis and Clark’s Hart Field.

Representatives from the school district and MMEC Architecture will share information and answer questions about refinements to Jefferson’s design and the Hart Field master plan.

• On Track Academy will host an open house on April 13 for interested students and their families, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Skills Center conference room, 4141 N. Regal St.

Students who would like to learn more about On Track and its programs will have an opportunity to tour the classrooms, meet the staff and have their questions answered.

For more information call Lesa Renner at (509) 354-4821.

• The Community School, 1300 W. Knox Ave., will hold an open house for students and families interested in finding out about project-based learning on April 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

For further information call Cindy McMahon at (509) 354-6404.

Shilo Hills honored

Shiloh Hills Elementary School in the Mead School District is the recipient of a 2010 Washington Achievement Award.

The award, based on the Washington Achievement Index, celebrates schools for overall excellence in language arts, math, science, graduation rates, improvement and closing achievement gaps, according to the state Board of Education.

According to the Mead district website, Shiloh Hills is one of only 21 elementary schools recognized statewide for closing achievement gaps.

Rainey Coffin can be reached at (509) 927-2166 or via email at raineyc@spokesman.com.