Friday, June 19, 2020
Woodland Public Schools offers learning alternatives for families concerned about coronavirus prevention this fall

After hearing some families’ concerns about coronavirus prevention when students return to school in the fall, Woodland Public Schools reassures families by spotlighting two district programs designed to help students learn from home with limited or no classroom interaction: Lewis River Academy (LRA) for students in grades K-8 and TEAM High School for students in grades 9-12.

Learn more about Lewis River Academy (LRA):

Lewis River Academy (LRA) offers an alternative learning environment for K-8 students who want to participate in an innovative approach to school featuring lessons taught at home provided by two teachers dedicated exclusively to the program combined with optional in-classroom activities.

LRA students learn from home-based lessons overseen by teachers who exclusively serve the program

Although optional for LRA students, the Wednesday Workshops typically draw in a majority of the enrolled students as well as their families. “We usually have a great turnout as our students, parents, and siblings enjoy learning about different topics from our guest speakers,” said Teri. “We particularly enjoy having parents attend as they are our learning coaches; by experiencing the curriculum first-hand in the classroom, they’re better-prepared to use it out of the classroom, too.”

The LRA program requires the same amount of rigor as traditional schooling. "Students in the LRA program must dedicate six hours each day to their schooling just like any other student," explained Jake. "The program also offers home-schooled students access to electives like band and athletics while still permitting them to take their core classes through the LRA."

Students and families interested in enrolling in LRA should contact Jake Hall. Interested students and their parents will meet with Jake to discuss how LRA works and whether the program fits the family's interests and approaches to their student's learning. "We want to determine that the LRA program is a good fit for the students and families during the intake overview," he explained. "If LRA is the right fit, the student can enroll and get started right away." To learn more, contact Principal Jake Hall at hallj@woodlandschools.org or visit the LRA website.

Learn more about TEAM High School:

TEAM offers Woodland’s high school students a path to earning a diploma (not a GED) with an approach to school that accommodates extenuating life circumstances facing individual students such as full-time work, challenges with traditional school schedules, or family responsibilities.

TEAM High School caters to students with individual needs and responsibilities not served by traditional schoolingTEAM High School caters to students with individual needs and responsibilities not served by traditional schooling

The staff of TEAM help people think of alternative high schools differently. “Many people hear ‘alternative school’ and think it’s a place for ‘troubled’ kids” said Elizabeth “Liz” Vallaire, TEAM’s Math and Science Teacher. “We want to change that perception: we don’t have ‘typical’ students – we have high-achieving students; students with life responsibilities; and students whose life circumstances make TEAM’s approach to learning a better fit.”

“TEAM can be great for students because we meet them where they are academically and offer a myriad of supports and flexibility with classes to help them succeed,” said Jill Domingo, TEAM’s Social Studies and English Teacher. “Since we have time to work with our students one-on-one, they share information about their work, hobbies, and home lives; I feel having that knowledge helps me be a better teacher by allowing me to adjust my instruction to fit their specific needs and learning styles.”

TEAM High School's graduation rate has more than doubled in recent yearsTEAM High School's graduation rate has more than doubled in recent years

Over recent years, the graduation rate at TEAM has more than doubled, a significant accomplishment for any high school, particularly an alternative school. Jake Hall, Woodland’s Executive Director of Learning Supports and Alternatives, serves as TEAM’s principal, and commends the staff for why the school sees such great success. “Some of our students develop ‘learned helplessness’ from years of not being successful in school, however, our staff at TEAM works with students to show them that success can build upon success,” he said. “Students at TEAM develop self-confidence by having teachers who want them to be successful, especially some of our most discouraged students.”

TEAM High School’s teachers and staff are, quite literally, award-winning. In April of 2019, Liz Vallaire was selected as Teacher of the Year for the State of Washington by the Washington Association for Learning Alternatives (WALA).

Due to coronavirus prevention, Woodland Public Schools is no longer limiting enrollment, instead supporting TEAM High School with more staffing, as needed, to maintain the alternative school’s ability to serve a diverse student body. “We feel like a family since we all get to know each other really well, and through that we are able to build trusting relationships from all the one-on-one time we have with each student,” said Liz. “I believe those relationships are often part of what keeps a lot of students motivated to succeed; they know that their families, their teachers, and their peers are also invested in their success.”

To learn more, contact Principal Jake Hall at hallj@woodlandschools.org or visit the TEAM website.


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Do you have a remote learning story you’d like to share?

Please send it with pictures and/or video to Eric Jacobson, our Communications Manager, at jacobsoe@woodlandschools.org