Evergreen School District (ESD), the neighboring district to Camas, has come to an agreement on a new contract for their paraeducators. This allows all Evergreen schools to return to class and begin the education that many schools, including Camas High School (CHS), began several weeks ago. 

Cascadia Technical Academy (CTA) is a part of the ESD. Although CTA students come from districts across the area, they were prevented from starting classes on time because CTA falls under the ESD’s jurisdiction. 

“I think really it was mostly just kids being excited about when they were going and when the start date would be, and maybe we were surprised that it took as much time as it did,” CHS school counselor Sarah Warta said regarding the students during the strike.

For many students, the delay meant a nice, easy morning to sleep in and start school at 11 a.m., or end the day early and be home by 1 p.m. However, the strike went on for much longer than most anticipated. Three weeks after the intended first day of school, Cascadia students were allowed to begin the pathway they had worked for. 

“I wanted the kids back, because they needed to be here,” Cascadia Aviation Science & Technology instructor Kimberly O’Neal said. “It’s more frustrating than it is gonna impact learning.” 

ESD’s revised schedule took an additional week to update after students returned to school. The most notable changes include an extra day of school during Thanksgiving break, an additional day of school on Monday, Dec. 22, and classes now extended to June 18. 

There is little to zero concern about school extending past June 18. In the event of snow days or other closures, the district hopes to adjust the calendar elsewhere to avoid going past the federal holiday Juneteenth.

“I don’t think it’s going to be an issue for the days that they added,” O’Neal said. 

“Since they’ve been doing this [the schedule] has always been a little off, and every year looks a little bit different,” Warta said. “I just feel like we do our best to make it work, whatever it is.” 

Warta also mentioned that Cascadia students are missing less learning time this year because of the recent changes to advisory that CHS has made. 

“In some ways it’s actually better,” Warta said. 

Previously, Cascadia students would barely get to CHS on time or miss the first part of their third period. However, now that advisory has moved, it gives those students an extra 15 minutes or more to change out of their work clothes, study, and get ready for their next class.