Arts and Technology High School lobby open on Wednesdays

Arts and Technology High School students are welcome to use the ATHS lobby during the summer to provide a workspace for online summer classes, job applications or other learning activities.

The lobby will be open on most Wednesdays during the summer from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for students to drop in to use computers, work with other students on assignments and get support from staff members.

The dates are July 18 and 25 and Aug. 1, 15, 22.

For more information about ATHS, visit aths.wlwv.k12.or.us.

Ben Whitcomb joins Arts and Technology High School

Arts and Technology High School will be welcoming Ben Whitcomb as the new art teacher.

Whitcomb completed his undergraduate work in fine arts, with a concentration in printmaking, at Western Washington University in Bellingham.

He recently completed his master’s in education at Portland State University and was a student teacher at Parkrose High School.

“Ben was a top candidate through the interview process, impressing students and teachers with his incredible skills as an artist, warm personality, here-to-help-students attitude, and strong interest in working with students at ATHS,” Principal Saskia Dresler said. “We are excited to welcome Ben to the Art Tech community.”

Whitcomb is taking Rachel Pass’ place as she completes a master’s program in writing at Portland State University.

“We are going to miss Rachel this year and we look forward to her visiting school and meeting up with our group at the First Thursday Art Walk,” Dresler said.

Share your world with an exchange student

AFS Intercultural Programs is looking for families to host one of 115 foreign exchange students arriving in the Pacific Northwest this August from more than 90 different countries across the globe.

These international students are eager to attend a local high school for a full year, live with a host family and discover what life in America entails.

Host families provide a bed and meals, share their daily lives with students, and help guide and care for students as they would their own children.

There is no “typical” AFS host family; two-parent households, empty-nesters and single parents can all become supportive parents to a student.

Families and their hosted students receive ongoing support from AFS staff and experienced, local volunteers.

By hosting an AFS student, families will help build bridges of intercultural understanding while connecting with an outstanding young person and sharing their community.

“I thought that the best part of hosting would be experiencing new countries and cultures, which has definitely happened. I was surprised to find that the best part has actually been experiencing the gratefulness and love that these kids brought into our lives. They truly become part of the family.” said Kelly Hanson, host to six AFS students.

“Our ‘kids’ still call us to share their lives and struggles. We are an on-going part of their lives, not just a memory from their past,” she said.

She continued, “Hosting is an awesome way to change the world from your own home. I know that in several faraway places in the world that our influence continues to make an impact through the kids that we’ve hosted.

To host an international exchange student with AFS-USA, call 503-419-9503 or email HYPERLINK “mailto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ” This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information, or visit afsusa.org.