ROOTS

Waskowitz offers quality experiential education to students as they transition into high school. These programs help students prepare for their educational journeys, as well as develop relationships with their classmates and teachers. The program focuses on building community within each advisory class, helping to create a supportive school climate. Programs are designed around the following:

• The district promise to know every student by name, strength and need
• Natural classroom management
• Peer mentor training opportunities
• Establishment of a positive school climate
• Developing a common mindset of excellence and ethics

What is unique about residential programming at Waskowitz?

Residential programming allows participants to work, eat and live with one another for a period of time.  This type of programming is very beneficial to creating a strong, safe and positive community.

The Waskowitz experience honors a Highline Public Schools tradition that is 70 years strong! Staff are invested to Highline and understand the district's strategic goals.

What is Literacy Camp?

Literacy Camp is designed to provide students in 9th or 10th grade the opportunity to earn 0.5 credit in Language Arts or social studies. It is held at Waskowitz over three weekends (nine days total).  Lit Camp is a highly engaging residential program. Curriculum design allows students to set goals, develop positive peer support, understand themselves as learners and obtain literacy skills for school and the workplace.

What do I do at Literacy Camp?

Activities at Lit Camp vary based on students. Basic activities include:

• Group/individual reading and completion of instructor-selected novel.
• Journal writing and reflections.
• Homework assignments in addition to the work assigned at school.
• Group project, including poster design, essay and presentation.
• Team-building challenges and activities.
• Personal slam poetry piece, written and performed.

What will I learn through Literacy Camp?

As a Lit Camp student, it is your role to:

• Grow as a learner by reflecting upon your academic work and seeking feedback.
• Gain a clearer academic understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement.
• Retain new and personal productive ways to learn.
• Develop skills to become a stronger student and community member.

Literacy Camp Logistics

In this intensive weekend course, students will explore a topic related to social studies or social justice through reading, discussion, debate and research.  Students will keep a writer’s journal and will write papers that demonstrate their depth of understanding about the topic and their ability to communicate to a variety of audiences about the topic.  The course will culminate in a poetry slam/open mic experience where students present their topic to other students and staff. 

Students travel by bus from their high school to Waskowitz in North Bend, where they stay overnight for each of the program weekends, returning to their high school on Sunday.  This course is free for students and includes all meals.

Students will earn a 0.5 credit in Language Arts or social studies if they attend all three weekends and complete the coursework during the weekends.