Outstanding improvement in student achievement led to a special honor for 97 schools in our state, ten of which are in the ESD 112 region and seven of which are in Clark County. The schools received the 2012 School of Distinction Award from the Center for Educational Effectiveness, the Association of Educational Service Districts, the Association of Washington School Principals, Phi Delta Kappa-Washington Chapter, Washington Association of School Administrators, and Washington State School Directors’ Association. The following local schools are among Washington’s top 5% for increased reading and math achievement over the past five years: Battle Ground High School, Chief Umtuch Middle School, Tukes Valley Middle School, Grass Valley Elementary School, South Ridge Elementary School, Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School, and Cape Horn Skye Elementary School. Schools will be recognized at an awards ceremony May 24, 2013.

Vancouver is seeking applicants for one vacancy on the Vancouver Public Facilities District (PFD) board of directors. Applications must be received in the City Manager’s Office by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27. The PFD is authorized to acquire, construct, own, remodel, maintain, equip, reequip, repair, finance, and operate one or more “regional centers,” such as the city’s Hilton Convention Center. The board is appointed by the City Council, and the members are selected as follows: two members are appointed at large; and three members are appointed based upon recommendations from local organizations that include, but are not limited to, the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, local economic development organizations, and local labor councils. The current board vacancy will be filled from recommendations from the local organizations mentioned above. The term of this position will expire Nov. 30, 2016, with the potential for an additional four-year extension at that time. For details, contact the City Manager’s Office at City Hall at 360-487-8605 or apply online at http://www.cityofvancouver.us/boards.

Umpqua Bank is helping local nonprofits by giving grants through a Facebook voting campaign. Through Dec. 16, the Hough Foundation is asking its fans to visit Umpqua’s Facebook page and leave comments explaining why the Hough Foundation inspires or helps them. Umpqua Bank will pick from the comments and give the groups mentioned grants of $1,000, $2,000 or $5,000. You can also “like” the Hough Foundation at www.facebook.com/houghfoundation. To learn more about the foundation, which serves children and families in Vancouver’s Hough neighborhood, visit www.houghfoundation.org.

Fall and winter habitat restoration events are in full swing at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers are needed to improve stream health and create wildlife habitat by removing invasive species and maintaining the planting sites. This is a great opportunity to explore the refuge and enjoy the season. Work parties, always held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., are scheduled on various days from now through April 2013. Groups will plant trees and shrubs, prepare sites, monitor health, maintain plantings, clean up debris, and install protective fences. Participants should wear waterproof footwear and bring work gloves. For more details, click here.