4
Wednesday, October 7, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
A close call on the highway...
School gets kids out walking
By Erin Borla
Correspondent
Every Wednesday morn-
ing, after the first bell rings
at Sisters Elementary School,
students stay outside on the
playground. They’re not there
to play — they’re there to
walk. And they love it.
Staff and administrators at
Sisters Elementary School are
working to build community
within their school. “Walking
Wednesdays” allow students
a chance to burn their energy
and be outside in the fresh air
for the first 10 minutes of the
school day. It’s not just for stu-
dents. Staff and administration
walk, too. Parents are invited
to join in on the fun.
“Bring your coffee and
walk the track with us,” Prin-
cipal Becky Stoughton said in
her letter home to the families.
“It’s great to get exercise,”
says third-grader Kayla Cash-
well. “We are supposed to
walk, but some kids like to
run.”
“It’s my favorite part
of the day,” says another
kindergartner.
“As a staff we worked
on a motion and movement
program last spring,” says
Stoughton. “Walking Wednes-
days was born from that pro-
gram — and the teachers
asked for it again this school
year. It falls into our school
culture of building relation-
ships with our students.”
“I love being outside on
these mornings,” says kinder-
garten teacher Mylee Card.
“There is something to be said
for all of us, staff and students,
about the fresh air. I wish we
could do this every day.”
“We want to bring fami-
lies in the school at a differ-
ent level of engagement,” says
Stoughton. “In general, kids
aren’t talking as much as they
used to. I want adults in our
school talking with kids, not
talking at them. We are work-
ing hard to build conversations
photo by ERin Borla
Students, teachers and parents get out walking in a community-building
endeavor at Sisters Elementary School.
about what the students are
“This is year three of the
doing and bring the families SWIFT grant and we have a
back into the school.”
chance to go for another three
Sisters School District years,” says Stoughton. “It’s
is one of four districts in the not about the money with the
state of Oregon working grant, it’s the technical assis-
with a grant from SWIFT tance, research, and resources
Schools (Schoolwide Inte- we receive and the support for
g r a t e d F r a m e w o r k f o r our staff to help build rela-
Transformation).
tionships in and reconnect the
SWIFT, designed for community with our school.”
grades K-8, is an on-going
While Walking Wednes-
technical assistance process days is just one way the school
targeted to the needs of indi- is trying to bring more fami-
vidual schools and districts. lies into the school commu-
The program features five nity, it is definitely one of the
domains where each part- most visible. Monthly “Family
ner school receives training Nights” are planned, focus-
and support to better their ing on different areas of cur-
programs. These domains riculum – math, reading and
include: creating a strong and literature, and art. Parents can
engaged leadership and edu- get involved in these activities
cator support system; inclu- through the Sisters Parent-
sive academic and behavior Teacher Community (SPTC),
instruction; fully integrated which meets monthly at the
organizational structure and school.
creating a strong and positive
Walking Wednesdays will
school culture; trusting family continue through the year,
and community partnerships; even on inclement weather
and an inclusive local educa- days. Students and staff can
tion agency/school relation- use the natural track made up
ship and policy framework.
within the school, around the
“A SWIFT classroom rep- halls, from the gym through
resents a diverse learning the commons and around the
community,” according to C wing.
the SWIFT Schools website.
“Let’s bring the families
Using teachers, parent volun- back into the school,” says
teers, specialized educators, Stoughton. “Sisters Elemen-
and even peer-to-peer collabo- tary volunteers and families
ration students are valued for are more than just field trips
their unique contribution to and bake sales — we are a
the classroom.
community.”
photo courtesy The Fly Fisher’s Place
According to witnesses, on Monday afternoon a semi-truck
crossed the line at a curve and struck a trailer pulling a drift boat
before running off the road on Highway 126 just east of Sisters.
The occupants of the vehicle were unhurt. The truck driver
reportedly fled the scene on foot.
Ready For
Cooler Temps?
We’ve got your
workout covered!
Over 40 classes
per week included with
your membership!
Spin • Body Sculpt
Water Aerobics • Zumba
Yoga • Pilates
Swimming pool, steam room
and hot tub. Single, couple and
family membership options. All
memberships are month-to-month.
✃
✃ Bring in this ✃
ng
ri
coupon du
the month of October fo
FROM DINING ROOMS
TO GREATROOMS…
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!
r your
F R E E T WO
W E E K T R I A L!
Over 6,000 sq. ft. of
Consignment Furniture
Wide Selection of Art & Accessories
New Mattresses & Hollywood Frames
625 ARROWLEAF TRAIL (OUTLAW STATION) | 541-719-1719 | SUN-FRI 9:30 AM-6 PM
541-549-6878
www.sistersathleticclub.com