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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 2021)
SILVERTONAPPEAL.COM | WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | 3B Checklist for families considering online school this fall Chris Long Willamette Connections Academy Oregon families have endured much this past year and a half, such as natural disasters, social unrest and COVID-19. This chaos caused brick-and-mor- tar schools to switch between tem- porary distance learning and in-per- son instruction, which was disrup- tive for many families across the state. Now that pre-pandemic routines are returning, parents and students are weighing their options for the new school year. We found that many families were newly interested in our established, tuition-free full-time online school, Willamette Connections Academy. Now, some of these families who experienced online education during the COVID-19 crisis are keeping their kids in virtual schooling for other rea- sons, like flexible scheduling and cus- tomized learning. Stability was key for new Willamette Connections Academy students because they re- ceived a high-quality education with minimal interruptions. Parents considering online learn- ing for their students should remem- ber not all virtual schools are alike. We are built specifically for online learning, meaning everything from our teacher training to the curriculum is created with the digital environ- ment in mind. Oregon has plenty of online learn- ing options, but it can be daunting for families to locate one to meet their student’s learning preferences. When selecting a virtual school parents should evaluate several areas: Safe learning environment rolled in virtual schools for physical and mental health safety concerns like bullying. Online schools should offer a safe and welcoming virtual learning envi- ronment. The school’s online learn- ing portal, allowing students to ac- cess assignments, email and webinar systems, should be protected by se- curity protocols. Comprehensive curriculum High-quality online schools offer a rigorous, complete curriculum, meet- ing or exceeding state standards, which keep students motivated and engaged in learning. Ideally, students shouldn’t be sit- ting in front of a screen or a Zoom ses- sion for several hours a day. Reading, writing and other offline learning is essential and encouraged for a well- rounded student. Teacher training Teachers at a full-time virtual school should be state-certified and specially trained in online instruc- tion. At Willamette Connections Acad- emy, teachers bring their skills and personality to the virtual classroom, not only getting to know their stu- dents, but often providing learning support for the entire family. Individual attention Students can obtain more individ- ualized attention in full-time online schools. Parents should look for schools where teachers provide one-on-one attention for students, helping them accelerate learning in areas of strength or receive assistance in sub- jects that call for improvement. See if teachers have virtual office hours, and are available by phone and email to support the specific needs of each child. Before the pandemic, students en- “ “Now, some of these families who experienced online education during the COVID-19 crisis are keeping their kids in virtual schooling for other reasons, like flexible scheduling and customized learning. Stability was key for new Willamette Connections Academy students because they received a high-quality education with minimal interruptions. Parents considering online learning for their students should remember not all virtual schools are alike. We are built specifically for online learning, meaning everything from our teacher training to the curriculum is created with the digital environment in mind.” Parental involvement One silver lining of the pandemic is that some families for the first time had a ringside seat to their child’s education during distance learning. Many enjoyed being more involved and understanding how their stu- dents preferred to learn. Families looking at online educa- tion choices should inquire about the expectations for “learning coaches” at prospective virtual schools. At Wil- lamette Connections Academy, learn- ing coaches (parents or other trusted adults) often assist teachers by mak- ing sure attendance and student work is complete. When parents take an active role in their child’s education, students are more likely to succeed. Socialization Virtual schools that provide stu- dents with a solid social and emotion- al atmosphere should be at the top of your list. Learning online doesn’t mean learning alone. Students at our school connect with classmates during interactive live online classroom sessions, clubs and activities, plus face-to-face field trips when it is safe to do so. Flexibil- ity in virtual learning not only makes room in the schedule for school events, but also volunteering, extra- curricular activities and more. Student support Support services are critical to look for in an experienced virtual school, including mentoring, tutoring and technical support. It is also im- portant to ask if the school has a ded- icated staff to assist students with different learning needs and a coun- seling team to help support children from an emotional standpoint. While students often thrive in full- time virtual school, it’s not the best fit for every child. The pandemic changed the thinking of many par- ents and educators about technology in academics. I’m optimistic that the result will be a better future for our children. Willamette Connections Academy is now enrolling for the 2021-22 aca- demic year. To learn more about the school or to begin the enrollment process visit WillametteConnections Academy.com or call 888-478-9474. Chris Long is the principal at Wil- lamette Connections Academy. Amazon submits plans for logistics center in Woodburn Bill Poehler Salem Statesman Journal USA TODAY NETWORK Amazon plans to build a five-story, 3.8 million- square-foot logistics center to store, prepare and distribute products on 82 acres in Woodburn. The center will create 1,250 new jobs, according to plans filed with the city. The online retailer has purchased 128 acres on Butteville Road next to the WinCo Foods Distribu- tion Center along Interstate 5 for $27 million. Called “Project Basie” in planning documents submitted to Woodburn, the seven adjoining plots the online retail giant purchased are in the city’s southwest industrial area, a location eyed for ma- jor developments since a 2001 city analysis. Woodburn annexed the land into its urban growth boundary in 2016 after years of court bat- tles. In a statement, the city said Amazon has not ap- plied for or indicated it will seek the city’s enter- prise zone tax breaks. Businesses that qualify for the city’s enterprise zone program can get property tax exemptions for up to five years, but they must meet qualifications such as paying workers more than $67,134 annu- ally, or about $32 an hour on average. According to documents submitted to the city, more than 1,250 jobs will be created at the Wood- burn location at an average starting wage of $17 per hour plus benefits. Seattle-based Amazon opened a fulfillment center in Salem in 2017 and a second in Salem in 2019 among its six locations already in Oregon. The retailer has become the largest online marketplace and surpassed Walmart as the most valuable re- tailer in the United States in 2017. According to the Marion County Tax Assessor's Office, Amazon purchased two pieces of the land for the Woodburn project for $2.5 million from Darma Real Estate on April 23, then purchased the majority of the land from Specht Woodburn LLC for $22.3 million and the rest from the Weisz Fam- ily for $1.6 million June 23. In its plans, Amazon asked to exceed the maxi- mum building height, not extend Woodland Ave- nue, reduce the required number of loading spaces and allow accessory structures within six feet of the main building, along with right-of-way design exceptions. Among the options laid out in the application submitted by planning group Mackenzie, a round- about would be installed and a new intersection would be added at what would become New Butte- ville Road where it meets Highway 219. Planning documents show the widening of But- teville Road to three lanes, adding extra lanes at some points from its current two-land configura- tion, adding bike lanes, sidewalks and a landscap- ing strip along the road. Major improvements to the Interstate 5 inter- change at Woodburn were completed in 2015, al- lowing for more traffic through the busy area. But the company has proposed adding capacity to the southbound I-5 off-ramp. Amazon has yet to submit a complete land use application. City spokesperson Tommy Moore said a public hearing with the city’s planning commis- sion has not been scheduled, but one is expected later this summer. The site is already being cleared, which is al- lowed without a land-use permit. The company will have to apply to the city for building permits after that. Land is cleared at the future site of an Amazon facility in Woodburn. BRIAN HAYES / STATESMAN JOURNAL Public Notices PUBLIC POLICY NOTICES The Amazon logo is seen in Amazon, in Douai, northern France, Thursday April 16, 2020. Amazon has decided to suspend "temporarily" all activity in France, one day after a French court found it wasn't doing enough to protect its workers amid the virus crisis in the country. AP PHOTO/MICHEL SPINGLER Amazon did not respond to the Statesman Jour- nal's request for information about the proposed Woodburn center. Bill Poehler covers Marion County for the States- man Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@statesmanjournal.com or Twitter.com/ bpoehler. Public Notices are published by the Statesman Journal and available online at w w w .S ta te s m a n J o u r n a l.c o m . The Statesman Journal lobby is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can reach them by phone at 503-399-6789. 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