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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 2019)
4A WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 The Observer OUR VIEW Helping shouldn’t carry a label The holiday season is fully upon us and while many of us are focused on the approaching Christmas holiday, we can’t forget those who are less fortunate or who struggle to fi nd even the basic necessities. There are several local organizations that need donations — from food and clothes to time — where concerned residents can help. Food banks and the Salvation Army are the most visible outlets to help this holiday season. The holiday season traditionally puts a focus on those who are less fortunate, but we should remember the homeless and those who struggle to fi nd food face their challenges all year. There does not exist a single window where the needs of the less fortunate are more acute. Every month, week and day of the year the homeless and those who have fallen on hard times toil to stay alive. Food banks and other services for those in poverty typically gain more attention during the holidays, when everyone wants to help. We get into the Christmas spirit and strive to assist our neighbors. Then Christmas comes and goes. We go about our lives and the needs of those in poverty or the homeless remain unfi lled. We must strive to remember the holiday, spirit should not be an infrequent visitor, a traveler we welcome only in December. Instead, we must all work to ensure we are doing all we can to help those in poverty every day and month of the year. We often skirt around what is a reality once the Christmas season fades — we move on and forget about those who need help. When we do give them attention, it is usually to fi nd a way to keep the homeless or those in poverty safely in the background, hidden behind the big curtain, if you will. Then, if such situations arise to the level of public scrutiny there is the attitude that help may be a good idea, just not in my back- yard. Those attitudes should not be dismissed. They are part of our human nature and, as such, re- fl ect on us. Yet, what also should not be ignored is that rejecting those who need help isn’t correct under any circumstances. Helping our fellow hu- man begins shouldn’t carry a label. It also should not be confi ned to six weeks or so out of the year. Librarians crucial for student success W hat contributes to student suc- cess? Across Oregon, educators, parents, students and community members are gathering to discuss just that, and to determine how funds from the recently enacted Student Success Act will be spent at the district level to increase equity and improve student learning. These important conversations beg the question: Do our students have what they need? In many cases, the answer is “no.” One striking example is Oregon’s school libraries. In Oregon, fewer than 15% of students attend schools with a professional librarian, a decline of 80% since the early 1980s. Yet more than 60 studies from across the country show that student achievement is higher — from grades and test scores to digital profi ciency and graduation rates — in schools with a professionally staffed library. Leaving such an important learn- ing space unstaffed or understaffed is unacceptable. But there is good news. The Student Success Act offers an opportunity to reverse the trend and provide students with the instructional resources they need. You may be thinking that with the proliferation of technology, perhaps students don’t need school librarians LAURIE NORDAHL anymore. At a time when student suc- cess in school, the workplace and the community depends on their ability to navigate a complex information landscape, certifi ed information profes- sionals — school librarians — are more important than ever. Students need to develop a continu- um of literacies. Today’s school librarians harness technology for expanded opportuni- ties and 24-hour access to informa- tion and resources. Students can take online classes, learn coding, work with robotics, create music, explore career interests and individualize their own learning. Moreover, today’s librarians serve an important role in creating a safe space where all students are welcome regardless of economic status, religion, sexual orientation, race or ability. They are integral to a school’s commitment to equity. Finally, today’s school librarians nur- ture a culture of reading and inquiry, the very foundation of all learning, both in school and beyond. Most Oregon school libraries are Oregon Gov. Kate Brown: 900 Court St. N.E., Salem, OR 97301; 503-378-4582. Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson: 136 State Capitol. Salem OR 97310-0722; 503-986-1523. Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Reed: 350 Winter St. N.E., Suite 100, Salem, OR 97301-3896; 503-378-4329. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum: Justice Building, Salem, OR 97301-4096; 503-378-4400. State Sen. William S. Hansell (29th District/Pendleton): Salem offi ce: 900 Court St. NE., S-423, Salem, OR 97301; 503-986-1729. Website: www.oregonlegislature.gov/hansell. Email: sen.billhan- sell@oregonlegislature.gov. State Rep. Greg Barreto (58th District/Cove): Salem offi ce: 900 Court St. NE., H-384, Salem, OR 97301; 503-986-1458. Website: www.oregonlegislature.gov/barreto. Email: rep.gregbarreto@ oregonlegislature.gov. State Rep. Greg Smith (57th District): Salem offi ce: 900 Court St. NE., H-482, Salem, OR, 97301; 503-986-1457. Heppner offi ce: P.O. Box 219, Heppner, OR 97836; 541-676-5154; Website: www.oregonlegis- lature.gov/smithg. Email: rep.gregsmith@oregonlegislature.gov. Oregon Legislature: Legislative documents and information are available online at www.leg.state.or.us. City of La Grande: Mayor Steve Clements, City Manager Robert Strope; P.O. Box 670, La Grande, OR 97850; 541-962-1309; fax 541- 963-3333. Union County Commissioners: Donna Beverage, Matt Scarfo and Paul Anderes; 1106 K Ave., La Grande, OR 97850; 541-963-1001; fax 541-963-1079. Wallowa County Commissioners: John Hillock, Todd Nash and Susan Roberts; 101 S. River St., Room 202, Enterprise, OR 97828; Subscription rates per month: By carrier...............................................$11.80 By mail, all other U.S. .............................. $15 A division of 541-426-4543, ext. 11; fax 541-426-0582. Elgin City Councilors: Mayor Allan Duffy, 501 N 11th St., 541-437- 1016, mayor@cityofelginor.org; Mary West, 260 N 5th Ave., 541- 805-0443, councilor3@cityofelginor.org; Kathy Warren, PO Box 697, 541-786-9611, councilor6@cityofelginor.org; Risa Halgarth, PO Box 525, 541-437-9462, councilor2@cityofelginor.org; Rocky Burgess, 800 N 14th St., P.O. Box 854, 541-786-2417, councilor1@cityofelginor. org; David Reed, 1011 Detroit St., PO Box 368; 541-975-3306, council- or4@cityofelginor.org; Ryan Martin, councilor5@cityofelginor.org. Enterprise City Councilors: Mayor Stacey Karvoski, mayorofenter- prise@gmail.com; Jenni Word; Dave Elliott; Ashley Sullivan; Micah Agnew; Larry Christman; Chris Pritchard; 541-426-4196; mail to City of Enterprise, 108 N.E. 1st Street, Enterprise, OR 97828. Imbler City Councilors: Mayor Mike McLean, Corrine Wilfong, Herman Ortmann, Mark Howell, Rick Vicek, Joan Harding, Jason Ber- glund; 180 Ruckman Ave.; P.O. Box 40, Imbler OR 97841; 541-534-6095. Joseph City Councilors: Mayor Teresa Sajonia; Martin Hamilton; Pearl Strum; Tanya Collier; Michael J Lockhart; Patty Bufford 541- 432-3832; P.O. Box 15, Joseph, Oregon 97846; 201 North Main St.; cityofjosephoregon@gmail.com. La Grande City Councilors: Mayor Steve Clements, Gary Lillard, Nicole Howard, Corrine Dutto, Mary Ann Miesner, Jim Whitbeck, Justin Rock; through the City Manager’s offi ce, 541-962-1309. Union City Councilors: Mayor Leonard Flint, LeonardFlint@ cityofunion.com; John Farmer, johnfarmer@cityofunion.com; Leslie McMillan; Sue Hawkins, susanhawkins@cityofunion.com; Matt Later, mattlater@cityofunion.com; Jay Blackburn, jayblackburn@ cityofunion.com; Walt Brookshire, waltbrookshire@cityofunion.com. City of Cove: Mayor Del Little, (503)-508-6727 504 Alder Street P.O. Box 8 Cove, OR 97824 City Manager Donna Lewis, (541) 568-4566. STAFF Phone: SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE Stopped account balances less than $5 will be refunded upon request. Laurie Nordahl is the president of the Oregon Association of School Libraries. YOUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION NEWSSTAND PRICE: $1.50 You can save up to 34% off the single-copy price with home delivery. Call 541-963-3161 to subscribe. currently staffed by paraprofessionals not licensed school librarians. Parapro- fessionals serve an integral role in the learning community and are valuable partners, yet they cannot provide in- struction, nor can they replace certifi ed school librarians. Without a licensed li- brarian, there cannot be a strong school library. Every student deserves to have a living, thriving library and reap the benefi ts of such. We can and must do better for our students. Even if you don’t have chil- dren who attend public schools, Oregon’s children are our neighbors and our future workforce and com- munity leaders. Adequately staffi ng Oregon’s schools — in alignment with statewide Quality Education Model — matters to all of us. Take action today. Call your lo- cal school and ask if it has a licensed school librarian. If not, request that the principal and administration earmark Student Success Act funds to provide students with the certifi ed staff they need to ensure that your community’s children graduate ready for lifelong learning, the workplace, and civic participation — and prepared to fulfi ll their own potential. 541-963-3161 An independent newspaper founded in 1896 Toll free (Oregon): 1-800-422-3110 (USPS 299-260) Fax: 541-963-7804 Email: The Observer reserves the right to adjust subscription news@lagrandeobserver.com rates by giving prepaid and mail subscribers 30 days Website: notice. Periodicals postage paid at La Grande, Oregon www.lagrandeobserver.com 97850. Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Street address: 1406 Fifth St., La Grande (except Dec. 25) by EO Media Group, 1406 Fifth St., La Grande, OR 97850 (USPS 299-260) POSTMASTER COPYRIGHT © 2019 THE OBSERVER Send address changes to: The Observer retains ownership and copyright The Observer, 1406 Fifth St., protection of all staff-prepared news copy, advertising La Grande, OR 97850 copy, photos and news or ad illustrations. They may Periodicals postage paid at: not be reproduced without explicit prior approval. La Grande, Oregon 97850 Publisher........................................Karrine Brogoitti Classifieds ........................................ Devi Mathson Regional circulation director ....................Kelli Craft Home delivery advisor.................Amanda Fredrick Editor .....................................................Phil Wright Customer service rep ......................... Mollie Lynch News clerk....................................Lisa Lester Kelly Advertising representative...............Juli Bloodgood Sports editor .......................................Ronald Bond Advertising representative...................... Amy Horn Reporter................................................Dick Mason Graphic design supervisor................Dorothy Kautz Reporter....................................Sabrina Thompson Graphic design ..............................Cheryl Christian Chris Rush, Regional Publisher
