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;
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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
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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.
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La Grande, Oregon 97850
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