8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016
Local
Brooklyn holds tech night
BY SAMANTHA
O’CONNER
Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com
On November 15,
Brooklyn Elementary held
Tech Night, a meeting for
parents and students to
attend to discuss the use
of technology in Brooklyn
classrooms. They also
discussed helpful apps and
tips for parents to use with
their children to practice
class work and create a
safe digital environment at
home.
Beginning the presen-
tation, Principal Phil
Anderson began by taking
an anonymous poll via text
message for the parents
asking how old they were
when they first had their
personal cell phones.
This led into his discus-
sion about the average age
of children using technol-
ogy for the first time is 11.
Due to this, schools
are beginning to intro-
duce technology to their
students and teach them
safety when using the
internet and apps.
“We use it very inten-
tionally,” explained An-
derson. “Teaching specific
skills such as research, and
utilizing that skill through
real world applications.”
Kindergarten teacher
Jason Todd continued the
presentation by discuss-
ing the different apps and
technology he uses in his
classroom.
“Technology is not go-
ing to replace everything
in the classroom,” Todd
explained.
The use of the technol-
ogy with kindergartners is
to create a safe and interac-
tive environment while
teaching responsibility and
safety to his students.
One example he gave is
the Class Photographer,
where one student uses
takes pictures of artworks
or events happening in
class and the students who
County
Commission
Session
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 5
A majority of the ses-
sion involved a discussion
regarding the Intergovern-
mental Cooperative Agree-
ment For Dispatch And
Records Keeping Services.
Baker City Manager Fred
Warner, Jr., and Baker City
Councilman Dan Lowe
were present to discuss this
topic.
Warner, Jr. said that, on
October 11, 2016, City
Council had revised the
agreement (as yet unsigned
by City Council, copies of
which were provided at the
session).
Warner, Jr. said that the
City and County have had
a good partnership, and he
wishes to see it continue.
Numerous revisions
were indicated by Warner,
Jr., including the change,
from a three-member Bak-
er County Consolidated
Dispatch (BCCD) Center
Board of Directors, to a
five-member one, which
includes two members
appointed by the Baker
County Board of Commis-
sioners, two appointed by
the Baker City Council,
and one appointed “...by
the entity that pays the ma-
jority of the dollars needed
are having their pictures
taken can present their
work.
Todd uses Facebook to
show parents what their
students are working on.
Todd explained that
some parents may not be
able to see the physical art-
work, but they are able to
go on the Facebook page
and see it.
Todd also includes
Facebook’s newest addi-
tion, Live Streaming. The
example Todd gave was
when OMSI visited the
school and some students
were home sick. Todd used
Live Streaming via Face-
book to give the absent
students ability to watch
the event from home.
Todd is also beginning
to teach his student coding,
how to write instructions
to tell the computer what
to do. He uses worksheets
that have a character trying
to reach a destination or an
object and his students use
arrows to tell the character
where to go.
He discussed different
apps that the students use
on the iPads, including
Brain Pop Jr., Headsprouts,
and Splash Math. These
apps are interactive learn-
ing games for students to
log into and track their
progress.
Todd explained he has
different stations that have
different activities for the
students to do and the
iPads with those apps are
one of the stations.
Todd explained that first
grade has similar apps and
a favorite among his fellow
teachers is Handwriting
Wizard, where students
practice handwriting.
Todd mentioned that
teachers will reward stu-
dents with Bring Your Own
Device days as a reward
for good behavior.
Angela Willison dis-
cussed the use of technol-
ogy with second and third
graders, explaining how
they use certain apps that
towards the operation of
the Center as outlined in
the Consideration portion
of this agreement,” ac-
cording to the agreement,
which is Baker City, pay-
ing 71% of the funds.
Warner, Jr. said that the
change in the Board struc-
ture, including the clause
that the Center Director
(currently Hope Lindsey),
is an employee of the
County, but is under the
supervision of the BCCD
Board, is what prompted
this discussion.
Harvey pointed out there
were major changes to the
Responsibility section, and
he also said that, according
to the agreement, the par-
ties agree that Baker Coun-
ty “...furnish the necessary
personnel, supervision,
administration, and sup-
plies to maintain the level
of services to be rendered
under this agreement...”
noting the significant role
of the County, and one of
the issues with the pro-
posed agreement.
Harvey also said that
there is an issue with the
Limitation Of Liability,
stating that, though the
City would be joint-man-
aging the services, the City
would not be held liable
for any claims against the
City, but the County would
still be held liable for
claims against it.
Harvey said that, ac-
cording to the agreement,
the BCCD Board shall
employ a Center Director,
individualize education.
“It’s hitting every child’s
need,” said Willison. “It’s
hitting everything you’re
teaching but it hits the kids
individually.”
Willison explained that
on a heavy technology
week, they will use two or
three of the apps men-
tioned in the presentation.
They do not use technol-
ogy every day.
Students are learning to
use voice memos on the
iPads, using it to send mes-
sages of them reading to
their teachers and allowing
them to listen to how they
read.
Willison explained
that the third graders are
also learning how to use
Google Drive.
“They have their own
safe account,” said Wil-
lison. “They don’t lose
paper and it introduces
them to what fourth and
fifth are doing.”
Anderson talked about
a new program they are
using where all second and
third grade students take
a math assessment test.
The students log into their
own accounts to take the
test and it adapts to the
individual student.
“It paints a nice picture
and differentiates where
each student is at,” Ander-
son said.
The students in second
through eight grade take
the test three times a year
to see how they do in
math. It allows teachers to
see where each student is
at and how they can help
their students in one on
one conversations. It also
allows teachers to plan
their lessons based on
where their students are at
in the subject.
Anderson discussed how
third grade students are
being taught how to use
the Chrome Book to do
research.
He explained that Brook-
lyn has a filter on their
internet, creating a safe
but Harvey said that the
BCCD Board can not hire
a Director, but could only
make recommendations.
Harvey, Bennett, and War-
ner, Jr. discussed the word
“employ,” which may not
necessarily mean “hire,”
and the trio agreed about
the hiring process.
Harvey said his sugges-
tion is that the five-mem-
ber Board be composed of
the County Commission
Chair, the City Manager,
an EMT representative, a
fire department representa-
tive, and two representa-
tives from outside entities.
He noted that he wants
to see some language
changes, including that
the BCCD Board “advise”
that the Center Director ac-
complishes certain duties,
rather than “insure,” as the
agreement states.
Harvey said that he
sees an issue with not
including EMS represen-
tation, which he said is a
potential, with the agree-
ment, and he emphasized
that the whole process,
including who Board mem-
bers are and what is being
discussed at meetings,
needs to be as transparent
as possible.
He said that major prog-
ress is being made by both
the City and the County,
but to significantly revamp
the Board structure, and
to have too many people
managing the Center
Director, is counterproduc-
tive.
environment for students
to learn how to research
a topic, how to verify the
sources, and how to use
safe sites.
Teachers encourage stu-
dents to go to their instruc-
tors if something on the
internet makes them feel
unsafe or uncomfortable.
Anderson explained they
want students to feel safe
going to them with ques-
tions or concerns.
He discussed differ-
ent safety lessons they
teach their students when
using technology and the
internet, such as not shar-
ing their full names, where
they live, what school they
go to, and sending or post-
ing pictures.
Anderson continued
the presentation, describ-
ing two helpful website
parents can use; Common
Sense Media and Healthy-
Children.org. Anderson
explained that Common
Sense Media allows parent
to type in the name of a
show, movie, or book and
it will show the recom-
mended age for children to
watch or read along with
ratings other parents have
given.
Anderson also discussed
how parents can create a
safe and healthy environ-
ment at home with technol-
ogy, such as setting limits
for how long a device can
be used or when to not use
devices.
Anderson gave parents
two handouts from the two
websites he described, one
giving examples on creat-
ing “Screen Free Times”
such as during dinner, one
hour before bed, and many
others.
The other handout was
an example Family Media
Agreement, a simple con-
tract with rules for students
and parent to sign in agree-
ment with the rules.
Both are accessible on
the websites Anderson
described.
Bennett said he doesn’t
have an issue with a major-
ity of the proposal, that it is
a model to work with, and
both City and County citi-
zens pay for the services,
City citizens paying more.
Kerns said that, since
a majority of the funding
comes from the City, the
City should be allowed
more management of the
services.
Harvey said that he
needs to see balance, and
he doesn’t, with the current
proposed agreement.
Lowe said that, with the
agreement, there is a goal
of balance, and there is no
intention to exclude EMT
or rural fire department
involvement.
Lowe said that he is
proud of the current 911
Dispatch services, and he
is impressed with Lind-
sey’s efforts and monthly
reports, which he said is an
incredible improvement.
Bobbie Danser said that
she sees the City wishing
to add two more people to
the BCCD Board arbi-
trarily, with the County
incurring any liability.
She said there should be
someone from the County,
from the City, an EMT, and
two people who can work
with both the City and the
County.
SEE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
PAGE 9
Two killed in
crash
Submitted Photo.
Two were killed in this Malheur County crash.
On November 13, 2016 at about 5:30 p.m., OSP Troop-
ers and emergency personnel responded to the report of
a multiple vehicle crash on Highway 95 near milepost 92
(30 miles north of the Nevada Border).
Preliminary investigation revealed a 2000 Toyota
Tundra was traveling northbound on Highway 95 when
it crossed the center line and collided with a southbound
2005 Chevrolet Trail Blazer.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Luis M. Salas Ramirez,
age 35, of Garden City, Idaho and his passenger Parrish
W. Speegle, age 49, of Boise, Idaho were pronounced
deceased at the scene. The left rear passenger, William K
Speegle, age 42, of Boise, Idaho suffered life threatening
injuries was taken by air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus
Medical Center in Boise.
The driver of the Toyota, Brandon Fuller, age 45, of
Livermore, California received minor injuries. He was
arrested at the scene and taken to the Malheur County Jail
where he was lodged on the following charges:
• Manslaughter II (two counts)
• Assault III
• Reckless Driving
• Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants
Alcohol consumption by Fuller is being considering a
contributing factor in the crash. Highway 95 was closed
for over six hours while the investigation was conducted.
OSP was assisted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Of-
fice (NV), Humboldt County Fire and Rescue (NV), Mal-
heur County Sheriff’s Office, Jordan Valley Ambulance
and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Family fun day
at Interpretive
Center
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
(NHOTIC) and Trail Tenders are hosting a variety of
activities for visitors during “Family Fun Day.”
Family Fun Day is the day after Thanksgiving, Friday,
November 25 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Family fun day offers a chance to learn more about the
frontier and natural history of the region and to foster
intergenerational connections.
Visitors will be able to make rag dolls and candles
through candle dipping. Activities include a pioneer cos-
tume photo booth, a wildlife “skulls, scat and fur” table,
as well as a variety of Junior Explorer workbooks.
Folk Musician Hank Cramer will be performing in the
Leo Adler Theater at 11:00 and 12:30.
Wildlife-themed films will also be shown in the theater
throughout the day.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
is located five miles east of Baker City, Oregon on High-
way 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. The Center is currently
open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Admission for
adults is $5 and $3.50 for seniors; children 15 and under
are admitted for free. Federal passes are also accepted.
Call (541) 523-1843 for updates on programs and
events.
Baker County
warned of phone
scam again
The Baker County Sheriff’s Office has received several
reports concerning a scam that is occurring within the
county. Residents have been receiving phone calls trying
to solicit personal and financial information. The caller
tells the answering party that the Baker County Sheriff’s
Office has a warrant for their arrest and then will try to
obtain personal or financial information. If you have
received a scam phone call and have provided personal or
financial information to the calling party, please contact
the Baker County Consolidated Dispatch at (541) 523-
6415.
The Baker County Sheriff’s Office, the Baker City
Police Department or the Oregon State Police will not
call to advise of an arrest warrant or try to obtain financial
information by phone.