Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2008)
2008 3 News School changes as staffers leave; new classes confirmed m N icholas A rntz ___________ co-Editor-in-Chief ^ With the 2008 year coming W a close, there are rumors about next year's new classes, which teachers are leaving, and who will replace them. There will be many changes to class offerings next year, and a possible change in how the school day looks regarding the number of classes available and when students can take them. As a college-prep high school, some of the classes students would like to have available are not offered, such as Wood Shop and Home Economics. Being a college- prep high school means that the school only offers classes that are "geared around the 'college world," according to Kim Carlson, Assistant Principal. "There is a real partnership of students and teachers when it comes to creating new classes. We shape our classes with the student's interests, along with new trends in colleges, business and careers. It's all about how we prepare our kids for the 21st century and the changing world around us," Carlson said. Some of the new classes provided next year are sequels of current classes, such as Sculpture and Clay II, Graphic Arts II and Fiber 'Arts II. A d v a n c e d Placement European History, Children's Theatre and U.S. History are classes coming back on rotation. There are also classes that have been revised based on student input. For example, Advanced Novel Study, a one semester class, is now Advanced Literature Study, a senior elective which gives students a chance to find contemporary novels chosen by both students and teachers. The new classes next year will be Digital Photography and Mandarin Chinese I, both of which "were created from where the economy is going and the future of business and world views," Carlson said. Although there is interest among teachers and students to add the extra periods, there will be no conversion to a seven or eight period day. "This is really a district directed decision. West Linn cannot change by itself; all schools in the district need to be in agreement," Carlson said. "Although more periods would provide more choice for students, it would require more periods for teachers, which is hard on them. Plus, there needs to be a budget to hire more teachers to meet the demands of the new classes, not to mention extra classroom space, something which is scarce." However, the administration is really trying to change how the day looks by offering new opportunities for students to take any extra classes they desire, without physically changing the regular class day. "One new idea we are pursuing is having a 'Saturday Academy,' which would allow students to have a little 'wiggle room' in their schedule," Carlson said. "We never stop looking for new ways to teach, learn and progress. We are always changing, trying to make student voice more applicable to their learning environment," Carlson said. Ten staff members will be leaving WLHS. From heading for Zimbabwe to following political campaigns, to retirement, staff members are planning their post WLHS futures. Among those retiring are Linda Jacobs, custodian, Kim Noah, principal, and Dick Ponting, Guidance Counselor. After 30 years as a part of the WLHS staff, Jacobs is looking forward to retirement, where she plans to do a little bit of substituting and spend time with her granddaughters. Noah and her husband are moving to San Diego, where he has taken a job as a superintendent. Ponting is planning to help his grandchildren move, and then relax for a while before considering other professional options. Three teachers are searching for teaching positions next year. Jill Houck, English teacher, is hoping to work with at- risk students in alternative environments, such McLaren Juvenile Detention Center. "I would like more cultural and socioeconomic diversity. I feel that I would have more of an impact in that situation," Houck said. Jonathan Neumann, science teacher, will be looking for another teaching position near his house (or within biking distance). Besides natural/ earth sciences, Neumann would like to teach social studies, his other area of expertise. Lael Shea, math teacher, is looking for another teaching position in at either a middle or high school level in the Portland metro area. David Frick, social studies teacher, and his family have a very detailed plan for their future. "We are staying in Portland until Sept. 1, while my wife finishes work as a midwife. Then we are probably going to work on the Obama campaign for a couple of months in Colorado, a swing state, until the election. Then our hope is to move to Mexico for a year or so. My Tanning, tacos, tasty treats: new shops in Willamette area set to open in July C alley L athrop Staff Reporter The W illam ette M arketplace becam e a no-m ans-land several years ago w hen the anchor tenant, Thriftway, w ent out of business. The Venture C orporation from California is attem pting to revitalize the area w ith construction of a new facility to attract business^ including a bakery/deli, several restaurants, a banl a tanning salon, a gym ai several other artisan shoj M cM enam ins, the pub and restaurant on the com er of the lot, has rem ained open during construction and is the only business that w as not sold in 2007. N ext to the M cM enam ins, Rose's Restaurant and Bakery will open its doors to the custom ers w ho have craved their sw eet pastries and scrum ptious m eals, but have had to drive to Portland to experience them. Parallel to the restaurants w ill be Silk C le a n ^ s ^ jp y (ie a l esl 3 I ; j redevelopm ent )\$erwom, dilapidated tpjferty, an 4 it has the area's value idciusly. We are itinually trying to ju^enate and renew Willamette area^andw e w ill iow ijiaye-atf^attractive area in a place that previously stood vacant. On the w hole, it w ill positively im pact the community," Bryan Brown, West Linn Planning Director, said. A n issue that citizens are w orried about is the increase of traffic flow through the already congested 10th Street area and, specifically, the intersections. According to Brown, the city is w orking hard on that problem , and has m ade an agreem ent w ith the O regon D epartm ent )f Transportation to put new signal lights that hild m ake transitions >th. zording to Venture lost construction zompleted w ithin the ind businesses will m oving in and setting up shop. Locals can expect to see stores opening in mid- July. "I'm excited for these openings. There w ill finally be more places to eat closer to w here I live, and the w hole idea of the new stores and shops sounds pretty cool," Kendall Brooke, freshm an, said. wife wants to deliver babies, and I want to immerse myself in Spanish and to surf. Then the plan is to move back to the states in 2009 at some point, and settle in Boulder, Colo. I want to start another law practice with immigration being part of my client services," Frick said. As for Stephanie D'Agostino, Health teacher, and David Ely, Math teacher, both will be going back to graduate school. D'Agostino plans to attend grad school while searching for a full time job, while Ely will be attending Ohio State University to obtain his Ph.D in Computer Science. Along with Lou Bailey, the incoming principal, 10 other staff members will be joining West Linn in the fall. The administration is currently interviewing for the unfilled positions. They hope to have the hiring completed by June 30. W illamette Arts Festival seeks stu d en t artw o rk u S ydney M ac N aughton _______ Staff Reporter $500 will be donated this year. "The money will be used to purchase frames for the students artwork,” Lynn Pass, art teacher, said. The West Linn Arts Festival is celebrating its ninth year of great music, food, painting, sculpture and other forms of art. Formerly the Village of Willamette Arts Festival, the celebration will be on Sept. 13-14 and over 7,000 visitors are expected. Now at a Artwork by Arissa Peyton, senior, appears on the West new location, Willamette Park, Linn Arts Festival website. Students are encouraged to submit artwork to be displayed at the festival which many award Photo by Lynn Pass winning artists will be held Sept. 13-14. will be featuring Musicians will be featured art to both appreciate and to throughout the weekend, purchase. including Retta Christie "Willamette Park is a and the Smart Fellas, Pat hidden jewel in Clackamas O'Neal's Jazz Band, Lincoln's County. It is one of the most Beard, Roots Revival, Reggie beautiful parks in our state. Houston, and Mel Brown's Where the Willamette and B3 Organ Quintet. Brown has Tualatin rivers meet is a been labeled the 'Gentleman great place to spend the day," of Jazz', and has a career Sharon Meeker, student art spanning over 40 years, show coordinator, said. including many local awards. A large tent is planned WLHS musical and dance to house the over 60 entries groups will also perform from high school students throughout the weekend. that will be submitted in a Comprised of volunteers, variety of mediums. Over 100 the West Linn Arts Festival juried artists, along with many is a non-profit organization. community groups, will also Volunteers are always needed, be participating. and there are many jobs "These professional artists available that could help make take their craft seriously the festival a success. and to the heart. We all need More information regarding to support and show our the festival can be accessed appreciation for taking time to at www.westlinnartsfestival. share with us," Meeker said. com. There is a page solely Artists from throughout dedicated to student artwork. the northwest are required to meet strict criteria in order to be considered and eventually chosen, to be featured at the festival. Art submitted is juried by a panel of professionals for both quality and originality. "We had a tremendous amount of applications for this year's festival and we could not be more pleased," Meeker Unplanned Pregnancy? said. You Deserve to KNOW: All of the participating ..A re you really pregnant? artists have been asked to ...Have you explored all your options? ..A re all your questions answered? donate a piece of their artwork to be auctioned. The silent auction will take place both days of the festival, with the A ll Services Free T1CARD Convenient Hours proceeds going to WLHS Arts 11507 SW Pacific Hwy #D No Appointment Tigard 97224 Necessary Department. Last year, $500 9 7 1 2 3 0 .0 4 3 5 was donated. An additional ________ Nurse Consultations. Pregnancy Tests. Ultrasound to Verify if Pregnancy is Viable. Respectful. Confidential. . P r e g n a n c y R e s o u rc e C en te rs B e a v e rto n w m v .p r c o fp o r tio n d . cost • G re s h a m • T ig a rd • L lo y d C e n te r • M ilw a u k ie • S £ P o r tla n d
