vernonia’s
voice education
june
2007
StEP Program Looks for Solutions
By Jill Hult
Vernonia School District
47J recently sought the guidance of
Dr. George Copa, of Oregon State
University, to develop a Strategic
Education Plan (StEP) for the future
education of our children.
The district reached out
to form a committee consisting of
community members, district staff,
students, and parents to write this
plan. The foundation of the plan has
been built on the research work of Dr.
George Copa, and Superintendent Dr.
Ken Cox is leading the committee.
The committee meets every two weeks
in four hour sessions to discuss and examine
the context in which learning takes place, who
is learning, expectations of learning, the learn-
ing processes to be used, the organization, the
staff, partnerships, and the environment that
impacts all learning.
In the first meeting held on April 24,
2007 the committee discussed the research of
Dr. Copa and was given reading material that
educated them on the statistics and direction of
education in America. The committee has also
learned about other school districts that have
developed their own Strategic Education Plans.
From these valuable informational tools, the
committee discussed and formed specific and
general data that could be used in the design
process for our own school district.
One task was to look at the positives
about Vernonia and Vernonia schools. Areas
05
Vernonia Middle School
Students Travel to DC
By Scott Laird
Eight Vernonia Middle School students re-
cently got a unique opportunity, traveling to Wash-
ington, DC as part of a five day educational visit
through their school Leadership Class. The trip was
through a program called Close-Up, which hosted
the students during their visit.
The students were part of about 500 stu-
dents from all over the country, from Alaska to
Florida. Highlights of the trip included the Wash-
ington Monument, the JFK Memorial, the WWI,
II, Korean, and Vietnam War Memorials, and the
Lincoln Memorial. They also visited the Smithson-
ian Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Air
of discussion also included concepts such as: cul-
and Space Museum, Arlington National Cemetery,
tural changes, learning results, being future oriented,
Jamestown and Williamsburg.
improving self-esteem, and a design vision. The top
The trip cost $1,530 for each student which
two design vision choices the committee decided on
included airfare, hotel, all food, ground transportation
were the focus on all learners and revitalizing re-
and admissions into places of interest. The students
sources.
raised money for their trip individually by working,
The committee also looked at what were
and fundraising and also raised money as a group
the learning context assets, challenges, opportuni-
with things like a rummage sale, dances, leadership
ties, aspirations, and the learning audience and their
scholarships, and candy sales. The class also re-
needs relevant to the Vernonia School District. From
ceived a donation from the Lion’s Club of $500.
this collective information, a survey was formed to
Cathy Ward, the Leadership Class teacher
present to Middle and High School students for their
said she thought the trip was good for the students
input as well.
because “...they get to travel outside of Vernonia,
The committee is very excited and working
meet kids from all over the U.S., learn about gov-
hard to present a workable and successful Strategic
ernment, and leadership skills.”
Education Plan to the School Board of District 47J
One additional highlight of the trip was noted
for their review and approval.
by eighth grader Rachel Brown who participated in
The committee is dedicated to the positive
the trip. “My favorite part was when we visited the
force of change for the life-long education of our
Senate Building. We got to see the Senators on the
children within the Vernonia School District.
floor at work, talking and discussing.”
Close-Up is an educational non-
profit founded in 1970, that works to
promote responsible and informed
participation in the democratic pro-
cess through a variety of educational
Dr
programs for middle school and high
. C
hr
school students, as well as adults.
ist
op
Their goal is to motivate citizens to
he
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become an active participant in our
M
. S
democracy and strengthen knowledge
ch
eu
of how our government works. Ev-
er
ma
ery year 20,000 people participate in
n
Close-Up programs.
DM
D
Students in the class said anyone
who is given the chance, should go on
622 Bridge Street
one of these trips. “I think it is a place
Vernonia, OR 97064
that everyone should visit at least
phone (503) 429-0880
once,” said Miss Brown.
fax (503) 429-0881
Vernonia Dental