16
vernonia’s
voice
january
schools
2008
Vernonia Students Return to School in Scappoose
By Scott Laird
In what some parents considered a controversial decision, the Vernonia School Board worked out a
plan with the Scappoose School District to share facilities for nine days until the school Christmas
break, allowing Vernonia’s students to return to classes and studies only eight days after the Flood
of 2007.
“We understand the plight of the community,” said Vernonia High School Principal Nate Under-
wood on the second day of classes, “But it’s good that they see the value in our plan. It’s good to
see so many kids here.”
School Administrators and the School Board worked out the plan, where Scappoose students would
go to class in the morning. This then allows Vernonia middle and high school students to arrive
by bus in late morning, be served lunch, attend half day classes in the afternoon, and be returned
by bus to Vernonia by six p.m. Student athletes were required to travel in the morning by bus to
Scappoose for practice, and then join their classmates for classes. Elementary students stayed in
Vernonia, attending classes at a number of church facilities.
Attendance the first day was surprisingly high. Middle school was at 88%, high school a little
lower, according to Principal Underwood. “And we are seeing new faces today that we didn’t
Students waiting bus travel to Scappoose
see yesterday,” said Underwood. Washington Elementary principal Aaron Miller reported mixed
numbers for his elementary students, from over ninety percent for kindergarteners to a low of seventy per cent for second graders.
Students had mixed ideas about going back to school so soon after the flood and about attending a different facility. Kendall Grady, aged 11, in sixth grade said she used
to live in Scappoose. “I saw old friends. I’m happy to have something to do, and be with my class.” Kendall’s house was flooded with a foot of water, and her family is
staying with her uncle. Cole Harbour, also 11 and in sixth grade, was not a flood victim. “I would rather stay here and help,” said Cole. Tyler Burnett, 10, and in fifth grade
said, “It’s kind of weird going to a different school.” Tyler’s house was flooded and his family is staying in St. Helens with his aunt. That means Tyler has to be driven
from St. Helens to Vernonia each morning, to get on the bus to go back over to Scappoose. “It’s a lot of time in the car each day,” said Tyler.
Need Help??
Vernonia High School students are
required to complete a minimum of
20 hours of Community Service as
a graduation project. Do you need
some volunteers to help with your
business, charity or community proj-
ect?
Please contact Rachel Wilcoxen at
rwilcoxen@vernonia.k12.or.us or
Peter Weisel at pweisel@vernonia.
k12.or.us, or call Vernonia High School
(503-429-3521).
VHS gym floor a wave of hardwood
Our students are eager and willing to
help our community.
A sea of text books lines VHS driveway
ANONYMOUS DONOR
Salvaged school
desks, chairs and fur-
niture fill parking lot.
ge
st
re
et
We were flooded.
We are Relocating & Rebuilding!
Please be watching for our
Grand Re-Opening!
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phone 503-429-0585
786 Bridge Street, vernonia or
Vernonia
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In support of Vernonia’s Voice!
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622 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064
phone (503) 429-0880 -- fax (503) 429-0881