schools
february7
Schools Update: Summer Lunch Program in Jeopardy!
By Dr. Ken Cox
We need your help! For the
past two summers we have been able
to provide thousands of meals for our
children at no cost to them or their
families. As we begin to plan for this
summer’s free lunch program we are
finding that the number of students who
qualify for free and reduced lunch may
hinder our ability to qualify for this vital
service.
The percentage of students
who qualify for free or reduced lunch is
used as a qualifying statistic to get the
funding necessary to run the program.
Currently we have 47% of our grade
school students, 48% of our middle
school students, and 35% of our high
school students who have applied and
been approved for this money saving
program. We need 50% in at least one
of our schools to qualify. This means we
only need 6 more elementary or 2 more
middle school students to help us reach
this goal.
Application to the program is
totally confidential and can bring with
it other money saving benefits as well.
There are only three people in the district
qualified to know whether your family is
on this program or not, two in the district
office who processes the applications,
and the one who checks students at
mealtime. The district has a long-
standing policy of adjusting student fees
such as our pay-to-play fees, for those
who qualify, but ONLY if the parents
want this to happen, as this allows one
other person access to the information.
What we are asking is that you
take a moment to review the following
income guidelines to determine if your
family is eligible. Even if you choose to
keep the information confidential and
not participate in the free or reduced
lunch or reduced fees, you can help all
of the students throughout the summer
and in other areas as well if we meet the
Open to the Public - Adult Basketball
Vernonia High School gym will be available to all adults interested
in playing pick-up basketball games or just shooting around.
Sunday nights8 7-8:30 pm
No charge
For more information contact Aaron Miller 503-429-1333
Vernonia Students of the Month
January 2013
Logan Wolf ,
Grade 1
Logan is kind, respectful and responsible student
who is also very helpful and enjoys assisting
others. He is always on task and does a good job
on his work. Logan says his favorite subject is
math. Logan plays T-ball and soccer. He also says
he likes to read in his spare time.
Jonathan Levenseller ,
50% qualifying threshold.
By the way, studies have shown
that students who eat from the National
School Lunch Program are more likely
to eat more vegetables, drink more milk
and fewer sweetened drinks, and eat
fewer cookies and salty snacks than
students who make other lunch choices.
It is important to note that this
data is not only used to impact the
summer lunch program it also helps
our schools qualify for other grants
and programs that can directly impact
all students in the district. I would ask
that you please consider filling out an
2013
13
application or at least calling the district
office for more information.
To apply for the program you
can use the new online version of the
Oregon Confidential Family Application
for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
(https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/
frlapp/default.aspx) or you can get an
application from the school or the new
district office at 1201 Texas Avenue.
A link to the online application is on
our District website (www.vernonia.
k12.or.us). If you have questions about
completing the application, or would
like a copy sent to you by mail, please
contact Barb Carr in the district office
503-429-5891 and she will provide the
help you need.
Completing the application only
takes a few moments and one application
takes care of all your children no matter
which school they attend. Please help us
continue the summer lunch program and
qualify for additional ways to support
our students by taking the time to see if
you qualify.
Vernonia School District
Volunteer of the Month
January, 2013
Last year Vernonia High School entered the FIRST Robotics program
with the help of numerous volunteers and mentors.
The VHS team is at it again this year. Their build season for their project
is extremely short, running from the start of January to the middle of
February. The season culminates with competition in March.
We could not single out one person above the others, but would love to
recognize the FIRST Robotics Mentors as the Vernonia School District
Volunteers of the Month for January 2013. These folks give up every
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to help our kids.
Without them the team could not do what they do.
Jack Finzel
Jay Anderson
Jeff Ely
Mitch Siebert
Jim Buxton
Greg Schaumburg
Daniel Mullikin
Mike Justice
Brandon Krause
Chris Dass
Grade 8
Johnathan is a remarkable young man who shows great
initiative in keeping track of and completing his assign-
ments, while also advocating for himself when he needs
clarification. In his science class there was a group project
where students created their own "Mousetraps" modeled
after the popular game. Johnathan took the lead in his
group, staying calm, on task and focused. He has shown
great growth personally and socially this year. Jonathan
says his favorite subject is math and is involved in Boy
Scouts. Jonathan says he lives on a farm and has lots of
chores at home that keep him busy in his spare time.
Nic Court ,
Grade 12
Nic has really improved his follow through, has been
meeting deadlines and completing his assignments.
Nic says his favorite subjects are math and Mr.
Brown's history class. Nic says he has been working
hard to improve his grades and says his teachers
have been pushing him to graduate. Nic is also
involved in the VHS Forestry program. In his spare
time Nic says he likes to ride dirt bikes, go 4 wheeling
and drive his '71 Chevy truck.
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