schools
Schools Update:
Attendance
The topic of attendance in our schools
has come up quite a bit recently. We are
addressing the issue, and we’re beginning to see
changes for the better.
Mr. Miller presented data at the board
meeting last month that shows significant
improvement in our Kindergarten attendance.
We are continuing our research into our middle
and high school attendance data, which we will
be reporting on at our next board meeting on
March 13.
Parents were notified earlier this year
of our new attendance policy. We have made it
a practice to have teachers, counselors, and, if
necessary, the principal contact parents about
their student’s attendance. We have made
adjustments to that policy and will be placing it
on the Attendance page on our district website.
In other news, we had a successful town
hall meeting last Tuesday, February 25th. With
over 60 in attendance a number of different
topics were covered. The two main items of
discussion were future opportunities for our
career and technical education programs and
the establishment of a task force to research the
feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of a
four day school week. If you are interested in
participating or have ideas about either of these
topics, please contact the district office.
Boosters Buzz
2014
Basketball-Vernonia Youth Basketball just wrapped up
their very successful 2013-’14 season. There were a total
of 5 teams that consisted of 47 players. The teams ranged
from 3rd-6th grade boys and girls. Vernonia dominated
Four- Day School Week
concerns from the audience, repeat-
ing that it would be the job of the Task
Force to explore how other school dis-
tricts in Oregon operate with a four-day
week. “We are not going to re-invent
the wheel,” said Cox, “without going to
a district that is already doing this, that
has already answered the questions and
already has the input and answered the
questions from the Oregon Department
of Education.”
Cox noted that there is evidence
that suggests that districts that use a
four-day school week have improved
test scores. He also noted that teacher
performance has been shown to improve
when they have preparation time, and
the four-day week could allow for more
teacher prep time. “It is important that
our teachers have the opportunity to
improve their abilities and their skills
for teaching our kids,” said Cox. He
pointed out improvement in the Verno-
nia School District this year at the El-
ementary level after implementation of
additional teacher prep time.
Cox noted that he does not ex-
pect a four-day school week to be imple-
mented next year, although he did say it
could be possible if the Task Force be-
gan meeting immediately. “Is it possible
for next year? I would say it is,” said
Cox. ” Is it probable? Probably not.”
march6
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their opponents throughout the 8 weeks of games, and at
every age group that participated. The teams participated
in the Forest Grove Youth Basketball league and have
made a name for themselves over the years. A big
thanks goes out to our Booster Basketball organization
for making this happen; Mackenzie Dennis-President,
Amanda Wolf-Secretary/Treasurer and several board
members; Derek Handegard, Jeff Ely and Amy
Cieloha. A big thanks also goes out to the coaches
of our five teams. Mackenzie Dennis, Amanda Wolf
and Jasen Shaw were the coaches of the 5th/6th grade
girls. Todd Sullivan, Jason Harral and Scott Rice were
the coaches of the 5th/6th grade boys. Bob Zavales and
Stacy Adams were the coaches of the 3rd/4th grade
girls. Greg McCallum and Matt Poetter were the
coaches of the 3rd/4th grade boys. Thank you all so
much for another successful and fun season!!
Last Call-for any youth interested in participating
in youth baseball or softball. Sign-ups were held in
February, but we are still looking for more kids to fill
our teams. Practices are scheduled to start in April
and games will start in May. The season usually
goes through the middle of June and possibly longer
for baseball. The cut off date for signing up for these
sports is Friday, March 14th. Please call Amy Cieloha
for baseball at 503-429-0745. For softball, please call
Katie Poetter at 503-799-8946 or Amanda Wolf at 503-
970-1552.
continued from front page
Cox stressed that the real pur-
pose of exploring the four-day school
week concept is not about cost sav-
ings. “The purpose of this is not to save
money; the purpose of this would be to
help students learn better. If we can’t
prove that or if we don’t believe that,
then we don’t want to mess with it.”
In addition to the four-day
school week discussion, Cox explained
how the funding from the CTE Grant
would be spent. He noted that funding
would be used to build a new shop build-
ing, which he expected to be complete in
time for next school year. He noted that
the District is attempting to increase the
number of qualified CTE programs the
school offers from two to four by adding
Engineering and Natural Resources/For-
estry. The District already offers Con-
struction and Digital Arts programs.
Cox asked for input from the audience
as to what new courses they would like
to see added that could be housed in the
new shop facility. Ideas included: au-
tomotive, small engine repair, welding,
metalwork, and robotics/computer pro-
graming.
Cox explained that the Verno-
nia Education Foundation has raised
$60,000 in their Sports Initiative cam-
paign and has approved spending
$13,000 for surveying work and a de-
sign plan for new sports fields at the new
school campus. He also suggested that a
softball field could be constructed in the
near future.
Cox discussed the construction
of replacement fields at New Spencer
Park and stated that a Request for Pro-
posals (RFP) is being prepared for this
spring so final construction can be com-
pleted this summer/fall. Cox noted that
the fields would not be usable until next
spring.
The audience also heard an up-
date on fundraising from John Donovan
of Met Group.
Vernonia Students of the Month
February 2014
Dilyn Lardy
Kindergarten
Dilyn is a hard worker who always gives 100%
everyday at school. Dilyn follows all the rules, sets
a good example, helps his peers, and has a positive
attitude about school. Dilyn says his favorite
subject is reading. He plays t-ball and says he likes
to help take care of the family dog, cat and two
horses.
Jessica Butcher
Grade 6
Jessica is a good student who says her favorite
subjects are math and physical education. She is a
student athlete who plays volleyball, basketball,
softball and runs track. She also plays the flute in
the band. When she's not playing sports, Jessica
says she likes to sew-she's in the middle of making
an Oregon Ducks quilt right now.
Heather Patton
Grade 12
Heather is a friendly and upbeat student who says
her favorite subject is science--”I love science!” she
says. She is part of the new choir that was just
started this year at school. She says she is inter-
ested in the theater and likes to read and walk in
the woods in her free time. She is also involved in
her weekly church youth group. Heather says she
hopes to study to be a veterinary technician after
graduation.
Sponsored by Vernonia’s Voice
