14
community/schools
august21
2014
Scout Cabin Gets New Finish Coat Head Start Recruiting
Preschoolers Now for Fall
Members of the Friend of the Scout Cabin, local Boy Scouts and Vernonia Pride made short
work of applying a new coat of finish to the Vernonia Scout Cabin, a local landmark, on
Thursday August 14 th . All the volunteers pitched in and finished the job in just a few short
hours, making sure the building looks good for the next few years.
Superintendent Explains K-2
Blended Classes continued from front page
along with Miller. Miller noted that by adding a fifth
teacher class sizes have been reduced from thirty-one
students to twenty-three students. “That is a significant
difference and played heavily into our decision mak-
ing,” said Miller.
Miller told the parents that there were sever-
al additional factors involved in the decision. Miller
stated that in each of the last six to seven school years
there has been a need to blend different grades as a re-
action to class sizes. “By moving to a consolidated K-2
program we can eliminate the need for switching those
blended classes every year.” Miller noted that the plan,
in most cases, would call for a student to have the same
teacher for all three years in the blended program.
Miller told the audience that the District has a
positive history of blending classes. Most recently they
have used a blend model for K-1 students with good re-
sults. “It worked,” said Miller. “Teachers found ways
to make it effective and address the variety of student
needs and parents were not concerned because they saw
it in action.” Miller also pointed to the highly success-
ful Mist School, which operates as part of the Vernonia
School District and blends approximately twenty-five
K-5 students in a single classroom.
Miller explained that the school has already
instituted a blended reading program for grades K-2
where students are assessed to determine at what level
Head Start, a federally
funded pre-school program, is
seeking students for the 2014-
2015 school year. Applications
are being taken from all three
and four year olds in Columbia
County. Recruitment for fall
enrollment is now in progress.
If parents are interested in
enrollment information they are
urged to phone immediately.
Perspective
students
must be three or four years old
by September 1, 2014. Children
must be from limited income
households or have a disability
and/or special needs to qualify.
Head Start incorporates
a total family program that
includes nutrition, education,
medical and dental services for
the enrolled child and home
visitations. USDA approved
meals are served. Training on
various subjects and on the job
training is offered to all enrolled
families. Transportation is not
available.
The U.S. Dept. of
Agriculture (USDA) and the State
they are reading and then grouped so
they are working with a teacher on
skills that are appropriate for each
student’s developmental level. “In
terms of addressing individual needs
this consistent program actually allows us to be more
focused on individual skills that students need,” said
Miller. Miller pointed out that there is always a wide
range in abilities, knowledge and comprehension levels
in any straight grade level class.
Miller told the audience that students, in ad-
dition to working in ability level groups for reading,
will also be assessed and grouped for math instruction.
He explained that each student will have a homeroom
teacher who will also teach science and social studies
and other projects but that students could have differ-
ent teachers for reading and math. Miller said that the
homeroom class learning will be integrated, so students
in all three grades would learn the same subject matter
but the expectation of final product work would be dif-
ferent for each grade level.
Miller noted
other factors that were
involved in the decision
to blend classrooms in-
cluded consistency in
instruction by teachers,
Columbia Humane Society
featured Pet
Shadow is a cattery favorite.
He is about four years old, is
very friendly and gets along
with everyone really well. He
was recently brought back
from a home visit because he
was a little shyer than what
the people were looking for.
Give him some time and let
him settle in and he will show
you what a great cat he is. If you have any questions about him please
don't hesitate to call 503-397-4353 or email
animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org.
Email: animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org
2084 Oregon Street
Phone: 503-397-4353
St. Helens, OR 97051
Web: www.columbiahumane.org
of Oregon prohibit discrimination
in all USDA programs and
activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex,
religion, age or disability.
The Vernonia Center is
located at 500 California Avenue
next to the Blue Heron Hollow
Apartment complex. Families
who live in the Mist, Birkenfeld
and Vernonia areas may phone
(503) 429-9243 or 503-369-7249
for more information.
The Clatskanie/Rainier
Center is located behind the high
school in Clatskanie. Families in
the Clatskanie, Quincy, Westport,
Knappa, Rainier and Goble areas
may phone (503) 728-2940 for
more information.
Students in the St.
Helens area attend class at the
center on Columbia Blvd. next to
McBride School. Families may
contact (503) 397-4114 for more
information.
Head Start is an agency
of Community Action Team, Inc.,
serving Clatsop, Columbia and
Tillamook counties.
which is a natural result of a teaching team working
together in this format. Miller also noted an expansion
of student’s peer groups as being a benefit of blended
classrooms.
Overall, about six parents expressed concerns
or asked questions about the new classroom format. At
least three parents spoke in favor of the blended class-
rooms. At the end of the discussion several audience
members thanked Miller for his explanations and the
Board for allowing the discussion to go on for so long.
Several audience members said they still had concerns
about the program. Board Chair Langmaid and Miller
both thanked the audience for being in attendance and
for making their concerns known. “We need this type
of support and concern from all parents,” said Miller.
“It’s a tough job we have to educate our children and
it’s a partnership when it’s done best.”
Are you a senior citizen?
Do you need assistance?
Karen Miller with Community Action Team is
available for consultation for senior services in the
Vernonia area. Help is also available for energy
assistance. 503-366-6581
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