schools
november20
2014
Vernonia School Board Report
At the November 12, 2014 Vernonia
School Board Meeting:
Board Hears Student Report- The
Board heard a report from Alexis Baska
and Summer Snow. Both students from
the Leadership Class reported on events
and activities at the high school.
Class Size Report- Principal Nate
Underwood provided an update on
measures that have been taken to address
overcrowding in the Middle School.
Underwood told the Board that all the
problems have not been solved but steps
are being taken. Underwood informed
the Board that a math class has been
added for sixth graders and a gym class
has been added. Underwood also said an
instructional aid is assigned to every one
of the sixth grade classes.
Building Reports- Principal Aaron
Miller provided the Board with a report
from the Elementary School. Miller
reported that attendance at the Open
House was down this year and estimated
that attendance at parent teacher
conferences on November 6 and 7 was
around 80-90%.
Miller also provided an update
on the Focus Schools program. Miller
told the Board that teachers are utilizing
the new Independent and Reading
Language Assessment program and that
teachers will once again give up their
own personal time on November 24 and
25 to develop instructional programs
to align with Common Core State
Standards.
Principal Underwood provided
the Board with a report on the Middle and
High Schools. Underwood informed the
Board about a Parent Survey available
online at http://www.advanced.
org/survey/public/4205849
and
encouraged parents to participate.
Underwood’s written report
also included an article about the
importance of ninth grade in regards
to eventual graduation rates.
Instructional
Hours
Report-
Principals Miller and Underwood
provided the Board with a report on
Instructional hours at each school.
Miller reported that with the current
157 day schedule K-5 will receive
971 hours of instructional time
which includes conferences and staff
development time. The state requires
405 hours for kindergarten, 810
hours for grades1-3 and 900 hours
for grades 4-5. Mist Grade School
will have 913 hours. Underwood
reported that middle and high school
will have 976.4 hours this year compared for Overall Performance and in three
to 959 last year year. The state requires areas for reading and math: Academic
990 hours.
Achievement, Academic Growth and
Subgroup Growth. The District received
Booster Club Report- Maria Lemay
report cards for Vernonia Elementary
gave the Board a presentation that
School (VES), Vernonia Middle School
provided statistics on fundraising at the
(VMS), and Vernonia High School
snack shack during football games this
(VHS).
past fall. Lemay told the Board there
Overall VES received a grade of
were no sales records from past years
3, VMS received a 3, and VHS received
so she decided to compile them this year
a 4.
to provide better detail for future work.
Academic Achievement reflects
the
percentage
of students that meet or
Professional Development Report-
Teacher Juliet Saifier, who is the acting exceed state standards and counts as
Professional Development Coordinator 25% of the overall grade. VES received
provided the Board with a calendar of a grade of 3 in reading, a 3 in math and
professional development activities for a 3 total; VMS received a grade of 3 for
staff for the 2014-15 school year. Saifier reading, a 2 for math and a 3 total and
told the Board that teachers always need VHS received a grade of 3 for reading, a
more time to accomplish their work and 3 for math and 3 total.
Academic Growth measures
that the calendar provides more time this
year for teachers to collaborate and work student growth compared to students
on data. Saifier also informed the Board throughout the state who have similar
that staff is using a new system of videos score history and provides a more
called PD360 that help administrators complete picture of student performance
and evaluation of school effectiveness.
and teachers improve performance.
It counts for 50% of the overall grade.
Board Passes Three Resolutions From VES received a 3 for reading and a 3
OSBA- Board member Greg Kintz, a for math; VMS received a 4 for reading
representative to the Oregon School and a 2 for math. VHS received a 5 for
Board Association (OSBA), brought the reading and a 4 for math.
Board three Resolutions concerning the
Subgroup Growth measures
OSBA process for adopting legislative the growth of historically underserved
policies, adopting legislative priorities students and counts for 25% of the
and policies, and allowing appointment overall grade. VES received a 4 for
of committee members. The Board Economically Disadvantaged students in
approved all three resolutions.
reading and a 1 in math. VMS received
State Report Cards- Superintendent a 4 for Economically Disadvantaged
Aaron Miller presented the 2013-14 students in reading and a 3 in math,
School Report Cards to the Board. and received a 2 for Students with
Schools receive a grade on a scale of 1 Disabilities in reading and a 2 in math.
If no score was given for any
to 5, (1 being lowest, 5 being highest)
Titus & Son’s, Inc.
Serving Your Communty Since 1987
category it is because the school did not
meet the minimum size requirements to
receive a rating. Mist Elementary has
too small a population to receive grades.
Miller told the Board that being
part of the Focus School Program has
helped the schools increase performance
and that the District has focused on
reading in the past and are now moving
their focus to math.
Superintendents
Report-
Superintendent Miller provided the
Board with a written report on the
District.
Miller told the Board that
financially, changes to staffing levels
to address class overcrowding are
having a negative impact on the Ending
Fund Balance and that the District is
considering a spending freeze.
Miller told the Board that
the Oregon and Federal Emergency
Management offices have both signed
off on all of the School District projects
and is closing the school sub grant, which
Miller said is “great news!” Miller told
the Board he is still waiting for the City
and County to approve releasing final
funds for construction of Spencer Park.
Miller told the Board
construction of the shop main structure is
complete and interior work is continuing.
The building should be completed over
winter break and ready for classes in the
spring term.
Softball field construction
will begin when there is a break in the
weather. Board member Ernie Smith
has secured fencing, poles and cinder
through donations and discounts.
Vernonia Students of the Month
October 2014
Alexandria Strack
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Grade 2
Alexandria is making great progress as a student in
reading and math. She is also doing great work
modeling appropriate behaviors as a peer tutor.
Alexandria says her favorite subject in school is art,
but her teachers say she is also very good at math.
In her spare time Alexandria says she takes care of
her cat, Toots and dog, Scoobie. She also enjoys
cooking with her mom and likes jumping on her
bed.
55670 Timber Road
Vernonia, OR 97064
CCB# 55056
General Contractor
Dan Titus
Owner
Ph. (503) 429-5005
13
Kate Fredriksen
Grade 8
Kate is known as an all around good student who
always does her best on her assignments and
makes the extra effort. She is also known for
helping other students. Kate says her favorite
subjects are Social Studies and Language Arts.
She plays clarinet in the school band and also
plays in the Multnomah Youth Philharmonic.
Makayla Adams
Grade 12
Makayla is the Senior Class President, has a 4.0
GPA and is busy with early planning for graduation.
She is the student liaison to the Vernonia Preven-
tion Coalition and secretary for the PTA. She plays
volleyball and basketball, does stats for softball and
is the first chair clarinet in the school band. In her
spare time Makayla takes care of dogs, cats, fish,
goats, and horses at home and is tutoring a fifth
grader in math and clarinet. She says her favorite
class is physics and hopes to study optometry after
graduation.
Sponsored by State Senator Betsy Johnson
