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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 19, 2015)
schools Vernonia School Board Report At the March 12, 2015 Vernonia School Board Meeting: Board Extends Contract – The Board approved Resolution 1415-05, extending an Administrative Contract. Building Reports - Both Elementary Principal Aaron Miller and High School/Middle School Principal Nate Underwood thanked Classified Employees, which includes Instructional Assistants, Secretaries, Custodians, and Food Service Workers, for their dedication, hard work and essential service and noted they had been recognized during Classified Employee Week. Miller also reported that PTA family Week was a big success with good attendance at several events. Underwood recognized members of the Girls Basketball Team who, in addition to taking 4 th place at the State Tournament, were also named 3 rd in OSAA Academic All State. Underwood explained that all team member’s GPA are averaged for the competition. The Vernonia Boys Basketball team was named 8 th. march19 2015 the ending number from last year. Miller reported he is working to present a balanced budget to the Board and Budget Committee at their first meeting on April 30. Miller said he is still waiting for the state to decide the level of funding. Miller told the Board they will receive a draft of the school year calendar next month, which will offer options for both a four day and five day week. Miller told the Board final work is being done on Spencer Park fields and that the new shop facility is almost complete. 13 which would oversee the single building. She explained that previously there were separate Site Council’s for each of the three school buildings. Stahlnecker said the Council is looking for parent members. The Board later approved establishing a single Site Council. Board Appoints Roberts to Budget Committee - The Board appointed Brittanie Roberts to a three year term on the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee is still seeking three more members. Board Accepts Resignation - The Board accepted the resignation of 4 th grade teacher Robyn Richmond. Richmond had taken a one year leave of absence for the birth of her son. Richmond said she would like to continue to work as an Instructional Coach for the District. School Board Chair Bill Langmaid thanked her for her service. Charter School Update - Superintendent Miller provided the Board with an update on the progress being made by the Charter School Steering Committee. Miller told the Board the Steering Committee is moving forward with two proposals: A District Charter Proposal and a School Charter Proposal. Under the District Charter Proposal the Mist School would be Board Hears Second Reading of Policies - The Board eliminated. Miller presented an updated timeline and heard the second reading of eleven policy updates. informed the Board that two Public Hearings have been Public Comment - Jeana Gump asked that the scheduled for March 30 and March 31. members of the Cheerleading Squad be recognized Superintendent Report - Superintendent Aaron Site Council Report - Teacher Deb Stahlnecker told and encouraged by the school, by other coaches and Miller reported that enrollment has dropped throughout the Board that the District is reviving a Site Council athletes, and by the community as athletes. the school year and is now at 561, but is still ahead of Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon to Sponsor Teachers The Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon (PLSO), a non- profit trade association, is partnering with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering (NCEES) as well as twelve other western state land surveying associations to sponsor teachers for the Teaching with Spatial Technology (TwiST) program. Held at Clark College in Vancouver, June 22-26, TwiST is designed to teach K-12 educators how to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in the classroom to create meaningful and challenging lesson plans for students. It is a week-long workshop designed to make teachers proficient in the many aspects of spatial technology. The course is a mixture of classroom study and field exercises while learning to use GIS software, a GPS receiver and other related materials. Teachers will learn about applications that classroom activities can accomplish around their school and community. Ranging from resource management to environmental assessment, cartography and more, the activities may be taught at various levels of grade appropriate complexity. “Land Surveyors often use Vernonia Police Department Super Citizen Cheyenne Farr-Smith VPD Super Citizen recipient for the month of March is Cheyenne Farr-Smith a sophomore at Vernonia HwSw Cheyenne received the VSC award for creating safe and positive youth programs/groups both at school and in the regular communityw When asked why she started these youth organizations she said, "Because it’s fun!" Her next endeavor is to start an anti-bullying group or campaignw Through her drive and selfless actions Cheyenne has shown that she is going above and beyond to better herself and her community, and we at the Vernonia Police Department would like to say, "Thank You, Cheyennew" START RIGHT. START HERE. SM Donʻt wait for the sun! Get your MOWERS tuned up now! Oil Change • Sharpen Blades Filters • Cables • Pull Ropes We pick up & deliver! Family owned & operated for over 45 years 834 Bridge St., Vernonia (503) 429-6364 cutting edge technology in our profession and we want to encourage kids to be exposed to the profession early,” explains John Thatcher, PLSO Chair and state representative for the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors. “The surveying profession has a lot of future growth. Many workers will be retiring soon and we will need to fill our workforce. This is a way for us to plant the seed for future generations and that starts with our teachers.” Oregon teachers are encouraged to log on to http://www.plso.org/twist for an application to attend. PLSO will reimburse travel costs and pay the $600 tuition cost up front, which includes all course teaching materials, ESRI GIS Software, Garmin GPS receiver, PC cable for downloading data, a 2GB thumb drive, hand compass, and other training materials. The Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon represents more than 500 land surveyors and associated suppliers. It serves the land surveying industry in Oregon through professional education and outreach, holding paramount the interests of the public. To learn more visit www.plso.org. Vernonia School District Volunteer of the Month February 2015 Katie Poetter Vernonia School District’s “Volunteer of the Month” for February, is Katie Poetter. Katie is a long time Vernonia resident and graduate of VHS. Katie and her husband have two children and reside in the Vernonia Community. In addition to her family commitments, Katie has an endless list of groups, commit- tees and organizations she is involved with. Katie is a “behind the scenes” volunteer. She is constantly participating in numerous activities and groups but rarely takes center stage and doesn’t get the acknowledgment she is so deserving of. Her community involvement includes the local PEO, Vernonia Parks Committee and the Christmas in Vernonia Committee. Katie is also an active member of her Church, teaches Sunday school classes and helps with the Youth Group. Echoing Evergreen Day Camp is one of Katie’s biggest volunteer projects that she is very passionate about. Kids look forward to this fun filled week at camp... which wouldn’t happen without the hard work and countless hours from Katie. The Vernonia Booster’s is a club in which Katie holds several positions. Not only is she the Booster Board Secretary, she is also the Youth Softball President. At Vernonia High School, Katie has organized many fundraisers for the VHS softball team, coordinated several potlucks for the VHS girls basketball and volleyball teams and facilitates the “Zack Rumbolz Memo- rial Scholarship” Taco Feed Fundraiser. Katie is a thoughtful, generous, passionate and devoted volunteer. “The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depths of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others” ~DeAnn Hollis
