14
schools/in other words
march19
2015
Schools Update: Common Core Standards
By Aaron Miller

Common Core State Standards
(CCSS) and the Smarter Balanced
Assessment (SBAC) to measure progress
toward those standards are a hot topic
for both educators and parents. While
there are many opinions about whether
or not students should have to take these
assessments, and how well these new
tests will measure student achievement,
the fact is this is how our students’
progress will be measured starting this
spring.

Our schools are working hard
to address these new standards in the
classroom. There are also several things
that parents and students can do at home
to help with this preparation.
• Practice keyboarding skills: Students
must write a great deal on the SBAC,
and keyboarding skills are essential
to them being able to complete these
tests thoroughly, and on time. Practice
keyboarding free at: http://www.bbc.
co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
• Take practice SBAC tests: http://www.
ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3747
• When working on reports or other
school assignments, be sure to cite
evidence directly from research texts,
providing supporting details to help
explain answers and reasoning.
• Practice re-reading difficult sections of
texts to ensure understanding.
• Make as many connections as possible
between learning at school, and real
world occurrences related to that
learning.
• Break down assignments and jobs into
simplified tasks and steps.
• Represent math problems by using
hands-on materials, or by drawing a
picture.
• Provide many experiences in
estimating/deciding if an answer is
Public Hearing Notice
The Vernonia School District will hold a Public Hearing regarding the
Vernonia Schools’ Charter proposal in the Vernonia Schools’ Commons on
Monday, March 30 from 7-8pm, and in the Mist Grade School Gym on Tuesday,
March 31 from 7-8pm.
The agenda will include an informational presentation from the Charter
Steering Committee, time for questions and answers for the Steering Committee,
and time for public input/testimony.
Information presented from the Steering Committee will be in regards to
the main aspects of the two charter proposals being presented.
One of these proposals will be a Charter School model (leaves Mist
open), while another proposal will be a Charter District model, which would
absorb Mist into the Vernonia Schools’ building.
Legal Notice
This is to notify you that
the Columbia County Board of
Commissioners has proposed a land
use Moratorium that may affect the
permissible uses of your land.
On April 8, 2015, at 10:00
a.m., the Columbia County Board
of Commissioners will hold a public
hearing regarding the adoption of
Ordinance No. 2015-03. The hearing
will be held in the Commissioners’s
meeting room, Room 308 on the
Third Floor of the Columbia County
Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St.
Helens, Oregon.
The Columbia County Board
of Commissioners has determined
that adoption of this Ordinance will
affect the permissible uses of your
property, on an interim basis, and may
reduce the value of your property. The
proposed Ordinance would adopt a
temporary moratorium on the operation
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of recreational and medical marijuana
dispensaries and grow operations,
pursuant to ORS 197.520, for a period
120 days to allow the County time to
develop Zoning Ordinance provisions
compatible with changing Oregon
State rule and statute.
The proposed ordinance
will be available for inspection at the
Columbia County Courthouse located
in St. Helens, Oregon in the Land
Development Services Department,
230 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon,
on March 26, 2015. A copy of the
proposed ordinance will be available
for purchase at a reasonable cost.
For additional information
concerning Ordinance No. 2015-03,
you may call Todd Dugdale or Glen
Higgins, at the Columbia County
Department of Land Development
Services, at (503) 397-1501.
reasonable.
• Provide many experiences in evaluating
opinions, beliefs and decisions.
• Read critically.
• Read often.

The adjustment to these new
assessments will be difficult. Student
scores are predicted to drop drastically
in terms of how many are expected to
meet or exceed the standard score. By
preparing our students for these new
tests, both at school and at home, we
can help smooth this transition and help
them be as successful as possible.

While academics are our main
concern, I want to take a moment to
discuss two other critical areas of our
education system: the budget, and extra-
curricular activities.

First, I would like to share that
we have several openings on the Vernonia
School District Budget Committee. This
group will look at the District’s proposed
budget and make recommendations for
approval and potential areas for revision.

If you are interested in being
a part of this process, please notify the
Vernonia School District Office at 503-
429-5891.

As for extra-curricular activities,
I want to thank each and every one of our
supporters who has been able to make
it to a game, performance, match or
event of any sort this year! Our students
appreciate the dedication it represents to
them when they know the community is
behind their efforts.

The great success our forestry,
robotics, volleyball, wrestling, and boys
and girls basketball teams have enjoyed
this year is only enhanced when their
parents and the community are behind
them. Thank you!

While I have seen many of you
in our gyms, at other schools’ fields, at
robotics events, forestry competitions,
spelling bees and playoffs, the showing
for our girls’ basketball team at the OSAA
2A State Tournament in Pendleton was
incredible. Congratulations to the Lady
Loggers on a 4 th place finish, and kudos
to all who contributed to their trip, or
who made the long drive to support our
student athletes’ success!
Natural Path: New Reiki
Practice Opens in Vernonia
By Jeff Dolan

Spring is here and it brings a
time of new beginnings. I am pleased
to announce that my practice, Healing
Energy Reiki, is now open at Natural Path
Health Services, Dr. Carol McIntyre’s
office, here in Vernonia. I am a Reiki
Master, who has been practicing for
thirteen years, and am a member of the
Northwest Reiki Association, where I
volunteer working in many of the cancer
clinics at area hospitals. Bringing
another natural healing modality to our
community is very exciting for me. I am
a Portland native and moved to Vernonia
four years ago.

Reiki means “universal life
force energy.” It is the art of restoring
this energy flow in the body. Reiki
positively affects the whole person
including body, mind and spirit. It is a
gentle, non-invasive touch therapy that is
easy and safe to use. Reiki creates many
beneficial effects including relaxation
and feelings of peace, security and well-
being.

It is a tool that can help with
stress reduction, healing, preventing
disorders and maintaining positive
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wellness. It is also a technique for
activating, restoring and balancing
the natural energy that flows through
the body. It is a self-help method for
personal growth, transformation and
enlightenment.

Reiki practitioners do not
diagnose conditions, nor do they
prescribe or perform medical treatments
or interfere with the treatment of a
licensed medical professional. They can,
however, enhance the healing properties
of these therapies. For example, I
have worked on cancer patients as
adjunct therapy to their chemo/radiation
treatments, and have also had success
with motor vehicle accidents, PTSD,
and tumor reduction and eradication.

For more information or
to schedule an appointment, please
contact me at (971) 275-6228 or e-mail
14jdrm@gmail.com. I am offering an
introductory special through April 30,
2015 at a reduced rate of $25.00 for a
30-minute treatment. Also available
are home visits ($55.00/30 minutes)
and group therapy (please call for
information). I look forward to working
with the Vernonia community.
Randstad is now hiring
in Forest Grove!
Randstad is now onsite at a leading
printed circuit board manufacturer!
We need team players who thrive
in a fast-paced manufacturing
environment!
Immediate openings available for
candidates who:
• have six months production
manufacturing experience
• have a HS diploma/GED
$12.00-$12.75/hour
Lots of overtime available!
Call 503-992-4584 to apply today!