schools
august20
2015
Schools Update: Changes
By Aaron Miller
The second phase of the Vernonia Schools new
playground structure will be installed by volunteers on
Sunday, August 30 thanks to the fundraising efforts of
the Vernonia Community PTA and students at Vernonia
Elementary School. It will feature a variety of climbing
structures, and slides, and will complete the project that
was started last summer with installation of phase 1 by
the PTA and their volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering to help
with this installation please contact the District Office
at 503-429-5891.
In addition to completing the new playground
structure, several other projects and changes have
occurred in the District over the summer. Some of the
changes include:
• School Day: The school day has been changed for all
students. There will no longer be early release time on
Fridays. Students will be in school Monday-Friday
from 8 am - 3:10 pm. Teachers will have a decreased
professional development schedule that will take place
on some Fridays when students will not be in school.
This change will allow the District to meet the number
of Instructional Hours required by the State.
• District Office: The District Office has been moved
into the Vernonia Schools building. This will allow for
more continuity and better communication between
staff, parents and the community.
• Curriculum: A focus on Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM), as well as
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs will
be an area of concentration for teacher professional
development, based on the work of the Charter School
Steering Committee last spring. These programs will
help prepare our students for secondary education, the
current work force and jobs of the future.
• Staff: Several new teachers have been hired over
the summer, and openings for needed Instructional
Assistants will be posted soon. These new hires bring
a wealth of experience and expertise to an already
seasoned staff.
• Bussing: If you have any questions regarding your
student’s bus routes or other bussing needs, please
contact Shelly Hennessy of Curl’s Transportation at
503-429-0507.
As we get closer to the beginning of school
13
there are also several important dates to keep in mind:
• Friday, August 21 - Middle School Registration
• Friday, August 28 – Last Day of Summer Meal
Program at the Grace Fellowship Church
• Tuesday, September 8 – New Student Orientation (for
incoming 6 th and 9 th graders, new Middle School or
High School students and Foreign Exchange students
ONLY). Busses will run their regularly scheduled
routes on this day.
• Tuesday, September 8 – Kindergarten Readiness
Assessments – These are State required assessments
for every student entering Kindergarten. Please set an
appointment for your incoming kindergartener through
the school office at 503-429-1333.
• Wednesday, September 9 – First Day of School for
ALL Students
• Thursday, September 17 – Vernonia Schools Open
House
The District is looking forward to another great
year, and to working with our students again this fall.
If you have any questions about school, please give the
school a call at 503-429-1333. Enjoy the rest of your
summer!
School Board Report
At the August 13, 2015 School Board
Meeting:
Board Approves RFP Extension – The
Board approved an extension of the
Food Products and Non-Food Supplies
RFP Award to SYSCO.
Board Approves Surplus Items – The
Board approved a list of items for sur-
plus, including: an HP fax machine and
seven ink cartridges; two Pioneer Table
Saws; a Delta Drill Press; a floor jack.
Building Reports - Elementary School
Principal Aaron Miller provided a
written report and reported that VES is
entering into their fourth and final year
as a Focus School. Since participating in
the program the school has increased test
scores and the overall school rating by
improving core instructional practices,
shoring up assessment procedures,
utilizing student data, and improving
professional development.
Superintendent Report - Superinten-
dent Aaron Miller told the Board that
student interns working at Stub Stewart
State Park, The Upper Nehalem Water-
shed Council, and the District mainte-
nance department this summer are hav-
ing positive and successful experiences.
Miller reported that the District
received a final FEMA check for
$141,000 to cover cost overruns on flood
recovery projects.
Miller reported the new shop is
FOR TOWING EMERGENCIES
IN AND AROUND THE
VERNONIA AREA
Polife and County personnel are required
to use a rotation of available providers,
UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY ASK
for a servife by name.
REQUEST TOWING SERVICE FROM
ready for final inspection. Work is pro-
gressing on the new softball field at the
school campus and should be ready for
play this spring. The greenhouse is be-
ing used.
Volunteers will install new
playground equipment purchased by the
PTA on Sunday, August 30.
The Vernonia Education Foun-
dation reported that they will receive a
large donation of stocks which can be
liquefied and are earmarked for use for
sports facilities.
Gilbert will expand her role as K-12 high school and college credit for course
Behavior Specialist. Cassandra Hylton work completed during the school year.
has been hired to take over the District’s
Topics From the Floor - Kathy Leach
Life Skills program.
expressed concern about the recently
Foreign Exchange Students Begin Ar- instituted tuition fees for non-enrolled
riving - 15 Foreign Exchange Students students who wish to take classes at
have registered with the District and Vernonia High School. The School
have begun arriving to live with their Board approved fees of up to $450 for
host families for the school year.
each class semester. Leach suggested
lowering the fees to encourage more
Willamette Promise Program - Several
students to access the school and
teachers at the high school may be par-
encourage enrollment, and suggested
ticipating in the Willamette Promise pro-
the District advertise classes available to
gram which allows students to earn both
Staffing Changes - Administration
non-enrolled students.
reported several staffing changes for the
upcoming school year. Amy Rethwill,
a VHS graduate and current student
at Portland State University, has been
promoted from part-time Instructional
Assistant to full-time at Mist Grade
School. Debbie Stahlnecker will be
teaching Sophomore English and
Language Arts. Rachel Wilcoxen will
serve as Dean of Students and be the
first contact for students, staff and
parents for issues relating to discipline
and attendance. Randy Shockey will
• Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels • Finish Carpentry
teach Engineering, Construction, and
• Ceramic Tile Work • Custom Home Construction
Manufacturing. Steve Whiteman will
• Additions • Commercial Tenant Improvements
continue to teach Integrated Math and
Chemistry. Thor Ware has been hired
Jim Morrison, Jr.
Ph: (503) 429-0154
to teach high school math and Career
General Contractor
MorrisonRemodeling@hughes.net
Education. Former kindergarten teacher
CCB# 112057
Vernonia, OR 97064
Michelle Eagleson will serve as District
K-12 Instructional Coach. Charolette
• Licensed • Bonded • Insured
START RIGHT. START HERE. SM
Summer is
here!
call Kim
Water Toys • Lawn Chairs
Camping Supplies • BBQs
Batteries • Fishing Supplies
Sporting Goods • Coolers
Family owned & operated for over 45 years
Shop Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00
291
A
Street
834 Bridge St., Vernonia (503) 429-6364
Lovable service at
a reasonable price
• Bathing
• Haircuts
• Nail Clipping
• Nail Polishing
• Specialty
Shampoos
