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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2016)
january21 2016 VERNONIA’S volume10 issue2 www.vernoniasvoice.com reflecting the spirit of our community Robotics at Vernonia Schools Loggerbots receive $18K grant from Daimler Trucks Vernonia Schools are participating in two categories of FIRST (For Inspiration and Rec- ognition of Science and Technol- ogy) Robotic Competition pro- grams this school year. Vernonia has two teams in FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) and a third team competing in FRC (FIRST Robotic Challenge). FIRST Robotics com- bines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technol- ogy. It has a goal of exposing kids to the possibilities in science and technology and has challenges available for kids ranging from kindergarten through high school. The program calls FIRST Robotics Competitions the “Ulti- mate Sport of Mind” and is way more than just building a robot. Teams also must raise funds, de- sign and market their team brand, and do community outreach for Some members of Vernonia’s FTC Robotics team. which they can win awards. Par- The big news this year was the ticipants in FIRST programs have access awarding of a grant for $18,100 to Ver- to tens of millions of dollars in college nonia’s FRC 4127 Loggerbots team scholarships. from Daimler Trucks North America on December 14, 2015. For the third consecutive year Daimler is do- nating $225,000 to schools in Or- egon and Southwest Washington to promote education in science, math, engineering, and technology (STEM) through its Daimler Educa- tion in Motion campaign. This year, Daimler promoted the opportunity to receive funding for FIRST teams that will be funded for grades 4-12 in Oregon and SW Washington and over 100 schools applied. Only 30 schools were selected to receive funds and Vernonia’s Loggerbots was one of them. The FRC team, 4127 Logger- Bots, are currently accepting student inside 3 voices in my head 6 odfw changes fishing regulations 9 mccord crowned rodeo princess 12 vhs students go to honor band free continued on page 14 School Board Discusses Weapons Policies Following an incident at a foot- ball game this past season, the Vernonia School Board held a discussion at their January 14, 2016 meeting about the District’s policies concerning weapons on campus and at school sanctioned events. Although District Superin- tendent Aaron Miller did not openly discuss the incident in question at the public meeting he later provided the following details about what transpired: A weapon was seen by staff at the homecoming football game. The person with the weapon was questioned by the administration. The police were called and are aware of the situation. No one was asked to leave. According to information pro- vided to the School Board in anticipa- tion of their discussion, district policy prohibits the possession of firearms or other deadly weapons by employees and district volunteers on campus or at any school sponsored events. This prohibition includes anyone who may otherwise be permitted by law to carry such weapons, including those with concealed carry permits. Weapons un- der the control of law enforcement per- sonnel are permitted. The school policy states that state and federal law, including the fed- eral Gun Free School Zone Act, prohibit possession by non-licensed individuals on campus, within 1,000 feet of school grounds, or at any school-sponsored events. There are specific exceptions to the federal rules, including if the gun is unloaded and locked in a container, firearm rack or motor vehicle. According to district policy, students shall not bring, possess, con- ceal or use a weapon on or at district property, at activities under the juris- diction of the district, or at any inter- scholastic activities. Any student found in violation may be subject to a one year expulsion. The policy states that accord- ing to Oregon state law, any employee who has reasonable cause to believe a student or other person is in possession of a firearm or weapon must immedi- ately report the violation to the admin- istration or law enforcement. In a memo from district legal counselor Kelly Noor, the Board was informed that citizens possessing a concealed carry license are not prohib- ited from carrying weapons in schools. According to the memo, if a weapon is seen by an employee there is nothing prohibiting the school from asking if the person in possession of the weapon has a license to carry a concealed weap- on, however the license holder is not required to reply unless asked by a po- lice officer. Licensees who are carry- ing a weapon are required to carry their license at the same time. An individual not in possession of a concealed carry license is to be treated by law as an in- dividual that does not have a license. The School Board briefly dis- cussed the possibility of placing sig- nage at school properties to alert the public to the District’s policy concern- ing weapons on campus. School Board member Greg Kintz was outspoken in his desire to see the District enforce their policy prohibiting the open carry of weapons on campus and at school events. “I have no problem with the laws for concealed weapons,” said Kintz in a statement during the meet- ing. “I do have a problem with some- body who says ‘I can do what I want.’ That’s the part that bothers me. If you don’t conceal it, then you are breaking the law and there should be something we can do about it. The laws are very clear. There shouldn’t be any question about it.” Board member Katie Cook said she would like to see the District clearly communicate the policy and make sure the public is aware that those policies will be enforced. The Board took no action fol- lowing the discussion. VHS Senior Projects Vernonia High School 12 th graders have completed what is often the most nerve wracking and interesting part of their senior year, the Career Related Learning Experience, also known as the Senior Project. This year the Senior Projects were presented on Wednesday, January 13. The Senior Project requires students to submit a written of Letter of Intent explaining the goals of their project, spend at least 20 hours of hands-on experience with a project mentor, create a display board explaining their project, and present an eight to ten minute speech in front of a small panel of community judges explaining what they learned during their project. The purpose of the senior project is for students to demonstrate skills they have learned throughout high school such as communicating, planning, following- through, working with others, meeting deadlines, working to set standards, and challenging themselves to learn new things. Students also presented their projects informally during an arena style session earlier in the day on Wednesday. Vernonia’s Voice chatted with several of the students during this arena session to learn about some of their projects. Kassidy Fetch learned about Ranch Management from Joe and Kortni Kassidy Fetch Papineau on their working ranch in Post, Oregon. Kassidy says she learned to properly prepare and administer vaccinations, and how to gather, separate, tag, and brand cattle. She also learned a new style of roping from NFR qualifier Blake Knowles. continued on page 11
