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
