Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2016)
schools 2016 Schools Update - Back to School By Aaron Miller With the end of Jamboree Weekend, school is just around the cor- ner. Teachers have begun showing up at school to prepare for their students, kids are starting to say they are bored, and parents are just ready to have their kids back in class. School will begin on a staggered start with the following groups of stu- dents beginning classes on the following days: • New Middle School and High School students, students entering 6 th or 9 th grade, and all foreign exchange students will begin with a half day (8:00 am – Noon) orientation on Tuesday, Septem- ber 6. • All students in grades 1-12 will re- port for their first full day of school on Wednesday, September 7. • All kindergarten students will begin school on Thursday, September 8. All incoming kindergarten students are re- quired to take a State of Oregon Readi- ness Exam, and these will be held by ap- pointment on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 6 and 7. If you have not yet signed up for an appointment, please do so by calling the school office at (503) 429-1333. If you have an elementary stu- dent that is new to the Vernonia School District (VSD) please pick up regis- tration paperwork from the Vernonia Schools office located at 1000 Missouri Avenue. For High School and Middle School Board Report At the August 11, 2016 School Board Meeting: Bond and OSCIM Grant Moving Forward – Superin- tendent Miller told the Board that all required paperwork has been turned in to the Oregon Department of Education and the District has received confir- mation that everything is com- plete for the District’s Bond proposal and the opportunity to receive matching state funds if citizens approve the Bond Mea- sure in November. august18 School students (new or returning) reg- istration days are: Vernonia High School registration will be on Wednesday, August 17: • Seniors will register from 9-10 am • Juniors from 10:30-11:30 am • Sophomores from 12:30-1:30 pm • Freshmen from 2-3 pm. Vernonia Middle School registration will be on Friday, August 19: • 8 th graders will register from 9-10 am • 7 th graders from 10:30-11:30 am • 6 th graders from 12:30-1:30 pm School supply lists and the school year calendar are available on the district website at www.vernonia.k12. or.us. If finances are tight in your house- hold and your child is in need of school supplies, a backpack, or free/reduced lunch pricing, the school can help pro- vide these items. If this is a need, call the school office at (503) 429-1333. Once school starts, I can’t en- courage you enough to remain in con- tact with your child’s teachers. Success in school is a team effort between you, your child and the school. Please com- municate with teachers early and often to help ensure your students’ success. For any transportation needs, please call Shelley Hennessy at Curl School Bus Services, (503) 429-0507. If you have any questions or comments regarding any District busi- ness, please call Superintendent Miller at the District Office, (503) 429-5891. Board the District is imple- menting a Standard Response Protocol for dealing with emer- gencies on campus. (See full story of front page.) Board Receives Student and Staff Handbooks – The Board received revised versions of both the Student Handbook and Staff Handbooks for 2016-17. Finance Officer Retirement – Superintendent Miller told the Board that Finance Officer Dawn Plewes will be retiring on August 24. School Ready for Kindercamp – Elementary School Principal Aaron Miller told the Board that a grant through the ESD is pay- ing for eight half days of school for all incoming kindergarten students from August 15-25. Kindercamp is designed to al- low new school students to be- come acquainted with their new teacher and school routines to aid in their transition. Students will receive a snack and lunch District Considers Waiving through the Summer Meals Pro- Fee – Superintendent Miller gram. said he discussed with Athletic Director Gordon Jarman the Focus School Professional idea of waiving sports pay-to- Development – Elementary play fees for the children of School Principal Aaron Miller volunteer coaches. Miller said told the Board the District has Jarman agreed the idea had received a Formative Assess- merit and Miller said he would ment Grant for $56,000 which bring back a formal proposal to will allow VES and VMS teach- Board Approves Athletic Co- op with Banks H.S. – The Board approved a request to allow one VHS student to par- ticipate in soccer at Banks High School through a cooperative agreement. The Board ap- proved the same request last year for the same student. Board Approves New Hire – Based on a recommendation from Superintendent Aaron Miller the Board approved the hire of Andrea Anderson as a Board Approves Budget new 1st/2nd grade teacher. The Amendment Resolution – District is still looking for a The Board approved Budget high school science teacher. Amendment Resolution 1516- District to Implement Stan- 07, that included the Advanced dard Response Protocol – Refund on the current General Superintendent Miller told the Obligation Bond. ers to participate in teacher planning training to implement more effective Formative As- sessment procedures. Teacher leaders from each school will attend two days of training in Salem and will then lead all teachers to implement the sys- tems into their daily routines. The program provides addi- tional planning time for teach- ers and keys on strong feedback strategies that inform students where they are in relation to meeting a particular learning standard and what they need to do in order to meet it. Where Are They Now? Dillon Dethlefs go to Canada or Mexico or even Europe. It’s definitely a growing industry and a growing occupation.” Today, Dethlefs is working for a different com- pany, Airway Services, that offers travel opportunities for their technicians as well as local work. Dethlefs is currently based in Goldendale, Washington, working on Siemens 2.3-93 variable speed wind turbines in and around the Columbia Gorge area, which allows him to travel back to Vernonia on weekends. “I’m getting to experience the beautiful scenery in the Gorge and I’ve taken a ton of photos,” says Dethlefs. “It’s also nice to Vernonia Veterinary Clinic Small and Large Animals 13 the Board. Student Interns Help Prepare Building – Superintendent Miller praised the custodial crew for the great work they have done getting the campus ready for fall, thanking Mark Brown, Debbie Johnston and Randy Phipps. Miller also noted the contribution of stu- dent interns under the supervi- sion of Brown and Beth Kintz who worked this summer: Corbin Nelson, Jazmine Knigh- ton, Amanda Rose Sicard, Ben Fleck, Grace Coleman, and Casandra McFalls. Public Comment – Lon- nie Perry addressed the Board about his concern that there is a national movement by the Temple of Satan to infiltrate schools by forming clubs and are entitled to the same consid- erations as the Christian based Good News club. continued from page 12 be able to come home and see friends and family and help out.” In addition to work, Dethlefs has been racing motocross motorcycles, a hobby he picked up while in high school. Last year he won the Oregon Motorcycle Riders Association (OMRA) Off-Road Amateur Point Series Championship after appearing in races around the northwest, including Goldendale, Roseburg, Eu- gene and Washougal. He has also been competing in regional logging shows and was just at the Vernonia Jamboree Logging Show in early August. “If someone wants to go to a good school that isn’t too expensive and won’t leave you in debt for half your life, and have a chance to travel, this is a good op- tion,” says Dethlefs. “I hope my experience can help open someone’s eyes and let them see that they could go do something like this, and maybe not be stuck in Vernonia for the rest of their life. Vernonia is a good place, a nice, small, rural town and it’s nice to be able to come back and visit. But, there are good opportuni- ties out there.” 291 A Street call Kim Open Mon, Wed & Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call for Appointments (503) 429-1612 Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470 700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR Lovable service at a reasonable price • Bathing • Haircuts • Nail Clipping • Nail Polishing • Specialty Shampoos
