schools
october19
2017
13
Schools Update: Community Chats
Maintaining open lines of communication is
a critical element of a school system aiming to meet
the needs of its community as it moves forward with
developing and completing a variety of bond projects.
In an effort to increase opportunities for
discussing issues, having questions answered, providing
input, and developing a better overall understanding
of what is happening in the Vernonia School District,
Superintendent Aaron Miller will begin holding
monthly “Community Chats” at local restaurants.
The first chat is set for Noon-1:00 pm on
Wednesday, October 25 at the Blue House Café. The
second is scheduled on Wednesday, November 15
from 6:30-7:30 am at Mariolino’s. Come on in to talk
with Superintendent Miller, and share any questions or
concerns.
These informal chats with the Superintendent
are one way that the District will share information
with the public about progress toward completion
of bond construction projects, but are also meant to
be another way to share and address the successes,
questions and concerns about anything school related
that is of interest to the community.
The District will also continue to use its usual
ways of communicating through notes sent home to
parents, postings on our webpage and Facebook page,
answering questions over the phone, written articles
in Vernonia’s Voice, monthly Board meetings held
in the library every second Thursday of the month,
community meetings and the use of the Blackboard
Connect telephone messaging system.
In addition to this wide variety of methods
used to try and communicate school district happenings
to the community, Superintendent Miller is always
willing to set an appointment (in person or by phone)
and talk whenever a question or issue arises. Just call
(503) 429-5891 to set up a time.
All “Community Chats” are scheduled for
Wednesdays (except April) and include…
• January 24 from Noon-1 pm at Subway
• February 28 from 6:30-7:30 am at the Black Iron Grill
• April 24 from Noon-1:00 pm at La Cabana
• May 23 from 6:30-7:30 am at the Black Iron Grill
• June 27 from Noon-1 pm at the Blue House Café
We hope you can join us at one of our scheduled
“Community Chats” so we can continue to partner and
make the Vernonia School District, and the community
of Vernonia, the best that it can be. Together we can
truly make a difference.
School Board Report
At the October 12, 2017 Vernonia
School Board Meeting:
School Board Meets at Mist School –
The School Board held their regularly
scheduled monthly meeting at the Mist
School.
Board Ratifies OSEA Contract – The
Board voted to ratify the 2017-2020
OSEA Contract, the Collective Bargain-
ing Agreement with Classified Employ-
ees from Oregon School Employees As-
sociation, Chapter 67. Superintendent
Aaron Miller noted that after a long ne-
gotiation, changes included the addition
of “Sick Time” to care for a family mem-
ber, and a 2% Cost of Living increase for
all employees instead of a step increase.
Class Size and Enrollment Re-
port – Superintendent Aaron Miller
provided a report on current class
sizes and enrollment. Miller’s report
showed that as of October 1 grade
sizes at Mist and Vernonia schools
totaled the following: K- 41, 1-34,
2-26, 3-44, 4-43, 5-47, 6-30, 7-39,
8-43, 9-40, 10-52, 11-32, 12-50, For-
eign Exchange-13. Miller reported
that the total number of students in
the report was 534, of which 87, or
16%, were special education stu-
dents. He also noted that since the
report was created four additional
students had enrolled in the District,
bringing the total to 538.
Board Approves New Hires – The
Board approved Superintendent Aar-
on Miller’s recommendation for the
hiring of Teresa Williams and Sah-
rina Wood as Instructional Assistants.
Board Hears Discipline Report from
Vice Principals – The Board heard a
report from Vice Principals Rachel Wil-
coxen and Michelle Eagleson concern-
ing Academics and Behavior which fo-
cused on how discipline is handled and
how the number of discipline referrals
are being tracked.
Superintendent’s Report – Superinten-
dent Aaron Miller reported on progress
on projects funded by the Bond, and
focused on projects at the Mist School,
including repair of the roof, gutters, and
siding, and the installation of playground
and security equipment.
Miller told the Board about the
“Play Smart Heart Screenings” which
VERNONIA
C H I RO P R AC T I C C L I N I C, I NC.
tested 126 students, and found two stu-
dents with elevated blood pressures and
identified one student with a cardiac
condition.
Building Reports – Elementary School
Principal Aaron Miller reported on suc-
cessful Open House and Meet the Teach-
er Nights, on the Salmon Watch program
that involved Kindergarten and 4 th grade
students, and the new Wednesday Morn-
ing Assembly program.
High School Principal Nate Un-
derwood reported on a workshop series
he attended, Critical Issues Based Lead-
ership Program - which featured evi-
dence- based praactices which show that
9 th grade students who are on track are
four-times more likely to graduate from
High School.
Underwood also reported the
school is being proactive with student
attendance, with tardiness and absences
being tracked, letters sent to parents, and
follow-ups by teachers and administra-
tors.
Board Receives Updated Student and
Staff Handbooks – The Board received
updated copies of the Student Hand-
book and Staff Handbook. The Student
Handbook contains a revised policy on
Electronic Devices and Cell Phone use,
which restricts use to before and after
school, between classes and at lunch;
the Handbook also contains an updated
Discipline Consequences Guidelines
matrix.
Vernonia Students of the Month
VernoniaChiro.com
Joseph Dombek, DC
(971) 248-4055
September 2017
Elementary School
Now Accepting New Patients
610 Bridge Street • Vernonia, OR 97064
Back Row: Nathan Curry 4th
grade, Elijah Ferguson 3rd,
Raeleigh Merger 5th,
Hayden Rau 4th
Front Row: Olivia Bunke 3rd,
Kamryn Means 2nd, Morgan
Lee K, Adelene Stewart 1st,
Avah McAdams K
Cody Hathcoat
Grade 8
Cody’s teachers say he has a positive attitude, tries
his best, goes above and beyond in his school
work, and is very kind to other students. Cody is
currently taking geometry, a math class for sopho-
more students. He plays the trumpet in the band
and says he enjoys playing video games.
Storm Henson
Grade 12
Storm in a District champion and team captain for
wrestling, plays trombone in the band, and has
been nominated for National Honor Society. He
is one of the class leaders in the Project Based
Learning Class and has been a counselor at
Outdoor School. He says he plans to attend
college next year and study in the health care or
fitness field.
Sponsored by Vernonia’s Voice