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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 20, 2018)
schools september20 2018 13 Schools Update: Starting the School Year By Superintendent Aaron Miller It has been an exciting start of the year in the Vernonia Schools build- ing as elementary, middle, and high school students are all back in class and hard at work. We have lots of new faces in the building with many students mov- ing into, and back into, the district over the summer. Besides the plentiful num- ber of new students, there are also sev- eral new teachers, and staff members at all three levels. We are looking forward to an exceptional year! Reading, Writing and Arithme- tic all continue to be on the menu as core areas to develop and improve upon, but developing positive relationships is at the top of the list for the District’s pro- fessional development this year. Staff training activities will fo- cus on Vernonia’s Caring Community where we will encourage positive com- munication between students, staff, and parents, and develop resiliency skills within students and staff alike. Our work will utilize our Columbia County Trau- ma-Informed Care Grant to develop and implement effective strategies to create a school environment that is caring, wel- coming, and positive, even when tough conversations are held to address behav- ioral, social, and emotional issues. Communication between teach- ers and parents is essential to students reaching their maximum potential. Please communicate with your child’s teacher(s) if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s experi- ence at school. Talk with your child’s teachers. They are here to serve your student and you. They are professionals who know how to teach and reach chil- dren, but your input and partnership will dramatically improve the progress your child makes in their classroom. You will hear more about Vernonia’s Caring Community in a future article. Community/Superintendent chats are another element of increasing communication that will be happening again this year. I will be available to dis- cuss any school topic monthly through- out the year. The first session will be held on Wednesday, September 26 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm in the Vernonia Schools Commons, with the second session hap- pening on Wednesday, October 31 from 9:00-10:00 am at the Mist/Birkenfeld Fire Station. The third session of the year will be on Wednesday, November 28 from 7:00-8:00 am at the Black Iron Grill. Also, Vernonia School District Board meetings are held the second Thursday of each month starting at 6:00 pm in the Vernonia Schools Library. The October 11 meeting will be held at the Mist School. As always, if you have any questions regarding school please give us a call at (503) 429-5891 or (503) 429- 1333. School Board Report At the September 13, 2018 School Board Meeting: Whiteman Appointed to Open Po- sition – The School Board appointed Steve Whiteman to fill the open seat on the Board after Brett Costley resigned to take a position with the school facul- ty. Whiteman is a retired instructor and coach with the District, a former City Councilor for the City of Vernonia, and a current member of the Vernonia Parks Committee. Brown – Director of Music, Kaitlyn Carr-Kiprotich – MS/HS Art, and Brett Bunke – MS/HS Language Arts. Underwood told the Board en- rollment at VMS is 124 and is 184 at VHS. Superintendent Report – Superinten- dent Aaron Miller told the Board that VHS students earned a total of 172 col- lege credits in writing, math, and Spanish last year through the North- west Promise program. Miller said total stu- dent enrollment in the District is 546. Staff Resignation – High School Principal Nate Underwood told the Board that Leader- ship and Spanish in- structor Teri Willard has resigned. The Board later voted to accept her resignation. She has not Steve Whiteman was appointed to the Vernonia School Board been replaced. Bond Projects Update – Superintendent Aaron Miller provided an up- date on current Bond Projects. Miller said as- phalt cinders are ready to be installed, hydro- on September 13. seed has been laid out Principal Reports – El- on non-playing surface areas, and grass ementary Principal Aaron Miller told sod will also be installed in the near fu- the Board there are 21 students enrolled at Mist School, and 220 students en- ture since water restrictions have been lifted. He said there is an upcoming rolled at VES. Miller told the Board that 29 meeting at the Mist School with Co- students participated in this summer’s lumbia County, a structural engineer, the project manager, and the contractor, Kindercamp. Middle/High School Princi- in order to proceed and complete the pal Nate Underwood told the Board project; he said the rest of the projects there are a number of new instructors at Mist will probably wait until Spring or staff with new assignments this year, Break and next summer break. He said including Brett Costley - MS/HS Engi- excavation work for the new metal shop neering, Justin Benassi – MS/HS Con- has been completed. Miller said esti- struction, David Rigall – MS Science, mates for the additional classrooms are Geoff Schwartz HS Science, Katherine within the proposed project budget. Vernonia Veterinary Clinic NEW LOCATION Don‛t worry. We‛ll go to Meyer‛s Auto Body. I hear they‛re out of this world. Small and Large Animals 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 Fresh Roasted Coffee espresso • baked goods Meyer’s Auto Body Open Every Day at 6:00 am 493 Bridge Street VERNONIA • 503-429-0248 825 Bridge Street 503-429-0214
