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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 2022)
Schools September 15 2022 13 Schools Update: Superintendent Goals for 2022-24 By Superintendent Jim Helmen I am sharing my two-year (22-24) su- perintendent goals with you. The Superin- tendent’s goals are grounded in analyzing a wide array of Vernonia District data, setting specific, measurable outcomes, and iden- tifying the objectives and initiatives to ac- complish them; the goals serve as the foun- dation and guide for all other District sys- tems. These goals are also framed in “What is right for student learning and their social- emotional growth,” which are our District’s Guiding Principles and District Priorities listed below. The Superintendent’s goals are also de- signed to ensure that the human, financial, and capital resources are efficiently and ef- fectively allocated with fiscal integrity. Guiding Principles • We believe in providing a safe, caring en- vironment that celebrates and honors differ- ences. • We believe in preparing students to be- come confident, productive citizens in the global community. • We believe our schools inspire our students to become life-long learners through quality instruction based on meaningful, challeng- ing, and exciting experiences. • We believe in building a collaborative relationship with our community based on respect, trust, honesty, and open communi- cation. District Priorities #1 Improve Academic Proficiency Levels for All Students #2 Innovative Career Pathways #3 Inclusive/Equitable Programs and Op- portunities Goal 1: Operate the School District in a fiscally prudent manner while balancing educational needs and opportunities: Standards: 1,2,6,7,8* • Develop a fiscally responsible budget for the School District • Look for grant opportunities to update our facilities (i.e., Measure 98, ESSR, Summer Learning) • Align resources to identified District goals (Staffing, Academic Achievement, CTE, SEL) Goal 2: Increase student achievement and other indicators of success: Standards: 1,2,4,6,8* • Continue implementation of MTSS • Review the District’s assessment system and recommend changes to better align with standards and SBAC (STAR Assessment systems K-12, interim Assessments) • Develop alignment of local curriculum with the latest Oregon standards School Board Report At the September 8, 2022 School Board Meeting: Superintendent Report – Superintendent Jim Helmen told the Board that community engagement is one of his top priorities for the District this year. He said the Meet the Families program the District hosted was a big success and there was a lot of excite- ment among parents and students for the new school year. Helmen reported the District has rein- stituted a New Licensed Staff Mentor Pro- gram, which is designed to provide ongoing support for new certified staff. The District has five certified Master Teachers who have applied to be mentors. Helman provided the Board with infor- mation about District In-Service trainings; a new Behavior Intervention System which tracks data through the Synergy system; the new Oregon Data Suite which will be used to track attendance, real time instruction, and behavior data; staff’s work on District Improvement Planning; and District policy reviews he has been conducting. Principal Reports – Elementary Princi- pal Michelle Eagleson welcomed new staff members: Errine Coit – 2 nd grade Brittanie Roberts – 3 rd grade Kristen Johnston – 4 th grade Kyrsten Nothwang – 4 th grade Richard Traver – Structured Learning Cen- ter Teacher Eagleson reported to the Board on In- service training that staff participated in on a wide variety of professional development topics, including, Trauma-Informed Care and behavior management strategies. Eagleson told the Board the District is now providing meals at Mist Elementary School, which were not previously avail- able. High School/Middle School Princi- pal Nate Underwood reported on Personal Development/Staff In-service training that have recently been held, which included safety and emergency response training, personal wellness, SPED accommodations, and more. Underwood welcomed new staff: Caroline Alexander – Special Education grades 7-12 Lee Costanzo – Metals/Welding Alexia Hamilton – HS Math Jessica Kintz – MS/HS Art Megan Peterson – MS/HS Band/Music Julie James – Food Service Linsey Zeller – Speech/Language Patholo- gist Leonard Hamilton – District Nurse Jenn Cooper – School Psychologist Student Trinity Weber, representing High School Leadership, told the Board about a Welcome Back Dance on Friday, September 16, and told the Board about planned Homecoming week activities, which include Volley Puff, Air Jams and Coronation, Logger Olympics, a bonfire, and the football game on Friday, October 7. Vice Principal Rachel Wilson reported she has moved her office space, which is more accessible to staff. Wilson reported she is working to develop a tardy tracking and response system. Wilson reported the Student Handbook has been updated. Special Education Director Suzanne Meyer reported that her department ran a successful summer enrichment program that included field trips for real world expe- riences for students. Meyer reported she is still working to fill several staff positions, and noted that two current staff members, Gienah Cheney and Caroline Alexander, have stepped in to help with unfilled roles. She also welcomed Richard Traver to her staff. Board Reviews Smarter Balance Scores/ Behavior/Attendance Data from 2021-22 – Superintendent Jim Helman reviewed a series of Smarter Balance scores for math- ematics, English language arts, and science skills. With limited students taking the tests last year, the scores showed the Vernonia School District is below average in math and language for most grades, but did better in science scores. The Board also received data for behav- ioral referrals, which are now being submit- ted through the Synergy System. Helman said a new streamlined positive referral sys- tem has been developed by Vice Principal Rachel Wilson which should speed up staff response time and provide for better track- ing of incidents. The Board reviewed daily attendance data which showed about 90% student at- tendance across the District. Board Approves Superintendent Goals – The Board voted unanimously to approve Superintendent Jim Helmen’s goals for the 2022-24 School years. (See “Schools Up- date” column on this page.) Board Approves Superintendent Evalua- tion Plan – The Board voted unanimously to approve a new Superintendent evalua- tion process and timeline, developed at an August 27, 2022 Board workshop, assisted • Develop and implement a common cur- riculum framework • Support administrators to develop a SIP for their school • Develop CTE manufacturing and welding program grades 8-12 • Increase Access to Dual College Credit op- tions in Math, Science, PE, and ELA Goal 3: Implement structures to help with the hiring and retention of quality personnel in all positions: Standards: 1,2,3,6,8* • Train and calibrate all administrators to our Evaluation framework and effective feedback • Review and enhance benefit and compen- sation structures • Develop a Mentor and Induction program for early career teachers Goal 4: Increase the Social-Emotional, Mental, and Behavioral health supports for students: Standards: 2,3,4* • Train all staff in Trauma-Informed Care and SEL data management system (DESSA) • Train all staff in the Standard Response Protocol (Crisis management) • Build capacity for Social-Emotional Learning through staff development • Increase capacity for access to mental health supports through CCMH • Increase capacity for behavioral support in buildings and classrooms (implementa- tion of 123 Magic, electronic behavior com- munication system, teacher support in the classroom Goal 5: Ensure effective District gover- nance through positive Board and com- munity relations: Standards: 2,5,7,8* • Build positive relationships with each Board member • Review and update policies from OSBA • Communicate concerns of the District in a timely manner • Strengthen community relations and com- munication Please contact me if you have any ques- tions: jhelmen@vernoniak12.org . *Standard 1: Visionary District Leadership Standard 2: Ethics And Professional Norms Standard 3: Inclusive District Culture Standard 4: Culturally Responsive Instructional Leadership And Improvement Standard 5: Communication And Community Relations Standard 7: Effective Financial Management Standard 8: Policy, Governance And Advocacy Vernonia School Board Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for October 13, 6:00 pm at the Mist School. Please check the District’s website for updates/changes: www.vernoniak12.org . by Steve Kelley of the Oregon State School her students and the replacement teacher. Board Association (OSBA). The Board re- Public Comment – As she does at the start ceived an Evaluation Workbook, prepared of every school year, high school English by OSBA, to use during the process. The teacher Juliette Safier, who is the Union evaluation plan calls for monthly interim President for Certified Staff, introduced her- progress evaluations beginning in October self to the Board. 2022, with the first full evaluation to be conducted and completed during the spring of 2023, with quarterly interim progress meetings being scheduled be- ginning in July of 2023. Board Approves New Hires – The Board voted 6-0 to approve new hires Football Errine Coit to teach 2 nd grade, Alexia Hamilton for HS Math, Jessica Kintz Fri 9/16, 7:00 pm Nestucca for MS/HS Art, and Brittanie Roberts @ Sheridan Fri 9/23, 7:00 pm for 3 rd grade. Board member Greg Kintz abstained from voting. Volleyball Board Approves Speech/Language Sat 9/17, 1:00/4:00 pm Gaston/Chemawa Contract – The Board voted unani- Tue 9/20, 7:30 pm @ Faith Bible mously to approve a professional/per- Thr 9/22, 6:30 pm Clatskanie sonal services contract with Linsey Tue 9/27, 6:30 pm @ Knappa Zeller Antone to perform speech and Thr 9/29, 6:30 pm @ Portland Christian language services for the 2022-23 year. Sat 10/1, 2:00 pm Mannahouse Christian Board Accepts Resignation – The Tue 10/4, 6:30 pm @ Gaston Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of kindergarten teacher Thr 10/6, 6:30 pm Faith Bible Melissa Reynolds, effective September Cross Country 30, 2022. In her letter submitting her resignation Reynolds apologized for the Sat 9/17, 11:00 am Oregon City Invitational inconvenience, but said a family health Fri 9/23, 3:00 pm Champs Invite issue forced her to make a difficult de- Sat 10/1, 8:30 am Harvest Classic cision. Reynolds said she would help Thr 10/6, 3:00 pm Stayton Regis Invitational work to facilitate a smooth transition for VHS Varsity Sports Schedules TOO BUSY? Call your LOCAL bookkeeper R Y O A LL PL P US LLC Edi Sheldon 503-429-1819 edisheldon@gmail.com Licensed tax consultant • Full service payroll Personal & small business bookkeeping • QuickBooks assistance CORPS, S-CORPS, LLC, Partnerships • Personal one-on-one service LTC #29629 - Oregon licensed tax consultant RTRP #P00448199 - designated as a registered tax return preparer by the Internal Revenue Service The IRS does not endorse any particular individual tax return preparer. For more information on tax return preparers, go to www.IRS.gov.
