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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2021)
22 Fall 2021 Applegater Girls join in on Scout Troop, Cub Scout Pack outings BY ERIK JOHNSEN Gre e t i n g s , f e l l ow Applegaters! When I last submitted an update on Scouting, the first COVID-19 vaccines were rolling out and we were offering a new Scouting opportunity for girls. I’m here to report that things are still moving in the right direction, and we’re delivering on our promises! In February, Scout Scout Troop members gather for a group photo Troop 17 in Jacksonville at Camp Meriwether. Photo: Erik Johnsen. opened its door to girls. We quickly grew from two to six members, with additional girls skills. On that front, I can report that we’ve coming to our meetings to check us out been delivering! on a frequent basis. Additionally, about In June, some of our newer Troop 17 30 percent of our Cub Scout Pack is members took a float down the pristine comprised of girls, so we have a healthy waters of the Wood River, while our group of young women coming up older and more experienced Scouts through the program. took a week-long trek in the Sierra Having friends and group activities Nevada, with over 24 miles hiked and is always fun, but the COVID-19 5,000 feet gained in elevation. Then we precautions have made us even more aware all convened for a week at Boy Scouts of of how important social and emotional America (BSA) Camp Meriwether (on interactions are for our children. When the northern Oregon coast), which school and other youth programs removed included swimming, rifle shooting, axe those opportunities this past year, I throwing, canoeing, BMX biking, land became even more thankful that Scouting sailing, merit badges, and, yes, a few continued to provide outlets and creative Scouts even sleeping in their own crude ways for our kids to get these interactions wilderness shelters. in a safe way. Scouting became the one Since folks in the Applegate are already constant in our family routine. more outdoorsy than most, we sometimes One of the more common inquiries hear that Scouting isn’t needed here. I hear is whether Scouting provides Well, did your family do all this, in one outdoor activities and wilderness survival summer? And with friends? Scouting delivers maximum adventure and fun, with a program, built In June, some newer Troop 17 members took a float down around character and skills the pristine waters of the Wood River. Photo: Erik Johnsen. development, that just can’t be replicated anywhere else. We would also like to recognize our newest Eagle S c o u t , L u c a s Iv e y, w h o received his award in July. Congratulations, Lucas! At the time of this submission, our Cub Scout Pack 17 is about to head up to its own summer camp at BSA Camp McLoughlin (which, by the way, is a private lakefront property on Lake of the Woods, Activities during a troop trip to Camp Meriwether on the available for rent). We’ll engage northern Oregon coast included swimming, rifle shooting, in swimming, BB guns, archery, axe throwing, canoeing, BMX biking (seen here), nature exploration, crafts, skills, and land sailing. Photo: Erik Johnsen. skits, and songs. We have planned our entire calendar through next summer with more fun and exciting activities, which we have every intention of being able to do, as long as COVID-19 continues to disappear in the rearview mirror. We hope you all come check us out this year! Erik Johnsen Pack 17 Committee Chair erik@cairnipc.com NEXT GENERATION | SCHOOL NEWS An enthusiastic, yet cautious, return to Applegate School BY JEAN HALL All the Applegate School staff eagerly welcomed back the students on August 30. We all look forward to a great school year, keeping safe with social distancing and frequent handwashing. Masks will be required on all buses, and the use of masks at school will follow the state guidelines. All cleaning, sanitizing, and contact-tracing protocols will stay in place from last year. Some changes have occurred in the staffing at Applegate School. Middle school teacher Michelle Daw will teach music this year at Applegate and Williams schools. Renee Gourley, who led the special education program last year, has taken Mrs. Daw’s place in middle school. A new special education teacher and a PE instructor will join the staff. Staff members worked in some special programs over the summer. Mrs. Hirschmugl and Mrs. Gourley attended a week-long training in a method called Ortan-Gillingham. Both teachers are working toward being certified in this method of teaching, which, as Mrs. Hirschmugl describes it, “is a systematic multisensory way of teaching kids with dyslexia, but is also good for all kids.” Mrs. Halsted taught in the two-week summer program called “Camp Learn-A- Lot” for Applegate and Williams school students entering second through fifth grades. She said about the program, “The focus was on fun while learning about the engineering design process and community.” Students explored states of matter while enjoying root beer floats. They worked together to build water slide models and sandcastles. Students also learned about different kinds of communities and did some mapping activities. On hot days they enjoyed water-balloon dodgeball with sprinklers. Mrs. Hirschmugl helped Mrs. Halsted the second week of the summer program. Kinder Critter camp took place August 16-19. Each day focused on kids’ social- emotional well-being. Mrs. Hirschmugl explained that the purpose of the camp was to acclimate new Kinders to a school setting. She said that each day students listened to an Erick Carle book, made a craft, and took home a free book. During the Critter Camp week, Mrs. Gourley taught a summer school for first graders. Mrs. Hirschmugl and Mrs. Halsted were pleased with the partnership with White Oaks Farm last school year. Students not only learned about pollination, plant life cycles, and farm-to-table opportunities, but were also able to practice gardening skills. The teachers are hoping to include all grades (kindergarten through eighth) in the program this new school year. All staff members are thoroughly enjoying the return of the students to begin the new school year. Mrs. Janie Burstein looks forward to welcoming students to the library, and Mrs. Linda Kappen is anticipating teaching art and doing greenhouse activities, along with her duties as a classroom aide. We wish all staff members and students a happy year of learning. Jean Hall jhall80@juno.com Excited for a new school year BY RICH HALSTED One of the education main reasons I courses are ran again for the some of the school board ways we was because I are moving became ver y forward concerned that with these we could lose initiatives. the positive Another momentum major focus Three Rivers of mine School District is family Members of the Hidden Valley High School Class engagement. built in the of 2021 fling their mortar boards into the sky. I t d o e s n’t three years prior Photo: Newcomb Photography. take much to the outbreak of COVID-19. This momentum led to research to know that engaged parents unprecedented improvement in graduation are the most important indicator of rates, stabilization of the budget leading student success. A loving adult connected to fully funded school years, and a build-up with a student’s teacher is an educational of the talent level throughout the district multiplier. We need to ensure that parents to better serve our students. I believe we understand how much they impact their are going to recapture this momentum— children’s educational growth. Simply and more—based on the exceptional reading, playing games, and reviewing teachers, staff, and administrators we have homework regularly with children will in our buildings. make a marked impact in how they grow as With graduation rates on a significant students throughout their years in school. upslope, we are turning more attention Finally, I couldn’t be more appreciative towards ensuring students are as prepared of how our school district employees, as possible for day one after high school. parents, loved ones, community volunteers This includes, but isn’t limited to, high and organizations, and, most importantly, standards of academics, better skills for students adapted to this last dynamic trades, and wider career explorations and school year. In some ways I think we are life skills. It is strategically important for better for it, but I will be really happy to our collective future that we produce have consistency again. the best-prepared students possible. Rich Halsted, Board Member Internships, evaluations of employability, Three Rivers School District and significant investments in technical rich.halsted@gmail.com