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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 8, 2017)
PAGE A4, KEIZERTIMES, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM CCMS principal about joy of learning By DEREK WILEY Of the Keizertimes Aaron Persons knew he’d be a good fi t as the new prin- cipal at Claggett Creek Mid- dle School when he received his fi rst Panthers t-shirt with the words “integrity” and “grit.” “That’s what I try to en- courage kids, to be a part of something special though hard work,” Persons said. “That’s the reputation Claggett has, we get good re- sults, hard working kids that achieve a lot. The staff has the same reputation, we’ll do whatever it takes.” Persons was born and raised as one of nine children in Stayton. After high school, he went to the University of Notre Dame with plans to be a doctor. However, Persons’ career path changed when he trans- ferred to Willamette Univer- sity and discovered he en- joyed spending time with his mentee through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and coaching his younger siblings in basketball more than vol- unteering in the emergency room at Salem Hospital. Persons started teaching science at a middle school in Beaverton. When his own kids were born, Persons has four, ages 6-16, he transferred to Les- lie Middle School in Salem, where he taught half time along with being a behav- ioral specialist for the depart- ment of education. “That’s where I got my fi rst bug,” Persons said. “There were a couple of principals that I worked with, Steve Nelson and Mike Miller, and they gave me some leadership opportuni- ties. That’s the fi rst time I re- ally thought about education leadership.” Persons’ fi rst job in ad- ministration was as an assis- tant principal at a Title IX middle school in Beaverton. After four years, he was hired as the principal at an- other middle school in Bea- verton, where he served for fi ve years. Persons then spent the 2016-17 year as the principal at Walker Middle School in Salem, which got him much closer to his home in Stayton. “I probably would have stayed there a long time,” Persons said of Beaverton. “I loved it and the school is great but driving to Bea- verton, I spent three to four hours in the car everyday for nine years. I didn’t think about it at the time but that’s crazy. You get used to it. You get attached to the commu- nity.” As principal at Walker, Persons got to know the community in west Salem by participating in Rotary and other local groups. He looks forward to doing the same in Keizer. “I want to get to know everybody,” Persons said. “Talk to parents and fi nd out what we’re good at and what we need to get better at.” AVID strategies were used at his previous schools and Persons has attended the summer institute the past six years, which should help him at Claggett Creek, which became just the third AVID National Demonstration middle school in Oregon last spring. “Obviously they’ve done a lot of things really well here,” Persons said. “I’m going to come in and be supportive. I want to fi nd out the history and all the work that went into it, which is kind of what I’ve been do- ing here now. You can see it from the staff. They’re re- ally excited. When they talk about teaching, they know what they’re talking about. They talk about best prac- tices and the AVID strategies that really work.” As a demo school, CCMS becomes a learning lab where schools all over the coun- try can visit to see AVID at work. Three large showcases are scheduled this school year. Persons also wants the Keizer community to be aware of all that’s going on at Claggett Creek. “I certainly want the com- munity to know as much about us as visitors across the state do,” Persons said. “We’re partners with ev- eryone. We’re looking for ways to help the community and ways the community can partner with us. That’s a big thing for me.” Persons wants to make learning fun and be sure that every student feels connected to the school. “I kind of have the same philosophy for students and teachers and the whole team, when people are having fun and loving what they do, KEIZERTIMES/Derek Wiley Aaron Persons is the new principal at Claggett Creek Middle School in Keizer. they get better results,” Per- sons said. “I focus on the joy of learning for our kids. My goal is high levels of achieve- ment for every kid but feel connected. Make sure we’re connecting every kid in some way to their school.” Persons is replacing Rob Schoepper, who is now the principal at McKay High School. Magic comes to senior center The Keizer/Salem Area Se- nior Center is hosting a Fall Magic Dinner Party Sunday, Sept. 24. In addition to a meal, the night includes entertainment by Dan the Magic Man and music by Jeff Blythe. A raffl e for a stay at Three Rivers Ca- sino will also be held. Doors open at noon and dinner will be served at 12:30 p.m. The event will run to 4 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door, 930 Plym- outh Drive N.E. The event is one of many regular fundraisers for the se- nior center. ALL INCLUSIVE Membership options starting at $ FIT MEMBERSHIP 10 00 /mo. $ 39 99 /mo. + 1 Time Enrollment Get rid of fertilizer, chemicals September is the time of the year to get rid of any emp- ty chemical and fertilizer con- tainers you may have in your garden shed or garage. The containers, including jugs and buckets, must be stripped of any label books, lids, caps and bucket handles. OVS Salem will collect the containers from 8 a.m.t o 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, at its location at 3526 Brooks Ave. NE. There is no fee to the public. NOW IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! NEAR GOODWILL & BI-MART — IN KEIZER 3850 RIVER RD N • 503-584-1950 • physiqfi tness.com Change Your Life With Us. Where do you get waxed? KEIZER STUDIO NOW OPEN! View our Full Waxing Menu and Book Online at www.CherryCityWaxworks.com Keizer - 4833 River Rd N • 503.385.8337 Salem - 695 Commercial St SE, Ste 113