Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 2021)
PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM McNary teachers earn honor from district Submitted Isabella Biondi’s pieces, Coat and Sunset Wanderer, are displayed in the Keizer Civic Center along with a collection of her other work. Commission names emerging artist Keizer teen Isabella Biondi had a milestone day on Jan. 19. Biondi was recognized as part of the Stu- dent/Emerging Artist program offered by the Keizer Public Arts Commission and was ap- pointed to the committee as its youth liaison. Biondi will have four pieces – Sunset Wan- derer, Nighttime Vibes, Icarus Fashion and Coat – displayed on a wall reserved for youth artists at the Keizer Civic Center. Civic Nominations due for Center Chamber awards clean-up March 31 At least 100 volunteers are needed to help clean up around the Keizer Civic Cen- ter Saturday, March 31. Each year, the Rotary Club of Keizer and Claggett Creek Watershed Council host a morning of work ranging from picking up trimmings from trees, shrubs and grasses to removing weeds and more. The clean-up is sched- uled from 9 a.m. to noon, but many hands make light work and could mean a quicker fi nish. Pandemic-related safe- ty protocols will be in effect throughout the effort. Volunteers can simply show up the day of the event and are encouraged to bring wheelbarrows, plastic trash cans, rakes, tarps, pruners, weed pullers and other tools that might be useful. Unless there is an inch or more of snow on the ground, the effort will not be can- celed. Long pants, sturdy shoes, gloves, hats and coats are encouraged. The Keizer Civic Center is located at 930 Chemawa Road N.E. A collection box and disposal are being donat- ed by Loren’s Sanitation. Serve on the Claggett watershed council The Claggett Creek Wa- tershed Council (CCWC) is seeking volunteers from the community to serve on its General Council (board of di- rectors). Currently there are three opportunities: a property owner adjacent to Claggett Creek; a resident of Salem; and a resident of unincorporated Marion County. The CCWC is involved in the local community through its stewardship of the Claggett Creek watershed and atten- dant natural resources. This involvement is aimed at the development and implemen- tation of sustainable practices for enhancing and restoring watershed health while rec- ognizing the need to balance a variety of environmental, social, and economic interests. For more information con- tact Mark Caillier by email markcaillier@claggettcwc.org, call or text 503-930-7481 or go to www.claggettcwc.org or fi nd the group’s page on Face- book. The Keizer Chamber of Commerce is looking for award nominees in several categories leading up to the annual First Citizen’s Event Saturday, March 20. Awards are presented for First Citizen, Service to Ed- ucation and Merchant of the Year. Nomination forms can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/2dzkhtlj. Nomina- tions are due by March 7. They can be emailed to cor- ri@keizerchamber.com or mailed to the Chamber of- fi ce at 4118 River Road N. Keizer, OR 97303. Qualifi cations in each category are: First Citizen Award - given to an individual(s) that exemplifi ed City of Keizer’s motto of Pride, Sprit, and Volunteerism within their work, volunteerism, or ac- tivism for the community. Nominations should include involvement during the past fi ve years and detail how the nominee has dedicated time and/or talent to benefi t the quality of life of our past, present, or future. Service to Education Award - given to an individual that is a Keizer area administrator, teacher or volunteer. Nominee should be actively involved in the community and has made an outstanding contribution to the bet- terment of education. Nominee must serve, volunteer, or dedicate time and/or talent to benefi t the youth of Keizer. Merchant of the Year Award – given to an individ- ual and/or business that did the most in 2020 for the Keizer Business Community. Nominee must be a Keizer Chamber member and have assisted moving forward the organizations objectives, including developing the cur- rent and future workforce, promoting Keizer, advocating for business and economic development in government relations, servicing members, and assuring organizational vitality. BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes Even though they haven’t seen their students in person for almost a year, McNary teachers Ashley Gruber, Andy Thomas and Josh Rist have rallied together over the last 11 months to collaborate their classes (media production, choir and audio production). “In the arts, we always had a collaborative mindset, but we had to move to the next level for distance learning,” Thomas said. The virtual collaboration effort started in March 2020 when an individual suggest- ed to Rist that the McNary choir put together a socially distanced performance. “I knew how much work would go into it. I wasn’t go- ing to even try and do it by myself, which is why I reached out to Ashley and Andy asking for help,” Rist said. Rist instructed his students to fi lm themselves singing to the melody of “Smile” by Nat “King” Cole and then send their fi nished product to Gruber and Thomas, who had their kids’ work on the editing and audio production. The fi nal product was re- leased on YouTube in May and has received nearly 5,000 views. The performance was also featured on KGW.com “It was defi nitely a ton of work, but because there were many hands and minds in- volved, it actually was a lot better together than it would have been apart. That kind of made us realize that our pro- grams sync together super well,” Rist said. The three teachers have continued to have their stu- collaborative opportunities that have been both thera- peutic and helpful during this pandemic, while simultane- ously preparing (students) to a pathway for future success,” McNary principal Erik Jes- persen said during the board meeting. “We’re so proud of our educators and students. Working together is what we’re all about here at Mc- Nary, and it’s inspiring to see the caliber of work of these students and teachers that have been created in their liv- ing rooms.” After giving virtual in- struction for nearly a year, Gruber, Thomas and Rist are preparing for limited in-per- son instruction later this month. Now that all three of their classrooms are connect- ed thanks to the renovations from the McNary bond proj- ect, the opportunity for many more collaborations between the departments could in- crease dramatically. “I think you’re going to see, once we get kids in the build- ing and once we get down to our routines, that this will become a part of the normal culture at McNary, between these departments.” Rist said. “The fun is just beginning,” Thomas added. dents collaborate on projects over the last several months, including a project in which kids virtually created scenes of The Princess Bride, as well as a performance of Happy Christ- mas by John Lennon. “It just made sense because it gave the kids stuff to do to get that hands-on experience of working with others… When you’re doing stuff with other people and for oth- er people, it gives you a little more pride and a little more responsibility,” Gruber said “I have seen kids grow a ton in their skill because they want to show that they care.” Most recently, the crew created a video during the holidays featuring numerous students partaking in activities at their house while the Mc- Nary choir gives a virtual per- formance of Home by Phillip Phillips. The collaborations didn’t go unnoticed by the Sa- lem-Keizer School District. On Jan. 12, during a Sa- lem-Keizer school board meeting, the three teachers were given the Spotlight on Success honor for their efforts during comprehensive dis- tance learning. “This partnership between classes provides unique and SUBSCRIBE KEIZER NEWS IN YOUR MAILBOX ONLY $35 A YEAR CALL 503-390-1051 Fall in Love WITH OUR SPECIAL ADVERTISING RATES FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF February We have tremendous advertising opportunities for every business & every budget R LO AG CO ER P T AR QU $ E a. 9 /e 24 C HALF OLOR PAGE $ 44 9 /ea. Our AWARD-WINNING creative services are ALWAYS FREE with the purchase of any ad Call: 503.390.1051 Email: advertising@keizertimes.com
