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About St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2015)
Email: reviewnewspaper@gmail.com * Mail: PO Box 83068, Port. OR 97283 * Web: www.stjohnsreview.com * Phone: 503-283-5086 The St. Johns Review * #11 - MAY 29, 2015* Page 3 Community News Local American Legion post receives STEM at RHS recognition from Police Department Continued from Page 1 Each year, for the past 49 years, the American Legion St. Johns Post #98 gives special rec- ognition to a North Precinct Police Of- fi cer for their ex- ceptional duty as an offi cer. But on April 28, 2015 the tables were turned when Portland Police Bu- reau Chief Larry O’Dae visited the St. Johns Post #98 to give them an award. “It is a pleasure to recognize those who take the time to honor Police Offi - cers,” said O’Dae. Post 98 Finance Offi cer Gerald Caldwell accepted the plaque on behalf of Post 98. St. Johns Marvel 29 wins top award Marvel 29, the newly opened St. Johns development at the foot of the St. Johns Bridge, was recently awarded second place in the Daily Journal of Commerce “Top- Projects” private buildings. The premier awards program, now in its twentieth year, honors the best building and con- struction projects in Oregon and SW Washington. The developments name, Marvel 29,” pays homage to the copper spires of the historic sus- pension bridge, In all, there were almost 100 fi nal- ists competing, with over 30 fi nalist entries in the private buildings cat- egory. Developer Patrick H. Kessi, founder of PHK Development Inc., said, “We were the only residential apartment building to win an award and I am honored. But what is really exciting is that we built Marvel 29 with lots of local input and talent, and they too share in this honor,” Two years before the fi rst dirt was moved, Kessi’s company turned to residents, business owners and the St. Johns Main Street Coalition for their input. The decision to include rare underground parking was a re- sult of these discussions. The build- ing had to fi t in with two active streets and prominent use was made of brick to blend with nearby histor- ic structures. Side by side live-work spaces and ground level retail were built on the active streets. Concepts for the interior spac- es were developed with the busi- nesses and neighborhoods and led to the use of local talent and local Marvel 29 Developer Patrick Kessi materials. Most of the artwork in the building is local and many of the building fi nishes were sourced locally. The lobby walls feature Ja- karta reclaimed wood that arrived in Portland as trans-pacifi c shipping crates, and the wood benches in the courtyard are made of reclaimed timbers from Drydock #2 pontoons in the Willamette River. “My team shaped the structure of Marvel 29 but the people of St. Johns gave it life. We look forward to this award-winning development contributing to a long-term resur- gence of this neighborhood,” said Kessi. The REVIEW is published with advertising dollars. Support the ADVERTISERS in this issue; they help bring it to you. Keep Up with “For example,” she added, “if you compare the breakdown of educational resources planned for RHS and Franklin, there is a dis- proportionate emphasis on Ath- letics and Administrative Services at RHS whereas CTE (Career and Technical Education,) of which STEM is considered a part - is double at Franklin. Franklin also has over twice as many Advanced Placement and Academic Honors classes as Roosevelt. Recently we were told that Roosevelt will have more ‘General Education’ classes. In other words, Franklin is seen as a more ‘academic’ high school than Roosevelt. In the differing remodel resources, it is clear the expectations PPS has for Roos- evelt students are far more limit- ed than for Franklin students. But, students rise to the level of expec- tation schools have of them, so where does that leave Roosevelt?” According to an article writ- ten by Ben Cover, John I. Jones and Audrey Watson appearing in the Monthly Labor Review, May 2011, they said, “Overall, STEM occupations were high-paying occupations. The average annual wage for all STEM occupations was $77,880 in May 2009, and only 4 of the 97 STEM occupa- tions had mean wages below the U.S. average of $43,460. This clearly shows the importance of making the most out of a school’s STEM program and space.” The group said the STEM pro- gram is important for students’ future jobs, from the Trades to advanced high-tech careers. Stu- dents-of-color, and girls especial- ly, are affected most as they are currently under-represented in STEM fi elds, and opening up op- portunities to them requires expo- sure while in school. 70% of the student body at Roosevelt are stu- dents-of-color. Cohen said on May 18 her group, accompanied by their attorney, met with two PPS central admin- istration staff and two of their law- yers to present their design. She said, “PPS was uninterested in what we had to say. Not a whisper of willingness to compromise, not the smallest nod toward even con- sidering any changes. Therefore, we made it clear our intention to move forward with a lawsuit.” She added, “The current plan perpetuates a pattern of discrim- ination and insensitivity to North Portland.” Cohen said, “There is still time to enlarge the stem workspace. Our plan would only require a ‘change order’ to the construction. If put what’s happening! ___$12 for 1 Yr./26 issues (save $1) ___$23 for 2 Yrs./52 issues (save $3) ___$34 for 3 Yrs./78 issues (save $5) quality academic education, an education that provides students a foundation for so many stimulat- ing and prosperous careers.” For more information, email info@civicthinker.net From an article at https://www. nms.org/Portals/0/Docs/Why%20 Stem%20Education%20Matters. pdf: “Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are where the jobs are. Stem job creation over the next 10 years will outpace non-STEM jobs signifi cantly, growing 17 percent, as compared to 9.8 percent for non- stem positions. Jobs in computer systems design and related services – a fi eld dependent on high-level math and problem-solving skills are projected to grow 45 percent be- tween 2008 and 2018. The occupa- tions with the fastest growth in the coming years – such as biomedical engineers, network systems and data communication analysts, and medi- cal scientist – all call for degrees in STEM fi elds.” The above article gives further proof that the STEM program at RHS needs to be given the high- est priority during the remodel to help give students all the ad- vantages other schools are being given. (The Review placed several phone calls to PPS for their response and/ or comments on the issue, but was un- able to speak with anyone, or phone calls were not returned.) This article was a collaborative effort by the group leading the STEM effort for RHS, the editor of the Review and articles writ- ten by various authors regarding the importance of STEM.) S UBSCRIBE to the R EVIEW Portland’s Oldest Community Newspaper Special Offers: into place now it will not disrupt the overall construction. The plan will leave the Makerspace intact but push out the gym to create more space for STEM. Until con- crete is poured this approach can be done. 30’ would provide 6,000 total sq ft for STEM and, it would be a great deal cheaper to correct this mistake now than down the line.” Cohen and her group are asking those interested to join the law- suit. “We need more people in the community who have children at Roosevelt or children who will be going to Roosevelt, to step up alongside our other plaintiffs, to refl ect the real people who will be harmed by the current plan.” She suggests those interested to write or sign on to a letter support- ing this change. “We especially need leaders from city-wide orga- nizations that our students-of-col- or connect with.” There will be fi ve three-minute public speaking opportunities at Portland School Board meetings: May 26, June 9 and June 15. Email and/or call the Board Clerk Caren Huson-Quiniones at 503-916- 3906 or chusonqu@pps.net. Cohen added, “PPS acknowl- edges treating Roosevelt poorly in the past, referring to ‘historical in- equities.’ Yet, have we seen no ac- knowledgment that the remodel of Roosevelt should begin to fi x these inequities. We have an opportunity right here, right now to improve the school – not just cosmetically, not only for areas where ‘school spirit’ has shone – such as Theatre and Athletics – but for the educa- tional mission of providing a high Founded in 1904 Yes, I would like to subscribe: This is a NEW____ subscription. This is a RENEWAL____ This is an address change____ Name:________________________________Address:________________________ City/State/Zip:______________________________ Send payment with this form to: The Review, PO Box 83068, Portland, Oregon 97283