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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.
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“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!
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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.)
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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
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