Page A3
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December 21. 2005
School Uniforms for Jefferson Debated
students, parents, educators and com ­
munity members to discuss reform.
The
proposals aim to improve the cur­
Phillips has made two reform pro­
riculum
and expand college and ca­
posals this year, designed to revamp
the weakening structure o f school reer preparations.
The advisory team proposed school
administration and student achieve­
uniforms
after visiting out of state
ment in several low-performing north
schools,
impressed
by the unified stu­
and northeast schools.
Jefferson has undergone many im­ dent body and the dedicated environ­
provement efforts in the past few ment it created.
Jefferson students and several adults
years, replacing principals several
times, switching over almost all staff attending Thursday ’ s meeting objected
members and the development of a to the school uniforms plan, complain­
magnet arts program. However, en­ ing that they would stifle individual
rollment continues to decline, with a freedom and not treat all schools the
significant number of students in the same. Jefferson and Harriet Tubman
Middle School, another school tar­
community attending other schools.
geted
for reconfiguration by starting
Phillips formed an advisory team of
continued
from Front
The reshuffle is
aimed at boosting
or nearly tripling
enrollment at
Jefferson.
an all-girls academy, would be the only
two schools in the district requiring
uniforms.
Jefferson would be organized into
two or three smaller schools: a co-ed
Arts and Technology Academy, grades
9 through 12; a co-ed prep Interna­
tional Baccalaureate program for
grades 9 through 12; and a Young
M en’s L ead ersh ip A cadem y for
grades 7 through 12.
Tubman, located near the Rose
Quarter, would be organized into a
L eadership A cadem y for Young
Women, grades 7 through 12, with a
focus on science and technology.
Area elementary schools would
become pre-kindergarten through eight
grades, with a few other options avail­
able to students and families.
The reshuffle is aimed at boosting
or nearly tripling en rollm ent at
Jefferson.
Other proposals include hiring more
teachers of color, increasing the cultural
proficiency of teachers and staff mem­
The Oregon Department of
Transportation wishes you safe and
happy holidays, and invites you to
explore careers in highway construction
in the new year.
A family lights a ceremonial candle during the seven-day holiday o f Kwanzaa. Each candle repre­
sents one o f the seven principles o f the African American holiday that emphasize commitment to
family, community, and culture.
Kwanzaa Brings Families Together
Local events
planned
P o rtlan d w ill be ce le b ra tin g
K w anzaa, a seven-day holiday cel­
ebrating fam ily, com m unity, and
A frican A m erican culture.
T he B lack E d u catio n alC en teris
coordinating a special evening to
celebrate the spirit o f com m unity
unity and strength by paying trib­
ute to the survivors o f H urricanes
K atrina and Rita. T he event will be
held M onday, Dec. 26 at M att
Dishman Community Center, 77 N.E.
Knott Street, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
T he p ro g ram w ill begin w ith a
trad itio n al ca n d le lig h tin g and li­
b a tio n c e re m o n y . C o m m u n ity
trib u te s, m usic, an A frican m a r­
k etp lac e and refre sh m e n ts will
also be presen ted .
A lively program forchildren and
fam ilies will be held on Tuesday,
Dec. 27 at the North Portland Branch
Library, 512 N Killingsworth. from 6
p.m . to 7:30 p.m ., to celebrate the
second principle o f the holiday,
Kujichagulia, representing self-de­
termination.
The third night o f K w anzaa cel­
ebrates Ujima, collective w ork and
responsibility. A rea residents are
in vited to share in the experience o f
setting your own K w anzaa table at
the Interstate Firehouse Cultural
Center, 5340 N. Interstate Ave., on
W ednesday, Dec. 28 from 5:30 p.m.
to 8 p.m.
Local artists and fam ilies will
present K w anzaa table settings that
inspire a sense o f m eaningful con­
nection. T he IFCC gallery will host
photos and artw ork relating to
K w anzaa, highlighting many w ays
to c e le b r a te . A ls o , J u lia n n e
Johnson will be entertaining with a
gospel perform ance.
On Friday, Dec. 30, the Kwanzaa
principal o f N ia will be celebrated
with the Bridge Builders G ala and
G entlem en’s Ball at 7:30 p.m. at
Newmark Theater, 1111 S.W. Broad­
way. Form ore information, call 503-
288-8429.
Diverse Workforce Hiring Pledged
The Portland Development Com ­
m ission, developers, educators and
Portland labor unions have agreed
to work tow ards a com m on goal o f
training and diversifying the local
w orkforce. T he plan is to increase
photo by
m inority and w om en w orkers in
construction jo b s to better reflect
the com m unity.
The partnership includes Oregon
H ealth Science U niversity. River
C am pus Investors, N orth M ac-
adam , Inc., the International Union
o f Engineers Local 701, Pacific
N orthw est R egional C ouncil o f
C a r p e n te r s ,
P lu m b e r s
&
Steam fitters Local 290, and Electri­
cians Local 48.
0D0T is repairing or replacing
hundreds of aging state highway
bridges throughbout Oregon as part of
the OTIA III State Bridge Delivery
Program. A key program goal is to
stimulate Oregon’s economy, including
creating job opportunities for workers
and contractors.
B u ild in g
bers, and establishing stronger connec­
tions with neighboring Portland Com­
munity College, Cascade Campus.
Changes would be phased in over
the next two to three years. Jefferson
students could continue to transfer to
other schools in the district.
A public hearing is scheduled for
final recommendations for Jan. 17 with
the plans going for School Board ap­
proval on Jan. 23.
Funding for the initiative would be
dependent upon a potential tax to re­
place the Multnomah County Income
Tax that expires next year, and a
recent $9 million grant to the district by
the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
and Meyer Memorial Trust.
To learn more, visit ODOT s web
site at
http://egov.oregon.gov/
0D0T/HWY/ OTIA/
bridge_delivery.shtml.
ODOT IS INVESTING
IN OREGON’S FUTURE
URI CM 11MVMTMIIM MVtSTMffl M l
b re a m s
Dejuan Chesterfield, looking fo r work to support his
family, contacted V. West Contracting A Consulting Ser­
vices to help him get into a construction trade. A few
weeks later, DeJuan started working fo r a bridge building
contractor through the A&C Carpenters Apprenticeship
Program. Cascade Bridge LLC employed him, and he is still
working fo r the company today, one year later. When asked about his new career,
he says th a t he is very pleased and enjoys most learning the technical aspects of
bridge building carpentry. On the job he is gaining skills in concrete curing and
finishing, welding, framing and building forms. In the classroom he is receiving
instruction in carpentry, building codes, roof building, team building, identifying
hardware and blue print reading. What advice does Dejuan o ffe r a young person
interested in the trades? “S ta rt early, and never quit", he says emphatically.
Very happy with his progress to date, DeJuan adds “I wish I had started earlier
in my life." However, he is looking to the future and is very excited about his pre­
sent participation in the trades. Five years from now, " I would like to be s till be
building bridges and taking care o f my kids."
For information on a
career in construction,
(503) 493-6027
on the web,
www.bestojt.com/ihjv.asp
V. West Contracting & Consulting Services, Inc.
M ark W ashington /T he P ortland O bserver
Teaming up for
Holiday Giving
Soukthavg Kanhalikham (from left), Pernell Brown, Michael
Johnson and James Jones volunteer at the Northeast Precinct to
deliver Sunshine Division food baskets to deserving families and
individuals this holiday season. 3,000 holiday food boxes were
delivered on Saturday.
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