^porilmth (Obseruer Page 6 lune 22. 2011 Cully Sidewalks c o n t i n u e d f r o m page 3 federal money for the Cully project, nearly half the project budget, starting in 2002. “To make the most of these lim­ ited dollars, the region has focused on making our streets safer for pe­ destrians and bicyclists,” Metro CouncilorRex Burkholder said. “It’s especially important for us to put these investments in minority and low income areas that have been overlooked by urban planners for too long.” The Cully project cost approxi­ mately $5.4 million for design, right of way acquisition, and construc­ tion. It received approximately $ 1.9 million from the City of Portland’s general fund, $ 1.2 million of City of Portland Sewer System Devel­ opment Charges, and $2.4 million in federal funds through M etro’s Metropolitan Transportation Im­ provement Program. THE GRAND OPENING OF THE NEW MIRACLES BUILDING photo by C ari H achmann /T he P ortland O bserver Jefferson High School Principal Margret Calvert and two of her students, sophomore Bridgette Lang and junior Melaku Arega, help announce a new partnership establishing the Jefferson High School Middle College for Advanced Studies, a pre-college focus school for students across the city. Tuition Free Magnet c o n t i n u e d f r o m fron t PLEASE COME JOIN US ON THIS DA YOF CELEBRA TION WHEN: Friday, July 15,2011 WHERE: The M iracles club. 4 0 6 9 N E M .L.K Portland, OR TIME: We w ill gather on Garfield & M ason at 10:00 Cerem ony starts at 1-4 pm sity of Oregon that gives many of its graduates a path to college tuition- free. Jefferson students will earn a three-year scholarship to the Uni­ versity of Oregon under two condi­ tions; they earn 45 college credits or a full year at Portland Community College under the middle-college program, and their family has an income of less than $50,000 a year in order to qualify them for a Pell grant. “The Jefferson Middle College program is an important extension of the University of Oregon’s mis­ sion to ed u cate O re g o n ia n s,” Lariviere said, “Many of the stu­ dents who will take advantage of the program will be the first in their families to graduate from college, an Take Action Get Tested j HIV Community Test Site offers j confidential HIV testing | with or without your name | at these locations: I M ultnom ah C ounty Health D ep artm en t's Downtown Community Test Site Call 503.988.3775 for an appt. j Mon I Thurs | Fri | 426 SW Stark St., 6th Floor, | Portland, 97204 j Northeast Health Center Just walk in Tuesdays | 5:30 - 7:15 pm i 5329 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, 2nd Floor, | Portland, 97211 1 ith this coupon” V V Û V Se habla español: other interpretation by ap poin tm ent. accomplishment I know firsthand. It is for that reason that I am espe­ cially pleased to participate in this program.” Calvert expressed gratitude and excitement for the partnership that would offer kids “a well-defined path” and “take away a certain anxi­ ety for kids to make the transition to college”. With access to aspects of a tradi­ tional high school experience, includ­ ing performing arts, athletics and campus activities, Jefferson students will have the opportunity to earn Jefferson graduates with families that make them eligible for a Pell grant and an Oregon Opportunity Grant can qualify for as much as $7,500 a year and the typical recipi­ ent gets about $5,500, reports the Oregonian. UO would cover the rest of student’s tuition and fees, cur­ rently $9,200 a year. One year ago in June, a differ­ ent scene took place on the steps o f Jefferso n am ong education leaders. Outspoken advocates o f the African- American community resisted Portland Public School Many o f the students who will take advantage of the program will be the first in their families to graduate from college, an accomplishment I know firsthand. It is for that reason that I am especially pleased to participate in this program. - university of Oregon President Richard Lariviere college credits tuition-free at PCC, ranging from several classes to a full year by the time they graduate. “The Jefferson Middle College partnership with PCC is a vital part of our focus on graduating more students who are ready to succeed in college or in a competitive career field,” said Superintendent Carole Smith, “This partnership makes the college experience a reality for many more of our students and helps us narrow the achievement gap.” All high school students who live in the Jefferson boundary are able to attend the school. Students from elsewhere in the school district can apply to attend through a lot­ tery. “Having the University of Or­ egon offer full scholarships to quali­ fied students really motivates me to take more rigorous and difficult classes at PCC," said Bridgette Lang, an incoming sophomore at Jefferson and one of two students who spoke. board vote to close Jefferson and M arshall to provide a m ore robust curriculum at the rem aining seven high schools. “It’s amazing what all can hap­ pen one year later,” said Tony Hopson of Self Enhancement, Inc, “Je ffe rso n d e serv e d a n o th e r chance. It was the right thing to do.” Marshall High School’s closure became a reality last week. Students and faculty at the southeast Port­ land campus ended the year with disappointment as they signed their last yearbooks and make difficult ch o ices to m ove to M adison, Franklin, or elsewhere. Mayor Sam Adams along with other education leaders, said the partnership with Jefferson was a new beginning for north and north­ east Portland residents and part of a city-wide initiative addressing education for every kid, from kin­ dergarten to college and cradle to career.