Leadership Corner
ft message from Rick molitor
Superintendent
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The Jefferson County School District team believes
that every student in every one of our schools is unique.
know that each child and ¡young adult has something
positive to bring to our local communities. While some
students follow a more traditional learning path, others
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find success through alternative learning programs
■ H ] offered by our dedicated teachers and staff members.
This month, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’d like to
celebrate the students, teachers, staff and community partners who are part
of our Youth Transition Program and Life Skills Transition Center.
I’d also like to take this time to thank our District team and families
for their support and patience during a challenging month. As you are
probably aware, one of our Madras High School staff members was
placed on administrative leave last week pending a police investigation
concerning charges of sexual abuse. As we work to cooperate with the
police department investigation, please know that we take these issues very
seriously and will continue to put the safety and well being of our students
and staff at the forefront of everything we do. .
As we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, I feel grateful to
live and work in a community that values education and schools. Please
enjoy this week with your families and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you
have questions or concerns about school-related issues. I can be reached via
phone at (541) 475-6192 or email rmolitor@509-j.net.
Life Skills Transition Center students and teachers with kale grown in their community
garden. (Back row from left: Dan Peterson, Educational Assistant; Kim Urbach, Educational
Assistant; Martha Ahern,Teacher; Kendra Wolf, 20; Dianna Barrett,Youth Transition
Program Coordinator. Middle row from left: Ace Smith, 17;Tiarra Diaz, 19; Sky Kinley, 16.
Front row: Brooke Williams, 19).
Life Skills Transition Center:
Helping young adults live independently
Students learn job skills and find jobs
through Youth Transition Program
Everyday, young adults with physical, psychological, developmental, cognitive
and emotional challenges or health conditions make valuable contributions to
our communities. Helping students with disabilities learn skills and find jobs is
an important part of the education program at Madras High School. The MHS
Youth Transition Program (YTP) helps young adults with challenges transition
successfully from school to work after they-graduate from high school. For
more information about YTP, contact Dianna Barrett at (541) 475-8275 or
dbarrett@509j. net.
Young adults who have developmental challenges are learning to live
successfully and independently in Jefferson County with help from the
Life Skills Transition Center at Madras High School. The Center helps
students build skills in reading, money management, computers, cooking,
personal care and health. In addition to daily living and social skills, they
receive training and work experience to help them find jobs in partnership
with local businesses and nonprofits. The students also get involved with
community and environmental projects like creek restoration and participate
in School-to-Work training programs. For mòre information, contact
Martha Ahern at (541) 475-3160 or mahern@509j.net.
Love rises like a wave
You realize you’re immersed
All someone did was to remind you
“It must be hard - this job you have.”
You laugh and realize
You are “On the good end o f the stick. ’
There is no way to put a value on
The experience o f working w ith your students.
. You stand there immersed
In a warm sea o f love -
Laughter coming from the classroom kitchen.
— Martha Ahem, Teacher,
Life Skills Transition Center
MHS Youth Transition Program students proudly display their weekly stipend checks earned by
participating in the School-to-Work Job Training Program sponsored by Heart of Oregon Corps
and MHS. (From left: Madeline Figueroa, 18; Cadaleana Bates, 19; Bransen Stanfield, 17; and
Cristian Benitez, 19).
“It’s like a big family and the teachers always help.”
— Tiarra Diaz, 19, former YTP student who currently has an apartment and a
bus assistant position with the Oregon Child Development Coalition.
Ace Smith, 17, holds a birdhouse built
and painted by Life Skills students.
YTP participant and MHS graduate Justin
Donovan, 19, w ith Heart of Oregon Corps
Stewardship Crew Leader Andres Palamo III.
Heart of Oregon Corps Thrift Store Manager
Lisa Stearns (left), with former YTP student
and MHS graduate Elizabeth Padrón, 19, who
is earning a stipend and an education award
for her AmeriCorps service.
“When students make a successful transition from school to
work, ifs good for all o f us - our community, our economy, our
workplaces and most o f all, our students.”
— Dianna Barrett, Transition Specialist for Madras High School.
Impact Aid Funds:
We need your input!
If you weren’t able to attend the
Impact Aid hearing in Warm
Springs on November 18, we still
want to hear from you. Complete
our online Impact Aid survey at
jcsd.kl2.or.us between
December 2-8.
Tutoring for K-8 students!
M ath and Literacy Tutoring
for students K-8 is now available
on Tuesdays and Thursdays from
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Westside School.
Applications are available in school
offices and on the District website at
http://www.jcsd.kl2.or.us/parents/
jefferson-county-family-university.
For more information, contact Su
Chamberlain at (541) 475-6192.
Sky Kinley, 16, poses w ith the Life Skills
Transition Center's community garden celery.
Life Skills students learn the art o f sewing by making quilts from donated blue jeans.
The quilts are sold In the community to benefit the program. (From leftTlarra Diaz, 19;
Teacher Martha Ahearn; Sky Kinley, 16; Brooke Williams, 19; and Ace Smith, 17).
Family University
Parents and families can now
enjoy classes and workshops at the
Family University in the Westside
School. Learn literacy, math, money
management and computer skills or
have fun with family arts, crafts and
volleyball. Childcare is available for
class participants Mondays through
Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m. For registration information or a
complete schedule of classes, contact
Su Chamberlain at (541) 475-6192.
Funding for Family University
provided through the Oregon
Community Foundation, Title I, Title
III, and Title VI programs.
Calendar
November
11/27-29 Thanksgiving Break
11/29
Native American
Heritage Day
December
12/9
School board work
session & presentations
followed by board
meeting - 4:30 p.m.
JCMS Commons
12/11
Two-hour early release
12/23 -1/3
Winter Break