Spilyay tymoo., January 22, 2014, Image 10

“I used to work at a mill and the way people treat you here
is 100% different. Here you get a smile from everyone.”
Francisco Gomez,custodian, JCMS (left) w ith JCMS Principal Simon White.
JCMS makes positive changes
Walking through the halls of Jefferson County Middle School is different
today than it was a few years ago. The walls are filled with positive messages
alongside student photography and artwork that shows a sense of pride in school
and community. But the most obvious changes are the smiles on the faces of
students, teachers and staff.
• “You can’t walk down the hall without a ‘hello’ and the interactions between
students and adults are pleasant and friendly,” said Simon White, JCMS
principal. “Three years ago, there were three principals, a dean of students and
a paid hallway monitor to keep kids in classrooms. Now, it feels like a different
place.”
“Ifs become a more pleasant place to work. Students are treating
us and each other better. ”
MHS com m unity Performing Arts Center
New MHS buildings take shape
The JCMS
construction and design
teams are busy finalizing
plans for the new MHS
athletic facility and
community Performing
Arts Center. Among
the many details under
review are colors for
seating, the new track
and the press box.
— Andrew Smiley, 7th grade reading teacher
According to White, referrals for student behavior
problems are down by about 45% from 2011 thanks
to a number of efforts underway. With new positive
behavior programs, clearer expectations, and more
collaboration between teachers, students are thriving.
“We are teaching social and emotional skills along
with the core subjects,” said White who explained that
students now attend “Guide Room” class for 30 minutes
each day. “We use that time to talk about empathy, team
building and have small group time so students arid
teachers can check in on missing assignments or explore
extra challenges/’
On the academic side, White says that OAKS test
scores are improving, but there is still along way to go to meet state standards.
“We have some students who are jumping up two and three grade levels in
a short amount of time, but we’re still below the state average,” said White.
“Our teachers and staff are working hard to change that and we’re making great
progress. They have done an amazing job.”
Former MHS student part of
Skanska construction team
Since graduating from MHS in 2005,
Jacob Struck successfully completed a
carpenter apprenticeship program in
Portland and has returned to share his
skills with the Madras community as a
superintendent for Skanska USA Building.
Struck says he is enjoying working on the
District construction projects.
“It’s great being back and seeing
‘ the football field change and the new
auditorium,” said Struck. “I wish we had
these things when I was in school, but I’m
glad the students will have access to these
new facilities in the future.”
Parents make a difference at JCMS
JCMS parents are raising the bar for parent involvement with record
attendance at parent/teacher conferences and family night events.
“When parents come to conferences and participate in family nights, it sends a
message to students that education is important to their families,” said Assistant
Principal Trevor Flaherty. “In past years, only 5-7% of our parents attended
conferences, but this year, more than 70% were here to show their support.”
Flaherty says that a new conference format has made all the difference.
“We stairted asking students to lead the parent conferences,” said Flaherty.
“They set goals with their teachers and put together presentations to share with
their parents and the parents loved it.”
In Spring, the parents will be invited to return for “portfolio conferences” so
students can present the progress they’ve made on their goals.
“The students knocked it out of the park,” said Flaherty. “They were
awesome and it’s really changed the way they’re learning because they know
where they are and what they need to do to meet their goals.”
New mascot for Warm Springs K-8!
JCMS student Taylor Arthur, grade 8, is the artist behind the new mascot
for the Warm Springs K-8 School. As the winner of the recent student contest to
draw the mascot, his eagle drawings will be used to develop a logo for school
signs and athletic gear.
“I picked the eagle because it’s one of our spiritual things in Warm Springs
and I also didn’t want to change the mascot from what it already was,” said
Arthur who also created an “eaglet” drawing for the younger students. “They
usually like little things with big eyes and big heads,” he added with a grin.
Arthur wanted the main eagle to look strong and “not whimpy” he explained.
The Skanska construction team enjoys a break from th e harsh weather.
Construction team keeps things moving
The last two months have brought on some challenging working
conditions for the Skanska construction team. Even with sub-zero
temperatures, snow and rain, the crew kept moving to stay on schedule
with the new District buildings.
“I just want to say a special thanks to crew members who have been
out here working hard under really tough conditions,” said Dave Fishel,
construction project manager for JCSD.
Calendar
January
1/27
School Board Meeting
5:30 p.m.
Buff Intermediate School
1/31
End of Q uarter- - No School
February
Student Taylor Arthur, grade 8, shows his w inning mascot designs fo r the new Warm Springs
K-8 School. (From left) JCMS Principal Simon White, Assistant Principal Diane Dominiak, student
Taylor Arthur, Assistant Principal Trevor Flagherty and Superintendent Rick Molitor.
Jefferson County School District
Je ffe rs o n Ci
1001 Dì
445 SE Buff Street, madras, OR 97741
(5 4 1 )4 7 5 -6 1 9 2
2/5
Two-hour Early Release
2/10
School Board Meeting
7 p.m.
Madras Primary
unuui.jcsd.k12.or.us