Fifth year high school program
helps MHS students graduate
Leadership Corner
fl message from Rich lllolitor
Superintendent
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Jefferson County School District is unique in that
MJ WF- IT ® it rePresents multiple cultures. Our job as educators
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and community members is to understand, support >
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and celebrate our diversity and provide- each and every
student with an opportunity for an excellent education..
That's why we strive for equity and excellence in our
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You may have heard that we will be reconfiguring Our
schools'over the next year. The plan is to create more equitable learning
environments for all students - including those from diverse ethnic and
socioeconomic backgrounds.-Herb is a snapshot of the changes:
• We will be creating a second high school to provide an alternative
learning environment with additional career and technical education
opportunities.
• We will be changing our “in-town” elementary schools to serve1
students in grades K though 5.
• We will be expanding Jefferson County Middle School programs to
eventually serve students in grade 5.
We believe that having an additional quality high school option will
provide new opportunities for our students with alternative learning needs
to reach their greatest potential. Our goals for elementary students are to
have fewer school transitions and to encourage parents to become more'
connected to their children’s schools and staff members.
Our team is excited to be moving in this new direction to provide
excellence and equity to our entire student population.
We look forward to your support and Welcome your questions or
comments. Don’t hesitate to contact your school principal or get in touch
with me directly.
Rick Molitor, JÇSD Superintendent
Classified staff appreciation week
-March 7-11
The Jefferson County School District has a
dedicated team of people in many different roles who
make sure our schools run smoothly and efficiently. .
Our classified staff are the folks on the front lines.
They are often the first impression someone has when
calling or visiting our schools. They are the bus drivers
who set the tone for the day ahead when they pick up
our students in the morning. The cafeteria workers
who mâke sure stomachs are full so kids can concentrate on learning. They
are the helpful office staff answering parents’ questions, giving directions and
comforting a sick child until a parent can get there.
They are the librarians who help students find just the right book, the grounds
keepers and maintenance workers who keep our schools tidy and the furnaces
running. And they are the teacher’s aides who prôvide a little extra, help in the ’
classroom. These are just a .féw examples of the many classified staff that help our
schools operate effectively on a daily basis. During this week of ajjpfeciafjgifi, yve.
would like to thank all of our classified staff for their hard work and. dedication
to making the district a brighter place for our students and families.
Teacher Caron Smith (right) works with Hector Beazatthe Madras High School learning annex.
Madras High School’s fifth year high school program allows students extra
time to complete their high school graduation requirements. There are currently
30 students on the five-year graduation track.
“The traditional high school setting doesn’t work for everyone,” explained
MHS Principal Mark Neffendorf. “Many kids need another option in order to
succeed. And that is our goal, to help students graduate in a way that works for
them.” ;
The program is held at the high school’s alternative learning center, also
known as “The Annex-” The classes are all online and students work at their
own pace.
Hector Beaz, a fifth year senior, struggled with understanding the importance
of a high, school diploma and was not motivated to attend or apply himself. But
seeing all his friends graduate,without him made him recognize that he had made
a mistake.
“High school wasn’t for me. 1 didn’t enjoy it. But I realized Iw as the only one
who didn’t graduate. I decided I wanted to go buck and get my diploma,” said
Beaz.
Teacher Caron Smith, who runs the Annex learning program, explained that
the students who attend are smart arid capable, but they need a different type of
support.
“When they come to us, we meet them where they are and nurture and
support them,” said Smith. “They become who they wanted to be all along but
■couldn’t do it in the traditional high school setting.”
, “Coming here has helped me a lot. 1 connected more with other students and
teachers and it gave me confidence in myself,” said Beaz. “I’ve learned more
here than at the high school because I’m able to go at my own pace and have
individual teacher support when I need it. I like teaching myself.”
Beaz has bright hopes for his future. Once at risk for being a high school drop
out, he now plans on studying forestry at Central Oregon Cqirimunity College
next year.
“I would tell other high school students who are struggling not to give up,”
Beaz said. ^‘Everybody has potential.-They just don’t always see it in themselves.”
“High school wasn’t for me. I didn’t
enjoy it. But I realized 1 was the only one
who didn’t graduate. I decided I wanted
to go back and get m y diploma. I would
tell other high school students who are
struggling not fo give up. Everybody has ■
potential. They just don’t always see it
in themselves.”
. ■'
— Hector Beaz, fifth year senior
Madras High School senior Hector Beaz is a leader, role model
and mentor to his peers at the Learning Annex.
We want to hear from you
School communication survey deadline is March 7
Sign up for the eNews version of Schools in Action
Stay informed with what’s going on in your .community. Sign up to receive
the monthly Schools In Action eNews at the Jefferson County-School District
website. Get all the latest district news and information.
www.jcsd.k12.or.us
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Performing Arts Center Events
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Calendar
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March
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March
9
12
A survey was recently sent to all families in the Jefferson County School
District. The survey’s primary goal is to help us improve communication with our
parents and families. This continues to be a high
priority for our administrative'team as well as our
school board- Our hope is to,provide families with
more information about what’s going on within the
schools, but Ave also would like feedback on bow
we are doing.
If you haven’t .already done so, please complete
and return the survey to your child’s teacher by
Monday, Match 7. If you have more than one child enrolled in school, you will
receive more than one survey; We hope you will take the time to complete a
survey for each school your children attend so we can better understand how
we are doing in each building. We really need your feedback to help us meet the
education needs of our learners.
Thank you again for your continued support. We welcome your comments
and the opportunity to hear from you..
Mariachi Sol de Mexico - 4 p.m ..
Central Qregon Master Singers present “Choral Dances” - 7 p.m.
For more.PAC information call (541) 475-4327-
Jefferson County School Distili
No School- teacher work day
No School - teacher work day -
14
School Board Meeting - 7 p.m./SSB
21-25 Spring Break - No School
, 28
School Board Meeting - 7 p.m./SSB
www.jcsd.kl 2.or.us