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JCSD focuses on improving graduation
rates, attendance and test scores
High Schoo) graduation rates in Oregon are' on thé uptick. In,2015, the state’s
fôur-yeargraduation fate w as'74 perdent, up from 68.7 percent in 2013. Aiming
tp surpass the stare average, the Jefferson County' School District has set an
ambitious goal of graduating SO percent of its students by 2018. The district’s
4-year graduation, rate is currently 5,7 percent, so. foe work ahead for students
and teachers is challenging
“A high school diploma is One of the main; ingredients to success in life,” said
JCSD Superintendent Kick Molitor; "We want gafo and every One of our studenfo
to not only graduate, but also have the foundational skills necessary to continue
learning whether it be in College or a career: ”
Because many students face unique life challenges that prevent them from
completing high school in the traditional four years, the district is focusing on
five-year graduation ratés — thé number of students earning a diploma within
five years?;’
New teachers learn from a panel o f experienced JCSD educators
Teaching Matters Most
There are many studies th at snow what a teacherdoeaiin thfe classroom is
the most import factor affecting student academic success. The work.' pf a skilled
teacher can offset poverty, class size and many other detriments students may
face.
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The Jefferson County School District has a training program th at helps
teachers who are either new to the profession or new to the district sharpen their
teaching skills and become orientated with JCSD and .its diverse culture.
The two-ÿè'ar Mentoring arid lüductioh Program starts w ith an orientation
week in August called '‘Strength Through Diversity.” New teachers learn about
the district’s unique and diverse cultures, get an overview of policies and learn
about the research-based teaching standards JCSD uses. Participants even take
a bus tour of the community to see where students live and get a feel for the
distance that sqme must travel to get to school. The weekuls-o includes a v isitto
the Museum at Warm Springs and a demonstration of Native American dancing.
"The new teacher induction program helped me feel more prepared
for m y first year o f teaching, It has given me the'opportunity
to collaborate with colleagues'thar are also new to the teaching
profession or new to the district,”
— Katie Lapke, second grade teacbei, Madras Elementary
Each new teacher is assigned'^ trained instructional coach w ho sfefvfo âS his or
het mentor for. the two-year period. ’T here'are monthly professional development
trainings and a class project. Highly effective reaching practices are also studied.
“One ofithe best parts of the.prxigram is that new teaçhem have fog
opportunity tq get feedback on their perfotmance ffoin foeff' mentort/* said
Instructional Coach Sue Taylor, “Teaching has rraditidnaliy b’çenan ¡foliated'’
practice, with individuals working in a silo. The program provides the
opprirturiityTor feedback from mentors ©it w hat is working and what can use
somefone tuning-. ”
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The district 's program is. so successful that other districts around thé state have
replicated it.
; " ' The Jimp spent w ith other teachers creates an atmosphere of collegiality and
support that lasts over time,” said Taylor. “Long-term friendships are created
among co-workefo and in a rUiaf community; th at’s im portant.”
' “The new teacher induction program helped me feel more prepared for
my first year of teaching. It has given me the opportunity to collaborate with
colleagues that are also new to the teaching profession or neW to, the district/’*
said Katie Lapke a new second grade feather at M adras Elementary'.
'‘While we don’t have ftiriding to red uce, class sizes: by -adding extra teachers,
We feel that providing all of-ouf teachers With mentoring $md fratnitig, w illenable
us to improve outcomes for our students,” said Superintendent Kick Molifon ,
W a r m S p r i n g S t u d e n t s R o c T h e ir M o e s
The Warm Springs K-8 Academy ’s Rise and Shine Club made moccasins in,
October during November’s Roc Your M ots event. The activity was part of
Nptjogal American Indian Heritage Month. M otcasins can be yvorn every Friday
throughout the month.
“Wc are working very hard to engage students in the learning
process, so they enjoy, coming to school. We want our students. .here,
, we want them to be successful and we want them to graduate.”
— R ick Mohto>, JCSD superintendent
“Our five-year programs at Bridges Career Tech iff M adras and Bridges Center
'in Warm Springs have proven, very successful in helping many of our students
graduate who otherwise Would not,” said Molitor.
folie key to ’raising graduation rates is imptosjing both attendance arid’
academic spores.
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“Attendance and graduation go hand in hand,” said Molitor., “ If students
don’t come to school On a regular basis, even in kindergarten, the chance that
they will graduate diminishes. Missing even 10 percent of school each year can
hurt a student’s long.rte.rni success. Once learners tall behind in their studies, they
feel overwhelmed by foe idea of catching up, and just give up all together. We
are working very hard to. engage students in, the learning process so they enjoy
coming to school.”
The district hopes to increase foe overall attendance rate to 92 percent this
year. Staff in all foe buildings is reaching out to support and eneouragefoamilies
of chronically absent students and help them overeóme barriers to getting foca
children to school regularly.
The district is also focused on improving academic achievement and stare test
scores in English language arts and math by 1,0' percent. ,.;
"Iff order: to reachour primary goal of improving-graduation rates, oui.
lèafners need toi have thé, academic skills at all levels and b è jn school regularly,”
Molitor said, “We Want our students here, we want them to be successful and we
want them to graduate, ” '
W a r m S p r in g s K -8 t a k e s a im a t a t t e n d a n c e
Wariii Springs K-8 Academy has i new outreach program to help improve foe
attendance rate of students chronically absent from school
jv "foegiilaii,'atfofidafitfo is crucialfofo students to do well in school/’ fold
Principal Ken ParshallfoMissingeyferi two days,a m onth adds up ’overtim e arid,,
can cause students to fall behind.”
Twenry-one percent of the schools student body is chronically absent, missing
two ,or‘more day's a mqnth. The school received a Tribal Attendance Pilot grant '
to hire two family advocates to help address foe problem. Warm Springs had one
family advocate’already On board funded through Title 7/..
Thé three family advocates begpn thfe School year by Identifying students who
are perpetually absent arid reaching out to their families.; Thé advocates typically
explain to families the ftffpofomce of, regular-attendante and then work With .
them to help address any barriers they may experience in getting their kids to
school.
. “We want families to, know that they We’re here for them. We want to work
togefher as partners and support foem iff airy,'way we can arid help get their kids,
to school,so they can be successful,” said Parshall.
“We have families who can’t Çofoe to the school to meet with us so we ha.vff
driven o ut to their hom es/’ said Family Advocate Rosetta- Hefkshan. “We have'
even picked Up students on occasion who needed a ride to school.”
- The school has also distributed informational pamphlets arid flyers about the
importance of regular attendance throughout thé community.
The program’s efforts, are paying off. According to Parshall, there has been a
réduction in the number of students experiencing a large am ount of absences.
f,“We recognize families face many ciialienges We w ant tffefo to understand
the impact over finie of their kids missing school, and know that we are their
partners in helping them address these challenges and getting their kids to
school,” said Parshall.
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December
Left: Nathaniel. Jensen works confidently on his moccasins at WSK8.
Right: Seventh graders Kathryce Danzuka and Hailey Cochran are busy making
their moccasins.
JCSD Alumni: Where are they now?
Do you know a JCSD alumni who has moved. on to college and/or
career success? We are looking to feature our graduates in future Schools iu
Action updates. If you know of a former student, drop, a note and photo to
Superintendent Rick Molitor rlnolitor@509j.net.
Visit the District website at
jcsd.k12.or.us
Jefferson County
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MHS Drama presents The Griuch: 7-9 p.m.
MHS Drama presents The Grinch: 7-9 pan.
M adras Elementary Lessons Recital: 6-7:30 p.m.
MHS/JCMS Winter Choir Concert: 7-8 p.m.
Buff Elementary Lessons Recital: 6-7:30 p.m,
MHS/JCMS Winter Band Concert: 7-8 p.m.
Madras Elementary W interConcertî N 2p.m .,
3rd Anniial Holiday Gala: 7-9 p.m.
Board Meeting at District Office: 6 p.m.
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Calendar
November
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N o School-V eterans Day
21 -25 No School - Thanksgiving Break
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Board Meeting at Warm Springs K -8 ,6 p.m.
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