SIUSLAW NEWS SCHOOL NEWSLETTER ❚ APRIL 2016
SCHOOL
ZONE
A Monthly Newsletter for the Siuslaw and Mapleton Schools and Florence Community PTA
Ha n d s - on
e xp l o r a t i on
8th-grade students
learn about the
Siuslaw Estuary
T
he Siuslaw Estuary
offered a wealth of
learning opportunities
for eighth grade science students
this month.
On April 7, local estuary
experts presented in-class work-
shops to the students covering
topics including: Introduction to
the Siuslaw Estuary, Aquatic
Invasive Species, Siuslaw
Estuary management, Tsunami
and Earthquake Preparedness
and the Proper Use of Tools and
Gear when Entering the Estuary.
Then, on April 11 and 12, stu-
dents received hands-on lessons
through exploration of the
Siuslaw Estuary near the Port of
Siuslaw Campground and Waite
Ranch on Highway 126.
Mizu Burruss, with the
Siuslaw Watershed Council,
introduced students to estuaries.
Students learned what an estu-
ary is and where one is found in
our community.
Burruss demonstrated the tidal
cycles of the estuary with a
water density tank. Students
were able to predict what hap-
pens when saltwater and fresh-
water mix, and then observed
the more dense saltwater settling
to the bottom and the less dense
freshwater floating on top of it.
A
DETAILED LIFE
Lane Arts Council grant teaches silk painting
M
apleton
Elemen-
tary and
Middle school stu-
dents met with
Lane Arts Council
Artist
Merideth
Ferrell to produce
amazing silk paint-
ings. Kindergarten
students
created
two six-foot paint-
ings of ocean life
and
pets,
first
through
fourth
grade students pro-
duced two 20-foot COURTESY PHOTOS
paintings of the life
cycle of a salmon and animals of
Oregon and fifth through eighth
grade students created individual
paintings that detailed life in
Mapleton. This amazing opportuni-
ty was made possible by a grant
through the Lane Arts Council for
rural schools. —Submitted by Jodi
O’Mara
They noted the significance of
this to organisms and how they
must adapt to the ever-changing
salinity levels in an estuary.
Using an Aquatic Invasive
Species Kit on loan from
Oregon State University’s Sea
Grant program, Andy Marohl,
Siuslaw Elementary and Middle
school assistant principal, led an
activity introducing students to
aquatic invasive species.
Students were able to see
samples of organisms invading
our local estuary and learned
that invasive species compete
with native species for food and
habitat. This changes native
populations and the estuary
ecosystem, leading to reduced
biodiversity.
Brenda Cervantes from the
City of Florence presented stu-
dents with actions the city has
taken to conserve and manage
the Siuslaw Estuary. This
included the recent addition of
the rain garden in Old Town as
a stormwater management sys-
tem to prevent debris and pollu-
tion from the city streets from
making its way into the Siuslaw
River. In addition, Cervantes
provided students with informa-
tion about the city’s natural dis-
aster plan including tsunami and
earthquake preparedness.
In preparation for the field
trip into the estuary, Jim Grano,
retired science teacher, provid-
ed a hands-on lesson on how to
properly get into the hip waders
needed
to walk
Students
into the
removed Scotch
mud and
broom at SMS
how to
properly using their bare
hands
use
tools,
including Uprooters, for the
removal of Scotch broom (an
invasive plant).
Students then removed a
small amount of Scotch broom
from the middle school campus
using their bare hands, loppers,
hand-saws and Uprooters. They
learned the best way to perma-
nently rid an area of Scotch
broom is to pull up by the roots.
Once in the estuary, students
traveled to five different sta-
tions. Jack Akin, a bio-engineer,
discussed the causes of the
embankment sloughing off into
the river at the Port of Siuslaw’s
campground. The students
offered ideas on ways to fix the
erosion problem.
See
ESTUARY page 3
Celebrate teachers
and staff May 2 to 6
The teachers and staff of the area school dis-
tricts are phenomenal. Expressions of apprecia-
tion can build mutual respect and open the door
to better communication about expectations, stu-
dent performance and more.
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is the
perfect time to say thanks to those who work
with your children. Join the Florence
Community PTA in recognizing the imperative
and inspiring work our teachers and staff do
every day of the school year. Here are some
ways that you can honor the dedicated men and
women who lend their passion and skills to edu-
cating our children:
Have your child come up with a list of five
nice things they can do for their teachers. They
could pick one to do each of the remaining
weeks of school.
Ask the teacher what his or her favorite book
is and buy a copy for them.
Give the gift of time and volunteer at
your child’s school.
Write a thank you note to your child’s teacher
and aide. Have your child decorate it and sign it
also.
Say thanks the next time you talk to your
child’s teacher.
When you’re at the school, be sure to thank
the custodians, secretaries, kitchen staff, coun-
selors, etc., for being part of your child’s educa-
tional experience.
Contribute classroom materials, such as
paper, chalk, books, Kleenex, pens, stickers, etc.
Give a gift certificate so teachers can pur-
chase items for their classroom.
Give a gift certificate for a local coffee shop
or restaurant.
Give a token of your appreciation: apples,
bookmarks, teacher mugs, etc.
Working together, teachers, parents, and com-
munities can make every child’s potential a
reality. —Submitted by Diane McCalmont
CYAN MAGENTA YELLoW BLACK
COURTESY PHOTOS
Siuslaw eighth graders explore facets of the Siuslaw Estuary with representatives from
Siuslaw Watershed Council, City of Florence, Public Works, STEP, U.S. Forest Service
and current and retired school staff on April 7.