SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017
9 A
‘Tsunami of Haiku’ washing through Florence during FRAA event
More than 100 Haiku written
by Florence residents have
started appearing at establish-
ments all over town. The proj-
ect marks the kickoff of the Big
Wave Poetry Festival. The
haiku, decorated by local artist
Kat Cunningham, adorn restau-
rants, shops, art galleries and
community spaces, such as the
library, city hall, and the
Florence
Chamber
of
Commerce.
“Residents and visitors alike
Teachers
from 1A
local PTA have in common is
the belief that a great teacher
can change a student in ways
that will stay with them for the
rest of their lives.
“Everyone had a favorite
teacher growing up. Teachers
leave lasting impressions on
their students. FCPTA thought
it would be great if our commu-
nity let Siuslaw teachers and
staff know that what they do
matters and that they have left a
S IUSLAW N EWS
can wander the shops and
cafes of Old Town and
see these short poems
inspired by the charm of
Florence and the beauty
of our environment,” said
festival Co-chair Judy
Plumery.
Mayor Joe Henry, sev-
eral City Councilors and
many of Florence’s lead-
ing citizens wrote original
haiku for the project.
The festival, sponsored by
lasting impression on our com-
munity,” Holdahl said.
In their declaration recogniz-
ing teachers and their impor-
tance to the American culture,
Bay and Garcia said the follow-
ing.
“Teachers give us so much. A
boost of confidence when we
really need one, extra helps
when we are having trouble,
and a welcoming presence
when everything else seems out
of control. And though we can’t
ever say ‘thank you’ enough,
we can take a moment to share
our appreciation for the special
educators in our lives.”
Holdahl wants everyone that
has been positively impacted by
a great teacher, either personal-
the Florence Regional Arts
Alliance (FRAA), gets started
at 6 p.m. on Friday, May
12, at the Florence Events
Center with the Spoken
Word Poetry Contest.
Up to 30 poets will per-
form original, 3-minute
poems in categories such
as “nature,” “humor,” ‘per-
sonal reflection” and
‘social commentary.”
“Last year’s poets had
the audience in tears one
minute and howling with
laughter the next,” said
Plumery.
Poets should visit www.fraa
oregon.org to sign up to per-
form.
Saturday, May 13, at 6:30
p.m. at the FEC will feature the
premier showing of the docu-
mentary “Perception: From
Prison to Purpose,” the story of
Noah Schultz, former resident
of Camp Florence.
His transformation from
drug dealer and convicted felon
to college graduate, social
activist, TedX speaker, author
and award-wining poet is sure
to inspire.
Schultz will attend the event
to speak of his journey, and will
be joined by documentary pro-
ducer Jonathan Reed and by
Stephen Fowler, who also
transformed his life while
incarcerated at Camp Florence.
Tickets to each night’s event
are $10 and are available at the
door or in advance at FRAA,
120 Maple St.
ly or through a family member,
to reach out to local teachers
with an expression of their
apprecaition.
“Whether you are a student,
parent, alum or simply someone
who recognizes the value of our
local educators and all that they
do for our community, we hope
to see a note from you.”
To this end there will be drop
off boxes at all district schools
for community members to
share their letters to, or pictures
of favorite educators, with
teachers and school administra-
tors.
There are also a number of
smaller, more tangible tokens of
appreciation that teachers can
expect to receive during the
week of recognition.
And while Holdahl wants to
keep some of those gifts secret,
she did share details of the
PTA’s plan.
“Each day teachers and staff
will find fun surprises in the
staff lounges, I’d let you in on
them, but I don’t want to give
away the surprise. I will say
there will be food, some fun and
hopefully Siuslaw teachers and
staff will feel encouraged and
appreciated,” Holdhal said.
“We plan to treat the staff at
all three schools to lunch and a
local restaurant, Homegrown,
will be catering. They have
been so generous in donating
food for the teachers.”
There will also be raffles at
all the district schools, the
building where buses are stored
and at the district office.
Holdahl also thanked busi-
nesses in the community for
their donations to teacher
appreciation efforts.
“The Florence business com-
munity is so generous and many
local businesses have donated
gift certificates or baskets to
give away to our teachers and
staff members,” she said.
Siuslaw School District
Superintendent Andy
Grezskowiak is perhaps best
placed to see on a day-to-day
basis the important work that
teachers do in Florence schools,
and his appreciation of their
work was apparent in this state-
ment regarding the week.
“Teachers provide more than
just facts and figures to stu-
dents. Our teachers work on a
myriad of ‘soft skills’ that go
beyond course content: critical
thinking and analysis skills,
social skills and interpersonal
relations, while being an
encouraging hand as students
look to make their mark in a
bigger world,” Grezeskowiak
said. “Teachers help to open up
the world to students and may
inspire them to do more than
they believe that could ever
have done.”
For more information on
Teacher Appreciation Week
contact FAPTA at florencecom
munitypta@yahoo.com.
Tickets to each
night’s event are $10
and are available at
the door or in
advance at FRAA,
120 Maple St.
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