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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 2016)
Foundation grant awards — 8A On the lookouts: Disaster prep — 9A Safe Families kickoff — 3A New book chronicles some of the area's iconic structures, page 6A $ PUUBHF ( SPWF 4 FOUJOFM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016 Full-day K challenging students, teachers BY JON STINNETT The Cottage Grove Sentinel S outh Lane School District administra- tors say they plan to meet with some of the District’s kindergarten teachers this week to address the chal- lenges brought on by offer- ing a full day of instruction to its youngest students. The District fulfi lled a state mandate to offer full- day kindergarten beginning this school year, though a report given to the School Board Monday night proved that the transition has been anything but smooth sail- ing. In fact, Chad Hamilton, South Lane’s Special Edu- cation Director, stated that the change to a full day of kindergarten has been “tough for very seasoned professionals.” Part of the challenge, Hamilton said, could be il- lustrated using the results of a kindergarten readiness as- sessment conducted by the state of Oregon. He called South Lane’s results on the assessment “mediocre,” adding that this District’s results were lower than most in the area. “This explains why we’re seeing so much stress in our teachers; our kids are struggling,” Hamilton said. Before entering kindergar- ten, he said, students come to South Lane below the county and state average in the most basic math skills. With regard to literacy, in- coming students recognize VOLUME 128 • NUMBER 37 SOUTH LANE COUNTY'S MOST AWARD-WINNING NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1889 far fewer letter shapes and sounds than the state and county averages and fewer than all comparable area schools. Superintendent Krista Parent said the District is having internal discussions about solutions, including how it might better allocate the services of its educa- tional assistants. Stagger- ing the start of school for some students in the fall based on their preparedness and stamina was also dis- cussed. “We are aware of the situ- ation, but we don’t have the perfect answer,” said Parent. She said that many teachers don’t believe they’re able to introduce more academic instruction into a full day of kindergarten “because of what they’re experiencing in the afternoon.” “Kids don’t have the stamina and behavior skills to be functional, and teach- ers are spending their after- noons dealing with those issues as opposed to teach- ing,” she said. Parent said the District made a mistake in not dou- bling the allocation of edu- cational assistant time for full-day kindergarten class- rooms. “It should’ve been obvi- ous that we needed to dou- ble the EA time,” she said. “We have several teachers saying they don’t want to teach kindergarten anymore because it’s too hard. We’re really going back to the drawing board.” Also inside: Taking the hike Buzzer-beater! photo courtesy Greg Lee Log House Plants employees Margarita and her daughter Jessica plant vegetable starts. Log House owner Greg Lee said the company may have to adjust prices as the minimum wage continues to rise. Last-second shot sends Lions onward, page 1B Local business owners react to minimum wage increase BY JON STINNETT The Cottage Grove Sentinel A s executive director of Cottage Grove’s Cham- ber of Commerce, Travis Palmer speaks frequently with local busi- ness owners about the issues and challenges they face. Lately, he said local entrepreneurs have had a lot to say about the increase in Oregon’s minimum wage that was signed into law by Governor Kate Brown last week. “I haven’t heard anything posi- tive,” Palmer said. He said the Chamber itself has not taken a position on the increase, though many of its members have re- acted with “strongly negative” feedback. The bill, signed on Wednesday, will raise the state’s minimum wage — at $9.25 per hour, it’s al- ready one of the nation’s highest — incrementally and to varying degrees in different parts of the state. In counties like Lane, the minimum is expected to increase to $13.50 per hour by 2022. Ru- ral areas will see an increase to $12.50 over time, while inside the urban growth boundary of the Portland metropolitan area, the minimum wage is expected to increase to $14.75 per hour. The law takes effect on July 1, and a $.50 per hour hike will take effect along with it. Palmer said he and local busi- ness owners worry that the area’s small businesses will be unable to cope with the added payroll costs brought on by the increase and will thus fi nd themselves at a competitive disadvantage. “Employers may be able to hire less people, and I worry that people who might otherwise start a small business might not do so because of the added cost,” he said. Tryout trip Local dancer hopes to make it big, page 3A Please see WAGE, Page 11A Inaugural CG Half Marathon shows its speed Saturday morning BY JON STINNETT The Cottage Grove Sentinel A light smattering of rain just prior to start time was all that materialized of a day of expected showers for the over 160 runners and walkers who journeyed from Dorena School to Trailhead Park in Cottage Grove as part of the inaugural Cottage Grove Half Marathon Saturday. One runner, Kathy Andrews, trav- eled all the way from Tallahassee, Florida to compete; Andrews joined a large contingent from the Eugene/ Springfi eld area and a strong showing from Cottage Grove and Creswell, towns that boasted nearly 30 of the day’s competitors. The race’s male and female winners, however, hailed from Bend. At 8 a.m., several school buses left Bohemia Park bound for Dorena; the race staged at Dorena School and be- gan at 9 a.m. Sponsored by Banner Bank, it served as a fundraiser for United Way of Lane County. The top fi nisher sped into Cottage Grove not long after 10 a.m., covering the 13.1 mile course in a little over an hour. Flaggers met competitors at each road crossing, and there were several aid stations along the way offering water and electrolyte drinks. The course was fl at and fast one, by all accounts. Organizer Mike Ri- pley said the event went off with few hitches, though Ripley said a sign he brought to alert drivers to the presence of runners on the road — a sign valued at over $200 — was stolen prior to the race. Ripley said he also recognized the need for more restrooms. He will now look forward to the Oregon Gran Fondo, another signature event of his company, Mudslinger Events, that serves to showcase Cottage Grove to area cyclists. Ripley said plans are already un- derway for next year’s Cottage Grove Half Marathon, which is scheduled for March 11, 2017. Registration opens in September, and more information is available at cottagegrovehalf.com. photo by Greg Lee Runners synchronize their watches and phones to the race clock while taking off at the start of the Cot- More coverage and results from tage Grove Half Marathon Saturday. Over 160 participants signed up for the 13.1-mile journey from Dorena the race can be found in this week’s back to Cottage Grove; the race raised funds for United Way of Lane County. sports section. RAIN COUNTRY REALTY INC. G N I D PEN G N I D PEN NG I D N PE CONTACT US www.cgsentinel.com On the Internet (541) 942-3325 By telephone (541) 942-3328 By fax cgnews@cgsentinel.com By e-mail P.O. Box 35, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 By mail Corner of Sixth and Whiteaker, Cottage Grove In person Get them While They’re Hot! Homes selling like hot cakes Buys or sell one now! WEATHER CONTENTS HIGH LOW 56 45 Rain Calendar....................................... 11B Channel Guide ............................... 8B Classified ads................................. 9B Obituaries....................................... 2A Opinion .......................................... 4A Public Safety .................................. 5A Sports ............................................ 1B 1 Dollar