Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (June 28, 2017)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JUNE 28, 2017 9A SLSD reviews superintendent goals for 2016-2017 By Caitlyn May cmay@cgsentinel.com The last fi nal has been graded and students have been enjoying summer for a little under a week but work for the South Lane School District was still in full swing on Thursday, June 22. The board was given a report by South Lane Superintendent Krista Parent on her progress concerning goals for the 2016- 2017 school year. Parent was given seven, multi-part goals to focus on during the year including man- aging the newly passed bond measure, addressing student at- tendance, create more equitable practices throughout the school district, create a system that re- quires diploma earners to meet essential skills in reading, math and writing, and improve the graduation rate. Parent informed the board that a number of her goals had been completed, while others were sill in progress. South Lane's latest stats showed the four-year gradua- tion rate jumping from 64.3 per- cent to 72 percent. In regards to the bond issue, Parent noted that the new Har- rison Elementary School had broken ground and the work on upgrades to the pool would begin after the district set up a planning committee to give in- put on the potential design of Health, Happiness & Wellness A guide to local businesses committed to helping our community thrive Counseling & Mental Health South Lane Mental Health Serving Cottage Grove Since 1988 • Outpatient Counseling for Children, Adults & Couples • Psychiatric Medication Management • Crisis Assistance 541-942-2850 • 541-942-3939 • www.slmh.org the facility. Attendance is an ongoing battle throughout the state and Parent informed the board that ongoing plans to combat the issue include coming up with a district-wide plan that would see staff time dedicated to form- ing solutions to the problem. Earlier this year, South Lane revealed that up to 50 percent of its high schoolers were con- sidered chronically absent. At the time, the board decided on withholding prom and gradu- ation ceremonies for students who continued to miss an ex- orbitant number of school days. According to South Lane, the method worked and students began showing up to class more regularly. "The math and science, you have to do. You have to learn to write an essay but maybe there's something else they want to come to school for," said board member Gary Mort. Cottage Grove High School current- ly utilized elective classes and board members have noted music classes and the school's sports programs also lure stu- dents to school. In order to create a more eq- uitable school environment when students do attend, Par- ent said the administration read "High Performing, High Pov- erty Schools" and hosted book clubs revolving around fi ve books on equity. The goal is to create a school environment that offer the same opportuni- ties to students no matter their household's income level, gen- der or race. In addition, Parent informed the board that South Lane Mental Health would be partnering with the South Lane School District to offer basic training in trauma to better aid students who may be affected by outside factors. Kindergarten and how the district would address it was a more involved goal, according to Parent. "Schools across the district are very split on whether or not to delay full-day start for kinders," Parent wrote in her report to the board. "Dorena and Bohemia are starting their kinders full-day from the start of school with Harrison, Lon- don and Latham waiting until September 25." The issue of kindergarten scheduling is one that was list- ed as ongoing for the board with board members noting that child care options become deciding factors for parents' schedules. All day kindergar- ten alleviates that issue while switching between all day and half day creates a problem for families. Likewise, Parent noted that poor attendance is not just a high school senior issue. Kin- dergarten has the second highest rate of absenteeism. Goals Parent counted as done included increasing the gradu- ation rate, managing the bond measure, ensuring diploma earners met the essential skills in reading, math and writing, and continuing to create effec- tive feedback for faculty and staff. Parent highlighted this as her most successful goals and noted that principals had under- gone training to better commu- nicate with their instructors, to better serve students. BMD in need of volunteers Dental Health Delaying going to the Dentist? Sedation Dentistry is a Dream come True... find out if its for You! BIRCH AVENUE DENTAL • Comprehensive General Dentistry • Advanced Cosmetic Techniques • Implants 1325 Birch Avenue, Cottage Grove 541.942.2471 Park W. McClung, DDS & Tammy L. McClung, DDS Dr. Bitner D.D.S., P.C. 350 Washington Ave • Cottage Grove Lumineers The Most Natural Veneer (behind International Fitness) 541-942-7934 The Bohemia Mining Days Board put a request out for volunteers to help set up and take down the event during the city council meeting on Monday, June 26. By Caitlyn May The Bo- cmay@cgsentinel.com hemia Min- Douglas G. Maddess, DMD Preventive and Cosmetic Family Dentistry New Patients Welcome 914 South 4th St. • Cottage Grove • 942-1559 Dr. Shane Parsons 605 Jefferson Ave. Cottage Grove Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Emergency appts. available daily New patients welcome 2 Hygienists available • Same friendly and caring staff Please call for an appointment at 541-942-9171 Benjamin R. Thornton, D.D.S., M.S. Pharmacies BI-MART Pharmacy OPEN at 9am Mon. - Sat. • Convenient Walk-Up Window 100 Gateway Blvd. • 942-9107 To list your business call us 541-942-3325 ing Days Board gave a presentation to the city council on Monday, June 26 and while it focused on the packed schedule for the four- day schedule, it did have one urgent request: volunteers. The group currently has 32 residents signed up to help manage the chaos of BMD but according to organizers, the more, the merri- er. Nine different committees are expected to contribute to the tra- ditional festival that will host an historical treasure hunt, history talks, a parade, silent auction, carnival and live music. But according to the board, those events and attractions don't set themselves up. "We have been given 50 tick- ets to the Home Free concert to give away to people willing to donate their time to help up set up and take down Bohemia Mining Days," said festival co- ordinator Cindy Weeldreyer. To volunteer, and win a chance at tickets, visit bohemiamining- days.org. WOE gets $2,000 for lights By Caitlyn May cmay@cgsentinel.com The WOE Fairgrounds Board got its wish: funding for a light- ing system at the fairgrounds. The request came after the budget cycle for the city closed but according to fair board offi - cials, the lighting, or lack there- of at the site made for a danger- ous situation. The board had previously requested funds or assistance from the city council after fail- ing to meet budget time lines. After speaking with Cottage Grove City Manager Richard Meyers, the group compiled a list of needs and presented it to the board on Monday night. While WOE Fairgrounds Vice President Ken Schwieger pre- viously told The Sentinel that several projects on the grounds were in need of funding, WOE requested the $2,000 to com- plete the installation of six LED lights. The city council, in approving the overall city budget prepared to make a motion to amend the budget to include the requested $2,000. However, community development and planning di- rector Faye Stewart noticed that the request did not take into ac- count the cost of permits to per- form the work. After amending the amend- ment to include an additional $500 for permit costs, the city approved the budget and gave the green light to the WOE's funding request. The money is set to come from the communi- ty promotions fund. The city completed its budget process earlier this year with $28,000 in room tax funds go- ing to the chamber of commerce and the local museum to fi x its faulty roof. The chamber was alloted $8,000 for printing costs in addition to the money already earmarked for the organization to promote Cottage Grove Currently, the fairgrounds earns money through means in- cluding gate charges for events and overfl ow parking from the race track. However, the WOE does not charge the 4-H club which utilizes the grounds, ac- cording to Schwieger. It also does not charge a fee for the group putting on the lumberjack show or the Friends of the Cot- tage Grove Carousel for storing the antique carousel pieces in a barn on the property. “As far as income, we don’t have much,” said Schwieger. Councilman Mike Fleck made the motion to approve the WOE funds and councilman Ken Roberts seconded. The mo- tion passed unanimously. COMMUNITY BRIEFS Library meetings Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library have their meetings on the last Monday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Drain library. Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings. BMD volunteers Applications for volun- teers for Bohemia Mining Days are now available at The Sentinel, public library, KNND and com- munity center. Concerts in the Park Concerts in the Park start this Wednesday with Jerry Zybach and Blues Kats. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. in Bohemia Park. Everyone is invited to attend. Art Walk Art Walk is set for this Friday beginning at 6 p.m. and running until 8 p.m. on Main St. in downtown. Music Festival The annual People's Pick Live Music Festival is set for June 30 and July 1 in Bohemia Park . Local artists are set to perform including 2106, Daybots and Crooked Day. Symphony The symphony is coming. Help pay for it by buying a chocolate bar at city hall.