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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 2016)
Polk County Education/News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 13, 2016 15A OBITUARIES BYOD: Screen time helps kids learn Continued from Page 6A Sharon Kay Smith May 10, 1949 – Dec. 28, 2015 Sharon Kay Smith, 66, of Monmouth, died Dec. 28. She was born to Clarence and Dorothy Smith in McMinnville. Sharon gave the world her sweetness, laughter and love of living in the mo- ment. She had a love- ly smile and a wicked sense of humor. She loved new foods, going for rides, and enjoyed hot tubs, swimming and water. Survivors include her brother, Tom (Deb) Smith, of Amity; and brother, Kerry Smith and his wife, Marcella Weaver, of Eugene. Sharon’s life will be cele- brated on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Partnerships for Community Living, 480 Main St. E., in Monmouth. Farnstrom Mortuary in In- dependence handled arrangements. To send an online tribute: www.FarnstromMortuary. com. John D. Ratzlaff Nov. 18, 1947 – Jan. 7, 2016 John D. Ratzlaff, 68, of West Salem, died Thursday in Salem. He was born in Omaha, Neb., to Alvin and Elvera Rat- zlaff. J o h n grew up on the family farm in Orienta, Okla. He attended Orienta Elementary School and later graduated from Oklahoma Bible Academy. He graduat- ed with his Bachelor of Arts from Grace Bible Institute, where he met his sweetheart Dee. John and Dee married on Sept. 12, 1970, in Mt. Lake, Minn. In faith, they moved to Oregon in 1971 where John had been hired as the first youth pastor at the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church in Dallas. In 1974, they moved to West Salem and John started his career with State Farm Insur- ance. John was past presi- dent of West Salem Rotary and the West Salem Business Association. He was also past board chair at Salem Academy and a past board member of the Salem Free Clinics. John was an active member of Salem Alliance Church. John’s faith in Jesus Christ was the most important thing to him, and he reflect- ed that by the way he loved people. He would invite peo- ple into his office and talk about hot rods, family, and occasionally insurance. John enjoyed boating on Detroit Lake and teaching people how to water ski. Classic car shows gave him the oppor- tunity to spend time with his high school buddies and visit with people. John was very proud of his sons and loved his grandchil- dren. He made it a priority to be present at their sporting events and programs. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Dee; sons, Mitch (Kelleigh) Ratzlaff and Travis (Brandee) Ratzlaff; brother, Stanley Ratzlaff; sister, Ruth Buller; and five grandchildren. Memorial service is Friday at 1 p.m. at Salem Alliance Church. Contributions are sug- gested to the Salem Free Clinics in care of Dallas Mor- tuary Tribute Center which handled arrangements. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Continued from Page 16A “I teach all three grades (sixth through eighth) and I teach students from strug- gling readers to gifted and talented students,” she said. “The technology that we have has really helped me be able to reach, personally, all of their levels of develop- ment. It’s huge.” Richardson said the school still is ironing out the details and piloting other programs for next year. He said about 80 per- cent of teachers at the school are using technology in some form in their class- rooms and more are begin- ning to see the benefits. He added students are LCMS technology standards • Creativity and Innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and develop innovative prod- ucts and processes using technology. • Communication and Collaboration: students use digital media and environ- ments to communicate and work collabo- ratively, including at a distance, to sup- port individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. • Research and Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. making strides at using their devices and social media — Facebook, Twitter and Insta- gram are used in some class- es — responsibly. “We’ve lifted the concept • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making: Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct re- search, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using ap- propriate digital tools and resources. • Digital Citizenship: Student under- stand human, cultural and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. • Technology Operations and Concepts: Students demonstrate a sound under- standing of technology concepts, systems and operations. that cellphones are bad — put them away, we don’t want to see them,” Richard- son said. “In the kids own words, they feel trusted. I think that goes a long way, especially with this age group, when they feel trust- ed, they have a sense of re- sponsibility.” “I think it’s a changed cul- ture in our school,” he said. Dallas district to host meeting on policy By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — The Dallas School District will hold a special meeting Tuesday to address concerns about its policy allowing a transgen- der boy to use the boys locker room and restrooms at Dallas High School. Board Chairwoman Lu Ann Meyer said the board will ask questions of legal counsel and representatives from Oregon School Boards Association. Community members also would be in- vited to ask questions. Community members packed the board’s Dec. 14 meeting and the majority of those who commented wanted the district to change its policy to protect the privacy of all students. The policy was the sub- ject of several comments at the board’s meeting Mon- day. “The students of all Dallas schools deserve to know they are safe and their rights are protected,” said Dallas resi- dent Blaine Barklow, who spoke in favor of the policy and thanked the board. She had signed a petition supporting the policy and spoke Monday after reading about the comments at the Dec. 14 meeting. “I’m deeply concerned about our community,” she said. “What I heard and read doesn’t reflect the Dal- las I know and the values of our community.” Several others spoke in favor of the policy, includ- ing representatives of Basic Rights Oregon and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Educa- tion Network. Others were not support- ive of the policy. Parents and other com- munity members testified the policy violates the pri- vacy and religious rights of the other students. “There will be conse- quences, potentially legal, for your administrators and district staff who must im- plement faulty policy which does not protect rights of privacy, safety and comfort for all,” said Dallas resident Kim Conolly. Conolly said families may refuse to move to Dallas or move out of the district be- cause of the policy. She urged the board to develop a policy that is mindful of all students. “Let us not look to mu- nicipal policies,” she said. “They don’t offer guidance for school boards. Students are minors.” Learn more: DSD special board meeting is Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Dallas Civic Center, 945 SE Jefferson St. !NEW LOCATION! Naomi #22 OES ANNUAL 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 29 at United Methodist Church 565 SE LaCreole Dr., Dallas Bowl of Stew, Biscuits, Piece of Pie per person & Beverage 7 $ 00 For information 503-623-8442 Supports Projects of Dallas Naomi Chapter #22, Order of Eastern Star www.polkio.com A Pleasant Place to Buy or Sell Your RV CALL TODAY FOR A NO-CHARGE EVALUATION. OPEN K! WEE 7 DAYS A • Sat 9-5 Mon-Fri 9-6 -4 Sun 10 Rick 503-437-5398 Ruben 503-915-2080 4075 NE Three Mile Lane, McMinnville, OR www.macrvsales.com Next to the Spruce Goose Aviation Museum macrvsales@gmail.com An informative class offered by Matt Davies, Professor of Religion Understanding Islam Pencil us in! www.polkio.com To be held at Trinity Church, 320 SE Fir Villa Rd, Dallas, Oregon • 503-623-2233 Session 2—Jihad and Terrorism .....Sunday, January 17, 6:30-8:00 pm Session 3—American Muslims.......Sunday, January 24, 6:30-8:00 pm Each class will include a lecture followed by a half-hour question and answer session. Attend any or all sessions. Free Open to the community. Childcare provided.
