Polk County Education
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 3, 2016 15A
Grad: Schools assisting students early Western Oregon
Continued from Page 1A
Spencer said the school is
working to identify students
needing assistance sooner
and has assigned its teach-
ers in those areas a group of
students to track and pro-
vide interventions if need-
ed.
“It’s nice to see the hard
work paying off,” Spencer
said.
He added part of the gain
is providing kids access to
dual credit through
Willamette Promise and
other higher education op-
portunities, such as the
fifth-year program Extend-
ed Campus.
Working toward a goal of
college keeps kids motivat-
ed to finish strong in high
school, Spencer said.
“This gives us an opportu-
nity to challenge those at the
top and provide interven-
tions for those who might
need them,” Spencer said.
Perrydale has taken a sim-
ilar strategy to get to the 100
percent mark.
“We have a very dedicated
staff that looks out for the
students,” said Superinten-
dent Eric Milburn.
Milburn said his staff tries
to identify students who may
have struggles early and offer
plenty of opportunities for
extra help.
Perrydale hosts daily
study sessions and has staff
on hand on Fridays at least
once a month for students to
put in extra time.
He added the school will
have to remain as vigilant to
ensure this year’s senior
class can achieve the same
amount of success.
“I think we are just always
evaluating and analyzing
and making sure they (stu-
dents) have additional sup-
port,” Milburn said. “It’s a
whole team effort where we
are making sure kids are ac-
complishing.”
Falls City’s rate slid to 50
percent from 60 percent the
year before. The district’s
2014-15 senior class consist-
ed of 12 students.
Su p e r i n t e n d e n t Ja c k
Thompson said by the end
of this year, all but two of
last year’s seniors will have
completed their graduation
or GED requirements.
“The sad thing is that
does not get recorded by the
state,” Thompson said. “The
most important thing is that
they continue to try and end
up succeeding. We are
proud of the hard work our
students put into their edu-
cation.”
K ings Valley Char ter
School, which is located in
Benton County’s Philomath
School District but serves
many Polk County students,
saw a four-year grad rate of
62.5 percent for its class of
eight seniors.
ODE’s report included
each district’s four-year
completer rates, which in-
cludes students who
earned adult high school
diplomas or GEDs within
four years.
Those rates for Polk
County schools were: Cen-
tral, 86 percent; Dallas, 84
percent; Falls City, 58 per-
cent; and Perrydale, 100
percent.
Fifth-year rates, which in-
clude students who enrolled
pays reduced fine
as freshmen in 2010-11 and
graduated or completed in
five years, where: Central, 83
percent completion rate and
88 percent completion rate;
Dallas, 82 percent grad rate
and 86 percent completion
rate; Falls City, 50 percent
grad rate and 60 percent
completion rate; and Perry-
dale, 87 percent grad rate
and 87 percent completion
rate.
The state also released
dropout rates for 2014-15:
Central, 1 percent; Dallas,
2.75 percent; Falls City, 4.25;
Perrydale, 0; and Kings Val-
ley 0.
The dropout rate repre-
sents the percentage of stu-
dents who left school be-
tween July 2014 and June
2015 and didn’t enroll else-
where.
The statewide four-year
graduation rate rose nearly
two percentage points in
2014-15 to 73.8 percent. The
state’s dropout rate is 4.26
percent.
To view the full report:
http://www.ode.state.or.us/
search/page/?id=2644.
Itemizer-Observer staf report
MONMOUTH — West-
ern Oregon University will
pay a fine of $1,784 to the
Department of Environ-
mental Quality, $10,287 less
than the original fine in July
2015.
The university was fined
$12,071 for allegedly violat-
ing three environmental
quality rules regarding la-
beling and disposal of haz-
ardous waste — silver in
microfiche, paint thinner
and aerosol cans of paint,
President Rex Fuller said in
his presentation to the
WOU board of trustees on
Jan. 27.
“On Sept. 29, 2015, WOU
representatives met with
DEQ officials to discuss al-
ternatives and to seek reso-
lution,” he said.
These discussions, cou-
pled with new information,
led DEQ to reduce the fine
by 26 percent. As part of the
settlement, Western and
DEQ have agreed to a sup-
plemental environmental
project that will mitigate up
to 80 percent of the penalty,
Fuller said.
“The project focuses on
Luckiamute Watershed
Council and its efforts to
enhance riparian water
conditions,” he said. “WOU
also agreed to additional
training to ensure on-going
compliance with environ-
mental regulations.”
To read the original story,
g o o n l i n e t o w w w.
polkio.com.
Dallas, Central high schools to host regional theater competition
Itemizer-Observer staf report
POLK COUNTY — Cen-
tral and Dallas high schools
will be co-hosting 28 school
theater troupes in the Ore-
gon Thespians Southern Re-
gional Acting Competition
on Saturday.
Competitors will vie for
a chance to qualify for the
Oregon State Thespian
Festival at the Salem Con-
vention Center on March
31.
This is the first time Dal-
las has help host a regional
competition and will have
20 students competing and
30 working with judges as
timers.
The competition features
eight non-musical event cat-
egories: solo acting (novice
and experienced); duet act-
ing (comic and dramatic,
novice and experienced);
group acting and pan-
tomime.
There are four musical
event categories: solo, duet,
small group and large group.
The schools competing in
the Southern Regional are:
Academy of Art and Aca-
demics, Ashland High, Cas-
cade, Central, Crook County
High, Dallas High;
Grants Pass High, Kla-
m a t h Un i o n , L e b a n o n
High, Marshfield, McKay,
McNary, Myrtle Point High,
No r t h Me d f o rd , No r t h
Salem, Philomath High,
Phoenix High, Redmond
High;
Redmond Proficiency
Academy, Regis, South Al-
bany, South Eugene, South
Medford, South Salem,
Summit and West Salem.
Co m p e t i t i o n s i n t h e
Northwest Region at Wilson
High School and Northeast
Region at Clackamas High
School happen on the same
day.
For more information:
www.oregonthespians.drea
mhosters.com/?page_id=1
9.
P OLK C OUNTY W ORSHIP D IRECTORY
DALLAS
Calvary Chapel Dallas Currently meeting for
worship and verse by verse Bible teaching at
628 SE Jefferson St. www.calvarydallasor.com
Worship service begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Sunday school is available from youth ministry
and below to nursery. Wednesday evening cafe-
style Old Testament study starting at 6:30 pm.
Come join us for a relaxed study around a cup
of coffee or drink. Mens prayer is Saturday at
7:30 a.m. Womens Bible studies are scheduled
also, call for times. Last Sunday of the month
Jubilee Service, old time hymns and bluegrass
music, 6:30 pm -7:30 pm. Community invited.
The Pastor/Teacher is Larry King. Come join us
and be a part of God's family here in Dallas. For
more information call 503-831-1074.
Church of God of Prophecy New Beginnings
- 575 SW Ash St., (corner of Ash & Stump St.)
Pastor Travis Clemons, 541-671-0375. Bible
Study School 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship
11:00 a.m. We welcome all to come and get ac-
quainted with our Pastor and his wife Christina.
Home Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Associate
Pastor Jim Dickason 503-302-9816.
Church of Christ - 691 N.E. Kings Valley Hwy.
Sunday Class 9:30 A.M. Worship Service 10:30
A.M. Sunday Afternoon Service 2:00 P.M.
Thursday evening Bible Study 7:00 P.M. We fol-
low the New Testament Plan of Salvation in be-
coming a Christian and the Pattern of the N. T.
Church. We would be glad to study the Bible
with you and answer any of your questions. We
would like to present a very helpful one hour
overview of the Bible. Call 503-831-4886.
Dallas Alliance Church - 775 E. Ellendale, Dal-
las, 503-623-2265, Email office@dallasal-
liance.org, Lead Pastor Jim Jamieson; and
Youth/Children’s Pastor Lance Baker; Every
Sunday: classes for all ages at 9:15 a.m., Morn-
ing Worship at 10:30 a.m., (Nursery provided for
a.m. services); Tuesdays: Youth Night 7:00 p.m.
in Ediger Hall; Wednesdays: Adult Prayer Meet-
ing 1:00 p.m., Choir practice 6:45 p.m. Call for
info on current Bible Studies. Web: dallasal-
liance.org.
Dallas Church - PO Box 462, Dallas, OR
97338, 503-623-2711. Worship Gatherings:
Sundays 10am. Meeting at 450 SE Washington
St., Dallas OR 97338. Atmosphere is relaxed,
families & children welcome, come as you are,
current music & relevant teaching about Jesus.
Pastor: Ben Bauman. www.dallaschurch.org
Dallas Foursquare Church—Located at 976
SW Hayter St. on the corner of Washington and
Hayter. Worship Service: Sundays at 10am.
Youth Group: Sundays 6pm to 8pm. Pastor:
Darrin Hausler. We are a multi-generational
church with a heart for our community. Our mis-
sion is to Love God and Love People to Extend
His Kingdom. For more info call us at 503-623-
8277 or visit us online at dallasfour.com.
Dallas Presbyterian Church invites you:
Warm, spirit-filled fellowship with traditional
Sunday worship 10:30 am, engaging discus-
sion study groups, prayer "chain" and a loving
spirit.—Adult Sunday School 9 am, men's
breakfasts Tuesdays at 7 am, women's
groups, needle crafts group and Indoor Play
Park (for children with accompanying parent).
Sensitivity to older adult accessibility and
needs. 789 SW Levens, Dallas. 623-3397
dalpreschurch@gmail.com.
Evangelical Bible Church - 1175 S.E. Howe,
Dallas 503-623-2331. Senior Pastor Jerry
Franz, Visitation Pastor Allan Wiebe, Youth Pas-
tor Nathan Ensz. Sunday: Worship *8:00 a.m.;
*10:45 a.m.; *6:00 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30
a.m.; High School Youth Group 7:00 p.m.;
Thursday: Jr. High Youth Group - 7:00 p.m.; 2nd
& 4th Tuesday: MOPS *9:00 a.m.; Wednesday:
AWANA - 6:30 p.m.; Prayer Meeting & Bible
Study 7:00 p.m.; Thursday: Bible Studies *9:00
a.m. & *7:00 p.m. (women); Thursday Group
Bible Study 2:00 p.m. *Nursery care provided.
Faith Evangelical Free Church - 2290 E. El-
lendale Ave., Dallas, 503-623-8034; Senior
Pastor Al Perkins, Associate Pastor Ed Sutter,
Worship Pastor Ted Kitzmiller, Youth Pastor
Aaron Swank, Ministry of Children & Family
Debbie Davies. Sunday School 9:00 a.m.; Sun-
day Worship 10:30 a.m., Sunday High School
Youth Group 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday Jr. High
Youth Group 7:00 p.m. Please call or visit our
website for information about other meetings.
www.faithfreechurch.org
First Baptist Church - 245 S.W. Church St.,
Dallas, 503-623-5189; www.gofbc.org; Church
Office Hours: Mon - Fri. 10 am - 2:30 pm; Pastor
Rick Bratton 503-551-9561; Sunday School
9:30 a.m., Worship 10:45 a.m., Wednesday
Bible Study 6-7 p.m; Everyone Welcome!
First Christian Church - Joyfully Worshipping &
Serving 1079 S.E. Jefferson Street, Dallas, 503-
623-2569. Pastor Darren Anderson. “Live Wire
Worship” with Praise Team - 8:30 a.m., Adult,
Youth & Children Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.,
Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m. (Nursery pro-
vided), Men’s Bible Study - Thursday, 8:30 a.m.
Christian Women’s Fellowship - 2nd Tuesday,
1:00 pm (Sept through June). Please call church
office for information about other meetings.
Grace Community Church - 598 E. Ellendale
Ave. PO Box 69, Dallas, 503-623-4961. Senior
Pastor-Dave Bertolini, Pastor of Worship & Dis-
cipleship-Ryan Bucher, Pastor of Student Min-
istries-Ben Potloff. Sunday Worship: 1st
Service-9:00 a.m. with Kids, Youth, & Adult Sun-
day School running concurrently. 2nd Worship
Service-10:45 a.m. with Kids Worship running
concurrently. Nursery provided for 0 - 2 year
olds during both services. Office open Tuesday-
Friday for office hours visit our website at
www.graceindallas.org. All are welcome!
Living Hope City Church - 186 SE Mill St.,
Dallas. Family Worship 10:30 am. www.living-
hopecitychurch.org Equipping Center & Offices
186 SE Mill St., Dallas. For more information
call 503-623-6890.
Living Word Faith Fellowship - 830 SE Shel-
ton Street, Dallas, 503-623-9062. Pastor Joan
Siewert. Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. Wednes-
day Worship 7:00 p.m. Children's Sunday serv-
ice 10:00 a.m., nursery provided. Men’s
fellowship second Saturday of month breakfast
at 8:00 a.m. at Murphy’s Restaurant, Dallas.
Pastor Michael Van Dyke in charge of men's fel-
lowship. Call for additional information. Website:
www.proclaimhim.org
Salt Creek Baptist Church - 15075 Salt Creek
Road, Dallas, 503-623-2976. Senior pastor
David Curtis. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday
morning Worship 10:50 a.m. Nursery provided
for worship services. Classes for all ages.
Wednesday Senior High and Middle School
Youth at 6:30 p.m. Please call for information
about other meetings or visit our website at
www.saltcreekchurch.org.
Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 589 SW
Birch, P.O. Box 450, Dallas 97338-0450. 503-
623-5872. Services on Saturday: 9:30 A.M.
Sabbath School Bible Study for all age groups.
10:50 A.M. Worship Service. Office Hours: Mon-
day, Wednesday, Friday, 9 to Noon. Pastor:
Lary Brown
St. Thomas Episcopal Church – 1486 SW
Levens St., Dallas (at the corner of Levens &
Cherry) 503-623-8522. Email: stthomasdalla-
sor@gmail.com www.stthomasdallasor.org
10 AM worship with Holy Eucharist. Father
Fred Heard. Sunday School and Nursery
Care available during worship. The church
has formally adopted a policy of welcoming
and fully affirming individuals who are les-
bian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).
The new policy formalizes and expands on
the church’s longstanding tradition of radical
hospitality towards all people regardless of
race or ethnicity, marital status, disability or
socio-economic status. St. Thomas Wel-
comes you—please join us.
Trinity Lutheran Church - 320 SE Fir Villa Rd,
Dallas, 503-623-2233. Pastor - David Pederson.
Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:00 a.m.; Kids Church during 10:00 a.m. Wor-
ship. Youth Group HS/MS 11:30 a.m. Sundays.
Free Medical Clinic 1st & 4th Saturday of each
month. www.dallastlc.org. Catch us on Facebook.
United Methodist Church – A church with
Open Hearts, Open Minds & Open Doors. 565
SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas, 503-623-2481. Rev.
J. Quinton Kimbrow, Minister. Worship Service
11 a.m. Sunday School for Adults & Youth, 9:30
a.m. Sunday School for Children during worship
service. Child-care available. Handicap access.
All are welcome! Email: dallasumc@qwestof-
fice.net Website: www.sites.umcdallas.com
Valley Life Center (Assemblies of God) -
1795 S.E. Miller Ave., Dallas, 503-623-4116.
Lead Pastor: Chris Barker; Associate Pastor:
Ted Gibson; Children’s Director: Crystal Barker;
Youth Director: Kirk Bathke. Sunday Morning
Service 10:30 a.m., Wednesday Family Night
6:30 p.m. Please call for more information or
visit our website at www.valleylifecenter.com
FALLS CITY
Falls City Christian Church 233 S. Main
Street, Falls City, Oregon 97344, 503-787-3104
Sunday Service: 10 am; www.fallscitycc.com
Falls City United Methodist Church - 242 N.
Main Street, Falls City, 503-851-3213. Pastor
Rebecca Strader. Morning worship Sunday 9:20
am. All denominations are welcome. www.fallsc-
ityumc.org
Mountain Gospel Fellowship - 303 N. Main,
Falls City, 503-787-8037. Sunday School 10:00
a.m., Worship Service 11:00 a.m., Wed. Dinner
6:15 p.m. Everyone welcome just as you are.
Join Us!
Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 205 N. Main,
Falls City 97344, 503-787-3907. Pastor Lary
Brown. Sabbath School Sat. 9:30 am-10:40 am;
Worship Service 11 am. Community Service
Center (Food Bank) third Wed. of each month,
noon-3pm.
INDEPENDENCE
Buena Vista Community Church - 11355
Church St., Buena Vista. Independence. Pastor
Larry Lyon. Morning Worship 11 a.m.
Cornerstone Church of God - 4395 Independ-
ence Hwy, Independence, 503-838-5119. Sun-
day Service 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.
Nursery available.
First Baptist Church - A warm, friendly church
that cares about you! Located at 1505 Mon-
mouth St., Independence (across from Central
High School); 503-838-1001. Senior Pastor
Michael Parks. Sundays: Worship Service 11
am Wednesdays: AWANA 7 pm (during the
school year). Thursdays: Youth Group 6:15pm.
Join us for small groups and life groups through-
out the week. First Baptist Church has min-
istries for children, youth, adults, families and
seniors, throughout the week. Check us out at
www.independencefirstbaptist.com
Life Center Foursquare Church - 437 D
Street, Independence, OR Phone: 503-838-
6507. Pastor Larry Gratreak. Worship Service
and Sunday School starts at 10:30 a.m. Various
Studies, Prayer Groups and Home Fellowships
available throughout the week. Call for more in-
formation. You are welcome! Find us on Face-
book.
St. Patrick Parish, Catholic - 1275 E St., Inde-
pendence. 503-838-5801. Father Henry Guillen
Vega Masses Sat., vigil 5 p.m.; Sunday 9:30
a.m. (English), 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Spanish);
Weekdays Mon, Tues, Wed, & Thurs. 9am, Sat-
urday 7 p.m. (Spanish). Evergreen Nursing
Home; Holy Days 9 a.m. (Eng) & 7 p.m.
(Eng/Span). Sacrament of Reconciliation: Sat
3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Religious Ed-
ucation: RCIA Mon 7:00-8:30 p.m.; Mid-High &
High School Grades Mon 7:00-8:30p.m.;
Grades 1-4 Tues. 7:00-8:30 p.m. WOU Campus
Ministry: Mass Sun. 5:00 p.m. at 315 N. Knox
St., Monmouth followed by a social hour.
MONMOUTH
Christ The King Christian Church - Meets at
959 Church St. W., Monmouth 7:00 pm Satur-
day Night. Christ The King Christian Church is
a conservative, contemporary, charismatic Bib-
lical Church. At Christ the King we learn: the
truths of the Bible, how to live Biblical truths,
how to please God, and how to be a blessing to
all people. Come and join us as we learn and
grow together. Everyone is welcome. Wally
Wildman, senior pastor. For more information
call 503-623-2262. www.ctkmonmouth.com
Christ’s Church Methodist & Presbyterian
United - Come care and share with us. 412
Clay Street West, Monmouth, 503-838-1724.
Pastor Rebecca Strader. Worship Service 11
a.m. Call for information on small groups.
Church of Christ - 127 N. Heffley St., Monmouth,
503-838-2360. Minister - Dan Brewer, Youth Min-
ister - Jon Siegrist. Sunday School 9:45 a.m.,
Worship Service 10:45 a.m., Sunday Evening
Service 6 p.m., Wednesday Service 6 p.m.
Faith Lutheran Church – 200 Monmouth-
Independence Hwy., Monmouth (the church
with the lighted cross on the “S” curve).
Pastor Dallas C.R. Dubke. Sunday School
& Adult Bible Class 9:00 am; Divine Service
of Holy Communion 10:30 am. Wednesday
Soup Suppers 6:00 pm followed by Lenten
Worship at 7:00 pm beginning Feb. 10 (Ash
Wednesday), 17, 24, March 2, 9, 16.
Everyone is welcomed! 503-838-3459.
www.FaithLutheranMonmouth.org;
Monmouth Christian Church - 959 Church
Street W, Monmouth, OR 97361; Office: (503)
838-1145; Fax: (503) 838-1162; Email:
mcc@mymcc.cc; Website: mymcc.cc; Lead
Pastor: Sean Bitzer; Pastors: Ulysses Vela, Mary
Weinbender, & Seth Halligan; Sunday Worship
Service: 10 am, English & Spanish; children’s
programming for birth to 6th grades also avail-
able. Momentum (7th & 8th Grades) meet Tues-
days 6:30-8:00 pm MCC; Join us this Sunday in
person or live online at www.mymcc.tv.
New LIFE Ministries – we’re growing in Polk
County! CHILDREN'S CHURCH NOW AVAIL-
ABLE! We are a God-loving, Bible-believing,
non-denominational church body. This church
is a little different, in that it’s not just a church
service, but is all about being a “service church”.
We strive to seek out and serve the needs of
the community. It is our hope that God will use
us to make a difference. Come join us! We
meet at Henry Hill School 750 S. 5th St. in In-
dependence every Sunday morning at 10:00-
11:00 am. Our minister is Marion Seick. Feel
free to call us at (503) 871-5207. Please come
visit and worship with us this Sunday!"
Praise Assembly 189 Monmouth Ave S., Mon-
mouth (locations in McMinnville and Willamina
as well). Our English worship gathering is 11 am
on Sundays, followed by a Spanish service at 2
pm. Kid’s church available for 12 and under.
Youth group meets at 9:30 Sunday morning.
Other ministries include: Celebrate Recovery
(Tues, 7 pm), College Bible study (Wed, 7 pm),
and Spanish Bible study (Thurs, 7 pm). Please
check our website for the most up-to-date infor-
mation, www.praiseonline.net, or call us at 503-
837-0300.
St. Hilda's Episcopal Church 245 Main St. W.,
Monmouth, 503-838-6087, sthildas church.org
Sunday Eucharist - 10:00 am followed by Fellow-
ship. Children's Sunday School & Adult Bible Study
9:00 am. Wednesday Worship at 8:00 am and
7:00 pm. Nursery care provided. Call for periodic
small groups and celebrations. All are welcome!
Call 503-623-2373
to be added to this directory.