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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 2016)
Polk County Education 14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • March 9, 2016 SCHOOL NOTES Nominate now for Teacher of the Year SALEM — The Oregon Department of Education is accepting nominations for the 2017 Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes an outstanding teacher as a represen- tative of all the educators in Oregon and gives Oregonians an opportunity to share information on teachers who are making a diference in their communities. Anyone can nominate a teacher for the award, but teachers may not nominate themselves. Candidates should be excep- tionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled teachers who have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and col- leagues. They should inspire students of all backgrounds, play an active role in their community and school, and be poised and articulate representatives of all Oregon classroom teachers. Nominations are open until May 13. For more information or to make a nomination: http://ore- gonteacheroftheyear.org/. Hospital scholarship applications due JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer Ryan Nguyen, left, keeps time as teammates Kahl Murdock and Gavin Boyson take turns driving their robot during a practice on Monday afternoon. The LaCreole Middle School trio is headed for Vex Robotics IQ World Championships. GOING FOR THE BIG ONE LaCreole robotics team heads to world championships in April By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — LaCreole Mid- dle School robotics team “Shift” didn’t start this sea- son with the perfect robot. That wasn’t a problem. Shift members Kahl Mur- dock, Gavin Boyson and Ryan Nguyen made contin- uous improvements in its robot prototype. Shift was on its third version on Feb. 27 when it took a state title at the Vex Robotics IQ Ore- gon State Championships. “ We’ve lear ned from many mistakes,” Kahl said, smiling. The achievement is more than just creative robot building. Teams are tested on their skill level in operat- ing and programming their robot, their use of design, and teamwork. Competitors have to keep detailed engi- neering journals and be able to explain their projects to judges during competition. If that is not enough, teams are required to con- duct a science experiment and report on the results to another set of judges. To win, the team has to score high in a majority, if not all, of those compo- nents. In a surprise to the team — but certainly not to ro b o t i c s c o a c h Ja c o b Gradek — Shift did, earning a trip to the Vex Robotics IQ World Championship in Louisville, Ky., in April. The team still isn’t satis- fied with its robot. Team members did some research on their competition and re- alized it is going to have to score a lot more points on the field to have a chance at a good showing. They tested a new proto- type Monday, methodically noting the fixes they will have to complete before the competition. Gradek said it been fun to watch the team improve throughout the season. “Clearly, though, these guys, as far as robot build- ing, they don’t need me any- more,” he said. Gradek is focusing on helping the team with other aspects of the competi- tion — and raising funds to get the team to the tourna- ment. “Last year, the high school had a team go to worlds,” Gradek said. “It’s neat to see this team follow in their footsteps.” Ryan said he’s looking for- ward to “the experience of going to a big competition.” Gavin and Kahl — who both want to go into tech- nology fields — noted that college recruiters were going to be at the competition. Gradek said he believes Shift is up to the challenge. “I’ve never seen a team work this well before,” Gradek said. “It’s what got them there.” LaCreole has paid for the team’s entry costs, but travel costs will be up to the stu- dents. The team will be at Wal-Mart Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. collecting bottles and cans. A Go Fund Me account has been set up for expenses https://www.gofundme.com /6c4r3w. POLK COUNTY — Salem Hospital Foundation Scholarship program is taking applications for half- of full-time students in medically related ields. Applicants must live in Polk or Marion counties or be a cur- rent employee at Salem Hospital, must have applied to a col- lege in their ield of health care study and must have complet- ed all prerequisite classes before applying for this scholarship. Applications must be postmarked by May 10 to be consid- ered. Final selections will be announced by June 30. For more information, visit www.salemhealth.org/scholar- ships and click on the Salem Hospital Foundation Scholarship link or call 503-561-5576. Central High hosting ‘Trades Day’ INDEPENDENCE — Willamette Promise, BuildOregon, and CHS will host "Trades Day/Career Expo" at Central High School Friday. During the event businesses and schools will share informa- tion and educate students about construction and manufactur- ing careers in Oregon industry as well as other careers and jobs. Topics that will be covered include: industry exploration, appli- cations, resumes, interviews and industry search. For more information, contact Prindi Flug at plug@central.k12.or.us or 503.606.2240. WOU, teachers reach agreement MONMOUTH — Western Oregon University and the WOU Federation of Teachers released a joint press release on Feb. 24 that the two had come to an agreement. Both President Rex Fuller and WOUFT president Mark Perl- man said they were glad to conclude bargaining. “I am pleased that we have reached an agreement through the bargaining process and that the contract will improve all faculty salaries as Western moves to have its salaries relect market conditions,” Fuller said. The faculty at WOU had been working without a contract since January. ACADEMIC HONORS Isham makes SPU’s dean’s list SEATTLE — Lauren Elaine Isham of Dallas made the Seattle Paciic University 2015 autumn quarter’s Dean’s List. Students on the dean's list have completed at least 12 cred- its and attained a 3.50 or higher grade-point average. Recycle this newspaper.
