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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (March 16, 2016)
Polk County Education 14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • March 16, 2016 BOOK DRIVE SCHOOL NOTES CSD superintendent to host tours Community asked to share literacy through donated books By Emily Mentzer Spread love of reading The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH/INDEPEN- DENCE — A book drive is underway to help children in Central School District by increasing their home li- braries. “The goal is … to coordi- nate with some of the local teachers,” said Arturo Var- gas, community impact and engagement director of the United Way of the Mid- Willamette Valley. “They are already working directly with families and young children. As soon as they get the books, they’re going to be delivered to those kids and families.” Reading has been an indi- cator of success in educa- tion, Vargas said. “Unfortunately, many families in our region do not have the means to purchase enough books for their chil- dren,” he said. “Consequent- ly, a large percentage of young students enter school with a high deficit in reading and are not able to perform well in school.” People may donate new or gently used children’s picture or chapter books, which will be distributed through the Fostering Hope Initiative among the area’s youth and to local free little libraries in the area, Vargas said. The book drive is a com- bined effort of the United Way through the Reading for All initiative, Roth’s Fresh Markets, the Foster- ing Hope Initiative, and local college volunteers, Vargas said. Bilingual books are of par- ticular importance, Vargas said. “As you know, 38 percent of the population in Inde- pendence has a Latino back- ground,” he said. “They speak Spanish at home, so it EMILY MENTZER/ Itemizer-Observer Little Free Libraries, like this one in front of the Mon- mouth Montessori School, could pop up in more places. would be a plus if they had bilingual books so parents can read to their kids in their own language.” Learning to read in any language is important, and increasing fluency in more than one language can be beneficial, Vargas said. “Knowing two or three different languages definite- ly gives us a different out- look on life and the capacity of the brain,” he said. Because reading is so crit- ical to learning, it is crucial for community members to get involved in ways to help kids become readers, Vargas said. “Get involved in local schools or create your own reading club,” he said. “If we had one of those little li- braries on every corner, or every other corner, of every neighborhood in Polk Coun- ty, that would be fantastic. It What: United Way of the Mid-Willamette Val- ley Book Drive. When: Now through March 31. Where: Drop-of loca- tions are: Central Com- munity Resource Center, 1610 Monmouth St., In- dependence; Independ- ence City Hall, 555 S. Main St.; Roth’s Fresh Markets, 1410 Mon- mouth Ave., Independ- ence; Western Oregon University, Werner Uni- versity Center, 345 Mon- mouth Ave. N., Mon- mouth. Of note: Right now, no drop-of locations are available in Dallas. If you would like to serve as a drop-of location for Dal- las, email Arturo Vargas at avargas@united- waymwv.org. All books donated go to children in that location. Books should be new or gently used and may be age-ap- propriate for infants through middle school. Cash donations also will be accepted. For more informa- tion: unitedway mwv.org/childrens-book- drive-2016. would be great having fami- lies come together and say- ing, ‘Yes, we would like to have a little house outside of our property.’” In addition to donating gently used or new books to the book drive, people can donate to local United Way education projects, become a reader for Start Making a Reader Today at local ele- mentary schools, or build a little library in your neigh- borhood. MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE — Central School District Su- perintendent Buzz Brazeau will hold school walk-throughs for the community. The events are meant to give community members a peak into classrooms throughout the district. To participate in a tour, contact the district oice at 503-606- 2251. The schedule is: Monmouth Elementary School, 9 to 10:30 a.m. on March 31; Independence Elementary School, 1 to 2:30 p.m. on April 5; Talmadge Middle School, 9 to 10:30 a.m. on April 7; and Central High School from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on April 14. Bond committee to host public forums MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE — Central School District board member Steve Moser said the bond exploratory commit- tee has made visits to all the buildings in the school district. Moser said that, in addition to previous concerns about facil- ities, the committee was told that boilers at Ash Creek Elemen- tary School were at the end of their life. He compared the boil- ers and other parts used to build the school to car parts. “When you talk about car parts, it’s good, better and best,” Moser told the board at its March 7 meeting. “We put in good. We should have been looking at best. So unfortunately, we have to ix it.” The school board will host a community forum before mak- ing a decision in May on whether or not to pursue a facilities bond. If a bond were to be placed on the ballot, it would be in November. Hofferber is Distinguished Educator Hofferber DALLAS — Lyle Elementary School irst- grade teacher Stephanie Hoferber is Dallas School District’s February Distinguished Ed- ucator. Andrew Woolsey, parent of a former stu- dent, nominated Hoferber. He said she “played a critical role in helping my son make measurable academic gains.” “Her dedication to her students and gen- uine care for their well-being will change the lives of many of our future generations,” Woolsey added. Her students said: “She had kindness” and “She cares for us.” The Distinguished Educator Program recognizes “excellence in teaching and learning” in Dallas School District schools. Dallas High Choir Cabaret is Friday DALLAS — The Dallas High School choir is putting on Cabaret Friday at the high school, 1250 SE Holman Ave. The show, a fundraiser for the program, will begin with the choir singing a few songs as a group. After that, singers will per- form solo or in small ensembles singing music of their choice. Cabaret begins at 7 p.m. and admission is $3 for students and seniors and $5 general. Tickets are available at the door. For more information: 503-623-8336.
