Polk County Education
14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 31, 2016
SCHOOL NOTES
OCA to hold an informational meeting
MONMOUTH — Oregon Connections Academy, the free online
public charter school, will have an informational meeting at 5:30
p.m. on Wednesday (today) at Monmouth Public Library, 130 Ecols
St. S.
The meeting is a chance for families to explore the academy’s
program and online school curriculum. They can also speak with
school representatives, and prospective and currently enrolled
families.
For more information: www.oregonconnectionsacademy.com.
Jones heads to spelling championship
SALEM — Caleb Jones, of Sheridan, will represent Polk
County at the annual Oregon Statewide Spelling Champi-
onship at the Oregon State Fair from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on
Saturday.
Students competing in the championship have won their
school, district and county written spelling contests.
This is the eighth year Oregon Spellers has sponsored the
championship. Oregon Spellers is an all-volunteer group paid
for by donations and sponsored by the Oregon Association for
Talented and Gifted.
The group was formed after the Oregon Department of Edu-
cation ended its support for the spelling contest in 2009.
For more information: oregonspellers@kaynor.net, or ore-
gonspellers.org.
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
ACADEMIC HONORS
Nathan Gilbert, front, and Seth Hammond work as part of the Falls City School District’s seasonal maintenance crew.
Dressel earns bachelor’s degree
Summer crew expands reach
SPOKANE, Wash. — Jerusha Dressel, of Dallas, has been
awarded a Bachelor of Arts in political science and French,
Summa Cum Laude, from Whitworth University.
Falls City program hires six to seven students during summer
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
FALLS CITY — As summer jobs go,
Kenny Graham can’t think of a better
one than working on the Falls City
School District’s seasonal maintenance
crew.
This is the second summer Graham,
a senior, has worked with the mainte-
nance group under the supervision of
John Gilbert, the facilities manager.
Graham said the work, which ranges
from weeding to painting to waxing
floors, is “exhausting, but fun.” He’s
thinking of making it a career, especial-
ly if he gets to keep his boss.
“I would rather work with John than
anyone else,” he said.
Falls City expanded the program last
year to employ six or seven students,
up from one or two in previous years.
In return for working an average of
three days a week, the students are
paid for two days per month — about
$150 — and get an elective credit.
“There’s not a lot of jobs (in Falls
City),” Gilbert said.
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
Tracy Young, left helps students
work on Aug. 24.
He said he’s grateful the district pri-
oritized funding to expand the pro-
gram, which gives students something
positive to do in the summer and helps
his three-person maintenance crew
through the busiest time of the year.
District officials have noticed a dif-
ference in the schools — and the kids.
Superintendent Jack Thompson said
at a recent Falls City School Board
meeting that the students “have done
an absolutely amazing job.”
“That money that we’ve budgeted to
continue to pay those kids to work a
couple days a week, it’s having benefits
beyond just giving a kid a job in the
summer,” Thompson said. “They are
growing as individuals.”
This year’s team includes: Graham,
Kobe Smith, Phoenix Brown, Chris
Doyle, Nathan Gilbert and Seth Ham-
mond. Like any other summer job, they
had to apply for the position, which of-
fers both a first job experience and
class credit.
Crew members say one of the les-
sons they have learned is how much
work it takes to make sure the school
buildings are in working order. Now,
they want to keep them that way.
See CREW, Page 13A
Dallas student receives scholarship
COQUILLE — Jessica Fenton, of Dallas, is one of eight stu-
dents who received a scholarship from First Community Credit
Union.
Through the Founders Scholarship, six Oregon high school
students and two Oregon college students were awarded
$1,500 each to help with the cost of higher education.
The awards were based on academic achievement, accom-
plishments and an essay.
The scholarship was established in 1999. More information
on how to apply for the 2017 Founders Scholarship will be
available in January.
For more information: myfirstccu.org.
Alzayer takes part in showcase
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. — Riyan Alzayer, of Monmouth,
was one of 32 Saginaw Valley State students chosen to demon-
strate a practical approach to mechanical engineering design at
the SVSU Summer 2016 Engineering Showcase on Aug. 12.
Alzayer is working on a project for a local entrepreneur in-
volving a pump-action handle that controls the speed and
brakes on wheelchairs.
Mechanical engineering majors collaborate with outside
agencies as part of a senior project required before graduation.
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