Polk County News
14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 21, 2016
SCHOOL NOTES
WOU ranks highest in college report
MONMOUTH — Western Oregon University is ranked 19th
among top public schools in the regional universities category by
the U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 higher education rankings re-
leased on Sept. 13. WOU is also ranked 67th overall in regional uni-
versities. Both marks are the highest among Oregon’s public uni-
versities.
For more information about the rankings: www.colleges.us-
news.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/western-oregon-uni-
versity-3209.
Group calls for investment in tests
LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer
Students at Ash Creek Elementary School chase after their hot air balloon on Sept. 21.
Project helps students lift off
By Lukas Eggen
The Itemizer-Observer
INDEPENDENCE — The sky over
Ash Creek Elementary School got a lit-
tle more colorful on Sept. 14.
Teacher Dale Claussen helped three
fourth-grade classes and one fifth-
grade class launch handmade hot air
balloons.
The event was the talk of the school
— with other classes coming out to
watch the big launch — but it also
taught the students some valuable les-
sons along the way.
“It introduces them to energy trans-
fer, density, mass and other scientific
principles,” Claussen said.
Just as important was the process it
took to get their ballons ready.
“It’s so effective because they have
to work as a team to solve problems
together,” Claussen said.
The students worked together to
make their balloons and to try and
patch up holes during the launch so
their balloons could fly over and over.
As the balloons took flight, the stu-
dents chased after them with glee.
And even when things didn’t go ac-
cording to plan — three balloons
SALEM — A legislatively required work group that evaluates the
state’s Smarter Balanced end-of-year assessment released a report
with recommendations for considerations by the State Board of
Education.
The report calls on the state to invest in a comprehensive suite
of tools to ensure students, educators, and families receive a more
holistic picture of their child’s knowledge and skills through
quizzes, activities, and interim assessments.
The report, which was approved by 33 education leaders from
school districts and other organizations and was required by 2015
House Bill 2680, also recommends that the ODE reach out to par-
ents and communities to better explain the purpose of statewide
summative assessments and the need for comprehensive, bal-
anced assessment systems.
For more information: http://sos.oregon.gov/audits/Docu-
ments/2016-21.pdf.
Salem Health donates backpacks
SALEM — Salem Health, which includes Salem Health West Val-
ley in Dallas, gave out 370 backpacks filled with school supplies to
students in need in Polk and Marion counties.
This is the third year of the giveaway, which has Salem Health
asking area schools for their supplies list and its employees pur-
chasing the items to donate.
“We set a goal to collect 200 backpacks this year,” said Ralph
Yates, Salem Health’s chief medical officer. “Our staff blew away
that goal by donating 370 backpacks loaded with school supplies.”
The backpacks were delivered to schools and given out during
“back-to-school nights” or when students registered for school.
Scholarships open to military spouses
LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer
Teacher Dale Claussen (center) and students watch as a balloon catches fire.
caught on fire — reactions ranged
from regret to excitement over seeing
the quick blaze.
The biggest lesson Claussen hoped
students took away had little to do
with science. though.
“They have a lack of self-confi-
dence,” Claussen said. “They think
that it was wrong or if they didn’t do it
perfectly that their balloon wouldn’t
fly. I want to get these kids away from
‘it has to be perfect to be good’ to ‘it
has to be good enough.’ I want the
kids to achieve something to get
greater self-confidence and be willing
to take healthy risks.”
POLK COUNTY — National nonprofit Hope for the Warriors has
opened its Spouse/Caregiver Scholarship application period for
spring 2017.
The Spouse/Caregiver Scholarship program identifies, recog-
nizes, and rewards military spouses and caregivers.
Scholarships include: Honorary Scholarship — awarded to
those seeking graduate or post-graduate degree; New Beginnings
Scholarship — awarded to those pursuing entry level classes or
training; Restoring Family Scholarship — awarded to spouses of
the fallen; Restoring Hope Scholarship — awarded to a masters of
social work student; and Restoring Self Scholarship — awarded to
those seeking any undergraduate degree.
The application process for the spring 2017 scholarships will be
open from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31. Scholarship winners will be an-
nounced mid-December on www.hopeforthewarriors.org.
To apply go to www.hopeforthewarriors.org/transition/spouse-
caregiver-scholarships/.
For more information, email scholarships@hopeforthewar-
riors.org.
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