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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 2016)
Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 30, 2016 5A Lavier: Kids keep her driven Toys: Apply now Continued from Page 1A “Oftentimes, if you see a student with Down syn- drome, especially in ele- mentary schools, you’ll see kids get out of their way be- cause they don’t really know how to act around those kinds of kids,” Spencer con- tinued. “If you walk into Shana’s classroom, she’ll be playing a joke on one of her students. The kids love it and feel comfortable there. She allows them to excel in the areas they can excel at.” Lavier ensures that out- side pressures and labels don’t play a role inside her classroom. “I really think it’s because when you walk into that classroom, it doesn’t matter if you are the best athlete, if you are a geek, or class president, most popular or least popular,” Peffley said. “When you walk into the room, you are just you. The kids love you for who you are inside. Nothing else matters.” The school’s peer tutor- ing program has had to turn kids away because of the sheer number of students interested in tutoring for the DLC. Those who become tu- tors say it becomes clear why Lavier connects with her students. “She’s so outgoing and fun and upbeat,” Dallas senior Ashlee Lichtenberger said. “That’s what the kids need. She talks through things with them instead of screaming at them. She just adores them.” It’s not just the special education students who have seen a transformation. “You can’t not go through some type of evolution,” Lavier said. “I think empa- thy is a big one. Some of these kids may never have worked with a kid with autism before. … Nobody is discriminated against here. We give everyone a purpose and something to feel good about. Everyone is welcome here.” Her goal is to enrich the lives of and teach the stu- dents within the DLC, but Lavier’s influence has ex- tended far beyond that. Lavier has been head vol- leyball coach since 2013. Coaching makes her schedule during the fall hectic — but it also keep her calm. “I think having that inter- action with students is im- through Dec. 7 shana Lavier, Bryar eames, Becca Boyce, McKenzie devault, Jacob Peffley and Parker Peterson share a moment together during the school day. Continued from Page 1A Toy donations or finan- cial contributions can be • Donations for Toys for made at Toys for Tots local Tots (toys and financial “headquarters” at Fee Mail donations) can be Depot in Monmouth. dropped off at Fee Mail Weston’s other charity Depot, 169 S. Broad St. in passion is the Monmouth- Monmouth. Hours are Independence Christmas Monday through Friday Project, which provides 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dona- holiday food boxes to 425 tion also can be made at households on average www.toysfortots.org. To each year. ensure donations go to Applications are still Polk County children, se- being accepted on Tues- lect Oregon, then Polk County. days and Wednesdays from • Toy donations can be 1 to 5 p.m. through Dec. 7 made at a several busi- at the Independence nesses and organizations Women’s Clubhouse, 340 S. in Polk County. For more Third St. in Independence. information: 503-917- “Adopters” for families 9181 or toysfortotspolk served by the project are @gmail.com. needed, Weston said. • Monmouth-Indepen- Those with questions dence Christmas Project about the program can call needs adopters for fami- 503-339-4955. lies in need. For more in- formation: 503-339-4955. Weston said many calls Spanish: 971-388-3328. have been coming in, and people shouldn’t be dis- couraged if they can’t reach someone right away. “They need to leave a message,” she said. We will get back to you.” Once upon a time, Lavier’s shift to the DLC was considered a temporary so- lution, Steve Spencer said. It’s safe to say the “tem- porary” has been removed. “Every day is an adven- ture in this room,” Lavier said. “I have kids who grad- uated two or three years ago, ask me how the kids are doing. They tell me this was their favorite class. That’s humbling to me.” Falls City’s fire department volunteers work during its 2015 toy drive. You can help SHANA LAVIER/ Itemizer-Observer portant,” Lavier said. “I think so many special edu- cation teachers sort of iso- late themselves from the rest of the population, and when that happens, I think that’s when burnout can occur.” Perhaps Lavier’s greatest lessons to her students have nothing to do with school work. “I b e l i e v e h e r d r i v e comes from watching stu- dents work towards their potential, and then to see that they have even more potential than they thought,” principal Steve Spencer said. Lichtenberger and Ryan Spencer are just two of the numerous current and for- mer students who are pur- suing careers in special ed- ucation because, in part, of their time with Lavier. “She’s taught me so many things,” Lichtenberger said. “She wrote my letter of rec- ommendation. I feel like I’m a lot happier now. I’m more outgoing and upbeat like Lav is. I trust so much better because I can trust these kids with anything. It’s been a life changing experi- ence.” LUCKIAMUTE DOMESTIC WATER COOPERATIVE BOARD MEETING Matinees are all shows before 6pm. New pricing for matinees are: Adult $8.00 Children $7.00 • Senior $7.25 Pricing does not reflect 3D showings. 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A y A 7 d s 9-6 • sat 9-5 i Mon-Fr un 10-4 s Rick 503-437-5398 Ruben 503-915-2080 4075 ne Three Mile Lane, McMinnville, oR www.macrvsales.com Next to the Spruce Goose Aviation Museum macrvsales@gmail.com Solution on Page 10A Monday 7:00 p.m. December 12th 503-838-2075 Location: Business Office 8585 Suver Rd. • Monmouth JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer file
