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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 2015)
News & Sports B12 Blue Mountain Eagle Educators share priorities for school year Three new admins take on positions By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle CANYON CITY – School is back in session this week for students of Grant School District No. 3 where there have been a few changes in admin- istration. Curt Shelley is the new dis- trict superintendent, replacing Mark Witty who took on Baker School District’s superinten- dent position. Ryan Gerry has taken the helm as Grant Union’s new principal, and Kim Smith is the new principal of Humbolt Ele- mentary. Andrea Combs is in her third year as Seneca School’s head teacher. She’s been teaching at Sen- eca School since 1998 — she also attended the school as a child — and taught for one year prior to that at Mt. Vernon Mid- dle School. The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Gathering to share their thoughts about the new school year recently are Grant School District No. 3 administrators, including head teacher Andrea Combs, left, of Seneca School, Principal Kim Smith of Humbolt Elementary, Principal Ryan Gerry of Grant Union and Superintendent Curt Shelley gather at the district office. Seneca’s kindergarten through sixth grade school has two teachers, Combs and Kris Metcalf, along with three sup- port staff. “The small staff makes it a tight community,” Combs said. “Our parents are a major part of that caring community.” She said they are focused on targeting instruction to improve � 33OHDVH3MRLQ3XV3IRU3WKH3DQQXDO3 3*UDQW3&RXQW\3&KDPEHU3RI3 3&RPPHUFH3,QVWDOODWLRQ3RI3%RDUG3 30HPEHUV3DQG39ROXQWHHU3 3$SSUHFLDWLRQ 3:HGQHVGD\36HSWHPEHU3WK 3330 3-RKQ3'D\3*ROI3&OXE 3+DSS\3+RXU3333330 3+RUV3G୰RHXYUHV3ZLOO3EH3SURYLGHG 3*XHVW36SHDNHU3ZLOO3EH3 35HSUHVHQWDWLYH3&OLII3%HQW] 33OHDVH356933DV3VRRQ3DV3SRVVLEOH state test scores, and moving forward, learning from the strengths and weaknesses from last year’s data. Combs said they also pro- vide learning experiences, such as trips to Fossil and the Han- cock Field Station, to “broaden the horizons of our students.” “We want to help them see where they can be in the post- K-through-12 education,” she said. Combs and her husband, John, have a son and daughter who attend Grant Union. Kim Smith has worked for the district for 17 years. She started teaching at Mt. Vernon Middle School and has filled a variety of roles over the years, including district diag- nostician, district testing coor- dinator and director of special education. She said she enjoyed work- ing in the different positions with those who assist students in reaching their potential. “Our team’s already worked on a shared vision,” she said. “We want to increase student academic growth, strengthen social skills and boost overall school morale. We’re looking forward to working with fami- lies. We realize their assistance at home makes the biggest im- pact with the students’ overall success at school.” She and her husband, Brent, have two daughters who attend Grant Union. Ryan Gerry spent his ed- ucation career at Prairie City School District 4, his alma mater, teaching elementary through junior high students, serving as athletic director, and three years as superinten- dent-principal. He said he’s looking for- ward to getting to know the students and parents at Grant Union. “It’s important for parents to know our door is always open,” he said. “If they have any questions or concerns, they can feel free to stop by.” He added, “We have a sol- id, dedicated staff to assist their students.” He said he’s looking for- ward to helping the students progress to graduation, “pre- pared for the next step in life.” Gerry’s wife, Samantha, teaches physical education and kindergarten through first grade music at Humbolt. They have three children; two attend Grant Union and one attends Humbolt. Shelley is in his 24th year in the education field. He spent the past eight years at Grant Union, the last five as principal, before be- coming superintendent. Prior to that, he was princi- pal at Culver High School for five years, and with that dis- trict for nine. He also taught at Summit High School in Bend for six years. “I’m excited for the next chapter of my life,” he said. He and his wife, Elizabeth, who is a Grant Union teacher and career coordinator, have two children, a son and daugh- ter who attend Grant Union. “We have a successful district and want to continue to offer a quality education with as many programs as the school budget will allow,” he said. He said one goal of the dis- trict is to regain and prioritize programs such as career and tech, and welding, computer, metal and agriculture. He said art and music also need to have a higher priority. “We love kids,” he said. “I like to see kids grow and ma- ture physically, socially, emo- tionally and academically.” He added he enjoys seeing what the students have become when they complete school. “It’s nice to have kids come back and share the experiences they’ve had related to their edu- cation here,” he said. Wednesday, September 2, 2015 W hat ’ s H appening The deadline for What’s Happening items is 5 p.m. Fri- day. Call Cheryl at the Eagle, 541-575-0710. THURSDAY, SEPT. 3 Library Foundation public meeting • 6-7:30 p.m., Grant County Library front lawn, John Day The Grant County Library Foundation will hold a public meeting regarding the new library building plans. Foundation board members will be at the meeting, and architect David Straus will discuss ideas for the structure. Input from the com- munity is welcome. Refreshments will be provided. The li- brary is at 507 S. Canyon Blvd. SUNDAY, SEPT. 6 Auto tour of the John Day Fossil Beds • 1 p.m., Sheep Rock Unit Drive your own vehicle in a free tour group led by National Park Service staff. The three-hour, 12-mile tour will start at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center nine miles west of Dayville, and travel through the Sheep Rock Unit, with sev- eral stops to discuss geology and fossil sites. Good tires are recommended. Call 541-987-2333. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9 Chamber installation, dinner • 5 p.m., John Day Golf Clubhouse The Grant County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual installation and volunteer appreciation. Food will be provided. Happy hour will be from 5-6 p.m. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) is the guest speaker. THURSDAY, SEPT. 10 Shinyribs in concert at the ranch • 7 p.m., Diamond Hitch Mule Ranch, Kimberly Shinyribs brings its high-energy music to the Diamond Hitch Ranch. Tickets are $20 a person, and camping at the ranch is $15. Monument High School’s Flying Tigers will pro- vide a Texas-style meal of pork ribs, coleslaw and baked beans. The Diamond Hitch Ranch is on State Route 19 between mile- posts 107 and 108. Call 541-934-2140 for more information. Visit Shinyribs at http://shinyribs.org/. SATURDAY, SEPT. 12 Star program • 7:30-9:30 p.m., Thomas Condon Paleontology Center Enjoy an free viewing of the planets, stars and galaxies with a telescope, presented by John Fiedor, National Park Service volunteer, and preceded by an astronomy program. Clear or cloudy skies, a program will be presented. The cen- ter’s fossil museum will be open for touring at 7 p.m. Call 541-987-2333. MONDAY, SEPT. 14 Airport master plan meeting • 5 p.m., Grant County Regional Airport, John Day All are welcome to a kick-off meeting of the Grant County Regional Airport Master Plan project, which will help ensure an effective and optimal development of the airport. Community participation is welcome and appreciated in the master planning process. TUESDAY, SEPT. 15 George Winston in concert • 7 p.m., Prairie City Community Center George Winston returns to Prairie City, bringing his me- lodic folk, New Orleans R&B and stride piano styles in con- cert. Winston’s upcoming album, “Spring Carousel – A Can- cer Research Benefit,” is scheduled for release in 2015. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the performance at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 a person, with all proceeds going to disaster relief and emergen- cy preparedness upgrades at the community center. Support the local food bank by bringing a canned food donation. � VB Continued from Page B1 September 14th-19th If It’s a NAPAGold Filter, It’s On Sale. All oil, fuel, air and hydraulic filters. 721 W. Main St., John Day • 541-575-1850 Open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 8am-5pm • Closed Sunday 02569 - John Day Polaris - Page 1 - Composite The Prospectors squeaked by with a 25-21 win. “We had too many errors in all aspects of the game,” she said. “By the time we played Crane, we worked a lot of that out and started to take care of the ball much better.” The home team defeated Crane 25-17 and Baker 25-16, in pool play. Grant Union soundly de- feated Jordan Valley in bracket play, 25-8 and 25-7, and also kept a lid on Powder Valley, 25-6 and 25-3. The Prospectors’ momen- tum continued going into the championship game against the Tigerscots. “The team was determined Snowmobiles • ATVs • Parts & Service • Razors • Accessories • Clothing The Eagle/Angel Carpenter serving tough.” Prospector senior Kenzie Wilson said the team is excit- ed to begin its league games in a week. “It’s a good thing we came out on top, so we can make a statement,” she said. When asked about a mem- orable part of the game, she said “It definitely feels great whenever the ball hits the floor on a kill.” The Prospectors will play on the road at the Heppner Tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday. The stats Grant Union vs. Weston-McEwen 25-13, 25-11 Whitney McClellan: 1 dig Mariah Moulton: 21 kills, 14 aces (team high), 100 percent serving, 32 digs (team high) to reclaim our home tourna- Sam Brock: 12 kills, 9 aces, 20 digs, 1 solo block, 4 block assists ment title after losing it last Kenzie Wilson: 16 kills, 4 aces, 6 digs, 3 year to Weston-McEwen,” block assists Speth said. “During bracket Kori Pentzer: 43 kills (team high), 12 play, we minimized our er- aces, 24 digs, 2 block assists rors that we saw earlier in Rheanna Cartner: 5 kills, 92 set assists, the day and were able to side 2 aces, 14 digs, 2 block assists out at a high percentage. I Heather Mosley: 18 kills, 7 digs, 3 solo blocks, 5 block assists was pleased with our mental Jocelynn Smith: 2 digs toughness and focus, as well Taylor McCluskey: 4 set assists, 1 dig as converting and - Page Chelsie 5 aces, 26 digs man in offensively pajamas2x4 1 - Kodesh: Composite Grant Union’s Kenzie Wilson prepares to pound the ball in the Prospector home invitational Saturday. A MAN WAKES UP in the morning after sleeping on... an advertised bed, in advertised pajamas. He will bathe in an ADVERTISED TUB, shave with an ADVERTISED RAZOR, have a breakfast of ADVERTISED JUICE, cereal and toast, toasted in an ADVERTISED TOASTER, put on ADVERTISED CLOTHES and glance at his ADVERTISED WATCH. He’ll ride to work in his ADVERTISED CAR, sit at an ADVERTISED DESK and write with an ADVERTISED PEN. Yet this person hesitates to advertise, saying that advertising doesn’t pay. Finally, when his non-advertised business is going under, HE’LL ADVERTISE IT FOR SALE. Then it’s too late. AND THEY SAY ADVERTISING DOESN’T WORK? DON’T MAKE THIS SAME MISTAKE Advertising is an investment, not an expense. Think about it! Blue Mountain Eagle 821 W Highway • John Day, OR • (541) 575-0828 • www.JohnDayPolaris.com MyEagleNews.com Don’t get left behind, call today! Kim Kell 541-575-0710
