Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 17, 1992)
wM Overcrowding, staffing at county schools topic at school board meeting P T. S S ! E W E T Z E L L 1 35C azette imes VOL. 111 NO. 23 6 Pages Wednesday, June 17, 1992 Morrow County Heppner, Oregon Overcrowding, and a high student-teacher ratio at schools in North Morrow County, was a topic of discussion at the Morrow County School Board meeting Monday night, June 15. The board discussed the possibility of transferring teachers and cooks from ‘’overstaffed” schools, lone, Heppner Elemen tary School, and Heppner and Riverside High Schools to understaffed schools, Sam Board- man Elementary and A.C. Houghton Elementary. Also discussed was the possibility of combining classes specifically at lone Elementary. ‘‘We’re not going to continue to carry a segment able to enjoy 12 to 15 students in a classroom,” said board member Dwayne Carroll. “ You can’t continue to hire new people when you can combine classes at a lesser number. You’ve got to get better utilization.” Board member John Rietmann differed, however, “ Combining classes in lone will not be the direction we want to go,” he said. “ My recommendation is that a half time teacher should be hired (for Sam Boardman Elementary).” According to figures released at the beginning of the 1991 school year, A.C. Houghton had 60 kindergarten students, Sam Boardman had 50, Heppner Elementary had 32 and lone, 11. First grade students numbered 54 at ACH, 51 at SBE, 35 at HES and 10 at lone. A committee will be formed to study the issues of staffing and overcrowding and establish needs. A.C. Houghton principal Mick Tolar will receive an additional half time kindergarten teacher this fall and Sam Boardman principal Susan Tolar has requested a half time kindergarten teacher because of high kindergarten enrollment. If enrollment continues to in crease at those two schools, there will not be enough class room space, they said. “ After next year there is absolutely no more room,” said Tolar. He said that the school’s enrollment of around 340 at the beginning of the year, increased to around 380 at the end of the year. In other business the board: * accepted the resignation of M ark A tkinson, personal finance/math. Riverside High Senate recount changes little Exchange students enjoy year at lone By Anne Morter Ior.c High School took an in ternational flavor this past year when it became the home school to two exchange Students. Juho Ali-Raatikainen of Finland and Asbjom “ Ice” Sigurdarson of Iceland. The two boys spent the year not only learning about the culture and lifestyles in rural Oregon but also sharing their culture by speaking to numerous groups about their own countries. “ Ice” , 18, lived with host parents Gale and Betty Gray of Lexington. He comes from a small country with a total popula tion of about 250,000 people. His hometown is Dessastadahreppur, population 1100, located about five miles from the capital of Iceland (population 90,000). His father, Sigurdar Asbjomarson, is the mayor of their town, and his mother, Hulda Stefansdottir is a bank cashier in the capital city. He also has three brothers, ages three, five and 14. In Iceland, the mother, father and childen all have different last names. A woman does not take her hus band's name in marriage and the children use a derivative of their father’s first name followed by son or “ dottir” . Surprisingly, Ice says the climate of Iceland is less extreme than the climate of lone, with highs in the summer in the 90’s and lows in the winter around 30 degrees. He also noted that the food here wasn’t that different from home but he was used to eating more lamb and fish. They do eat foods that are unfamiliar to us, such as boiled sheepshead. While he admitted that the dish was tastier than it sounded, he also said that he was not suffer ing from uncontrolled cravings for it. The school system differs dramatically from the current U.S. system but looks much like the Katz plan being proposed for Oregon schools. The first school lasts from age five or six to age 12. Studies become more challenging in the second school that last from age 12 to 16. Upon completion of that segment of education, students choose col lege or a specialized program for ages 16-20. “ Ice” says that school lasts nine months out of the year but the subjects are covered much faster and studies are generally more difficult. All students study the Icelandic language and are required to take Danish, English and their choice of French or German. There are no sports in schools; all sports are done on a club system. “ Ice” used his soccer skills to lend a foot to the Car dinal football team last fall in the kicking department. He also played basketball during his year here. Ice says he had a busy and en joyable stay in lone. He helped Holland, Germany and Australia will arrive in August. Although lone has met its limit for ex change students, she still has students available for Heppner or Boardman. Any family interested in becoming hosts are encourag ed to give her a call at 422-7107 for further information. A Morrow County recount in the U.S. Senate Democratic race saw no change in the Harry Lonsdale vote at 318. Les AuCoin lost one vote in the recount, 314 to 313 and Joseph Wetzel lost two, from 114 to 112. Bob Bell remained the same at 89. Les AuCoin won the May 18 election, but only by a narrow margin over Lonsdale, which prompted the recount. . • • ' ? * • ■ 4 V ‘ „ T- * . i *• ■ ** r * School; * announced the employment of Tonya Martin, instrumental music at Colum bia Junior High/AC Houghton Elementary; Alan Haskins, RHS industrial arts; Lisa Cook, RHS language arts/social studies, teacher and assistant volleyball coach; Gwyneth Franklin, Heppner High School counselor; Patricia Furgerson, CJH language arts and social studies; Jon Horn RHS weight room supervisor/volun- teer; and extra duty contracts as recom m ended by advisory committees; * approved military leave for Steve Dickenson, HHS principal; * passed policy on the d e te n tion of students, discipline, sus pension, expulsion and alternative education programs following expulsion; * authorized the superintendent to award a bid for the SBE gym roof contract on or before July 13; * tabled election of 1992-93 board officers; * adopted the school budget and approved levy of property taxes and appropriation of the budget; * awarded a bid for two 66-passenger and one 78-passenger Bluebird school buses to Western Bus Sales at Clackamas; * awarded a bid for two Ford mowers to Carroll Adams Trac tor Co. at Walla Walla, WA.; * rejected a bid for a dust col lector system for the Columbia Junior High industrial arts program; * heard reports on the propos ed wheelchair lift for Heppner Middle School; * directed the superintendent to pursue policy on law enforcement officers on district property; and * declined to initiate an ap praisal program for district facilities. - »1 . . » < V • -1 1 1 ■ * 7 1 m *„■* + • * • . i i ' • ••• .*fl - > ■ ‘ ■s.; .‘■.wit] I »i-V **• , ' V- - ’ fl Army band to perform at lone July 4th “ Ice” (I), Loren Heideman and Juho spent some time snowmobiling last winter in his host family’s restaurant when they needed help and also worked on a local farm. He tried waterskiing and snowmobiling and topped the year with a much anticipated trip to Disneyland. Ice’s year in lone won’t count for anything academically speak ing, once he returns to Iceland but he definitely accomplished his ob jectives of becoming an exchange student-to try something new and to learn English fluently. His original preference was to go to the southern part of the United States but seems to have found quite a “ home away from home” for himself in lone. He says he will miss his new friends as well as his host parents when he returns home. But he looks for ward to going home where he has more freedom with his own car and less isolation. Juho, 17, comes from the city of Vantaa with a population of 200,000 people. His city is within 15 miles of Helsinki and, together with several other cities that have grown together, the population for the area is around one million. Coming to lone was not a huge shock to him however, since he spends a fair amount of time with his uncles living in the coun tryside. His father, Unto, is an electronic engineer consultant and his mother, Kirkka. teaches han dicrafts at a nearby school. He has one sister, Mari, age 14. His hosts were Della and Loren Heideman and family. One thousand people attend his high school back home. Students attend a comprehensive school lasting from grades one through nine. They then decide on high school or vocational training. High school lasts three years while vocational training lasts between two and five years. For those choosing high school, four to six years of college is the next step. Also, every person must serve a stint in the military after they turn 17 and before reaching age 28. This obligation lasts bet ween eight and 11 months. Just like in Iceland, sports are run strictly on a club system. Juho. an accomplished swimmer, was a member of one of the best water polo teams in Finland for his age group. Finland enjoys four seasons. In the summer, only a few days go above 90 degrees but the humidi ty level is high. The winters are fairly hard. Juho says that they usually get three months of snow and it isn’t unusual to have three feet or more in his city. Since he likes to downhill ski, that suits him fine. Young drivers must wait until age 18 to try for a driver’s license. Even then, they must at tend a special school and pay $1,500 for the license. His host mother jokingly suggested that Juho’s main motivation for com ing to the U.S. was to learn to drive. Juho will probably not have his own car back in Finland. He says that cars are twice as ex pensive as they are here and most families own just one. Juho has done some traveling prior to this trip. On family vaca tions, his family visited various places in western Europe and he attended a swimming camp in the Soviet Union. He wanted to be an exchange student after hearing several friends who had visited the U.S. say what a good ex perience it was. Although his first preference was also the Southern U.S. he wasn’t disappointed with his experience. He says he has been too busy this past year to get homesick. Juho played football, basketball and tennis this past year as well as discovering new sports like waterskiing and snowmobile riding. He also enjoyed a trip to Disneyland and other Southern California destinations with the rest of the senior class shortly after graduation ceremonies. Both boys arrived in lone via the American Swedish- Scandinavian Exchange program. The program has branched out since it was named to include more than Swedish and Scandina vian countries. Cathy Halvorsen, lone, area representative, has already plac ed four students in lone host homes for this coming school year. Students from Sweden, Army band will entertain July The 234th Army Band under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer James Powell will bring their annual concert tour to the high school football field in lone on Saturday July 4. The concert will precede the fireworks show. The band, often referred to as “ Oregon’s Own” is the goodwill ambassador of the Oregon Na- 4th WWII. The 234th Army Band plays a variety of music from baroque to contemporary, Sousa marches to jazz and Dixieland to bluegrass. The band will perform patriotic music, marches, popular music, and other music by various com posers. The stage band will feature traditional jazz standards and current popular music. Per tional Guard. It has performed extensively in Oregon at both civilian and military functions for several years. Recently, as of ficial representative of the U.S. Government, the band toured Australia, Papua, New Guinea, and other South Pacific locales honoring the 50th anniversary of the 41st division’s involvement in Pre-fair June 20 for 4-H members Saturday, June 20 is the date set for the home economics and ex pressive arts pre-fair. Held at the Morrow County Fairgrounds in- the 4-H annex building, pre-fair is open to ail 4-H project members, leaders and parents The session begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 12:15 p.m. It is an educational activity designed to increase self-confidence and reduce uncertainty about county fair exhibits and contests. It is especially helpful to newer members. Pre-fair will also include presentations on: “ Cooking for Competition" by Jo Anne Kock, Sherman County 4-H Agent; understanding the fair premium book; and an introduction to judg ing contests. Glenda Madden, Gilliam County 4-H agent will share techniques for ‘Style Revue’ and ‘My Favorite Outfit'. There will be some hands-on activities to get everyone up and moving. This is a fun opportuni ty to meet and exchange ideas with members and leaders from all over Morrow County. Those attending should bring a snack for the break. PTe-registration is not required. Certificates of participation will be awarded at 12 p.m. There is no charge. S . *• V-v *-v. » ; D OF ¿L a s te r n O regon V-f. . , •***%■*' !» »ftp*«'. >„ ». : . . • v . • ' » ■ V,* ' . 7'•••■ " ' < - : , j -A , *' B&y. • :•*. T . J h > its, ' . •V.MSL - : **••,.-?-.V ri ■■ ■ . - - . :• . v fe * ; V >1 * A'WV .• ' <• .- • . 1 . ' -.•-••A Vt-V: Member F D I C i « -, • ^ -i.-.-.-r/,,. ‘ * '• ' v -, ■ ■ - • . a >\ „ vk , •< . ,’ ÀV, « . ......... * ' V'U * Arlington • Heppner • lone Yotii hi'lt fu-nth’iii Houli' O itu til Hank u *_ •... \ M;-K- - formances by the Dixieland and bluegrass groups will precede the concert. The concert band is conducted by CW3 James Powell of Lake Oswego and SGT D arrel Meisenheimer of Beaverton. Drum major for the marching band is 1SG John Skelton of Salem and the stage band is lead by SSG Peter Spooner o f Portland. The band is stationed in Portland but draws its member ship from communities as far away as Culver. Unlike other Na tional Guard units which meet one weekend a month, the band meets one night per week to rehearse for performances in con certs, parades and ceremonies throughout the state. Loans For All Reasons Loans For All Seasons n A N K • •*- ■ .* . ■ „ V.« fl r ■* ■ ; -fl .A ■ . », .} • v / - ' . -;(.v ' - *' f
