HeppnerGazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 13,2013
SCHOOL DISTRICT
-SEVEN
Heppner students advance to
state chess tournament
-Continuedfrom PAGE ONE
by the board was held in
open meeting. Dirksen had
opted for a public review, a
policy that previous admin
istrators eschewed, opting
instead to hold their perfor
mance reviews in executive
session. The board gave
Dirksen an overwhelming
vote o f confidence, unbe
knownst to him prior to the
meeting. Dirksen garnered
“excellent” reviews in all
categories but one, “orga
nizational management,” in
which he received an “out
standing.” He received ex
cellent marks in leadership
and district culture, policy
and governance, commu
nications and community
relations, organizational
management, instructional
leadership, human resourc
es m anagem ent, values
Above: The kindergarten through fifth-grade Heppner chess players. Front (L-R): Jon Waddell,
and ethics o f leadership
Feli* Mathew, CedrickDayandante, Gracey Deloach and Tyson Vawser. Middle (L-R): Mason
and labor relations. The
Lehman, Jackson Mason, Kendall Dowdy and Gavin Hanna. Back (L-R): Adults Pat Struthers,
Mary Ann Elguezabal, Dick Jones and Sherry Matteson. Not pictured: Hannah Palmer and
board based the review on a
judge and coach Wayne Seitz. Below: Sixth-through-eighth-grade players and coaches. Bottom
point system, awarding zero
(L-R): Joe Jones, Zavier Glover and Jimmy Adams. Top (L-R): Pat Struthers, Dick Jones, Alex
points for unacceptable, one
Lindsay, Sherry Matteson and Mary Ann Elguezabal. -Contributedphotos
for needs improvement, two Top: (L-R) Top row—Heppner
Students from Hermis-
for good, three for excellent Elementary staff Mary Ann
&
ton.
La Grande and Heppner
and four for outstanding.
Elguezabal, Brandi Sweeney,
came
together on Saturday,
1
T
Superintendent
Dirksen,
Rick
Two schools, Heppner
»
Feb.
2,
for the Regional
Drake;
bottom
row—Jannie
Elementary and Heppner
Chess
for
Success Tourna
High School, were also Allen, Sherry Matteson, Me
t
*****
lissa Coiner, Karen Smith-
ment. The teams that placed
recognized Monday night Criflith and Karen Clough, re
-
/ !
i 4SÙ
t first, and individuals that
as receiving “outstanding” ceive HES's plaque from ODE. V\! V» !
placed first or had a score
scores on the state school Above: (L-R) Superintendent
of 4.0 or better, qualified for
report card. Staff at the Dirk Dirksen and HHS teach
*
the
state Chess for Success
schools were honored with ers Dave Fowler, Troy Morgan
tournament
held in Portland
plaques and treated to cake and Rick Drake accept HHS’s plaque for being named an
outstanding
school
by
the
Oregon
Department
of
Education.
on
March
15
and 16.
and refreshments.
Bottom right: Pastor Jonathan Enz (L) presents music teach
La
Grande
and Herm-
In other business, the Rick Drake a check for $420 on behalf of the Heppner United
iston
each
brought
teams to the pieces and others who bal are the organizers of the
board:
Methodist Church toward music programs at lone and Hep
compete
in
the
Junior
High are serious about learning clab, and Mrs. Sweeney is
-received the Oregon pner schools. The monies were raised through the church's
Division.
After
five
hours
of tactics and strategies.
treasurer and secretary. The
Department of Education “Christmas Is...” program. - Photos by April Sykes
play,
the
scores
were
Hep-
D uring January, the chess club also receives
report on statewide dropout
pner at first place with 11.5 _ club begins the tryouts for the time and effort of other
and graduation rates for received a $500 donation than breaking it up.
«A C
!
«•■.Wayne
Seitz,
The board norm ally points. H crm atm ataeU M l the Choi» ftw-8oca«w Re*
the 2011-12 school year. to the basketball reading
place
with
10
points,
and
La
gional
Tournament.
There
Dick
Jones,
Cherry
Weber
According to the report, program, with an additional accepts the option favored
Grande at third place with are three categories: kinder and Pat Struthers were the
by the staff.
MCSD has a four-year $250 for books.
eight
points.
garten through fifth grades, mainstay volunteers this
-heard a presentation
Board member Brian
graduation rate o f 76.33
For
the
Elementary
Di
sixth
through eighth grades, year.
percent, higher than the from HES students on the Kollm an inquired as to
vision,
Heppner
was
disap
and
high
school players.
“It is a tremendous re
state rate of 68.4 percent, school’s CEO (Chief Ex what would happen to daily
pointed
not
to
have
any
Competition
is
stiff,
as
the
lief
to
have these volunteers
and a dropout rate of 3.36, ample to Others) program. doubles if an early start was
competition.
So,
naturally,
local
club
must
pare
region
that
are
so knowledgeable
-received three options approved. Teacher Greg
somewhat lower than the
the
local
elementary
team
al
competitors
down
to
only
about
the
game,” Elgueza
for
the
2013-14
school
cal
Grant, however, said that
state dropout rate of 3.4 per
also
placed
first.
10
players
in
each
category.
bal
said.
endar.
all
with
a
two-week
the state is now generally
cent. The district’s five-year
Heppner also had some The Heppner area only had
This year, the tourna
trending away frotn daily
graduation rate w a^78.7 Christmas break.
individuals
qualify
for
the
five
students
for
the
sixth,
ment
was held in Heppner,
Option
A
calls
for
an
doubles
as
a
student
health
percent, also higher
the
state
finals.
Joe
Jones
quali
seventh
and
eighth
grades,
which
m eant the group
early
start,
with
teachers
measure.
He
also
appeared
state’s five-year graduation
fied
with
5.0
points
and
including
Joe
Jones,
Alex
needed
lots o f extra vol
beginning
Aug.
12
and
to
favor
the
early
start,
com
rate of 72.4 percent.
“ M o rro w C o u n ty students beginning August menting, “We have taught Alex Lindsay qualified with Lindsay, Jimmy Adams, unteers for coaching, judg
ing, cooking and preparing
School District is pleased 19. The district noted that more in August that we ever 4.0 points. Jackson Lehman and Xavier Glover.
qualified with a score of 5.0
The club had a good snacks, technical support,
that we exceed the state the Morrow County Fair will in June.”
-received the follow and Mason Lehman quali crowd for the younger divi set up, clean up and crowd
average; however we are and Rodeo will be held
sion, and there were some control.
also aware and concerned Aug. 15-18. The two-week ing en ro llm en t report: fied with 4.0 points.
The local branch o f tough gamis to narrow the
“We were blessed to
that we do not have 100 per Christmas break starts Dec. A.C. Houghton Elemen-
cent of students graduating 20, w ith school resum tary-290: Sam Boardman Chess for Success has been field. This year, the players have just the right amount
on time,” said the release. ing Jan. 6. Spring break Elementary-347; Heppner gaining popularity with for the K-fifth grades were: of help at exactly the right
“Our plan is to improve our would be March 24-28. E lem entary-178; Irrigon students. Each September, Jackson Lehman, Tyson time,” said Elguezabal.
The Heppner students
ability to identify all stu Students would end May 29 E lem entary-199; Windy organizers said, the students Vawser, Cedie Deyandante,
dents that are not on track and teacher work days are R iver E lem en tary -2 0 1; at H eppner Elem entary Gavin Hanna, Mason Le still .^ave a big job ahead
Heppner High School-173; School start askin^jWJaaa hman, Kendall Dowdy, oftjfcim, though. Before
to graduate and work with planned June 2 and 3.
Option B calls for a Irrigon Junior/Senior High is Chess Mates going to Hannah Palmer, G racey thtr Stfàte tournam ent on
them in meaningful ways
DeLpach, F«H* Math
J5-16, the teams will
that will encourage them to pre-Labor Day start with School-359; Riverside High start?” •
e strategy,
complete their high school teachers beginning Aug. School-394; MorrowCoun* v I he ch»bJ*M fra* 30 *
•■patience,
figure
diploma in four years or 19 and students Aug. 26. ty School District other-40; students this yuur.-as '•ell* » v - j M
as
six
students—
all
for
nizer
Mary
Ann
Elguezabal
some
new
tactics
and
learn
C hristm as break would total-2,181.
even five.”
mer
members—who
come
asked
one
of
the
students
notation.
The
local
club
-approved the follow
-heard an update on begin Dec. 20 with school
down
from
the
junior
high
what
they
had
learned.
One
will
also
need
to
find
some
the status o f the ongoing resuming Jan. 6. Spring ing em ploym ent action
resolution o f the serious break would be March 24- for February: resignations/ and high school to help out of the fourth graders com financial support to help
drainage problem at Irrigon 28. Students would end retirements/non-renewal- with teaching the game. mented, “I learned that a with the cost o f attending
June 4, with teacher work Jerry Gentry, Heppner High Levels range from begin fourth grader can get beat the state tournament.
Elementary School.
Anyone who would like
-received the annual au days on June 5 and 6. This School assistant basketball ners to interm ediates to by a second grader!” Tough ,
advanced
players,
w
ith
competition,
indeed.
to
volunteer
or contribute,
dit, which will be released option is close to the current coach, Pam Dowdy, HHS
Mrs.
Campbell,
Mrs.
contact
Brandi
Sweeney at
head volleyball coach; ex- ,some who are Just begin-
at the March 4 meeting after school calendar.
tra
duty
contracts-N
anci
nbig
to
learn
the
names
of
Matteson
and
Mrs.
Elgueza-
676-9128.
Option C calls for a
board acceptance.
-received a $420 do post-Labor Day start with Mathews, HHS head track
nation from Pastor Jona teachers beginning Aug. 26, coach.
than Enz on behalf of the students beginning Sept.
-approved rescinding
Heppner United Methodist 3, Christmas break begin and replacing professional
Church toward music pro ning on Dec. 20 and school development policies.
grams at lone and Heppner resuming on Jan. 6. Spring
-approved the Inter
have earned honorable
l o n e C o m m u n i t y and Evan Rietmann.
schools. The monies were break would be March 24- mountain ESD local service School has announced
The following students mention status by earning
raised through the church’s 28. The students’ last day plans for 2013-14
'its honor roll for the first have earned honor roll status a 3.0-3.49GPA: Wyatt Mc-
Christmas music program, would be June 18, with
-heard a report from» sem ester o f the 2012-13 by earning a 3.5-3.99 GPA: Nary, Austin Carter. Daniel
“Christmas Is...”
teacher work days on June Dirksen and received r t- 'school year,
Dayshawn Neal, Maggie Doherty, Donald McEl-
-heard presentations 19 and 20. Dirksen said that ports from building princi- .
The following students Flynn, Karsyn Rios, Austin ligott. Cord Flynn, Hannah
by HHS math teacher Troy he could not recall the last pals on boosting security at, j**ned a 4.0 GPA: kartlin Morter, Babali, Peterson, Padnerg, Breawna Teeman,
Morgan and technology time the district has had a district schools.
G arrett, M organ Orem, Tatum Clark, KarsenD- Sadie Hasbell, Marisol Avi-
teacher Dave Fowler on post-Labor Day start.
-held an executive ses- Roman Rodriguez, Katelyn umler, Jason Juarez, Jessie la-Ramirez, Hannah Flynn,
an Oregon Department of
Dirksen appeared to sion concerning personnel.. Bass, Tristan Estabrook, Flynn, Joshua Stillm an, Ashley Medina, Cassidy
Education pilot research favor the early August start,
-heard the follow ing 'Maia Fuchs, Rachel Hol- Daniel Holtz. Rita McElH- Braun, TJ Patton. Karina
program which combines saying that a change to an announcements: President’s land, Ann Rietmann, Joe gott, McKenzie Estabrook, Rios, Audrey G uenther,
math and technology; and early start would give stu Day holiday, Monday, Feb- Doherty, Lauren Garrett, Joel Stillman, Luke Jobes, Zane King, Jordan Braun,
from HES teacher Jannie dents more time to prepare niary 18-no school; next »Oskar Petersen, Bailey Larissa Jones, Tim Em me I Kirk Haguewood, Shad
Allen on a pilot over-the- for testing and would allow board m eeting Monday. Haguewood, Emily Hoi- and Lacey Thompson.
ow Kendrick and Stewert
counter drug education pro the semester to end prior March 11, Riverside High ¡land, OtB Peterson, Julianne
The following students Syverson.
gram. She said that HES has to Christmas break, rather School, Boardman, 7 p.m. Carlson, Stacee Hatvorsen
t*
t
y
t
jh
lone school announces honor
roll
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