Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 2015)
10A • December 11, 2015 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com 7KH\VKRZHGµVHOÀHVVGHGLFDWLRQ¶ Heroes from Page 1A KATHERINE LACAZE/SEASIDE SIGNAL Gearhart Elementary School teacher Jennifer Glasson (back) works with Principal Juli Wozniak (middle) and fel- low instructors Mary Foust (right) and Angela Dilley to run the new Learning Center Support Station for elementary students with challenging behaviors. The facility is de- signed to remove obstacles interfering with the students’ learning experience. Gearhart looks at ‘a better answer’ Gearhart from Page 1A lot of in-home tutoring as responses to disruptions. There were not many op- tions, Gearhart Elemen- tary School Principal Juli Wozniak said. “We just felt like there had to be a better answer.” Hoping for a more long- term, mutually bene¿cial solution, the district created a classroom with an envi- ronment where students could receive more atten- tion, specialized education, the opportunity to focus on behavior and the chance to try again multiple times. Preparing the classroom The Astoria and Warren- ton-Hammond school dis- tricts both have specialized classroom settings, which Seaside staff visited to get ideas for their Learning Center Support Station. The group then researched differ- ent aspects of the problem, including how trauma can create behavioral and emo- tional challenges for students and what sensory stimuli ex- acerbate negative behaviors. They also looked into differ- ent curriculum, classroom structures, reinforcement systems and more. With the start of the 2015-16 school year only a week away, the district’s Board of Directors approved Wozniak’s recommendation to hire Glasson, a long- time Gearhart Elementary School teacher, to lead the classroom. Glasson, Foust and Dilley receive support from a county behavior spe- cialist, school psychologist and community volunteers. Once the school year started, students were placed in the classroom as part of their individualized educa- tion programs. Now there are about seven students, in- cluding a few from Seaside Heights Elementary School, who come for at least part of their school day. The small class size is one of the most important factors in the center’s suc- cess, Glasson said. In a gen- eral education classroom, with a teacher trying to in- struct dozens of students, disruptive behavior can de- rail the learning experience for all students. Staff mem- bers have little time and few resources to give a challeng- ing student the attention and care needed. Instead, the student has to be removed from the classroom and sometimes sent home. From the student’s per- spective, in a regular aca- demic class, there are 31 “unpredictable kids besides you, and it’s hard to navi- gate that all day long social- ly,” Glasson said. Students with these disabilities expe- rience triggers emotionally ¿rst, and then their ability to communicate verbally is compromised. The support station, with its smaller class size and higher instructor-to-stu- dent ratio, creates an ideal environment for teachers to stop a behavior, wait for the student to regain control, reteach a skill and then move on with the day as if nothing happened — or the “Groundhog Day” approach, where negative reactions and outbursts are quickly forgotten. “Every day, and even within the same day, we’re moving forward,” Glasson said. Wozniak agreed. “We’ve been able to create an environment that de-escalates those behaviors and makes it safe for stu- dents to learn,” she said. Customized instruction The teachers focus on a variety of positive reinforce- ments, from compliments to small rewards. “We don’t want to give them little car- rots all the time, because that’s not realistic in soci- ety,” Glasson said, but “a little prize goes a long way.” Additionally, in the spe- cialized classroom setting, time is dedicated to equip- ping students with tools for social competency, such as patience, gratitude, emotion management, social skills, cooperation, losing gra- ciously and understanding expected behaviors. “Kids will do well if they can, and if they have the skills,” Wozniak said. “We’re trying to teach them the skills.” Each student’s sched- ule is customized to his or her needs, and the learning methods vary. The teachers use visual cues and clear, concise language. Some- times the kids get to have yoga and puppet therapy sessions. Students might be given their own work- stations if they need space from other students. One room has walls that students can draw on and beanbag chairs to tackle when they are frustrated and need to exert energy. The classroom is in a constant state of Àux. Some students attend for certain periods of the day, but go to their general classroom for academic or extracur- ricular segments where they can succeed; some students spend their entire day at the support station. The goal is for the classroom to be “a station, not a destination,” Glasson said. “For some kids, this is a destination, but they’ve been at school and partic- ipated more than they’ve been able to before,” Glas- son said. “That’s what pub- lic education is about: being able to educate every person regardless.” 2,400 Americans, wound- ed nearly 1,200 more and launched the United States into World War II. The second quote, often attributed to Japanese Mar- shal Admiral Isoroku Ya- mamoto, claims the attack served “to awaken a sleep- ing giant and ¿ll him with a terrible resolve.” The attack, Gibson said, did in fact stun the United States, not least because of the enormous loss of life and military equipment. “When they attacked us, we were that sleeping giant, and we did awaken,” he said. On Dec. 8, 1941, America declared war on Japan; three days after that, Germany de- clared war on America. The country became embroiled in a two-front war. What fol- lowed were several years of gruesome combat, the deto- nation of atomic weapons on two Japanese cities and the death of many more Ameri- cans, not to mention millions of people across the world. Through it all, U.S. military men and women showed re- solve. To Gibson, Pearl Har- bor Remembrance Day is “a shout out to all those heroes.” “For those lost, we can’t replace them,” Gibson said. “But for those survivors, you epitomize the strength and resolve of this great country.” Also during the ceremo- ny, Clatsop County Veter- ans Services Of¿cer Luke Thomas, the master of cere- monies, read a proclamation on behalf of the city of Sea- side, declaring Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. JOSHUA BESSEX/EO MEDIA GROUP Spurgeon Keeth Sr., a Pearl Harbor survivor, listens to guest speaker retired U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Gibson, during the Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance ceremony. “Those heroes hold a cherished place in our his- tory through their courage, sacri¿ce and selÀess dedica- tion,” the proclamation stat- ed. “They saved our country and preserved freedom.” Ali Vander Zanden read a letter from U.S. Rep. Su- zanne Bonamici, who could not be present. In the letter, Bonamici said the country owes “profound gratitude” to service members, like Thom- as and Keeth, “who survived the Pearl Harbor attack and served with bravery and dis- tinction to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to freedom here and abroad.” “The veterans I’ve met tell me how their service al- tered their perspectives on life and marked their char- acter,” Bonamici wrote. “I am humbled and inspired by their stories.” Event ‘brings us all together’ Undeterred by the driz- zling rain, the crowd then moved outside the conven- tion center to watch as local Boy Scout Troop No. 642 lowered the Àag to half- staff. A color guard from the Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center posted col- ors to the bridge that spans the Necanicum River, where Thomas lay a ceremonial wreath as the U.S. Coast Guard Àew overhead. Near- by, Gibson played “Taps.” Seaside resident Trish Vowels, who attended the ceremony, said patriotism runs deep in her family. Several of her relatives are veterans, including her fa- ther, who served in World War II. Pearl Harbor Re- membrance Day, she said, is an event that “brings us all together for a really great cause and helps us re- member who we are.” Her great niece, Kayla, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” at the ceremony. The 14-year-old also per- formed at last year’s cer- emony, and she said she loves it. “It feels nice to honor those who fought for our country,” she said. “Tons of people died for our country, and I think it’s important to remember who did.” Additionally, she said, participating in this type of event helps people, herself included, learn about the history being commemorat- ed. “It makes me more edu- cated on what America went through,” she said. Nolan Milliren, a mem- ber of troop No. 642 and a high school junior, said participating in the cere- mony the past three years and meeting veterans, like Thomas, heavily inÀu- enced his viewpoint on “the importance of remem- bering” those who served the country. “It’s an amazing expe- rience you can’t have any- where else,” he said. Stan Gandy, scoutmaster for troop No. 642, said the troop normally could not attend the ceremony, but the Seaside School District had an in-service day Monday, which allowed most of his Scouts to participate. Some said they wished more people would attend the event. Vowels and Mil- liren said it would be a great ¿eld trip for local history teachers to provide for their students. Milliren said he hopes to ¿ll the big auditori- um at the convention center. “That’s the recognition this day should get,” he said. “That’s how high it should be held.” Though history may fade, he added, “thing like this shouldn’t.” Fire: Nearby homes also damaged Fire from Page 1A A few passersby paused beside the barricade tape to view and photograph the damage. Fast-spreading blaze 7he house ¿re was report- ed to Seaside dispatch early Sunday morning at approxi- mately 2:33 a.m. Fire emer- gency personnel were dis- patched to the 100 and 200 blocks of 11th Avenue and on scene within a few min- utes. %y 2: a.m. the ¿re had reached two-alarm sta- tus and at 3:0 a.m. the ¿re expanded to a three-alarm ¿re. %y :3 a.m. the ¿re was contained. The addresses of the hous- es that were destroyed were located at 121, 125, and 131 Eleventh Avenue. The house with extensive damage was located at 221 11th Avenue. Fire departments and emergency personnel from Seaside, Cannon Beach, Gearhart, Astoria and Ham- let responded to the alarm Sunday morning at 2:33 a.m. Ultimately more than 50 ¿re¿ghters responded to the fast-moving ¿re. SUBMITTED PHOTO/SEASIDE SIGNAL A fire last Sunday destroyed three homes and burned another. Three other homes nearby homes had minor damage, including broken windows, bubbled paint and smoke damage, Dugan said. Aftermath A Winnebago home and a passenger car were deemed a total loss, Dugan said. Two vehicles on 11th Avenue suffered minor Family recalls good memories in house Achieving the best Families from Page 1A Her students are kind, supportive, funny, helpful, smart and creative, “just like any other kids,” Glasson said. “But their behaviors will sometimes get in the way of other people per- ceiving that.” Once students have mastered certain skills in the small, controlled envi- ronment of the support sta- tion, they start moving into general education settings where they can succeed, Wozniak said. Then “Their peers see them in a place where they can shine,” Glasson said. Students still are includ- ed in school activities, like fundraising competitions. The entire staff is involved and working toward their success, “s So they’re con- nected to the rest of the school,” Wozniak said. “Which I think has a huge impact,” Glasson added. neighbors,” Shirley Yates said. “It was an old house, but it was so homey, it was so inviting.” The LaDeRoutes arrived in Seaside after word of the ¿re from their home in Hillsboro. “I just spent $25,000 upgrading the property,” Chuck LaDeRoute said as he surveyed the still-smoldering ¿re. The LaDeRoutes purchased the house in 1982. “We just put $25K into it last year,” Chuck LaDeR- oute said. “New air-conditioning, new ¿replace, new carpet. Well, looks like the ¿replace is still working. “We almost came down this weekend,” he added. “I’m glad we didn’t.” “God gave us a house and we’ve enjoyed it for many, many years,” Carole LaDeRoute said. “We have lots of happy memories. We had Thanksgiving in that house a year ago.” Homeowner Sandi and Mike Sheets and her husband own the home on Eleventh Avenue that sustained major damage. “I’m the house that’s still standing,” she said Tuesday. Sheets said she and her husband have been on a “¿fth wheel” adventure traveling the country. “We’re on a four-month, ‘Let’s see what the United States looks like.” “Obviously, when I look at our neighbors, I feel very blessed,” Sheets said, her voice choked with tears. “They’re such wonderful people I can hardly talk about it. We’d like to extend our sympathies.” damage, including melted tires and bumper. Those vehicles are con- sidered “very drivable after repairs,” Dugan added. The ¿re cause remains undetermined at this time, but it was most likely elec- trical in nature, ¿re of¿cials said. The blaze started at the occupied house at 125 11th Avenue and quickly spread to neighboring houses. 2ne ¿re¿ghter was treat- ed for a knee injury suf- fered during the response. “I talked to him last night, and he seems to be doing well,” Dugan said Monday. “They stabilized him, he went home from the hospital, and he’s going to see a specialist today. No other injuries — ex- cept other than a few sore bones.” The American Red Cross Cascades Region provided immediate emer- gency assistance for tem- porary lodging, assistance to meet immediate basic needs for 14 adults and two children affected by the ¿re. All homeowners and property owners have been noti¿ed, Dugan said. “I don’t think we missed anybody. Insurance compa- nies have been noti¿ed and they’ll go through the pro- cess of documentation. We get the ¿rst look, and then we hand it over to them.” W e w a n t to th a n k a ll o f th e V O L U N T EER F I R EF I G H T ER S w h o w o r k ed so h a r d — a n d a t th eir o w n per so n a l r isk — to sa ve o ur h o m e o n 11th A ven ue in Sea side. K n o w in g th a t ea c h o f yo u fr o m Sea side, G ea r h a r t, C a n n o n B ea c h , A sto r ia a n d H a m let vo lun teer yo ur tim e to h elp yo ur n eigh b o r s sh o w s h o w spec ia l ea c h o n e o f yo u a r e. O ur gr a titude is im m ea sur a b le. - M ike a nd Sa nd i Sheets