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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 2019)
A6 • Friday, September 13, 2019 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com A strategy for moving forward By KATHERINE LACAZE For Seaside Signal During the 2019-20 school year, the Seaside School District will be fully implementing its five-year strategic plan, which was approved by the board in December. Superintendent Sheila Roley said they spent the second half of last year gathering baseline data to measure future progress, and will now work toward the two goals outlined in the plan: • By June 2024, all students will be on track to graduate and be prepared with a plan beyond high school. • By June 2024, all students will develop the social and emotional skills to be positive community members. While they’ve consistently set dis- trictwide goals, formalizing the pro- cess makes it “easier to track and iden- tify the challenges and smooth them out,” Roley said. Each goal has been assigned specific indicators and measurable targets, with staff teams comprised of educators from each school overseeing the vari- ous components. Assistant Superinten- dent Susan Penrod, who started July 1, has assumed much of the responsibil- ity for implementing the plan along- side the principals, while Roley over- sees the construction project. “It’s a really exciting time,” Penrod said. “While change can be hard, it is also an opportunity.” She sees the district staff, includ- ing herself, as a support system to help the principals and teachers do the most important work: Impacting and edu- cating young people. She enjoys being at the schools and in the classrooms, where she can better get to know stu- dents and teachers. “It’s all about building relationships and being accessible and being a repre- sentative of the district,” she said. Next year, the district office will be moved to the new campus, which Pen- rod sees as a positive transition that will allow her to be “more present and accessible.” “I’m a huge fan of that, because for us to be right in the heart of things is really important,” she added. Class of 1979 to hold reunion Seaside Signal The Class of ’79 Reunion will be held Sept. 13, 14 and 15, marked by a series of events throughout the weekend. Friday, Sept. 13: Bonfire at Avenue U, with games, followed by karaoke at the American Legion. On Saturday, a potluck picnic at South Beach Cullaby Lake will offer burgers, hot dogs, games, paddling and hula hoop fun. Saturday night offers a movie night at the Times Theatre. On Sunday, the reunion will feature breakfast at the Sandtrap at McMenamins in Gearhart, followed by golf. For more information, visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/164227697596504/. Cheerleaders: ‘An important part’ of school, community dynamics Continued from Page A1 they really want to do it, to work hard,” Mount said. Tryouts were held in August and 14 students achieved the baseline score to earn a spot on the squad. The group is split into two levels: the red level, for inter- mediate and advanced cheer- leaders, and the white level, for beginners who aren’t quite ready to perform or compete. Both levels practice together, however, and stu- dents can advance to the red level during the school year. There is no set team captain, but Mount selects “game day captains” before each game or performance. Those cheerleaders assume responsibility for calling cheers during the routines. “I wanted to find a way to give some responsibility without it being overwhelm- ing,” Mount said, adding it also permits all the team members to fill the role of captain at some point during the year. Putting skills to the test The biggest evolution of Seaside’s cheer program took place in 2016, when it transformed from a club to Katherine Lacaze Senior Caitlin Hillman (from left), freshman Megan Hornbeck, and sophomore Gracie Weaver rehearse a routine during a practice for the Seaside High School Cheer Team on Sept. 4. The squad’s first performance was Saturday, Sept. 7, during the football team’s season opener. an OSAA activity, allowing the group to compete. The activity also became more rigorous at that time, with Seaside’s squad striving to “accomplish the same things bigger schools accomplish,” Mount said. Their routines now include dancing, tum- bling, stunting and jumping. The team competed in both the 2016-17 and 2017- 18 school years, but had to forgo competing last year because of numerous inju- ries, Mount said. “We’re ready to go this year,” she added. In Oregon, cheer teams must compete in two sanc- tioned regional tournaments to be eligible for the state championship. The regional competitions will be held over two weekends in Jan- uary and the state tourna- ment in February. Mount anticipates going to com- petition with a team of nine cheerleaders. Being able to compete adds a whole new level of Gary Henley Cheerleaders at the Gulls home opener. purpose and motivation for the team. “The kids want to prove to their school and their community that they’re seri- ous athletes,” Mount said. “It’s important to have the opportunity to provide that for them.” Senior Caitlin Hillman, who has cheered since her freshman year, agreed, add- ing, “Our real sport is com- petitive cheer.” ‘Under the lights’ Although performing well during competition is an important goal for Sea- side’s cheer squad, they also maintain their original pur- pose of being crowd-leaders during football games. They also cheer during a majority of the school’s home bas- ketball games, some school assemblies, and other events. The cheer team, Mount said, “is an important part of every school’s and every community’s dynamics.” Because Seaside’s stu- dent body is relatively small, Hillman, who also serves as the Associated Student Body communi- cations director, said she is friends with many of the students who play on teams or participate in clubs. That friendship makes it espe- cially enjoyable to support them as they do something they love. She expects this year will be bittersweet, as she wraps up both high school and cheerleading. “Nothing compares to being out on the field under the lights,” she said. “That’s been the highlight of my high school THANK YOU, seaside! Hood To Coast / Portland To Coast Relays would like to thank the City of Seaside, Seaside Fire and Rescue, Seaside Police Department, and Seaside Chamber of Commerce for hosting the 38th HTC/PTC Relays Finish Party. Your beautiful city and county were on display this year for participants from all 50 U.S States and over 40 countries. We would also like to thank Clatsop County public safety, residents, and businesses for your patience and support. $19,000 will again be donated to Seaside Parks and Recreation. With more than 60,000 individuals visiting Seaside for The Hood and Portland To Coast Relays, this visit represents a first impression to a captive audience that very often leads to future visits for these individuals and their families. This is an economic impact that goes beyond measure and one that can very often be a lifelong development of future memories in your town. Thank you Mayor Jay Barber and Chamber Executive Director Brian Owen for helping make an amazing impression! Additionally, participants raised a record amount of over $900,000, which benefits Providence Cancer Institute and their continuous efforts to find a cure for cancer. Thank you Seaside, for supporting the race for 30 years in your community! We look forward to many more fantastic race finishes in Seaside. Special thanks to all the amazing charities on course; runners and walkers loved everything you provided. We look forward to seeing you all in 2020!
