The INDEPENDENT, October 5, 2006
Page 13
Chalk Talk
Chalk Talk is a monthly column with Vernonia schools
information. It is written by various staff members. This
month’s column is by Superintendent Kenneth Cox.
Line pumping of concrete for the foundation on the modular
unit behind Vernonia Middle School took place on October 2.
The modular was moved from Lincoln Grade School.
Grants are available for teaching
others about dangers of driving
Oregon high schoolers who
craft and execute plans to cre-
atively educate their peers
about the dangers of driving
can earn grants from State
Farm Insurance, the company
announced today.
“Shift Into Safety” offers
schools grants of $2,000 to
$5,000 to fund campaigns that
will help change teens’ thinking
and behavior behind the wheel.
“We’re challenging students
and teachers to come up with
innovative ways to reduce car
crashes among young drivers,”
said Harold Gray, State Farm’s
Senior Vice President for the
Pacific Northwest Zone. “We
think this message is best car-
ried to teens by their peers.”
Statistics show young driv-
ers are four times more likely to
get into a car crash than older
drivers. And the risk is espe-
cially high for 16-year-olds.
“Shift Into Safety” grant proj-
ects may focus on speeding,
distractions, aggressive driv-
ing, seat belts, or any other top-
ic that relates to teen-driver
safety. State Farm is looking for
campaigns that motivate young
drivers to think first and fore-
most about getting to their des-
tinations safely and to change
their behaviors accordingly.
Any student group within a
school can apply for a grant,
from an individual class to a
student club.
Applications are due by Oc-
tober 20. State Farm will an-
nounce grant winners in De-
cember, and campaigns must
be completed by the end of the
2006-2007 school year. All
public high schools within State
Farm’s six-state Pacific North-
west Zone – Alaska, Hawaii,
Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and
Washington – are eligible.
For applications and rules,
contact Jeff Aeschliman, State
Farm Public Affairs, Salem Op-
erations Center, 550 Haw-
thorne Avenue S.E., Salem,
OR 97301, 503-463-3829, or
jeff.aeschliman.c85n@state
farm.com.
Well, I have been in Vernonia for three
months now and I love it! We have a great dis-
trict with dedicated staff and wonderful children.
I have particularly enjoyed working with mem-
bers of the Vernonia School Board. These folks
have dedicated a considerable amount of their
time to serving us as a community and in partic-
ular, our children. I would like to share with you
some examples of their dedicated service.
The first day that all teachers and staff were
back in the building, we had a district meeting
and I asked the administrators to help serve
breakfast to the rest of the staff, to show our ap-
preciation. Three of our board members also vol-
unteered to come and they helped serve break-
fast. I also know that a number of our board
members serve in volunteer capacities in class-
rooms and on the athletic field. All of our board
members have had children in the district and
they currently have 16 children in the district at-
tending at all three building levels.
At least three times a year the state-wide or-
ganization that supports school boards in Ore-
gon, the Oregon School Boards Association,
holds conferences to instruct board members on
certain aspects of their job, which helps to iden-
tify and avoid, potholes in the road ahead. We
have had a number of our members attend these
meetings and the majority of the board will be at-
tending the next one in early November. In addi-
tion, board members attend regional meetings
throughout the year to stay informed. They met
for an entire evening last week in Hillsboro with
board members and superintendents from
across Washington and Columbia County to be
informed about the upcoming election and the
next legislative session.
Our Board Members have chosen to put
themselves in the spotlight to make a difference
in the education of our children, and they are. I
was impressed when we met together in a work
session in August, at how well the board mem-
bers worked together and began to understand
each other and their responsi-
bility to provide direction for the
district. During that meeting the
board chose four characteris-
tics that they felt they wanted
to most represent them as a
group. After discussing many
different characteristics they
Vernonia Sports Home Game Schedule
Varsity Football
Jr. Varsity Football
Friday, Oct. 6, against Riverdale at 7 pm
Monday, Oct. 9, against Warrenton at 5 pm
Monday, Oct. 16, against Rainier at 5 pm
Cross Country
Thursday, Oct. 19, Vernonia Relays at 4 pm
Varsity Volleyball
Tuesday, Oct. 10, against Catlin Gable, 6 pm
Thursday, Oct. 19, against Warrenton at 6 pm
Jr. Varsity Volleyball Tuesday, Oct. 10, against Catlin Gable, 5 pm
Thursday, Oct. 19, against Warrenton at 5 pm
felt that through
teamwork,
showing
re-
spect,
being
decisive, and
being industri-
ous, they can
better serve our
community and our children.
I think what impressed me most about the
board coming up with such a focused foundation
for their service together wasn’t just the charac-
teristics they chose, but the fact that the majori-
ty chose the same ones, which shows me the
level of compatibility and focus that already ex-
ists among the Board Members. The other fact
that I am impressed with is that they all want to
learn to do a better job, and in order to ensure
that happens they have scheduled workshops
throughout the year to increase their ability to
serve you effectively.
I would encourage you to take a moment to
thank one of our board members. Please feel
free to contact them and share with them your
appreciation. They often hear complaints about
what is not going right in the district (which I am
sure they would rather you share with me), but I
think they would also appreciate an occasional
pat on the back as well.
Tim Titus; timdawn1@verizon.net
Kim Wallace; dkwall@msn.com
Randy Hansen; rchansen@adelphia.net
Tammy Jennings; jenningstj@vernonia-or.com
Cari Levenseller; carilevenseller@hotmail.com
Ernie Smith; ernie.robin@verizon.net
Angela Taylor; mauimama1969@msn.com
Not only do I get to work with a good school
board, I also have a great administrative team
that is working together to move us forward as a
District. They care for our children and strive to
do what is best for them in all they do. I have re-
ally enjoyed my time in Vernonia so far; after all
it has rained less than ten days since I’ve been
here, and I have even enjoyed the rain! I am
looking forward to a great year and encourage
you to stop by my office anytime.
Evergreen Dance Center
Classes Start Oct. 4th!!
Ballet
Age 4-5 3:30 p.m.
Age 6-7 4:30 p.m.
Age 8 + 5:30 p.m.
Wednesdays
$38/Month
Registration Day Sept. 27, 5-6 pm
Teacher: Jessica Davis
Classes held at Vernonia Community Church
957 State Ave, Vernonia
To Register, Call 360-423-7410, Longview