Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2007)
Page 10 The INDEPENDENT, August 16, 2007 47J board splits on flashing lights Plan now for smooth back-to-school transitions The Vernonia School District 47J Board of Directors took an- other look at the idea of flash- ing school zone lights at their August 8 meeting. This was back on the agenda at the re- quest of Vernonia Chief of Po- lice Mathew Workman who has been working at the behest of Vernonia’s city council to get the speed limit from Rose Ave. to Adams Ave. changed from 25 to 20. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has not been responsive to that re- quest as that would mean that starting at Rose Ave. and end- ing at California Ave. the speed limit would go from 20 to 25 to 20 again (during the school day). The vote was split (with Ernie Smith absent) so the mo- tion did not carry and there will be no switch to flashing lights. The lab results are back from the second set of samples taken from the basement of Washington Grade School. Af- ter cleaning the rooms, only one area (which may not have been touched during the clean- ing) was identified as still show- ing fiberglass particles. The board approved limited use of the basement for music and other short term uses. Addition- al tests will be taken during the school year. The school year will start on September 4 for children start- ing sixth and ninth grades. All other students will start school on September 5. Superintendent Ken Cox told the board that he is send- ing the district drug policies to the policy review committee for consideration of possible changes. An emotional Aaron Miller, principal of Washington Grade School, read a letter to the board regarding his recent cita- tion for possession of marijua- na (see Letters to the Editor). In other business, the board; • heard that the 07/08 budg- et is expected to have a $350,000 carry-over from 06/07. • were told by Cox that a new Library Committee will be set up and a contract signed with an ESD Librarian to help the assistant Librarian the dis- trict will have this coming year, • accepted resignations from Jeanne Drake, High School Language Arts; Jessica Stree- ter, Middle School Language Arts, and Cindy Baker, Fiscal Assistant. Cox told the board that exit interviews have taken place with resigning staff and there has been no indication of any district problems. Cox said most of the resignations have been due to personal reloca- tion reasons, • approved use of capital re- serve funds to pay up to $7,000 to replace window blinds at Washington Grade School. Cox said that legislation passed this year will also cause the district to replace 55 light bulbs (at about $140 per bulb) for safety reasons. The next board meeting will be held September 13 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the District of- fice. Attent ion: New B igger Locati to Bet on ter Se r v e Y 866 Br ou! idge S treet Products & Services • PC parts & Service Low Rates for PC repair We build new computers • Cingular Service with a Wide Variety of cell phones • Office Supplies • 24 hr. Ink& Toner Refill Tel: 503.429.8324 Open Mon. thru Sat.10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 866 Bridge Street, Vernonia Back-to-school time is often a time of change for many fam- ilies. Making a smooth transi- tion between the summer break and the new school year can help everyone in the family feel more relaxed about the adven- ture. Whether your child is en- tering school for the first time as a kindergartner or as a sea- soned high school student, the following tips can help make this transition less stressful for everyone. • Establish a routine. Set a time for going to bed and wak- ing up. Begin the routine at least a week or so before school begins. This will help you and your child adjust to the routine. During the morning, al- low enough time for your child to have breakfast, get dressed, and gather supplies for the day without being rushed. For younger children, allow time for a leisurely bedtime routine that includes quiet time together, reading, a bath, and some bed- time snuggling. • Take a school tour. This is especially important if your child is new to a school. Know- ing where to go on the first day can relieve a lot of stress. • Meet with your child’s teacher. Introduce yourselves. Discuss what will be happening in the classroom and any spe- cial needs or situations your child might have. Ask whether there is any way you can help out in the classroom. • Make sure all school records are up to date. Make sure that the school has any new phone numbers, changes in address, immunization up- dates, etc. Having these in an emergency can save precious minutes. • Get all required examina- tions. Make sure that your child is up to date on immunizations. Try to schedule appointments for sports physicals, immuniza- tions, dental exams, etc. before school starts. This will help avoid absences from school. • Purchase school supplies. Check with your child’s teacher or school for a list of needed supplies. • Create a homework center. Stock it with extra crayons, pa- per, pencils, erasers, and scis- sors to complete homework. Make sure the homework cen- ter is in a space where there are few distractions and no tel- evision. • Stress the importance of good nutrition. Studies have shown that good nutrition helps keep children focused, their en- ergies high, and their moods balanced – all of which are fac- tors that promote learning. • Plan for physical activity. Talk with your child about sports she/he might be interest- ed in during the school year or other ways to stay physically active, such as riding a bike or going for walks. Set a good ex- ample by exercising regularly on your own or with your chil- dren. Source: Denise Rennekamp, Extension associate, Oregon State University. Area 4-Hers shine at Columbia County Fair Following are partial results from the 4-H competition at the Columbia County Fair. Due to space limitations, only results within The Independent’s circu- lation area are included. More results will be published in the September 6 issue. PHOTOGRAPHY Int, Landscape: Blue Award – Stephen Bowe, Scappoose; Ash- ley Olson, Clats-kanie; Eli Lee- Wuollet, Rainier; Hannah Rinck, Rainier; Maria Pelster, Vernonia. Int, People: Blue Award – Eli Lee-Wuollet, Rainier; Maria Pel- ster, Vernonia. Int, Nature - Plants: Red Award – Ashley Olson, Clatskanie; Tiffany Ryan, Clatskanie; Maria Pelster, Vernonia. Sr, Still Life: Blue Award – Robbie Greisen, Scappoose; James Know IV, Rainier; Juliana Pelster, Vernonia. Int, Series or Story: Red Award – Maria Pelster, Vernonia. Sr, Series or Story: Blue Award – Juliana Pelster, Vernonia. FOODS AND NUTRITION Ph 1-3, Cookies (bar, drop, or no bake): Blue Award – Darren Crape, Rainier; Kristi Crape, Rainier; Shelly Crape, Rainier; Madison Knox, Rainier; Julia Grab- horn, Scappoose; Hannah Kack- ley, Scappoose; Tori Bair, St. He- lens; Halle Chapman-Tayler, St. Helens; Nicole Glass, Vernonia; Claire Bernert, Warren; Alysha Sandstrom, Warren; Kiara Single, Warren. Ph 1-3, Quick breat, muffin method: Blue Award – Kristi Crape, Rainier; Madison Knox, Rainier; Kelsey Oliver, St. Helens; Marie Pelster, Vernonia; Claire Bernert, Warren; Alysha Sand- strom, Warren. Ph 7-9, Yeast Breats: Reserve Grand Champion and Champion – Juliana Pelster, Vernonia. Blue Award – Juliana Pelster, Vernonia; Marissa Clement, Ver- nonia. Ph 7-9, Yeast Bread product, using special: Reserve Champi- on – Marissa Clement, Vernonia. Blue Award – Marissa Cle- ment, Vernonia; Amy Jauron, St. Helens. Ph 7-9, Baked Pie Crust: Blue Award – Marissa Clement, Ver- nonia. Ph 7, Favorite Recipe Collec- tion: Blue Award – Merrick Von- Poppenheim, Scappoose; Marissa Clement, Vernonia. Judging Contest, Sr: Blue Award – Merrick VonPoppenheim, Scappoose; Marissa Clement, Ver- nonia. COMMUNICATION Animal Info Posters - Horse - Junior: Red Award: Kaitlin Paleck, Vernonia. BEEF Market Steer: Blue Award – Stacy Larson, Warren; Kelsey Bradley, Warren; Brett Keller, Port- land; Michael Keller, Portland; Eric Budge, Vernonia; Jared Bradley, Warren; Ryan Johnston, Warren; Stacy Kuhn, Warren; Zach Melton, Warren. Market Feeder - All Breeds: Champion and Blue Award – Nicole Glass, Vernonia. Showmanship - Junior: Re- serve Champion – Nicole Glass, Vernonia. Blue Award – Stanley Stimson, Rainier; Nicole Glass, Vernonia; Brett Keller, Portland; Kaylea Knox, Rainier. Cattle Showmanship - Senior: Blue Award – Jared Bradley, War- ren; Kelsey Bradley, Warren; An- drew Elkins, Rainier; Chelsea Yar- bor, St. Helens; Eric Budge, Ver- nonia; Ryan Johnston, Warren; Stacey Kuhn, Warren; Stacy Lar- son, Warren; Zach Melton, Warren. HORSE AND PONY English Equitation (Hunt Seat), Int: Red Award – Halle Chapman-Tayler, St. Helens; Ash- ley Savage, St. Helens; Emily Simpson, St. Helens; McKenzie Tarkalson, Vernonia.
