On Tuesday, June 6, Greater Albany graduates from South Albany and West Albany high schools trekked back to schools where they go their educational start. Students walked or rode buses to elementary and middle schools throughout the district.
The 3rd annual event is inspirational to the younger students and allows the graduates to see how far they have come.
Many thanks to parents and staff who shared photos of the event. And congratulations and best wishes to all seniors!
The annual character education poster contest winners were announced at the June 4 School Board meeting. The students were among 263 entries in the library-sponsored poster contest to promote positive character traits.
Submissions must be original art in any medium, featuring one of eight character traits: honesty and integrity, self-discipline, courage, social responsibility, kindness, respect, justice and personal responsibility.
Teacher and poster contest organizer Amanda Miller presented the awards. Winners for each grade level received framed prints of their artwork.
Last week, the West Albany High School Jazz Band stopped by Tangent and Waverly elementary schools to perform for the students during lunch. This annual event is a fun performance for the high school students, and it is a great preview of future band opportunities for the elementary students.
The band is directed by Stuart Welsh, who joined in the performance. Chris Goeke, a Waverly Elementary School classified staff member and former WAHS band member, also performed.
Sergeant Bottorff of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office visited the students of Oak Grove Elementary School on June 1 and let them climb aboard a marine patrol boat. Students had the opportunity to learn about water safety.
All students toured the boat and spoke to Sergeant Bottorff. Pictured are students from the fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms.
Construction on the new Oak Grove Elementary School will start as soon as school ends. To kick off the project, the school held an official groundbreaking ceremony at the school on June 1.
The event was the second groundbreaking for new construction funded by the 2017 bond measure. The groundbreaking at the new Meadow Ridge Elementary School was April 25.
As with Meadow Ridge, the event was an opportunity to thank voters for approving the bond and to acknowledge the many people who are on the project team or part of the design and approval process. It was also a chance for students to participate at the earliest stages of the new school construction process. The Oak Grove choir sang The Star Spangled Banner, and selected students helped with a ceremonial shovel of dirt.
Superintendent Tonja Everest acknowledged the following dignitaries:
Chair of Benton County Supervisors: Xanthippe Augerot
Board Members: Chair Smith, Vice Chair Ward, Director Butzner
HMKCo: David McKay, Program Director; Steve Earle, Project Manager
gLAs Architects: Jesse Grant, Architect; Trace Ward, Architect; Robin He, Architectural Designer
Gerding Builders: Tom Gerding, President; Ryan McAlister, Pre-Construction Manager; Jorge Juarez-Hernandez, Project Manager; Michelle Goodrick, Marketing Manager
