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This week, the School Board honored Student All-Stars from South Albany High School for earning the highest scores on the Oregon Smarter Balanced state tests last spring.

The students were introduced by Principal Brent Belveal. South Albany High School students are (from left):

Nathan Greensweight

Nathan earned the highest score in science at South Albany. He plans to attend Southwestern Oregon Community College after attaining a transfer degree to then attend Southern Oregon University. He has enjoyed Mr. Chris VanCauterans psychology class the most as Mr. VanCauterans adjusts to meet the interests of each class and his students. Nathan enjoys Mrs. Hillary Mehlhoff as a teacher who truly connects and cares about her students. Nathan enjoys hanging out with his friends in a casual atmosphere on our campus and just talking about nothing real important.

Terran Swope

Terran earned the highest mat score on the state test last spring. Terran plans to enroll in the electrical apprenticeship program to become an electrician while avoiding the debt of college. His favorite class has been AP Computer Science and mentions that he enjoys the challenge of programming. Mrs. Carla Streng and Ms. Holly Garrow have become his favorite teachers as they teach life lessons and support his efforts along the way. Terran has enjoyed his high school years and the people he has met.

Aaron Pierce

Aaron also earned the highest score on the state test in reading. Aaron would like to study graphic design at LBCC and continue involvement in athletics. His favorite classes have been product design and basic design. Aaron really appreciates Mr. Brandon Johnson as a teacher who demonstrates that he cares and believes in his students. He has enjoyed involvement in the track program both in season and pre-season and the friendships he’s been able to develop through his involvement.

Lili Kanthack

Lili earned the highest score on the Smarter Balanced reading test. Lili plans to attend OSU and go into the STEM field. Her favorite class at South as been improvisational theater and musical theater. Her favorite memories in high school are of performing in musicals and shows over the years.

Video by Democrat-Herald

Members of the Uganda children’s choir, Imani Milele, performed at Sunrise Elementary School last week.

Sunrise students enjoyed the performance and the opportunity to learn more about another culture.

“One of our goals is making school a place where kids want to come and enjoy school. This was an opportunity to share joy and also share culture and a worldwide perspective with kids,” said Principal Bob Daugherty.

The annual iSwim fundraiser brought more than 120 students to the Albany Community Pool on Saturday morning. Students raised money through pledges for each lap they swam. The funds will support grants for Greater Albany teachers.

Oak Elementary had the highest level of participation with over 40 students and a large staff cheering section. The Albany Public Schools Foundation issued a special thank you to Oak staff, who showed up wearing their t-shirts.

Students who were unable to participate but would like to swim for the foundation can come to a make-up day on Monday, Oct. 9, or Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 7 – 8 p.m.

Special thanks from the Albany Public School Foundation to all volunteers at the event: “We want to thank all the Greater Albany Public School employees who volunteered their time to count laps, help with the registration table, and for also cheering on their students as they swam. You are the ones who make this event successful every year.”

The Albany Public Schools Foundation supports classroom programs through teacher grants that are funded annually by several signature fundraising events.

The first event, iSwim, is scheduled for Oct. 7 at the Albany Community Pool. Students collect pledges and swim laps to raise funds. Every student who collects $40 or more will receive a t-shirt.

For more information, visit www.albanypsf.org.

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The transportation department will work with all elementary and middle schools in October and November to practice emergency evacuations. The emergency plans for all of GAPS schools include the option to evacuate students and staff to the Linn County Fair and Expo Center.

This is a required training at all Oregon schools in the first eight weeks of the school year. A second training will be in spring.

In the event of an emergency, students and their teachers would be bused to the Expo Center and stay there until they could be picked up by their families. The school would provide supervision for the students and supervise the release of students to families. Parents would use the Expo Center parking lot when picking up their student/s.

If a school evacuation to the Fair and Expo Center is necessary, families will be notified. If the situation at the school is such that the building is to be evacuated, law enforcement personnel will likely close off the surrounding neighborhood and prevent anyone from accessing the school campus. Emergency responders will instead direct family members to pick up their child at the Fair and Expo Center.

The drill will help students who are non-bus riders become familiar with buses and reduce potential anxiety about transportation during an actual emergency.

During the training, students will load the buses and be taught bus safety by the drivers. The buses will not take the students anywhere during this drill, but the idea of the training is to practice loading for the same reason students practice leaving the building for a fire drill.