News

The annual GAPS spelling bee was May 10, and winners were announced for each grade level.

The following press release is from Calapooia Middle School teacher and Greater Albany Education Association President Sue McGrory.

Congrats to all students who participated.

DISTRICT HOLDS ANNUAL SPELLING CONTEST

Students from across the Greater Albany Public School District participated in the annual District Spelling Contest, which was held on Wednesday, May 10 at Calapooia Middle School. The school library, site of the competition, was also filled with parents and teachers from across the district, supporting their spellers.

There were three divisions competing at the local school level. Division I is grades 1 – 5; Division II is grades 6 – 8; and Division III is grades 9 -12. Each winner received a certificate and was recognized at a School Board meeting.

Winners were:

Elementary – Division I:

• 1st Place:  Brynna Gritter Kenneke, Grade 5, North Albany Elementary
• 2nd Place: Logan Falotico, Grade 4, Liberty Elementary
• 3rd Place:  Michael Franzwa, Grade 5, North Albany Elementary

Middle School – Division II:

• 1st Place:  Paige Rogers, Grade 7, Memorial Middle School
• 2nd Place Azlynn Warren, Grade 7, Calapooia Middle School
• 3rd Place: Dru Huddleston, Grade 6, Memorial Middle School

High School – Division III:

• 1st Place: Stephni DeMello, Grade 11, Albany Options School
• 2nd Place: Nathaniel Hering, Grade 10, South Albany High School

Statewide, the spelling contest is held at three levels – local school district, county, and state. GAPS winners will go onto compete at the next levels. The winners from each division will represent Greater Albany Public School district at a regional spelling contest held at Calapooia Middle School on Wednesday, May 24.

This year’s district level contest and regional (county) contest are coordinated by district teachers and staff, volunteering their time to continue the annual competition.

Pictured (from left): Division 1: Michael Franzwa, Brynna Gritter Kenneke, Logan Falotico; Division 2: Paige Rogers, Azlynn Warren, Dru Huddleston; Division 3: Stephni DeMello, Nathaniel Hering

Greater Albany voters approved Measure 22-165 in the May 16 election with a passing rate of  54 percent.

“We want to thank our community for its support of our schools,” said Superintendent Jim Golden. “This measure will make a difference to kids and to our whole community.”

The bond will:

• Fix aging school buildings
• Make energy improvements
• Make school safety and security improvements
• Add/expand vocational and technical classrooms at all middle and high schools
• Relieve overcrowding and accommodate growth

The planning process will begin immediately. A project timeline and plan will be announced in the coming weeks and will include opportunities for community involvement.

The district middle school track meet was held on May 11 at South Albany High School track. All four GAPS middle schools – Calapooia, Memorial, North Albany and Timber Ridge – participated.

The competition included boys and girls in grades six, seven and eight in the following events: discuss, high jump, long jump, 100 meter hurdles, 100 meter dash, 400 meter run and the 1,500 meter run.

Tomorrow is Election Day. Cast your vote before the polls close at 8 p.m. The District bond measure, Measure 22-165, and school board races will be decided.

Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Official ballot drop boxes are at Linn County Courthouse, North Albany Shopping Center and Albany Public Library.

For Teacher Appreciation Week, Memorial leadership students shared what they like about their teachers.

Our teachers are the backbone of our schools, and our students love them. Thank you, Teachers!