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Vocational technical training, also known as Career Technical programs and applied learning, helps students learn about possible career paths and prepare for the workforce. These programs also increase the chance that a student will graduate.

The Oregon Department of Education has data that shows students are more likely to graduate if they participate in a vocational technical, or CTE, program:

According to the Oregon Department of Education, “The 2013-2014 four-year cohort graduation rate for CTE concentrators in Oregon was 85.7%; for all students (including CTE concentrators) it was 76.4%. An Oregon CTE concentrator is a student who has earned one or more credits in a technical skill course(s) within an Oregon state-approved CTE Program of Study.” 

Projects in Ballot Measure 22-165 would include remodeling existing classrooms and building new instructional space to allow hands-on activities in high-demand career fields.

A recent work group identified current and planned vocational technical education programs that would be added to all middle and high schools if the bond passes in May.

Read the program development report for more information.

Find more information about Ballot Measure 22-165.

The annual prom dress discount store front will open its doors soon at Heritage Mall. My Best Friend’s Closet, sponsored by the Albany Public School Foundation, is currently accepting donations of gently used formal gowns that they can sell to students for $10 each.

The annual dress giveaway provides a tax deduction to donors and allows students to purchase dresses for prom that may otherwise be too expensive.

The event is scheduled for April 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. See the flyer for more information.

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Photos from last year’s event:

Northwest Community Credit Union recently visited the following Albany District schools to present four GAPS teachers with 2016 Project Community awards:

The following statement was released by the credit union to announce the selection of these outstanding educators:

We are proud of these winning teachers, and very much enjoyed the opportunity to visit on site and surprise teachers and classes in person. The entire process, from review of nominations, selection, and surprise presentation was rewarding for our staff, and gave them an added insight into the needs and challenges of public education today.

Albany’s district educators were among recipients of Northwest Community Credit Union’s annual educational program awards presentations completed in January, providing 67 Oregon educators funding support for project needs submitted in 2016. Winners from 48 schools and non-profits in 14 Oregon communities were selected with awards funding totaling $61,000.

Albany’s District 8J educators selected for project awards from the credit union are:

Calapooia Middle School science teacher Jennifer Hill is using her Project Community  funding to purchase LEGO sets for the Robotics club.

Teacher Jane Bauserman (pictured above), Liberty Elementary School, is creating a listening center for her kindergarten class to use during reading time.

Sunrise Elementary School’s Shawna Mole is jump starting STEM learning by buying materials to add to her kindergarten class’ Exploration Station.

Tangent Elementary School teacher Jeanie Mowery received materials to allow her students to access the classroom’s audio book collection.

Liberty fifth graders are participating in an intensive study of pond life, which combines elements of microbiology and art instruction.

The project, sponsored by the Corvallis Arts Center, combines the talents of Artist in Residence Cheryl French and microbiologists from OSU in teaching students about pond life at the micro-organism level and how to represent it artistically.

On the art side, students will begin to see themselves as artists and explore the basics of modes of colors. The microbiologists will help students identify and understand the wide variety of micro-organisms that are components of pond life. The project will culminate with three-dimensional pieces that will depict micro-organisms to scale, printed on fabric, using both paint and ink.

Due to January weather closures, Monday, Feb. 20, will not be a school holiday. Please remember that it is a snow make-up day.

See you on Monday!