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Before spring break, West Albany High Schools earned a distinction by Special Olympics of Oregon for inclusiveness. The school was named an Oregon Unified Champion School.

Representatives from Special Olympics presented the school with a Unified Champion banner during a school awards assembly, where they were also presented with the OSAA Unified Basketball Championship trophy for prevailing in the recent unified basketball tournament.

The Unified Champion award honors schools for creating a socially inclusive climate.

“The Unified Champion Schools approach incorporates Special Olympics sports, leadership and related activities that empower youth to be change agents in their communities. This is a paradigm shift from a focus on events to that of a whole school movement for inclusion.

Special education and general education students alongside educators and administrators are encouraged to collaborate to create supportive classrooms, school-wide activities and opportunities for growth and success for all.

When everyone in a school fosters a socially inclusive school climate that emphasizes acceptance, respect and human dignity for all students, schools become places where no student is isolated because of the degree or type of disability or the services required to meet his/her needs.

Together we are creating a Unified Generation that Chooses to Include.”

Special Olympics Champion Schools website

Photo by Special Olympics Oregon

The annual Character Education poster contest is accepting art submissions from students in grades K-12 through April 20. Original art can be no larger than 8.5″ x 11″ in any medium and must address at least one of the following character traits: personal responsibility, honesty and integrity, self-discipline, courage, social responsibility, kindness, respect, justice.

Students can submit artwork to a staff member at their school. All submissions will be displayed at the main branch of the Albany Public Library. Winners will a frame for their art and a poster of all winning art.

See the flyer
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The new elementary school near Timber Ridge will open in fall 2019. Help us name the new school. The district is seeking community input to gather name suggestions.

An online survey will be open until April 13 at 5 p.m. Please submit up to three name suggestions.

An appointed advisory committee made up of community members will review all suggestions and make recommendations. The School Board will make the final decision.

Online survey for name suggestions

Sugerencias de nombres para la nueva escuela primaria

En mayo del 2017, los votantes generosamente pasaron un bono escolar que incluía una nueva escuela primaria, que reamente era necesaria para reemplazar la escuela primara Clover Ridge. Esta escuela será construida justo al norte de la escuela Timber Ridge School.

Esta escuela necesita un nombre. Deseamos su opinión y les damos la bienvenida a sus ideas. Por favor envíenos hasta tres sugerencias de nombres. Las sugerencias serán recibidas hasta el 13 de abril a las 5:00 pm.

Un comité asesor designado conformado por ciudadanos de la comunidad, revisarán todas las sugerencias y harán sus recomendaciones al Superintendente. La Mesa Directiva tomará la decisión final.

Por favor envíenos sugerencias de nombres

To our staff:

On Tuesday night the Greater Albany Public Schools board of directors voted unanimously to place Superintendent Jim Golden on paid administrative leave while an outside attorney conducts an inquiry into allegations made against him.

It is important to note that the complaints do not relate to students and that the board’s action does not signify that the allegations have been verified. Rebekah Jacobson, a Salem attorney with extensive background in employment and school law, will conduct the inquiry and advise the board on next steps.

In the meantime, Assistant Superintendent Tonja Everest has been named acting superintendent. Everest has served as assistant superintendent, and is well-prepared to meet our students’ needs.

Because of personnel policies and legal considerations we cannot discuss the nature of the allegations. What we can say is that we are intent on a thorough inquiry into these complaints and a just resolution.

Please direct any questions or comments to Board Secretary Jim Haggart at 541-967-4511

Thank you for your continued support of Greater Albany Public Schools as we work our way through this process.

Board Chair Micah Smith

Scholarships are available to high school seniors through the Albany Public Schools Foundation. The deadline is April 13 for 18 scholarships worth $35,500 to local seniors.

See the list. Speak to your high school counselor about eligibility requirements and applications.