News

At the end of every year, GAPS schools celebrate the hard work and achievement of students. We are proud of all of our students, but we are especially proud of and happy for our graduating seniors who persevered.

Here are some end-of-year highlights so far:

Congratulations South Albany High School Valedictorian Rachel DeVyldere (featured photo, above: Democrat-Herald). Read about Rachel in the Democrat-Herald.

Albany Options will hold its graduation ceremony at Linn Benton Community College on June 12 at 7 p.m. Two students, Luis DeSantiago Martinez and Jaushua Jung, will be the class speakers.

The South Albany High School graduation ceremony is next Tuesday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m. at he Linn County Fair and Expo Center.

SAHS will bring students around the district to elementary and middle schools earlier in the day on June 13. The annual senior walk is an inspiration to younger students.

West Albany High School graduated seniors on June 6. See the video in the Democrat-Herald and a photo gallery.

See the videos produced by West Albany High School of the graduation ceremony and the grad walk earlier in the day.

This week, the School Board recognized the winners of the county spelling bee. The students were top spellers in the district and county competitions.

Pictured are Brynna Gritter Kenneke, Logan Falotico, Michael Franzwa, Dru Huddleston, Paige Rogers and Stephanie DeMello.

Read more about the competition. 

Gretchen Rayburn has been named Tangent Elementary School principal. Superintendent Jim Golden issued the following statement after her appointment was announced:

I am pleased to announce that, after an extensive process, we have selected Gretchen Rayburn as Tangent’s new principal.

Ms. Rayburn began her career as a teacher for the deaf and then served in the Salem-Keizer School District supporting teachers in the use of technology for instruction. For the last ten years, she has been serving as an instructional coach and behavior specialist in that district in a variety of elementary settings.

She is viewed as an approachable leader with a good sense of humor who seeks input and “rolls up her sleeves” to get things done.  The team was impressed with her skills-based approach to behavior support as well as her wide experience with system implementation including PBIS and RTI.

Please join me in welcoming Gretchen Rayburn to Tangent Elementary and to the larger GAPS family.

Before students walk across the stage to get their diplomas on graduation night, they walk through the halls of their elementary and middle school. The now annual event is a reminder of how far they have come and an inspiration to the students whose graduation dates are several years in the future.

On Tuesday, June 6, West Albany High School students visited Memorial and North Albany middle schools, Timber Ridge, Albany Christian and Central, Clover Ridge, Fir Grove/Oak Grove, Liberty, North Albany, South Shore, Tangent, Takena and Waverly elementary schools.

South Albany High School graduates will visit schools on June 13.

This week, the School Board honored Student All-Stars from South Shore Elementary School for their motivation, perseverance, growth, and school and community service.

South Shore students are:

Ricardo Diego Herrera-Moore

Ricardo is a diligent student who works hard in class and has really applied himself this year. He has made incredible gains in both reading and writing. He is particularly strong in science and one day Ricardo will be an accomplished engineer!

Elijah Omar Uscanga Olsen

Elijah is involved in scouting and exemplifies the motto to always do your best.  Elijah has overcome many hardships and his sense of optimism and positive spirit is contagious for our school community.