News

South Albany High School’s new mascot made his debut at the South-West Football Game.  Welcome to town Rowdy!

Congratulations to Waverly Elementary School teacher Melissa Straughan, recipient of a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The award is one of the highest honors a teacher can receive. Straughan was nominated for the award by Diane Stone, a consultant for Teacher’s Development Group who helped with the implementation of Math Studio, a district math program. She is the math recipient and one of only two recipients from Oregon.

The following description is from the PAEMST website:

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics or science (including computer science) teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Up to 108 teachers are recognized each year.

Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

Straughan recently joined other K-6 teacher recipients from around the country at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. She credits the support of the district and the math curriculum adopted by the School Board.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Math Studio and all the support from Diane Stone and my principal, Anne Griffith. Thank you for opening these doors for our district and supporting such incredible work.”

The voter-approved bond plan includes projects to add career technical education classrooms to all middle schools and high schools.

Work has started at Calapooia Middle School and Timber Ridge School to convert existing classrooms into spaces that can be used for Career Technical Education, CTE, Programs.

This construction will be finished by fall. The spaces are designed to support a variety of career-based curriculum. A work group has been meeting to determine the district’s goals for career education and help shape a plan for secondary students. Workgroup participants include local manufacturing employers.

Read more about the CTE planning process and see the architectural drawings for each school.

Timber Ridge sent a delegation to the Greater Albany Special Olympics track meet at the end of this school year. The team wore specially printed shirts for the competition.

Twelve students from Jennifer Cyrus’ 3-5 grade foundational skills class participated in the event at South Albany High School on May 30. The event is coordinated by Rosie Zupan, PE teacher at North Albany Elementary School.

Each student participated in a softball throw a long jump and one running event (400 meters, 100 yd, 50 yd, or 25 yd).

The annual track meet draws schools from around the district and from other mid-valley schools.

Demolition of Oak Grove Elementary School has begun. The “newer” section with the gymnasium and four classroom pod has been completely torn down and only a pile of rubble remains.

Fencing to the east of the campus is being removed and the new two-acre land purchase to the east of the school is being prepped for the new bus loop and staff parking areas. Two trees were taken down today and preparations are beginning for asbestos abatement in the older portion of the building that was built in 1948.

The new school is expected to open in time for school in fall 2019.

See more information about the project.