News

Congratulations to Casey Brooks from West Albany High School for earning honorable mention in the inaugural Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) PAYBACK Challenge essay contest.

The award comes with a $500 scholarship prize. Casey was one of three honorable mention award winners from Oregon and was selected from 500 submissions.

For more information, read the press release:

PALO ALTO, California, April 26, 2018- Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) is pleased to announce three students from Oregon have received an Honorable Mention Award in their inaugural PAYBACK Challenge. Congratulations to Casey Brooks from West Albany High School(Albany), Kaitlyn Wornath from Tigard High (Tigard), and David Hoang from Franklin High School (Portland ).

This essay contest attracted over 500 submissions from students in all fifty states. After playing the game, students wrote a 250-word essay with the following prompt:

“How could you use the online game, PAYBACK, to have a conversation with your parent/guardian about paying for college?”

Teachers from over 500 classrooms nominated the best student essay. NGPF staff then reviewed these essays, judging them based on the following criteria:

• Indicates an understanding of key concepts learned by playing the game PAYBACK.
• Addresses concerns their parents/guardians may have about this sensitive topic.
• Takes a creative approach to engaging parents/guardians in a conversation about
  college.

Each of the 150 Honorable Mention winners will receive a $500 award from NGPF to be used for educational purposes.

Over the weekend, West Albany music students competed in the Oregon Music Education Association State Chamber Ensemble and Oregon Student Activities Association State Solo Contests at Pacific University in Forest Grove.

The following students earned awards for their performances:

Chamber Ensembles

Women’s Large Ensemble – 4th Place

Gemma Williams, Jessy Birruete, Anna Soot, Rhianna Miller, Elizabeth Lake, Mackenzie Duda, Sylvia Harrington

Men’s Large Ensemble – 3rd Place

Sam Rossback, Charlie DeRose, Cole Stenger, Tanner Wind, Will Radtke

Percussion Ensemble – 2nd Place

Curtis Allen, Jessica Bradley, Jasiah Brown, LJ Carmichael, Chase Clure, Cameron Crites, Elizabeth Frenzel, Kyle Jensen, Emily Lyon, Zachary Manning, Alexander Miller, Ryan Nelson, Benjamin Norman, Lauren Rose, Paul Sprague, Tanner Wind

Woodwind Trio – 1st Place

Ryan Nelson, Brandon Dodd, Zoe Ames

Soloists

Paul Sprague – 2nd Place – Euphonium
Colton Byers – 3rd Place – Trumpet
Amanda Givens – 5th Place – Oboe
Ryan Nelson – 6th Place Bassoon

At the April 23 School Board meeting, Waverly Principal Anne Griffith, preschool teacher Katy Allaback and preschool assistant Carlos Sanchez shared information about the Waverly Child Development Center.

Now in it’s second year, the preschool serves about 35 students within the Waverly attendance boundaries. The preschool started with grant funding with a goal of giving young children an boost for school readiness.

According to Allaback, “The program provides a level playing field and expands opportunities for students success.”

Watch the video for more information about this successful program. 

Proposed Budget 2018-2019

Work will start soon on bond-funded projects around the district. Come to a community meeting in May to learn about the plans.

May 2: West Albany High School
May 23: South Albany High School

Both meetings will start at 7 p.m.