News

The bond project plan and timeline is nearly complete, and work is scheduled to start this summer at school sites around the district.

This summer, high-priority projects at 18 school sites will begin, including upgrades at 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, the district office and facility department.

The project list includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, fire alarms and doors, food science classroom and PE locker room upgrades, and improvements to address HVAC, plumbing, paving, roofing and seismic needs.

See the list of school sites and projects. 

Demolition and reconstruction work will also start at Oak Grove Elementary School as soon as school is out for the year.

Designs for the new building are complete. See the latest drawings.

The character trait for the month of December was EMPATHY.

El rasgo de carácter para el mes de diciembre fue EMPATÍA.

On Monday, the School Board honored Student All-Stars from Lafayette Elementary School for earning the highest scores on the 2016-17 state assessments in language arts, math and science.

The students were introduced by Principal Jodi Smith. Pictured (from left):

Emma Janssen, fifth-grade language arts, math, science
Emma is a very bright and creative student. She is a wonderful reader and writer. In reading, she is very insightful, and in her writing, she is always striving to make her pieces even more creative and realistic with rich language. She has a bright future ahead of her.

Rhiannon Sousa, fourth-grade language arts and math
Rhiannon excels in the classroom in all areas – reading, writing and math. She is a very advanced reader, and her creativity adds to both her quality of work and to the classroom setting in general.

Harrison Rasmussen, math
Harrison is an outstanding student who produces impressive work, especially in math. He is always eager to try multiple pathways to solving problems. Harrison makes great connections between school tasks and the world outside of school.

Jesse Brown, third-grade language arts
Jesse is an outstanding student all-around but shines brightest in language arts. He is a kind and funny student who has participated in our school honors choir program in addition to his academic achievements.

Last night, Superintendent Golden thanked the School Board members for their service to GAPS students. He read the official Governor’s Proclamation and showed a video of students thanking the School Board for their service.

The Proclamation reads as follows:

WHEREAS: Oregonians rely on public education to ensure a prosperous quality of life and strong economic health for Oregon; and

WHEREAS: Locally elected boards fulfill leadership roles and serve as the conduit through which teachers, parents, businesses and conununities demonstrate the care, creativity and support that lead to student achievement; and
WHEREAS: Public schools nurture and train diverse student populations to the best of their ability, whatever the resources, to give students the knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to succeed; and

WHEREAS: Board members build the framework that makes it possible for education organizations to teach Oregon’s children; and

WHEREAS: The committed men and women who serve on the boards of Oregon’s 197 school districts, 19 education service districts and 17 community colleges deserve recognition and thanks for their dedication to the education needs of the people of Oregon.

NOW, THEREFORE: I, Kate Brown, Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim January 2018 to be

SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH

See the official signed proclamation. 

A new Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment Task Force will meet in two community forums at the end of January and beginning of February to develop a plan to reduce behaviors that negatively impact our community and our schools.

The goal is to generate a community-based “call to action” in response to our common concerns related to these issues. The task force leaders include South Shore Principal Kraig Sproles, Calapooia Middle School Principal Gina Ayers, Albany Options Principal John Hunter, and District Human Resources Administrator Rich Sipe.

The purpose of the forums will be twofold.  First, we will work together to formulate an understanding of the scope and nature of bullying and harassment in our community, and second, we will develop a community “Call to Action” in response. This plan will be presented to the school Board for their review and consideration in March.

The community is invited to attend the two community forums.

• The first forum will be on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at Albany Options School, 701 SE 19th Avenue (across the street from Sunrise Elementary School).
• The second forum will be on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m. at Albany Options School.

Each meeting is expected to last about 90 minutes.

Several community partners will be represented at the forums, including the Albany Police Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Linn County Mental Health, the City of Albany, FACT, Albany Boys and Girls Club, CAP, local faith community, and the YMCA.