District to launch new Web site
October 14, 2011 10:38 AM
The Corvallis School District will launch a new, redesigned Web site Monday (Oct. 17) which will give parents, students, staff, and the community better access to information about what's going on in the district and its schools.
The Web site address, www.csd509j.net, will remain the same but its appearance will be very different.
Among the improvements visitors will notice right away is a much cleaner, streamlined format that will allow people to find the information they're looking for more quickly. The Home Page also features a more prominent news section including photographs, a new district-wide events calendar and a direct link to the superintendent's monthly school board report. Additional modules containing links highlighting budget news, kindergarten sign-ups and similar "seasonal" issues will appear in the future.
District communications specialist Carol Reeves and technology manager Rob Singleton stressed that the Web site is still "under construction." Some Web pages or links may revert back to the old site, while others' appearance and layout may not be consistent yet with the new design. Individual school Web sites are independently managed and were not a part of the district's initial redesign process.
Every department is involved with updating and improving the look and usability of their section of the district Web site, but it will take time considering the vast amount of information and resources to be found on the district's site.
"We hope that people will appreciate the changes made so far and be patient as we continue to add more features and work out all the kinks inherent in such a huge undertaking," Reeves said. "We want them to explore the new Web site and let us know what they think. We also hope they continue to visit the site often throughout the school year to search out the answers to any questions they may have and learn more about all the great things going on in our schools."
Visitors can offer their feedback by using the links provided on the Splash Page or by clicking on the "Contact Us" tab in the menu bar of the Home Page.
Corvallis receives 'Outstanding' report cards
October 6, 2011 2:04 PM
Ten of the 13 schools in the Corvallis School District received an "Outstanding" rating on the annual Oregon School Report Cards released today by the state Department of Education. Across the state, only 28 percent of schools were rated as Outstanding, compared to 37 percent last year.
The annual report cards assign an Outstanding, Satisfactory or In Need of Improvement rating based on a comprehensive review of each school's performance in the areas of academic achievement, attendance or graduation, participation in assessments and key school statistics, including teacher experience and class sizes.
"We are extremely pleased with the high number of our schools earning an Outstanding rating," said Kevin Bogatin, assistant superintendent. "In light of the tougher math standards put in place this last year and ever-shrinking economic resources, we believe this points to the quality of education our students receive year after year and the hard work of our staff to make sure every child is successful."
District officials were especially encouraged by the academic gains at the two high schools. At Corvallis High School, the percentage of students who met or exceeded state reading standards grew from 79 percent to 94 percent and at Crescent Valley High School the percentage grew from 72 percent to 92 percent.
When it comes to math, 81 percent of CHS students met or exceeded state standards in 2010-2011 compared to 63 percent the year before, and at Crescent Valley, the percentage grew from 61 percent to 79 percent.
"All of our subgroups at the high school level including Hispanic students, students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students saw double-digit gains in academic performance," Bogatin said. "Both schools went from Satisfactory to Outstanding due to all the extra interventions and supports they're providing for struggling students and because of the work teachers are doing as Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)."
Two elementary schools -- Garfield and Lincoln -- received Satisfactory ratings. Linus Pauling Middle School was not rated because the ODE considers it to be a "reconfigured" school due to a population shift following the closing of Lincoln's middle level program at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
School and district reports can be viewed online here.
District responds to voluntary tomato recall
September 30, 2011 11:52 AM
The Food Services Department is supporting a voluntary recall of organic grape tomatoes supplied through Duck Produce from Andrew Williamson Fresh Produce. Some of the tomatoes were served during lunch on Wednesday (Sept. 28) in the Corvallis and Philomath school districts and at Zion Lutheran School.
All the tomatoes listed in the precautionary recall have been removed from the district's kitchen facilities and sent back to Duck Produce.
No consumer illnesses related to the tomatoes have been reported. The precautionary recall is being issued because one clamshell of the product tested positive for Salmonella in a random sample tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Michigan.
Parenting series focuses on temperaments
September 29, 2011 11:39 AM
Understanding how a child's temperament affects his or her behavior is the focus of a six-week parenting course starting Oct. 4 hosted by Linus Pauling Middle School.
The series of classes titled "So That's Why They Do That!" will be taught by certified temperament specialist Katrina Meyers. The classes will meet in the LPMS library from 7 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday through Nov. 8.
The goal of the class is to provide families with a powerful, common-sense approach to parenting, Meyers said. "Temperament is a person's first, most natural way of reacting to the world and is a powerful way of understanding people and what makes them tick.
"My purpose for teaching temperament is to assist people in creating a better understanding of each other so as to adjust expectations and environments in a way that fosters success for all," Meyers said.
Discussion topics will include how temperament affects the relationship between parents and children, how it can lead to conflicts, and how to develop successful strategies for guiding children's behavior and helping them to moderate their own actions.
Registration costs $39 per person; scholarships are available. To register or for more information, call 541-760-5817 or email katrinameyers@hotmail.com.
SRTS program contributes to Corvallis award
September 22, 2011 1:29 PM
The Corvallis Safe Routes to School program was a key factor in Corvallis being honored today as one of 10 "Walk Friendly Communities" across the United States by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Walk Friendly Community designation, awarded from bronze to platinum, is given to applicant communities that have demonstrated "a commitment to improving and sustaining walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans and policies."
According to the announcement on the Walk Friendly Communities Web site, Corvallis was designated as a bronze-level community due to the city's dedication to providing accessibility to pedestrians and their great Safe Route to School program. Through the SRTS program, most of the district's elementary schools participate in monthly Walk/Bike to School Days and have well-organized and trained safety patrols to assist children walking to school.
A 2010 community survey indicated more than 90 percent of respondents said they found it easy to walk in Corvallis and gave the accessibility of walking trails and paths a rating of 90 percent. The city also was commended for its extensive pedestrian signal system, including audible pedestrian signals at all intersections outside the Central Business District and handicap accessible ramps on all corners of signal intersections.
The other cities recognized as Walk Friendly Communities were: Gold Level -- Chicago, Minneapolis and San Francisco; Silver Level - Philadelphia, Alexandria (VA) and Santa Monica (CA); and Bronze Level - Cary (NC), Davidson (NC) and Lee's Summit (MO).
Corvallis students excel on SAT/ACT
September 20, 2011 11:30 AM
Corvallis and Crescent Valley high school students continue to outperform their peers in Oregon and across the nation on SAT and ACT college entrance exams.
According to a recent release of SAT results for the Class of 2011, average scores of the district's seniors were at least 50 points higher than state and national averages in most subjects. For example, the district's average math score was 580 and the average writing score was 556. The statewide average in math was 521 and 499 in writing. Nationally, the average score was 514 in math and 489 in writing
The trend continues when it comes to Corvallis students' ACT scores. Students at CHS and CVHS scored nearly 25 percent higher than their peers across Oregon and nationwide. The composite score for graduates from both CHS and CVHS was 26.1 compared to the statewide average of 21.5 and a national average of 21.1.
When it comes to the percentage of test-takers in Corvallis who are ready for college-level coursework based on their ACT subject-area test scores, 92 percent met the English composition benchmark, 87 percent are ready for college social sciences, 81 percent are prepared for college algebra and 62 percent met the benchmark for college biology. Nationally, only 66 percent met the English composition standard, 52 percent met the social science benchmark and only 45 and 30 percent of 2011 test-takers are ready for college-level algebra and biology courses, respectively.
Fifty-nine percent of Corvallis students who took last year's ACT test met all four benchmark scores, compared to 27 percent throughout Oregon and just 25 percent across the nation.
More details about student achievement in the Corvallis School District are available here.
Local National Merit semifinalists announced
September 20, 2011 9:48 AM
Eight Corvallis students have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program.
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $34 million, to be offered next spring.
The semifinalists from Crescent Valley High School include Alexander Erwig, Margaret Hyde, Soyoung Park, Selena Parnon, Eric Samelson and Danning Yao. The honored students from Corvallis High School are Patrick Brown and Emily Edwards.
National Merit semifinalists represent less than 1 percent of all high schools seniors in the United States. They are chosen based on their outstanding academic record throughout high school, their principal's recommendation and exceptional scores as juniors on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Michael Sherwin wins 'Outstanding Teacher' title
September 19, 2011 4:53 PM
Michael Sherwin, an Advanced Placement history teacher at Crescent Valley High School, has been chosen as the University of Oregon's Outstanding High School Teacher in 2011. He will receive the award at the UO convocation on Sunday (Sept. 25).
Each year, the university asks incoming freshmen to nominate high school teachers who have influenced them academically by challenging their students to work harder than they had ever worked, to achieve more than they had thought possible of themselves, or to become curious about a subject in which they felt they had no interest.
Carly Uebel, a 2011 CV graduate, nominated Sherwin for the award. A teacher for 29 years in the Corvallis School District, Sherwin teaches AP U.S. history and AP government and politics at Crescent Valley.
Uebel admitted in her nomination letter that before taking Sherwin's history class, she had never been "particularly enthralled" with social studies.
"I honestly believe that it is because of Mr. Sherwin's engaging lessons and thoughtful commentary that I came to develop a genuine passion for the social sciences and international relations," Uebel wrote, adding that she intends to major in these subjects at UO. "Mr. Sherwin asked us to question, and not simply to memorize which is a critical differentiation."
CV principal Cherie Stroud also spoke of Sherwin highly: "I am most proud of the way Michael engages students in rigorous coursework through instructional strategies that cause students to not only think critically, but also to apply newly learned concepts in new and relevant ways.
"Students see him not only as a wise and intellectual mentor, they also see him as one they can commiserate with on a personal level," she said. "He is a master teacher in every way!"
Calendar change extends winter break
September 13, 2011 3:14 PM
Students will get an extra day of vacation before returning to school after winter break due to a calendar change prompted by state law. The tradeoff, however, is students will attend school on Feb. 20, President's Day.
The current 2011-2012 school calendar for all grade levels shows Monday, Jan. 2 as a school day. District officials have learned, however, that according to state law, students shall not be required to attend school on a legal holiday which in this case is Jan. 2 since New Year's Day falls on Sunday, Jan. 1.
Both employee associations have agreed to consider Friday, Dec. 30 as the legal holiday for employees so that a staff development (non-school) day on Feb. 20 could be rescheduled for Jan. 2. This means that Feb. 20 (President's Day) will become a school day for all students.
The calendar change has been approved by the leaders of both employee associations and the school board also voted in favor of the change during Monday night's board meeting in order to comply with the law.
New school calendars reflecting the calendar change are available here.
School board approves employee contracts
September 12, 2011 10:07 PM
The Corvallis School Board voted unanimously Monday night to ratify new contracts with the Corvallis Education Association (CEA) and local Chapter 2 of the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA).
The economic terms of the two-year contracts apply only to the 2011-2012 school year, and then must be renegotiated.
Bargaining sessions with the CEA and OSEA began early last spring. Both groups' previous contracts expired July 1.
The CEA contract, which covers licensed employees within the district, does not include any cost of living adjustment, but teachers will receive "step" pay raises (effective Nov. 1) in recognition of their years of service within the Corvallis district. The district's monthly contribution toward health insurance also will not increase, but employees at the top of the pay scale who do not receive step increases, will receive a one-time payment of $720 from an insurance reserve fund to help with increased health insurance costs.
The CEA agreed to a reduction of two non-instructional workdays which will eliminate a preparation day for all teachers at the end of school in June, plus one preparation day for high school staff in November and one in February for elementary and middle level teachers.
Classified employees will have a full work year and step advancement (effective since July 1). Classified employees include administrative assistants, technology specialists, educational assistants, maintenance workers, library media assistants and food service workers.
The OSEA contract also includes no cost of living adjustments or increased contributions for medical insurance from the district. Staff ineligible for step increases will receive a 1.5 percent stipend in their October paycheck from the classified insurance reserve to help defer increased costs of medical insurance. The district has agreed to pay an additional $15 per month toward classified employees' dental, vision, life and disability insurance premiums.
Before Monday night's vote, superintendent Erin Prince and board chair Anne Schuster acknowledged the collaborative spirit of both associations through a particularly difficult bargaining season because of the tough economic times. "We recognize the sacrifices that both groups of employees have made, and we are grateful for the partnership we share with them," Prince said.
