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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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!"

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.

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.

Interested candidates are invited to an information meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19 at the district office to learn more about the duties of committee members and the timeline for developing a budget for the 2012-2013 school year.

Two of the four vacancies are three-year terms, one is for two years and another is a one-year term. Committee members must be registered voters living within the school district.

A letter of interest and brief resume is due by Monday, Sept. 26 and should be sent to Jennifer Schroeder at the Corvallis School District, 1555 S.W. 35th St., Corvallis, 97333 or by email to jennifer.schroeder@corvallis.k12.or.us.

The report indicated that across the state, only 54 percent of schools met the federal standards set by the No Child Left Behind Act.

State officials attribute the dramatic decrease in the number of schools meeting AYP to the federal targets increasing from 60 percent to 70 percent and to the implementation of higher state math standards last year. In 2009-2010, 71 percent of Oregon schools met AYP.

"With increased federal and state expectations, we are seeing fewer schools meeting AYP targets this year, but we know from recently released test results student achievement is on the rise," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo.

One of the highlights of the Corvallis report is that Lincoln Elementary School and Crescent Valley High School did meet AYP this year after having a "Not Met" rating in 2009-2010. Both schools posted double-digit gains in the percentage of students meeting reading and math standards.

At the recent Back to School Rally for district staff, new superintendent Erin Prince praised the Lincoln Elementary staff for their commitment to Professional Learning Communities and a "robust" intervention system for struggling students.

"The results are nothing short of amazing," Prince said. "Ninety-one percent of Lincoln students met the reading benchmark, which is an 18 percent increase. Among their students with disabilities, the number of students meeting reading standards increased by 44 percent and in mathematics, the increase was 47 percent. Students with limited English proficiency increased by 19 percent in reading and 23 percent in math, while students from economically disadvantaged homes increased by 22 percent in reading and 21 percent in mathematics."

Crescent Valley High School posted a 20 percent increase in the number of students meeting the reading benchmark and an 18 percent increase in the number of students meeting math standards.

In order for a school to meet AYP, all subgroups of students must meet performance targets in reading and math. If a single subgroup misses any one of the targets or doesn't show sufficient growth toward meeting the standards, the entire school receives a Not Met rating, as does the entire school district if any one school fails to meet AYP. Schools also must meet attendance or graduation benchmarks.

Franklin K-8 School did not meet AYP for the first time since the ratings began nine years ago because the percentage of students with disabilities missed the math performance target of 70 percent by 3 percentage points. Corvallis High School met all growth targets for all subgroups, but fell short of the graduation rate growth target among economically disadvantaged students by less than 1 percent.

The third school, Linus Pauling Middle School, did not receive an AYP designation for 2010-2011. Due to its population shift after the closing of Lincoln's middle level program the year before, the ODE considered Linus Pauling to be a "reconfigured" school with insufficient data to figure AYP.

To see the Corvallis School District's complete AYP report, click here.

The elementary schools were bustling with children swinging lunch bags and sporting back packs, most with eager smiles on their faces, some with hesitation and apprehension.

The middle school hallways were filled with laughter, high fives, and lockers opening and shutting.

High schoolers filled the classrooms and open spaces moving with confidence, willing to stop and assist other students by providing directions to specific wings and classes.

My first day observations as new superintendent:

1. Our teachers, staff and administrators were visible, welcoming, and ensuring students were feeling safe and calm.

2. Parent volunteers were assisting students and family members by answering questions and providing directions.

3. Every school I entered had a positive and welcoming atmosphere. I felt excited to enter each school.

4. Every student, from kindergarten to senior in high school, greeted me with a smile and took time to engage me in conversation.

5. I was impressed with the support our students provided to each other.

6. Our buildings shine from the hard work of our custodial and maintenance crews!

7. Teachers were immediately engaging students in meaningful instruction, from writing stories, to exploring philosophers, to plotting straight lines. Students were learning from day one!

8. Despite the first day challenges, schedule changes were made, bus routes were altered, and every day from now on should run even smoother than the first day!

9. I am very proud to be a part of our exciting and engaging learning community!

10. Congratulations parents, teachers, staff, and students on a successful start to a new year!

AP Scholars With Distinction must receive an average score of at least 3.5 (on a range of 1 to 5) on all AP exams taken and a score of 3 or higher on five or more AP exams. AP Scholars With Honor received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP tests taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more AP exams. AP Scholars earned a score of 3 or higher on three or more AP tests.

Students who earn AP exam scores of 3 or above are generally considered to be qualified to receive college credit and/or placement into advanced courses when they attend a university.

AP Scholars With Distinction are Angela Ahn (CV), Clay Callahan (CHS), Melar Chen (CV), Lauren DeCarolis (CV), Thor Dodson (CHS), Lipi Gupta (CV), Stephanie Hao (CHS), Mahon Khoshzaban (CV), Joseph Kleinhenz (CHS), Taylor Kunke (CHS), Nathan Lazaroff (CHS), Colin McIntyre (CHS), Joshua Nelson (CHS), Erin Ortiz (CV), Grant Parnon (CV), Lars Paulson (CHS), Michael Perlin (CV), Alexander Pinard (CV), Julie Selker (CHS), Collin Steinauer (CV), Nathanial Martinson Vallancey (CHS), Ian Vermeulen (CHS), Nicholas Vincent-Hill (CV), Josiah Wai (CHS), Stephanie Wang (CV), Shannon Williams (CHS), Jordan Wilson (CHS), Danning Yao (CV), and Soo Hyun Yoo (CV).

AP Scholars With Honor are Kushal Agarwal (CV), Patrick Brown (CHS), Laurel Goldner (CHS), Madeline Gorchels (CHS), Sean Hixon (CV), Faye Jones (CHS), Nolan Karpinski (CHS), Amelia Lanning (CV), Jason Mock (CHS), Nathan Rockey (CHS), Kelly Shreeve (CHS), Ichigo Takikawa (CV), Grant Thackray (CHS), Carly Uebel (CV), Alexander Vincent-Hill (CV), Rachel White (CV), and Rachael Wright (CV).

The AP Scholars include Vincent Albright (CHS), Andrew Boomer (CHS), Nathan Christopher (CHS), Devin Corrigan (CHS), TJ Crane-Falque (CHS), Hayley DeCarolis (CV), Jordan Demello (CHS), Garrett Doolen (CV), Carmella Dunn-Harman (CHS), Trevor Fiez (CV), Alyssa Freeman (CV), Wil Geier (CV), Isabel Goni-Mcateer (CHS), Marlee Griffith (CV), Tatiana Kornilovich (CV), Christina Law (CHS), Kimberly Lerner (CV), Zoe Liebeskind (CV), Samantha McInally (CHS), Christian Meunier (CV), Laura Ornes (CV), Soyoung Park (CV), Sean Pomeroy (CHS), Shaun Resseguie (CV), Emily Ridley (CHS), Selina Robson (CHS), Eric Samelson (CV), John Shotton (CV), Veronica Stevens (CV), and Peter Wong (CV).

When the new school year starts Sept. 7, children in grades 1-5 will be released one hour early on Fridays to give teachers a consistent time each week to collaborate as Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The extra hour a week is designed to help staff better meet the learning needs of all students.

The school day for most elementary children will end at 1:45 p.m. on Fridays, one hour earlier than on Monday through Thursday. Franklin students will be released at 1:35 p.m. on Fridays.

The Corvallis Boys & Girls Club has announced that it will simply add the extra hour to the STARS afterschool program that currently operates at Adams, Garfield, Hoover, Jefferson, Mountain View and Wilson elementary schools and the Lion's Den program at Lincoln Elementary School. The club also will offer an option for families who need care only on Fridays because of the early release time for $20 a week.

Or, children may participate in the Open Clubhouse program at the Boys & Girls Club, 112 N.W. Circle Blvd. on Fridays as long as they have paid the annual membership fee of $25. Busses are available at every elementary school to take children to the club once the school day is over.

Corvallis Parks and Recreation is offering a Friday Fun Club at the Osborn Aquatic Center from 2 to 6 p.m. The cost will be $20 per day or $165 to $200 for 10 to 12-week sessions.

Dance Corvallis has offered to escort students ages 5-11 at Lincoln Elementary to its new studio in south Corvallis for dance lessons on Friday afternoons during the early release hour. Lessons also are available at the Dance Corvallis studio on Highway 99W in north Corvallis.

For more details about the new elementary schedule and the early release options mentioned above, click here.