With Vision and Enthusiasm...

New Principal Brad Ramey to Pilot RJSHS into 2007-08 Year

The Clatskanie Chief

by Ruth E. Howard

August 23, 2007

The Columbians have a new "captain" at the helm of Rainier Junior/Senior High School (RJSHS) as the 2007-08 school year draws near.

Since officially settling into his principal's office about a week and a half ago, Brad Ramey has encountered a busy schedule, yet he has also discovered a very helpful staff and a tight-knit community.

Ramey was hired Monday, Aug. 13, after former principal Jeff Gilbert submitted his resignation. Most recently vice principal and athletic director at Kalama High School, Ramey originally applied with the Rainier School District for the position of vice principal/athletic director at RJSHS.

However, with Gilbert's resignation, he was offered the principal's post - a new challenge, but one he was willing to seize.

And, with vision and enthusiasm as his sails, Ramey appears prepared to pilot RJSHS into the upcoming year.

A Longview resident, he was born in Moscow, Idaho and moved at a young age with his family to Woodland, where he attended school, from preschool to graduation.

"A very enjoyable school experience" and "positive interactions" with school personnel, combined with an enjoyment of working with kids, steered Ramey toward a career choice in teaching.

"You truly have to love being a teacher, to make it successful...The focus is the kids and everybody's there for that reason."

Ramey continues to keeps in contact with his former middle school social studies teacher, who he described as a "great role model." "I see the daily changes he made in people's lives."Pursuing his goal of teaching, he earned a bachelor of education degree, with an emphasis in social studies from Concordia University in 1995.

Returning to familiar ground, he did his student teaching at Woodland High School, then was hired by Pacific Middle School, in the Evergreen School District, based in Vancouver. For seven and half years he taught social studies and yearbook and "did a lot of coaching" for the Pacific student body of 1300.

He then served as an administrative intern for one year at Evergreen's 2000-student Heritage High School.

It was while in the Evergreen School District that Ramey chose to pursue a masters degree in education, which he received from Washington State University (WSU) about six years ago.

While noting the important role that teachers play in students' lives, Ramey understands that in an administrative role, there is a greater capacity for influence.

"The more opportunities you have for leadership, the more opportunities you have to effect change."

A little more than five years ago, Ramey was hired by Kalama High School as an assistant principal and athletic director.

Charting a New Course

While he enjoyed his time in Kalama, Ramey was searching for opportunities to chart a new course. His quest landed him on the southern bank of the Columbia River, in Rainier at Rainier Junior/Senior High School.

Having the support of his family - "it was a family decision" - Ramey accepted the principal post, becoming the Rainier Columbians' newest "captain."

Rainier is similar to Kalama, says Ramey, as second, third and fourth generations of families come through the same school system. He has discovered that Rainier is a "very tight-knit community" and has enjoyed meeting its citizens and the school personnel as he has put in a number of hours in recent days - "it's almost like you do live here."

Continuing Rainier's "very strong traditions" and guiding and changing them as needed, are among Ramey's ambitions in his new position.

"To have a positive school year for staff and students" is his first priority as new principal, while other goals are the continual improvements of state assessment tests and student's learning abilities, and providing as many "unique" opportunities for the students as possible.

A more personal aim is to "have fun." "I do love my job and I want to continue to have that."

Playing basketball in high school and college, Ramey has previously served as a head volleyball coach, a head girls basketball coach, a varsity assistant for boys basketball and an assistant track coach, throughout his career.

Again, he credits past coaches for being "good mentors."

"I was fortunate enough to have very good coaches in high school, in college...I have a great appreciation for what they did for me."

He still keeps in touch with his former high school basketball coach, past administrators he has worked with and the middle school social studies teacher, who is presently a school superintendent in eastern Washington. While their "sphere of influence" began while Ramey was still a student and young athlete, it has not diminished as he has progressed through life.

Although his first responsibility as principal is "to provide leadership," Ramey says he would like to assist with the school's athletics as time allows, using that as another opportunity to influence young lives.

"For me to not use that experience to help would be a loss."

Among his first opportunities to interact with Rainier's students came as athletes reported for the first day of practices on Monday, Aug. 20, and Ramey said he intended to help coach volleyball practice that afternoon.

"Definitely a Family Experience"

Having bought a home in Longview about a year ago, Ramey has no immediate plans to move his family to the Rainier area, primarily not wanting to uproot his six children, who are enrolled in Longview and Ridgefield schools.

He and his wife, Renee, a marketing manager, are the parents of Lauren, 13, Keigan, 11, Ty, 10, Masen, 8, Kade, 7, and Presley, 5.

Being a father, says Ramey "is a great existence," adding he is "very grateful" for his family.

"Spending time with family is a very high priority for me," he said, noting that the Ramey family will attend such school events as Friday night football games as the members make a point to "include each other in our lives."

His children are already familiar with their dad's new place of employment, having helped deliver packages and run errands on the school campus.

"It's definitely a family experience for me - I want my kids to be a part of my life."

Acknowledging he has entered a challenge with a "huge learning curve," the step of advancement has been eased by a "very positive staff."

"I couldn't have asked for better staff here...It's solidified why I wanted to be here," says Ramey, remarking on the good people who are "here for the kids" and who take an interest in their community.

He encourages anyone to come by his office and say "hi."

"I've got my first day coming, too," he says. "I feel like a young kid again, with a new school, new students, new teachers.

"It's nervous, it's exciting."

Drawing on wisdom from his mentors, Ramey will guide RJSHS into the coming year, under the following theme:

"If you want to make a difference in your life or someone else's - make that choice."

State to investigate Gilbert and Carter

The Daily News

by Barbara LaBoe

Aug 17, 2007

The Oregon state Teacher Standards and Practices Commission is investigating both Rainier Superintendent Michael Carter and former Junior/Senior High School Principal Jeff Gilbert, who recently resigned saying he could no longer work with Carter.

State officials previously confirmed they were investigating complaints against drama/English teacher Laurie Kash --- Carter's wife --- because of allegations she was seen kissing a 17-year-old foreign exchange student. The student has returned to his home country but lived in the Kash-Carter home during the school year.

At this point, without a full investigation, it is unclear if the Gilbert and Carter complaints are tied to the Kash issue or deal with separate matters, said George Finch, coordinator of professional practices at TSPC. All of the complaints have been received in the past few months, he said Friday.

One of the complaints against Gilbert came from the Rainier superintendent's office, while at least one other came from a patron, Finch said. He would not release the total number of complaints, just that it was at least two.

By law, a district superintendent always files any formal school district complaints to the TSPC. But the matter is complicated in Rainier because Carter and Gilbert clashed several times this past school year, particularly after Gilbert placed Kash on leave after the kissing allegation.

Also, it doesn't appear the school board ordered that a complaint be filed, because Board Chairman Dale Archibald said Friday that he had no knowledge of any TSPC complaints against Gilbert.

The board reprimanded both men in July, partly because of their ongoing battles, and ordered them to work under plans of improvement. Gilbert refused to do so, saying it was impossible because his plan would be written and overseen by Carter. The school board wrote and will oversee Carter's plan of improvement.

Carter is on vacation and couldn't be reached for comment about either the Gilbert complaints or his own. Gilbert also was unavailable for comment.

The sole complaint against Carter came from a district patron, Finch said.

The specific allegations in the complaints are not public during an investigation and only become public if the commission decides to take action, Finch said.

First, an investigator will be assigned who can subpoena any needed records and then conduct interviews with witnesses or involved parties.

If the investigator finds evidence that TSPC ethical rules were violated, a recommendation will be sent to the commission. The commission has several options, ranging from no action to suspending a teacher's or administrator's license.

Some TSPC investigations can last a year, but Finch said those are usually when investigators are awaiting the outcome of criminal charges. The earliest any of the Rainier matters would be decided will be at the November commission meeting.

Gilbert placed Kash on leave in April after the allegations surfaced. She returned to the classroom a week later after the Columbia County District Attorney declared that even if the kissing had taken place, it didn't violate any laws and thus there would be no criminal charges.

The school board did not interview witnesses or directly investigate the kissing allegations. The board did, though, hire an outside investigator to determine if any district polices or state laws were violated in how Kash was placed on leave or how she was returned to the classroom.

A copy of that report was forwarded to the TSPC earlier this summer and was considered part of the Kash complaints.

Former student suing Rainier school

The Daily News

by Janine Manny

Aug 10, 2007

RAINIER --- Marc Slape filed suit Thursday against the Rainier School District for what his family calls "unreasonable punishment."

Slape, now 20, was expelled for one year as an 18-year-old senior for possession of and firing an Airsoft pellet gun on school grounds in December 2005.

Four students were expelled over the pellet gun incident. Two of the students were expelled for a calendar year after school officials determined that they fired a gun on campus. The guns use plastic BBs fired by compressed springs.

The other two students were expelled for shorter periods --- one for a semester and one for a quarter --- because there was no evidence they fired the pellet guns on school grounds.

"I will agree that what the kids did was a mistake," Marc's father, John Slape said. "But the punishment was unreasonable."

The lawsuit is seeking "economic and non-economic damages" to be proven at time of trial, costs and attorney fees.

Rainier Superintendent Michael Carter removed himself as the expulsion hearing officer for Slape and another student who were being represented by Rainier attorney Stephen Petersen. Carter said he was too close to the investigation to serve as the hearing officer.

Those hearings were heard Jan. 11, 2006, by Jim Mabbott, the Superintendent of the Northwest Regional ESD, who handed down the year-long suspension for Marc.

The school board upheld the expulsion in an appeal hearing on Feb. 8, 2006.

In the lawsuit, Marc Slape, who has a learning disability, alleges the district violated his rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Act by expelling him for more than 45 days.

The suit also alleges that Carter had contact with the school board prior to the expulsion appeal hearing and supplied the board with documents that were not part of the original expulsion hearing.

John Slape said he has read the school's student handbook and believes his son should have been suspended for five days --- not expelled for a year --- because he believes the Airsoft pellet guns fall under the category of look-alike weapons.

John Slape said he is also confused by what he sees as inconsistencies from the superintendent's office.

"When we received notification of Marc's expulsion, we were told he could not come back on campus for any reason," John Slape said. "Later we find out that the girl whose gun it was (also expelled for one year) attended twilight school and that Marc could have attended. If they really believe these kids are dangerous, why would they be allowed to attend night classes at the school?"

Marc Slape studied with tutors at the Sylvan Learning Center and is scheduled to receive a high school diploma this month through Lower Columbia College.

"He did better than he was doing at the school. But he missed his senior prom and he didn't get to graduate with his class. His life was pretty much destroyed for a while," John Slape said.

The Slapes might not be so upset if Marc had been expelled until the end of the 2005-06 school year and could have returned in the fall of 2006.

"He couldn't go back until the following December, and that was too late to get credit for the first semester of that year," Slape said. "What they really did is expel him for a year and a half."

At the appeal hearing, the Slapes' attorney, Petersen, said there were two key elements in the appeal. One: the definition of a weapon, and two: the length of the expulsion, which he described as "excessive" and "cruel and unusual punishment."

According to the school's student handbook, a "weapon" is described in part as "any object which will or is designed to expel a projectile by action of an explosive."

"There is no doubt that there is no explosive in an air soft pellet gun," Petersen told the school board.

He also challenged whether Marc Slape's use of the pellet gun fits the student handbook's description of a "dangerous weapon." The student handbook says a dangerous weapon is a device, instrument, material or substance that is "readily capable of causing death or serious injury," depending on the circumstances in which it is used.

"It wasn't Marc's gun. He took a look at it and shot it at a light post," Petersen said. Petersen also told the board that there was no intent to cause harm.

Peterson's office confirmed that the lawsuit had been filed Thursday.

By Thursday afternoon, Rainier School District had not received notification of the suit.

Former Student Files Suit Against Rainier School District

The Clatskanie Chief

by Deborah Steele Hazen

August 16, 2007

Marc Slape filed a suit in the Columbia County Circuit Court last week against the Rainier School District for allegedly improper expulsion.

Stephen D. Petersen of Rainier is representing Slape.

While a senior in the district, Slape was expelled for one year for possessing and firing an airsoft pellet gun on school grounds in December 2005.

According to the suit filing, Slape, now age 20, attended Rainier School District until Feb. 8, 2006, until his expulsion. He was classified as a child with disabilities and was enrolled with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) in the school district.

An initial expulsion hearing was held Jan. 6, 2006, with a second hearing conducted on Feb. 8, after an appeal was made to the district.

In the case, Slape alleges that the district violated his rights by not affording him due process of law, stating that Superintendent Michael Carter participated in both the executive session and the decision-making process, that Carter had "ex parte contact with the school board prior to the expulsion hearing and supplied the district with documents that were not part of the original expulsion hearing"; because of Slape's disabilities, the district, under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act, was to send Slape to an appropriate interim alternative setting for not more than 45 days; that the district violated the federal law by expelling Slape for one year, and as a result he has been "permanently damaged both economically and non-economically in an amount to be proven at trial."

If settled in Slape's favor, the suit calls for the district to pay the economic and non-economic damages in an amount to be proven at the time of trial, the cost and disbursements incurred in the trial process and for Slape's "reasonable attorney fees incurred herein."

Nancy Hungerford, of The Hungerford Law Firm in Oregon City, is representing the school district. She was unavailable for comment as of the Chief's press time.

PUD awards scholarships

The Daily News

by Staff

Jul 08, 2007

Columbia River People's Utility District has awarded scholarships to seven graduating high school seniors in recognition of their outstanding community service. Among the seven were Eric Wellington and Nicole Bailey, 2007 Rainier High School graduates.

Eric was a part of many different community service projects, helping at the food bank, for the children's safety fair, for beach cleanups and for Red Cross blood drives. He even organized a community marching band one summer when the school was between band directors. He plans to attend Oregon State University in the fall to begin working on his bachelor's degree. Eric received a $1,500 scholarship from the PUD.

Nicole Bailey Nicole was the National Honor Society President, the vice president of Oregon Student Safety on the Move and the yearbook editor. She also served as an outdoor school counselor and a vacation Bible school counselor. She plans to attend Concordia University in the fall to begin working on her bachelor's degree. She received a $750 scholarship from the PUD.

Other Columbia County graduates to receive scholarships were Shawna Ashlock $1,500) and Breaunna Duwadi ($750) of St. Helens High School; Justin Wilson ($1,500) and Shyla Iverson ($750) of Scappoose High School; and Amanda Garcia ($1,500) of South Columbia Learning Center.

Gilbert Resigns as Rainier Principal, Brad Ramey Hired

The Clatskanie Chief

by Deborah Steele Hazen

August 16, 2007

After an executive session Monday night, Aug. 13 the Rainier School District board of directors unanimously accepted the resignation of Rainier Junior/Senior High School (RJSHS) Principal Jeff Gilbert.

Gilbert submitted his resignation Friday night, Aug. 10.

After over 20 hours of interviews in executive session in late June and early July with staff members regarding administrative issues in the district, the school board had issued letters of reprimand to both Gilbert and Superintendent Michael Carter, and placed both men on "plans of assistance," asking them to work together to resolve their differences for the good of district and its students.

Three complaints have been filed against Gilbert with the Oregon state Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), and are currently under investigation, a spokesperson for the TSPC confirmed to the Chief this week. One was filed by a patron in June of 2006, and two were filed by the Rainier School District administration - the first in August of 2006, and the second on July 16 of this year. The TSPC spokesperson said she was unable to release any other information about the complaints.

In his letter of resignation, and in a letter to "Rainier students, parents, and community" printed below, Gilbert called the decision to resign, "the most difficult decision I have ever been confronted with in my life." However, he said "the current situation is untenable..."

Rainier school board chair Dale Archibald said Monday that, in a long conversation with Gilbert, he had attempted to convince him to change his mind and work through the issues in cooperation with the board and Carter, but Gilbert had declined.

Carter, who was on vacation this week, has said he accepted the reprimand and plan of assistance and would do his utmost to work for positive change.

After discussion in executive session with Hudson Park Elementary Principal Russ Pickett, who is acting superintendent during Carter's vacation, the school board unanimously approved the hiring of Brad Ramey as the new RJSHS principal.

Ramey, formerly the athletic director for the Kalama School District, had recently been selected for the RJSHS vice principal/athletic director position. Former RJSHS vice principal John Gummel had resigned earlier this summer.

The board also approved the hiring of RJSHS social studies teacher Jean Hoffman as vice principal. She was one of the finalists when interviews for that position were conducted earlier this summer.

The motion passed by the board authorized the hiring of Ramey and Hoffman on one year contracts.

During discussion, it was also the consensus that Hoffman's former position, which was half-time social studies teacher and half-time "teacher on special assignment" (TOSA) working on administrative issues, be posted as a half-time social students/half-time athletic director position.

It had originally been planned to have the vice principal's position be part-time athletic director.

The district is also pursuing the idea of creating a part-time junior high athletic director position to be filled by current staff.

At Monday's meeting, Pickett emphasized that the suggested staff changes and shifting of responsibilities would not cost the district any more money.

Gilbert, 39, had worked for the district for three years. He submitted the following letter to the Chief this week:

"Dear Rainier Students, Parents, and Community:

"Excellence. Spirit. Pride. This is what it means to be a Columbian. Our school has a rich history filled with tales of exceptional courage, intellectual prowess, and dogged determination. The trophy cases and archived newspaper clippings abound with names and titles that have long since slipped our memories extolling the virtues of Rainier's heritage. One need not look far in the present day either to find these same attributes as you stroll our hallowed halls or gaze upon our fields of competition. Not a day has passed on our campus over the last three years that you, our student body, have not lived up to your predecessors' reputation. And in many ways, you have eclipsed all expectations.

"I know that all of you care deeply about our school, as do I. It truly is a wonderful place filled with some of the finest teachers, counselors, assistants, secretaries, coaches, cafeteria staff, and maintenance workers that anyone could ever hope to assemble. I have had the privilege of being able to hire many of them and I can tell you that we are all very blessed to have been able to find and attract such knowledgeable, professional, kind, and caring individuals. But you know all of that. You see them every day. Perhaps you have even taken them for granted as students often do. Always remember, however, that they have been working ever so hard to continually improve your school and to make it a place of honor and distinction.

"Had it not been for their efforts last year, we would not have been ranked by the Oregon Department of Education as being in the top 5% academically in the state. And their goal throughout the year has been for you to be recognized in the top 1%. What more could we ask of our staff? But without asking, they have provided something that I have never seen paralleled anywhere in my career a true dedication to the spirit of a bygone educational philosophy that seems more important today than ever. Succinctly stated, in loco parentis. As originally found in British common law, this means that your staff thinks and acts as the local parent in the absence of your family. It means that they care not just about your academic well-being, but about you as a whole. It means that they look after you in ways that many of you are unaware. It really means that they love you.

"And what's there not to love about you? From the first moment I stepped foot on our beautiful campus, I was greeted by the most polite, respectful, and kind students I could ever have hoped to find. You are, without a doubt, the most caring student body I have ever seen. Not only do you greet visitors and guests with graciousness and open arms, but the manner in which you treat one another is truly beyond compare. Through loss and crisis you rally to one another. You hold one another. You care about one another. You share in one another's victories and defeats. You support and encourage one another whether at a game, concert, or just passing in the halls. Growing up is tough and life as a teenager in school can even be painful at times, but I have witnessed more acts of genuine kindness in Rainier than I ever thought was possible. Your sense of family dedication to one another is your greatest strength/gift.

"Although I have only worked here for three years, you have made me feel like I have lived here my whole life. I felt like I was a good fit. Every morning when I prepared for school, I found myself excited to see you and welcome you back for another day. Your bright eyes and smiling faces always reassured me that you were glad to be here. Handshakes, hugs, and shouts of ESP re-confirmed in my mind that I belonged that I was a Columbian. "Without a doubt, it has been one of the greatest joys in my life serving as your principal for the last three years. Few achievements could even come close.

"Having said all of that, not all has been idyllic for me here in Rainier.

"Following our school board's recent extensive investigation, I had hoped that conditions in the school district would improve. Unfortunately, after their subsequent decision and decree, from my perspective, that was not the case. The current situation is untenable and is certainly not conducive to fostering a good working, let alone a productive and meaningful learning environment. Whereas I have loved being your principal for the last three years, I cannot bear to see the situation continue to unfold here. So it is with the heaviest of hearts that I have just recently tendered my resignation.

"This decision has, without a doubt, been the most difficult decision I have ever been confronted with in my life. Hanging in the balance was the thought of abandoning my new-found home and all of those who I care so deeply about versus the idea of subjecting you and our community to another year of contentiousness and infighting that would ultimately seek to distract all of us from our true purpose educating you.

"You have always been and will always be more important to me than anything else. You are why I chose this profession and why I love coming to school each and every day. Anything that would hurt or distract you I regard as my nemesis. Therefore, as I can no longer serve in my role in the manner in which I feel I need to in order to ensure your safety and well-being, I must, although it greatly pains me to do so, step aside in the hopes that your future will become the district's focus once again.

"Although I won't be strolling the halls, shouting at assemblies, or attending your games and concerts as regularly as I would like, I want you to know that I do plan to keep a watchful eye on all of you. If ever you need me for anything, I will be just a call away. You have all made me so proud. Please continue to become the outstanding young men and women I know you to be.

"Proud to have been your principal,

Jeff Gilbert"

Mastering the masters of art

The Daily News

by Janine Manny

Apr 14, 2007

RAINIER -- To view paintings by the masters, art lovers can visit the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

Or they can visit Hudson Park Elementary School in Rainier.

Rainier third graders have produced their own versions of masterpieces such as Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers," Pablo Picasso's "Weeping Woman" and Edvard Munch's "The Scream."

The three third-grade classes of Denise Dickinson, Sherry Evans and Louise Johnson rotate classrooms for art, science and social studies. Dickinson has each group of 27 kids for 45-minute art classes. The students get a block of three days of art every three weeks.

"The kids wait for their art days. They love it," Dickinson said. "We're having a lot of success."

Dickinson said team-teaching has allowed her to share her love of the impressionists with the third graders.

Kian Anderson, 9, is proud of his rendition of Picasso's "Weeping Woman."

"I like Picasso because he does weird drawings," he said. "He starts out all nice, then adds squares and stuff."

The kids use chalk, crayon, oil, pastel and felt pens to recreate the paintings.

"My program is about the use of color, various styles and dialogues about the artists' intentions, different media and positive feedback," Dickinson said. "The students talk about what they like and what they don't like. They are discovering that everyone has some ability to do art."

One aspect of the art class focuses on symmetry.

"Symmetry is math," Dickinson said. "It's actually part of the state assessment test."

Students have learned to identify different styles and artists.

"I find it exciting that the kids are becoming comfortable discussing art and developing confidence to try to paint and draw in similar styles without saying, 'I can't.' " Dickinson said.

Aliscia Jacob, 9, said her favorite painter is Munch (1863-1944), a Norwegian painter known for his intense, evocative treatment of psychological and emotional themes. "The Scream" is considered an icon of existential anguish, but Aliscia's appreciation of Munch is more down-to-earth.

"When he draws, he puts in old-fashioned stuff," Aliscia said. "We also learned that in the real painting of 'The Scream' there is wax in the corner where he blew out the candle."

Austin Wilson, also 9, branched out and produced a picture of what he can see out of the classroom window on one side, and a drawing of his brother as a monster on the other.

"Van Gogh is my favorite," said Austin, who then enthused about one of the Dutch impressionist's most famous paintings. "He did 'Starry Night' all by himself."

Cody Shaffer, who turns 9 next week, said he likes paintings by Joan Miro (1893-1983), a Spaniard whose surrealistic works were drawn from memory and imaginative fancy.

"One of my favorite things about Miro is the dog," Cody said, referring to the artist's painting "People and Dog in the Sun."

"That is one funny-looking dog."

Dickinson said art is a good way for the kids to get a break from writing, math and reading.

"We've been talking about how people can communicate in journals, song writing or through art," Dickinson said. "The kids are thinking about things in a totally different way."

Rainier alternative school builds a different path to success

The Daily News

By Janine Manny

Aug 23, 2006

The staff of North Columbia Academy, an alternative high school in Rainier, does not want the school to be thought of a "last resort" for students.

"We've got kids who want or need to learn in a different way," Laurie Kash, NCA curriculum director said. "The smaller setting is more stable. For some students, there is too much stimuli in a larger school."

The public charter school usually has about 27 students from the Rainier and Clatskanie area. Kash said the staff can handle more and would like to boost enrollment to 35.

This is the third year of the Rainier School District's public charter school. It was designed for underachieving students, those with learning difficulties and others who would benefit from nontraditional teaching styles. Students can earn a standard diploma and a certificate of initial mastery.

"It's moved beautifully from a typical alternative school to being a place with a variety of learning styles," Kash said. "We're more structured, and our students are more successful here than they would be in a traditional school. We cater to a wider clientele than just kids who are there as a last resort."

As an example, students are earning community service hours this summer helping to create a labyrinth at All Season Garden Center in Kelso.

Garden Center owner Richard Bacon, 45, who has been in the area for less than a year, had always wanted to build a labyrinth. A friend of his recently had been to a labyrinth in France and was helping Bacon design the labyrinth when they met Kash, who wanted her students to build a labyrinth, but didn't have the budget.

"I want to create not just a garden center, but a place to heal and renew," said Bacon, who along with many of his customers is involved with meditation.

The labyrinth will be a "Pathway for Peace." Not only will it be shaped like a peace symbol, the students are researching famous quotes about peace to use as messages in the center.

"A labyrinth is a good metaphor for life for these students," Kash said. "In a maze, there are roadblocks to stop you and you can get lost. In a labyrinth, there are no roadblocks. As long as you follow the path, you always make it to the center."

NCA sophomore Alyse Toulouse, 15, said attending NCA has given her the opportunity to explore different ways of learning.

"The staff is supportive in helping students find what they really want to do in life," she said. "They don't want us to end up with burger jobs."

NCA senior Brandon Wika,17, appreciates the one-on-one environment.

"It's also good to be exposed to options in the art world," he said. "We don't get that with regular high school."

Being a student at NCA isn't always easy, however.

The charter school had four students expelled for drug-related offenses in its first year, and the Oregon Department of Education labeled that number as "unacceptable." There were none the second year.

"We were able to solve that problem with more administrative support, and we had the students and parents sign a behavior agreement," Rainier Superintendent Michael Carter said. "Not only did the charter school have no expulsions last year, the suspensions were cut in half."

NCA Principal Kristin Carrico said drug testing helps keep the students clean and sober.

"Tests are random, but parents and teachers can voice a concern or suggest a student be tested," she said.

The Rainier School District received $300,000 charter school grant money from the Oregon Department of Education in 2004.

The money was used for start-up costs, equipment and supplies, including a mobile computer lab, and staff costs for the first two years. The grant supplemented the per-student funds received from the state.

This year, NCA will have to make ends meet with per-student state funds of $150,000.

The district pays transportation, special education and facility costs for the school. The district leases four classrooms from Riverside Community Church, the former site of the district offices.

The alternative school can be more flexible because only 50 percent of the staff are required to be certified teachers. That allows the school to bring in professionals; for instance, the school could bring in a fire chief with a degree in chemistry to teach fire sciences.

The Oregon Department of Education's charter for NCA calls for the staff to meet the emotional needs of the students as well as their academic needs. NCA has a school psychologist is on staff to help students learn to make healthy life decisions, Kash said.

Carter said he is pleased with the opportunities the grade 9-12 charter school offers.

"The kids love it," he said. "And the flexibility is great. We can have an artist teach art or a writer teach writing. That's valuable."

Carrico said she will be inviting the school districts of Kelso, Longview, Castle Rock and Kalama to send students to NCA. The Rainier School District would allow transfers and so would the state of Oregon. It may not be popular with school districts in Washington, however.

"Those districts would have to forward that student's allotment to our district," she said. "But we'd take them if they were willing to do that."

Rainier, Clatskanie schools to explore sharing programs

By Janine Manny

The Daily News

Jan 25, 2007

Rainier and Clatskanie school officials agreed Tuesday that they should share more high school programs, but doing so would not be easy.

"What our two communities committed to was to explore opportunities to expand programs for our students," Rainier Superintendent Michael Carter said after the first joint meeting of the two school boards in four years. It was held in the Rainier School District board room.

"I'm not saying it can't be done," Jay Davies, Rainier's student services director said. "But it's complicated. The counselors must be involved, they are the ones who set the master schedule."

The two districts use different scheduling and grading programs.

Davies added that it would be impossible to transport students between districts for just one class, so exchange classes would have to be scheduled in three-or four-hour blocks.

John Gummel, vice principal of Rainier Junior/Senior High School, suggested transporting shared teachers between the schools, not students.

He said teachers in advanced placement and elective subjects could split their time between the two high schools or teach alternate years in the two districts.

"I challenge all of us to think of ways to make it work," Clatskanie Superintendent Ed Serra said. "Is there a possibility to be able to offer more for students?"

The districts have been working for several years to align their schedules, including winter and spring breaks. Teacher inservice days, which are set by union bargaining, also would need to be coordinated.

Last year, the Clatskanie Middle/Senior High School switched from a six-period class schedule to seven periods per day, which matches the schedule at Rainier Junior/Senior High School.

However, a major scheduling obstacle remains. Clatskanie has an early release every Wednesday to create time for staff development. Rainier sets aside only the first Wednesday of each month as a two-hour late start. Neither district wants to change.

Gary Mounce, Clatskanie Middle/High School principal, said Wednesdays are used to discuss state mandates, strategies, professional development and for training.

"It has become an ingrained part of our district schedule," he said.

"The two districts have a philosophical difference," Jeff Gilbert, the Rainier Junior/Senior High principal said. "I want my teachers to have as much time with students as possible."

Rainier's Hudson Park Elementary School principal Russ Pickett said the only way to work out a coordinated schedule would be for representatives from both districts to start from "ground zero."

"That group would have to come up with a totally new, creative, outside-the-box approach, and bring it back," Pickett said.

The superintendents, principals and counselors from both districts will meet early next month to continue the discussion. Teachers and students will be included.

Clatskanie and Rainier Head Start programs seek students for 2007-08

The Daily News

Apr 02, 2007

The Clatskanie and Rainier Head Start programs are seeking students for the 2007-08. Applications are being taken from all 3- and 4-year-olds in Clatsop and Columbia counties. Fall enrollment is in progress and will be completed in June.

Perspective students must be 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1. Children must be from limited income households or have a disability and/or special needs to qualify.

Head Start incorporates a total family program that includes nutrition, education, medical and dental services for the enrolled child and home visitations. USDA-approved meals are served. Limited transportation may be available.

Parents interested in enrollment information are urged to phone immediately.

The Clatskanie Center is located behind the high school in Clatskanie. Families in the Clatskanie, Quincy, Westport and Knappa areas may phone Celeste at 728-2940 for income guidelines and enrollment information.

The Rainier Center is located in the Riverside Church building. Families in the Rainier and Goble areas may phone Dawn at 556-2807 for more information.

Rainier teacher, Sherry Evans, uses innovative approach to teach research, writing, and presentation to 6th graders

March 7, 2007

An Innovation Odyssey by Intel

RAINIER, Oregon—Growing up in a quiet, rural community located along the Columbia River, students at Rainier Middle School spend their free time fishing, hunting, snowboarding—yet still, complaining that there's nothing to do. Sixth-grade teacher Sherry Evans uses students' natural interest in recreation as a launching pad for a classroom project designed to teach research, writing, and presentation skills.

The assignment is to choose a sport or game, preferably one that's unfamiliar, Evans explains. Using the Internet, books, magazines, and other sources of information, students explore the history of their chosen sport, then use word processing software to write and edit a detailed report. Finally, they make an oral presentation to their classmates, complete with illustrations and other visual aids such as computer-generated slideshows.

Although Evans has only one computer in her classroom, she has students use the school's two computer labs for research, writing, and editing. "Students can find much more information on the computer," Evans says. The up-to-the-minute aspect of the Internet makes it particularly useful for researching new or "extreme" sports. "It's hard to find details about kiteboarding or roller hockey in an encyclopedia," she says.

She also sees improvement in students' writing skills when they use the computer for composition and editing. "Kids are so much more willing and able to edit rough drafts if they've created them on the computer," she says.

Indeed, it often takes many drafts to coax all the details that Evans wants from her young writers. She explains: "It's often hard to get the kids to realize how far back I want them to go in describing their sport. I don't mean just the history part—they get that pretty well. I want them to assume that the rest of us know nothing about their topic. They are the experts, and they have to explain everything." When a student describes softball as a game where players run around the bases, Evans will press them to be more descriptive. "I'll say, 'What's a base? Pretend I'm from Mars, and I know nothing.'"

Presentation software and graphics programs help students add visual interest and heighten audience attention, when it's time to deliver polished reports aloud. "We get good training on being a receptive audience as well as being effective speakers," Evans says. Because students are naturally interested in sports and games, "they readily work on this project. The subjects are fun to speak about and listen to."

Even the shyest students are eager to share their research. Evans recounts a particularly successful project delivered by a girl whose normal speaking voice seldom rose above a whisper. "She usually hung her head when she spoke, too," the teacher recalls. When students were at the stage of selecting a sport to research, the girl surprised her teacher by asking if she might take a slightly different angle. "Instead of a traditional sport, she wanted to research pigs—the activity of raising them and preparing them for the fair. It seemed kind of a stretch," Evans admits, "but to this girl, pig-raising was a favorite form of recreation." Evans decided to let the girl follow her interest.

"To my delighted surprise," Evans recounts, "she researched and wrote willingly—rare tasks for her. Then she created this amazing pig barn and enclosure, drawn to scale and complete with every detail. It was very advanced in understanding of perspective and details." But the biggest surprise was when the quiet girl "volunteered to be first to give her speech. I couldn't believe it!" The student spoke in her normally soft voice, "but everyone could hear her because the class was completely attentive. They wanted to watch this person who dared to go first, and who dared to talk about pigs." As for the student, Evans recalls, "she held her head high. Her thoughts and organization were clear. I was glad I decided that pig-chasing was indeed an appropriate research subject."

OSSOM effort attracts international attention. Click HERE

Rainier teens keep tobacco sellers in check

The Daily News

By Janine Manny

Feb 05, 2007

RAINIER --- The Oregon Student Safety on the Move (OSSOM) students were on the move again last week in a top-secret undercover tobacco sting.

Junior and senior OSSOM students from Rainier Junior/Senior High School attempted to buy tobacco products from five stores in Rainier in the Remind and Reward program.

Advisor Marleen Zytniowski was happy to report that none of the stores sold to the underage students.

"It was just a reminder to businesses not to sell to kids under 18," Zytniowski said. "It went really well. It was the first time and the kids had a really good time."

Zytniowski said after the kids failed to purchase the cigarettes and chewing tobacco, the adults with them had to explain to the business what was going on.

"They'd never had us show up before," she said. "We stumped a few of them, but they didn't sell. We want them to get into the routine of checking proof of age."

During each sting site, the students would enter the store, separate from Zytniowski and Ederlinda Ortiz-Clawson, Tobacco Prevention Program Coordinator for Columbia County Public Health.

They would pick up gum and candy, then ask for the tobacco.

"The kids were nervous at first, it's hard to remember everything they should and shouldn't do," Zytniowski said. "They did such a good job that Erderlinda has asked them to help out elsewhere in Columbia County."

Zytniowski said Matt Gibson, an employee at the Alston Corner Store did the best at saying "no." He immediately asked the students for identification, even before reaching for the cigarettes.

Columbia County Sheriff's deputy Eric Bunday, Rainier's school resource officer and tobacco prevention coordinator, helped to organize the event.

"It was great, we were five for five," said Bunday, who didn't accompany the students to the stores.

"We weren't there to cite anybody, it was just a reminder," Zytniowski said.

Briana Gallaher, 17, one of the senior students who helped with the Reward and Remind sting, said she had two kinds of cards to hand out. If the clerk sold her tobacco, she would have given the card that reminds businesses that it is illegal to sell to people under 18.

"But we got to hand out the cards that thanked the businesses for not selling and helping to keep our community safe," Gallaher said. "It was fun. It would be a good idea for us to help in other places in Columbia County, because when you live in a small town, a lot of people know you," she said.

In a couple of stores, the salespeople put the tobacco product on the counter before asking for identification, which they are not supposed to do, Gallaher said. But everyone eventually opted not to sell.

"The Reward and Remind program is a great thing for our community," Gallaher said. "I was glad to help."

Clatskanie, Rainier School Boards to Discuss Schedules

by Betty Mayfield

Clatskanie Chief

January 27, 2007

Clatskanie and Rainier school boards met jointly at the auditorium on Rainier's Briarcliff campus Tuesday, Jan. 23, discussed education with State Representative Brad Witt and agreed to meet Feb. 7 to explore how schedules could mesh to allow students to take a greater range of classes.

Representative Witt explained HB 2214, the governor's Education Enterprise which would put $275 million from the corporate "kicker" into an Education Stability Fund. Senator Betsy Johnson was unable to attend because of a legislative hearing.

In order to meet the needs of a global work force, students need a full schedule of 135 days, with reduced class sizes. A goal is to have 80 percent of the children eligible for Head Start actually enrolled instead of the present 60 percent, Witt said. The governor has proposed a K-12 budget of $6.3 billion.

Both superintendents emphasized the importance of kindergarten and pre-kindergarten.

About 40 percent of the children are not ready for kindergarten, said Rainier Superintendent Michael Carter. Clatskanie Superintendent Ed Serra noted that with only a half day kindergarten, the period when a child's intellect is growing gets the least time.

Comments from board members, teachers and administrators gave Witt some surprising information.

Stuart Haas, Clatskanie school director, said that with the growth of technology, testing was done online, but that every year the state came out with new software that was not compatible with previous work.

"Development is outstripping implementation," Witt said. Haas suggested that the state could help districts save money by volume buying.

Rainier Junior/Senior High School Principal Jeff Gilbert protested the licensing procedure of the Teacher Standards and Practices Committee. He said the district had hired 11 new experienced teachers from out of state, but that the TSPC, because its staffing had been cut, would not issue a preliminary license but instead charged the district $100 per teacher for an expedited license and said they were not "highly qualified" under the No Child Left Behind Act and would have to take more schooling.

"A man had taught math in another state for 35 years but was told he was not 'highly qualified,'" Gilbert said. Witt said he had also heard of licensing problems in the medical and building and trades fields.

Superintendent Serra said that the TSPC had been overwhelmed with work, with 1500 applications for licenses in July and 3000 by August.

Schedules Differ

Although those present approved the idea of the districts enriching educational offerings by sharing classes, some problems were noted.

Board members remarked that discussions about joint classes had been going on for four years, with some Rainier students enrolled in a Clatskanie building trades class last year.

Rainier has late start one Wednesday a month, and Clatskanie has early release every Wednesday.

Clatskanie Middle/High School Principal Gary Mounce said that the early release time was needed for staff development and learning about all the mandates various government levels have put on education, but Gilbert noted that it was time apart from student contact.

Jay Davies, Rainier student services director, said that the goal of sharing some classes was possible, but that it would have to be the work of a lot of people. "A lot of things have to be thought out. Be cautious about how fast you want to get there," he said.

One problem is that a block of classes would have to be shared. If students from one school went to the other school for a class in calculus or physics, for instance, they would probably have to stay half a day for it to be practical.

Both boards asked their superintendents to begin work on cooperation.

Rod Harding, Rainier director, suggested that a couple of members from each board meet with the superintendents and principals and "kick it around. See what the hurdles are and the concerns of both sides."

The superintendents in turn asked interested board members, teachers, students, and members of the public to meet in Clatskanie at 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 for more discussion.

Carter emphasized that the goal is not to cut teaching positions, it is to expand the range of courses offered.

Rainier's likeable campus cop keeps order with a smile

The Daily News

by Janine Manny

Sep 27, 2006

RAINIER -- Columbia County Deputy Eric Bunday is putting a face to the badge for students at Rainier Junior/Senior High School.

"A deputy should be more than a person driving by in a sheriff's car," said Bunday, the school's new resource officer. "This school is a community, and I'm a member of that community."

Using a $75,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Education, the school district this summer contracted with the sheriff's department to use Bunday as a full-time school officer. The grant, funded partly by the American Lung Association, also pays for anti-tobacco curriculum.

"Getting Eric was a major plus for us. He has a strong background in tobacco, drug and alcohol use prevention," Rainier Superintendent Michael Carter said. "He shows the positive side of law enforcement. Too often, kids get an introduction to police officers in some difficult situation, and that puts them on guard."

On the first day of school, the associated student body officers talked Bunday into being in a skit for the opening assembly.

"The kids like him," senior Robert Peabody, ASB vice president said. "It was strange at first, having a cop at school, but we're getting used to it. It's nice that if something happens, he's already here."

Bunday, 27, was an officer with the St. Helens Police Department for four-and-a-half years before getting on with the sheriff's office in April. He is a certified D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer.

"This is what I've wanted since I've been involved in law enforcement," he said. "I might have become a teacher, but my desire to be a police officer was stronger."

As a school resource officer, he gets to be both.

"I love being a cop, and I love working with kids," he said. "I couldn't be in a better spot, especially this early in my career."

Carter said the grant is for one year, but by meeting prevention and cessation goals, it's renewable for four more years.

Bunday teaches the tobacco prevention curriculum and handles any calls requiring a sheriff's office response, including investigations. He also enforces the new school zone speed limits and advises the administration on law enforcement issues.

"The school is not a major source for calls," Bunday said. "But there are enough that having me here will help the deputies out on road."

Jeff Gilbert, the junior/senior high school principal, said Bunday's presence and sense of humor puts kids at ease and makes it OK to be seen talking to a cop.

"From day one, there was a feeling that he belonged here," Gilbert said. "The kids mob him at football games and invite him to chaperone dances. He's got a great way of talking through issues with kids. He broke up a fight the first week of school and put one student in handcuffs. The way he brought the students to a resolution afterward was great."

School officials say acquiring a school resource officer is not a response to last year's high number of expulsions or the possibility that the Oregon Department of Education may put Rainier Junior/Senior High School on the "dangerous school" list because of those expulsions.

"I want to quell any rumors that this is a dangerous school," Bunday said. "This is a great bunch of kids."

Gilbert said that the students feel that Bunday can solve problems, and his impersonations of Chris Farley and other actors and comedians helped him to become instantly popular.

"It feels safer, having him here," senior Eric Wellington, senior class president said. "We wouldn't have to wait for a cop if something happens. He's good at interacting with students, and the tobacco information is important."

Bunday said education is the key to prevention, whether in tobacco use or crime.

"I'm here to help the students lead longer, healthier lives," he said. "Most importantly, I try to be a resource. I eat lunch with them. I move around so they get to know me on a personal level. My door is always open, and they know they can talk to me."

Bunday said he tells kids that 400,000 people die each year in the U.S. directly from tobacco-related illnesses.

"If they think that is not so many, I tell them to imagine two-thirds of all the people in Portland dead," he said.

Bunday and a committee of representatives from area agencies are developing a tobacco use prevention curriculum. One of the first tasks is to post 35 "Tobacco Free Zone" signs around school buildings and sports fields.

"It will be well-posted," Bunday said. "Nobody will have the excuse that they didn't know, if I have to ask them to put out a cigarette or get rid of chewing tobacco at a game."

Bunday, a graduate of Oregon State University, grew up in Seattle and now lives in St. Helens.

"I moved here in 2001 for the job, thinking I would put two years in and head back to the city," he said. "But I fell in love with the area and the small-tow