Category Archives: News

Linn Together, a countywide network of volunteers with the mission to strengthen local prevention networks, has partnered with several local organizations, including GAPS, to present “Bullying Prevention in School and Cyber Settings”.   Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying. Join national bullying expert Dr. Michael Sulkowski, PhD, University of Arizona, for an interactive presentation on bullying prevention in both school and cyber settings.

The presentation will take place on October 17, 2018 from 9:00 – 11:00 am at Boulder Falls Center in Lebanon.  The event is free, but registration is required and space is limited.  Please register by October 10.  For additional information and registration, please see https://www.linncountyhealth.org/adg/page/topic-month or contact Julie Greene of Linn County Health Services at 541-967-3819.

The annual retiree celebration at the district office recognized the contributions of 33 GAPS teachers, classified staff and administrators who are leaving the District after serving Greater Albany students for a combined total of 478 years.

Family members and friends joined retirees at the reception. Human Resources Director Randy Lary introduced the following retirees:

Paula Guerrero, Kindergarten Teacher, South Shore: 3 years

Galen Sinkey, Bus Driver, Transportation: 5 years

Michelle Coon, Bus Attendant, Transportation, 9 years

Kathryn Grant, Grade 4 Teacher, Central: 11 years

Virginia Hammond, Special Education Assistant, Clover Ridge: 11 years

Chava Neuhaus, Industrial Arts Teacher, South Albany: 11 years

Isela Avery, Bilingual Assistant, Lafayette: 12 years

Robbe Hood, Trip Bus Driver, Transportation: 12 years

Sharon McKinney, Grade 1 Teacher, Liberty: 12 years

Rebecca Robinson, Social Studies Teacher, Calapooia: 12 years

Leonardo Gonzalez, Custodian, Periwinkle: 13 years

Joanne Miller, Food Service Assistant, Oak: 13 years

Carlene Vey, Secretary I, Special Programs: 13 years

Karen Perry, Grade 1 Teacher, Liberty: 14 years

Margaret Coburn, Science Teacher, Memorial, 15 years

James Haggart, Executive Assistant, District Office: 15 years

Vicky Hughes, Special Education Assistant, Waverly: 17 years

Julie Buchert, Music Teacher, Memorial: 19 years

Peter Claycomb, Behavior Intervention Teacher, Calapooia, 19 years

Cynthia Miller, Grade 3 Teacher, Lafayette: 19 years

Pamela Dodson, Clerical Specialist II, South Albany: 20 years

Janece Vanderburg, Grade 1 Teacher, South Shore: 22 years

MaryLou Boydston, Special Education Assistant, Albany Options: 23 years

Roberta Ingram, Special Education Assistant, Waverly: 23 years

Terri Bridenbeck, Registrar, West Albany: 24 years

Marlene Susnik, Grade 3 Teacher, Liberty: 26 years

Tim Mills, P.E. Teacher, North Albany Middle: 27 years

Jill Clark, Library Assistant, Waverly: 30 years

Cindy Mills, Clerical Special II, Memorial: 30 years

Chris VanCauteren, Social Studies Teacher, South Albany: 31 years

Brent Belveal, Principal, South Albany: 34 years

Jana Swearingen, Social Studies Teacher, Memorial: 36 years

Connie Whipple-Mills, Social Studies Teacher, Memorial: 36 years

Jessica Boland, fifth-grade teacher at Sunrise Elementary School, has been selected to participate in the GE Additive Education Program. The program is in its second year of a five-year plan to provide 3D printers and curriculum to K-12 schools.

Jessica was chosen from among more than 3,000 applications from 41 countries. The program will include a Premium Polar Cloud software account, a high performance 3D printer, filament for the printer, and lessons plans and curriculum.

This award will allow Jessica to continue lessons she introduced this year with West Albany teacher Matt Boase, who was working on his administrative credentials and assisted with the GE Additive Education Program application.

Maestra de la escuela primaria Sunrise es seleccionada para el programa 3D patrocinado por GE

Jessica Boland, maestra de quinto grado en la escuela primaria Sunrise Elementary School, ha sido seleccionada para participar en el Programa Educativo Aditivo de GE. El programa está en su segundo año de un plan de cinco años, para proporcionar impresoras y plan de estudios de 3D (3 dimensiones) para las escuelas desde el Kínder hasta el 12° grado.

Jessica fue escogida entre más de 3,000 solicitudes de 41 países. El programa incluye una cuenta en el software “Premium Polar Cloud”, una impresora de alto rendimiento de 3D, un filamento para la impresora, planes de lecciones y plan de estudios.

Este premio le permitirá a Jessica continuar las lecciones que presentó este año con el maestro Matt Boase de la preparatoria West Albany, quien estaba trabajando en obtener sus credenciales administrativas y ayudó con la solicitud de presentación del Programa Educativo Aditivo de GE.

Greater Albany Public Schools recently selected Albany resident Lisa Harlan for the assistant superintendent position. The post is currently held by Tonja Everest, who will assume superintendent duties at the Linn Benton Lincoln ESD on July 1.

Harlan was offered the position after an extensive application process. Her official appointment is pending School Board approval at its June 4 meeting.

“A very rigorous hiring process revealed that Lisa is all about kids,” said Everest. “The committee was impressed with her passion, practical decision-making and authentic communication style. They also appreciated her deep knowledge in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and behavior,” she said.

Harlan is currently the Director of Elementary Education for Salem-Keizer Public Schools. She brings bilingual skills and extensive experience in educational leadership. She has taught high school and middle school Spanish at Corvallis High School and Western View Middle School. She has served as a middle school assistant principal at Linus Pauling Middle School, a middle school principal at Cheldelin Middle School and an elementary principal at Lincoln Elementary Dual Language School in Corvallis. She has also been a Director of School Improvement for the Oregon Department of Education.

Harlan earned her B.A. in Education from Western Oregon University, her M.Ed. From University of Oregon, and her administrative licensure from Portland State University.

Harlan is an Albany resident with children in GAPS schools. Upon accepting the offer for the position, she said, “I am so glad to serve a district that has served my family so well.”

At the first annual GAPS Student All-Stars Celebration, the School Board honored outstanding students from each school. Students were nominated by school staff and introduced by the school principal.

Sunrise Elementary School All-Stars are: 

Eliseo Ortiz-Cortez

Eliseo Ortiz-Cortez is an exemplary student in character and perseverance. He is always  joyful, and never gives up on his schoolwork.

Cassie Bartlett

Cassie Bartlett is an outstanding student in effort and in character. She is an excellent friend to her classmates and perseveres to solve any challenge she comes across.