News

Adjustments have been made to the bell schedules at all schools. The changes will be in place when school starts in the fall.

The changes will reduce differences in start and stop times among same-level schools. Elementary schools will be in two bell schedule groups rather than nine different schedules, and they will gain 20 minutes of instructional time per day. Middle schools will all start and stop at the same time.

Research has shown that students benefit from more sleep, but the natural sleep and wake cycles are later for older students and earlier for younger students. Adjusting the schedule will allow older students to start a little later in the day.

The changes are also expected to make the district transportation system more efficient.

Bell schedule for all schools

Parent letter

Español

This week, the School Board honored Student All-Stars from Sunrise Elementary School for their motivation, perseverance, growth, and school and community service.

Sunrise students are:

Melissa Lopez-Lopez

Melissa is a student that always goes above and beyond in all of her tasks. She is methodical, self-directed, highly motivated and very conscientious child.

Shasta Alexander

Shasta is a bright intrinsic learner with strong character. Every day she has entered the classroom with a contagious enthusiasm for learning that has helped to create a wonderfully productive and joyful classroom environment.

The annual retiree reception recognized the contributions of 30 GAPS teachers, classified staff and administrators who are leaving the District after serving Greater Albany students for a combined total of 539 years.

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

• Lenora Roberts, Grade 1 – Fir Grove : 37 years
• Kerri Lemerande, Science – WAHS: 29 years
• Lori McGuire, Assistant to HR Director – District Office: 29 years
• Barb Villaruel, School Office Manager – Waverly: 28 years
• Cindy Holcomb, Grade 2 – Oak: 26 years
• Kathy Kalina, Special Education Assistant – Periwinkle : 26 years
• Karen Kennedy, School Office Manager – SAHS: 24 years
• Connie Shrout, Grade 4 – Timber Ridge: 23 years
• Judy Davies, Special Education Assistant – North Albany Elementary: 22 years
• Cindy Miller, Functional Skills – Calapooia Middle: 22 years
• Krista Hartman, College Credit – WAHS: 21 years
• Maria Martinez, Counseling Secretary & Registrar – Memorial Middle: 21 years
• Pat Weidmann, Principal – Sunrise : 21 years
• Sharon DuBeau,  Language Arts – Calapooia Middle: 18 years
• Jessica Jamison-Wells, Language Arts – North Albany Middle: 18 years
• Terry Amerling, Special Education Assistant – Liberty : 17 years
• Jennifer Hagen, Personal Care Assistant – SAHS: 16 years
• Leo Huot, Assistant Principal – North Albany Middle: 16 years
• Sandi McGinnis, Special Education Assistant – Calapooia Middle: 16 years
• Robert Frampton, Special Needs Bus Driver – Transportation: 15 years
• LaDeen Marlowe, Bus Driver – Transportation: 14 years
• Gary Johnson, Custodian – Memoria Middle: 13 years
• Mary Lou Seibel, Custodian – Oak: 12 years
• Tim Haag, Grade 4 – Central: 11 years
• Ruth Holmes, Special Education Assistant – South Shore: 11 years
• Greg Lehr, Custodian – Calapooia Middle: 11 years
• Durwood Ranton, Bus Driver – Transportation: 11 years
• Joyce Stringer, Business – SAHS: 11 years
• Corina Victorio, Secretary – South Shore; 5 years
• Kim Schueller, Special Education Assistant-Communication – Takena: 5 years

Bond project timelines were discussed during the last School Board meeting on May 18. The plan is to open three of the four new construction projects by start of school in fall 2019: new elementary school, rebuild of Oak Grove Elementary School, vocational space/gym at South Albany High school.

Phase 1 of West Albany High School is scheduled to be completed in summer 2020.

See the draft project timeline for more information.

We will provide updates during the planning process on the bond information section of the website.

Greater Albany voters approved Measure 22-165 in the May 16 election with a passing rate of  54 percent.

“We want to thank our community for its support of our schools,” said Superintendent Jim Golden. “This measure will make a difference to kids and to our whole community.”

The bond will:

• Fix aging school buildings
• Make energy improvements
• Make school safety and security improvements
• Add/expand vocational and technical classrooms at all middle and high schools
• Relieve overcrowding and accommodate growth

The planning process will begin immediately. A project timeline and plan will be announced in the coming weeks and will include opportunities for community involvement.