December School Board Report
By Anne Scheck
TEEN SURVEY REVEALS REASON FOR CONCERN
An anonymous, volunteer questionnaire suggests that 8th grade students at Talmadge Middle School experienced substantially more bullying by social media this past year –as well as unwanted sexual comments or attention – than they did the last two times the survey was taken. However, the reasons why are unclear.
The survey is conducted biennially by the Central School District (CHS) during odd-numbered years. It includes only unidentified students from grades 8 and 11.
The 8th-grade group this past year had a higher number of students who felt “sad” or “hopeless” daily for more than two weeks, compared with 2017 and 2015. They also had more food insecurity, compared with two years ago.
However, a high percentage of CHS and middle-school students – more than 70% – felt that “at least one teacher/adult in my school cares about me.” This category increased for the two groups from both 2015 and 2017.
The survey is conducted biennially by the Central School District (CHS) during odd-numbered years. It includes only unidentified students from grades 8 and 11.
The 8th-grade group this past year had a higher number of students who felt “sad” or “hopeless” daily for more than two weeks, compared with 2017 and 2015. They also had more food insecurity, compared with two years ago.
However, a high percentage of CHS and middle-school students – more than 70% – felt that “at least one teacher/adult in my school cares about me.” This category increased for the two groups from both 2015 and 2017.
CHEMEKETA and CHS: PARTNERSHIP STATUS
Scores of students attending CHS, as well as graduates of the high school, have participated in programs at Chemeketa Community College over the past decade that saved them thousands of dollars in college costs, according to a report at the December meeting of the Central District 13J School Board.
The findings were presented by Chemeketa President Jessica Howard PhD and Betsy Earls, a board member from the community college. They presented information showing that, last year, 59 CHS students paid $25 to participate in Chemeketa’s “College Credit Now” program, earning 420 college credits – a savings of $42,625.
“I am so excited with our burgeoning partnership,” Dr. Howard said. The program connects high school to higher education, providing a cost-effective pathway and smoothing the transition to college, she added. Figures from 2016 show that 14% of that year’s CHS graduation class enrolled at Chemeketa.
“I think this a valuable partnership that we need to have with the district,” said Superintendent Jennifer Kubista EdD. In the future, there may be more opportunity for expansion in trade and technical education, she said.
Enrollment figures released last year show that Chemeketa had the lowest number of students it had recorded in the past 10 years. Statewide, declines on some campuses have been blamed on a strong economy and lagging student recruitment; Gains at some – like Oregon State University, which showed an uptick – have been attributed partly to degree offerings more closely tailored to the job force.
The findings were presented by Chemeketa President Jessica Howard PhD and Betsy Earls, a board member from the community college. They presented information showing that, last year, 59 CHS students paid $25 to participate in Chemeketa’s “College Credit Now” program, earning 420 college credits – a savings of $42,625.
“I am so excited with our burgeoning partnership,” Dr. Howard said. The program connects high school to higher education, providing a cost-effective pathway and smoothing the transition to college, she added. Figures from 2016 show that 14% of that year’s CHS graduation class enrolled at Chemeketa.
“I think this a valuable partnership that we need to have with the district,” said Superintendent Jennifer Kubista EdD. In the future, there may be more opportunity for expansion in trade and technical education, she said.
Enrollment figures released last year show that Chemeketa had the lowest number of students it had recorded in the past 10 years. Statewide, declines on some campuses have been blamed on a strong economy and lagging student recruitment; Gains at some – like Oregon State University, which showed an uptick – have been attributed partly to degree offerings more closely tailored to the job force.
UPDATE
Mental health specialists now serve all schools in the district, and are listed for reference on the Polk County website: Ashley Hunt at Ash Creek Elementary; Sara Weeks at Independence Elementary; Vanessa Unger at Monmouth Elementary; Katie Finley at Talmadge Middle School; Hilary Morris at CHS.
THE FINAL WORD
The incidence of gonorrhea increased significantly in Polk County between 2013 and 2017, a recent report shows; It rose from 17 to 75 cases. During the same period, syphilis cases increased only from seven to 11. The incidence of both sexually transmitted diseases is being tracked, according to Kristty Polanco MPH, public health administrator for Polk County Health Services.
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