Recognizing Success
Twelve educators take home Crystal Apples
Salem-Keizer's annual gala celebration of education excellence saw twelve local educators honored with Crystal Apples Thursday night (November 12, 2009).
The honorees -- including teachers, support staff, a pass room supervisor, and the district's chief of staff -- were chosen from a list of 55 nominees. Mary Paulson, Chief of Staff of Salem-Keizer Public Schools, was surprised by the prestigious award as her nomination had been kept secret until the moment of the announcement.
The recipients were honored before a packed house during the 13th annual Crystal Apple Awards ceremony at Salem's historic Elsinore Theater.
The annual event recognizes local educators who provide students with educational options, go beyond their regular job duties to benefit students, and demonstrate best practices. Nominations come from community members, students and parents.
"We can all be proud of the caliber of educators we have in this community," said Chuck Swank, President of the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation. "These honorees go above and beyond the call every day to provide the very best education for students in the district."
The Crystal Apples were handed out by Swank, Salem-Keizer Schools Superintendent, Sandy Husk, John Zielinski President of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, and Dennis Koho, President of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce.
The event also showcased two scholarship awards: the Guido Caldarazzo Memorial Scholarship and the Western Oregon University Crystal Apple Award Scholarship.
Heather Mischke, a 2009 South Salem High School graduate, was given the WOU scholarship. Funded by College of Education donors, the scholarship awards $1,200 to a qualified Salem-Keizer graduate preparing to enter
the teaching profession.
Mischke earned a 3.9 GPA and academic honors at South Salem High School. In addition to her involvement with the National Honor Society, Mischke worked as an area director at the Gilbert Ranch Team. She was involved with a local dance school where she also supervised groups of children and participates in productions. Mischke is described as intelligent, compassionate, creative, responsive and motivated, all characteristics befitting her chosen profession.
Tom Hewitt, Judson Middle School drama teacher and local actor and comedian, again served as emcee for the event. Arriving nominees were treated to a red carpet walk broadcast live inside the theater.
In 1996, Salem Chamber business representatives teamed with local educators to begin the Crystal Apples as a way to encourage and recognize education excellence in Salem-Keizer schools.
Presented by the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation in collaboration with the Salem-Keizer School District and the Salem and Keizer Chambers of Commerce, the Awards celebrate and recognize those teachers,administrators and support staff who exceed all expectations of their profession and who engage community in their work. Since its inception, the Crystal Apple Awards has been replicated in communities throughout
the United States.
13th Annual Crystal Apple Awards
Recipients:
- Stacie Creighton, Teacher, North Salem High School
- Brian Eriksen, Teacher, South Salem High School
- Adria Farina-Miller, Teacher, Richmond Elementary School
- Melinda Freshour, Instructional Assistant, Yoshikai Elementary School
- Brenda Hauswirth, Teacher, West Salem High School
- Lee Horton, Instructional Assistant, Houck Middle School
- Mary Kruger, Teacher, Kennedy Elementary School
- Scott May, Teacher, Crossler Middle School
- Julie Nordlien, Instructional Assistant, Parrish Middle School
- Janice Olinger, Teacher, Brush College Elementary School
- Christina Tracy, Teacher, Howard Street Charter School
- Mary Paulson, Chief of Staff, Salem-Keizer Public Schools
About the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation
The Salem-Keizer Education Foundation is a catalyst for enhancing the education of Salem-Keizer public school students by providing resources for creative and innovative programs and materials, educating and
mobilizing the community, and sustaining collaborative partnerships that support its goals.
The Awesome 3000 all-youth fun run is the organization's signature event. The annual event is recognized as one of the largest children's runs in the nation. Awesome proceeds and foundation sponsorships go toward some $50,000 in grants each year for original and motivational school programs. More than 800 grants totaling over $750,000 have been
awarded to educators since 1982.
For more information about the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, visit the website: www.skeducationfoundation.org
Gubser community jogs to raise funds for school
Go Gubser School community!
Gubser Elementary School held an annual Jog-A-Thon event on October 16th. The students raised over $24,000. The money will go to fund field trips, assemblies, guest speakers and technology. Gubser is very thankful to all of the volunteers who gave their time and energy for the event.
Information submitted by Jesse Leonard, principal of Gubser Elementary School.
Houck student creates special shoe for Nike
Anna Finley is a 6th grader from Houck Middle School who helped design a special Nike shoe as part of a fundraiser for Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland.
Check out her shoe here. The shoe is available for purchase at any Niketown store or online at http://www.nike.com. All proceeds from the sales go to Doernebecher Children's Hospital.
Local student completes Crater Lake Century 100-Mile Bike Ride
Trey Conley is a student at Crossler Middle School. This summer, at the age of 12, Trey became the youngest person to complete the Crater Lake Century 2009 100 Mile Bike Ride. The riders started and finished the ride at Fort Klamath Museum and rode around the rim of Crater Lake, with a total climb of 7,540 feet! The ride took a little over nine hours to complete.
In addition to the many hours Trey spent training with family members for the race, he also worked all summer to help pay for equipment and the entry fee.
What an accomplishment! Congratulations Trey!
Submitted by Michelle Ramage, Office Manager, Salem Heights Elementary
South High's Culinary Arts is top 100 in the nation
South Salem Culinary Arts program is one of the top 100 programs in the nation based on a report by Sullivan University. The University is home to the National Center for Hospitality Studies and puts together this list of the most influential programs in the nation. The list was determined by Sullivan University staff and based on national/regional culinary competition results, enrollment in the program, and influence in their community.
South Salem's team placed first in ProStart state competition last year. They sent teams to the regional and national competitions, too.
Check out the Hot 100 Culinary Arts School List at http://www.sullivan.edu/LP/HOT100/
Students produce video at TAG Workshop
Revenge of the Pigs:
This production was created by 15 students participating in the TAG Summer Enrichment opportunity at Willamette University this June. The program focused on exposing 6th - 8th grade students to career-related learning opportunities and practical skills during the three half-day workshops. The class spent day one focusing on the pre-production aspects of media creation, and by the end of the day the story concept was mapped out and shooting preparations were underway. Day two, production took place around campus and the capitol while two camera crews set out to capture footage for the dramatic production of Revenge of the Pigs, while a second crew captured behind the scenes footage for the bonus B.T.S. feature. Day three, the digitized media was assembled scene by scene by groups of editors racing to have it ready for its screening debut. Parents arrived at the end of the day for the first official distribution of the students’ final product.
After the workshop the nine-hour production of ROP was polished up to represent its intended appearance and ROP the finished master was debuted on the McNary "CelticNetwork" Youtube channel for an anxiously awaiting group of students. For more information and a student perspective on the experience the Behind the Scenes documentary offers a look into the student's world of production. All videos were compiled onto a DVD and distributed to the students. They are available for public viewing on the district site and soon to be broadcast on Keizer Community Access 23. Another student group is already registered for a workshop in August so there's more fun to come.
Behind the Scenes:
Cast and Crew:
Information and videos submitted by Jason Heimerdinger, teacher at McNary High School.
New student exhibit opens in downtown
A new student exhibit in downtown Salem features artwork based on geometry concepts, as well as reports and diagrams about the human body. The display is the August exhibit at "Where the Sidewalk Begins," the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation's downtown storefront space and gallery.
The exhibit features the work of Washington Elementary School students. Fourth and fifth graders created their display after learning to identify and classify triangles by their angles, and to find and justify relationships among formulas for the areas of triangles and parallelograms. The result is an artistic representation using geometry.
Third graders at Washington integrated health and science in a study of the human body's functions and systems, and then demonstrated their understanding by writing reports and designing labeled diagrams.
"Where the Sidewalk Begins," at 233 Commercial St. N.E., also will be open for the August 5 First Wednesday event, with extended hours to 8 p.m.
In keeping with the First Wednesday theme, "Dancing in the Streets," SKEF has lined up professional dance instructor, Mz. Jitterbug, to give group lessons and demonstrations in swing dance.
"Where the Sidewalk Begins" is the first permanent office space in the foundation's 27-year history. In addition to a gallery for local student work, the storefront space also houses a retail outlet and smoothie bar.
The gallery showcases different exhibits each month, displaying the arts, science, literary and service-learning projects of district students and teachers.
The smoothie bar offers blended juice drinks, brewed coffee and other beverages, along with breakfast foods and specialty snacks. The gift shop features women's and children's clothing and books, greeting cards, home decor, jewelry, and local art, with an emphasis on sustainably produced items.
All proceeds from "Where the Sidewalk Begins" benefit the foundation's work, in particular its Enrichment Academy programs.
About the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation
The Salem-Keizer Education Foundation is a catalyst for enhancing the education of Salem-Keizer public school students by providing resources for creative and innovative programs and materials, educating and mobilizing the community, and sustaining collaborative partnerships that support its goals.
The Awesome 3000 all-youth fun run is the organization's signature event. The annual event is recognized as one of the largest children's runs in the nation. Awesome proceeds and foundation sponsorships go toward some $50,000 in grants each year for original and motivational school programs. More than 800 grants totaling over $750,000 have been awarded to educators since 1982.
For more information about the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, visit the website: http://www.skeducationfoundation.org.
Information submitted by the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation. For more information, contact Krina Lemons, Executive Director, 503-932-3201