The superintendent and her executive cabinet are pleased to recognize the following individuals for their outstanding work and contributions to our school district and community.

Business Partner of the Month – Figaro's Pizza West Salem

Photo: Chris Wylie (left) accepts the Business Partner of the Month award from School Board Chairperson Steve Chambers. 

Figaro's Pizza in west Salem has long been a business partner to our west Salem elementary schools. As new owners of the pizza parlor, Chris Wylie and his wife Brenda are continuing the partnership with great enthusiasm.

They have provided a display board for student work. This display board highlights student work from a different school each month on a rotating basis.

Figaro's is also providing each school with certificates for pizza to be given out throughout the school year.

They are providing teachers with reading awards that can be given out for reading incentive programs, will offer fundraising opportunities to each school, and provide a discount to the schools for school related functions.

Chris and Brenda have always been supportive of the schools and will continue to help teachers reward students for their academic efforts.

Thank you for your support of our students in the Salem-Keizer district.

Roberts High School – Team Winners in the "Furthest T-Shirt Shot" Award Presented by Intel and the Portland Trail Blazers

Photo: Roberts High School Principal Mary Jean Sandal (left); Todd Anderson, teacher; and students Allan Pinard, Jose Nigerete, and Amanda Murdock. Not pictured is Tayler Osborne. 

These Roberts High School students got an early Christmas present from Intel and the Portland Trail Blazers, a chance to display their engineering talent from center court of the Rose Garden Arena in front of more than 20,000 screaming fans during half time of a Trail Blazer's game.

Intel Oregon Corporate Affairs has stated that Intel wants more students to study math, science and engineering. The engineering challenge was one way to show students that engineering can be both fascinating and fun.

Intel volunteers are part of a massive school volunteerism effort by Intel Oregon employees. During the 2007-2008 school year, Intel Oregon employees invested over 60,000 hours of volunteer time in Oregon schools.

At Intel's invitation, students from Roberts High School and 8 other Oregon high schools worked hard for the past two months to design, engineer and build unique t-shirt launchers. Each Challenge team competing submitted a two-page paper encompassing 4 areas: process, theories, successes, and how they implemented teamwork.  They were also asked to submit at least 3 photos, and an optional YouTube video.

Roberts' students won 1st Prize for the "Furthest T-Shirt Shot" at the event, launching at least one t-shirt 558 ft. (almost the length of two football fields) into the spectator seats. The reaction of the crowd was electric, the noise deafening.

Thank you Intel, and congratulations students on this engineering feat!

Oregon State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo Recognized Swegle Elementary School as a "Student Success Champion School."

Photo: Swegle Elementary staff Laura Daniel, LRC (left); Brenda Anderson, instructional coach; Christina Gragg, 3rd grade teacher; Joanne Schneider, intervention specialist; Jeff Crueger, music and teacher leader; Jeremiah Rasca, physical education; and Phil Decker, principal.

Swegle was recognized for making "significant improvement" for low-income and minority student achievement. Swegle has seen improved student achievement and a declining achievement gap despite a shift in student population. In five years, the percentage of students receiving fee and reduced-priced lunches grew from 66% to 80%, as has the percentage of students learning English, which grew from 18% to 37%.

Among the reasons for improving student achievement is a teacher collaboration model that started a few years ago. Teachers meet regularly in grade-level and subject areas.

To quote Principal Phil Decker, "Swegle staff has really embraced their mission that these kids are capable of performing well and being prepared for a bright future."

Congratulations!

Oregon State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo Recognized Grant Community School for Making "Significant Improvement" for Low-Income and Minority Student Achievement.

Photo: Anthony Cornell (left), Diane DiPasquale, and Principal Jim Hicks accept the award on behalf of Grant Community School.

Grant Community School was recognized as a Continuing Success School. It's the second year it has been recognized for closing the achievement gap and has been moved off the No Child Left Behind "sanctioned" school list for meeting the state's benchmark for the second consecutive year.

Last year the school restructured and focused on initiatives that staffers, parents and community member said need improvement: communication, staff development, curriculum alignment, student management and parent involvement. Among the efforts that have improved student achievement is an alignment of curriculum. Overall, 67% of students passed the state reading test last year, up from 49% four years before.

Principal Jim Hicks says that it's the consistency throughout their program that's making a difference.

Congratulations to Jim and the Grant Community School staff for this achievement.

Patriotic Employer Award Presented by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Photo: Chairperson Chambers (middle) and Superintendent Sandy Husk (right) accept the award on behalf of the district, and Waldo Middle School, presented by Captain Thad Conwell, Oregon Army National Guard.

Captain Thad Conwell said:

"I would like to present this "Patriotic Employer" award to Superintendent Sandy Husk, Waldo Middle School and the Salem-Keizer School District from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The award is for Contributing to National Security and Protecting Liberty and Freedom by supporting employee participation in America's National Guard and Reserve Force.

"Because of the extreme support I've received for my service in the Oregon Army National Guard, I nominated Dr. Husk, Waldo Middle School and the District to receive this recognition. They have always ensured that my unique needs that come with being both a citizen soldier and a teacher in the District are fully addressed. It has been a great relief to know that I have their full support in my service to the state of Oregon and to the United States of America.

"On behalf of all employees in the Salem-Keizer district who serve our state and nation in this manner, thank you for your support."