December 2014 – Memo Pad

The Mid-county Memo offers the Memo Pad section to highlight community milestones; those accomplishments that often do not receive the recognition they deserve, opportunities to participate in the community and everyday events that should be shared with friends and neighbors. If you send submissions, please include all details that apply: full names of any individuals mentioned, details of the milestone and everyone affected by the event, and a contact name, phone number or email address. If you have a photo, send it. Identify individuals from left to right (large group shots can be identified by the group name) and, when possible, please provide the name of the photographer for credit. January submissions are due Monday, Dec. 15. Email Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com, or mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, call 503-287-8904. Our fax number is 503-249-7672.

 

Dispelling the myth at Menlo Park

The Education Trust honored three outstanding public schools at its 12th annual Dispelling the Myth Awards ceremony last month. Among them was Menlo Park Elementary in the David Douglas School District for having success in educating students from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, dispelling the myth these students’ challenges are insurmountable.

“No child’s future should be determined by her zip code or skin color,” said Kati Haycock, president of The Education Trust. “Through their hard work and diligence, the educators and staff in these schools have proven that all students can succeed when they have the right resources, committed educators and adequate support. The Dispelling the Myth Award recipients affirm that closing gaps and boosting achievement is not only attainable but also well within reach.”

The award recognizes schools with large populations of low-income students, or students of color that deliver a rich, coherent, engaging curriculum and provide individualized supports to ensure every student reaches his or her potential. In the process, these schools create the environment where children thrive and where teachers want to teach.

To be successful, with 76 percent of its students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals and about one-third English-language learners, Menlo Park Elementary has to be deliberate about everything it does. The school is both deliberate and successful. Seventy-nine percent of Menlo Park’s fifth graders met or exceeded state English Language Arts standards in 2013, compared with 68 percent of Oregon fifth graders. Similarly, 76 percent of MPE fifth graders met or exceeded state standards in math, compared to 58 percent of Oregon’s fifth graders. “Every student deserves an education,” says the brand-new principal, Kellie Burkhardt, a veteran of the district, echoing her predecessor, Elise Guest, who said, “We need to be purposeful and have a sense of urgency.” The school begins with its core instruction, making sure teachers have the time and wherewithal to collaborate to ensure that lessons are focused on what students need to know. Then begins a careful system of intervention for students who are not initially successful, which increases the levels of support to those who need it. They also try new things. Educators brought the “As Seen on TV” Rosetta Stone to students to help the newest English learners begin to master English conversation, carefully evaluating the results and adjusting elements that weren’t working.

 

Parks move to final design

Portland Parks & Recreation officials hosted a parks contractor fair last month to inform area contractors about the long awaited Beech Park and Gateway Park and Plaza projects. Beech Park, a nearly 16-acre parcel, is located off Northeast 131st Place between Fremont and Shaver streets. Gateway Park and Plaza, a joint project between Park and the Portland Development Commission, encompasses about four acres on Northeast Halsey Street at 106th Avenue.

The goal of the contractor fair was to introduce smaller contractors and those owned by women and minorities to these projects and to facilitate new relationships among those contractors that would help them take part in the bidding process. Kia Selley, Portland Parks planning, development and assets manager, announced that each project will go out as a separate Request for Proposal explaining that while some contractors may want to bid on both projects, splitting them will allow for smaller contractors to choose only one if that best fits its level of experience, capitalization and manpower. The RFPs for each project were expected to be released within a few days of the contractor fair. Selley said the city is hoping to have a construction manager/general contractor on board early so that the CMGC can participate in value engineering during the final design process. Each RFP will include a Community Benefits Plan, a component that encourages internships, apprenticeships and general hiring from residents of the communities surrounding these two parks.

By this time next year, design should be completed with initial grading beginning summer 2015 at both sites. Both projects are scheduled for completion by March of 2017.

 

Trinity Lutheran holds successful fundraiser

Advance the Potential of Our Students, the annual fundraising event celebrating Trinity Lutheran School’s 124 years of Christian education, its students and the teachers who have been a part of that history, was Friday, Oct. 24 in the school gym. Friends and classmates were able to mix at the happy hour featuring hors d’oeuvre, wine and beer samplings.

Alumnus Keylah Boyer (class of 1989) was mistress of ceremonies. Guest speakers included Portland Public Schools Principal of the Year, Conrad Hurdle (1987), eighth grader Mason Brandt, a 2014 Concordia University L.E.S.T. Champion of Character representative, and former teacher Linda Kuhlmann.

Music teacher, Jelani Greenidge, directed the musical entertainment by third- through eighth-grade students.

Elected to the Faculty Honor Roll were Gerald Hoops, Paul Bethke and Ray Reisig.

The event raised $26,000 for the school.