Each day members of our community quietly celebrate milestones, achievements and accomplishments—big and small. This department highlights these triumphs for the community.
If you’re sending a submission, include all details that apply: individuals’ names, details of the milestone and a contact name and phone number. If you have photos, send them. The submission deadline for the July issue is Thursday, June 15. For best results, e-mail editor@midcountymemo.com or mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. Call 503-287-8904.
School district employees take a farewell bow
Six of 13 retirees of the Parkrose School District pose for a picture at their retirement ceremony last month. In the front row, from left, are Mary King, the district’s human resources director (22 years); Debra Robinson, a teacher at Parkrose Middle School (PMS; 22 years), and Kathy Keim-Robinson, the district’s student services director (32 years).
In the back row, from left, are Peri Bogh, a teacher at Shaver Elementary (28 years); Ricka Leeser, a counselor at PMS (27 years), and Alonzo White, a security officer at PMS (23 years).
STAFF/2017
Ron Russell Middle School students getting their Timberwolf SWAG on.
COURTESY RON RUSSELL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ron Russell students inspired to achieve
Andy Long, principal at Ron Russell Middle School in the David Douglas School District, shares word that 90 of his students improved their GPAs by 0.5 points from the second quarter to the third quarter to earn Timberwolf SWAG (Students with Academic Growth) awards. In addition, 36 students were recognized as Student of the Month for showing outstanding perseverance in their classes, and 50 students were recognized as April Academic All-Stars for their strong commitment to schoolwork. On top of that, 277 students made the third-quarter honor roll. Keep up the good work, Timberwolves!
High achievement continues at Alice Ott
Alice Ott Middle School in the David Douglas School District joins 26 middle-level and high schools redesignated as one of the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ (NASSP) 2017 Breakthrough Schools. NASSP recently evaluated each of these schools, originally recognized between 2011 and 2014, and determined that they have sustained their student achievement rates since their initial recognition.
Established in 2007, NASSP’s Breakthrough Schools program recognizes middle-level and high schools that serve large numbers of students in poverty and are high-achieving or demonstrate dramatically improving student achievement. Schools are selected based on documented success in implementing strategies aligned with the three core areas: collaborative leadership; personalization; and curriculum, instruction and assessment.
Alice Ott is proud to be honored for the improvements the school continues to make. The most notable honors in the past several years include being named a National Breakthrough School, a National Distinguished Title I School and a four-time Oregon Model School. Alice Ott staff was also featured in the book “Five Critical Leadership Practices: The Secret to High-Performing Schools.”
The 2017 Mt. Hood Community College Patron Saint is Nancy Jaksich of Suburban Auto in Sandy.
COURTESY MHCC
Nancy Jaksich named MHCC Patron Saint
Mt. Hood Community College President Debbie Derr announced that longtime foundation board member Nancy Jaksich is the recipient of the 2017 MHCC Patron Saint Award.
Jaksich first joined the Mt. Hood Community College Foundation board in 2007. She has served in the roles of secretary, vice president and president of the foundation.
Her commitment includes sitting on the foundation’s auction, finance and executive committees.
Along with spending hundreds of volunteer hours in support of student scholarships and classroom equipment, Jaksich has provided tens of thousands of her own dollars in support of the foundation. Through her company, Suburban Auto Group in Sandy, Nancy and her husband, Jerry, have sponsored many foundation events, including the annual auction.
“It is because of her undying support of Mt. Hood Community College students that we honor Nancy with the Mt. Hood Community College Patron Saint Award,” said Derr.
The official ceremony honoring Jaksich will take place at the Mt. Hood Community College President’s Garden Party on Sunday, June 4, at the Yoshida Estate in Troutdale. For ticket information please visit mhcc.edu/foundation.
No fees for east Portland block parties
Spring is finally here, and that means it’s time to start planning for your summer block party. Block parties are great for community-building. There is no better way to get to know your neighbors than by opening your street for a potluck, barbecue, dance party or any other creative ideas you have to bring people together.
Ready to start planning? The first step to a successful block party is applying for a permit from the Portland Bureau of Transportation to safely open your block for people of all ages to gather, play and enjoy a car-free street.
To that end, PBOT is excited to announce some changes this year that will make throwing block parties easier than ever:
• Rather than obtaining signatures from residents on your block, simply share a notification flyer with your neighbors—just be sure to attach it to your application.
• PBOT now offers an online application and payment system for block parties. You can file all your paperwork from the comfort of your home.
• PBOT is waiving permit fees for east Portland. PBOT is also providing special pink block party barricades for closing the street safely that can be picked up at select east Portland community locations at no cost. You may simply complete a paper application and not include payment, or you can use the east Portland block party online application.
• Translated paper applications in are available in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Somali and Russian to make throwing a block party easier for everyone in Portland.
Go to pbotblockparty.com to find everything you need to apply for your block party. The site will direct you to the new east Portland block party online application and translated paper applications.
