Staff Bulletin: April 27, 2005

Positive Energy

I believe that there is a lot of positive energy around the building regarding what are next steps might be in terms of school reform. We have talked at Site Council about possibly applying for the new Federal SLC grant as a possibility. More importantly, I will be interested in focusing some of our staff meeting time toward potential changes in school structures and programs we should look at for next year. Let's get back to our mission and figure out how to continue moving in the right direction!

We will be conducting the Oregon Healthy Teens Survey this Friday, April 29th, during 2nd period. Teachers in the following classes (which were selected randomly by a Federal agency) will administer the survey to all students, 9-12: Period 2 Classes - Blackburn, Devore, Heier, Labrousse, Sterling, & Yamada. At the same time, we will call all remaining Juniors to the cafeteria (after announcements) to take the survey. The survey takes about 30 minutes. Juniors will be sent back to regular classes as they finish. I do have a short list of students who have been excused from this activity by their parents, and I'll send that out later. Thanks for your patience with all of this. I know it is a disruption to your important work. See or email me if you have questions or concerns.

Please let Karla know by next Friday, April 29th, how many of the cords for your group/CAM you will need for graduation. These need to be ordered the first week of May. Thank you to Lance Eagen and Kelly Dahlgren for their speedy response to this request!

Students in the Rachel Carson Program have worked hard this year to prepare for their annual spring plant sale. Organically raised vegetable, herb and flower starts, hanging flower baskets, native trees and shrubs will be available. The sale will be held at the Churchill greenhouse this Saturday, April 30th and next Saturday, May 7th from 10am-4pm, and Friday, May 6th from 3-5pm. Come see the Churchill Greenhouse and meet students in the Rachel Carson program as you take care of all your spring planting needs!

Are scheduled over the next two weeks. This gives you an opportunity to share your recommendations with Doug, Sloan and I before we build the master shell. Because of the meetings scheduled for Monday, I will need to cancel the Futures Committee meeting.

The Chalkboard Project is gathering information to identify the state's educational priorities. The goal is not for the Foundations to set these priorities, nor for the policy-makers in Salem to set them, but rather for the citizens of Oregon to explore the issues and discuss some choices about what is most important to us in building a superior K-12 public education system in Oregon. We have Feedback Booklets (surveys) with which you are able to submit your opinions regarding their numerous questions regarding school changes. The surveys are completely confidential. I encourage you all to participate. We have put one in your mailbox. Please fill out and return to Karla by Friday, May 6th.

We will have our May staff meeting during our late start on Wednesday, May 11th, beginning at 7:45am. Please email me or Don Cataldo if you have suggested topics for the agenda. Please include length of time need for your topic. The completed agenda will be emailed out to all staff prior to the meeting.
Our late start on May 18th will be for Curriculum areas to meet.

You are cordially invited to volunteer at Churchill High Schools Junior-Senior Prom, La Dolce Vita! The dance will be held from 8:30 until 11:30 in the evening on Saturday, the 21st of May. Chaperones will arrive early and will continue their service until the conclusion of the dance. We would love to have you, and anyone else you may know who would like to help be a chaperone for this years prom. You can confirm by leaving a note or talking to Cindy Wilgus. Thank you so much for you time and consideration. The Junior class looks forward to working with you this year at our Prom.

If you do not have a flag in your classroom, please let Karla know by Friday, April 29th. We will be ordering some to make sure all classrooms have them for the pledge of allegiance in the announcements each week. Thanks!

Have a great week!

Dennis Biggerstaff
Principal