Parkrose crowns Margaret Drew, the little gal with the big singing voice; David Douglas chooses Chelsea Linn.

The students at Parkrose High School select Margaret Ann Drew to be their Portland Rose Festival Princess. (Portland Rose Festival Photo)

Story and archive photos by David F. Ashton
While other folks across Portland are just learning about Margaret Drew, we feel fortunate to have watched her “grow up” as a musician and performer at Parkrose High School.

The daughter of Jane and Bill Drew, she’s a Parkrose native. Margaret attended Sacramento Elementary, Parkrose Middle School, and, in three months, she’ll be a graduate of Parkrose High School.

Princess Margaret stands with the other contenders for her title. (Portland Rose Festival Photo)

Asked about what’s in store for her after high school, plans, she said, “I plan to attend a four-year university to study art and music.”

A true performer, Princess Margaret is a member of the Parkrose High School Debonair and A-Choir. She’s also a fourth year member and captain of the dance team. On stage, she had a supporting role in their theatre production of Sound of Music and a lead role in last year’s production of Pirates of Penzance. “I am a three-year member of Student Council, and a member of National Honor Society,” she adds.

Princess Margaret, ready to perform with the Parkrose Debonairs choir.

Princess Margaret said she enjoys attending the national convention for Little People of America. “I am also a teen coordinator for the SED and Kniest Syndrome Organization,” said continued.

In her words …
Read, here, her speech she gave on March 9th at the Parkrose Rose Festival Court Selection competition, and you’ll know why she was crowned princess ‚Ķ

“When I sat down to think about this year’s theme, ‘A Century of Celebration,’ I thought to myself, ‘Where would I have been 100 years ago? Would I have been standing on this stage in front of all of you?’

“Probably not. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a bit shorter than the rest of you. But really, being a Little Person in Parkrose, in 2007, hasn’t been a problem. As Mr. Reynolds [Parkrose High principal] always says, ‘Diversity is what makes Parkrose so great!’

“Mr. Reynolds, I agree with you.

“In my opinion however, it is not diversity that makes Parkrose great. It is the acceptance and celebration of diversity that makes Parkrose so unique. As a diverse member of this community, I have experienced this acceptance first hand.

“Take for example, my one and only experience running the 100-meter dash. My opponents took only a second to cross the finish line. For me, it seemed like it took a century! Nevertheless, my teammates waited for me at the end, cheering me on, while my coach walked alongside me as I ran!

“Or my time spent on the dance team. Even though I do half turns while other dancers are doing double turns, I have never felt I wasn’t as good. And I know my coaches spend extra time just finding ways to fit me in the routines.”

Jonathan Wheatfall and Margaret Drew, performing their lead roles in the production of The Pirates of Penzance.

“And let us not forget the special rock designed so that I could be eye level with my leading man in Pirates of Penzance!

“Whether or not I would have been standing here in front of you a century ago, I am here now, and proud to know that no matter who I am or what I look like, I am accepted as one of us, one of the diverse members of Parkrose.

“Someone once said, ‘Diversity is the one true thing we have in common. Celebrate it everyday.’ Today we celebrate the past one hundred years and each other. Tomorrow let us strive to share this acceptance and celebration of diversity with the world.”

David Douglas High School’s Rose Festival tiara presented to Chelsea Allison Linn

Portland Rose Festival Princess Chelsea Allison Linn represents David Douglas High School

Ronald and Dawnelle Linn have a newly crowned princess in the family: Chelsea Linn.

Educated in outer East Portland, Princess Chelsea attended Harold Oliver Elementary School, Centennial Middle School, and will soon graduate from David Douglas High School.

Asked about her plans, Princess Chelsea says, “I was accepted to Brigham Young University, and will attend there for four years. I am excited to go, and plan to keep up my grade as I have done in high school. The fields I am interested in are science and dance. As I move through my college career, I plan to learn and experience these more. Once I graduate I hope to obtain a career in one of these fields.”

When she’s not studying, Princess Chelsea says she enjoys dance, reading, surfing, beading, art, acting, interior and fashion design, shopping, spending time with friends, and helping others.

In the David Douglas High School Theater production of Peter Pan late last year, Princess Chelsea, as Tiger Lily, forges an alliance with Peter.

The David Douglas princess lists her activities and honors: Varsity Dance Team Captain, Varsity Dance for three years, Science Club, National Honor Society, LINK Crew, Student of the Month, 4.0 Student, and played the role of Tiger Lily in the musical Peter Pan.

In her spare time Princess Chelsea has been: Young Women’s Church Group Leader, Girl’s Camp Junior Counselor, Girl’s Camp President, and a member of Dance Committee.

In her words …
Learn more about Princess Chelsea Linn, from the speech she gave at the David Douglas High School Rose Festival Pageant …

“A century: 100 years, or 1200 months, or 67,200 weeks, or 470,400 days. A century is built one day at a time. This last century has been full of days for celebration. It seems to me that every day should be a celebration, not just the few days that we recognize.

“In ‘Alice and Wonderland’ there is one character that embodies this idea: The Mad Hatter. He celebrated every day as a un-birthday. Though he went about it in rather unprecedented ways, he had the right idea.

‘Take a normal high-schooler’s day for example: You wake up, much too tired from being on MySpace all night; and your hair is just not cooperating. You hastily eat breakfast so you aren’t late to class, and leave the house in a rush. On your way to school you notice you spilt breakfast on your favorite jeans. Just as you are arriving, you are attacked by a big dog that rips your pants to get your remaining breakfast, and eats your homework.”

Princess Chelsea stands with the other contenders for her title. (Portland Rose Festival Photo)

“Just as your life seems really lousy, you walk into school and find out that it is a late-arrival day, and have to wait around for two hours for school to start. So you have two choices at this point. You can hate life and curse the dog that ripped your favorite jeans, or you can realize that this day is going to be great because you are going to make it great. You even might have something to celebrate about. The kind dog took away your embarrassing breakfast stain, and made your pants highly fashionable because holes are ‘in’.

“This situation might be a little extreme, but the point is the same. We have the control to make each day what we want it to be. You will only have a bad day if you choose to.

“You can celebrate EVERY DAY. Life doesn’t always work out they way you think it should, but you can always look for the bright side of things. For example, in this country, education is available to everyone, which is a pretty good thing most days.

“We need to be the examples for the world. In this day and age everything is so negative and there is constantly talk of war, depression and suffering, we can step out of that, and celebrate the ordinary, our family our friends, and our lives. Remember — a century is built one day at a time. Celebrate your days, and continue to live this celebration into the next century.”

Congratulations
We at East Portland News Service extend our sincerer congratulations to our outer East Portland Rose Festival Princesses.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

NOW PLAYING: See how a British vicar’s home is turned upside down by four mistaken identities, two impostors, an escaped spy in this hilarious, fast-moving play ‚Ķ

As the story begins … Penelope Toop (Desira?© Stewart), the American wife of the local vicar is disappointed that her visiting ex-show biz pal, Corporal Clive Winton (Chris McVey) won’t take her to see a show in town. Winton relents, borrows the vicar’s suit, and is mistaken for the Reverend.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The opening night audience laughed out loud, hearing the snappy dialog, seeing the madcap action and reveling in the mash-up of confusion of the David Douglas High School production of See How They Run.

It’s a World War II era play by Philip King, considered by many to be the “King of Farces” because of the screwball situations and humor, heavily playing on problems arising from mistaken identities.

The maid, Ida (Emily Strickland) tries to explain to her boss, The Reverend Lionel Troop (Jonathan Quesenberry) why the town busybody, Miss Skilton (Katy Beckemeyer) is found inebriated, out of control, and in the most embarrassing of situations – on the floor!

The line, “See how they run”, originally drawn from the nursery rhyme about the “three blind mice” is best known in popular culture today from The Beatles’ use of it in two of their songs, “I am the Walrus” and “Lady Madonna”.

But perhaps Paul McCartney and John Lennon used this phrase in the songs not because of the children’s rhyme, but because they enjoyed the comedic confusion that reigns in this play.

The real Reverend Troop gets clocked by an escaped prisoner (Joey Russell) who needs a quick change of clothes. Thus, two vicar-imposters are now in the house.

Star-studded, experience cast
You’ll recognize many of the actors in this production. Most of them have played many staring roles in other David Douglas Theater products.

Some of the featured players in this show are Katy Beckemeyer played the lead role in Peter Pan; Chris McVey was “Big Jule” in Guys and Dolls; Jonathan Quesenberry was “Captain Hook” in Peter Pan; Desira?© Stewart played a knockout “Adelaide” in Guys and Dolls and “Wendy” in Peter Pan; and, Emily Strickland, a veteran of nine DDHS productions, and will be competing in the State drama competitions.

The Bishop of Lax (Rachel Lemons), shows up a day early, complicating matters for Penelope, to the delight of maid Ida.

Solid direction produces snappy scenes
Directed by Michael Givler, with the support of  Judy LeCoq and Kaila Murry, the actors deliver their lines crisply, with the “snap” necessary to make a fast-paced comedy pick up speed until the frenzied ending.

The more questions the Bishop of Lax asks of Penelope, the more confusing the situation becomes. Corporal Winton laughs hysterically, both because he’s been mistaken for Reverend Troop ‚Äì and because his military uniform has disappeared.

Sophisticated staging
The show’s Technical Director, Mark L. Taylor and his student staff built the realistic set ‚Äì complete with five doors, all well used ‚Äì out and away from the stage front, bringing the action up close to the audience.

The crew’s execution of Lighting Designer David Tangen’s superb illumination design highlights the screwball antics of the characters as they scurry about, trying desperately to right multiple situations that have gone awry.

As the situation continues to worsen, and the pace of the play quickens, Penelope is frenzied as Corporal Winton squares off with the (literally) defrocked Reverend Troop. The action continues to build from here – these scenes are from the FIRST half of the show!

Order tickets today
See How They Run continues its run on March 15, 16, and 17.

Showtimes for all performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the beautiful Howard Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.

Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults.

For ticket information, call the David Douglas Box Office at (503) 261-8270.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Discover why the Parkrose School Board spent months researching and creating a “strategic plan”, before they went shopping for a new education boss ‚Äì and learn how you can meet the final two candidates ‚Ķ

Parkrose School District superintendent, Michael Taylor, says he’ll be leaving in June; but he’s excited about the process the Board’s used to find his replacement.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The unassuming single-story brick building on NE Prescott St. ‚Äì the location from which the Parkrose School District is managed ‚Äì won’t look any different after June 30.

But, on July 1, this $30 Million educational enterprise will be under the leadership of a new superintendent. That’s when Michael Taylor retires from that position.

Six-month process concludes
Just because the Parkrose School Board has taken six months to hire a new superintendent doesn’t mean they’ve been lollygagging or dragging their feet.

Instead, with help from certified facilitators, board members conducted 37 focus group meetings with representative groups from all segments of their community. They recorded 1,700 comments from among 260 Parkrose people.

The participants volunteered their time; no one was paid for their input. “Every cultural group was heard from,” Taylor said. “We listened to what they wanted for their kids’ education.”

The purpose of this process was to develop clear, concise “Mission and Belief” statements.

“I’m excited about this process,” Taylor told us. “This is one of the few districts that have taken the time and resources to develop a ‘strategic plan’ before they conducted the search for their new superintendent.”

This means, Taylor continued, that “we’ve focused on who we are [as a school district], and what we want from our educational system. Only then, did the board focus on finding the person to lead the effort.”

Taylor said it took the board’s design committee 18 hours to consider, rank, and then boil down the community’s comments. “From this input, we developed a mission or vision statement for the district.”

Mission Statement revealed
Taylor said their Mission Statement is in two segments: “What we believe education should be, and how we’ll know we’re successful.”

*Full text of this Mission Statement is at the end of this article.

The document begins, Taylor said, with this statement: “‘The Parkrose School Community provides a premiere education that unlocks the potential in each student.’ This speaks to the quality of education our community expects, and to our bringing out the potential in each student.”

The thing that came that came through, he elaborated, “was the emphasis on maximizing the potential for each individual student. It recognizes that there are many ways to achieve success. Our Board recognized that we need to recognize that our students come from diverse cultures, educational level backgrounds, and have varying levels of family support. Our students come from all kinds of families ‚Äì from the well-established, to the homeless.”

Risks required to achieve goals
To offer more, and varied, educational opportunities for students, Taylor went on, “the school district will need to incorporate new ways of teaching students. There is an inherent risk in introducing new programs and teaching methods.”

Right now, Taylor said, the School Board is sharing their Mission Statement with the community. “We’re asking, ‘If this is what we believe, and if this is how we measure success, what will this look like in our schools? What would that outcome mean to you?'”

Having Parkrose students pass state tests is only the first part of educational measurement, Taylor continued. “That is a given. From there, this is about the activities that help students grow into being successful, productive citizens.”

Taylor won’t pick successor
While he’s been deeply involved in designing the mission statement process, Taylor said he won’t be the one to choose the next superintendent.

“I’m staying a little more distant from the selection. I’m making sure we have good community and staff involvement and communication regarding this decision process.”

A superintendent search can often be difficult for a school board, we learned. “In some cases, while the Board gives policy direction, they’re not clear about specific targets and goals they’re after,” Taylor explained. “But, by clearly defining the goals for our schools before starting the superintendent search, they are able to succinctly communicate their desires to a candidate ‚Äì on a single sheet of paper.”

While interviewing candidates for the job, Board members used their Mission Statement to help them formulate their questions.

“During interviews, Board members asked the candidates not only how the district can better accommodate diversity, but also develop educational systems and programs that allow [students] different paths to success,” said Taylor. “The new superintendent will have the ‘Mission and Belief’ statements, as a yardstick. It becomes our measurement.”

Come meet the finalists March 8
Taylor said that the Board has chosen two final candidates, both of them from Oregon school districts: Dr. Karen Gray, Superintendent of the Coos Bay Schools; and Dr. Ivan Hernandez, Superintendent of the Fern Ridge Schools.

“Our Board has done background and site checks; they’ve completed their visitations,” Taylor told us. “We’ve asked the candidates to meet our community on March 8. By March 12, the Board will have made their decision.”

Two meetings will held on Thursday, March 8.

• Morning meeting:
  Parkrose School District Office
  10636 NE Prescott
  Dr. Gray will speak from 8:00 to 8:45, followed by Dr. Hernandez speaking from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m.
• Evening meeting:
  Parkrose High School community rooms (L 12-14)
  From 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., Dr. Hernandez will speak; from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., Dr. Gray will talk.

Each candidate will present a short talk and then answer questions. The School Board wants to hear what you think, and will have feedback forms at both programs. We’re told coffee and other refreshments will be served.

Superintendent Taylor says that, other than taking a fly-fishing class, he hasn’t seriously considered what he’ll do after he leaves the district in June.

Taylor’s next move
“What’s next for Michael Taylor?” we ask. “A fishing trip?”

“It’s funny you’d say that,” he replied. “I have my first fly-fishing class tomorrow night. I’ve put it off for a year-and-a-half because of conflicts with school meetings.

“I want to make sure I finish what I’m doing here. So, I’m fully here until June 30. I’ve heard some proposals for part time work. My family is all here, so I’m staying here in the community.”

“If you have some spare time,” we playfully suggest, “Teena Ainsley, in the Parkrose ASPIRE program, could use your help‚Ķif you have an hour-a-week.”

================================

Parkrose School District
Draft Logo Statement, Mission and Belief Statements
January 18, 2007

The Parkrose School Community provides a premiere education that unlocks the potential in each student.

We believe that …

• The health of our community, our state, and our nation is fundamentally dependent upon the success of each individual student.
• A student’s success is the responsibility of all members of the community.
• Respect for the individual and for strong relationships are essential.
• All students are capable of achieving high expectations.
• We must meet students’ diverse individual needs, and provide a variety of pathways to success.
• Taking measured risks is an essential part of our growth as a learning community.
• Accountability in all aspects of education is crucial.

We will be successful when …

• Each student will graduate, having completed a K-12 education, with the knowledge and skills they need to adapt to their future: “Knowing how to learn.”
• Each student’s education is driven by an individual education plan that assures high expectations, and is based on student needs and aspirations.
• Each student is provided with a wide range of learning opportunities, in and out of the classroom.
• Each student’s educational experience is integrated with the community and its resources; and the school, the families, and the community work collaboratively for each student’s success.

================================

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See what happens when grade school kids focus on being respectful to one another, during “No Name-Calling Week: ‚Ķ

Winner of Lane Middle School’s “No Name-Calling Week” essay contest, 7th grader Natasha Calamarchuk, reads her entry before an all-school assembly.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“Do students at Lane Middle School respect one another?” is the rhetorical question principal Karl Logan poses to students at an all-school assembly on January 26.

“Yes,” Logan continues, “but I’d like to see the day when students can walk the halls and never hear unkind words. Some day, we’ll be at a place at which every student feels safe, every day. This assembly, the culmination of ‘No Name-calling Week’, is a step in the right direction.”

Karl Logan, Principal at Lane Middle School, tells how words can be hurtful before an all-school assembly.

The principal tells why this special emphasis week is important, saying “It is a time to focus on and magnify how we look at, and treat, each other. Words do hurt, as much as sticks and stones. Many of you have come to the principal’s office because you have been hurt by words. When you name-call, you can’t reach out and pull words back before they hit the person’s ears.”

At the assembly, winner of this year’s essay-writing contest, 7th grader Natasha Calamarchuk, read her composition before the student body. After the program, we ask her why she put these thoughts into words. Her essay is reprinted at the end of this article.

“It is important, because it isn’t good to be called names,” Calamarchuk says. “Maybe people will use more appropriate words. It will help the school if we all better get along with one another.”

The annual event’s organizer, and the school’s librarian, Linda Campillo, tells us that activities during No Name-Calling Week include “throwing bad names into a trash can” at the entrance of school; creating posters, essays, and poetry about No Name Calling; and voting for each grade’s “best citizen”.

Shelli Vang and Amethyst Davis created the award-winning poster on the left; student artist Jessica Penaloza holds her award winning poster.

“Then they dressed however they wanted to for one day,” illustrates Campillo, “and nobody could make fun of them.”

Campillo says the idea for the week-long experience came from the book “The Misfits” by James Howe. “Several eighth-grade classes have been reading the book, and a small group of students also presented some scenes from the book in a video.”

Lucia Medina is also recognized for her poem, “Poison words”.

On our way out, Principal Logan commented, “This is the second year Lane has celebrated No Name-Calling Week, and many students have said they really enjoy the events. But, what’s most important is that it gives our young people the opportunity to see how their community would be, if people treated one another respect.”

Natasha’s Essay
Everyone has been called a name more than once. Name-calling can be very hurtful to people. It’s very mean! I think that some people say bad words just because they are bored with their own minds. Or maybe some people don’t have any friends and they try to act all cool. You know, no one ever got a friend by name-calling.

Bullying is also like name-calling. People get beat up, and they feel very sad. Same with name-calling. But you don’t get hurt on the outside ‚Äì just on the inside. I think the best way to stop name-calling is to make friends with the bully or person who is calling you names. So, if you are bullied, or called a name, you have two options: Ignore, or be a friend.
Natasha Calamarchuk, 7th Grade, Lane Middle School

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Learn why these adults volunteer to help high school kids discover their career and higher education goals. When you read this, you, too, may choose to give an hour a week to help out …

New ASPIRE counselor Bethe Mack helps Parkrose High senior Christian Harrison sort out educational options.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Christian Harrison is a bright-eyed, ambitious senior at Parkrose High School who sees a future for herself in fashion merchandising.

“I’d like to learn the fashion business,” Harrison tells us. “I want to go to college and get an education.”

Harrison says preparing for life after high school would be a more difficult without the help of her ASPIRE counselor. “It’s good to have someone there to give opinions, and help you sort through the forms and decide on options.”

Helping Harrison fulfill her aspirations is Parkrose ASPIRE counselor Bethe Mack.

“I remember how overwhelming it can be,” Mack tells us, “when you are young, and thinking about what to do after high school. It would have been nice to have an ASPIRE counselor when I was thinking about college and trying to deciding what to do.”

Although Mack only volunteers one hour per week, she says “It’s really fun. It feels good to hang out with, and help, young people.”

Jim Lipscomb, seen here helping Adrian Altanirano, has assisted many students to better prepare for their future after they leave Parkrose High.

Loves working with kids
Another ASPIRE volunteer, Jim Lipscomb, has been with the program for three years. “I’m helping eleven students now,” he says, “and I take on two more next week.”

We ask Lipscomb why he is an ASPIRE counselor.

“The ASPIRE program is set up to make it easy for adult volunteers to help kids find more success in life. I get as much out of the program as do my students,” Lipscomb says.

No experience needed
What is ASPIRE? It’s an acronym, standing for “ASsistance Programs In Reach of Everyone”.

We ask the program coordinator, Teena Ainslie, how an individual would know if they’d like being involved in the ASPIRE program.

“Ask yourself these questions,” Ainslie replies:

• “Are concerned about the future workforce of our country?
• “Will you give a little yourself to help improve a young person’s entire life by helping them get a great career?
• “Can you spend as little as an hour per week with students?”

If you answer “yes“, Ainslie wants to hear from you.

“First of all,” she tells us, “no experience is necessary. We provide all training and coaching materials. Your training time is adapted to fit around your schedule.”

The more ASPIRE “College Coaches” they have, Ainslie continues, the more students will be helped to the next phase of their lives. “Whether planning for college, a trade or technical school, or other higher learning, we help young people move into the life-long learning program of their choice.”

Learn more
Ainslie asks you not to wait. “There is still time to help this year’s high school seniors ‚Äì we have more students than counselors.”

Call Ainslie today at (503) 408-2642, or Meg Kilmer at (503) 408-2681, to learn more about this great volunteer opportunity.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Try to guess what these actors are up to as they work on their parts for Arsenic & Old Lace – a play in which murder is, well, really funny …

Members of Parkrose High School Thespian Troupe 1783, Blair Osborn, Tom Crawford, Molly Wirth, Derek Herman and Maria Rose, work out the staging for Arsenic & Old Lace opening on March 1.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Take a look at the scenery they’re building, and you’ll know the student actors at Parkrose High School are hard at work getting ready to present a witty show, Arsenic & Old Lace, running March 1, 2 and 3.

About play’s story line
While his other plays weren’t commercial successes, Joseph Kesselring’s Arsenic & Old Lace had a very successful first run, a strong revival in the 1980s and was made into a motion picture.

The play is a farce (madcap comedy marked with many mix-ups) revolving around Mortimer Brewster, a theatre-hating drama critic who must deal with his crazy family ‚Äì and the local police. He’s debating whether to go through with a honeymoon with the woman he loves.

His family includes two spinster aunts who have taken to “helping out” lonely old men. It also includes a brother who believes he’s Teddy Roosevelt and digs locks for the Panama Canal in their home’s cellar and a criminally murderous brother who has received plastic surgery from alcoholic accomplice to conceal his identity.

“Don’t forget Brewster’s poor nephew” reminds theater program Director, Ms. Zena, “he thinks he’s going crazy ‚Äì and with all this insanity going on, perhaps is!”

One weekend only
You’ll have a great time watching this story unfold. Plan now to attend the theater on March 1, 2, or 3. Showtime is at 7 p.m. at Parkrose High School Theater, 12003 NE Shaver Street, Portland, OR 97230.

For ticket information, call: (503) 408-2621.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See how this unique David Douglas Schools program is helping kids gain a better understanding of what it’s like to be young ‚Äì and disabled ‚Ķ

Fifth-grader Max Sklyaruk is wearing vision impairment goggles. He says, “It was hard to see and concentrate. If I couldn’t see well, it would be really difficult to do good in class. I’d feel left out.”

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Menlo Park Elementary School is the home for four self-contained classrooms, providing Structured Learning Program for Academics (SLPA) to 41 students with various eligibilities.

To help students at this school gain a better understanding of their less able counterparts at the school, the staff developed a special program they offered in late January called “Come Walk in My Shoes”.

We’re invited to observe the students experience this learning session, and are greeted by Menlo Park principal Brooke O’ Neill.

Walking to the gym area, O’ Neill fills us in. “Because we house SLPA, we feel it is important that all of our kids ‚Äì both students in the SLPA program, and general education classes ‚Äì learn empathy. To see what it feels like to go through life with certain challenges. And, they learn how they can respond to those challenges, and lend a helping hand and be a friend.”

Demonstrating how students with autism can learn better through the use of instructional picture cards is teacher Jennifer Schloth.

Challenging learning situations
In the gym, we meet Suzi Zehsazian, the school’s music instructor and chair of the program.

“We’re seeing an increasing number of students with autism,” explains Zehsazian. “This year, we added autism stations.” At the first station, we find students trying to complete educational tasks after viewing instructional picture cards.

Menlo Park teacher Sarah Magnano helps students understand the “sensory overload” many autistic students must overcome.

“At another section of this station, Zehsazian continues, “we simulate the sensory overload many autistic students experience. All of their senses are overloaded, and then, we give them an academic task to do.” Most students couldn’t complete simple math problems while being exposed to static-like noise, flashing lights, and surprise sounds.

Student K D Henley tries to make it through the “motor skills course” in a wheelchair without dropping her pretend lunch tray. “It’s not easy,” she says, “I dropped it.”

Life in a wheelchair
Principal O’ Neill adds, “We also changed the ‘gross motor station’. This year, we incorporated the task of going through a door and over different textures and surfaces while holding a lunch tray.”

To many of the fifth-graders who took the course, it seems like fun at first, trying to maneuver in a wheelchair. “I learned that it is hard to be in a wheelchair,” student K. D. Henley tells us. “I was able to open a door in the wheelchair; I pushed it open, but dropped the tray.”

A unique, “home-grown” educational program
The kindergarten-through-fifth-grade program doesn’t come out of a box, Zehsazian says.

“This program is unlike any other in the Portland area. This truly came out of teachers’ experience with their kids. It’s going on all around the David Douglas School District schools.”

The event is important, Zehsazian continues, because it gives students the chance to experience something outside of their normal world-view. “They experience what it’s like to have a different ability for a while. This helps them to develop empathy and respect ‚Äì not only here, at their school, but also among people in the real world. In the future, instead of staring at a challenged individual, they can remember what it was like ‚Äì and help them in some way.”

Suzi Zehsazian, the school’s music instructor and chair of the program, making sure the one-hour class ran on time.

Both the teachers and students told us they agree that “Come Walk in My Shoes” is a great event. “It is about becoming a better, more responsible person in the community,” concludes Zehsazian. “Isn’t this part of the purpose of education?”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Without funding available to build and expand schools, read this and learn how DDS administrators are scrambling educate outer East Portland’s growing number of students with what they have ‚Ķ

Rob Buckner, 5th Grade teacher at West Powellhurst Elementary School, can’t fit even one more student into his already-packed classroom.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Voters in the David Douglas School District (DDS) made it clear, last November: “No new taxes”. The bond measure requested by the schools garnered only a 44% “Yes” vote.

But homeowner’s reluctance to increase funding hasn’t stopped their flood of new students into the already over-crowded schools.

Back to school
“Honestly, we’re having challenges finding space to educate our students, given our growing population,” is how Allen Browning, principal of West Powellhurst Elementary School put it to us.

“We’ve had combine programs and offices through the school,” Browning continued. “Our reading coach and Title 1 program are all housed in one small area. Our school counselor’s office was moved into a closet-like space. Every classroom is full. If we have any more children come here, we will have no place to put them.”

As we tour the school, Browning didn’t grumble or whine. The teachers with whom we speak appear to be cheerful and conscientious educators. Instead, they seem to have taken on their crowded situation as a challenge. The principal shows us how the gym’s former locker room was turned into first-rate classrooms to accommodate the increase in students. “We use the stage for after-school programs, the closets for book rooms. We’re making the most efficient use of the space we have.”

And, we learn, some of the other schools in the district are even more crowded, especially in the south end of the district.

Once-rural district faces explosive growth
In 1959, three small, rural districts – Russellville, Powellhurst and Gilbert – joined with the David Douglas Union High School District to form a 1st through 12th grade school district.

Over the decades, enrollment has increased, peaking in 1970. It slightly decreased during the 1980s, but has resumed growing as unincorporated East Multnomah County continues to grow.

Superintendent Barbara Rommel, David Douglas Schools.

“By 1993,” explained the district’s superintendent Barbara Rommel, “we needed additional classrooms.” Voters approved a $20 Million bond measure that funded building classrooms on existing schools, and paid to renovate others.

But the kids kept on coming. In 2000, voters approved a $40 Million bond to refurbish a once-shuttered building, and build a new middle school. It funded new classroom space at many buildings, including the high school.

But, enrollment continued to increase.

2006 adds a ‘school’s worth’ of students
“Last year, we had a 4% increase,” Rommel continued. This translates into 400 new students, she said. “In many districts, this number represents the population of an entire school.”

Because families with older students have been moving into the district, David Douglas High teaches 2,900 students. “To accommodate the increase,” Rommel explained, the school board used some ‘reserve funds’ to build an additional wing of classrooms at the high school.”

Challenges of changing demographics
Over the last five years, the superintendent told us, they’ve seen a dramatic increase in kids eligible for free or reduced cost lunches. “David Douglas has the highest level of poverty represented by that factor of any of the fifteen largest school districts in Oregon.”

Another challenge to DDS educators is the influx of newcomers to the district. “Currently, about 25% of our student population needs ‘English as a Second Language’ assistance. Those students represent over 46 different languages or dialects spoken in the home,” Rommel said.

“B” grade doesn’t translate into votes
Asked for her analysis of the fall election results, Rommel told us, “Our polls said residents give us a “B” ‚Äì a pretty good grade. So, residents feel we’re dong a pretty good job. My personal feeling is it [that ‘no’ vote] was an economic statement. I think residents were saying, ‘We just can’t afford it’.”

The FFD board was disappointed, Rommel said, “but they are pragmatists. They both understand ‚Äì and share ‚Äì the concerns of the community.”

The school board, she continued, has a dual responsibility: To be fiscally responsible with the public’s dollar; and to make sure students get a full range of educational opportunities. “An example is our music program. Students begin their instrumental music in grade school; we have full time, certified music specialists in every elementary school. As students move up the grades, the performance level of these students allows them to go into music as a career. But, our main mission is still ‘reading, writing and arithmetic’.”

Kindergarten a key to success
What helps their students do well is the kindergarten program, Rommel said. “We have full-day kindergarten for every student in our district. Since the state only funds a half-day program, the board makes up the rest the support from general funds.”

Kindergarten students in Mrs. Leah Robinson classroom get a full school day of literacy-based education.

The result: 70% of the students meet educational objectives. “The increases in learning are strongest among students who come in with some kind of learning risk factor. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunches, ESL assistance, or special education students ‚Äì all of these at-risk groups showed remarkable gains, from being in this program.”

Condemns consolidation concepts
Last fall, Mayor Tom Potter briefly floated an area-wide school consolidation plan.

“A consideration is looking for efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” Rommel responded to the notion. “Bigger isn’t necessarily better. I don’t believe most parents want their children being bussed across the metropolitan area to fill an empty school.”

Looking at the efficiency aspect, she said DDS has a fewer-than-average number of administrators; business-level and support level services are run very lean. “Look at the Chalkboard Projects’ Open Book; it shows that we manage the district in a very thrifty way.”

Rommel added that the district is almost the perfect size. “We’re small enough to retain contact with our community; yet large enough to offer a wide range of elective subjects and extracurricular activities.”

Funding the district’s future
We asked bluntly, “OK, so what’s the plan?”

“This is a dilemma,” Rommel candidly responded. “One of the options is to look at increasing class size.”

Another option, she explained, is to shuffle classrooms. “For example, a number of high school classes are being held in the Children’s Service Center. When the new high school wing is finished, we can relive pressure on crowded elementary schools by using that building for classes, even to the point of making a small primary school in that building.”

Others suggest using “modular classrooms” at existing schools. “These trailers are an expensive fix, and don’t make a good educational environment. And, with the increased school populations we’re seeing, we need every square foot of playground space we have.”

Other possibilities are to eliminate the full-day kindergarten program ‚Äì a step that would free up 10 classrooms. “It would break my heart. We’ve documented the tremendous good that the full-day program does for students. It makes them successful learners from the start, reducing resources spent on remediation.”

ABC’s of school funding
Puzzled why districts, other than Portland Public Schools, successfully raise funding, we asked why it is so difficult in outer East Portland.

“There are no industries, and little business, in the district,” Rommel explained. “The entire burden for education falls upon the homeowner and residential property owner. If you have a good industrial base, those businesses shoulder part of the responsibility ‚Äì it reduces the amount homeowners must pay.

“In Beaverton, for example, a 47 cents-per-thousand levy raises $195 Million. In DDS, a $1.12 -per-thousand levy raises only $45 Million.”

State funding possibilities
To find out if state aid might be available, we talked with a man who was educated in the DDS school system from 3rd grade through the high school level, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley.

“The schools are bustin’ at the seams with more children poised to come in. The district has a substantial challenge to find classroom space,” agreed Merkley. “Our families [in the school district] are working incredibly hard. They are squeezed too tightly to afford a property tax increase.”

Merkley said the state legislature recognizes that this is significant problem for fast-growing school districts that have a low prosperity basis. “One of the ideas we’re exploring is to see if ‘system development charges’ can be used to help build new schools.”

Another concept, the “Kansas Plan”, is up for discussion, said the state legislator. “It is a brand new idea. It allows districts with lower tax base to get a matching grant from the state government. The match would be 2-to-1 in David Douglas. But I don’t know if that will have the support of educational organizations.”

You can help: volunteer
We asked if parents and interested citizens might directly help DDS schools. From the schools themselves, we learned they can.

Rommel answered, “Just go to any neighborhood school to the office, say ‘I’d like to volunteer’.”

Principal Browning added, “We get many supportive comments from parents. Parents, you are welcome to help out in our school! We’d love for you to become part of your child’s education.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why an inner Southeast Portland winery and brewery got together to host a seafood and sausage fest, raising funds for a school’s educational foundation ‚Ķ

Serving up the crabs are students Hannah Giger, Elizabeth Van Brocklin, and Sarah Menashe, at the CHS “Claws and Dogs” fest.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Two unique Southeast Portland adult-beverage businesses, Hip Chicks Do Wine and Hair of the Dog Brewing Company aren’t easy to find. They’re tucked back in an industrial park on S.E. 23rd Ave., east of the train yard, and just south of the SE Holgate Boulevard viaduct.

But their secret location didn’t stop more than 250 supporters of the Cleveland High School Foundation from finding their way recently to a new event called “Claws and Dogs for Cleveland”.

Ready to raise a glass celebrating the new event are Lisa Dandrea and Laurie Lewis, “wine goddesses” of Hip Chicks Do Wine, with Traci Wall, VP of the CHS Foundation.

“We wanted to create a fun, original event,” explained Traci Wall, VP of the CHS Foundation. “So, we came up with the idea of holding a crab and bratwurst feed. With the help of these two wonderful businesses, it looks like a real success.”

Wall said fundraising was the primary reason for the festive food event. “But secondarily, this event is giving our four-year-old foundation good exposure.”

For those who wanted a brew to go with their brats, folks checked in with Alan Sprints at his Hair of the Dog Brewing Company sampling room.

Specifically, Wall added, the foundation does fundraising — strictly for Cleveland High School academics. “The funds we raise here tonight will help purchase additional teaching or counselor time.”

Event nearly sells out
Wall said they couldn’t guess just how the turnout would be on this cold, rain-swept Saturday night, January 20. But it soon became clear that the event was close to a sell-out.

Nearly 200 people turned out for the Claws and Dogs fest to help provide more in-classroom teaching hours at CHS.

Soon diners were elbow-to-elbow, cracking freshly steamed crabs and downing brat dogs – complete with all the trimmings. Two very accomplished CHS student musicians, Charlie Stanford and Grant Richards, serenaded the crowd as they feasted.

According to the foundation’s treasurer, Jim Giger, the event took in $6,400.

On the way out, the foundation’s Randy Carlson asked us to let folks know that Ted Gamble of “Good Dog Bad Dog” supplied the savory sausages for the event. “They have locations at Portland Airport and Washington Square.”

Enjoy these additional photos from the event

Entertaining the crowd are student musical artists Charlie Stanford on guitar and keyboardist Grant Richards.

Diners Kim Nickelby and Susan Mendelson say they’re having a great time digging into their crab-and-brat dinner.

“Brat-meister” Randy Carlson spent the evening grilling up the “Good Dog Bad Dog” brats at the CHS Foundation benefit event.

Get involved
If you want to help the CHS Foundation, call (503) 916-5120 during school hours, and ask for extension 449.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

We became fans of Captain Bogg & Salty when we reported their first East Portland library show years ago. See Bogg and his merry band of musical scallywags play a benefit to help local education …

Captain Bogg works the crowd, crying out, “Give me the first group-‘Yarrrr’ ever heard in the Moreland Theater!”

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Some walking in the door are dressed like pirates; others are wearing pirate bandanas, eye patches, or tri-cornered hats. Still others are carrying skull and crossbones flags, as they file into the Moreland Theater.

Surprisingly, most of these colorfully-dressed characters aren’t children going to see a high-seas adventure matinee. Instead, they’re the adult parents of Llewellyn School students coming to see Captain Bogg & Salty and their merry pirate band of musical scallywags on January 20.

Taking tickets at the door, Julie Wright and Robin Johnson, co-presidents of the Llewellyn Foundation, say the event was nearly a sell-out.

While taking tickets from a stream of patrons coming to see the early-afternoon show, Llewellyn Foundation co-president Robin Johnson tells us, “We love our 75-year old neighborhood school. The funds we raise from this benefit concert will help us hire an extra teacher. The result will be smaller class sizes.”

Amber Buford and her family were a few of the patrons without costumes, but they said they were excited to see Portland’s world-famous pirate band.

As the band is getting ready to appear, we ask Captain Bogg how the idea for this benefit concert got started. As usual, he grumbles, grunts, and pulls his First Mate up front, to answer our query.

“Julie Wright, the parent of a Llewellyn student first approached us,” says the effable First Mate McGraw. “She had this idea that Captain Bogg & Salty could play a benefit concert at Moreland Theatre. The band agreed, and here we are!”

Captain Bogg (far left) and his musical buccaneers strike a pose for ye scribe, just before rocking out the Moreland Theater.

Typically, a sunny Saturday afternoon is prime box-office time for the Moreland Theater. We ask Jim Hunt, who runs the theater with his wife, Lynn, why they donated the space for the event, instead of selling tickets to a Hollywood movie.

“We’re glad to be helping raise funds to help out at Llewellyn School,” says Jim as he popped another batch of fresh popcorn. “Our theater is supported by the community. We’re deeply thankful for the people here in inner East Portland who support our movie house.”

The Moreland Theater is nearly sold out. This crowd knows they’re about to enjoy a rollicking good show put on the Portland’s most famous pirates.

The show starts off with Captain Bogg and the boys doing their famous “Peg-leg Pirate Tango” and “Pieces of 8ight”. From the first number onward, everyone is clapping along; some are dancing in the aisles.

On the way out Johnson stops us to say the foundation sold more than 400 tickets to the event, raising more than $2,500. “Please let everyone know how much we appreciate their support of this event on behalf of the Llewellyn Foundation.”

Johnson continues, “For helping with advance ticket sales, we thank Wallace Books, New Seasons Market, Music Millennium, and the Llewellyn School office. Also, thanks to Molly Lee and Jennifer Maxwell-Muir for the posters and tickets, and Moreland Presbyterian Church for equipment. And finally, thank you so much to the many volunteers who helped in so many ways.”

Other photos from the show we enjoyed…

The Captain sings for the appreciative crowd.

This wacky band plays for an adoring – and wacky – crowd!

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Know a Bronco alumnus or supporter who deserves to be recognized? Now’s the time to recommend they be added to the school’s Hall of Fame. Here’s how ‚Ķ

Principal Roy Reynolds announces the 2nd Annual Hall of Fame program at Parkrose High School.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
We just got word that it’s time again to make your nomination of a Parkrose High School alumnus or community member to the school’s newly-established Hall of Fame.

At the school, principal Roy Reynolds told us, “The Hall of Fame is the Parkrose School Districts’ way of showing our Parkrose graduates and community members how much we appreciate all their effort while working with our school, and then later, in their lives.”

At Parkrose High School, Reynolds added, teachers and staff work hard to give Parkrose students the best education possible. “We know their dedication, which shows in the successes of our alums and the community members who support them.”

What’s the criterion?

Parkrose High School Hall of Fame Nominees should demonstrate leadership, success in their chosen field of work, and significant contributions to community improvement.

Contact the school for a nomination form at (503) 408- 2600; then make sure to return it before March 1, 2007.

The Hall of Fame awards will be presented at the 4th Annual Parkrose Educational Foundation Auction on April 28th at the Holiday Inn on Columbia Ave. You can join the celebration: Get your tickets now by going online at www.parkroseedfdn.org, or by calling (503) 408-2106.

We asked Reynolds if there’s anything else we should add to this article. “Go Broncos!” was his reply.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Shoppers looking for great Christmas gifts found great buys at this annual event. See the story of a family, at the bazaar, who sell gifts they make entirely within their own East Portland home …

Peggy Zeller sells her holiday decorations at the annual David Douglas Holiday Bazaar.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
More than 100 tables of gifts filled David Douglas High School on December 2, as the 10th Annual PTSA Holiday Bazaar got underway.

One of the largest bazaars in outer East Portland, it featured local crafts, decoration, baked goods ‚Äì and a new section they called “100% DDHS”, showcasing the artistic talents of David Douglas Students.

Terri Jones sells professional, yet completely home-made, ceramic decorations at the DDHS Bazaar.

Crafty family business
One of the many 87 vendors we met was Terri Jones and her family.

“This is my first year here,” Jones said. “This craftwork lets me stay home with my son ‚Äì and still make some extra money.”

The business is a family affair. The entire production process is done right in their home. Instead of painting cheap, imported greenware, her husband, Wayne, casts every piece from liquid clay. “We have nearly 2,000 molds,” she says.

Artistic family Terri Jones with Nathan, and husband Wayne.

When it is ready, she paints and fires the ceramics. “My living room is our ‘paint station’ this time of year,” she added.

Look for Jones’ ceramics also at the Gresham Farmer’s Market, or contact them at meandmymarbles@yahoo.com.

Fund raising while community building
We met up with Karin Britton, president of the DDHS PTSA and chair of the decade-old event.

“As important as the funds it brings in,” Britton told us, “it also helps draw the community together. It gives us an opportunity to share crafts, companionship.”

But, the fundraising component is important, she adds. “Our event helps raise money for scholarships for our graduating seniors. We also widen it to include the entire school. Our goal is to make this a broader project.”

If you missed it, why not mark your 2007 calendar right now? Just jot down DDHS Bazaar on the first Saturday in December!

¬© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News