No, the mural isn’t in Parkrose High School – this artwork wraps around the top of the Parkrose High Theater. See why this project has several “firsts” …
Larry Kangas advises Parkrose High principal Roy Reynolds as he takes a turn on the high lift applying a panel of the mural early in the project.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Portland’s first publicly-funded mural project nears completion – and it’s on Parkrose High School.
“This is the first project of this kind in outer East Portland,” said Peggy Kendellen, Public Art Director of the Regional Arts & Culture Council’s Public Art Murals Program. “The school is the first group to apply for doing a mural in East Portland. I really like the tie-in of the subject matter to the school’s mascot.”
As the project progressed, the east side of the school takes on a new look – one that can be seen from NE 122nd Avenue.
Ideas from students, help from community
Joanne Oleksiak, Parkrose High School Community Coordinator and 2007 Mural Project Coordinator, oversaw the application process, served as the technical advisor, and worked – hands on – during every phase of the project.
“What’s been really fun,” Oleksiak told us, “is the involvement we’ve had with every stratum of the community. Students in our Mural Arts Club suggested many of the images. Several of them worked to help the artist produce the panels doing the decorative detail work, background, gelling.”
Many community members pitched in to help prepare and post the mural Oleksiak said.
Spy’s spectacular canvas
Months ago, when mural artist Larry Kangas visited Parkrose High School as he considered the project proposal, he was immediately attracted to the three-story tall theater riser that faces NE 122nd Avenue.
“Being so tall and broad, it made a spectacular canvas for a mural,” Kangas said. “Sadly, even with the best high-lift equipment available, there wasn’t a way to reach it.”
He wanted this mural to have impact, Kangas said. “We came up with the idea of wrapping a frieze (wall painting) around the building.”
Mural artist Larry Kangas thanks some of the many students who helped develop the concept of the mural and prepare the panels.
Mural celebrates school’s mascot
Kangas said the mural is a “take on the school’s mascot, the mustang bronco. The mural depicts horses through time – starting from ancient cave etchings, through all cultures and eras – until the present. We’ll end up in modern times, ending up with Rossi Farm.”
We watched Kangas as he worked on panels in school’s art center. “It’s painted on Pelon, a stable, non-woven material used in the clothing and printing industries. There is a lot of acrylic medium to saturate it. Then, we put a heavier gel on the front and back. Finally, the panels are applied to the building.”
At a community unveiling, Joanne Oleksiak presents artist Larry Kangas with a remembrance gift.
Broadening community support
One benefit of this project, according to Parkrose High principal Roy Reynolds, is broadening community involvement in the school. “It’s been great working with so many community members on the mural.”
Reynolds added that one of the goals of his administration “is to make the school more than just a brick-and-mortar building in Parkrose, but really a part of Parkrose. Our community celebrates and hosts people from many different cultures; this mural symbolizes our diversity.”
Larry Kangas gives details about his mural that depicts how horses (Parkrose High’s mascot is the Bronco) have been influential in human history.
Special sentiment shared
At the unveiling celebration held on July 28, Kerina Blanchard read this brief essay by Bev Cordova, Chair of the school’s PHS Fine & Performing Arts Academy:
“Parkrose High School students are like students everywhere. They want to learn, succeed and have something to be proud of.
“I challenge you to come close to the mural, study it, or find a face or scene you can connect to. Now, stand back and look at the mural as a whole – it is the story of people, moving forward, into the future.
“Understand that you are part of the movement, and part of the future.”
Members of the community admire the new artwork, completed on August 7, that adorns Parkrose High School.
Project kudos
When we told Oleksiak we’d like to give kudos to those who participated, she replied, “The whole community pitched in on this long and massive project. I hope the list covers everyone involved – each individual’s participation was vital.”
The Parkrose Mural Project was funded by the Regional Arts & Culture Council’s Public Art Murals Program.
Mural studio facilities (in the PHS Fine Arts Building) and school-based in-kind support were provided by Parkrose HS Community Center, Parkrose School District and School Board, and PHS Fine & Performing Arts Academy, Bev Cordova, Chair.
Additional in-kind support provided by: American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter, Oregon State Service Corps/AmeriCorps, and Oregon Bench Press Challenge volunteers Jared & “JT”.
Mural visionaries — Design Development & Encouragement Division –include the PHS staff, Mike Taylor (retired Parkrose Schools superintendent), Roy Reynolds, Trevor Todd (SUN Program/Portland Parks & Recreation), May Wallace, Mark Warner, and Meg Kilmer.
Special notice to PHS students Dominique Blanchard, Kerina Blanchard, Isaac Song, Cesar Pina, Nhumy, Truc, Valerie Robinson, Lindsey Thompson, Mara Estrada, Oswaldo, Luis, Christian Leon, Stephanie … and others!
Project painting volunteers included Roy Reynolds, Holly Gillette, Isaac Song and Russell Martin.
Project site logistics volunteers were Hank Frecke, Tony Johnson, Sharon DeWitt, Don, and Dave.
Project volunteers for mural installation included Edison and Temo, Programa Hispano; Erica Martin, Parkrose UCC Church; Tanner Martin, Russell Martin, Bev Cordova, Nick Richmond, Marah, Asa, Joe Cotter, Mark Meltzer, Norma Piper, Eileen Belanger, Dave, Julie, Siena, Brenda … and others.
Project documentarians Jimi & Kim Blanchard, Vaughn, Portland Community Media’s IBPO (Independent Black Programmers of Oregon); Patrick F. Smith still photography; and Joanne Oleksiak on-site/in-studio photographs.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Career-after-career, Teena Ainslie has helped young people in outer East Portland become more successful adults. You’ll be amazed to learn about her NEXT career‚
Although she’s departing as the program director for Parkrose High School ASPIRE program, Teena Ainslie says she’s excited about her next project.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Over the years, we’ve told you how the ASPIRE program, lead by Teena Ainslie, helped Parkrose High School kids make important higher education or workforce training decisions.
“This is my third retirement from the same line of work,” Ainslie told us at her “Re-retirement Party” held in the school’s library. “It’s been wonderful helping young people find their way, in my previous career with David Douglas High School, and then in Parkrose.”
Ainslie served as an AmeriCorps Member stationed at Parkrose High for two years before joining the College & Career Center as a part-time assistant for an additional two years.
“The grant funding for her position has evaporated,” reported Meg Kilmer, her supervisor, “and it will be challenging to continue the program without Teena’s leadership.”
ASPIRE, Kilmer added, is a statewide college-prep mentoring program. “Teena recruited, trained, and supported dozens of ASPIRE advisors, as they coached many college-bound youth of Parkrose High.”
Helped kids find careers
Seeing the kids develop was the best part of her current assignment, Ainslie said. “Working with their volunteer adult mentors, our students were able to get a realization of their career possibilities, and start developing a career path for themselves. They learned what they had to offer; and which skills they would need to develop, to achieve their goals.”
Aircraft carrier school
“It’s been wonderful,” Ainslie continued. I’ll miss all of the wonderful volunteers, parents, staff members and students in Parkrose.”
But when we asked if she was going to “take it easy”, Ainslie shook her head, and with a twinkle in her eye, she said, “I’m working on a project with the USS Ranger aircraft carrier. Part of this is developing a vocational school connected with the project here in Portland. This is going to be my next career. I’m pouring all of my 40-years-worth of experience into this project. It’s going to be fun.”
Ainslie said she’s working with a group that aims to park the USS Ranger at the Port of Portland’s Terminal 2.
For more information about the aircraft carrier, Ainslie suggested a visit to www.ussranger.org.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
How does retired Parkrose School District superintendent view his tenure? Does he plan to kick back in an easy chair? Read his reflections on his time managing the district‚ and his new adventure‚ right here‚
Now that he’s retired, Parkrose School District’s former superintendent, Michael Taylor, says he’s pleased to have helped increase the quality of education that Parkrose students have received‚ but gives teachers and staff members the credit.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On June 30, the hard-charging superintendent of the Parkrose School District walked out of his office on NE Prescott St. for the last time‚ and into retirement.
We’ve brought you the story about how the district’s board conducted a community-wide research program, from which they developed a concise plan for the future of education in Parkrose. Then, the school board conducted an extensive search for a new superintendent. And, we introduced you to the candidates, and the board’s selection of Dr. Karen Fisher Gray to fill Taylor’s post.
Taylor’s good ‘grades’
Just before he left Parkrose Schools, we asked Taylor to share some of his thoughts about his tenure at Parkrose‚ and plans for his future.
“I feel really good about my time here in Parkrose,” Taylor began. “The transition process has spoken to that. The board’s research says there is a core level of satisfaction about what we‚ our schools, teachers and staff‚ are doing. It shows they appreciate our desire to maintain quality education. That says something good.
“We’ve worked to make this happen. I feel good both about my tenure here, and the transition process.”
While Taylor credit’s the districts achievements to the diligent efforts of its teachers and staff, he does admit he’s pleased to have had a hand in improving public education in Parkrose.
Best part: seeing more students succeed
We asked Taylor what the best part of his time in Parkrose Schools.
“Sometimes in education, you don’t get to see the results of the things you have done. But the way things were in this district, you got to see the results.
“Other people in other districts work as hard I do, and know as much about schools and I do, but not everybody gets the opportunity to help close such a [educational success] gap. It is easier to close the first part of the gap‚ moving from 50% of your kids making it — to 70% — than moving from a 70% success rate to a to 100% rate.
“When I came here, my predecessor told me, ‘All the basics are here, Mike. The core is solid. It just needs to be organized and brushed up a little bit.’
“It was true. Our core staff was good and only got better. Our community supports our educational efforts. The core structure was here; it just needed to get aligned.”
Alignment, Taylor told us, is “about getting people into the right places to do what they need to do. More importantly, successful alignment means moving non-important stuff out of the way so our educators can be successful. To a great extent, we accomplished this.”
Not the best of times: contract negotiations
Asked if there was anything he truly disliked about the job, Taylor thought for a moment before answering.
“If I never negotiate another contract with the union, it will be fine with me. The further the relationship between the school management and the teacher gets, the less the issues are about your schools and your kids.
“To a degree, the interests that were present [in negotiations with unions] got further away from the good of the teachers and the students. We had a couple of hard rounds of negotiations, influenced heavily by outside interests. This stresses the relationships among management, the teachers, and the district.
“Yet‚ and David, this is important — the individual teachers, staff members and organization‚ I have the greatest respect for them.”
Dealing with budget woes
“Another difficult task was creating a budget with the lack of funding we had before the Multnomah County I-Tax,” Taylor continued.
“After 10 years of reductions, having to make yet another round of cuts the year before the I-Tax‚ that was extremely difficult for me. We were down to the point losing services to the point to where the NEXT cut would become toxic to the kids we were trying to serve. It just felt like any more cuts would harm our students.”
Taylor says he’ll stay involved in East County education‚ he plans to help set up a construction trade Skills Center in outer East Portland.
No easy chair for Taylor
Although he did admit to taking fly-fishing lessons this spring, Taylor’s retirement won’t consist of hours spent terrorizing trout. Nor will be be putting his slippers on and lounging in his easy chair at home.
“I’m going to stay involved with education,” Taylor said about his next adventure.
“There is a four-district ‘Skills Center’ that’s being developed; created in association with the Oregon Building Congress.
“The Skills Center has a charter [school] application in to the State of Oregon; it will be sponsored by four school districts in East County. When it is approved, a charter school in construction, architecture and engineering will be available to high school juniors and seniors.”
Skills Center partners with existing high schools
Taylor continued, “I’ve pursued this notion several times before, and never was able to make it happen. I firmly believe that the Center for Advanced Learning in Gresham is a good model for this program.”
Instead of building “mega-high schools” that try to be “all things to all students”, Taylor continued, the concept of operating educational clusters, centers or satellites of specialty makes better sense.
The educational model of the future, he added, is to have a core public high schools, and satellite learning centers.
“If we create a massive number of small schools, we lose public education. We lose the integration of cultures and interests.
Combines specialty training and school spirit
High school juniors and seniors will take general education courses when they attend their “home” high school every other day. “On their days at the Skills Center, students will get [educational] content in math, English or communication, calculations and maybe some of their science — in conjunction with skill sets in construction and engineering.”
Taylor told us that the “comprehensive” high school provides the setting for socialization. “The social culture of high schools is important. A sport, proms, arts, elections and even ‘donkey basketball’ are important parts of growing up.
“At the same time, when it comes to the individual learning interests, schools have to better accommodate the individual student’s needs. We can’t build academies to accommodate all interests in all schools.”
The Skills Center is being developed with partners in the construction trades: carpenters, electricians, HVAC and sheet metal. These trades all currently have their training centers in outer East Portland. The Skills Center, Taylor said, will be located at NE 158th Ave. and Sandy Blvd.
“You’ll be hearing more about it in September,” Taylor promised.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
You might not notice the colorful addition to the Parkrose High School Community Library, so we thought we’d point out this visual legacy left behind by graduating students‚
Graduated seniors Brad Tinsley and Tamiqua Martin designed and created the stained glass panels the now decorate the Parkrose High School Library’s smallest windows.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Parkrose Highs School Class of ’07 graduates, Brad Tinsley and Tamiqua Martin, have left a physical mark on their school. It isn’t a scar‚ but instead, a beauty treatment for the small square windows on the south wall of the Community Library.
The two students created panels made of stained glass; one for each of the windows.
“It took us eight weeks to do the project, from design through installation,” Tinsley told us. “We started it because our teacher said the librarian wanted something that had a flowing design for those windows.”
The stained glass panels decorate each of the small windows on the south wall of the library, when taken together, form a wave pattern. The top left image starts the sequence on the east end of the library; the bottom right photo concludes the pattern on the western end of the room.
Martin explained the process: “We drew a design. We switched it up a little and came up with these panels. It was hard work; foiling took the most time.
After graduation, Tinsley said he signed up with the US Army, enlisting as a military police officer. Martin plans higher education at Mount Hood Community College‚ or may decide to enlist in the US Navy.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
When school starts for the 2007-2008 season, you’ll see a mix of new and familiar faces supervising education in Parkrose. Who is going where? Here is your guide‚
Superintendent of Parkrose School District (until June 30) Michael Taylor; Marion Young, Director of Human Resources; and former Principal at Russell Academy of Academic Achievement Jeff Rose each share their plans for the upcoming school year.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As Parkrose school kids head out to begin their summer vacation this week, the top leadership of their school system is already hard at work planning for the upcoming school year.
Last week, Michael Taylor, Superintendent of Parkrose School District; Human Resources Director Marion Young; and later, Jeff Rose, Principal at Russell Academy of Academic Achievement sat down with us at the district office to talk about staff changes about to take place.
Importance of stability
“We’ve been concerned over the last two years, and especially the last six months, about how Parkrose Schools will be led during the leadership transition,” began Taylor, whose last day on the job is June 30. “Quality education is often tied to stability, predictability, and consistency of leadership.
“The [Parkrose School] Board has worked hard to get the district on a sound financial and educational track. They are concerned about keeping things on this path, and keeping this momentum during the transition.”
The district’s strategic planning and leadership transition has gone well, Taylor told us. In addition to welcoming Dr. Karen Fischer Gray as the new Superintendent, Taylor announced other administrative changes.
Michael Taylor tells that, while some of the staff is changing, Parkrose Schools are positioned to provide a quality education for area students.
Hiring process based on strategic plan
“Because we have a clear picture of our mission and strategic plan,” Taylor continued, “we had high-quality guidelines for assembling the new administrative staff.”
From 21 to 37 people applied for the various positions vacated due to retirement or promotion within the school system.
Depending on the position, from eight to twelve candidates were interviewed, face-to-face. Three or four finalists then interacted on-site to with staff members, parents, and other stakeholders. “This is important because, in addition to their credentials, there must be a good chemistry. There are folks who could be successful at one school, but not in another.”
“All of the individuals we recommended for hire were hired, and staffing changes have been finalized by Dr. Gray,” commented Taylor. “She called each chosen applicant and offered them the position. They will be her team members. It is appropriately that she made the final determination and did the hiring.”
Some fresh, some familiar faces
While many of the schools in the district will keep the same leadership, Taylor pointed out some changes.
Director of Student Services
Pat Jackson is retiring. Her assistant, Kathy Keim Robinson, was mentored to fill this district-level position. Robinson leaves the Special Education Coordinator position, a function being shifted to the high school.
School Improvement Specialist
For the past two years, this has been a half-time position, Taylor said. “In the past, the position was named ‘curriculum director’ or ‘director of instruction’.”
Russell Academy’s Principal, Jeff Rose, will take this post. “Rose will monitor instruction. He’ll make sure ‘best instruction practice’ is being used‚ and that our instruction is getting measurable results. By studying the results, he will determine where the gaps are, and determine what institution-wide changes can be made to enhance our delivery of education,” Taylor explained.
High School Assistant Principal of Student Services
When Kathy Keim Robinson was selected as the new Director of Student Services, it left a vacancy in the assistant position.
“We took a look at what that person was doing,” Taylor told us. “Much of that work involved high school students and middle school students. So, we moved that position to the high school.”
“This is a high school VP position, the area of responsibly will be student services within the high school. The person in this position helps students who are in our homeless student program, and deals with counseling transition-program students who need or are entitled to services beyond their high school experiences into the workplace.”
In this position will be Michelle Markle; she comes to Parkrose from the Centennial School District.
Returning to the Portland area from Newport, on the Oregon coast, Ana Gonzalez was named as the new Principal of Parkrose Middle School.
Parkrose Middle School
As Dr. Penny Alby retires as Principal, the school welcomes Ana Gonzalez.
“She comes to us from Newport Middle School on the Oregon Coast where she was Associate Principal. Earlier in her career, Gonzalez specialized in special education in the Tualatin district. She’s a solid, sound educator,” stated Taylor.
The Vice Principal at the Parkrose Middle School is taking the district’s Director of Maintenance position, vacated by Ted Evans.
Molly Davies, currently an 8th Grade teacher in Parkrose, was named the new VP. “She’ll be new to Administration,” Taylor commented, “but she’s coming to it with seven years experience teaching in our classrooms.”
We caught up with Jeff Rose, leaving Russell Academy for his post as the district’s School Improvement Specialist, and with teacher Debbie Ebert, named as the school’s new Principal, as they came in from officiating the last intramural soccer game of the season.
Russell Academy of Academic Achievement
With the announcement that Jeff Rose was moving to the district office, students, staff, and parents speculated as to who would be named Principal.
“We hired Russell Academy fifth-grade teacher Debbie Ebert to be Principal,” announced Taylor. “She knows the school, the staff, and the work they’ve done in the last five years. Ebert has the skills and capabilities it takes to keep their good, solid program running.”
Talking with Ebert as she headed toward her classroom after officiating the spring term’s final soccer game, she told us, “I’m really looking forward to being part of the continuing success we’re having here at Russell Academy. With the support of our great staff, we’ll build on our successes.”
‘Principal school’
Logistically speaking, we can’t run an actual “sidebar” on our East Portland News pages ‚Äì but we found the concept of “Principal school” too fascinating to discard.
Because some of the district’s teachers have been promoted from teaching to administrative positions, we asked Taylor, half jokingly, if teachers are required to attend “Principal school”.
“Yes, they do, as a matter of fact. It is a 35 to 40 credit-hour graduate program,” instructed Taylor. “Sometimes folks integrate this work with their Master’s Degree, others take it as a stand-alone program.
“The state identifies the standards and competencies. Each institution that offers this program has a state-certified curriculum.
“Coursework includes staff supervision, budgeting, leadership, school change, policy and procedure‚ a heavy component of school law. The requirements are spelled out in the Oregon Administrative Rules.”
What’s next for Taylor?
Anyone who knows Mike Taylor knows he’s not ready to sit back in a recliner and watch the world go by after he leaves Parkrose Schools.
In two weeks, we’ll tell you all about Taylor’s next adventure.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Have salmon really been seen spawning in Crystal Springs? Yes, thanks to Johnson Creek Watershed Council’s minion of dedicated volunteers. Check it out, and see who the council is thanking‚
David Douglas High School teacher Stacey Barber and student Amanda Krekow pick up the JCWC Youth Group award for “adopting” a park along the creek.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Ten years ago, much of Johnson Creek was little more than a sludge-filled, weed-choked, 26-mile-long drainage ditch running from Gresham to Milwaukie, where it dumped into the Willamette River.
But, thanks to the dedication of the hundreds of Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC) volunteers, this waterway is one of the last free-flowing streams in Portland, supporting several salmon species as well as an incredible variety of wildlife.
The JCWC’s annual meeting luncheon was held at Reed College this year on May 17 at 11:30am. The event showcased the organization’s successful partnerships, projects, and community investment in Johnson Creek.
The envelope, please‚
In addition to the keynote speech by Kim Stafford and presentation of the groups Annual Report, many volunteers and supporters were honored. We spoke with two of four award winners.
The Youth Group Award went to Stacey Barber’s David Douglas High School class who “adopted” the creek-side Bundy Nature Park.
“We’ve planted over 500 plants along the Springwater Corridor,” Barber told us at the event. “Part of our class requires community service work. But our students realize if we don’t protect our natural resources now, they won’t survive to be enjoyed by later generations.”
Their projected centered on the “Bundy Park” area in outer SE Portland, in the shadow of Powell Butte.
Amanda Krekow, a David Douglas junior, accepted the award with Barber. “I especially like pulling ivy. Oregon is such a beautiful place. If we don’t keep it green and clean, no one else will be able enjoy it. I want to keep being able to walk in nature.”
Sharon and Gary Klein accept the JCWC Individual Award from the organization’s executive director, Michelle Bussard.
The Individual Award was presented to Gary and Sharon Klein. “For the last five years, I’ve been their ‘tool guy’,” Gary explained. “I keep the tools in order, fixing broken tools, cleaning gloves and buying manual labor tools when they need them. If Johnson Creek doesn’t survive, and eventually thrive, it is bad for all of us. It is kind of an ‘ecological pulse’ of or area.”
The council’s accomplishments
Michelle Bussard, executive director of JCWC shared some of her organization’s many accomplishments with us as she helped prepare for their annual event in Kuhl Auditorium.
“This year, we spotted spawning Coho salmon in Crystal Springs. This is really nothing short of magic,” Bussard said. “And, we’re working with more and more private property owners who are improving their creek side stream stewardship practices.”
The list of projects and accomplishments filled a booklet she showed us. “But, this is the work of a lifetime; the work of generations. We have so much more to do. Won’t you join us?”
Their summer work party is scheduled for August 18. Learn more‚ and join in, by visiting their web site at www.jcwc.org.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Look at this one and you’ll see why elementary students wanted to do more than just contribute only during the May 12 post-office-sponsored food-gathering event‚
Tammy Boone’s 5th Grade class at Ventura Park Elementary was chosen to help load up the food collected during their school’s “Stamp Out Hunger” drive.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
We, along with many other East Portland residents, put out some food items in the yellow collection bags left by postal carriers in their “Stamp Out Hunger” campaign on May 12.
But that wasn’t enough for students at Ventura Park Elementary School, in the David Douglas School District.
Response was ‘totally awesome’
As they were loading boxes of food to be taken to the needy, Fifth-grader Dammon Bowen told us, “It’s totally awesome that our school is donating all this food. It is great we’re doing this for people. Maybe this will help people who need it to get what they need.”
Heather Holsti, from the same class explained, “The people who can’t afford food still need to survive. We’re donating the food to them. That is important. I feel really good about what we’re doing.”
Week-long campaign produces truckload of food
Both of these students are in Tammy Boone’s 5th Grade at the school. “We’ve collected food all week for this drive. Our class is out helping load up the truck today because we donated two big boxes of food. We were chosen to help deliver the food to the truck.”
It is important for kids to learn to give back to their community, Boone said. “From this, they’ve learned the value of giving, generosity, and to think of more people beyond themselves and their families.”
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Meet the DDHS junior who will be will be traveling to D.C. in June to see her painting hung in our nation’s capital. You’ll also meet two more of the 300 David Douglas High artists at the school’s annual show‚
Quincy Pogolowitz is the junior (soon to be senior) at David Douglas High School who won the 3rd Congressional District Discovery Art Competition. She and her family will fly to D.C. in June, and watch in person as her art is hung for display.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The breezeway in David Douglas Schools’ administrative center was packed with art works of all kinds, on May 17 as their Annual Student Art Show opened.
Many of the student artists told us that their art education is “just for fun”‚ but a few have chosen art and design oriented careers.
Artwork goes to Washington D.C. — so does she!
“I’m planning to go into fashion design,” said Quincy Pogolowitz, soon to be a senior at David Douglas High.
Pogolowitz won out over student artists from 14 schools in Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s district who submitted art for consideration in the 3rd Congressional District Discovery Art Competition.
“It’s great,” Pogolowitz told us, “because they’re sending us airline ticket, so my parents and I can travel to Washington D.C. for a ceremony with Congressman Blumenauer, when my painting will be hung in a gallery at our nation’s capital.”
In addition to having her work on display in D.C. for the next year, Pogolowitz also won a $5,000 scholarship to the Savannah School of Design in Georgia.
We asked how Pogolowitz evaluated the artwork of others.
“I look by how much effort, time‚ but mostly, emotion‚ is put into it,” she replied. “The technical skill the artist demonstrates does matter. But, the quality of work depends on the skill level of the artist and medium. And, a kindergartener won’t have the same technical level as an adult who has worked with a medium for many years.”
Mandy Vhang, now ending her freshman year at DDHS, tells us, “I’ll probably keep doing art. Colors and designs appeal to me the most.”
Work of 300 students exhibited
David Douglas High School’s seven art teachers each encourage their students to display their best work at the end-of-year art show.
“These kids work really hard all year long,” said Deena Boehme, art instructor at the school. “They bring their friends and families to the showcase, and let them see what they’ve been doing. It gives them the opportunity to feel proud of their best artistic accomplishment.”
The art show, Boehme added, also encourages art students to continue developing their skills. “And more, the students get to see what other students, in other classes, are doing,” explained Boehme.
Billy Dreitlein, a sophomore, says he likes drawing and painting, but really likes making fused glass art. “It’s just fun,” he says.
©2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
See why folks came from all over outer East Portland to enjoy this wine festival and gourmet dinner‚
Dr. Thomas B. Taylor III shares his knowledge of fine wine with the 42 who gathered for the Sip of Parkrose.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The banquet room at Steamers Restaurant and Lounge quickly filled, as members and guests filed in the ‘Sip of Parkrose’ event put on by the Parkrose Business Foundation a couple of weeks ago.
“We created this event to benefit the Parkrose Business Foundation’s Scholarship fund,” chair Gail Bash told us. “We’re enjoying entrees of Grilled Wild Salmon, Cajun Style, or Saut?©ed Medallions of Pork Tenderloin.”
Carol Kohn and John Palmer are ready to enjoy find wine and food at Steamer’s Restaurant and Lounge. They’re being checked in the event by Carol and Gail Bash.
‘Wine Doctor’ educates palates
A different wine was paired with each course. The wines were selected by Dr. Thomas Taylor III, a man with 20 years experience pairing fine wines with gourmet food.
As he prepared to introduce the first wine, Dr. Taylor explained, “I love wine. I have a 30 year history with wine. I grew up with it. I learned about it when I was quite young. I met people in the import wine business, and the restaurant business‚ it all goes together.”
Asked why he was so delighted by wine, Taylor said, “Wine is both a social and food phenomenon. It goes with everything.”
Gordon Boorse, Joanne Hazel, Brenda Tank and Don Tank ready to enjoy fine dining and wines at first-ever “Sip of Parkrose” event.
Event funds another Parkrose scholarship
“The event was very successful,” commented Bash after the event. “42 people attended; we all learned more about how to enjoy wine, and had a great dinner prepared by Chef Edgar, and served by Hostess Eileen.”
The success of this event allows the group to fund “a scholarship and had half” for Parkrose High School seniors, Bash said.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Even though Portland Public Schools operates the Mandarin Immersion Program, see why the parents group, Shu Ren, work so hard to make this event a resounding success‚
Tom DeMeo, co chair, Amy Liu (voted “most extraordinary helper”), and co-chair Betty Brickson say this gala and auction will raise funds to help students in the Mandarin Immersion Program travel to China.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Friends and parents of students at Woodstock Elementary School’s “Mandarin Immersion Program” make fundraising fun‚ and delicious.
On April 21st, 230 supporters packed the Legin Ballroom in SE Portland for the annual Shu Ren Gala‚ a dinner and auction hosted to fund projects like student overseas travel and local programs.
We ask Betty Brickson, co-chair of Shu Ren Gala and Auction, to fill us in on “Shu Ren”.
“Shu Ren is a nonprofit organization,” Brickson tells us, “established to support the Mandarin Immersion Program at Woodstock Elementary and Hosford Middle School.”
Michelle Braulick and Cheyenne Chapman are checking to make sure no one outbid them in the silent auction.
The money raised supports the overall Mandarin language and culture program. “The funds help us buy supplies for the classroom, and provide extracurricular activities.”
A goodly portion of the money will help pay travel expenses for the 8th graders to study for two weeks in Portland’s “sister city”, Suzhou, China, during the month of May. Brickson says she hopes the event will raise $35,000; but by the end of the evening, generous patrons have donated about $47,000.
“My daughter is in seventh grade,” explains Brickson. “She’s already looking forward to her class’s trip next year. In Suzhou, they conduct a research project, all in Mandarin.”
Hundreds of Shu Ren Gala attendees enjoy course after course of Asian delicacies during their event.
Importance of Mandarin education program
We ask why Portland Public Schools sponsors a Chinese language and culture program.
“Living on the Pacific Rim,” says Brickson, “our economy is increasingly dependant on trade with Asia and China. China is becoming a huge market and international trading partner. We need to read and speak Mandarin, to be part of the global community.”
Seen here flanked by Neal Linegar and Shawn Baird, Woodstock Elementary School Principal Mary Patterson is clearly enjoying the evening.
Woodstock Elementary School’s Principal, Mary Patterson, agrees‚ adding, “in addition to providing children the unique opportunity to learn a second language, we’re helping them become more culturally aware.” Of the 380 students at Woodstock Elementary, Patterson tells us that about half participate in the immersion program.
Next year, we learn, the program will be expanded to include Cleveland High School, allowing students to continue their Mandarin studies‚ along with typical school subjects.
Denny Sutton, auctioneer, begins the live auction.
Desserts are extra‚ in fact, they are actually auction items! EPNO director Richard Bixby (his daughter is a 7th grader at the school) wins the bid for this great chocolate cake, and shares it with the lucky diners at his table.
Shu Ren was organized in 2000, and is governed by a board of directors and supported through membership dues, grants, and fund-raising activities. For more information, see: www.shurenofportland.org .
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Learn why 20 breeders, trainers, and volunteers brought a full-blown dog show and demonstration to the kids of this fine outer SE Portland school‚
Dog show organizer Jennifer Clohessy spends a moment with David Douglas High School student Judy Davis and her dog, Frazier.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Mill Park Elementary School’s gym becomes a dog show stadium‚ complete with a 60′ x 40′ ring‚ on May 5. In this ring, twenty breeders and trainers put their dogs on display, demonstrating their obedience, agility, and confirmation skills.
Among the 35 well-trained dogs present, there isn’t hardly a bark in the bunch.
“We’re putting on this assembly to teach children about AKC breeds and responsible pet ownership,” explained Judy Davis, president of Vancouver Kennel Club.
“It’s important for kids to know about different breeds of dogs, and know how to take care of them. Young people need to know both how much work it is to keep a pet ‚Äì but also know how much love their pet can give back to them,” Davis tells us.
Research before you buy
One of the most important things, Davis continues, “is that parents need to ‘do their homework’ before they buy a dog. Make sure you have the right size; you know the temperament of the breed; how much work is involved in grooming and exercising the dog. A dog isn’t a ‘toy’ or ‘fashion accessory’. Pick your dog carefully.”
In the obedience portion of the show, Jennifer Clohessy puts Frazier through his paces.
Obedience demonstrated
One of the trainers we met was Jennifer Clohessy, a student at David Douglas High School.
She introduces us to Frazier. “He’s a Canadian champion ‘Caledon Deuces are Wild’. Yes, that is the name of the breed,” she confirms in response to our quizzical expression. “It is a Shetland Sheepdog, also known as a Sheltie.”
The high school junior says she’s in David Douglas’ “health track” program. “I plan to major in veterinary medicine in college,” she says.
When it is his turn, Clohessy releases Frazier. He races forward, jumps hurtles, scampers through a U-turn tunnel, and hops over the obstacles before he returns to his trainer. The fast-paced action wins the approval of the young student audience‚ they break into cheers and applause.
In the obedience demonstration, Frazier walks, stops, and “stays” at Clohessy’s side‚ his eyes on his master at all times.
We ask Clohessy why her dog is so well trained.
“Actually, I have three of them. I just fell in love the breed,” the perky teenager replies. “It takes daily training. This means three to four hours every day‚ per dog. It takes lots of time.”
We ask if her social life has “gone to the dogs”.
Clohessy aughs and says, “You’re right!”
Dan Butcher puts his golden retriever, Tommy, through is paces.
Breeder Dan Butcher is the event’s MC. During the confirmation portion of the assembly‚ it’s like a beauty show of dogs‚ he interviews the trainers about their breeds of dogs.
While the young students seem to enjoy the action demonstrations, they really appear to enjoy the time when they could pet the dogs and meet the trainers and ask questions.
As we think back about this special school assembly, we wonder who had the most fun‚ the kids, the trainers, or the dogs.
Torri and Kylee Tjensvold with Liberty and Herbie Chow-chows, father and son.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Some folks say we should give our kids healthier foods. See how this Centennial-area school is growing fresh snacks for students‚ and neighbors‚ to enjoy‚
budding arborists Alex Pereira, Jack Ollenbrook, and Wiliam Ollenbrook help Patty Hicks, Centennial Neighborhood Association board member, prepare the soil in which grape plant starts will be set.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Thanks to the work of a school, volunteers and a neighborhood grant, a “feast for those on foot” will soon be growing along the fence at the Franciscan Montessori Earth School, just off SE Division St. on 148th Avenue, in the Centennial neighborhood.
“We’re calling this the ‘Eatable Schoolyard/Eatable Sidewalk,’ Project,” explains the groundskeeper, Marc Boucher-Colbert.
Talia and Kaya Koida-Jeffrey help Marc Boucher-Colbert dig the holes for the new grape plants.
“The idea is to promote a sense of community. In a couple of years as people are walking by, they’ll be able to reach out and grab a healthy snack. And, students will be able to come over and graze of a few grapes, too. We’re joining together with our community to promote healthy eating,” says Boucher-Colbert.
He says he first got the idea when he learned of an “Eatable Schoolyard” project in California. “We have so much property here‚ and a kind of ugly chain-link fence. It made sense to grow some grapes!”
They’re growing six varieties of table grapes, both red and green seedless varieties. The plants, provided by a nursery in Molalla, were chosen because they thrive in Portland’s climate.
Marc Boucher-Colbert says six varieties of seedless table grapes will grace the school’s sidewalk.
Neighborhood coalition funds project
East Portland Neighborhood Office’s Richard Bixby is on hand to watch the planting.
Bixby explains how it was funded, telling us, “The city has provided for a neighborhood grant program this year. It supports community-building projects like these. The grants are approved for projects that are designed to gather people together, around a common effort, to improve their community.”
Franciscan Montessori Earth School
holds ‘Earth Carnival’
Duncan Tharp and mom Teri at the Toilet Bowl Toss.
“Welcome to our Franciscan Montessori Earth Day Carnival,” greets Edie Chomajan, chair of the event.
“We have all kinds of things here. Our carnival games are all earth-preservation minded. But the main focus is on having fun,” Chomajan adds. “We chose this theme because we are the Franciscan Montessori Earth School‚ a great way for us to tie in with one of our founding themes.”
Megan and Roy Wagner enjoy the tunes of banjo player Paul Silveria.
The Burgerville kitchen crew is Trevor Stanner, Kristin Knight-Stanner, manager Joe Tharp, Christina Duplantis. Back working the grill is Steve Cox.
The aroma of Tillamook Cheeseburgers, hot off the grill, signals that Burgerville is partnering with yet another non-profit organization. “What we’re doing is providing meals today,” Joe Tharp manager of 92nd & Powell Burgerville says, “and donating all the proceeds back to the school.”
Dewayne Hatcher and daughter Sarah have fun at the Coin Toss.
In addition to providing Earth-Day-themed fun, Chomajan says the event is great way for students, families and the community to come together.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
