Supt. Quick reports on test results

By Gary DeVon • October 31, 2013 11:32 am
Oroville School Board members Travis Loudon, Rocky DeVon and Todd Hill, with OHS Principal Kristin Sarmiento look over one of the computer labs at Oroville High School. They were on a facilities tour of the high school, part of the board's ongoing program of touring district facilities at regular intervals throughout the year. Gary DeVon/staff photo

I think we’re very comparable with Tonasket…  when it  comes right down to it our kids perform just as well on tests, Supt. Steve Quick

OROVILLE – Under “Good News and Announcements” last Monday, Oroville School Superintendent Steve Quick announced that Lily Hilderbrand, a junior at OHS, will serve as the student representative to the board for the rest of the school year.

Oroville School Board members Travis Loudon, Rocky DeVon and Todd Hill, with OHS Principal Kristin Sarmiento look over one of the computer labs at Oroville High School. They were on a facilities tour of the high school, part of the board's ongoing program of touring district facilities at regular intervals throughout the year. Gary DeVon/staff photo
Oroville School Board members Travis Loudon, Rocky DeVon and Todd Hill, with OHS Principal Kristin Sarmiento look over one of the computer labs at Oroville High School. They were on a facilities tour of the high school, part of the board’s ongoing program of touring district facilities at regular intervals throughout the year. Gary DeVon/staff photo

Following reports from the principals and Quick, Hilderbrand got the chance to talk about what was happening at the school. She said that last week was Homecoming and that two students, Kaitlyn Grunst and Ashley Marcolin, did cancer awareness projects for their Senior Projects during a soccer game and a football game. She also talked about Megan Morales’ Senior Project, a new scoreboard for the soccer field.

“There will also be a Challenge Day for the junior high on Halloween,” said Hilderbrand.

In Elementary Principal Joan Hoehn’s report, she said this month was Read At Home Month and that students who read 15 minutes every night would be able to take part in an ice cream party.

“Atkins (Harvest Foods) is supplying the ice cream for the party,” said Hoehn.

The principal said children’s author Jack Gantos would be speaking at the school on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and that there is a book sale planned for Nov. 6 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Nov. 7 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

In her report, High School Principal Kristin Sarmiento discussed some of the recent training she and Principal Hoehn have attended, as well as training she has received regarding high school accreditation.

“This will fit in with a lot of things we are already doing at the high school,” she said. “I also went to the Oroville Council meeting and got their support for our application for the Race to the Top grant.”

Sarmiento said that two students will also be going to record education Public Service Announcement at the radio station in Omak.

“We are having a Veterans Assembly that is open to the public on Friday, Nov. 8 starting at 9 a.m.,” said Sarmiento, adding that local veterans are encouraged to attend.

Supt. Quick reminded everyone that the Booster Club Auction is this Saturday at the American Legion Hall. He then went over the Board’s Goals for the year and which goals had seen progress and which needed more effort.

Among these are reviewing district policy as changes are suggested by the Washington School Directors Association; communication and commitment to student learning; creating conditions for student and staff success; one to one computing (a computer or iPad for each student); engaging the community in education and holding the district responsible for student learning.

One goal Quick said needed more work was the creation of a home school outreach program.

He then went over the MSP/HSPE results for various grade levels. He projected charts that showed students progress over several years.

“I think we’re very comparable to Tonasket… when it comes right down to it our kids perform just as well on all the tests. We scored a little higher in some areas than Tonasket and in some areas Tonasket scored a little higher,” said Quick.

Principal Sarmiento said the charts reflect that student progress tends to dip as they transition from elementary school to junior high or middle school, much as it does across the state.

“It is that period at the start of when you get the kids and when they leave Joane,” said board chairman Rocky DeVon in response. “We’ve got to get both schools on board to get a handle on that.”

Quick also went over changes to the employee contracts that were hammered out in collective bargaining. The board approved the contract at their meeting and Quick said that the contract still needed to be ratified by the OEA.

Reports were also given by Walt Arnold who teaches Driver’s Ed and Ag classes, as well as Kelly King and Mary Willey from the elementary school.

The board approved a consent agenda that included hiring Brian Martin as Assistant High School Boys Basketball Coach; Dane Forester and Brett Fancher as Junior High Basketball Coaches and Ed Booker as Assistant Wrestling Coach. They also approved several donations – $720 for the yearbook camp and $3029 for partial payment for the new timers on the football field from the Booster Club and a donation of books for the HOSTS program from George Penner.

DeVon and the board said the district really appreciated the donations from both the Booster Club and Penner.

After a short financial report, the board agreed to “pay bills” and then went on a tour of the high school to discuss facility improvements and needs.