Author Archives: rainier.butler

Today the Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, announced Oregon’s 2020 Regional Teachers of the Year! Annually all 50 states, U.S. territories, Washington, D.C. and the Department of Defense Education Activity name a teacher of the year. Last year, Oregon’s Teacher of the Year program expanded to include the celebration of exemplary educators from every region.

“Today’s educators must be equipped with more skills than ever before to meet the unique and important needs of each student they serve,” Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill said. “Recognizing these outstanding regional teachers is a privilege and their commitment to the calling of teaching deserves our thanks.”

Each Regional Teacher of the Year will receive a $500 award from the Oregon Lottery, and is automatically considered for the honor of 2020 Oregon Teacher of the Year which will be announced in September.  

Oregon educators were identified through a regional application and selection process facilitated by local Education Service Districts. Applicants submitted testimonials and letters of support from principals, superintendents, colleagues and students for consideration, …

Ridgeview High School Principal Lee Loving has been named the 2019 Oregon High School Principal of the Year by the Oregon Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) and the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA).

“Lee Loving’s dedication to community and students’ social emotional well-being and academic success has continuously inspired colleagues statewide,” said Lincoln High School Principal and OASSA President Peyton Chapman. “He is one of the most collegial and committed school leaders, known across the state by his peers as an ‘Education Hero.’ Lee’s positive approach, and his unending belief in his students and staff, makes others believe in the possibilities that grow in our public schools every day.”

Loving has served as the principal at Ridgeview High School since its inception in 2012 and served as planning principal before it opened. During this time, he was also principal of Redmond High School, which was operating at maximum capacity at the time.

“Lee Loving believes that positive, supportive relationships are the foundation of student success,” wrote Assistant Principals Jensine Peterson and Kelly Hicks in …

The cafeteria at the Redmond Early Learning Center (RELC) becomes a very loud place every day during lunch. RELC is the district’s in-town kindergarten facility, serving nearly 400 kindergartners (known as Honeybees) within the Redmond School District. During lunch, the cafeteria sees 100 kinders at a time for lunches between 11:20 a.m. to 1:05 p.m.

Recently, volume became such an issue that teachers and staff weren’t able to effectively communicate with students over the excited chatter and buzzing of RELC Honeybees.

A team of instructional assistants (IAs) came up with a solution to not only overcome the communication breakdown, but teach the talkative kindergarteners a valuable new skill at the same time: sign language.

Toward the end of 2018, IAs Jennifer Merydith, Aundrea Poole, Gina Detweiler, Keturah Kinsman and Robin Boivie began to brainstorm ways to solve the cafeteria communication issue. The team landed on sign language as a possible solution and began to research key signs. After returning from Christmas break, they taught the signs to two …

Ridgeview High School will host a Hope, Help and Heal suicide prevention training on Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. The training is an opportunity for parents to hear from local experts and community members who have been impacted by youth suicide.

“Suicide is a serious and preventable public health issue in Central Oregon,” said Whitney Schumacher, suicide prevention coordinator with Deschutes County Health Services. “We believe parents and community members will leave these events feeling hopeful and better equipped to help prevent suicide in our community.”

During the interactive sessions, parents will learn how they can help normalize conversations about suicide prevention, how to find resources in the community that support youth, adults and families in stressful times, and how to help children navigate current entertainment in ways that facilitate increased parent-child communication.

The evening includes a free dinner offered from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Child care is provided; check-in begins at 5:30 p.m.

Attendees will be entered to win free gift cards. Programming will …

Redmond High School senior Isaac Hathaway was recently awarded a $40,000 Presidential Scholarship from Oregon State University.

The award provides up to $40,000 in funding during the student’s undergraduate career ($10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years total).

“As Oregon State University’s most prestigious award for in-state undergraduates, the Presidential Scholarship is designed to reward academic excellence and inspire those selected to continue to be a positive force in the world. Donor support helps keep these talented Oregonians in-state,” – OSU Foundation website.

To be considered for the Presidential Scholarship, students must be current Oregon high school seniors, be considered Oregon residents at time of application for admission, have a minimum 3.85 unweighted high school GPA, and have a minimum score of 1360 on the new SAT or 29 on the ACT. In addition, Hathaway was evaluated on his scholarship application and OSU’s application essay component, which is comprised of six, short-answer questions.

Hathaway also competes in cross country and tennis at Redmond High, while maintaining a 4.0 grade …

Audrey Haugan, Ed.D of Elgin, Illinois, has been selected from a nationwide search to become the next principal of Redmond High School, Superintendent Mike McIntosh announced today.

“Audrey brings a great deal of experience to Redmond High,” McIntosh said. “Meeting her and learning about her approach to education gives me confidence she will be able to hit the ground running on day one.”

Haugan emerged as the top choice among four finalists who spent Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at Redmond High School for a rigorous, day-long interview process where she was able to meet with Redmond High students, employees, district officials and members of the community.

Haugan most recently served as principal of Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Illinois for the past 13 years, a school of 2,200 students and 300-plus teachers and staff. During that time she also held adjunct professor roles at Roosevelt University and Concordia University in Illinois, where she taught educators how to be effective principals.

“Dr. Haugan is a student-centered leader who focuses on the student learning experience …

Ridgeview High School (RVHS) and Redmond High School students are partnering to host the annual Empty Bowls fundraising meal at RVHS on Sunday, April 7, 2019 from 12 to 6 p.m.

Now in its sixth year, the event features handcrafted artisan bowls made by ceramics students at both high schools. Each year, the event has grown both in number of attendees and revenue for the benefiting charity.

“We look forward to this fun event each spring,” said Jensine Peterson, RVHS assistant principal. “Empty Bowls is a great opportunity to showcase the beautiful artwork of students from both high schools and raise money for a wonderful local cause.”

According to Peterson, the event has raised over $25,000 since its inception, with all proceeds going to Jericho Road, a Central Oregon charity that provides food and transitional housing to homeless families in the Redmond area.

Guests will receive gourmet hot soup, rolls and refreshments made by the culinary students at RVHS. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. All participants will leave with a ceramic bowl of …