Celebrating Our Wonderful Staff!

By Tim Rochholz

On May 9th, the South Lane District Service Center staff hosted its annual All Staff Appreciation Party in the Cottage Grove High School Cafetorium. The School Board, Administrative Assistants and Administrators armed with retro candy and Pat Boone records helped with the "Let's Rock Around the Clock" themed party. Amidst the music, root beer floats and the Bohemia Staff "Dance Team" lively conversations mixed with lots of laughter could be heard across the room as staff enjoyed a relaxing time together waiting for Krista to call the numbers of winning raffle tickets.

Two staff members were recognized for their exceptional service to the district: Classified Employee of the Year - Kathy Sabin Office Manager at Latham Elementary School and Teacher of the Year - Teresa Myers Math Teacher at Lincoln Middle School. Co - presidents Marta Henrikson and Marlene Culp of OSEA and Tim Broadbent and Deborah Buckman representing SLEA were recognized for their leadership. Superintendent Krista Parent honored these employees with flower baskets. Krista also presented gifts to retirees Lennee Clark and Rhonda Dean/London, Karen Roundsaville/Dorena and Jim Gaethle/Transportation.

The Staff Appreciation Party was a wonderful time for staff to relax, get away from their work and get to know each other better. Special thanks to Wayne Clark's band Ya Get What Ya Pay For and DSC Administrative Assistants for putting on this wonderful event.

  "What's Right in South Lane School District . . ." is a district communication from the Superintendent's office that highlights great things that are happening throughout the district. If you have ideas to share with the district about the great things that are going on, please send your information in an e-mail to Julie at julie.depauw@slane.k12.or.us

How to Save $3,348,600!

By Phil Scrima

SLSD will save nearly $3,348,600 through the refinancing of general obligation bonds.   In December, the school board authorized the district to refinance $22.49 million in bonds issued in 2002 to fund capital improvements on district property including the construction of the new high school.   

The repayment schedule was restructured and lower interest rates were obtained.  The new rates range from 2.00 to 3.129 percent.  The new bonds mature between 2012 and 2025 and over that period, the district will save taxpayers about $3,348,600 in interest.

"We are always exploring ways to operate more efficiently," said Phil Scrima, Business Manager. "The South Lane School District enjoys a very positive credit rating. Refinancing the bonds allows us to take advantage of that."

What's Right in South Lane School District . . ." is a district communication from the Superintendent's office that highlights great things that are happening throughout the district. If you have ideas to share with the district about the great things that are going on, please send your information in an e-mail to Julie at julie.depauw@slane.k12.or.us

Babysitting Bootcamp!

By Lori Bass

On March 9th, eleven 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade volunteers spent their day off earning their American Red Cross Babysitting Certification.  Thanks to a partnership between the Lincoln Middle School Parents Club and the Reaching Out Mentoring Program, students received Red Cross training in responding to emergencies and illnesses with first aid and other appropriate care, making decisions under pressure, recognizing safety and hygiene issues, and the feeding, diapering, and general care of infants.  By the end of the day, students were exhausted but much more confident about safely managing younger children, and they were excited to put their new skills to the test caring for youngerfamily members or landing babysitting jobs!

"What's Right in South Lane School District . . ." is a district communication from the Superintendent's office that highlights great things that are happening throughout the district. If you have ideas to share with the district about the great things that are going on, please send your information in an e-mail to Julie at julie.depauw@slane.k12.or.us.

SLSD Hires Director of Curriculum and Student Services

South Lane School District is pleased to announce that Kyle Tucker, the current Superintendent in Mapleton School District has been hired as the Director of Curriculum and Student Services for South Lane School District effective July 1, 2012.  Kyle served as a teacher, coach, Dean of students, and High School Principal before being promoted to Superintendent.  Kyle is the second most senior superintendent in Lane County behind only Krista Parent who is the most senior.  Kyle has been employed by Mapleton School District since 1997.

A life-long resident of Eugene, Kyle graduated from North Eugene High School where he was an All-Star pitcher, graduating in 1986.  He received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Western Oregon University and completed his Administrative Licensure program at the University of Oregon.  Prior to working for the Mapleton School District, Kyle was a police officer.

Kyle is filling the position vacated by Assistant Superintendent Julie De Pauw.  Julie is retiring effective June 30, 2012, but will assist on some South Lane projects during the 2012-13 school year.

Kyle is a welcome addition to the South Lane School District team.  As time permits, Kyle will spend some transition time in the district between now and July 1, 2012.

Please welcome Kyle to South Lane!

 "What's Right in South Lane School District . . ." is a district communication from the Superintendent's office that highlights great things that are happening throughout the district. If you have ideas to share with the district about the great things that are going on, please send your information in an e-mail to Julie at julie.depauw@slane.k12.or.us.

Classified Employee Appreciation Week:  March 5-9, 2012

By Tim Rochholz

 On behalf of the South Lane School Board, administrators and teaching staff, we would like to congratulate our 135 Classified Employee on a job well done. Our Classified Employees are the people who make the schools work: the office manager/secretaries, library assistants, courier, technology, transportation,  grounds/maintenance, custodians, educational assistants and food service employees. Some thoughts from their supervisors:

• "Without their assistance, our schools would not be able to meet the goal of preparing our students for the future."
• "South Lane School District is fortunate to have a great team of classified employees who are dedicated to helping our students succeed."
• "We are truly fortunate to have the classified staff that we have in South Lane School District."
• "Classified Employees make this engine run!"

 Our classified staff ability to work as members of this organization and concern for making our school district a better place is obvious to all who come in contact with them. Please join us in congratulating our Classified Employees for the invaluable role they play in the success of South Lane School District.

 "What's Right in South Lane School District . . ." is a district communication from the Superintendent's office that highlights great things that are happening throughout the district. If you have ideas to share with the district about the great things that are going on, please send your information in an e-mail to Julie at julie.depauw@slane.k12.or.us. 

The Tooth Taxi!

By Staci Chambers

The Tooth Taxi visited Harrison Elementary School last week to provide free dental care for our students. This service is sponsored by the Dental Foundation of Oregon, OEA Choice Trust, and ODS. The Tooth Taxi is a 38-foot state of the art dental clinic on wheels. Each year it visits 50 sites across Oregon and serves over 3,000 children. The Tooth Taxi provides comprehensive dental care including exams, sealants, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions and crowns. They also provide classroom presentations on dental hygiene.

 The Tooth Taxi staff performed 225 free procedures that would have cost families almost $16,000. A total of 47 children were examined and provided with a fluoride varnish treatment. There were 16 children that received more extensive treatments such as fillings, extractions, and crowns. We hope the Tooth Taxi will return again next year.  

"What's Right in South Lane School District . . ." is a district communication from the Superintendent's office that highlights great things that are happening throughout the district. If you have ideas to share with the district about the great things that are going on, please send your information in an e-mail to Julie at julie.depauw@slane.k12.or.us.

State Champs!!

The Cottage Grove Lion's Boys Swim Team won the 2012 State Swim Title on Saturday, February 18.  After a slow start on Friday, the Saturday finals proved to be their day to shine. The key event was the 200 IM relay with Sam Garrison, Caleb Leczel, Nat Taie, and Gavin Nash setting a new 4A record with a time of 1:40:62. Individuals went  on to set new records for lifetime best, 4A records and CGHS records over the rest of the event.  This is Coach Bud Taylor's sixth championship as coach of the CGHS Lions.

 Congratulations! 

 "What's Right in South Lane School District . . ." is a district communication from the Superintendent's office that highlights great things that are happening throughout the district. If you have ideas to share with the district about the great things that are going on, please send your information in an e-mail to Julie at julie.depauw@slane.k12.or.us