Oregon-Mt. Morris Beat
www.oglecountynews.com
Oregon Republican Reporter, Mt. Morris Times, Thursday, June 5, 2014, Page A8
OHS Class of 2014 graduates From A1 earned recognition as Premier Scholars, which means they met six criteria including achieving good grades and text scores, performing at least 80 hours of community service, participating in school activities or
athletics, behaving well, and completing at least one advanced placement or dual credit course. Five students — Adam Gallardo, Tyler Hensen, Cody Schwartz, Katelyn Scruggs, and Ryan Miller — will be entering the Armed
Forces. Wrist bands in memory of class member Jonathan T. Williams, who died last August after a teen drinking party in Oregon, were offered at the door to everyone who attended the commencement ceremony.
Cody Schwartz sticks his tongue in fun after a family member tells him to smile at the start of Oregon High School’s commencement on June 1. Schwartz did eventually smile for the photo.
Sarah Melvin, Mt. Morris, was recognized for her volunteer hours during Oregon High School’s commencement on June 1. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Trevor Lee receives a handshake and his diploma from school board member Corey Buck during Oregon High School commencement on June 1. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Oregon High School graduates Luke Ziegler and Sarah Zuniga smile as they exit the Blackhawk Center following commencement on June 1.
Valedictorian Emma Crandall, left, and salutatorian Kasia Majewski, right, gave Senior Reflections during Oregon High School’s commencement.
Reading Matters Are you tired of weaving your way through your garage, haunted by gifts of Christmas past or that spur-of-the-moment “super deal” thingamajig still in its box?
at 1-800-798-4085 ext. 5655, to speak directly to a classified sales representative by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 6.
Ads cost $10 for 20 words and $15 for up to 45 words. Ads may also be delivered to the Oregon office prior to the deadline. • Printed The three maps will also entities are be available teaming up to at the Ogle invite everyone County to participate in Newspaper the Oregon Cityoffice (121A S. Wide Garage Fourth Street, Sales on Friday Oregon), the Sales de -Wi City gon Ore and Saturday, Chamber Office June 13-14 June 13 and 14. (first floor of the Oregon Whether you Coliseum), City are spring cleaning, downsizing, Hall (115 N. Third Street) and other and/or just getting organized now is locations. the time to take advantage of these Participants need to stop by City special benefits by participating in Hall for a FREE permit to post at the City-Wide Sales! their sale. Well, the Oregon Chamber of Commerce, City of Oregon, and Ogle County Newspapers can help.
Benefits include: • Publicity on the City’s and Chamber’s web pages and your sale location on a printed map with your corresponding ad in the June 12 editions of the Oregon Republican Reporter, Mt. Morris Times, TriCounty Press, and Forreston Journal. Call Sauk Valley Media (Ogle County Newspapers’ parent company)
Registration for the City-Wide Garage Sales must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, June 6, in order to be included in the City-Wide promotions. For more information, call the Chamber Office at 815-732-2100, Oregon City Hall at 815-732-6321, or Ogle County Newspapers 815-732-6166.
More about Common Core By Mary Gardner Reading Specialist This column continues a series that looks at some of the terms and tasks associated with work our students are doing in order to meet the Common Core State Standards. As we try to better understand the goals set
out for our children’s and grandchildren’s literacy learning, this month we will look at the term complex text. Why does complex text matter? We know that as students move through school the texts across all subject matters become increasingly more demanding. As students go beyond high school students are expected to read these increasingly complex texts with greater independence. According to Appendix
A of the Common Core State Standards document, researchers have found that the demands of texts in college, on the job, and for general citizenship have either remained steady or increased over about the past fifty years. However, research has shown that reading texts in grades K-12 have gone downward in terms of difficulty in that same time period. Turn to A9
Guest Column Board member questions why vote was taken By Lee Meyers District 6 Ogle County Board The following is a statement read into the record at the May 20 Ogle County Board meeting by me. My concerns were regarding a request by neighboring property owner, Beth Henderson and Oregon City Council Member Ken Williams for a 30-day delay in construction of a Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Morgue in Oregon’s planned future riverfront tourism area to allow a no cost-to-the-county economic impact study by Western Illinois University.
Here is my statement: “Since our last board meeting I have been approached by several different citizen concerning the actions of the county board. “Last month we had two reputable Oregon citizens request that we postpone a vote on the new sheriff’s building for 30 days, giving them time to research the riverfront property. “These were not radical people but upstanding citizens interested in the growth of the community. We also did not have anyone stand up and request that we ram the project through. “And, according to Mr. [county board member Don ] Griffin, it would have cost the county nothing to postpone the vote one month. “So, what did we do? The
majority of the board chose to disregard the wishes of concerned citizens and proceed with the vote for the building. “And to make matters worse the architect chose to pass out hats on the south side of the room in front of the gallery. What was that all about? “My question to you is who are we representing, the members of the county board or the citizens who elected us. “ In my opinion last month was a travesty of authority. It was just wrong. “Maybe the next time a citizen approaches us with a concern, the majority of the board will chose to do the will of the people, which is why we were elected in the first place. The citizens in this county are watching and they are not happy.”