Ferry Street News March-May, 2024

Ferry Street News

Here we are in the New Year. It has been a year of a lot of learning, meetings, and meeting new community folks. Enjoying seeing the projects coming together. I hope you are as excited as me to see the finished outcome.

As we continue to work on making our town livable and lively, I would still like to see you at our city council meetings, I still owe some of you a cup of coffee.

I would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to all the City Staff for working hard to keep things going when we have power outages and ice/snow storms. Also, to those that helped with cleaning ice off sidewalks by the schools to get the students to school safe.

Please join us for Cinco de Mayo this year at Courthouse Square Park. Festivities begin at 1 pm with a parade beginning on 9th Street. Live music, DJ, food, vendors, free face painting, a balloon artist and more for your whole family to enjoy!

IN THIS ISSUE

 Event Information Easter, Cinco de Mayo, City-wide Clean Up Week

 Fire District Update

 School Superintendent Update

 Historical Highlight

 City Manager’s Update

 Economic Development & Tourism

 DCDA Update

 Code Enforcement Corner

 Dayton Community Food Pantry

 Library Corner

 Calendar for March, April, & May

Aquí estamos en el nuevo año. Ha sido un año de mucho aprendizaje, juntas, y de conocer a personas nuevas en la comunidad. Espero que estén emocionados al igual que yo de ver el producto final.

A medida que seguimos trabajando en hacer de nuestro pueblo un lugar habitable y lleno de vida, me gustaría verlos en las juntas del Ayuntamiento, todavía les debo una taza de café a algunos de ustedes.

Quiero expresar mi ENORME AGRADECIMIENTO con el personal de la ciudad por trabajar arduamente para mantener todo en marcha durante los apagones y la tormenta de hielo y nieve. También, a las personas que ayudaron a limpiar el hielo de la acera de la escuela para que los estudiantes pudieran llegar seguros a la escuela.

Únase a nosotros para celebrar el Cinco de Mayo de este año en Courthouse Square Park. Las festividades comienzan a la 1 pm con un desfile que comienza en la Calle 9. ¡Música en vivo, DJ, comida, vendedores ambulantes, pintura de caras gratis, un artista de globos y más para que disfrute toda la familia!

Thank you/Gracias, Mayor

Trini Marquez

(Cinco de Mayo 2023, Dancers from McMinnville High School, Courthouse Square Park)

Photo Credit: John Collins

Historical Highlight - Bridging The Past

Around 1844, came the first toll ferry to cross the Yamhill River at Dayton. For 30 years thereafter, a toll ferry was the only way to cross the river here. Stewart Hanna and/or Joel Palmer renewed the license through 1875. The use of a ferry at this location is what gives Ferry Street its name.

In 1874, a covered bridge replaced the toll ferry. It was reported “The citizens of Dayton intend on having a free bridge…to be built across the Yamhill River to cost around $12,000.” The citizens prevailed and the County built the bridge (okay, I hear you: ‘with our tax dollars’).

In this photo, see the bridge in the far-right corner. Farmers wait to unload produce at the warehouses for shipping to Portland. Rossner’s Saloon is the building at the left edge of photo.

Low water prevented some river travel until fall rains. As reported in Oct 1889, “The people of Dayton turned out en masse to welcome the steamer Occident, which taking advantage of the slight rise in the river, crept up to that place for a load of wheat … The citizens of that town have a lingering affection for river transportation, which the whistle of a steamboat revives, and they welcomed the appearance of the time-worn craft that has served them for so long as that of an old and tried friend.”

Rain, rain, rain in Feb 1890; bad news: a huge flood deluged the entire valley. Rossner’s Saloon was on Ferry St between 1st & 2nd. Powell’s Warehouse was on the riverbank, close to the bridge.

Feb 1890

1890

Where's the bridge? As reported, “The bridge at Dayton is a total wreck. The draw swung majestically around and although a large rope was fastened to it, it did not stop its course, but went down stream snapping the new 1¼ inch rope like a thread. There was a great crowd on the banks, and someone started up “Good-bye, My Lover, Good-bye.” The rest of the bridge went away in sections during the day and night.” A temporary ferry was used until a new bridge could be built.

Typical ferry of 1800s

Feb.

- Rossner Saloon in Dayton,

Crowd gathered at Powell Warehouse, Dayton Yamhill River.

A wagon bridge was constructed in Oct 1890, designed for the heavy weight of horse teams, and loaded wagons. (No trucks or autos yet.) The paper reported, “…combination iron and wood bridge across the Yamhill River at Dayton will be 1200 ft long including the approaches and set on piers 3 feet above high-water mark. Total cost $13,175…”

This sounds familiar: In Dec. 1912, Dayton’s bridge was declared unsafe, closed, and only mail and train passengers were allowed to cross on foot. No wagons, no horses. It is unknown how long it remained so, but by 1914, autos and trucks were now here, and using it.

In May 1914, more bad news: The wagon bridge collapsed, falling into the river as a pile of wreckage. For 8 months, a ferry was operated temporarily.

In December 1914, “Dayton Bridge is open - Dayton has been greatly handicapped since the old bridge collapsed, but now with her paved streets and new steel bridge, she hopes to regain traffic from the north side of the Yamhill River.”

Comes a time when big changes happen –so it was with the McMinnville-Dayton stretch of what we call Highway 18 in 1956-57. This brought a new bridge across the Yamhill River – the one we use now. The Ferry St bridge was closed and dismantled by Dayton Auto Wreckers in 1958.

The Ferry Street bridge crossing lay vacant for over 20 years. It was 19801981 when the pedestrian walkway was built, which also carried Dayton's water and sewer lines underneath. This lasted until 2018 when it too was declared unsafe.

May the bridge being built now provide not only service to our community, but a return of an easy and safe way to extend our walking endeavors across the river.

Sources:

-Oregon Ferries: A history of Oregon Ferries Since 1826, by Charles Floyd Query which references County Ferry License renewals are in the Yamhill County Commissioner Journals 1857-1961 at the County Clerk’s Office.

-The Dayton Footbridge - Renovation of a Community Landmark a report prepared by University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy and Management for City of Dayton, Nov 2018.

-Sunday Oregonian, Oct 13, 1889, pg. 6 and Feb 9, 1890, pg. 1

-Telephone-Register, Jun 26, 1890

-Oregon Daily Journal, Dec 12, 1912, pg. 19 and Dec 26, 1914, pg. 13

Wagon Bridge at Dayton. Box factory in front.

Steel bridge being built 1914.

Dismantling the Ferry St Bridge in 1958. Photo by permission of News-Register, McMinnville , OR

Economic Development & Tourism

When I run into people in surrounding communities, the buzz on the street is “What’s going on in Dayton?” We have the footbridge project over the river, the Merchant Block renovation, the Highway 221 pump station relocation and upgrade, a new bathroom facility at Andrew Smith Park, not to mention repair and maintenance of city infrastructure impacted by the recent low temperatures and ice storm. Put simply, there’s a lot going on, and a lot more to happen.

A tour was held for city officials and staff to see the Merchant Building conceptual plans and visit the interior of the ground floor site. Much has been accomplished in the past three months with interior walls being seismically supported, in-ground infrastructure being installed, and excavation and preparation for the new hotel lobby building that will be constructed behind the former Dayton Bank. They are still on target to have the project completed by the end of 2024 when Dayton can expect lodging and additional food and beverage opportunities to be available.

We let you know last issue about our request for proposal to finish development of Dayton Village. This affordable housing project will add ten homes to the Village and complete infill of a project initiated in the late 1990’s. Community Home Builders (CHB) of Yamhill County was chosen to assist low-income individuals and families with obtaining homeownership. Utilizing 502 Direct Loans and assistance from USDA Rural Development, their Mutual Self-Help Program requires the purchaser to assist in the building of the project’s homes. We expect to see construction efforts start this summer.

The City Council in conjunction with the city’s Planning Commission updated the design standards for the Central Overlay District that strengthen guidelines for building and development downtown. These updates address material use, building height, window and door proximity, color, and setback requirements. Last amended in 2012, the new standards add enhanced guidelines that better define how developers can navigate the city’s building codes.

Lastly, we are working on a grant application to be submitted to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department this spring. This “Local Government Grant Program” offers applicants the ability to secure funding for planning efforts. Dayton needs to update its Parks and Recreation Master Plan (last updated in 2004). Master plans are used to not only identify future projects but also support funding requests to build identified projects. We are hopeful the state will look favorably upon our application.

Next issue we’ll update progress on “what’s going on in Dayton”.

-Dave Rucklos

Advertising in the newsletter does not reflect any direct or implied endorsement by the City of Dayton. The City of Dayton does not, and shall not, discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. The city is an equal opportunity employer.

Dayton Fire District covers 80 sq. miles with approximately 6500 residents. We have the main station in town and a substation in Grand Island and at Hopewell. Dayton has two full time employees and 34 volunteers. Without our great volunteers, not all calls would be answered. The department logged over 12,000 hours of training and calls for help in 2023. The call log for 2023 was: Medical= 436, Fire= 90, MVC = 103, Fire Alarm= 54, Mutual Aid Medical= 124, Mutual Aid Fire= 95 for a total of 902 calls for service.

We currently have five high school students on our volunteer staff. They can join at age 16. At that age they can get their EMR certification and can respond in our own district. Last year we had two long time volunteers retire. Kevin Albright with 37 years of service and Adrian Wrighthouse with 8 years of service.

Spring is coming up and the kids are going to be out on their bikes and scooters. Keep an eye out for them. If anyone needs a bike helmet you can come to the station and get a FREE one. March 1st marks the start of backyard burning and will run through June 15th weather permitting. Backyard burning is for yard debris only. Prohibited items include tires, plastic, garbage, asphalt shingles, chemicals, cans, clothes and cardboard boxes. Burn barrels are considered backyard burning. Burn barrels are an inefficient way of burning. They produce low temperature fire and toxic smoke. When burning, please be aware of your neighbors and the di-

City Manager’s Update

At this time of year, the Dayton City Council is working on Strategic Goals for the upcoming fiscal year (July 2024-June 2025). This process begins with a work session in the first quarter, culminating in the formal adoption before May.

Several Strategic Goal objectives have already been successfully undertaken this fiscal year, including:

• The completion of the 7th and 9th Street Overlay project between Ferry and Ash last summer.

• Maintenance work on pedestrian ramps at Andrew Smith Park.

• Progress on the Request for Proposals for affordable housing development at Dayton Village.

• Amendments to the Dayton Municipal Code, including updates to enhance clear vision language and incorporate sunset clause language.

• Revision of design code language within the Central Business Overlay Zone.

• Conducting a community survey to gauge public opinion on future development and tourism.

• Bringing back Cinco de Mayo as a community event

Following the Council's adoption of goals, these priorities serve as the cornerstone for developing the budget for the upcoming year. This budget proposal is subsequently presented to the Budget Committee in May. Comprising both City Council members and seven Dayton citizens, this 14-member committee convenes 2-3 times in May to review the budget and facilitate a public hearing process required by Oregon budget law. The final budget is then slated for adoption during the second Council meeting in June, with a deadline of June 30th each year.

As we move forward, the city remains actively engaged in various infrastructure projects. Notable endeavors include the bridge project, the Hwy 221 Lift Station Replacement, and the installation of bathrooms at Andrew Smith Park. Progress on these projects is underway, with significant milestones achieved, such as the recent drilling and pouring of four shafts for the 220-foot steel midspan replacement in mid-February.

Looking ahead, Dayton is eagerly anticipating the reopening of the bridge, which will reconnect the RV park and dog park with downtown, fostering enhanced accessibility and connectivity within our community. Additionally, the Hwy 221 Lift Station project is progressing steadily, with construction slated for completion by late summer. Furthermore, the installation of bathrooms at Andrew Smith Park is on track for operational readiness by the beginning of March.

Excitement is also building for the upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebration at Courthouse Square Park, scheduled from 1-7 pm. Festivities will include a vibrant parade on Ferry Street, followed by a myriad of activities in the park, including live music, a DJ, culinary delights from Misión de San Martin de Porres, various vendors, free face painting, balloon artistry, and cake walks. To register online for the parade, please visit the city’s website at https://www.daytonoregon.gov/events

In May, the community will come together for the third annual Dayton City-Wide Spring Clean-up Week. Festivities kick off with a city-wide garage sale on May 10th-11th, followed by the Dayton Community Free Swap at the Community Center parking lot. This provides an excellent opportunity to repurpose and exchange items, contributing to a more sustainable and resourceful community. The Free Community Swap will run through Friday, May 17th, culminating in the City-Wide Clean Up on Saturday, May 18th, from 8 am to Noon at Dayton City Hall. For further details on accepted items for the Free Swap and Clean Up Day logistics, please visit the webpage listed above.

As always, I encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns. I am readily available at 503-864-2221 or via email at rroaden@daytonoregon.gov.

Warm regards,

Rochelle Roaden City Manager

The City of Dayton is seeking interested persons to serve as citizen members of the Budget Committee.

Code Enforcement Corner

Greetings, Dayton!

With March just around the corner, it's time to prepare for the upcoming season! But before we get into all the exciting activities, let's address some important matters together!

One crucial aspect we need to focus on is keeping our water systems efficient. As spring approaches, it becomes even more crucial to ensure the smooth functioning of our water systems. To achieve this, we have initiated a testing program to examine backflow devices. If you haven't joined our program yet, we kindly invite you to do so! For just $30 per year, conveniently added to your utility bill, you can have your backflow devices examined and submitted by the deadline – March 31st. This small investment will provide long-term peace of mind, knowing that our water systems are functioning efficiently. However, if you wish to opt out of the program, you will still be required to contact a licensed Backflow Tester and have them report the submitted results by the deadline.

Another matter that requires our attention is being responsible pet owners. We've received a few complaints about barking dogs and dogs wandering around the neighborhood on the loose. Additionally, some dog owners have not been picking up after their fur babies. As responsible members of this community let's take a moment to address these concerns and be the fantastic neighbors we are! It is important to take care of our pets and ensure that they are well-behaved and safely contained within our properties. By doing so, we create a safe environment for everyone. Furthermore, it is crucial to pick up after our pets. Feces carry diseases and toxins that are harmful to our environment and can seep into our water systems, polluting our waterways. Additionally, people who step into the feces can unknowingly carry rejected waste from our pets, such as parasites, diseases, and toxins, into our homes and businesses, causing health issues. By being responsible pet owners and picking up after our pets, we can create a harmonious environment for everyone to enjoy.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the testing program or any other concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our friendly team is here to help! Let's work together to facilitate the health, safety, and livability of our community!

Dayton Community Food Pantry

Dayton Community Food Pantry and Clothes Closet Update:

Our Food Pantry and Clothes Closet volunteers have been working extra hard to keep up with the growing demand for food and clothing for our neighbors in need. These awesome volunteers are the backbone to this community organization! Bagging bottles, cleaning clothes, shopping for food discounts, filling and transporting food boxes, they are great!

January saw the Food Pantry volunteers serve 408 people from 153 households. Likewise, the Clothes Closet served 165 people from 43 households.

The Food Pantry is 100% reliant on donations, and have had to pay more for retail priced foods because of the reduced amount of food products available from the Oregon Food Bank and YCAP, due to lower food donations Statewide. Thankfully we have seasoned bargain hunters always on the lookout for bargains to stretch our Food Pantry dollars! Funds from donated cans and bottles are a big part of our fundraising and are gladly accepted. If you can help in this way, please contact Nadine at 503-522-1133 to arrange bottle drop-off or pickup.

Also, we are happy to announce 3 more major donors to our Food Pantry and Clothes Closet construction project!

Many thanks to our Anonymous Donor, the Ford Foundation and Yamhill Community Care for supporting this project, as our community “builds for the future”!

From Public Works:

The severe cold weather event caused many of our citizens to deal with water leaks and repairs. You are not alone. The City has been finding and repairing leaks as well. In mid-March, we will have a leak detection company checking the entire water system in Dayton. The objective is to have them pinpoint unknown leaks so they can be repaired. If you see them out in your neighborhood don’t be alarmed. They are simply checking water meters, fire hydrants, water valves, and water lines.

You may have noticed the temporary closure of the bathrooms at Courthouse Square Park during the extreme weather. We have made all necessary repairs and have reopened the bathrooms. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these times.

We ran into some delays with our new bathroom at Andrew Smith Park. We encountered broken pipes and other delays after the installation. We are happy to report that we have repaired the damage and are nearing final inspections at this location. The City will announce a ribbon cutting ceremony once the last inspection is completed. We are very excited to have this new bathroom completed and open to the public.

The Footbridge/Utility Bridge continues to make forward progress. They have the demolition completed and are working on the rebuild. The new supports are being made and installed and the new center span of the bridge will be on site soon. This is very exciting!

With spring right around the corner Public Works will be out flushing fire hydrants, opening water blow offs, and cleaning catch basins. We continue to sweep streets on the first and third Wednesday of the month. The city-wide clean up and swap is also approaching. Keep an eye out for advertisements for these events.

With all the construction activities around the city we would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation. Job sites are doing their best to be mindful of local traffic and pedestrian safety. Your efforts to keep these crews safe on your travels is greatly appreciated. As always if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me dcutler@daytonoregon.gov.

Don Cutler, Dayton Public Works

45,000lb bathroom being installed at Andrew Smith Park on Church Street

Actualización de la Superintendente del Distrito Escolar de Dayton

EstimadoDayton,

EsdifícilcreerqueelDistritoEscolardeDaytonyallevaalgunassemanasenelsegundosemestre.Estosultimosseismeseshemosestadotrabajandoarduamentecomocomunidadenterapararesponderla pregunta:"¿Quehabilidades,mentalidades,disposicionesyrasgos queremosqueposeannuestrosestudiantescuandocrucenesaetapa alfinaldesuultimoanodeprepa?"Despuesdeanalizarestapregunta atravesdereunionesdepersonal,encuestasestudiantiles,foroscomunitariosyaportesdelospadres,sintetizamoslasvocesdenuestras partesinteresadasycreamosnuestro"Retratodeungraduadode Dayton"

Queremosempoderaralosestudiantesybrindarleslasherramientas quenecesitanparaentraralmundodemaneraoptimista,empatica, resiliente,motivado,colaborativoycurioso.Estamision,sinembargo, nopuedequedarsesoloenelpapel;debeestarentretejidoenlaestructuradetodonuestrosistemaescolarycomunidadsiqueremos quesehagarealidadparanuestroshijos.Estoyemocionadadecontinuarestetrabajoconustedesmientrascontinuamosreafirmando comodisenarmejornuestrosprogramasypracticasparaayudara todoslosestudiantesaalcanzarsumaximopotencial. Conelespíritudeunirnoscomocomunidadennombredenuestros ninos,queríarecordarleslasdiversasformasenquepuedenmantenerseinformadoseinvolucradosennuestrosistemaeducativoPre-K -12. Recientementehemosreconstruidoelsitiowebdenuestrodistritoparaqueseamascompletoyfacildeusar.Visítelo en:https:// www.daytonk12.org.Enelencontraravariaspaginasquepueden dirigirloaloseventos,calendarios,noticiasdeldistrito,etc.denuestrasescuelas,incluidonuestronuevoPodcast,TesoroEnterrado,,enelqueentrevistamosaamigosypartesinteresadasdeDSDycontamoslahistoriadelosincreíblescorazonesyheroes deDaytonenunesfuerzoportraeresperanzayunidadanuestracomunidad.(TambienpuedeseguirnuestropodcastenSpotify,ApplePodcasts,FacebookeInstagram.Siaunnonossigueenlasredessociales,consultelaspaginasdeFacebookeInstagramdelDistritoEscolardeDayton:www.facebook.com/DaytonSchoolDistrictOregony @escuelas_dayton.)

(ApplePodcast) (SpotifyPodcast) Hablandodecomunidad,queríaaprovecharlaoportunidadunavezmasparaagradeceratodoslosmiembrosdelacomunidadqueseunieronparaapoyaranuestrasescuelasdespuesdelatormentadehielodeesteinvierno.Nosolosufrimosbastantes danosdentrodenuestrosedificiosescolaresparalosqueloscontratistaslocales,así comonuestrosconserjesyeljefedebomberosacudieronparaayudar,sinoquetambientuvimosmiembrosdelpersonal,estudiantes,padres,abuelosynegocioslocales conpalas.,minicargadoresyotrosequiposquelimpianelhieloenelfríoylalluvia paraquenuestrosestudiantespuedanregresaralaescuelayaprender. Mientrasserealizanlasreparacionesenlaescuelaprimaria,tambienestamosterminandosimultaneamentelaconstrucciondenuestrocomplejoCTE.Amedidaquepase, puedenotarquelosinvernaderoscomienzanatomarformay,pronto,losverasllenosdeplantasyestudiantesdandovueltas. Queremosasegurarnosdequetodospuedanverycelebrarestenuevoespaciounavezqueestecompleto,¡asíquemantengalos ojosbienabiertospararecibirlainvitacionanuestraceremoniadeinauguracion(lafechaylahoraseconcretaranenlosproximosdías)!

Finalmente,quieroinvitarlosacontinuaraprovechandolasoportunidadesparaunirsecomopuebloquenuestrosestudiantes necesitanymerecenparacreceryprosperarduranteestosanoscrucialesdedesarrollo.Algunasdeesasoportunidadesparainvolucrarseincluyenasistiracompetenciasdeportivas,asistiranochesfamiliares,foroscomunitarios,celebracionesescolaresyasistirareunionesdelamesadirectivadondediscutimosladireccionenlaque queremosdirigirestegranbarcopirataylamejormaneradetrabajarjuntosmientrasnosembarcamosennuestroviaje.

ProximosForosdelaComunidad

4deMarzo-Equidad(mejorarlaexperienciaeducativaparatodoslosestudiantesyfamiliasenDayton)

1deAbril-Oportunidadesparaestudiantes(Educaciondecarreratecnica,atletismoyactividadesextracurriculares)

6deMayo-ExpectativasdelosEstudiantes(puntosdereferenciaacademicosyrequisitosdegraduacion)

Dayton School District Superintendent Update

DearDayton,

It’shardtobelievethatDaytonSchoolDistrictisalreadyafewweeksintosemestertwo.These pastsixmonthswehavebeenworkinghardasanentirecommunitytoanswerthequestion, “Whatskills,mindsets,dispositions,andtraitsdowemostwantourstudentstopossesswhen theycrossthatstageattheendoftheirsenioryear?”Afterunpackingthisquestionthrough staffmeetings,studentsurveys,communityforums,and parentinput,wehavesynthesizedthevoicesofourstakeholdersandcreatedour“PortraitofaDaytonGrad.”

Wewanttoempowerstudentsandgivethemthetools theyneedtogointotheworldoptimistic,empathetic,resilient,driven,collaborative,andcurious.Thismission, however,cannotjustliveonpaper;itmustbewoveninto thefabricofourentireschoolsystemandcommunityif wewantittocometofruitionforourchildren.Iamexcitedtocontinuethisworkwithyouaswecontinuetoiterateonhowtobestdesignourprogramsandpracticesto helpallstudentsmeettheirhighestpotentials.

Inthespiritofcomingtogetherasacommunityonbehalf ofourkids,Iwantedtoremindyouofthevariouswaysin whichyoucanstayinformedandinvolvedinourPre-K12educationsystem.Wehaverecentlyrebuiltourdistrict websitetobemorecomprehensiveanduser-friendly. Pleasecheckitoutathttps://www.daytonk12.org.Onit, youwillfindvariouspagesthatcandirectyoutoour schools’events,calendars,districtnews,etc.,including ournewPodcast,BuriedTreasure,onwhichweinterview friendsandstakeholdersofDSDandtellthestoryofthe amazingheartsandheroesofDaytoninanefforttobring hopeandunitytoourcommunity.(Youcanalsofollow ourpodcastonSpotify,ApplePodcasts,Facebook,and Instagram.Ifyoudon’talreadyfollowusonsocialmedia, pleasecheckoutDaytonSchoolDistrict’sFacebookand Instagrampages:www.facebook.com/ DaytonSchoolDistrictOregonand@dayton_schools.) (ApplePodcast) (SpotifyPodcast)

Speakingofcommunity,Iwantedto taketheopportunity onceagaintothankallthemembersofthecommunitywhocametogetherto rallyaroundourschoolsafterthiswinter’sicestorm.Notonlydidwehave quiteabitofdamagewithinourschoolbuildingsthatlocalcontractorsaswell asourcustodiansandfirechiefswoopedintoassistwith,butwealsohadstaff members,students,parents,grandparents,andlocalbusinessesoutwithshovels,skidsteers,andotherequipmentclearingiceinthecoldandrainsothatourstudentscouldgetbackinschool andlearning.

Asrepairsareunderwayatthegradeschool,wearealsosimultaneouslyfinishinguptheconstructionofourCTE complex.Asyoudriveby,youmaynoticegreenhousesbeginningtotakeshapeand,soon,youwillseethemfullof plantsandstudentsmillingabout.Wewanttomakesurethatallareabletoseeandcelebratethisnewspaceonceit iscomplete,sokeepyoureyespeeledfortheinvitetoourribbon-cuttingceremony(dateandtimetobesolidifiedin thecomingdays)!

Finally,Iwanttoinviteyoutocontinuetoleanintoopportunitiestocometogetherasthevillagethatourstudents needanddeserveinordertogrowandthriveduringthesecrucialyearsofdevelopment.Someof thoseopportunitiestogetinvolvedincludeattendingathleticcompetitions,comingtofamilynights, communityforums,schoolcelebrations,andsittinginorzoomingintoboardmeetingswherewe discussthedirectionwewanttosteerthisgreatpirateship,andhowbesttoworktogetheraswe embarkonourjourney.

UpcomingCommunityForums

March4th-Equity(ImprovingtheeducationalexperienceforallstudentsandfamiliesinDayton)

April1st-StudentOpportunities(CareerTechnicalEducation,Athletics,andExtracurricularActivities)

May6th-StudentExpectations(AcademicBenchmarksandGraduationRequirements)