Tigers Middle School
School board conducts superintendent’s evaluation
goes undefeated – yet again
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Friday, November 18, 2016
The Chief
$1 Vol. 125, No. 27 8 Pages
Serving the Lower Columbia Region Since 1891
JEREMY C. RUARK / THE CHIEF
As Challenge Day begins at the Clatskanie Middle School gym, parent and school staff volunteers give high fives as part of the welcome for Clatskanie Middle/High School students. See video of Challenge Day at thechiefnews.com.
Challenge Day: Students talk, others listen BY JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Emotions ran high with tears and laughter as the entire student body from Clatskanie Middle/High School took part in Challenge Day. The three-day event from Nov. 14 to 17, took place at the Clatskanie Middle School gym. The California-based Challenge Day teams travel from school to school across the nation to conduct the interactive sessions, which include games, songs, and listening sessions with the students. “The most interesting thing is that no matter where we are at, it is the same type of drama that
the students are dealing with,” Challenge Day co-leader Tim Freeburg said. “Whether it is the bullying, the stuff they get on social media that they send one another, or sexism, or racism or the other isms. We are trying to make sure they are treating each other with respect, love and kindness. By the end of the day it is amazing how we start to celebrate our differences and come together as one big group, kind of like a family.” The Mission
The Challenge Day Mission is to provide youth and their communities with experiential programs that demonstrate the possibility of love and connection
through the celebration of diversity, truth, and full expression. Clatskanie Middle/High School first participated in Challenge Day in March 2014. “The school board wanted a different atmosphere and culture here,” Clatskanie Middle/High School Principal Amy McNeil said. “We applied for a grant to conduct Challenge Day at the school with the entire staff and student body participating. And instantly we saw a different and a change in the culture like the next day. It was amazing. There was a lot of positivity. Kids supporting each other.” McNeil said the students recognized that others might be experiencing similar struggles or
challenges that they are facing. “It bonded the student body a lot,” she said. “For the last two and a half years we have been keeping that mentality and the culture here has been amazing.” McNeil said the results have staff and students excited about school and enrollment has gone up. “We promised to bring Challenge Day back every three years so every student can go through it twice,” McNeil said. Clatskanie School Superintendent Dr. Lloyd Hartley said this year’s Challenge Day cost $15,000 and was funded through the district’s general fund.
As you watch Challenge Day co-leader Katie Healey interact with the group, singing, dancing and constantly encouraging the students, you might think she was a television show host. Healey said it is her way to connect with the students. “The passion that I have for this job just comes out,” she said. “We are so much about authenticity, so when we are doing fun stuff I am allowing myself to have fun and in the more serious stuff I am allowing myself to get into that space as well. It is role modeling. I don’t really think of it as putting on a show. Whatever I want happening in the room, I am
Dancing, Singing, Encouragement
See CHALLENGE DAY Page A7
Brajcich ready to become Clatskanie’s new mayor BY JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
“It will take a while for me to get use to this title,” Clatskanie Mayor-Elect Bob Brajcich said about his new leadership role in the community. As Columbia County Election officials certified the election results this week to confirm that the majority of write-in votes in the Clatskanie mayor’s race went to Brajcich over incumbent Mayor Diane Pohl, Brajcich met with The Chief for a wide-ranging exclusive one-on-one interview. Brajcich, a retired mechanic and long-time Clatskanie resident, revealed his philosophy as mayor, his top priorities as city leader and why everyone should follow the same rules. He also acknowledged that he faces a learning curve as city mayor.
Clatskanie Mayor-Elect Bob Brajcich
“Yes, I have a lot to learn,” he said. Just one day after the Nov. 8 election, Brajcich met with Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman to talk about the transition and city issues. “I told Greg I am going to need some help and I want to know a little bit of what’s going on and the procedures by the time I take office,” he said. Brajcich will be sworn in as the new city mayor at the January
“People have faith in me, so I can’t let them down.” Bob Brajcich, Clatskanie Mayor-Elect public meeting of the Clatskanie City Council. “There were many things that Diane was working on,” he said. “She put more work into being mayor. She transformed the mayor’s office. So, I will be working on that and getting to know all the staff and the city council. I know most of them personally.” Brajcich said he realizes the job of mayor is one of a consensus builder at city council sessions. “I now them all personally,” he said. “They are all good people. So it won’t be the mayor’s way, or their way, it will be the right way. It’s not about me. I am not that kind of person. I don’t like a lot of attention. I always like to be below the radar. I think we will be below the radar
doing our job.” When it comes to economic development, Brajcich said Clatskanie should look for new development at Port Westward as its stabilizing factor. “We really need some industry out there and new jobs,” he said. “My job is to make that happen.” Brajcich said he will be quite involved in city issues, especially issues involving local youth. “I care about the kids of Clatskanie, their safety and the opportunities they have,” he said. “Helping them, the city and the community. There isn’t anything better in the kids going off to get educated and being successful in life and coming back to the community they live in to work here. That is the strength of our community. When people leave and don’t come back, that’s a dying community. We’ve brought back some great people to Clatskanie.” Brajcich said he will carry on the tradition that Pohl established by taking a lead in city issues at the county and state levels. “Diane was involved in everything,” he said. “She put a lot of work into it and I knew coming into this that I would have to step up to the plate to carry that on. I am not afraid of rolling up my sleeves and getting involved.” Brajcich also promised to continue to move the city forward and away from controversies that have diverted the city council’s attention to the dayto-day issues. “We will start that from day one,” he said. “So this is a fresh, new start. If we all follow the same rules, we will play well together.” Playing by the rules is Brajcich philosophy. “We have the rules and I think when you start bending or breaking the rules and you start playing favorites is when you get into trouble,” he said. “Starting out that will be what we will go by. People have faith in me, so I can’t let them down.”
JEREMY C. RUARK / THE CHIEF
Clatskanie-based social service Turning Point continues to serve the community while dealing with financial challenges. This is a photo of the agency’s thrift store on Highway 30.
Turning Point moving ahead despite financial challenges There are new developments in Turning Point’s financial crisis. The agency directors say the community and hard work by the staff and volunteers of this Clatskanie-based social service is making a positive difference. The following is a conversation with Turning Point’s Center Manager Tina Viuhkola. The Chief: Since the articles and column this past summer in The Chief outlining your agency’s financial challenges, has Turning Point made progress in easing its financial struggles and if so, how?
Viuhkola: Turning Point is doing better than last summer but the struggles remain the same. Our thrift store pays our rent and we are very appreciative that the community shops at our store to support us. We still rely heavily on donations to succeed. The Chief: At the same time we understand that those seeking services from Turning Point continues to increase. Can you provide us with the numbers of people you are serving, who they
See TURNING POINT Page A7