Love, Care, Serve
BY TRISH YERGES
WILDCAT CENTER GRAND OPENING September 25 A Team Accomplishment
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
The newly constructed multi-purpose Wildcat Center on the La Grande Middle School (LMS) campus is 95% complete and will be fully utilized in mid-September.
AN INVITATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT:
La Grande School District is deeply grateful to the La Grande community for your strong support of our schools. The passage of the bond and your continued partnership has been instrumental in bringing the Wildcat Center to life. This center stands as a testament to what we can accomplish together.
The completion of the Wildcat Center marks a significant milestone in the community’s commitment to enhancing educational facilities for their students. This multi-purpose space will not only enhance our educational programs but also serve as a hub for community activities.
I invite each of you to join us at the Wildcat Center’s grand opening on Wednesday, September 25th from 5 to 6:30 pm at 1108 4th Street. Come see firsthand how your support has transformed our school and will continue to benefit our students for years to come. Let’s celebrate this new chapter for La Grande Middle School together!
Mike Becker, owner of Mike Becker General Contractor, Inc., oversaw the building’s construction, which started with a groundbreaking in June 2023. Funding for the project came from the district’s General Obligation bond, which was passed in May 2022.
“I am very proud of what my team and subcontractors have achieved on the Wildcat Center project,” Becker said.
Mike Becker General Contractor, Inc. worked closely with Superintendent George Mendoza and the bond committee to maximize the space and energy efficiency of this facility.
“I feel we have accomplished this by following the industrial style that we used at the Eastern Oregon University Fieldhouse, a similar, but much larger structure,” Becker said.
According to Becker, the project has gone extremely well to date, even while facing minor supply chain issues and material cost inflation.
Becker attributes the success of this project to a true team effort. “Together with the La Grande School District staff, subcontractors, and suppliers we have created an exceptional facility with the limited resources available for this project,” Becker said. See Wildcat Center on
From the Superintendent’s Desk
Dear LGSD Families,
George Mendoza
LA
GRANDE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
It is with great excitement that I welcome all of our students, staff, families, and community members to the 2024-25 school year! As we get ready to embark on another school year together, I would like to share with you this year’s theme: “Together We Achieve”. Building on our good work from last year (“Impact”), we will focus on ways we can elevate the student experience in the classroom and activities through collective teamwork and unity from staff, students, families and community.
ACADEMICALLY:
“Together We Achieve” focuses on collaboration among teachers, students, and parents. Educators foster an inclusive environment and work with one another and parents to support diverse learning needs, while students are encouraged to embrace teamwork and active learning through group projects and activities. Parents play a crucial role by partnering with schools, staying informed, and participating actively in their children’s education. This collective effort ensures every student is supported and has the best chance of achieving academic success.
ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES:
“Together We Achieve” emphasizes the crucial role of teamwork, where success depends on the collective effort of all participants, including coaches, mentors, student participants and their families. Our staff foster a culture of cooperation, discipline, and mutual respect. Participants are encouraged to prioritize team goals over personal recognition, working collaboratively to secure victories and achieve group objectives. The school and broader community further bolster these efforts by providing essential resources, skill development, and collaboration that creates a unified and motivated environment that enhances the success of our programs.
FOR COMMUNITY SUCCESS
“Together We Achieve” highlights the important role schools play within the broader community, fostering engagement and cooperation with local businesses, Eastern Oregon University and many other safety and wellness organizations that support students and families. We need each other for the health, safety, and wellness needs of our community. Great schools happen because we have good physical and mental health, safety services, and strong businesses that help our economy. We have a need for collective action and shared responsibility to enhance the quality of life for all. It also drives long-term community success by developing well-rounded, responsible citizens who contribute positively to society. Ultimately, “Together We Achieve” celebrates the interconnectedness of individual and community success, valuing collaboration and collective effort across all aspects of our community life in La Grande.
As always, I enjoy seeing our students, staff and families thrive in our schools and community! Nothing excites me more than our school district students and community experiencing great success! Our success happens only when we support one another, especially when we prioritize the needs of our students so they reach their full potential.
Please explore our district and individual school websites to find essential back-to-school information. If you require any assistance or have questions, do not hesitate to reach out to your school offices or our district office. We are grateful for your partnership with our school district, “Together We Achieve”.
This publication serves as a platform to keep our community informed and connected to the school district. We appreciate your involvement and support. If you wish to contact me my phone number is 541-663-3201; email: george.mendoza@ lagrandesd.org
George Mendoza Superintendent
Ariel view of La Grande Middle School with the newly constructed Wildcat Center Wildcat
Wildcat Center continued from page 1
Jarod Teeter of Mike Becker General Contractor, Inc., was the project manager. He and his crew have been working on the site steadily over the last 15 months.
The Wildcat Center was built with six classrooms, three gyms, a big team room, and two locker rooms with one shower in each room. On the exterior, Teeter’s crew is building a retaining wall along M Street. Paving will be completed on the south and east side of the building, and the west side parking lot will be paved and striped.
Much has been accomplished in the time they were given, he said, considering they started tearing down the Annex on June 17, got it dug out, rock back in, and ready for paving now. All that work was done along with building the Wildcat Center.
To cap it off, LMS was painted grey and blue to match the Wildcat Center. Although not originally part of the scope of the Wildcat Center project, the district decided to take this opportunity to hire the same painter, Brooks Painting and Contracting of La Grande, to make the two buildings match in color.
PRINCIPAL’S APPRECIATION
Throughout the project, LMS Principal Chris Wagner worked closely with Mike Becker, Jarod Teeter and the project superintendents.
“I have nothing but complimentary things to say about our relationship with the construction company, and how they worked and communicated with us at every point in the project,” Wagner said. “They went above and beyond not only regarding communication but what they provided for the budget.”
Wagner also praised Superintendent George Mendoza, Assistant Superintendent Scott Carpenter, Plant Operations and Custodian Manager Brad Sunderman and the district’s finance department personnel for everything that was done to make sure all students were taken care of at every level.
“I’m beyond thankful to the district for making our middle school a priority,” Wagner said. “I also want to thank our community for passing the bond and allowing us the funds to pair with the OSCIM (Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching program) grant to be able to make this happen for our kids.”
According to LGSD, the Wildcat Center creates incredible opportunities for the students and the community. It has three gyms, which LMS is going to use for P.E. and different sports. The composite, multiuse floor can be used for basketball or any indoor sport that LMS needs.
Outdoor sports like track, baseball and others that at times can’t practice due to inclement weather will be able to practice in the Wildcat Center, too.
The building can also be used for community events, family events, eighth grade graduation, or big assemblies. Tables and chairs are available for such gatherings.
“The possibilities for this building in the future extend beyond what we can predict at this time. It is going to keep giving for generations to come,” Wagner said.
See you on September 25th!
IMPROVED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT La Grande High School Renovations
BY TRISH YERGES
Over the past year, the district has completed some needed renovations to La Grande High School (LHS) to give it a fresh, new appearance for this school year.
“The renovations are part of the school’s five-year maintenance plan,” LHS Principal Chelsea Hurliman said. “It’s nice to have a place where kids feel it’s clean, safe, and a welcoming environment.”
With the help of the Plant Operations and Custodian Manager Brad Sunderman and custodian Steve Leavitt, some necessary renovations were accomplished, resulting in a very inviting and improved learning environment for the kids.
LGSD’s five-year plan includes not only maintenance projects, but annual renovation goals, such as the progressive replacement of flooring as it ages. Next year, Hurliman hopes to get the school’s exterior upgraded with a fresh coat of paint.
“We are excited and happy with the work our maintenance and custodians have put in this year,” she said. “I’m excited for the kids to get here and look at the hard work that’s been done this year. I’m very proud of it.”
Likewise, Assistant Principal Eric Freeman said he is pleased with the improvements. He said last year they started renovating the music and art hallway, removing carpet and placing new flooring. The choir room and band room both have new carpeting, also, he said.
“We also put up new drywall and painted those walls, and we tore off the old paneling, so it is updated and brand new,” Freeman said. “It has a fresh look, crisper and cleaner and more conducive to hallway traffic with tile that matches all our other flooring.”
In addition, LHS installed a large chiller in the HVAC system to improve air conditioning in the building. New boilers are being installed in September, which will result in a fully functional, state-of-the-art HVAC system that will save the school money.
LGSD’s five-year plan includes not only maintenance projects, but annual renovation goals, such as the progressive replacement of flooring as it ages. Next year, Hurliman hopes to get the school’s exterior upgraded with a fresh coat of paint.
Several areas of LHS like the Commons, hallways and bathrooms received new paint. Mechanisms for American Disabilities Act (ADA) doors are installed, with doors to be installed this fall.
“This improves our ADA accessibility throughout the school, “Freeman said.
Another LHS upgrade was made to the library’s four large windows that had no blinds. New polyurethane window coverings were applied on the outside of the windows, allowing people outside to only see the Tiger logo, but allowing students in the library to see outside.
LHS’s parking was restriped and repainted with new student and staff parking spaces, handicap parking and signage.
Inside the school’s bathrooms, six additional HALO sensors were installed that detect and alert school administrators to loud noises, vaping or drug use. Now all LHS bathrooms are equipped with these sensors.
“We also added some security cameras upstairs in the Commons because we were down a few cameras there,” Freeman said. “The added cameras give us a little more viewing so that we can always have access to footage if we need it for safety purposes.”
In Room 17, the credit recovery lab, new flooring was laid, and a new white board was installed. The administrative and personnel office spaces have also been updated with new paint and new furniture.
Upcoming projects this fall include upgrading the outdoor courtyard with a volleyball court and basketball court, some student seating and public space. Any unfinished touch-up work will be completed next spring.
“We’re certainly appreciative of the way the district has budgeted for maintenance requests and projects to keep our facilities top-notch for students and a safe place for staff to work as well,” Freeman said.
Elementary School Success Plan
BY CALANDRA JOHNSON, SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Establish Routines
Set consistent routines for waking up, meals, reading time, brushing teeth and bedtime to help children transition back to school. Write them down on paper with your child and post it on the fridge.
Create
a School Spot
Pick an organized spot for schoolwork, class folders, backpack, lunch bag. Set a habit of checking items after school and reset as needed before bedtime to be ready for morning.
Develop Learning Habits
Introduce basic learning habits like breaking tasks into smaller chunks, setting time limits, and taking regular breaks. Make reading a routine part of their day. Encourage discussion about interesting topics and do a little research when curious.
Stay Connected
Regularly check-in with your child’s teacher and ask questions. Celebrate your child’s successes and address any issues right away. Connect to the ClassDojo App and check it regularly for announcements. Use it for home-toschool communication.
Encourage Social Skills
Be a role model for positive social interactions. Set boundaries in positive ways without shaming or blaming. Use Kelso’s Choices to teach them how to handle small problems with others. https://kelsoschoice.com/about/ for-parents/
Encourage Emotional Skills
Help them name their emotions. Describe what that looks like in the face and on the body. Do calming breaths with them as needed. Four seconds in... four seconds hold... four seconds out. Emotions can be controlled so teach them healthy ways to process them. Communicate and listen to your child with love and respect.
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING Students Build Tiger House
BY TRISH YERGES
La Grande High School students have been learning way beyond the walls of their classroom with the Tiger House project. This project-based learning project involves hands-on tasks that result in personal growth, satisfaction, and possibly a new career direction.
Superintendent George Mendoza has been passionate about this project. He recognized that La Grande didn’t have the housing that Grande Ronde Hospital and the community needed, and he wanted to make a positive impact that way. So, Mendoza and Assistant Superintendent Scott Carpenter worked with the federal government to secure a $515,000 grant to make the Tiger House project come to life.
Carpenter has been observing the work on the Tiger House since construction began last school year. He said that the exterior is painted now, and work is being done on the driveway and on pouring concrete.
“When the kids come back to school, they will be able to help put in flooring, install toilets and sinks and put the finishing touches on the home,” Carpenter said. “They will also be able to host an open house to showcase it prior to the sale to the Grande Ronde Hospital in late October.”
The general contractor for the Tiger House is GCT Land Management owned by Gust and Karen Tsiatsos, who work with Parker McKinley, LHS Construction Teacher, on the project.
“Parker helps make it so that everyday there’s a plan for what kids are learning and the skills they are developing on the construction site,” Carpenter said. “We’re very happy with Parker in how he’s worked with local contractors and subcontractors to have great experiences for kids in learning.”
Carpenter also acknowledged the contributions by local businesses through donations and their work to make sure this is a high-quality project.
AN OUTDOOR CLASS IN TRADES
LHS’s McKinley is leading his students in this trade-oriented learning experience.
“This is the first Tiger House that LHS students have built, and we started last August,” McKinley said.
Last year McKinley’s class spent about two hours on the building site each class day. It’s an outdoor classroom where the students get involved in all the phases of construction by working alongside the subcontractors. The students have learned about foundation work, concrete finishing, carpentry framing, door and window installation, and siding.
“We are trying to give them a full spectrum experience of home building, and over the course of a year, our goal is to start and finish a house so they can be involved in all parts of building,” McKinley said.
The students are now working on the interior of Tiger House, including getting the drywall done, then they will address the flooring and painting and do all the finish work. The building exposes the students to a wide variety of trades.
“It’s interesting to see how different trades appeal to different kids,” McKinley said. “Some of the kids got really excited
about working with the plumbers while others really liked the electrical work or the framing and carpentry and window installation.”
As this project winds up, McKinley is expecting receipt of the finalized plans for the second Tiger House project right next door. The complete duplex structure will be 3,200 square feet, and there will be a groundbreaking and staking of the property. Eventually, the two units of the townhouse duplex will bear the addresses 905 and 907 I Street in La Grande.
The academic prerequisites for participating in the Tiger House class includes a Woods class and an Intro to Construction class in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department at LHS. If students do well with those and they want to continue in this career pathway, then the Tiger House project is another step along the way for them.
The buyer for the first Tiger House project is the Grande Ronde Hospital. The district has partnered with them to supply temporary housing for healthcare professionals transitioning into the community or for traveling professionals working here for short periods of time. The district’s goal is for this to be a self-sustaining, annual project.
“The Tiger House project provides opportunities to expose kids to the trades and then send them out into the world with a set of skills,” McKinley said. “They can either jump into a workforce or have skills to take care of their own homes when they become homeowners.”
A SETTING FOR CAD LEARNING
The Tiger House project has offered CTE teacher Rhonda Calhoun the opportunity to take her CAD-II class of 19 sophomores, juniors, and senior students, to the Tiger House for some real-world applications in CAD-generated architectural plans.
The CAD-II software program is architectural and designbased. It utilizes a 3-D software program called Autodesk Revit, which is used by commercial architectural firms and interior designers. Autodesk Revit can streamline project management with instant revisions to plans when design clashes are detected, such as conflicting electrical and plumbing installations.
Calhoun said she is familiar with teaching the CAD-I engineering-based software and CAD-II architectural software for interior designers.
Calhoun took the students to the Tiger House to talk to the contractor and see sets of plans and what it would look like if they printed them out with Autodesk Revit. Students also learn that when they encounter a design problem, they must interview the client several times to learn what the client wants. In this process, the students learn that the building plans will change many times along the way until the client is satisfied.
“So, in this class, the students saw the 2-D set of architectural plans, and then they went to Tiger House to see the 3-D building itself,” Calhoun said.
Although the students are using an educational Revit program and not the actual commercial program, they are still learning a great deal about this type of engineering management.
“When the Tiger House is done this semester, we will return to the site to see its final construction,” Calhoun said.
DISTRICT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Grants & Programs at Work at LGSD
BY TRISH YERGES
Much of the work that the La Grande School District accomplishes is made possible through funding from grant awards and programs that are initiated by administrators like Superintendent George Mendoza and Assistant Superintendent Scott Carpenter.
WELLNESS GRANT
Last year in April, the district got a call from Jennifer Young, the School Wellness Policy Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Education.
She reached out to the La Grande School District because it was recommended to her as a district with a successful staff wellness program and focus on health and well-being of students.
“She asked if we wanted to participate in a national CDC grant,” Carpenter said. “We would be one of fifteen districts across the nation that really goes through and assesses the strength of our policies and programs and is able to share progress in improving the health outcomes for our staff and students.”
The project came with a $95,000 grant for five years. Carpenter said last year LGSD worked with Young at ODE on a fixed criteria in the wellness program; they will complete the last five of the eleven criterion in the CDC Wellness design. Carpenter said the grant has allowed the district to continue staff wellness and help with fourth and fifth grade athletics.
LGSD has also improved its food service program and social-emotional learning needs of students and staff. “We’re excited about the grant and its impact on our district,” Carpenter said. “We’re now in year two of the five-year grant.”
GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT
Another area the school district is focusing on is student growth and achievement. “We visited with our staff and looked at our district data on the growth and achievements of our students, and we’re making a strategic investment in terms of professional development, time and resources and growing in the area of response to intervention (RTI),” Carpenter said.
What that means is that the district is working on improving the way it intervenes with kids who have been taught a skill but still aren’t understanding it. Students may need more time, a different resource or another approach.
“We’ve written an RTI handbook, attended a conference, read the literature, and collaborated with our staff on best approaches,” Carpenter said. “We will be rolling that out this year across K-12.”
According to district administrators, stronger interventions can help teachers target where students have gaps and provide the right resource to help that student maintain grade-level skills.
MENTORSHIP OF NEW TEACHERS
The district is participating in a regional grant to strengthen mentorship of its new teachers.
Assistant Superintendent Carpenter said the district will provide significant professional development, experienced teachers will get paid to mentor new staff, and new teachers will participate in learning blocks and observe teaching in various schools across our region.”
The district is partnering with Intermountain Educational Service District to provide both the stipends and learning resources.
“One of the national trends is that teachers don’t stay in the profession long, so we’re excited to provide the best resources we can for beginning teachers, so they can have a great experience, and our kids can learn at high levels and feel supported as well,” Carpenter said.
GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
NEW AT THE HELM Educator returns as Greenwood principal
BY TRISH YERGES
La Grande School District (LGSD) is pleased to announce that Dr. Madi Koenig will be the new Greenwood Elementary School Principal for the 2024-25 school year.
Former Greenwood Principal
Jennifer Melendez accepted a new position in the Prairie City School District. Koenig has extensive work experience in Eastern Oregon and is no stranger to Union County. She and her family moved to La Grande in 2008 and currently reside in Summerville.
“I worked for InterMountain Education Service District for the past four years, and I spent quite a bit of time traveling to Pendleton and to all of our school districts in Eastern Oregon for that job,” Koenig said.
In 2021, she earned her administrator license through Lewis & Clark College. She started her doctorate, thinking initially that she wanted to go into educational policy and legislation. However, in that program, she was in company with school administrators, and the program emphasis was on being a school administrator.
“I kind of fell in love with it and ran with it ever since,” Koenig said.
Prior to her administrative roles, Koenig worked at LGSD as an elementary educator at Central and Greenwood schools, so it was an exciting opportunity to return to Greenwood as an administrator.
“I am personally delighted to welcome Madi back to our team. She has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and a profound commitment to supporting students, staff, and families,” Superintendent George Mendoza said. “Madi embodies great character, integrity, and values, perfectly aligning with our district’s core beliefs and strategic direction.”
Koenig officially started her new job at Greenwood on August 1, 2024. Her focus is on supporting the work started last year on impact teams and early literacy. Greenwood has a strong partnership with Eastern Oregon University (EOU) for tutoring and supporting teachers going through EOU’s Science of Reading Clinic.
Also, Koenig said she is going to dedicate a lot of her time to improving attendance at Greenwood, which has the lowest regular attender’s rate of LGSD’s three elementary schools.
Koenig will focus on partnering with community resources and the school’s resource officer to support a Greenwood attendance committee and support families who need a little extra help maintaining regular attendance.
Another focus for 24-25 is on mentorship and collaboration for beginner teachers. Koenig said the school has amazing veteran teachers and three new teachers this year “so we’ll do a lot of mentorships and making sure our beginner teachers have what they need to be successful.”
In terms of Greenwood’s future projects, Koenig is considering some playground projects in partnership with the Rising Stars program. She wants to increase inclusivity-based playground equipment and improve the safety of the playgrounds.
All parents who haven’t met Greenwood Principal Koenig yet and would like to do so, may call the school secretary, Shellie West, and make an appointment. Koenig looks forward to meeting all the Greenwood families.
Dr. Madi Koenig
FACILITIES REPORT La Grande School District Summer Projects
BY TRISH YERGES
Each summer, LGSD Facilities Supervisor Brad Sunderman and his crew start working on a lengthy list of maintenance projects and upgrades of the schools and grounds throughout the district.
“We did quite a bit of work this summer, and what projects we didn’t finish, we’ll work on this fall,” Sunderman said.
There were several big projects completed, and helping Sunderman were fifteen custodians, five maintenance and grounds workers and a food service worker.
OPERATIONS PLANT
Sunderman’s crew did some final projects the new operations plant on Adams Avenue, where the district’s maintenance department has been located since a year ago when the district tore down the old maintenance buildings.
“We erected a warehouse at the new operations plant, but it didn’t look that great from the street because of the racks with pallets on them,” he said.
So, the district invested in vinyl, designed and installed by CAM DeSigns LLC, bearing the theme of the school district, including the big La Grande logo in the middle and a representation of the district schools. On that property, Sunderman’s crew removed all the old commercial business signage and gave the property a clean, school district appearance.
The district also ordered a new walk-in freezer for food storage, which doubled its capacity for frozen food. This was something the food service director wanted to do to
ensure the district had sufficient food on hand in the wintertime in case the freeway closures prevented deliveries. Consequently, Sunderman said they are close to wrapping that project up and getting that freezer turned on.
WILDCAT CENTER/LMS
For the Wildcat Center at the middle school, Sunderman and his crew have helped the contractors with products, windows, doors, sport courts, and sports equipment.
“We made a lot of decisions on what goes into that building,” Sunderman said.
The other focus on that campus was painting the school to match the Wildcat Center, and that was completed in August.
“Now the campus flows, and they look good together,” Sunderman said.
The district also made improvements to the La Grande Middle School’s (LMS) athletic field by replacing multiple sprinkler heads. Sunderman’s workers also added a new American with Disabilities (ADA) ramp from the original building to the sports field.
“Where the new greenhouse is located, we tied that all together with an asphalt path, so now kids in wheelchairs can go from the middle school right into the greenhouse, which serves as an outdoor classroom,” he said.
The district is anticipating a new scoreboard for the LMS soccer field due to a partnership with Admiral Beverage NW of La Grande (Pepsi). While landscaping around the Wildcat Center, Sunderman’s crew had to move some of the soccer equipment, such as the practice
wall that soccer players kick against. Workers relocated the wall across the field, and it is getting a fresh coat of paint.
ISLAND CITY ELEMENTARY
The district replaced the asphalt on the playground, which was a collaboration between Plant Operations, Parent-Teacher Organization, and the Island City School.
“We have plans to replace the water heater soon and change it from electric to gas which will free up some of our electrical load there so we can do some heating and cooling expansion that we’re planning on,” Sunderman said.
The district also continued working on the walking path they started on last year and the workers did some more limbing, removing weeds, and moving gravel around. There are still one or two more stages of work to perform before that project is complete. “Laying pavement was cost prohibitive, so we’re not doing that,” he said.
LHS UPGRADES
This summer the district installed a new chiller, which is a cold-water, chilled loop with a big air conditioner outside that keeps the water cold. It circulates through the building, and began operating August 21.
Sunderman’s crew replaced the carpet in Room 17 and did a remodel in that space. There is a new refrigerator in the kitchen and a new dispenser and dishwasher.
Workers painted the Commons and the front
foyer and removed some of the old decals like the wall of fame. A set of doors in the entrance to the commons was removed to open the area and improve flow.
The school is getting new boilers converting from steam to a hot water system. The district will do the installation with the help of a consultant. The new boiler system will save the district money a high efficiency system. “We should save quite a bit on our gas bill,” Sunderman said.
GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY
The Rising Stars program is housed in a modular building at Greenwood. That building received new carpet and interior painting. Sunderman will put in new basketball hoops for the playground in the courtyard this fall. The courtyard will also receive a new playground set at the end of August, and workers will remove the old equipment.
This fall Greenwood will get some awnings installed and new basketball hoops in their gym.
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
Sunderman made some equipment purchases in the facilities and custodial departments, including new scrubbing machines, cordless backpack vacuums, and a Skyjack scissors lift used in painting high places and servicing lights.
La Grande School District continues to work on facilities projects to ensure safe and welcoming learning environments.
Island City Elementary playground
GROWTH & SUCCESS LGSD Food Service Doubled
BY TRISH YERGES
In the summer of 2023, La Grande School District officially took over the service of the summer food program, and Food Service Manager Lindsey Meinhard recently said the program is enjoying growing success.
“We have doubled the number of service sites this year, and served nearly twice as many lunches each day,” Meinhard said.
In summer 2023, LGSD served meals at two sites, one at Greenwood and one at Island City; but this past summer Pioneer Park and Central Elementary were added.
The big surprise for Meinhard and her staff this past summer was how popular the service was at Central Elementary School. “We weren’t really sure how that would turn out, but Central Elementary School became the second busiest site after Greenwood,” she said.
Meinhard attributes the success of the summer food program to how expensive groceries are and feeding children home all summer.
“I heard from a lot of families how relieved they were to have this help during the summertime,” Meinhard said. Each summer meal includes breakfast and lunch and food kids would eat without parental help or preparation. A typical meal includes a popular whole grain breakfast item like a bagel with cream cheese or the Pillsbury whole grain French toast and waffles, plus fruit and milk.
A typical lunch might include pizza wraps, which were served once a week because the kids liked them so well, she said. Also, Meinhard included different kinds of cold sandwiches made of turkey, ham, or salami, and different kinds of bread to make them more interesting.
“We really wanted to make the meals easy so that kids could
eat without needing help,” Meinhard said. “We have cookies on Fridays, something that makes the kids interested and wanting to come back.”
Most of those who picked up their food took it home to eat, but a few kids came over on their bicycles and took their lunch over to the school or park to eat. The added sites made it nice for some stay-at-home moms and dads to have a place to go in the middle of the day to eat lunch with their kids. Meinhard and her staff saw a lot of families come to the sites.
“That’s the nice thing about having more service sites because parents and kids could just stroll over to their neighborhood school,” Meinhard said.
She also changed the service time to cater to working parents, so this past summer the lunch pick-up time was changed to 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Some parents needed time to leave work at noon and get their kids over to the service site, so this time change helps them do this more conveniently.
“This past summer proved to us that the need is there, so next summer we’re thinking of opening another additional service site,” Meinhard said.
The district’s food service is financially stable and district’s food supplies are ample due to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This is a four-year cycle program, and the district must reapply for renewal next April.
“I am extremely confident that we’ll qualify as a district and be able to supply breakfasts and lunches for free at all of our schools,” Meinhard said.
Right now, the district has free breakfast and lunches through the 2024-2025 school year.
The state has lowered its poverty-level eligibility threshold so Meinhard said many more schools and districts in Oregon will meet that standard and be able to offer their students free breakfast and lunch at school.
Middle & High School Success Plan
BY CALANDRA JOHNSON, SCHOOL COUNSELOR
1. Set Academic Goals
Help your teen set realistic academic and personal goals for the school year. Discuss their aspirations and how they can work towards them. Have them write them down and post them where you all can see them. Avoid comparing their results with others. Celebrate and cheer successes no matter how small.
2. Promote Time Management
Encourage the use of planners or digital calendars to manage assignments, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments. Teach them how to prioritize tasks in order of deadlines and importance. Regularly check-in with them and look through their information with them for added support.
3. Support Independence
Allow teens to take responsibility for their own learning while providing guidance when needed. Encourage them to seek help from teachers and counselors. Use positive words to encourage them and avoid shaming or yelling. Teens respond well to written notes and texts, too. Use light-hearted humor when appropriate. Avoid sarcasm.
4. Monitor Academic Progress
Regularly review their grades and feedback from teachers. Download the ParentVUE App to view grades and school info. Discuss any challenges they’re facing and work together to find solutions. Ask specific questions in the evening: “What was one good thing about school today?” “On a scale of 1-10, how was your day?” “If you could change one thing that’s stressing you out, what would it be?”
5. Encourage Balance
Support a balanced lifestyle that includes time for academics, extracurricular activities, social interactions, and relaxation. Set boundaries or time limits on video games and smartphones. Emotions are more complex at this stage so build trust with your child. Buy a notebook and start a “Joint Journal” with them. You write on a page and put it under their pillow. They write back on the next page and put it under your pillow. Take a moment to calm your own emotions before addressing issues with your kid. Model love and respect.
SPORTS UPDATE Busy Fall Season with New Coaches
La Grande Middle School
The athletic departments at La Grande Middle School (LMS) and La Grande High School (LHS) have exciting developments to share with district families as they approach a busy 2024 fall season.
LMS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director DeAnna Williams enters her second year with the school district and is looking forward to utilizing the three gym courts at the Wildcat Center for athletic practice and physical fitness conditioning this year.
“Just to be able to play multiple games in one area will be really nice,” Williams said.
She also announced that there are two new coaches for seventh grade football this year, both well-known in the community, Rich McIlmoil and Klel Carson.
Also, last year Superintendent George Mendoza approved a lease agreement with Armorzone Athletic, which will supply LMS with leased football helmets that are regularly maintained for safety. Williams said that it incurs more cost, but in the end, it keeps the kids safer.
“We do not recertify or use the old helmets at their max capacity,” Williams said, “so these helmets are given to a company where they put in the pads and make sure they are a great fit, and they are always new. So, we are excited about that.”
Through Armorzone, the LMS athletic department will have newer equipment rotating in and out all the time. “Armorzone also offers a clinic where they would come in and fit certain kids if we ask them to, which is fantastic,” Williams said.
There is a new line-up of volleyball coaches at LMS. For sixth grade volleyball the new coaches are Kate Dunlap and Jen Wilcox; for seventh grade, the coaches are Adria Dixon and Katie Stone; and for eighth grade, the coaches are Cassidy Hisgen and Kali McNally.
In cross-country, the coaches are Ali Kretschmer and her new assistant, Jill Pedro. Jill has been a long-time volunteer for nearly two decades for Little League, cross country, and track, and now she is an official assistant coach.
Williams has set goals for the LMS athletic program, including developing great habits, increasing self-discipline and intrinsic motivation, and team building. It is important to Williams that students try to become their very best.
For the coaches it is important to build community and encourage goal setting, balancing student academic performance with sports. Students must maintain a C average in their academic work to participate in the LMS sports program.
“Grades are first and foremost,” Williams said.
Williams said she is looking forward to the fall season and based on last year’s enrollment numbers, she anticipates about 50 kids participating in football, 65 kids in volleyball and 75 kids in cross country. She is also looking forward to using the Wildcat Center for team practice, warm-ups, and physical conditioning.
LMS athletic students are being prepared now for success in high school sports through mentorships with LHS student athletes. The coaches are also putting their student athletes through certain drills to develop necessary skills they will need to be competitive and successful in the LHS athletic program.
BY TRISH YERGES
La Grande High School
LGSD Athletic Director Darren Goodman is in his seventh year with the district, and he is looking forward to the fall season as well.
“We are looking forward to Dalton Sheets’ second year as head coach of our football team, and so we’re excited and looking forward to some improvement from last year,” Goodman said.
In cross country, La Grande Tigers were runners-up for state last year, and so they have a strong team with three of their top runners returning. Goodman said he is excited for them to be competing for another state title this year.
The volleyball team has been working hard all summer, and girls’ soccer numbers are good. “We expect a strong season from them,” Goodman said.
LHS has three coaches in their second and third years of coaching. It’s a young coaching staff, and Goodman is excited about that.
THE RUN-DOWN OF COACHES INCLUDES:
• Dalton Sheets (football)
• Caleb Rainsberry (boys’ soccer)
• Chris Gianandrea (girls’ soccer)
• Alma Crow (cross country)
• Melinda Becker-Bisenius (volleyball)
• Kimberly Westenskow (cheer)
Looking back, Goodman said that including school activities and multiple different sports, La Grande has earned 12 state championships in the last six years he’s been with the district.
“That’s more than any team in our league or a combination of all three teams in our league,” Goodman said. “I’ve been blessed here with some great coaches, great staff and great people.”
In a community the size of La Grande, Goodman said that youth sports, middle school programs, and good coaches all play an important role in preparing students to play high school sports.
“It’s really a team effort between parents, the community, the middle school and us,” he said.
Mary E. Nelson Photography
Mary E. Nelson Photography