Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Police arrest Jackson Elementary arson suspect Counterfeit ringleader, co-conspirators sentenced Man sentenced in Highway 66 chase case GMO opponents ask for seat at defense table High winds, floods possible from incoming storms Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Police arrest Jackson Elementary arson suspect Counterfeit ringleader, co-conspirators sentenced Man sentenced in Highway 66 chase case Fire destroys Applegate trailer Emergency services, Feb. 4 Politics and Elections Kent Bush: Fraud kept alive by the left and right Walden sets town halls on Friday Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Education SOU board names officers, committees SOU students targeted in Drive Less campaign Parent files discrimination complaint against Ashland schools Some gains, some losses Medford reconsiders full-day kindergarten Environment Commercial users can get rid of pesticide waste for free Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills Commissioners won't object to BLM road closures Mt. Ashland Ski Area crew dips to five Public sounds off on gas pipeline State News Senate committee advances Oregon low-carbon fuels bill Oregon hemp farmers can plant in spring UO students' cricket flour might put chirp in your step Oil prices raise questions about Coos Bay LNG plant Oregon class-action lawsuit bill advances Nation - World Obituaries Jeanette �Jean� Stewart Carol Jerome Glenn C. McBride Gwendolyn Honnold Orvey Olan Hunter Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Raiders ink 40 on signing day Olson to Montana highlights local signing day commitments Andersen's scramble yields Oregon State prospects QB Waller is official as Ducks wait on Adams Syracuse self-imposes postseason ban Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders ink 40 on signing day Andersen's scramble yields Oregon State prospects QB Waller is official as Ducks wait on Adams Syracuse self-imposes postseason ban Signing day brings Ducks a new quarterback prospect Pro Sports Lopez's return ignites Portland in victory Quinn lays out plan for Falcons Warriors rip Kings behind big first half In a first, Madden accurately predicts score Judge removes juror from Hernandez murder trial Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Harry & David helps grow revenue for 1-800-Flowers Ride & Drive: The 2015 BMW M4 Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: Home loan rates continue to fall, applications soar People In Business People in Business Transportation The heart of Brammo will remain Want to be an investor? Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Medford airport traffic flies to new heights Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Kent Bush: Fraud kept alive by the left and right Letters to the Editor, Feb. 4 Our View: A gesture, but one worth making Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote Letters to the Editor, Feb. 3 Editorials Our View: A gesture, but one worth making Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote Our View: Wood-fired steam plant at SOU makes sense Other Views: Nothing to see here; move along Our View: Improving graduation rates isn't easy Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 4 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 3 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 2 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 1 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 30 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you Guest Opinion: Market forces work against LNG project's success Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose gas pipeline A fair shot for all: addressing our low-wage crisis Lifestyle Latest stories Landscape lighting for beauty, safety and value 5 Things to Do This Weekend (Feb. 6-8) Lost in Suburbia: When the shoe is on the other cellphone Dear Monty: First time home buyer seeks differences in housing lifestyles Dave Ramsey: Keep flood insurance? Food Cupcake love affair Fish stew is a winter delight Community blog: Bone broth on hand makes for effortless flavor Food for Thought: Sweet potatoes are a versatile vegetable Gail Ciampa: Spinach contains an alphabet of vitamins Home and Garden Landscape lighting for beauty, safety and value Dear Monty: First time home buyer seeks differences in housing lifestyles Home Help: 3 upgrades sure to turn kitchen time into quality time Dear Monty: Is a home ‘trade-in’ a good idea? Buying a home? Consider its walkability Health Community blog: Five "Must Haves" Health Watch: Don’t let your fitness resolutions fizzle out Community blog: Toxic Love: How to Identify an Abusive Relationship Community blog: A Higher Walk To Better Health HealthStyle: Are you in an unhealthy relationship? Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Religion briefs Old stained-glass windows face threats Milestones and Achievements 50 years and counting: Bulebar Wedding: Lindsey-Maria Rios New arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Eric Johnson and Mike Stern at The Rogue Theatre Theater Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Music Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Jesse Cook plays the Craterian Theater Shybo Torres plays South Stage Cellars Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Trio Valtorna plays SOU Music Hall Community Events Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label A look at the life and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. Dining Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Patty Groth's Morning Glory is still a delight Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Police arrest Jackson Elementary arson suspect ... 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs ... Counterfeit ringleader, co-conspirators sentenced ... Police arrest Jackson Elementary arson suspect ... 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs ... Counterfeit ringleader, co-conspirators sentenced ... GUEST OPINION Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you Comment By Ron Anderson MailTribune.com By Ron Anderson Posted Feb. 1, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Ron Anderson Posted Feb. 1, 2015 @ 12:01 am Only Online: School Board goals for 2014-2015 --> 1. Extend student learning beyond proficiency by encouraging all students to attain mastery of all Oregon State Academic Standards. We want our students not only to meet academic standards, b... » Read more X Only Online: School Board goals for 2014-2015 1. Extend student learning beyond proficiency by encouraging all students to attain mastery of all Oregon State Academic Standards. We want our students not only to meet academic standards, but also to grow beyond minimum levels of proficiency. 2. Promote a school environment in which all students find connections, meaning, and understanding in their daily school experiences. Secondary students will be affiliated and connected to school pathways (sequences of courses, programs, co-curricular activities, post-secondary connections) of their choosing, in which they express interest and find relevance. 3. Ensure that each elementary student reads at grade level by the end of third grade. Beginning in kindergarten, all students will be assessed in reading and will be provided with any and all necessary instruction and interventions to ensure each student reads at grade level by the end of the third grade. 4. Accelerate the learning for all students who perform below grade level, bringing them up to grade level by the end of the school year. All struggling students will be afforded the opportunity to receive specific, focused and individualized interventions to ensure they perform at grade level in all academic areas by the end of the school year. Further, we expect Special Education students to meet all Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals each year. We expect English Language Learners (ELL) to make at least a year’s growth in language acquisition and exit the ELL program in at most five years. We expect ELL students who exit the ELL program at the end of seventh grade to graduate from high school in four years. 5. Increase the graduation rate. A high school diploma is a foundational credential. We want our students to complete a rigorous and focused academic program of studies, earn a credentialed diploma whereby each student can earn dual credit, articulated credit, or an industry certification, and have a credible working plan for their growth and training at the post-secondary level. We expect an annual district graduation rate of 80 percent by 2017, 90 percent by 2020, and 100 percent by 2025.   » Social News Wanted: Enthusiastic community minded citizens who want to help provide Medford children the education they deserve. Must be generalists with a commitment to the children and youth of our community, but hopefully not ideological or with a one-note agenda. Needs to be able to be collaborative, and recognize the difference between administrator and policymaker, willing to steer clear of micro-management, but also willing to speak clearly for the constituents: the students and parents of this community. Must consider academic skills and proficiency the highest priority, willing to be a cheerleader for creativity and the extraordinary efforts of the teachers and staff. Job requires many hours, with no pay other than the satisfaction of seeing the Medford education system become better and better. Those who like the status quo need not apply. I write this “want ad” with a bittersweet tinge. Having had the opportunity to serve on the Medford 549c School District Board of Education for almost four years, I have decided not to run for another term. Not because I haven’t found it rewarding — far from it — but because, if I should successfully run again, I’d complete my second term in my 81st year. Enough said. But, oh, how exciting these next four years will be! It will no doubt be a stimulating adventure for those elected when so many remarkable changes are about to transpire. Our new Superintendent, Dr. Brian Shumate, has begun a visionary path that in my opinion will be transformative. With his leadership and encouragement of our excellent teachers and staff, and — most important —with the policy direction and support of the new board, we will see changes that will help make Medford School District one of the best, if not the best, in the state. We have committed, capable, caring teachers, administrators and support service people who often do not get the recognition they deserve. The new board members need to be “in their corner,” personally recognizing and validating their successes. The board does not need toxic shotgun critics. Consider how the following might impact the graduation rate, as well as the lives of our students, and ponder if you want to help make these happen: 1. Let’s give every student an opportunity to pursue individual pathways that lead to recognized diplomas for their specialty and skill set. These pathways may include engineering, medicine, business/information technology/e-commerce, digital art, visual and performing arts, advanced manufacturing/welding/machine tool, human services, education and construction trades. 2. Through these pathways, let’s make it possible for students to get dual credit and provide a “leg-up” in college; or some type of industry certification that will make graduates immediately employable with living wage jobs. 3. Proficiency. Not a buzzword. May the new board be committed to have every student demonstrate minimum standards of proficiency in reading, writing, math, science, social sciences, and also insist there be an atmosphere that stimulates excellence and allows students to excel far beyond the minimum. 4. The new board needs to encourage success for those who often find themselves lost in the shuffle. Every student needs to find their school a place where they are recognized, valued and validated — a place where they want to be! Caring adults, working together with purpose, direction and support is the key. 5. The new board can set a tone of respect, integrity, civility and for gentleness, recognizing that all students, staff, and community members involved in the learning experience have worth and a story to tell. 6. The new board will oversee the expansion of pre-school and kindergarten education, so all Medford children will be reading at grade level by the end of third grade. 7. Hopefully, the new board will provide and expand the support services that help students and families deal with the many emotional, economic and physical health challenges that prevail in our community. If you find these challenges the direction you wish to see the district take, I encourage you to contact the Jackson County Clerk’s Office and submit your paperwork to run for a seat on the board. The opening day for submitting your application is Feb. 9. The last day is March 19. If elected, you will spend a great deal of time listening, and most likely will experience some stresses and occasional push-back — always the case if you are a change agent. But I assure you it will be an exciting adventure that provides great satisfaction when you help hand out diplomas on Graduation Day. Ron Andersen has been a Medford 549c School Board director since 2011.   By Ron Anderson MailTribune.com By Ron Anderson Posted Feb. 1, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501