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3 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 Emergency services Living with wildlife Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Expect up to two-hour delays on I-5 near Cottage Grove on Sunday Anonymous local makeup artist dolled up Monica for trial Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Medford robbery suspect arrested after pursuit in Bend Dispose of documents and prescription drugs safely on Saturday Emergency services Teenager struck, killed by pickup Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. 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Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Agriculture Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Letters to the Editor, April 24 Michael Gerson: 'The Road to Character' starts with humility Arthur I. Cyr: Japan-U.S. trade deal advances, with Pacific and global significance Letters to the Editor, April 23 Editorials Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Our View: Public's right to film police should be protected Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Other Views: Delay edible marijuana products for safety Our View: The rule of law vs. armed confrontation Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 24 Letters to the Editor, April 23 Letters to the Editor, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 21 Letters to the Editor, April 20 Columns Michael Gerson: 'The Road to Character' starts with humility Dana Milbank: The right's new claim: same-sex marriage is deadly Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Esther Cepeda: What happens in Latin America should be reported Kathleen Parker: Presidential election 2016: The woman trap Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Fishing Report: Friday, April 24 Get Out: Friday, April 24 View from above Untold stories of the dark-eyed junco Food Community blog: Oregon Breweries to grow or seriously to grow? The joy of true wasabi Season Stepp: Veggie treat hidden deep inside artichokes Tammy Kelly: The South’s favorite side dish — slaw Community blog: Steep, don't smother, chilaquiles in red chili sauce Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Paul Rogers: Enjoy convenience of container gardening Home Help: 3 quick, easy kitchen and bath upgrades Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth Health Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Brent St. Germain: One year and counting Community blog: The Healing Power of Nature Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Alba's Edge at Headwaters in Ashland Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Britt adds Watkins Family Hour concert with Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Fiona Apple and others Theater 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland Music Alba's Edge at Headwaters in Ashland Britt adds Watkins Family Hour concert with Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Fiona Apple and others Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Community Events Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Movies Movie review: ‘Ex Machina’ is the droid you’re looking for Movie review: Fairly smooth sailing for ‘The Water Diviner’ Movie review: ‘Age of Adaline’ is sweet but a little sloppy Movie review: Powerful, tense kidnapping story ‘24 Days’ delivers a strong message Movie review: Crowe’s historical drama ‘The Water Diviner’ isn’t divine, but it’s pretty darn good Dining Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District ... Saving money, making money with trout ... Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute ... Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District ... Saving money, making money with trout ... Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute ... EDUCATION Needs improvement Medford School Board raises issues in Valley School's charter proposal By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 23, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 23, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> There was standing room only Monday night at the Medford School Board meeting, where nearly 100 community members gathered to show their support for The Valley School of Southern Oregon, a proposed Montessori-based public charter school for sixth- through eighth-graders. But in a work session before the hearing, the Medford School Board expressed concerns that Valley School organizers didn't have enough money to start a school, hadn't budgeted for technology and appeared to be trying to "skim for cream" of gifted students for their enrollment — concerns organizers promised to address in the coming weeks. About a dozen parents, educators and youths spoke during the public hearing, and some submitted letters from others who could not be present. “Just as the one-size-fits-all mentality doesn't make sense in the world of tennis shoes and swimwear, it doesn't make sense in education,” said mother Cecily Spencer. Although all five of her children attend schools in the Medford School District, Spencer said one of her sons would benefit from the project-based learning and individualized instruction provided under a Montessori education. “I’m inexpressibly hopeful at the prospect of sending my son to The Valley School,” she told the School Board. District officials accepted The Valley School’s third charter proposal April 3. The 519-page proposal, which is available for review on the district’s website, includes the school’s mission, curriculum overview, enrollment policies and proposed budget. According to its organizers, The Valley School would offer a middle-school experience that emphasizes project-based learning strategies and science, technology, engineering and math curriculum and would encourage students to take responsibility for their education. They hope to open the school next fall to 75 middle-schoolers. The Montessori model promotes a love of learning, engages students who would otherwise be bored in a traditional classroom setting and allows students to learn at their own pace, said educators from Medford Montessori School during the public hearing. Other community members said a public Montessori middle school would enrich the community through the students' volunteer work and would provide an option for parents of gifted students who couldn't afford private school or commit to homeschooling their child. Mike Bowman of Talent, the ex-husband of Andrea Dabbs-Partsafas, chairwoman of The Valley School Board, said his fifth-grade son attends Abraham Lincoln Elementary and has been identified by the district as a talented and gifted student. “He is bored,” Bowman said Tuesday. “He is not challenged. I don’t want to blame anyone for that, but there are other models out there. “It’s one thing to learn angles and measurements, but it’s another thing to build something,” he said. “Project-based learning really works.” The Medford board now has until May 20  — 30 days from the public hearing — to decide whether to sponsor a three-year charter with the school. In the work session before the hearing, the Medford School Board told members of The Valley School board and steering committee they were concerned that the proposal and intent-to-enroll form seemed to “skim for cream,” or target families of TAG students, private school students and students with Montessori experience. “We definitely don’t want to skim for cream,” said Amy Maukonen, founder and director of the proposed school. “We want to provide a Montessori experience for more students.” “That definitely did not come across,” responded Medford School Board Chairman Jeff Thomas, who described the language as “exclusive.” “For me, there would have to be a lot of changes before I would even consider a ‘yes’ vote,” he said. Board member Tricia Prendergast said that while she likes the Montessori-style of education, The Valley School's proposal seemed to invite “students with strong capabilities,” while just meeting the requirements for disadvantaged students. “I just want some assurance that if there is this charter school that its population will look like the population at all of our other schools,” she said Tuesday. The six-page letter of intent, which asks parents whether their child has had experience in a Montessori classroom and what aspects of the Montessori teaching style will benefit their child, also could be a barrier for some families, she said. Dabbs-Partsafas reminded the board that the letter of intent is not an application and that enrollment will be decided by a "blind" public lottery. The school’s steering committee and board also have translated their materials into Spanish for English Language Learners and got feedback from the Southern Oregon Education Service District regarding migrant education, among other things. Medford board members also felt that the school’s current balance of nearly $25,000 and start-up goal of $66,000 was insufficient. “I’m not sure how they are going to be able to secure a location, remodel the location, furnish the location and buy all the technology … and have enough for several months of payroll,” Thomas said Tuesday. The Valley School's board members explained that several grants are contingent on the school getting district sponsorship, and community members may not be willing to invest in a school until they know their child will be enrolled there. Nonetheless, Dabbs-Partsafas said Valley School supporters would continue to appeal to the community for additional funding. The school expects to receive a percentage of its state funding this summer but is clarifying the timeline with the Oregon Department of Education. Medford board member Sally Killen said that not enough had been budgeted for computers and other technology necessary for implementing a strong STEM program. The Montessori grading practice of awarding an M for "mastery," PR for "progressing toward mastery," EM for "emerging skill," and NE for "not exposed" would make it difficult to calculate the students' grade point averages when they transfer to another school, she said. Killen was informed that students who transfer would be awarded a B-average. During the public hearing, Dabbs-Partsafas asked that the board wait to vote on the proposed charter until its May 18 meeting to give The Valley School’s board time to update and clarify several pieces of its proposal and the Medford School Board time to consider the proposal. “I’m grateful they (Medford School Board members) are being very thoughtful about this,” Dabbs-Partsafas said Tuesday. “We were expecting them to be a tough audience, and we were looking for some feedback. But it’s difficult to be in the hot seat. “We’re hoping that the community support last night, and our willingness to take their concerns seriously, will show them that we want a partnership with them,” she added. Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or by email at [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 23, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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