Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Category Archives: Schools

Vernon parade takes greetings to students

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Schools

More than 50 Vernon School staff members – in more than 40 vehicles – toured the neighborhood April 17 to raise the spirits of their students – and themselves.

School closed March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The school community learned April 9 that schools won’t reopen before the end of the academic year.

Countless students and their families observed social distancing recommendations at their curbs and in Alberta Park. They wore face masks and waved home-made and printed school signs at the passing cars.

The parade was organized by Aimee Havens, 6th grade language arts and literature teacher. The parade was especially bittersweet for 1st grade teacher Kristi Kucera. She retires in June after 21 years teaching at the school.

“I burst into tears midway along the route,” she reported. “I realized the parade was the closest I would get to say good bye and hug the multitude of students.”

Photos by Lloyd Kimmeldorf and Mandy Davis.

Madison project sends students to Marshall

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Schools

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

Madison High School’s entrance will take on a new look when the school reopens in 2021. While a workforce peaking at 300 transforms the
campus, students will attend classes in the Marshall High School building 3.8 miles to the south. Art courtesy of Portland Public Schools

In a few weeks Madison High School students will pack their schoolbags and head to classes – at Marshall High School. In the meantime, the Madison building is two months into 24 months of renovation and modernization.

The $201.5 million for the project was approved by voters in 2017, along with funds for projects at Kellogg Middle School, and Lincoln and Benson high schools.

“Madison’s proposed modernization will completely reconfigure and update learning spaces with a focus on indoor environmental quality, sustainability and historic preservation,” reported Harry Esteve, Portland Public Schools communications director.

Major items in the project are:

  • Cafeteria, commons and an atrium will connect all major wings and three classroom levels to the main entrance.
  • Science labs will consolidate near the front of the school.
  • Performing arts will move into a stateof-the-art music and theater facility.
  • Community resources will continue to include a child care center, clinic and food pantry.
  • Athletics facilities will feature an entirely new gym building with a 1,700-seat main gym, auxiliary gym, weight room, wrestling/dance room and a new softball field.
  • Career technical education specialty labs – for digital design, engineering, robotics, digital art, biomedical, sculpture, construction and sustainable agriculture – will adjoin new maker space.

Square footage of the school buildings will be 292,000, an increase of 170,000 square feet to accommodate 1,700 students. Enrollment in the 2017-18 school year was 1,146.

General contractor is Fortis Construction Inc., a local, employee-owned firm. Fifty subcontractors and many more second-tier subcontractors will provide a workforce expected to peak at 300.

As for the students during the next two years, assistant vice principal Lajena Broadous said only the Marshall building will be different.

“The same great Madison teachers, staff and programs will be there. There’s even a new turf field and track.”

Depending on where they live, students will use private and/or public transit to commute to Marshall, 3.8 miles south of the Madison campus.

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

Local students illustrate book

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Schools

By Karen Lotts | CNA Media Team

Vernon Elementary School fourth graders collaborated with Ethiopian literacy advocates to produce a book. It’s available now on Amazon.com but, more to the point, it’s being distributed to children in Ethiopia. Art reprinted with permission from Open Hearts Big Dreams Fund.

A group of Vernon Elementary School students are officially published illustrators thanks to a collaboration between their fourth grade classes and authors/Ethiopian literacy advocates Jane and Caroline Kurtz.

The students’ drawings appear in the children’s book “Home,” written by the Portland-based Kurtz sisters. It tells a story of immigration framed in a tale about white storks that migrate annually from Europe to Ethiopia.

The text is written in both English and Amharic, one of the three main languages spoken in Ethiopia.

According to the sisters, who grew up in Ethiopia, children’s literature is just taking root in that country. There are still limited options for beginner books that both appeal to children and are written in Ethiopian languages.

To help meet this need, Jane co-founded the nonprofit Ethiopia Reads 20 years ago and in 2016 began writing stories for Ethiopian children learning to read. Jane and Caroline now volunteer as creative directors for Ready Set Go Books, a project of the Seattle-based nonprofit Open Hearts Big Dreams.

They have collaborated previously with community volunteer illustrators through churches or community college art programs. The project with Vernon came to life last spring when teacher Marie McMahon asked the sisters if they’d be interested in her students contributing to their next book.

“When my students heard that they could be a part of making a difference in other children’s lives by increasing access to literacy, they were immediately on board,” Marie said.

During a presentation at Vernon, Jane and Caroline spoke to the students about growing up and going to school in Ethiopia and the importance of these books to the young readers there.

Art reprinted with permission from Open Hearts Big Dreams Fund.

In the pursuit of authenticity, the students then researched Ethiopian landscapes and white storks before meeting with volunteer illustrator Jordy Farrell, from Ready Set Go Books, who offered illustration tips.

Using additional background art from a previous collaboration with students in Beaverton and combining it with the illustrations from Vernon students, a colorful book was ready to be published online and printed in Ethiopia.

The Vernon community has reacted warmly to the philanthropic project, and gathered recently at Cafe Eleven for the debut of the book and copies signed by the student illustrators.

“As a published author, I face incredible odds…a hard craft journey…and the payoff is in seeing readers connect with my books,” Jane said. “I think something similar happened with these students.”

The books are available through Amazon.com. Involvement opportunities can be found via EthiopiaReads.org and OpenHeartsBigDreams.org.

Karen Lotts is a local freelance writer who helps local small businesses and nonprofits connect with their audiences through copywriting. She can be reached at KarenLotts.com.

The more things change, they stay the same

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, History, Schools

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Gordon Hood and Medina Keita share several things in common, including their love for Vernon School. Photo by Marsha Sandman

Thursday, Oct. 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Vernon School will celebrate its 111th anniversary with an open house. All are welcome.

The school’s motto “I Believe. I Belong. I Become,” is as true today as it was in 1931 when Gordon Hood entered the school among the first students in the newly rebuilt school.

The old Vernon School had been an impressive all-wood structure that was built in 1907. It was destroyed by arson in 1932. At that time, there were about 500 students enrolled. There are currently 526 students at the new Vernon School, which was built in 1931 for $259,198.

Medina Keita, 12 years old, is a bright, charming and creative 7th grader at Vernon School today. She visited recently with Gordon, a 92-year-old Vernon School alumnus who has fond memories and a sharp wit.

One would expect vast differences in school experiences. However, the opposite was true.

Although Gordon was not able to speak as specifically as Medina, there were many similarities in their Vernon experiences. Both have/had favorite teachers and classes, a fondness for their school and classmates, and a dislike of the cafeteria food.

Today Vernon school is involved in an International Baccalaureate (IB) program which teaches world awareness and social issues that are detrimental to humanity. That’s a heavy burden for a preteen old, but one that teaches students to be more open minded.

“The principle of the IB school is to challenge yourself as a learner,” Medina said.

Gordon moved to Concordia and attended Vernon from 1931 to 1937. As the result of the 1929 stock market crash, his father had lost their home and business. The Great Depression lasted until the late 1930s, and was the most widespread depression of the 20th century.

Gordon said his family moved to an apartment in Concordia that cost $12.50 per month. He left Concordia when his family purchased a home near Broadway for $2,800.

In spite of his family’s hardships while Gordon attended Vernon, he remarked that it was a great school with great teachers.

With a twinkle in his eye he said he was a bit of a friendly troublemaker but “Gordy Hood never had it so good.”

Both Medina and Gordon face social challenges with dignity. One could say the more things change the more they stay the same.

After living east, south, north and west, Marsha Sandman is home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@ gmail.com.

STEAM Night at Vernon

Posted on by Posted in Events, Schools

STEAM Night at Vernon Sept 29, 6-8pm

Date: Thursday, September 29

Location: Vernon IB World School | 2044 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211

Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm

Please Save the Date for one of our most active, fun, hands-on family nights of the year! STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Night brings together a variety of wonderful community partners and presenters ranging from OMSI to Mad Science, and a variety of teacher/parent led activities including Art, Robotics, Garden activities, and even a little Pokemon Go! Save the date and we hope to see you there!

 

Concordia University, PPS, Faubion School and Trillium Family Service team up via 3 to PhD

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Schools

By Sarah Sweitzer, Dean, College of Health & Human Services, Concordia University & Karen Morgan, Visiting Assistant Professor of Exercise & Sport Science, Concordia University

Program aims to provide health & wellness for student, community success

Progress is underway on construction of the new Faubion School + Concordia University facility. This collaborative effort – known broadly as “3 to PhD®” – will open in fall 2017. Partners include Concordia University, Portland Public Schools’ Faubion School and Trillium Family Services. The vision is to create safer, healthier, and more educated communities. This article focuses on the “health” part of this vision.

Input from community members, teachers and school leaders identified a strong vision which included the need for health and nutrition education and services. Health and nutrition was deemed so integral to students’ ability to learn and thrive that, in response, the west wing on the first floor of the new building will be dedicated to developing a culture of wellness. 3 to PhD uses the latest research in nursing, social work, psychology, nutrition, and exercise and sports science.

Health and wellness efforts are already underway, including:

Concordia’s College of Health & Human Services and Faubion School created a Youth Advisory Council on health and wellness, thanks to a grant from Kaiser Permanente. This group held a Spirit Week, and advocated for schoolbased health centers at the Oregon State Capitol.

Concordia students worked with Faubion students and held their own version of the Food Network’s series “Chopped” to promote healthy cooking, with help from Pacific Foods of Oregon, a major 3 to PhD collaborator.

Trillium Family Services provides a full time behavioral health specialist at Faubion, through innovative mental health promotion funding through the state of Oregon.

Concordia social work students engaged with local schools and churches to survey community members about health and fitness needs, thanks to a grant from United Way of the ColumbiaWillamette.

A free community seminar series focused on Senior Healthy Aging was launched, thanks to support from The Jackson Foundation, which included foot care, scam prevention, and more.

Concordia students helped facilitate Faubion recess games and fitness awareness and testing.

To address food insecurity, a backpack program, started by nursing students at Concordia and supported by Pacific Foods, has expanded from long weekends to also include holidays and summer.

Ongoing community input and engagement will be integral to continuing and expanding these health and wellness efforts. We want to hear from you! Please share your thoughts at CHHS@cu-portland.edu.

Learn more about 3 to PhD, or visit FaubionBond.pps.net.

The new Faubion PK- 8/Concordia University building breaks ground under sunny skies

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Concordia News, Schools

More than 400 students, educators, elected officials, and community members gathered on the warm, sunny morning of April 7 to break ground and celebrate the development of a signature new facility for education in Portland.

“This is how we turn hope into opportunity,” said City of Portland Mayor Charlie Hales.

The new building will combine Portland Public Schools’ Faubion School and the Concordia University College of Education. In addition, Trillium Family Services joins them in collaborating to create 3 to PhD® – a new model for education that aims to create safer, healthier and more educated communities.

Prior to the Groundbreaking Ceremony much construction has happened at the Faubion site. In February demolition crews took down the old building to make way for the new, and within a couple of weeks the buildings were gone. All scrap metals were recycled, thousands of bricks will be reused and all the asphalt and concrete are being recycled and reused on site. At the end of February construction began with foundations for the new building being poured. As March came to an end more foundations were prepared for pouring and seismic sheer walls began to rise from the ground.

Social media, crowdfunding bring Chromebooks to Faubion School students

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Family, Schools
Faubion School teacher Gabrielle Quintana, center, with two students at an outdoor school program. Quintana recently raised around $1,100 for class room technology through social media and crowdfunding efforts. Submitted photo
Faubion School teacher Gabrielle Quintana, center, with two students at an outdoor school program. Quintana recently raised around $1,100 for class room technology through social media and crowdfunding efforts. Submitted photo

There’s much talk about crowdfunding in business –it’s a way to raise small amounts of money from many “investors” or donors. An enterprising Faubion PK-8 sixth grade teacher recently put this fundraising tool to work to raise money for technology in her classroom, spreading the word via social media platform Nextdoor.com. Her project was fully-funded to the tune of around $1,100 within just a few days of posting her appeal.

Gabrielle Quintana’s classroom is currently housed at Tubman School while a new school is constructed to replace the recently demolished Faubion School. Quintana was looking to raise money for five Chromebooks. According to an article on Laptopmag.com, a Chromebook is a laptop that doesn’t run on Windows 10 or Mac OS X – instead it runs on Google’s Chrome OS. These machines are designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet, with most applications and documents living in the cloud.

Quintana feels that getting this technology in the classroom is vital to the student education process.

“It’s logistically difficult to have regular technology in our classroom. With these Chromebooks, I can now provide writing stations so students can actually publish their work in the classroom and also have access to interactive math games.”

Quintana said she is usually hesitant to ask for money for her students, but she feels crowdfunding is “pretty amazing.”

“$5 from many donors adds up, and often other companies will often match funds. Or, if they see that a project is gaining momentum, they will pay the rest,” she said.

Quintana used the crowdfunding platform Donors Choose, which she billed as a “very reputable organization that manages the money and purchases materials for classrooms.”

Susan Trabucco is a business communications consultant. She lives in the Beaumont Wilshire neighborhood, just a few steps from Concordia. Reach her by email or call (503) 440-7732.

Kids, a dance and being good neighbors

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Concordia News, Schools

By Ali Novak CNA Board Member

Alliance High School requests, receives temporary adjustment to Good Neighbor Agreement with CNA

At the March 8th CNA board meeting, Concordia’s Alliance High School Meeks Professional Technical Campus principal Lorna Fast Buffalo Horse, presented our board with a proposal to allow modification of an existing Good Neighbor Agreement, dating to 2004.  The agreement, signed when Alliance took over the Meeks campus, prohibits school activities after 5pm. It also has restricted students from extended hours for social events or even tutoring.

The students of Alliance are seeking permission to host a prom on campus for about 75 students sometime in May. Attempts to find an alternate location have failed, due to high costs of venue rental.

Alliance High School is described in their executive summary as “an alternative educational experience for students who have not experienced success in traditional high school environments. The program seeks to provide academic, social-emotional, and professional-technical opportunities that motivate students to remain in school to learn the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become a contributing member of society.” The curriculum mixes group and individualized instruction in the pursuit of relevant career-technical education.

The Alliance program includes an emphasis on social skills and community in the Alliance Meeks program, where students participate in a social-emotional “boot camp” for their first six weeks of enrollment. Students are encouraged to organize and champion themselves, with a Black Student Union, Hispanic Student Union, and Gay-Straight Alliance now represented on the campus. The request for a prom seems a natural step in developing the social experience for Alliance students, and was met with positive response from the CNA board.

The board approved an event to take place on a date to be determined in May, on either a Friday or Saturday, that will end at 10:30p.m. Clean-up and campus closure will be concluded by 11p.m. The board hopes that the positive relationship between Alliance with its neighbors can continue, and requested that Alliance communicate with its neighbors to present the proposed event, and bring any significant concerns to the board for consideration. The CNA Board will also consider expansion of the activity hours for future events based on the success of this new addition.

Rebuilding Faubion for the future

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Land Use & Transportation, Schools

By Carl Jameson, CNA Media Team

Bull Dogs Excavator_color
An excavator with a demolition bucket drops its mouthful of the old Faubion School into a dumpster. Photo by Carl Jameson

Homes aren’t the only buildings being demolished and increasing in size in the Concordia neighborhood. A single story International style influenced building has been torn to ground and will be replaced by a gleaming three story structure with room for up to 800 children from early childhood through eighth grade, aka James B. Faubion School.

Built in 1950, the school was constructed during a period of modernization and new construction initiated by Portland Public Schools after World War II. In 1945, Portland voters approved a ballot measure to construct, improve, and rehabilitate its public school buildings. The ballot measure was a response to the explosive growth in school-age children that resulted from the arrival of defense plant workers and their families during the war, deferred maintenance needs and just in time for the oncoming baby boom after the war.

Faubion School's namesake: James Blair Faubion Jr. was born in Portland in 1926, attended Fernwood School and graduated from Grant High School in 1944. After joining the U.S. Marine Corps, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan, where he was wounded, paralyzed and lost both legs. He died of complications from his wounds at the age of 22. A community grateful for his service named the school in his honor in 1949.
Faubion School’s namesake: James Blair Faubion Jr. was born in Portland in 1926, attended Fernwood School and graduated from Grant High School in 1944. After joining the U.S. Marine Corps, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan, where he was wounded, paralyzed and lost both legs. He died of complications from his wounds at the age of 22. A community grateful for his service named the school in his honor in 1949.

Fast forward to 2012: The citizens of Portland approved the PPS School Building Improvement Bond. The bond is funding $33 million for the project. Concordia University, a private, non-profit Christian liberal arts university, is contributing up to $15.5 million in building funding along with land and additional resources.

Concordia and Faubion have been neighbors for over sixty years with many Concordia education students completing a part of their field experience at Faubion. The collaboration between the two institutions increased eight years ago with the tenure of Faubion’s current principal LaShawn Lee and has resulted in improved learning outcomes for students in reading, math and science.

The old style bulldog mascot of Faubion School guards the demolition site. Photo by Carl Jameson
The old style bulldog mascot of Faubion School guards the demolition site. Photo by Carl Jameson
Principal Lee soaking in the last moments of memories.Photo courtesy of LaShawn Lee.
Principal Lee soaking in the last moments of memories.Photo courtesy of LaShawn Lee.

When the new Faubion School is completed in 2017 the oldest of its former pupils will be seventy-six years old and they certainly won’t recognize their former school. The new building, yet to be officially named by PPS, will house the Concordia University College of Education and Faubion PK-8 School under one roof. Together, along with Trillium Family Services and other community partners, they will offer educational, health and social services aimed at creating a foundation of success for students. Faubion’s current pupils, temporarily at the Harriet S. Tubman site, can’t wait to move into their new home. “They were sad leave the old Faubion, but are very excited to see the new building taking shape and for the future,” said Vice Principal Jennifer McCally.

dump truck enters the job site. Photo by Carl Jameson
A dump truck enters the job site. Photo by Carl Jameson

At the old Faubion site there will be increased construction traffic in and around school grounds. Site security is a priority. There will be construction fencing surrounding the site for the duration of work.

Groundbreaking for the new Faubion School will take place in Spring 2016. Todd Construction, the general contractor for the rebuild, plans on a work schedule from 7am-5pm, Mon-Fri, but work may occur on some evenings and some weekends as needed.

Helpful links

Faubion Rebuild site

Faubion School

Concordia 3toPhD site

Concordia University

Carl Jameson is a writer/director/videographer at Craftmaster Productions, a full service creative production company. He’s lived and worked in the Concordia neighborhood since 2001. Reach him by emailing carlj@craftmasterpro.com