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Positive Case: District/School Notification / Comunicación a nivel de distrito

Posted on: February 4, 2021

Dear Greater Albany Public Schools Community:

Recently, we were notified that a GAPS staff member and a GAPS student have been diagnosed with COVID-19. These individuals are isolated cases at North Albany Middle School and Lafayette Elementary School. To protect the privacy of those involved, no personally identifiable information may be released. As members of the school community, we understand that this might raise concerns alongside a caring response. We are working closely with Benton and Linn County Public Health to respond to this news and protect the health of our community.

There are procedures and protocols in place to ensure the health and safety of you and your family. We are working with Benton and Linn County Public Health to ensure an effective and comprehensive response to this situation. The steps we have taken together include:

  • Rapid identification and notification of close contacts (those in the infected person’s presence, closer than six feet for 15 minutes or more). If you have not been contacted individually, you are not a close contact.
  • Closure of rooms and spaces where the infected person has been on campus
  • Deep cleaning of those rooms and spaces
  • Staff members and students who have been exposed will be asked to quarantine themselves, at the direction of Public Health
  • The exposed cohort will be paused for the 14-day quarantine period

As a reminder, the primary symptoms of COVID-19 are

  • Cough 
  • Fever of 100.4°F or greater
  • Chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • New loss of taste or smell

To protect yourself and others:

  • Wear a face covering in public spaces, including outdoors when six feet of social distance cannot be maintained
  • Keep your distance by maintaining six feet of social or physical distancing between yourself and others
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, utilizing hand sanitizer when washing facilities are not available
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Sanitize surfaces that are often touched 
  • Avoid gatherings of any size where social or physical distancing is not possible
  • Stay home when sick and avoid contact with others who are ill

To help us respond to COVID-19 and keep our community safe, please report any positive COVID-19 cases to your school. Questions can be directed to Rachel Smith, District Health Coordinator, at rachel.smith@albany.k12.or.us  or the Oregon Department of Education at ODECOVID19@ode.state.or.us.

Sincerely, 

Superintendent Melissa Goff


Estimada Comunidad de las Escuelas Públicas de Greater Albany:

Recientemente, se nos notificó que un miembro del personal de GAPS y un estudiante de GAPS han sido diagnosticados con COVID-19. Estos individuos son casos aislados en la escuela secundaria North Albany Middle School y la escuela primaria Lafayette Elementary School. Para proteger la privacidad de los involucrados, no se puede divulgar información de identificación personal. Como miembros de la comunidad escolar, entendemos que esto podría generar preocupaciones junto con una respuesta afectuosa. Estamos trabajando en estrecha colaboración con la salud pública de los condados de Benton y Linn para responder a esta noticia y proteger la salud de nuestra comunidad.

Existen procedimientos y protocolos para garantizar la salud y seguridad de usted y su familia. Estamos trabajando con la salud pública de los condados de Benton y Linn para garantizar una respuesta eficaz e integral a esta situación. Los pasos que hemos dado juntos incluyen:

  • Identificación rápida y notificación a contactos cercanos (aquellos en presencia de la persona infectada, menos de seis pies de distanciamiento durante 15 minutos o más). Si no ha sido contactado/a individualmente, usted no es un contacto cercano.
  • Cierre de cuartos y espacios donde la persona infectada ha estado en el campus.
  • Limpieza profunda de esos cuartos y espacios.
  • Se pedirá a los miembros del personal y los estudiantes que hayan estado expuestos que se pongan en cuarentena, bajo la dirección de la Autoridad de Salud Pública.
  • El grupo expuesto se detendrá durante el período de cuarentena de 14 días.

Como recordatorio, los síntomas principales de COVID-19 son:

  • Tos
  • Fiebre de 100.4 °F o más
  • Escalofríos
  • Dificultad para respirar
  • Reciente pérdida del gusto o el olfato

Para protegerse y proteger a los demás:

  • Use una cubierta facial en espacios públicos, incluso afuera cuando no se puede mantener una distancia social de seis pies.
  • Mantenga su distancia manteniendo seis pies de distancia social o física entre usted y los demás.
  • Lávese las manos con frecuencia con agua y jabón durante al menos 20 segundos, utilizando un desinfectante para manos cuando no haya instalaciones de lavado disponibles.
  • Cubra la tos y los estornudos.
  • Desinfectar las superficies que se tocan con frecuencia.
  • Evite reuniones de cualquier tamaño donde no sea posible el distanciamiento social o físico.
  • Quédese en casa cuando esté enfermo y evite el contacto con otras personas enfermas.

Para ayudarnos a responder a COVID-19 y mantener nuestra comunidad segura, informe cualquier caso positivo de COVID-19 a su escuela. Puede dirigir sus preguntas al Centro de Bienvenida al 541-704-2376 o por correo electrónico welcome.center@albany.k12.or.us, o el Departamento de Educación de Oregon a ODECOVID19@ode.state.or.us.

Atentamente, 

Superintendente Melissa Goff

West Albany Athletics / Activities Information and Season 2 Start

Posted on: February 2, 2021

February 1, 2021

Dear West Albany Student Athletes and Families,

As we have communicated previously, the OSAA has shifted the traditional high school sports seasons to begin in late February  under a new 2020-21 school activities calendar.  Participation for West Albany student athletes has the approval of the Greater Albany Public School District predicated that we follow all directives from the Governor’s Office, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Under this new plan West Albany’s various club and/or athletic teams will be allowed to begin preparation for Season 2, or typical fall sports and activities, beginning February 8 (football only), and February 22 for all other sports (volleyball, soccer & cross country).

Specific practice schedules for Season 2 activities  will be determined and communicated by the  head coach of each club/team program. 

The following required forms and documentation will need to be submitted to the school office for any student wishing to participate in Season 2 activities, regardless of their chosen sport’s season of competition: 

Required Items Needed for Athletic and Club Participation

**Not required if previously turned in for Season 1 activities**

  1. A completed Physical Examination form–REQUIRED every two years for all students 9th – 12th grade prior to participating in extracurricular sports–and turned in to the athletic office; Oregon State Board of Education mandates the use of the OSAA form.
  2. Athletic Participation form–REQUIRED signed by both parent and student. 
  3. District Covid-19 Waiver form–REQUIRED signed by both parent and student. (If not already submitted for summer workouts.)

**All forms and information regarding student eligibility and the West Albany Athletic Code can be found on the school website: (https://wahs.albany.k12.or.us/students-parents/athletics/If you are unsure if you have submitted forms please email wahs.athletics@albany.k12.or.us to verify.

Registration Process for Season 2 Athletic and Club Programs

Due to ongoing caution regarding the COVID-19 virus all registration for all Season 2 sports/activities seasons will be conducted in a fashion to eliminate in-person contact and ensure for the safety of students, families, and staff members. 

The options established for submission of required forms are as follows:

  1. Online: All required forms can be downloaded from the school website where students and parents can fill out, sign, scan  and email to the school’s Athletic Department at  wahs.athletics@albany.k12.or.us no later than 12pm on Friday, February 5 (football) or Friday, February 19 (other sports).
  2. Drop Off: All required forms can be downloaded from the school website where students and parents can fill out, sign and return through the mail slot located at the main entrance of the school no later than 12pm on Friday, February 5  (football) or Friday, February 19 (other sports).   (A limited supply of printed forms will be made available for pick up at the main entrance as well.)

**Beginning February 8 (football only) or February 22 (all other sports) students will not be allowed to participate Season 2 sports or activities without all required forms turned in**.

Pay to Play Fee

Our district normally requires a pay to play fee for all athletic participation. Club and activity participation fees vary depending on the program. In light of the shortened sports season this year fees for participation in all athletic programs have been suspended for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

As stated in my previous message, all of us associated with West Albany Athletics want to thank you, our student athletes and families, for your continued patience as our coaches have navigated these new schedules and safety guidelines. I could not be prouder to be associated with such a great group of people who put the health and safety of student-athletes before all else.  

I also want to congratulate all of our Bulldog athletes that have participated in Season 1 activities. The hard work and dedication to improving will serve you well.

Our goal remains the same; to do all that we can to get our Bulldogs  back out onto the field, the court, the trails, and in the pool so that they can have fun and compete in a safe and healthy environment.

Go Bulldogs!

-Pat

Patrick Richards
Athletic Director
West Albany High School 

Questions or Information

West Albany Athletics Website: https://wahs.albany.k12.or.us/students-parents/athletics/   

Patrick Richards, Athletic Director: patrick.richards@albany.k12.or.us

Tonya Lindberg, Athletic Secretary: tonya.lindberg@albany.k12.or.us

Superintendent Update – 2-2-21 / Actualización de la Superintendente 2 de febrero del 2021 

Posted on: February 2, 2021

The governor’s office, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Education and our local public health authorities have advised for the need to quarantine for 14 days if you leave the state. All staff and students who travel outside of the state or country will need to quarantine for 14 days before returning in person to school buildings. This requirement is in effect and will remain in effect for the foreseeable future in order to protect our staff, students and their families.

Quarantine after out-of-state travel applies to anyone who leaves the state for “non-essential” reasons. Essential travel includes traveling for work purposes, medical care or health purposes, safety and security, and any other reasons in which travel may be deemed essential.

Students who have traveled out of state may continue comprehensive distance learning for 14 days after their return and then may resume in-person instruction (if applicable) after their quarantine period is over. If your student has traveled out of state or is going to travel out of state, please notify their school.

Thank you for your cooperation with this policy in order to better protect the health and safety of our GAPS staff, students, and families.

Building bridges together,

Melissa

Melissa Goff
Superintendent


La oficina de la Gobernadora, la Autoridad de Salud de Oregón, el Departamento de Educación de Oregón y nuestras autoridades locales de salud pública, han informado sobre la necesidad de ponerse en cuarentena durante 14 días si sale del Estado. Todo el personal y los estudiantes que viajen fuera del Estado o país deberán permanecer en cuarentena durante 14 días antes de regresar en persona a los edificios escolares. Este requisito está en efecto y permanecerá en efecto en el futuro previsible para proteger a nuestro personal, estudiantes y sus familias.

La cuarentena después de un viaje fuera del estado, se aplica a cualquier persona que abandone el Estado por razones “no esenciales”. Los viajes esenciales incluyen viajar por motivos laborales, de atención médica o de salud, seguridad y protección, y cualquier otro motivo por el que el viaje pueda considerarse esencial.

Los estudiantes que han viajado fuera del estado pueden continuar el aprendizaje a distancia integral durante 14 días después de su regreso y luego pueden reanudar la instrucción en persona (si corresponde) después de que finalice su período de cuarentena. Si su estudiante ha viajado fuera del Estado o va a viajar fuera del Estado, notifique a su escuela. 

Gracias por su cooperación con esta política para proteger mejor la salud y la seguridad de nuestro personal, estudiantes y familias de GAPS.

Construyendo puentes juntos,

Melissa

Melissa Goff
Superintendente

Applications for Student Government / Solicitudes para gobierno estudiantil

Posted on: January 30, 2021
Student Government Application / Solicitud par gobierno estudiantil Campaign Speech Video Submission / Entrega de video de discurso de campaña

2021 Class Election Timeline

  • Jan 27th: Information and Links to Candidacy Applications posted
  • Feb 8th: Deadline for Applications
  • Feb 12th: Deadline for Speech Videos
  • Feb 17th: Speeches/Voting – Advisory; Class Ballot emailed to students

Cronograma de las elecciones de la clase del 2021

  • 27 de enero: publicación de información y enlaces a las solicitudes de candidatura
  • 8 de febrero: fecha límite para las solicitudes
  • 12 de febrero: fecha límite para los videos de discursos
  • 17 de febrero: Discursos / Votación – Asesoría; Boleta de votación de la clase enviada
    por correo electrónico a los estudiantes

3rd Quarter Reminders

Posted on: January 30, 2021

3rd Quarter Textbook Pick Up and RETURN

We are asking Freshman English students to please come to West Albany anytime between 8:00-3:30pm February 1st through February 3rd to pick up the novel Ender’s Game, as well as textbooks or supplies for any of the 3rd quarter classes listed below. You can also return textbooks and supplies — see list below.

If you are unable to come in prior to Thursday, February 4th, please email your Freshman English teacher.

Monday-Friday FEBRUARY 8th-12th
8:00-3:30pm PARK AND WALK TO MAIN ENTRANCE OF SCHOOL

If you have the following classes for 3rd quarter, you need to come PICK UP TEXTBOOKS OR SUPPLIES:

* Freshman English * Lifelong Fitness * Senior English
* Freshman AVID * Junior English * Senior AVID
* Sophomore English * American Studies * AP Literature
* Sophomore AVID * Film & Literature * Advanced Financial Algebra
* Drawing * Pottery-(pick up kits at garage door of pottery room)

*MATH = Graph paper available, if needed
*ART & BAND = Supplies available, if needed

Please RETURN the following textbooks or supplies ASAP:
* LIFELONG FITNESS * POTTERY & BASIC DESIGN KITS
* INTRO TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE * DRAMA I
* ADVANCED FINANCIAL ALGEBRA * CHOIR FOLDERS & MUSIC

2019-20 West Albany yearbooks have arrived!
You may pick up 2019-20 yearbooks during Semester 2 Textbook Pick Up, February 8-12th. If you are unsure whether or not you purchased a yearbook, call the office at 541-967-4545.

If you would like to purchase a yearbook, please bring $70 cash or a check made out to WAHS. NO credit cards.

3rd Quarter Schedules

Students will be able to see their 3rd Quarter schedule in CANVAS or in PIV by TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND.

WAHS‌ ‌CLASS‌ ‌SCHEDULE‌ ‌for‌ ‌2020-2021‌ ‌‌(Monday-Tuesday‌ ‌and‌ ‌Thursday-Friday)‌
BELL SCHEDULE WILL REMAIN THE SAME FOR 3RD QUARTER

Please contact your student’s counselor regarding scheduling questions or concerns.

Counselors‌ ‌by‌ ‌Class:‌‌
Freshmen:‌ ‌‌ Ryan.Graham@albany.k12.or.us
Sophomores:‌ ‌ A-L‌ ‌‌ Ryan.Graham@albany.k12.or.us‌‌
M-Z‌ ‌‌ Casey.Sheets@albany.k12.or.us‌ ‌
Juniors:‌ ‌‌Casey.Sheets@albany.k12.or.us‌
Seniors:‌ ‌‌Jan.Rasmussen@albany.k12.or.us‌ ‌

Semester 1 (1st & 2nd Quarter) Grades

Semester 1 (1st & 2nd Quarter) grades will be mailed home soon. Please be sure to email Tara Thompson (tara.thompson@albany.k12.or.us) if you have had an address change. You can check in PIV to see what we have on file in the DEMOGRAPHICS section.

SENIORS: Transcripts will be included in this mailing. Please review your transcript to make sure your extracurricular activities and grades are listed correctly. Please contact your counselor with any questions.

Use this link to make any changes to your extracurricular activities and/or world language information.

2021 Class Election Timeline

Jan 27th Announcement made through Advisory classes

Jan 28th Information and Links to Candidacy Applications available on WA Website

Feb 8th Deadline for Applications

Feb 12th Deadline for Video Speeches
Feb 17th Speeches/Voting – Advisory Class Ballot emailed to students (Google Form)

Contact Erik Ihde if you have any questions.

Congratulations Honor Band students! / ¡Felicitaciones a los estudiantes de la Banda de Honor!

Posted on: January 29, 2021

Congratulations to Sophia Hansen on being selected for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-Northwest Honor Band. Being selected for All-Northwest is a huge honor for any student in any year. Sophia demonstrated determination and self motivation (as well as wonderful musicianship) in preparing her successful audition for this huge honor under this year’s circumstances!

Congratulations also to the following students, who have been selected for the position in the Western International Band Clinic (WIBC) Honor Band program. This is also a huge honor and required much more self-motivation and hard work this year. Many of these students are in Wind Ensemble and that class hasn’t even been in session since the beginning of November, so those students really were on their own.

Tyson Ames – Trumpet – Phoenix Honor Band
Nora Brandon – Flute – Phoenix Honor Band
Mason Chambers – Trombone – Thunderbird Honor Band
Brynna Gritter – Percussion – Phoenix Honor Band
Sophia Hansen – Clarinet – Thunderbird Honor Band
Olivia Kottre – Alto Sax – Sunbird Honor Band
Ian Roberts – Percussion – Firebird Honor Band
Cadence Schuerger – Percussion – Firebird Honor Band
Lauren Ward – Flute – Sunbird Honor Band
Simon Woodall – Trumpet – Firebird Honor Band
Sachi Wrigley – String Bass – Firebird Honor Band
Emma Yonemura – Clarinet – Thunderbird Honor Band

 

Felicitaciones a Sophia Hansen por ser seleccionada para la National Association for
Music Education (NAfME) All-Northwest Honor Band (Banda de honor de todo el
noroeste de la Asociación Nacional de Educación Musical [NAfME por sus siglas en
inglés]). Ser seleccionado para All-Northwest es un gran honor para cualquier
estudiante en cualquier año. ¡Sophia demostró determinación y automotivación (así
como una maravillosa maestría musical) al preparar su exitosa audición para este gran
honor bajo las circunstancias de este año!

Felicitaciones también a los siguientes estudiantes, que han sido seleccionados para el
puesto en Western International Band Clinic (Clínica de banda internacional de
Western- WIBC por sus siglas en inglés) del programa de Banda de Honor. Esto
también es un gran honor y requirió mucha más automotivación y trabajo duro este
año. Muchos de estos estudiantes están en Wind Ensemble (conjunto de instrumentos
de viento) y esa clase ni siquiera ha estado en sesión desde principios de noviembre,
por lo que esos estudiantes realmente estaban solos.

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards | Premios de Arte y Escritura de Scholastic

Posted on: January 28, 2021

Writing | Escritura

Congratulations to Caroline Gao for being recognized by the Region-at-Large program of the 2021 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

Since 1923 the Scholastic Awards have recognized some of America’s most celebrated artists when they were teenagers, including Andy Warhol, Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Kay Walkingstick.

Gold Key works have been automatically advanced to the national level of adjudication in New York City. National Medalists will be announced on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

Felicitaciones a Caroline Gao por ser reconocida por el programa “Region-at-Large” de
los Premios de Arte y Escritura de Scholastic 2021, presentados por Alliance for Young Artists & Writers (Alianza para Jóvenes Artistas y Escritores).

Desde 1923, los Premios Scholastic han reconocido a algunos de los artistas más
célebres de Estados Unidos cuando eran adolescentes, incluidos Andy Warhol,
Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates y Kay Walkingstick.

Las obras de Gold Key (“llave de oro”) han avanzado automáticamente al nivel nacional
de adjudicación en la ciudad de Nueva York. Los medallistas nacionales se anunciarán
el miércoles 17 de marzo de 2021.


Art | Arte

Congratulations to Isabel Vetter who won a GOLD portfolio at the state 2021 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and also to Gold Key recipients Allison Willard, Tori Thorp, and Makayla Smith.

The following WAHS students won visual art honors from the Scholastic Art Awards.

 

Felicitaciones a Isabel Vetter, quien ganó un portafolio “GOLD” en los Premios de Arte y Escritura de Scholastic 2021 del estado, y también a los ganadores de Gold Key, Allison Willard, Tori Thorp y Makayla Smith.

Los siguientes estudiantes de WAHS ganaron honores de artes visuales de los Premios
de Arte de Scholastic:

Isabel Vetter: 1 gold portfolio, 1 gold, 5 silver, 2 honorable
Allison Willard: 2 gold, 4 silver, 1 honorable
Tori Thorp: 2 gold, 2 silver, 2 honorable
Makayla Smith: 1 gold, 1 honorable
Cali Stenger: 2 silver, 3 honorable
Sarah McCormick: 2 silver, 2 honorable
Sophia Hanson: 2 silver, 1 honorable
Sarah Varner: 2 silver, 1 honorable
Alexa Lindsey: 1 silver, 2 honorable
Beth Rouse: 1 silver, 2 honorable
Abigail Hart: 1 silver, 1 honorable
Charlotte Alan: 1 silver
Enoch Jin: 1 silver
Leo Raveling: 1 silver
Olga Sukhodolov: 1 silver
Liliana Price-Kerr: 3 honorable
Madasyn Frasieur: 2 honorable
Tori Gibbs: 2 honorable
Madison Hearing: 2 honorable
Madeline Hoffert-Hay: 2 honorable
Kasara Koerntgen: 2 honorable
Violet Stenger: 2 honorable
Neve Bradley: 1 honorable
Morgan Fandrem: 1 honorable
Mackenna Howard: 1 honorable
Sage Nazarian: 1 honorable
Julie Nichol: 1 honorable
Samantha Wang: 1 honorable

We are so proud of all of these talented students!

¡Estamos muy orgullosos de todos estos talentosos estudiantes!