We’ve partnered with one of our athletic equipment suppliers, BSN, to develop a new Official Online Apparel Store where students, parents, alumni and fans can go to design and order custom West Albany Bulldog gear!
Order yours now!
Lucas Risinger, who starts his second year with West Albany High School this fall, teaches biology and physical science, and has been selected for a five-year fellowship from the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation, the only one of 37 Fellows for 2017 to be tapped from the Pacific Northwest.
The District recently sold the bonds approved by voters for school construction projects. There was very good news: they were able to get more for the money through premium bonds, a higher cost bond for investors. For GAPS taxpayers, this means that an additional $28 million will be available for projects at no additional cost to them.
The District also qualified for $6.9 million in state matching funds that became available after other districts with higher priority for the funds failed to pass their measures. These funds will ensure that the tax rate stays at the level that was estimated prior to the election.
Planning for the projects is on a fast track. Design drawings, timelines and project details will be published this fall. We’ll publish the news as we get it.
Memorial Middle School teacher Jana Swearingen and West Albany High School teacher Erik Ihde will join teachers from around the state at a statewide civics conference. The two were nominated by Representative Andy Olson to represent civics educators from his house district.
The following announcement came from the conference sponsor, the Classroom Law Project:
Congratulations on two teachers from the Greater Albany School District being named 2017-18 Civic Scholars by Representative Andy Olson for House District 15! They are Jana Swearingen, Memorial MS, and Erik Ihde, West Albany HS. Congratulations!
Every state legislator is naming two teachers from their district to be Civic Scholars. This is part of a statewide initiative to enhance high quality professional development in civic education for teachers.
With the recognition of Civic Scholar, teachers receive:
- registration for the Civics Conference for Teachers at the State Capitol, Dec. 1, 2017. The conference will feature workshop presenters from each branch of Oregon government as well as strategies from master teachers.
- special recognition at the conference
- follow-up classroom assistance
We look forward to seeing Ms. Swearingen and Mr. Ihde the conference. Best wishes and, again, congratulations!
Welcome, Jessica Smith and Sean Saxton, new Assistant Principals at West Albany High School.
In July, the the West Albany unified basketball team took second place in the first annual Unified Basketball State Championships.
The tournament was sponsored by the Oregon School Activities Association and the Oregon Special Olympics. Teams from around the state earned a spot at state after competing in regional competitions last spring.
Alix Wasteney, Director of School Engagement for Special Olympics of Oregon, issued the following statement:
This year Special Olympics Oregon and Oregon School Activities Association made history by holding the first annual Unified Basketball State Championship in conjunction with the OSAA 4A State Basketball Championships. This was the first time inclusive Special Olympics Unified basketball teams were included and recognized at State Championships in Oregon.
Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to train and compete together.
Congratulations to all four teams that competed and demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and skills!
The top four teams were
The start of the new school year is around the corner. Find information to help get ready for on the Back-to-School Resource page, including: