News

The weekly summer library program at Clover Ridge Elementary School featured athletes from South Albany High School. About two dozen high school students representing 10 school and club sports shared their skills and some lessons they’ve learned in their hours of practice and competition.

The program was organized by Clover Ridge teacher Sandra McMinds, who has a long history at the school as an instructional assistant, library/media teacher and now classroom teacher.

McMinds said the summer library program was started many years ago by another teacher. She took over planning responsibilities when she first came to the school, but there was a gap of a few years when she transferred to another school.

It is modeled after the public library summer reading program but is more accessible for families in the rural Clover Ridge area. “Our goal is to get books in the hands of kids and have fun family activities,” she said.

Today, the SAHS students shared their skills with students on the playfields. Elementary students rotated through basketball, baseball, football, track and soccer stations.

Before they went outside, McMinds asked the older students to answer a few questions. A few responses are below:

What does it take to be a student athlete?

“Focus on education, especially if you want to play in college.”
“Work hard if you want to be the best you can.”
“Start playing early.”

What are some good memories of your experience playing your sport?

“Eight of us were on the same club soccer team. We’re like a family. Having that on the high school team helps.”
“Waking up early for football practice is hard, but I remember how much I want to be the best I can.”
“Being district champions. It was a goal we had, and we worked hard to achieve it.”
“Riding the bus after a win. You always have fun after a win.”

GAPS owns and operates public water systems at the following schools – Fir Grove, Clover Ridge and Tangent elementary schools. These water systems are closely monitored following all testing on the required intervals. There are many required tests that take place (including lead), some every quarter, some annually, some every three years. The water systems at all of our schools in the City of Albany are tested and monitored by those municipalities. The testing results from all of the water systems, including the testing results from The City of Albany are available at the following link, hosted by the Oregon Health Authority — https://yourwater.oregon.gov/. Search by the name of the facility for the school district owned water systems, or by the name of the city. Once you get to a particular water system all of the testing results and other system information is available by clicking one of the many links toward the bottom half of the page.

The school district is completing additional testing for lead in each of the schools within the city of Albany. For schools on municipal water, staff began collecting samples early last week. So far samples have been collected at nine sites. Testing is not planned for Albany Options School because it is a new facility. A lower level of testing is planned for Timber Ridge because it is also a fairly new facility.

Results for all sites are expected by mid August. Any water sources detected over the allowable levels will be decommissioned until they can be replaced.

Three schools nominated outstanding staff members for the national LifeChanger of the Year award, sponsored by National Life Group.

Pictured (from left) are Pam McQueary, SEA/behavior specialist at Liberty Elementary; Laurie Robinson, kitchen manager at SAHS; and Les Sprinkel, head custodian at SAHS.

According to the LifeChanger of the Year website, “LifeChanger of the Year is an annual program that recognizes and rewards K-12 education professionals. LifeChangers must be K-12 educators, teachers, administrators or any member of a school’s staff who makes a positive difference in the lives of students.”

Nominees compete against nominated staff from around the country. A selection committee will choose 15 winners.

Read the official nominations for each of the three GAPS nominees.

The GAPS summer meal program will offer free breakfast and lunch to children this summer. Any child under 18 can receive free breakfast and lunch at designated school sites from June 21 and Aug. 26.

See the weekly menu.

Breakfast will be served at the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA. Lunch will be available at 12 sites around the district. See the list of locations and times.

Español