Staff Kudos june 2018
Recognitions & Accomplishments of Staff doing great things
Vose teacher finalist in OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education
Sandra was recognized for integrating technology into her classroom in a variety of innovative ways. This year as part of Signal to Noise, a District-wide program that showcases student film production, Sandra helped her students create a concept for a Spanish telenovela. Students wrote, produced and edited their own entry. Sandra Skypes with classrooms across the country and beyond, and hosts virtual field trips to introduce her students to the world as well as the Spanish language.
“Sandra has a drive to inspire and educate students in their future possibilities. She knows the importance of our students seeing people like themselves in high-level careers. In a school who’s student population is about 75% Latino she is passionate about and giving our students opportunities to see themselves in professionals,”
states Melissa Holz, Vose Assistant Principal.
“Sandra’s humility makes her all the more inspiring to an aspiring educator like myself. My principal asked me how it was going and what I thought of Sandra. My response was met with a broad grin and knowing nod of the head: “Tiene la magia: She has the magic,”
says Kelsey Mills, student teacher at Vose.
In her own words: "Since I was eight, I knew I wanted to be an educator. Growing up in East Los Angeles, I knew I needed to be a productive citizen and a role model to those around me. I also realized that when I was trying to teach others, I become a better learner. Life is full of learning experiences. Why miss out? I feel very blessed and proud to serve my community. There is no greater feeling than being loved and appreciated every day by my students."
The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education celebrates innovative teaching methods that spark enthusiasm and passion in students, parents, and their peers. Educator of the Year is awarded to teachers who best meet these criteria:
- Teachers who inspire creativity and enthusiasm in the classroom
- Educators who demonstrate exemplary teaching methods and style
- Individuals who have significant impact on students, parents and peers
Sandra was awarded $2,500 for herself and $1,000 for her school. Congratulations, Sandra!
BSD Students Successful at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
The Intel ISEF is the world's largest international pre-college science competition. Each year, approximately 1,800 high school students from more than 75 countries, regions, and territories are awarded the opportunity to showcase their independent research and compete for on average $4 million in prizes.
All of the BSD student and chaperone travel expenses to this event were paid for with a generous grant from Intel.
Four of the six students (all from Westview High School) won awards:
Anwesha Mukherjee - 14, years old, grade 10 qualified for Intel ISEF at Beaverton-Hillsboro Science Expo with a project titled, "A Novel Approach Machine Learning Algorithms to Recognize Emotion From Speech to Aid Social Interaction"
Awards:
- Acoustical Society of America - First Award of $1,500, plus student's school will be awarded $200, and mentor awarded $500.
- 2nd place in the Robotics and Intelligent Machines Category (Award is $1,500)
Lauren Li - 17 years old, grade 11 from Westview High School qualified for Intel ISEF at Beaverton-Hillsboro Science Expo with a project titled, "Characterization of AAP Dependency in AAV Capsid Assembly".
Award:
- 2nd place Cellular and Molecular Biology (Award is $1,500)
Divya Amirthiraj - 16 years old, in grade 11 was selected as an Intel ISEF finalist with a project titled, "Utilizing Blockchain to Revolutionize Privacy and Security of Medical Records".
Awards:
- GoDaddy Award - $3,000 Web Innovator Award
- NSA Research Directorate - Second "Science Security " Award of $1,000
- Oracle Academy - $5,000 for Outstanding Project in the Systems Software Category
- Drexel University - Full tuition Scholarship - $250,000
- 1st place in the Systems Software Category (Award is $3,000)
Adit Gupta - 16 years old, in grade 11 was selected as Best of Fair in Life Science in the high school division and an Intel ISEF finalist with a project titled, "A Therapeutic Approach to Cytomegalovirus: Novel Method of Constructing Short Synthetic Promoters Using Randomized TFBS Combinations".
Award :
- 4th Place in Cellular and Molecular Biology (Award is $500)
Dr. Susan Holveck Awarded Sigma Xi Columbia Willamette Outstanding Teacher Award
Dr. Susan Holveck, BSD Science Specialist, was recently awarded the Sigma Xi Columbia-Willamette’s Outstanding Teacher Award.
Susan is being awarded this honor for her tireless work in supporting and engaging in science research and education in the Beaverton School District. Susan’s contributions include:
- Reviewing and advising students on their research projects
- Training and supporting teachers to engage in this same work with their students
- Development of the Summa Science Research Program
- Convening the District’s SRC and IRBs to review students’ science research
- Participation in District Science Review Committee reviewing science research projects coming into the District
- Writing grants to support science fairs in the Beaverton School District as well as developing partnerships to support this work
- Coordinating and running three science fairs a year for students
- Coordinating special awards at the NW Science Expo
Sigma Xi Columbia-Willamette is a Scientific Research Honors Society. They engage the Portland, Oregon scientific and technical community to enhance the health of the scientific research enterprise, provide opportunities for the next generation of scientists and engineers, and promote the public's understanding of science and technology. They are comprised of faculty and students from several colleges and universities in the Portland area, as well as colleagues in local business, industry, federal and state agencies, and medical centers.
Congratulations, Susan!
Dr. Holveck hosts South Korean officials to talk science education
The presentation focused on Next Generation Science Standards, a multi-state effort to create new education standards that are "rich in content and practice, arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines and grades to provide all students an internationally benchmarked science education" and how the shifts in instructional practices prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is fast developing technology and artificial intelligence.
Following the presentation, there was a question and answer period in which participants and panelists learned from each other.
HS2 Students Featured in OHSU News
When you challenge high school students to innovate solutions that take the stigma and hassle out of diabetes management, what will they create? The answer was discovered at the Student Showcase for the Connectathon Challenge: Diabetes on May 17.
Seven student teams from the Health and Science School (HS2) presented their innovative solutions for improving the lives of people with diabetes and a panel of industry experts engaged each team.
In partnership with the Digital Health Collaborative and the City of Beaverton, students were challenged to use emerging technologies and their own ingenuity to innovate solutions that empower people with diabetes to reduce the hassle of managing their disease.
"The work that these students are doing is very inspiring, and it’s exciting to see how modern technology can improve the lives of diabetic patients like myself," says Emily, a 14-year-old high school student with Type 1 diabetes.
The Connectathon Challenge: Diabetes is a high-tech, hands-on learning experience that brings together high school students with medical and technology professionals, researchers and people who have diabetes.
BSD Seniors awarded ABSA Scholarships
Pictured left to right: Maite Tello, Health Science High School, Lehuanani Smith, Merlo Station High School, Martha Hernandez Carlon, Sunset High School, Mariella Mandujano, Southridge High School, Halle Velenchenko, Beaverton High School, David Chen, Sunset High School.
Congratulations, Scholars!
BMAC Make a Difference Scholarship
Martha Hernandez Carlon, a senior at Sunset High School, was awarded the inaugural Beaverton Minority Administrator Community (BMAC) Make a Difference Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship includes an additional $500 annually for the next three years, beginning September 2019, as long as Martha remains enrolled in an accredited college/university, is in good academic standing, and continues to pursue teaching as a profession.
When asked “What difference would you like to see made in the world?” Martha answered with determination: “Making everyone feel included. And being a teacher will help make that difference in small ways.”
Martha volunteers at Terra Linda Elementary School, which has helped her realize how much she wants to become a teacher. She is also the primary caretaker of her younger sister. She is also an AVID scholar and first generation college student. Her AVID teacher, whom she calls her “AVID Mom,” Jill Goodwin, who supported her throughout her high school career.
Martha is headed to Oregon State University this fall to study Spanish and Early Childhood Education. In addition to receiving the $1,000 scholarship, she will be mentored by Scarlet Valentine, principal at Errol Hassell Elementary School, as she navigates the world of college.
Congratulations, Martha!
BSD students earn College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships
- Jacob Chvatal, Westview HS: Northeastern University University Scholarship
- Alexander Kenneth Shaw Dyall, Sunset HS: Oregon State University Scholarship
- Evan Hunter, Beaverton HS: New College of Florida Scholarship
- Aditya Jain, Westview HS: Boston University Scholarship
- Pratheek Makineni, Sunset HS: Case Western Reserve University Scholarship
- Kevin Sy, International School of Beaverton: Oregon State University Scholarship
Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.
Congratulations to all BSD National Merit Scholar winners!
BHS Student Awarded "Mayor of Sapporo Award" at Japanese Speech Contest
The 30th Annual Japanese Speech Contest organized by the Consular Office of Japan was held on Saturday, April 21st at the KPMG LLP office in Portland. The contest was successfully completed with the participation of 25 students from 12 schools. About 80 people were in the audience, including Japanese language teachers and the contestants’ families.
There were two divisions this year. Division I is for middle & high school students. Division II is for immersion program students of middle and high school level or who are from homes where Japanese is spoken.
Congratulations, Maranda!
The contest was supported by the Association of Teachers of Japanese in Oregon, Chef Naoko, City of Sapporo, Delta Air Lines, Japan-America Society of Oregon, Japanese Ancestral Society of Portland, KPMG LLP, Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association, Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foundation, Shokookai of Portland.
"Future Bus"...meet "Gorge Fab Bus"
The BSD Future Bus and members of the Future Ready team headed out to Cascade Locks last month.
The "Gorge Fab Bus" was inspired by the BSD Future Bus. The interior ceiling was inspired by the Sistine Chapel, with panels representing the history of mankind made by high school students. The Future Ready team also presented a donation of 12 Lego WeDo kits to the 4th and 5th grade classes. The kits were funded by First Tech Federal Credit Union and many administrators from Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA).
Elementary students participated in several Future Bus activities as well.
Southridge HS Junior awarded 2018 NCTE Achievement Award in Writing
Aliyah Blattner a junior at Southridge High School has been selected for a 2018 Achievement Award in Writing, given by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Aliyah was recommended for the award by her Language Arts teacher, Natalie Ballard-Strauhal.
The NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing is a school-based writing program established in 1957 to encourage high school students to write and to recognize some of the best student writers in the nation. Only students who are juniors may participate. Schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, American schools abroad, and the Virgin Islands are eligible to nominate students for the writing program.
Aliyah received a Certificate of Superior Writing and has also been selected to attend the prestigious Kenyon Writing Program this summer.
This year, schools nominated 462 students. Of that number, 227 received Certificates of Superior Writing and 235 received Certificates of Nomination. Each student submitted two pieces of writing. Two independent judges scored each submission on expression of ideas, language use, and unique perspective and voice.
Congratulations, Aliyah and good luck in all of your future endeavors!
Stoller MS Science Olympiad team won Oregon State Championship
Standing Left to Right: Nividh Singh, Vatsal Parikh, Varun Krishnakumar, Rishabh Sharma, Rishab Mandyam, Manan Chand, Kanthimathi Karumbunathan, Sanika Deosthali
The Stoller Middle School Science Olympiad team, Grey Matter, won the Oregon State Championship for the 5th year in a row. Grey Matter participated in 23 events against the top 18 middle school teams in Oregon winning 13 Golds, five silver and one bronze medals.
The team has eight girls and seven boys from 6th, 7th and 8th grades. This year Grey Matter won by a 54 point lead from the second place team. Grey Matter has been competing for the last six years, has competed at the Science Olympiad National Tournament for 5 years, and has placed in the top two in Oregon state for five years running.
On May 18 & 19, Grey Matter competed with 120 top middle and high schools in the nation, along with a team from Japan, and placed 29th. Nine students were in the top 20 for the nation in several STEM-related topics.
The team was coached by Diptha Shrinivas & Raghu Mandyam along with several volunteering parents and teachers from Stoller middle school.
Congratulations, Grey Matter!
Nine BSD students awarded Beaverton Arts Foundation Scholarships
The Beaverton School District Students awarded are:
For Outstanding Achievement in the Performing Arts:
- Christine Chu, Sunset High School
- Aveek Ganguly, Westview High School
- Lucy Gordon, Sunset High School
- William Greer, Southridge High School
- Carlos Andres Moreno, Sunset High School
- Aishani Saha, Westview High School
For Outstanding Achievement in the Visual Arts:
- Martha Nguyen, Sunset High School
- Julia Trinh Pham, Aloha High School
- Jessica Xiao, Southridge High School*
* Jessica Xiao is also the recipient of the Southminster Presbyterian Celebration of Creativity Award.
Students currently enrolled in Beaverton School District or Portland Community College are eligible for this annual award, which has helped over 100 high school and college-aged artists pursue their passions.
Westview student wins 1st place in Math Kangaroo Competition
Math Kangaroo is an international competition that:
- Encourages students to master their mathematical knowledge.
- Gives them confidence in their ability for comprehending mathematics.
- Helps them understand how mathematics applies in nature's laws and human activities.
- Develops their ability to derive pleasure and satisfaction through intellectual life.
- Shows that mathematical education is significant in every part of the world.
Congratulations, Ben!
Crisann Breed recognized with Flag of Liberty & Learning
In honor of more than 38 years of dedication to the children of the Beaverton School District, Crisann Breed is being awarded the Flag of Learning and Liberty, which symbolizes the fundamental interdependency of public education and the democratic way of life enjoyed in the United States of America.
Crisann began her career in 1979 as an Intervention teacher, and has continued as a special education teacher, child development specialist, counseling psychologist and psychologist in several elementary schools in the District, including Cooper Mountain, Cedar Mill, Elmonica, Findley and Vose elementary schools. Crisann also worked with Bridges Academy as a home instructor.
“Crisann has spent her career dedicated to helping every kid she encounters. She loves the most complicated cases and never gives up until success is reached. She loves to research and doesn’t leave any stone unturned! Crisann believes in going to extreme measures to meet the needs of the most difficult. Her magic weapon is her pet snake she uses to build strong, trusting relationships with the students! She has a keen sense of humor that only adds to her likability,” states Kathleen Skidmore, Principal at Findley Elementary School.
“Crisann is a fierce advocate for students, particularly when it comes to inclusive practices. She often sees potential in students before it's recognized by others, and students meet those high expectations. Crisann brings creative ideas to the table when teachers feel they have exhausted their bag of tricks. She will be missed by our home instruction team here at Bridges, but I'm excited she will have the opportunity to enjoy her well-deserved retirement. She does so much to make the world a better place outside of work, I'm confident she'll stay plenty busy, congratulations, Crisann,” says Ashlee Hudson, Administrator for Bridges Academy.
“Crisann's only focus was the student she was working with at the time. She worked so hard to get to the root of a student's difficulty or disability and she will be missed,” says Lenore Johansen, Assistant Director of Special Education.
The Flag of Liberty & Learning has become an important reminder to all communities that education serves as a driving force in advancing freedom and liberty in our democratic society. Congratulations, Crisann!
Employee Service & Retirement Awards (ESRA)
Congratulations, and thank you for your service.
Early College High School
Jim Lekas
Highland Park Middle School
Marsha M. Hill
Maintenance/Custodial
James Ferguson
Raleigh Park Elementary School
Gale Foster
Transportation
Johnny Battle
Rebecca Hessel
Mae Molen
Communications & Community Involvement Department
Email: melissa_larson@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: www.beaverton.k12.or.us
Location: 16550 SW Merlo Rd., Beaverton 97003
Phone: 503-356-4360
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeavertonSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @beavertonsd