KCSD & Me
April 2024 / Klamath County School District
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2024 CRYSTAL APPLE WINNERS! Each year, the school district asks staff, parents, students, and community members to submit nominations for our Crystal Apple Awards. We received more than 120 nominations highlighting the inspirational efforts and hard work of our certified and classified staff.
Our eight winners -- highlighted below -- exemplify KCSD's mission: "Inspiring today's students to meet tomorrow's challenges." They represent our district well, and we are proud to honor each of them with a Crystal Apple Award.
Join us on April 23 at the Ross Ragland Theater to celebrate our Crystal Apples! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the gala starts at 7 p.m. Please come and support and congratulate our winners!
MEET OUR CRYSTAL APPLES:
Stephanie DeVault
After nearly 25 years of teaching elementary students, Stephanie DeVault believes a young child’s success in school boils down to one skill: Being able to read fluently.
“It’s the key,” DeVault said. “A child’s ability to read affects every other area of their education, whether it’s science, social studies, math … It literally affects every single thing they can do.”
DeVault, a 2024 KCSD Crystal Apple award winner, is Ferguson Elementary School’s reading interventionist. She spends her days working to ensure every student who is struggling with reading gets the specific skill-based strategic help they need to unlock the written word.
“Stephanie teaches students who are struggling the most and helps build their confidence,” said Ferguson Principal Jana Dunlea. “She cares for them, holds them accountable, supports them, and helps them feel successful, often for the first time.” Read more here
Lori Goff
“A consummate team player.”
“Never turns down an opportunity to be helpful.”
“Ensures students eat well and are nourished for a day of learning.”
These are just some of the reasons Henley Elementary School cook manager Lori Goff has been named a 2024 Crystal Apple award winner.
“Lori is the sunshine in our cafeteria. She is always smiling and working to make students’ days brighter,” said Henley Elementary Principal Jen Witt. “She is constantly thinking of ways to make meals as fresh as possible -- from homemade breads and soups to fry sauces and a variety of toppings – so students have nourishing and tasty food.”
Her nominators describe Goff as someone who goes out of her way to help all students.
Goff recently opened the elementary cafeteria one evening and then stayed to help and supervise Henley High students cook and serve a tri-tip dinner as a fundraiser for the 2024 graduating class. She also works with Henley High leadership, advocating for members of high school clubs and sports teams to eat lunch and visit with elementary students as informal mentors. Read more here
Jessica Gould
Two students in Jessica Gould’s resource study room compared notes last week, the day before teachers determined quarter grades. Both were proud of their accomplishments – ending the quarter with GPAs of 3.8 and 3.9.
“Jessica helped me study and I got my history grade up to a B,” one of the students, an eighth-grader, said. The other student had recently worked on a math assignment with Gould.
Gould, a resource paraprofessional at Chiloquin Jr/Sr High School, is a 2024 Crystal Apple award winner. The 28-year-old works with students who have independent education plans. She focuses on fluency and comprehension and works with individual students to bridge any gaps in understanding.
Without Gould’s help, many students would struggle more than they do, said Jason Heskett, Chiloquin’s resource teacher who works directly with Gould.
“She’s amazing and has a really good understanding of where the kids come from,” he said. “She’s really good with following through with kids. She just has a nice way about her.” Read more here
Elisa Huffman
“Close, but not quite. Go back and try again,” Elisa Huffman said as she coached two Malin Elementary fourth-graders on a math lesson focusing on fractions. She then returned her attention to a small group of students who were struggling with the concepts.
Huffman always knew she wanted to teach and math is her favorite subject. The 2024 Crystal Apple award winner is among the best elementary math teachers in the district and her students’ scores prove it. Her fourth-grade students this year are on track or exceeding standards.
By 7 each morning, Huffman is in her Malin classroom getting ready for the day and ensuring that lessons are engaging for her students. It’s a routine she has been doing for the past 26 years.
Amanda Donahoe, a parent and school counselor at Malin Elementary, nominated Huffman for the Crystal Apple award, describing her as “compassionate, considerate, authentic, and dedicated to what she does.”
“She is a teacher where her students excel and succeed in her classroom because she holds them accountable and challenges them to better themselves in all aspects of their lives,” Donahoe said. Read more here
Stacy Johnson
Whether she is teaching children to read or coaching new teachers, Stacy Johnson’s goal is as profound as it is simple: helping others succeed.
“It’s my passion to help others,” the 26-year veteran educator and 2024 Crystal Apple winner says. “I love raising people up, and seeing children flourishing and overcoming their fears.”
Jonathan McCormick was one of those children. McCormick, who currently works as a paraprofessional at Bonanza with a goal of becoming a teacher, was in Johnson’s fifth-grade class at Shasta Elementary in 2006.
“I was fortunate enough to be one of her students,” he wrote in a detailed letter outlining why Johnson deserved a Crystal Apple award. “She truly believes she can make a difference in the lives of her students, and she did. She recognizes that students are individuals and not every student learns the same way. Often, she was creative with her teaching methods, trying something different while making learning fun in the process.”
Johnson worked as an elementary teacher for 23 years – seven years at Keno and 16 years at Shasta before moving into a new role three years ago as a mentor to new elementary teachers. In that role, she meets with first- and second-year teachers once every two weeks. Depending on the teacher’s needs, she will co-teach, model lessons, help them access resources, and support and encourage them. The new teachers also are able to visit other schools twice a year to observe master teachers. Read more here
Katey Limb
Katey Limb believes that wisdom comes from physical activity – and classes such as P.E. and weightlifting are safe places for students to experience and gain knowledge that will help them throughout their lives.
“There are so many life lessons that you can learn from sports and team activities that you can’t learn elsewhere -- learning to work together as a team, responding to a ref making a call you don’t like, dealing with teammates who aren’t carrying their load,” said Limb, who is a P.E. and health teacher at Lost River Jr/Sr High School and one of this year’s Crystal Apple award winners. “Many research studies show that when kids are active and physical, their brains work better.”
Limb teaches health, sports medicine, and weightlifting at Lost River.
Lost River Principal Angela Wallin nominated Limb for the Crystal Apple for her dedication, knowledge, and ability to inspire and engage students. “Katey is an excellent teacher,” Wallin said. “She continuously strives to grow in her practice to better serve students, bringing technology into her P.E. and health classes in a matter that motivates students and enhances their learning.” Read more here
Shelbe Palmer
The Henley Middle School student needed help and he knew where to turn – math teacher Shelbe Palmer.
It was Palmer’s prep period, the time for teachers to grade and prepare lessons. But that didn’t matter. He knew she would help.
He explained the problem and what he had been doing to solve it. Palmer walked him back through it step by step until he figured out where he had gone off track. Then another student came through the door. He wanted to retake a math test.
“I love that they ask for help, that they want to try again,” Palmer said. “That speaks volumes.”
The 2024 Crystal Apple winner was nominated for the award by her students, who described her as a great math teacher who is encouraging and caring. Among their comments:
· “When I have a bad day, she helps me cheer up.”
· “She helps us succeed in all our classes.”
· “When I am feeling down, she is always there for me.” Read more here
Alan Pepper
Whether he’s changing oil, fixing a radiator or finds himself in the driver’s seat, Klamath County School District mechanic Alan Pepper has the same goal: Safety.
“Every day I make sure the buses are safe for the kids, for our drivers, and even for the other people on the road,” he said. “I strive to do the best job I can.”
A 2024 Crystal Apple award winner, Pepper is described by his nominators as someone who is a problem solver, positive role model, and quick to help others in need.
“If we get a phone call at any time that a bus is in need of a mechanic, Alan always answers yes – no matter the time of day,” said Melinda Downing, KCSD transportation supervisor. “He also drives bus when the need arises, which is often.”
Pepper, 25, is one of five mechanics at the district who maintain more than 90 school buses as well as vans and other district trucks and vehicles used to transport students and staff. Read more here
STATE CHAMPS! Congrats to Henley girls basketball!
The No. 2 ranked Hornets beat No. 1 ranked Astoria for the trophy
The Henley High School girls basketball team claimed the 4A OSAA State Basketball Championship title by defeating top-seeded Astoria, 41-38, March 9 at Forest Grove.
The No. 2 ranked Henley girls won their quarterfinal game against Madras, 81-54, and then beat No. 3 ranked Philomath in the semifinals. Henley boys made it to the top eight in the state playoffs but fell to Junction City, 54-45, in the quarterfinals.
LEARNING TO BUILD AND HELPING WITH HOUSING
Bonanza Jr/Sr High School construction students are building prototypes of a shed design that will be used in an upcoming Oregon Housing Authority transitional housing project for homeless across the state. The project kicked off in late March, with construction students at Bonanza, Lost River, Henley, and Mazama building the sheds and cottages. The structures are meant to sit within a pod with services provided until people get into more stable housing. Read more
TRANSITIONS CREATES SIGN FOR SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Klamath County Transitions Program students created a beautiful acrylic pour painted sign for the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.
Students from the program traveled to the sheriff’s office on Vandenburg Road March 13 to deliver the sign. KCTP also opened up their mobile Jo2Go Coffee Cart for sheriff’s office employees and provided specialty coffees after the sign presentation.
“I’ve been hearing about this sign now for several months, and it is gorgeous!” Sheriff Chris Kaber told the students and their program leaders. “Thank you!”
The 3-foot by 4-foot colorful, acrylic pour painting includes the sheriff’s office logo. Crystal Renslow, a paraprofessional who works with the transition program, came up with the idea of an acrylic pour art project for students a few years ago. It was so popular the Klamath County District Office and nearly every school in the district asked KCTP students to create one with their logos.
The district’s Klamath County Transition Program is specifically for young adults, ages 18 to 21, who are on individualized education plans. The focus is on work experience, independent living skills, post-secondary education, and community inclusion.
APPLYING LEARNING TO REAL LIFE
Twenty-two professionals in the community volunteered to do mock interviews with Henley High School juniors last week to give them a real-world taste of the job application process.
The volunteer interviewers provided feedback to the students, who were taking part an eight-week professionalism unit taught by Henley English teachers Shannon Carlson and Shaila Walker. In the unit, students explore their interests and aptitudes and then learn about resumes, cover letters, and interviewing. Students also wrote a research paper on their career of interest.
Walker said bringing in community professionals who had experience with hiring was a way to provide students with a better understanding of how what they learned applied to life outside the classroom.
CTE (career and technical education) coordinator Adam Randall reached out to community partners about the idea.
“We quickly started getting responses from professionals who were eager to help and willing to give up some time in their day to support our students,” Walker said. “The students got helpful feedback on ways to improve their resumes and better market themselves. Some students even left with business cards of people to contact for jobs or senior projects.”
Interviewers included: Randy Cox, Klamath County Economic Development Association; Janet Munkres, Sky Lakes Medical Center; Eric Rose, Collins Products; Denise Stilwell and Mark Stillwell, South Central Oregon Economic Development District; Neil and Robyn Valiton; Robin Lelmorini , Ag West FC; Tonie Kellom, Klamath Falls City Schools; Mariah W and Shannon Jorgensen, Pacific Crest FCU; Brent Knudson, Klamath County Fire District No. 1; Michelle Horne, Klamath Community College Career Center; Andrew Stork, KCEDA; Margot Durand, FNR Realty; Jacquie Jaquett, Nat Ellis, Brian Robin and Karla Clark, Southern Oregon Education Service District; Anna Aylett, Ag West Financial; Barry Faganello, Small Business Development Corp.; Micael Balzotti, Air Guard; Tammy Ahalt, Klamath County School District.
VIKING ROBOTICS TEAM QUALIFIES FOR WORLDS
A Mazama High School robotics team will compete at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas, after qualifying at the VEX Robotics State Championships March 2.
Team 5686V -- Jesse Ferguson, Jesse Casey and Mario Rivera – earned a spot at worlds with the state skills competition score. Worlds will be April 24-29, and the team is fundraising to help with costs. Email Coach Laura Nickerson – nickersonl@kcsd.k12.or.us -- if you are interested in sponsoring the team.
High school teams from Mazama, Lost River, and Henley competed at the state championships. Seven Mazama teams, seven Henley teams, and one Lost River team ((9391B) competed in the highest division – the Platinum State Tournament. Four teams from each from Henley and Mazama made it to the quarterfinals and Henley team 3017X and Mazama teams 5686Z and 5686V earned a spot in the semifinals.
Lost River also had three teams 3 teams (9391A, 9391C, and 9391D) compete in the gold division. Team 9391A (Jose Cazares and Alex Ortiz) advanced to the quarterfinals but did not make it into the semifinals.
Mazama robotics coach Laura Nickerson won Coach of the Year.
Teams that won awards include:
- Henley Team 3017X (Cameron Ransom, Carston Ransom, and Cullen Stroh) won the Inspire Award and placed 12th overall in robot skills in the platinum division.
- Lost River Team 9391C (Zury Vazquez, Gizelle Valadez, and Ariana Salvador-Davis) won the sportsmanship award in the gold division.
HENLEY BOWLING TEAM WINS 2ND PLACE STATE TROPHY
The Henley High School bowling team took home a second-place state trophy at the Oregon State USBC High School Championship Feb. 24-25 in Salem.
The eight-member team varsity team won their bracket and then fell to North Medford in the championship round. In all, 15 high school teams competed in the state playoffs.
Varsity team members are Levi Beanland, Karter Snyder, Dane Downing, Connor Brennan, Carson Siems, Noah Nichol, David Rutledge, and Tony Delarosa. The Henley team this year had 14 members overall. The varsity team had to qualify for state and their second-place finish is the highest in school history.
A SPECIAL FLAG DAY FOR SHASTA FIRST-GRADERS
Shasta Elementary School first-graders learned about the U.S. flag March 20 and received their own mini-flags to wave. The Klamath Falls Lions Club donated the 67 flags – one for each first-grader at the school.
After learning about the history and meaning of the U.S. flag, the students took their mini-flags outside to watch while the school’s custodians raised a U.S. flag, state flag, and POW flag on the pole in front of the school. The students recited the Pledge of the Allegiance as the flags were raised.
This is an annual tradition for first-graders at Shasta Elementary School, said Principal Randy Rose. The Lions Club donates the flags each year. The lesson is given in the spring after a new flag is purchased for the school through student fundraisers.
“It’s important that our students understand and respect our flag,” Rose said. “We are privileged to have the freedoms that we do.”
PLAY 2 LEARN EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL
Klamath County School District elementary schools will host Play 2 Learn events in April. The free events are for families with children 3-5 years of age. Families can attend an event at one of our school sites to learn about the Klamath Basics, participate in activities, and receive a Play 2 learn bag of educational books and toys.
The five Klamath Basics are: Maximize love, manage stress; talk, sing, and point; count group and compare, explore through movement and play; and read and discuss stories.
Play 2 Learn events:
- Keno Elementary, April 4, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Bonanza Elementary, April 11, 5-6 p.m.
- Ferguson Elementary, April16, 5-6 p.m.
- Chiloquin Elementary, April 18, 5-6:30 p.m.
- Malin Elementary, April 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Peterson Elementary, April 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Gilchrist Elementary, April 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Henley Elementary, April 18, 5-6 p.m.
- Merrill Elementary, April 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Stearns Elementary, April 18, 4-5 p.m.
- Shasta Elementary, April 25, 5-6:30 p.m.
OUR NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
KCSD'S ANNUAL REPORT
Check out our 2022-23 annual report for fun facts, financial information, and progress towards our goals. You can find copies at the District Office or read it online here: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/KCSD_Annual_Report_2022-23.pdf
2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
Click here for the 2023-24 school year calendar: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/cms_files/resources/23-24%20School%20Calendar%20revised.pdf
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Klamath County School District
Inspiring today's students to meet tomorrow's challenges!
Read our Strategic Plan
Email: kcsd_communications@kcsd.k12.or.us
Website: www.kcsd.k12.or.us
Location: 2845 Greensprings Drive, Klamath Falls, OR, USA
Phone: 541-883-5000