By Tom Yahraes
Measure 98—Tackling CTE and Forestry, College Readiness, and Dropout Prevention
High School Success is the title of the Measure 98 ballot initiative approved by the Oregon voters in 2016. This initiative now provides direct funding to school districts to expand high school career and technical education (CTE), college-level educational opportunities, and the expansion of drop-out prevention programs.
As a district, we are proud to report we have applied for and obtained Measure 98 funding which is giving us a great opportunity to refine and enhance our high school programs of study. The high school is in the process of re-tooling its CTE programming, adding a focus in both natural resources and pre-engineering.
For next year, natural resource course enhancements will include a complete forestry program of study to complement the state-recognized Forestry Club and extraordinary vocational classes, developed by Mr. Dustin Nichol.
We aim to maximize Sweet Home’s extraordinary outdoor learning environment and great natural resource partnerships with matching education programs so students can graduate with job-ready entry-level skills as well as the foundational preparation needed for college-level natural resource programs.
The pre-engineering program of study includes advanced business and technology classes, focusing on product design and engineering.
Regarding other college preparation opportunities, Sweet Home High School has aggressively sought out College Now offerings for students. Last year, 240 students earned 850 college credits while taking dual credit courses at Sweet Home High School.
Our Measure 98 plan aims at increasing access to these dual credit opportunities, implementing a more meaningful and accessible Linn Benton community college partnership, refining the rigor of our Honors track diploma and adding additional dual credit courses and partnerships so that students may diversify and enrich their high school transcripts for prospective colleges.
The third leg of Measure 98 focuses on dropout prevention. Sweet Home High School’s graduation rate has lagged behind the state average for several years. As a K-12 organization, we are working hard on core instruction so that our K-6 students are prepared for junior high, and our junior high students are prepared for high school.
Data show that students who participate in our high school CTE classes have high graduation rates at or near 90 percent. Expansion of our CTE class offerings will allow more students to follow this trend.
However, we also know we need to identify and address at-risk students. Dropout prevention teams and systems are being developed this year and will be fully implemented next year with the introduction of a freshman on-track team; a sophomore, junior and senior credit deficiency and recovery team; a summer high school credit recovery program; and a grade 8 to 9 summer transition program for at-risk students.
As these teams and systems become fully developed in the coming months, we look forward to sharing more details.
The high school is on the move with Measure 98. Our high school course offerings and programs are being refined to meet the need of our students and community. We want to give each student every chance to thrive and reach their potential so they can pursue great careers and moreover personal happiness.
School Safety
Coming May 16, school district officials and law enforcement representatives will hold a School Safety and Security Community Connections forum.
The district team, with School Resource Officer Geoff Hamlin, will present our Standard Response Protocols and our Student Threat Assessment Team (STAT).
Standard Response Protocols are the set of procedures we use to address possible dangerous or threatening situations, from drills to evacuation and the reunification of students with parents if an evacuation to another site occurs.
The STAT team will discuss how we assess and provide safety plans when a student presents possible threats to themselves or others. Several lead counselors and principals will present highlights of Sweet Home’s anti-bullying curriculum and systems and the measures we are taking next year to increase our anti-bullying programming and outreach.
Also at the Community Connections forum, I will present an update on our bond safety and security measures, for example, our progress in introducing locking door mechanisms; push-button lockdown; safety vestibules for grades K-8; the Junior High remodel; our enhanced phone, email and text messaging communications system; security cameras; and more.
Our goal at the Community forum is to inform, answer questions and provide community members with information as to how we can work as a team to help keep our schools safe and welcoming.
We also want to discuss how we can help our kids deal with the frustrations life throws at them. Please join us on May 16, at 4:30 in the Sweet Home High School library.
More Community Connection topics and dates are in the works.
If I have not said it lately, Sweet Home is an awesome “can-do” community. I am proud to help be a part of helping Sweet Home continuously improve. It’s a great time to be in Sweet Home! Go, Sweet Home!
Tom Yahraes is the superintendent of the Sweet Home School District.