Homecoming 2014
Homecoming this year will be on Friday, September 26. Our football opponent will be McMinnville, a new team in our conference, along with Forest Grove, and once again West Albany. There will be the usual festivities of pep assembly, Hall of Fame induction, Homecoming Parade, and the game. The Viking Association is going to try to start a new tradition with an all-class social event for alums. Stay tuned for more information!
North High in the Summer
When summer vacation starts for most students, North High doesn't go to sleep.
Summer School
There are three different summer school programs operating at North High this summer. The Summer Transition Program, headed by Brad Lomax (class of 2000), has about 200 students who are incoming Viking freshmen. They are getting a head start on skills that will make them successful at the high school level. In addition to working on math, reading, and writing, the young people are learning "survival skills" for high school. Also, students are doing career exploration, including how to apply for a summer job, like the State Fair.
The Migrant Education Summer School works with around 80 migrant students from the entire school district. They are honing their reading, writing and math abilities, while improving their English language skills.
The third program is Credit Recovery. Students who are short on credits for graduation and who have not yet passed the State Tests in writing and math (now required for graduation in the state of Oregon) are doing remedial work to get those credits. They must complete work samples in the areas of the state tests in lieu of the exams at this point.
Finally, the North High cafeteria is being used this summer for a Federal free breakfast and lunch program.
This is not an empty school during summer time.
Building Renovations
The last capital bond measure passed by Salem-Keizer voters included money for repairs and renovations. This summer several projects are improving our 77 year-old beautiful facility. One of the largest endeavors District-wide is changing the flushing mechanism on every toilet in the District! It is estimated that over 300,000 gallons of water will be saved every year as a result.
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Photo by Lt. Col. Dwight Morse, NSHS JROTC
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The bleachers in the gymnasium are being replaced. The old ones were becoming unsafe. The new ones will be easier for the custodial staff to pull out for events and store for PE use of the facility. In addition, the gym floor is being resurfaced.
Phase II of the Bistro, the rooms for the Culinary Arts classes ("cooking" classes have been upgraded), features new cook stoves, replacing very old and outdated ones and new heating and cooling stations. The Culinary Arts program, one of two in Salem-Keizer, will be able to more effectively cater events, as well as help prepare students for careers in food preparation and service.
The rickety stairs and ramps to the five portable classrooms are being torn down and replaced. This is another safety consideration. Portables were intended to be temporary, but budget constraints have led to their becoming permanent, so they need to be fixed up on occasion.
The band room sustained water damage last year as the sprinklers deployed during a small fire. Carpets are being removed and tile put on the floors. The band will notice a difference in acoustics when they return.
The final big project is the removal of the two very large chimneys related to the old, obsolete heating system for the building. They are no longer used and are considered a real potential danger in case of earthquake. The skyline profile of the building will definitely be changed, particularly from the back of the school.
With all of this going on, the awesome custodial and maintenance staff for North High, headed by Jesus Ochoa, is doing a great job to get the school ready for the start of school in September. Every room, every hallway, every office, every restroom is being completely cleaned and any repairs that are needed are done.
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