June 2015

Friends and Key Communicators:

 

Last month, Hermiston School District had the pleasure of hosting U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley; you will find a few highlights from his visit below.  Also included this month is information on the grand opening and pending home sale for our first student-built home as part of Columbia Basin Student Homebuilders Program, an update on spring athletics and activities, and recognition of our 2014-15 retirees.

 

These monthly messages are intended to keep key stakeholders informed about the happenings in Hermiston School District and to provide an opportunity to give the district timely feedback about its initiatives. If you have suggestions for other topics you believe should be addressed in a future Key Communicators message, please let us know!

With regards,

Dr. Fred Maiocco
Superintendent of Schools

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley visited Hermiston Saturday, May 16, for a public town hall. The stop was part of a town hall circuit; he held a Morrow County Town Hall at 10 am Saturday, followed by the Umatilla Country Town Hall at Hermiston High School, which started at 12:30 pm.

Senator Merkley kicks off his town hall meetings by shining light on a program contributing in a positive way to make a community stronger. In Hermiston, he highlighted the Columbia Basin Student Homebuilders Program, as represented by Program Coordinator Mr. Curt Berger and two student homebuilders. In recognition of the excellent career & technical education program Senator Merkley presented the program representatives with a flag flown over the United States Capitol, along with a certificate of excellence.

Senator Merkley continued by sharing a brief update on issues the Senate is currently addressing. He then welcomed comments from Umatilla School District Superintendent Heidi Sipe who spoke on STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) initiatives, including USD robotics, and then opened the floor for a question and answer period.

Larive Middle School’s ALTV, an elective television production class, live streamed the town hall. A replay of the meeting is accessible on ALTV’s web page hosted on U.S. Education TV, by clicking here.

Following the forum, Senator Merkley visted the CBSHP home site, located at 895 W Angus, for a tour of Fieldstone #1, the first of the student-built homes. Program updates and progress pictures are available on the CBSHP web site.

Columbia Basin Student Homebuilders Program home sale: The Board of Education unanimously approved district administration’s action plan to sell Fieldstone #1, the first of 11 student-built homes located on West Angus Avenue, as presented at its Special Meeting on Monday, April 27.

Deputy Superintendent Wade Smith reviewed the timeline, process, and documents necessary to offer up the high-end 2050 square foot home for sale to the highest bidder. Substantial completion of the home is slated for June 1, 2015, and an Open House has been set for that day to show off the custom home to the community. The next day, June 2, prospective buyers are able to submit sealed bid offers to the district. On June 22, the district will offer the home to the highest bidder.

“We feel that a sealed bid, with a preset reserve price, is the fairest and most competitive process for us to sell our student-built homes,” stated Deputy Superintendent Smith. “We will announce a fair-market value reserve price on June 1, and interested purchasers may then submit a bid at or above that value. The highest bidder will be awarded the opportunity to close on the home.”

Proceeds earned from the sale of Fieldstone #1 will be used to construct the second home in the eleven home subdivision.

The district has made available the timeline, bid information sheets, and other associated documents on the student homebuilding web site.

“We hope people will be able to visit the site on June 1st, whether they are interested in purchasing the home or not. I am confident that everyone who attends will be overwhelmed by the outstanding craftsmanship and quality of the house,” noted Smith.

Fieldstone #1 House Amenities Include:

• 3 Bedroom plus Office/Den, 2 Bath
• Premium home with top-of-the-line amenities
•  Energy Trust certified home with enhanced insulation, premium efficient windows, conditioned space sealed ductwork, and state-of-the-art heating/cooling systems
• Energy efficient lights, and high-end appliances (double ovens, gas cook-top)
• Exposed beam, vaulted great room, with tongue and groove ceiling (Rest of home 9 ft ceilings)
• Whole-house sound system with built-in entertainment speakers
• “Smart Home” with high speed fiber internet
• Custom wood trim, cabinets, and doors
• Hardwood floors and custom tile work
• Granite counters throughout
• Central vacuum system
• Security system
• Water softener
• Custom master bathroom, with jetted Jacuzzi tub and walk-in tiled shower
• Double sinks in both bathrooms
• Gas fireplace
• RV parking
• Fully landscaped yard with sprinkler system and perimeter fence
• Covered Front and back porches
• Insurance-backed home warranty

 

Spring Sports Update: This spring contributed to a successful year in athletics. Total student participation reached 758 students over the three seasons, marking 56.2% of the HHS student body! After 678 contests for 14 teams, HHS brought home four Columbia River Conference championships and five state places, including two state championships! Following is a spring wrap-up.

Track & Field: HHS Track & Field showed weekly improvements in all events; a great accomplishment for all 120 participants and the coaching staff. On April 25th Hermiston hosted the 30th Annual Kiwanis track meet, with a total of 21 teams participating. HHS made a good showing, as the boys team placed 3rd and the girls placed 2nd. At the May CRC Championships in The Dalles, the boys team placed 2nd, while the girls finished 4th. By the end of day two, Hermiston had a total of 16 student-athletes qualify for the OSAA 5A State Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene.

Softball: The team ended the season ranked #25, with an overall record of 7-18 and a CRC Record of 1-11. The season was full of challenges for the Lady Dawgs, but nothing that is not correctable. This year’s squad will be losing six seniors, but it has a strong core of 22 players returning who have gained valuable experience this year. The returners will provide great leadership to talented incoming freshman and sophomore players. Coach Lete and her staff are currently finalizing their off-season/summer schedule to enhance player development.

Baseball: Coach Hawkins continues to be pleased with his team’s steady improvement, which made it to the first round of playoffs. The team’s #25 ranking in the OSAA RPI is no indication of just how strong the team is, as the margin of victory for many games was within a few runs. The team’s overall record was 11-13, with a CRC record of 4-8. Seven team members will graduate, out of 32 total program participants. Coach Hawkins and his staff were excited for the opportunity to make a playoff run in his first year at the helm; and they are even more excited for the summer and time to continue player development with many activities planned for Little League, Jr. Baseball, and American Legion.

Lacrosse: This year’s lacrosse team is providing yet another first for Hermiston High School and the community by qualifying for the Oregon High School Lacrosse Association—High Desert playoffs as the fourth seed. The team’s overall record sits at 8-10, with a league record of 4-3. Coach Hammond and Coach Bruck have set high expectations for the program this year and all 38 players have worked hard to meet the developmental expectations. As expected the program is continuing to gain participation, and fanfare, as it has many matches with a crowded sideline. Unfortunately, the team fell to Bend in Round 1 of the OSHLA Championship bracket, but continued its season in late May by traveling to Canby for Round 1 of the OHSLA Cascade Cup.

Tennis: Both boys and girls tennis programs experienced steady improvements, and many of this year’s 32 participants indicated how much they enjoyed the season. Individually, Hermiston has a few bright spots on the girls’ side; the top two singles fared well at the Capital Invite in Boise; as did the boys doubles team. Both programs showed strong performances at the CRC duals. Unfortunately, neither program had any members qualify for the state championships, but many fared well at their respective district tennis tournaments. The boys traveled to Sunriver for their district tournament, while the girls hosted here in Hermiston.

Golf: On Par! Both girls and boys golf programs continue to experience success throughout the region, and they keep getting better. Both programs recently hosted their annual Big River Invitationals and, both came away victorious. One a side-note, Zach Adams nearly eagled holes #6 and #10 at the boys invite, and he came away the tournament champion. On the girls’ side, Hermiston has success, both individually then as a team. Coach Browning is encouraged by the overall play of his 11 participants and how they competed at the CRC-IMC Regional Golf Championships in Sunriver. Despite their efforts, the team’s hopes of qualifying for the state championships were drowned by a technicality, which dropped the team from a 3rd place finish to 5th. As for Coach Frink and his team of 15, they too enjoyed success at the regional championship in Sunriver, and they qualified for the 5A State Golf Championships at Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell. The boys team finished 4th overall, with four of the six individuals finishing in the top 18 of the overall standings.

Band: Congratulations to the HHS Wind Ensemble! Thirty-seven of the musicians earned the right to compete at the OSAA State Band Championships at Oregon State University. Mr. Dunsmoor and his students were very excited about the opportunity to showcase their talents, and everyone came away with much enthusiasm for their love of music.

Choir/ Solo Music: Choir Director Josh Rist smiles even more than usual, after having two students compete in the OSAA Solo Music State Championships at Lewis & Clark College and the HHS Chamber Choir compete at the OSAA Choir Championships at George Fox University. The students were well prepared and on an emotional high, as they looked to bring home a state title. Although they did not achieve that goal, one thing is clear… the students have an enhanced passion for music and have already set their sights and goals on returning next year to earn the title.

Speech & Debate: Mrs. Kat Podlesnik put in many hours over the year to build and maintain this program. In her first year as speech & debate advisor, she graciously drove nine students to compete in sanctioned events across the state, and her participation rates steadily increased with several students coming on board in a non-competitive capacity to gain insight on the club. In addition, Kat helped plan and organize the special district tournament that Hermiston hosted at Armand Larive Middle School, in which more than 50 students competed with the help of over 70 volunteers. It was a great event for all involved and surely an experience that helped prepare the club members for the OSAA State Speech & Debate Championships, which was held at Western Oregon University in April. HHS came away with one placer, Madeline Bartley, who placed 3rd in After Dinner Speaking. To watch her 4-minute presentation on a random topic, which is both humorous and insightful, click here and scroll to the 26:00 mark.

2015 District Retirees: Hermiston School District took the opportunity to recognize its 2015 retirees at the awards and recognition banquet on Tuesday, May 12. The district had 17 staff members retiree this year, marking 344 years of service departing the district. Following is a list of the 2015 retirees.