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ENLARGE
Nursing class
Students in the certified nursing assistant class raise their hands to answer a question posed by registered nurse Ketti Walker. Camas Valley is one of two charter schools in the county. Uncertified teachers like Walker and carpentry teacher Doug Park-Sample are professionals who teach their classes each Friday at the high school. Students are, from left, Traci Bidwell, Courtney Dever and Kathleen Ferrara.
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ENLARGE
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Carpentry lesson
Freshman Eli Fisher and junior Jesse Kincheloe go over measurements with instructor Doug Park-Sample before cutting a row of studs for a new storage shed during a carpentry class at Camas Valley School Friday morning. Elective classes taught by professionals in their respective fields are held each Friday at Camas Valley, which became a charter school this year.
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CAMAS VALLEY -- Inside Camas Valley School's bus barn, two students take turns dipping a paint roller in primer and spreading the sealer evenly across the wood lying on a work bench.
Lost in concentration, they barely speak as they work side by side. Their goal is to build a storage shed for the school's athletic field.
On the other end of campus, three students sit in a brightly lighted classroom playing a game of Jeopardy with a nursing theme. The students raise their hands eagerly and shout out answers to the questions. They hope to soon have their nursing certification so they can help people in need.
These high school students are participating in construction and certified nurse assistant classes, which are now offered because Camas Valley School District became a charter school this school year. In the past, budget shortfalls limited the number of elective classes available to students.
The district has 151 students enrolled this year in kindergarten through 12th grade, up from 124 at this time last year. School officials are hearing that the charter school status has drawn some students who were previously home-schooled or who transferred from other districts. Enrollment may have also been boosted by new families moving to the area.
In a charter school, only half the teachers must be Oregon certified, and working professionals can be brought in to teach a class in their field. That means the school district can hire a professional to work a few hours a week rather than hiring a full-time teacher, said Vince Swagerty, Camas Valley School District superintendent.
In October, the district hired specialists in construction and nursing to teach high schoolers. At the beginning of the school year, the district brought in a retired teacher to instruct art to middle school and high school students. A professional forester will begin teaching a forestry class this spring.
Because this is the first year, school officials are gradually adding classes to the school's schedule, Swagerty said.
"It's hard to imagine what's actually out there and how does that work with our school," Swagerty said.
School officials do know they hope to hire instructors to teach music to students in all of the grades at Camas Valley -- kindergarten through 12th grade. The instructors can show students how to play instruments such as the piano or guitar. They could teach voice lessons.
"It's an area we've been lacking in for a long time, and we'd really like to have," Swagerty said.
The elective classes are held only on Fridays, so they don't conflict with students' required classes. Students have more time in class, and it's more convenient for professionals who are working to teach one day a week, Swagerty said.
<b>STUDENTS GAIN NURSING SKILLS</b>
Ketti Walker of Camas Valley, who teaches the CNA course, asks her students during their Jeopardy game how to help a person dress or take a bath.
The students recently had an exam and Walker, who has worked as a nurse for 30 years, uses the game as a fun way to review the problems they missed.
Lost in concentration, they barely speak as they work side by side. Their goal is to build a storage shed for the school's athletic field.
On the other end of campus, three students sit in a brightly lighted classroom playing a game of Jeopardy with a nursing theme. The students raise their hands eagerly and shout out answers to the questions. They hope to soon have their nursing certification so they can help people in need.
These high school students are participating in construction and certified nurse assistant classes, which are now offered because Camas Valley School District became a charter school this school year. In the past, budget shortfalls limited the number of elective classes available to students.
The district has 151 students enrolled this year in kindergarten through 12th grade, up from 124 at this time last year. School officials are hearing that the charter school status has drawn some students who were previously home-schooled or who transferred from other districts. Enrollment may have also been boosted by new families moving to the area.
In a charter school, only half the teachers must be Oregon certified, and working professionals can be brought in to teach a class in their field. That means the school district can hire a professional to work a few hours a week rather than hiring a full-time teacher, said Vince Swagerty, Camas Valley School District superintendent.
In October, the district hired specialists in construction and nursing to teach high schoolers. At the beginning of the school year, the district brought in a retired teacher to instruct art to middle school and high school students. A professional forester will begin teaching a forestry class this spring.
Because this is the first year, school officials are gradually adding classes to the school's schedule, Swagerty said.
"It's hard to imagine what's actually out there and how does that work with our school," Swagerty said.
School officials do know they hope to hire instructors to teach music to students in all of the grades at Camas Valley -- kindergarten through 12th grade. The instructors can show students how to play instruments such as the piano or guitar. They could teach voice lessons.
"It's an area we've been lacking in for a long time, and we'd really like to have," Swagerty said.
The elective classes are held only on Fridays, so they don't conflict with students' required classes. Students have more time in class, and it's more convenient for professionals who are working to teach one day a week, Swagerty said.
<b>STUDENTS GAIN NURSING SKILLS</b>
Ketti Walker of Camas Valley, who teaches the CNA course, asks her students during their Jeopardy game how to help a person dress or take a bath.
The students recently had an exam and Walker, who has worked as a nurse for 30 years, uses the game as a fun way to review the problems they missed.
Walker is a part-time house supervisor at the Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay. She decided to teach at the charter school because "I wanted the community to have the opportunity to take the class," she said.
It's costly and time-consuming for Camas Valley residents to drive the 30 miles to UCC, she said. By learning a trade such as nursing, they can have a skill that allows them to earn an income.
"It gives them choices," she said.
Walker's students are learning about how to provide care for patients. This spring, they will begin gaining clinical experience at the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center and Umpqua Valley Rehabilitation and Care Center. The students earn nine credits from Umpqua Community College for the course. When the class ends, they can take a test to earn their CNA certification.
Senior Courtney Dever decided to take the class because "I wanted to get into some kind of medical school, and I thought this would be a good opportunity."
Dever has plans to attend UCC. The college credits she has earned will get her one step closer to earning her degree.
Senior Traci Bidwell said she never imagined being a nurse, but because of the class, she now considers it a potential career.
"If we hadn't gone to charter school, we wouldn't have this," Bidwell said.
<b>CONSTRUCTION STUDENTS IMPROVE SCHOOL</b>
Doug Park-Sample of Roseburg, the construction teacher, has plans to help students make improvements to the school grounds and facilities.
It's costly and time-consuming for Camas Valley residents to drive the 30 miles to UCC, she said. By learning a trade such as nursing, they can have a skill that allows them to earn an income.
"It gives them choices," she said.
Walker's students are learning about how to provide care for patients. This spring, they will begin gaining clinical experience at the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center and Umpqua Valley Rehabilitation and Care Center. The students earn nine credits from Umpqua Community College for the course. When the class ends, they can take a test to earn their CNA certification.
Senior Courtney Dever decided to take the class because "I wanted to get into some kind of medical school, and I thought this would be a good opportunity."
Dever has plans to attend UCC. The college credits she has earned will get her one step closer to earning her degree.
Senior Traci Bidwell said she never imagined being a nurse, but because of the class, she now considers it a potential career.
"If we hadn't gone to charter school, we wouldn't have this," Bidwell said.
<b>CONSTRUCTION STUDENTS IMPROVE SCHOOL</b>
Doug Park-Sample of Roseburg, the construction teacher, has plans to help students make improvements to the school grounds and facilities.
Charter series
Students who live outside school district boundaries can attend Camas Valley School, because charter schools are free and open to anyone. The Oregon Legislature established charter schools in 1999 to be independent of public schools and tailored to meet students’ specific needs.
Because kindergarten through the 12th grade is housed in one building at Camas Valley, the entire district has been designated as a charter school. The charter school is governed by a school board, and the district also retained its own school board. Information on enrollment: 445-2131. |
The students have poured concrete and created a much-needed septic tank. They are now constructing a shed. Then, they have plans to add some stairs to the football stadium and build shelves for storage in the bus barn.
In a year, Park-Sample would like to have the students build a weight room.
"I think the kids will be capable of building the whole thing," Park-Sample said.
If the school district can find funds for the materials, constructing a weight room would be a possibility, Swagerty said. A subcontractor could be hired for plumbing and electrical work to make sure the building meets codes.
"It's a project we're really looking forward to," Swagerty said. "It's something we'd like to do."
Because of budget cuts at Oregon schools like Camas Valley, it's good to have students help, Park-Sample said.
Park-Sample decided to teach the class because people have told him he is a good instructor.
"I have been doing construction for 28 years, and I thought it was maybe time to use my experience in a different way," he said.
Junior Jesse Kincheloe was drawn to the class because he wanted to help out his school.
"It's a small school, and it needs more stuff," Kincheloe said.
Freshman Eli Fisher thought he might be interested in construction as a profession when he gets older and also wanted an activity to occupy his time.
"It's something to do on Fridays besides sports," Fisher said.
The class is mostly hands-on, but the students also learn to create blueprints. Students receive a credit for the class, and Park-Sample expects two more students to enroll in January.
"I really feel good about the programs we have," Swagerty said.
* You can reach reporter Danielle Gillespie at 957-4202 or by e-mail at dgillespie@newsreview.info.
In a year, Park-Sample would like to have the students build a weight room.
"I think the kids will be capable of building the whole thing," Park-Sample said.
If the school district can find funds for the materials, constructing a weight room would be a possibility, Swagerty said. A subcontractor could be hired for plumbing and electrical work to make sure the building meets codes.
"It's a project we're really looking forward to," Swagerty said. "It's something we'd like to do."
Because of budget cuts at Oregon schools like Camas Valley, it's good to have students help, Park-Sample said.
Park-Sample decided to teach the class because people have told him he is a good instructor.
"I have been doing construction for 28 years, and I thought it was maybe time to use my experience in a different way," he said.
Junior Jesse Kincheloe was drawn to the class because he wanted to help out his school.
"It's a small school, and it needs more stuff," Kincheloe said.
Freshman Eli Fisher thought he might be interested in construction as a profession when he gets older and also wanted an activity to occupy his time.
"It's something to do on Fridays besides sports," Fisher said.
The class is mostly hands-on, but the students also learn to create blueprints. Students receive a credit for the class, and Park-Sample expects two more students to enroll in January.
"I really feel good about the programs we have," Swagerty said.
* You can reach reporter Danielle Gillespie at 957-4202 or by e-mail at dgillespie@newsreview.info.
