Help Spread the Word -- Local Option Committee Needs Help!

The Local Option provides nearly 10% of Sisters schools' funding. It is absolutely essential to pass if we are going to retain progress on funding classroom technology (Smartboards, Senteo clickers, document readers), smaller class sizes, buying up-to-date textbooks, foreign language and other academic electives, and co-curricular programs.

PLEASE COMMIT TO SPENDING TWO HOURS HELPING TO PASS THE LOCAL OPTION. The campaign committee is looking for people to man a table at Ray's and the post office, to canvass door-to-door, and to participate in morning drive-time Spirit Rallies. Contact Glen Lasken to sign up: glasken@bendbroadband.com or h) 549-0827 cell 410-2602.

Other great ways to support the campaign: wear a Renew Local Option button (I have a supply)...post a sign in your yard, if you have a high-traffic area (let me know if you want one)...talk to your neighbors about why you're voting yes, and how important it is for our community...hand out brochures (request some from Glen) and talk to people at football and other high school sports events.

Below are some key points, so you can talk knowledgeably about the issues. Remember these four biggies:

* The Local Option simply renews the levy already in place, at the same rate.

* The Local Option means better schools and successful students.

* Even in tough economic times, it's a smart investment we need to continue.

* Vote Yes on the Local Option for our schools, our kids, our future.

1. Local Option pays for: class sizes that are five to seven students smaller.up-to-date textbooks, technology and instructional materials.a wider range of language arts, math and science classes.more electives (standout programs in music, arts, drama, shop, etc.).competitive salaries so we get the best teachers.and co-curricular activities.

2. Even in tough economic times, we can't afford not to continue our support for Local Option. Sisters' schools are a key reason that our property values remain strong. Voting it down would save households very little money in the short term while having a long-lasting negative impact on our schools, our kids and our community. Once teachers and programs are cut, it would take a long time to restore them once a new Local Option measure is passed down the road.

3. LO first passed by voters in 2000, and renewed in 2004. It is not a new tax and the tax rate is the same as the last eight years: $0.75 per $1000 of assessed property value.

4. For the average household property assessed at $268,300, the Local Option amounts to about 55 cents per day.

5. LO is a big reason for our schools' successes:

. Sisters has one of the lowest dropout rates in the state.

. Sisters has the highest graduation rate in Central Oregon.

. 82% of Sisters students participate in extracurricular activities, reducing the number of at-risk students.

. Sisters topped all other Central Oregon school districts in the overall percentage of students who "met or exceeded" state assessment standards for writing, reading and math categories.

. Sisters was the only school district in Central Oregon in which all schools met federal assessment standards.

. Sisters has one of the highest percentage of National Merit Scholars of districts in Oregon.

Full details on the website at: www.sisterslocaloption.com

Meeting Reminder

The next General SPTC meeting will be October 14th at 8:15 in the Commons at SES. Hope to see you there!

Walkathon Raises Over $4,000

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Wow what a walkathon! The kids walked, ran and just had a plain good time collecting Run Across America beads and toe tokens. Checkout the slideshow to the right for pics of the kids walking the walk! And a great side effect of physical fitness--the children raised over $4,000 through the generosity of community donors who pledged their hard earned dollars.

Here are the final numbers from the Walk-A-Thon (I'm sure more $ will trickle in next week):

Totals Pledges: $4,347.55 (As of Friday, 5:00pm)

Winner of the high $ of pledges (Principal for the Day):
Kade Owen - $210.00

Class with the highest $ of pledges:
1st Place: Mr. Warburton - $486.50

2nd Place: Mrs. Richie - $452.50 (Way to go kindergarteners!)

Thank you everyone for talking up the Walk-A-Thon, volunteering and sponsoring your children!

Ribbon Cut for Updated Staff Bathroom

Principal Jan Silberman cut the ribbon to the greatly updated staff bathroom Tuesday.

The staff bathroom at Sisters Elementary School (SES), which dated back to 1977, received a much needed facelift this August thanks to area families and businesses. It took substitute teacher Janice Harrer’s fresh eyes to show SPTC how a few changes and a lot of voluntary effort could make the staff bathroom more welcoming and demonstrate how much we appreciate all the staff does to make SES an outstanding place to learn and grow. Janice Harrer says, “From working in various schools around Central Oregon, I saw that SES’s staff bathroom sure was dreary in comparison. The bathroom project was just one way to give back to the wonderful teachers we have here in Sisters…they deserve it!”

Janice Harrer coordinated the project and worked with Sisters School District Facilities Manager Leland Bliss to remove an old cabinet, sink, room partition, and urinal. She enlisted the help of SES parent Carol Ezell to remodel the bathroom and give it a new look. A new cabinet unit was purchased and another SES parent, Doug Hull, volunteered to hang the new cabinet. Solid Rock Granite in Sisters Park Court donated and installed a slab granite countertop and backsplash as well as a new sink. Trevor Williams also donated his time toward the project. Carol painted the walls, and both the Harrers and Ezells contributed items toward the remodel and new décor of the room. In addition, Janice and her husband Thom Harrer made a donation to match SPTC’s contribution for the project. All these voluntary efforts meant that actual out of pocket expenses were kept to a minimum.

First Grade Teacher Pam Cole told us, “I heard a staff member coming into the staff room yesterday saying, ‘Happy place, happy place!’ I think this is how you can describe our staff room now. We all appreciate the work families did for us, but most of all it was knowing how much they appreciate and care for us that matters. It’s like a pat on the back!”

Secretary Sally Bones says, “The new bathroom is such an improvement. The granite counter top makes you feel like you are in a high class hotel.”

See more pictures by clicking on the album icon below:

Restroom Ribbon Cutting