HOOD RIVER — Human Resources Director Gus Hedberg honored Hood River Valley High School athletes during the Recognition and Good News portion of the Dec. 13 Hood River County School District board meeting, held at Pine Grove Elementary. About 900 students participate in athletics at HRVHS each year, he said, some in multiple sports.
Hedberg recognized girls water polo (5A Oregon State Champions, coached by Kelly Dunn); boys water polo (5A state second place, coached by Garrett Hall); and boys soccer (also 5A state second place, coached by Al Lara).
He also recognized the boys cross country team (first place at the NWOC District Meet and fifth at state); girls cross country (ninth at state); and the football team (Oregon State Playoffs).
Hedberg thanked referees, parents, families and fans, coaches, teachers and staff and administrators for the support they give to the athletes and various programs. “It really is a monumental effort to bring our students to the field and the gym, and so many good things happen,” Hedberg said.
“I want to say congratulations to you all, and please congratulate and thank your parents — your family and your who are your extended family, for their work,” said Julia Garcia-Ramirez (position 4). “You guys are amazing, but the people that’s behind you are also amazing, so I’d like to extend the congratulations to you all and to your extended family. Well done.”
‘Every Day Matters’
Superintendent Bill Newton said in his board report that the district’s Student Services Department led an “Every Day Matters” workshop with staff from all schools “to continue learning about practices to improve attendance while also continuing to develop and revise their plans for improving attendance at their schools,” he said. “If you recall, a major focus of our district is to improve our attendance over last school year.”
Declining daily attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic is an issue faced by districts across Oregon, as Newton reported at the Aug. 30 board meeting.
“Last year we had 35%, or more than 1,300 students, considered chronically absent, meaning they missed 17 or more days of school,” he said Aug. 30. “It is difficult for students to access academic and social emotional learning opportunities, as well as build relationships if they aren’t in school … So our focus is not only every day [attendance] matters, but also every student matters.”
On Dec. 13, Newton said that as of the end of November, seven of the eight HRCSD schools have improved attendance as compared to this time last year. “While we’re headed in the right direction, we have a lot more work to do with improving student attendance to return to pre-pandemic attendance levels,” he said.
New boiler for CL
Newton also reported that Facilities and Operations Director Todd Rainwater met with a state boiler inspector Dec. 6 at Cascade Locks Elementary. The inspector determined a percentage of overall material loss due to corrosion has made the unit unsafe to pressurize. The inspector said it would not be worthwhile to do any work on the boiler itself, due to time and cost.
“While this is disappointing news, we have taken some anticipatory steps for this winter by putting in place a portable heating system to provide heat in the hallway, cafeteria and gym, the three locations where the boiler provided heat,” Newton said. Rainwater is working to procure proposals for the installation of a new system to serve the affected spaces; Newton said he will continue to update the board on next steps.
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