Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/121478
Friday, April 12, 2013 – Daily News Education in Tehama County KEEP ON LEARNING Vista celebrates Earth Day School garden advocates, Joni Samay and Alyson Wylie make a good team. The success at Vista Middle School's garden gained national recognition as the two were invited to the White House garden social in October. With the help from Walmart Distribution Center, the garden program has blossomed. Promoting healthy nutrition, hands on garden-to-table instruction and collaborating on ways to provide sustainable gardens, the pair are making good things happen at Vista. The two are at it again promoting Earthday Week with Vista's Annual "Fear Factor" Smoothies (spinach smoothies) on Thursday, April 18, on the Vista campus. "We are celebrating Earthday in a big way this year," Samay, the Garden Club coordinator, said. Wylie will be bringing a bike blender from Chico State used for making the green smoothies of Kale, spinach, strawberries and banana. There will also be tastings from our campus garden. In addition, the school will feature life size fruits and vegetables walking around campus promoting Earthday. Garden Club members and Vista student Erica Downey, Mitchell Sauve and Mallory Rainwater will add an extra ingredient to the event by dressing up in life size fruit and vegetable costumes. "It's important to take care of the Earth and eat healthy foods," Downey said. "It's good to get out here and make a difference." "If it means dressing up like a blueberry, we would do it to encourage students to make healthy choices on Earthday and every day," Wylie said. There will also be tours of the garden for students. College Options will be on hand with information for students interested in green careers. For more information contact Samay at Vista at (530) 527-7840. 5A Van Dyke named Feature Teacher Ellen Van Dyke of Manton School was recently recognized with the Feature Teacher award by Larry Champion, Tehama County Superintendent of Schools and Tyler Smail of Edward Jones. "Ellen has proven that great teaching can take place in the small schools of Tehama County. Her multi-graded classroom is a great place for the students of Manton Elementary School to learn," said Champion. "I have always enjoyed working with children," Van Dyke said. "After working at a couple of different jobs, I decided to follow my dream of becoming a teacher and returned to school to get my credential." Coming from a family of teachers made teaching a natural fit. "From a young age, I knew that's what I wanted to do," she said. When asked what qualities exemplary teachers have, she used words like committed, kind, hard-working and organized. "If you love what you do and always do your best, children will know that you care about them and what they are learning. Teaching can be one of the most rewarding things you will do in your life," she said. "Mrs. Van Dyke has been teaching at Manton School since September of 2011" said Roxy Williams, Superintendent at Manton School. "She is Courtesy photo Pictured, from lert, back row, are Sharon Sinclair, Wendy White, A.J. Keane, Nancy McWhorter, Jackie Simmons, Tom Hall. Front row Tyler Smail, Roxy Williams, Stephanie Ferguson, Ellen Van Dyke, Carmen Reynolds, Linda Strawn, Catherine Mancino. a skilled, competent and compassionate teacher and has done an outstanding job teaching all subjects in a multi-graded classroom. She has the ability to encourage while holding each student to high expectations. She gets results. She is a true professional and deserving of this award. Not only have test scores dramatically increased, she is a leader in the school. She involves the students in leadership, assists with extra-curricular activities, and enjoys working in the small school environment with close connections to the community." Van Dyke is passionate about the growth that can happen for students with the proper support of the teacher. "I had a young student who was feeling overwhelmed with his schoolwork, so I met with his parents and we decided to modify his work," she said. "After a very short time, he gained confidence and realized that he was capable of completing his assignments. He went on to become one of my most capable students." Ellen welcomes collaboration with other teachers, school adminis- trators and parents. "I've learned many useful things from peers and school leaders," she said. Ellen encourages parents to be a part of their child's schooling through classroom volunteering, field trips, science fairs, and other school activities. The Feature Teacher award, presented monthly, honors teachers like Ellen, who promote excellence in the classroom, and are dedicated to helping all students achieve their personal best. For more information, visit www.tehamaschools.org. Sacred Heart marks Holy Week Jackson Heights Ag Education Courtesy photo The 6th grade class at Sacred Heart School, with the assistance of their teacher, Mr. John Davis, prepared and presented an outdoor, living Stations of the Cross on March 26 as part of the school's observance of Holy Week. The Stations of the Cross reenact The Passion of Christ, which is the series of events that occurred to Jesus from the courtyard in Jerusalem to Calvary Hill, where He was crucified. Students in the school watched, prayed, and meditated on the meanings of each station. Courtesy photo First grade students from Jackson Heights Elementary had the chance to participate in Ag Education Day activities. The students had the opportunity to learn where their food comes from, to listen to a story about how a seed grows into a plant, and to become farmers themselves by planting seeds. Chico State and Shasta College Ag students helped run the activity stations. Kari Dodd, from the Tehama County Farm Bureau and Shelley Macdonald, Farm Bureau Board Member organized and sponsored the event. Rotary Mercy teachers chosen Congratulations to the Red Bluff Rotary Student of the Month Griselda Lorona Palomares of Los Molinas High School. Pictured are: Greg Stevens, Daily News publisher, Griselda Lorona Palomares, student, Valerie White, teacher and Larry Champion, Tehama County superintendent of schools. SCHOOL PHYSICALS ARE YOUR CHILD'S IMMUNIZATIONS UP-TO-DATE? Courtesy photo Three Mercy High School teachers were chosen be the College Board to be Advanced Placement Test Readers this summer. Helen Arbini, Eileen Bauer, and Donna Lindeman will all travel to Kentucky to judge student Advanced Placement tests for the College Board. This prestigious honor was awarded to these three teachers who have all taught Advanced Placement courses at Mercy High School for many years. Mercy offers Advanced Placement courses for students in all subjects. Lassen Medical Is Offering Saturday Walk In Clinics For School and/or Sport Physicals Saturday th April 13 July 20th May 4th August 10th June 29th 9AM-1PM DON'T FORGET PHYSICAL FORMS AND IMMUNIZATIONS RECORD. Accepting Most Insurances Including M-Cal & CHDP www.lassenmedical.com 2450 Sister Mary Columba Drive (530) 527-0414 Girl Scouts Troop 70325 Book Drive Help local children in need by donating gently used and new books! *April 1-13 2013 Drop off your books and support this great cause! * Umpqua Bank * Tremont Cafe * Fire House Pizza * Aquarium & Pets Thank you!!