Children and teens are back in the halls of Mt. Eccles Elementary and Cordova Junior-Senior High School as of August 25. Backpacks are filled with new school supplies and smiles are spread across the bright faces of our local youth as the halls of education are reopened for the 2016-2017 academic year.
Mt. Eccles Elementary School update
Gayle Groff is celebrating her fifth year as principal of Mt. Eccles Elementary School. Prior to becoming principal, she was a teacher for many years.
On the first day of school, Groff loved hearing the students’ little voices in the building’s hallways and classrooms.
“I’ve been back at work for a month,” Groff said. “But the students bring a life and a purpose to this place that staff cannot bring on our own. It was very special to me to share the day with parents leaving their kiddos at school for the first time last Thursday. It was like being invited to observe a rite of passage and I felt very honored to be there.”
Educators at the grade school are working on using more place-based and project-based instruction, which provides students with more choice and flexibility, Groff said. This, in turn, should engage the children more fully.
“Engaged students learn,” she said. “The art of teaching is in providing an engaging environment in which to learn.”
Mt. Eccles teachers and staff have an exciting year in store for the kids, including culture classes with Brooke Johnson, director of the Native Village of Eyak’s Ilanka Cultural Center and Museum.
“We’re starting the year out with a community bang,” Groff said. “The first week in October we’ll celebrate culture week with the Native Village of Eyak and Chugachmiut. Brooke Johnson, of NVE, has been spearheading the cultural celebration, which will include fur sewing, beading, Native language and dance, and subsistence traditions.”
The final celebration during culture week at Mt. Eccles will be open to the community.
Sometimes, our children need extra help with their schoolwork. There are options available, such as a homework club that’s available for an hour after school Mondays through Thursdays for students in grades 2-6.
Homework club is staffed with certified teachers.
“Students may also ask their classroom teacher for individual help,” Groff said. “Any time a parent has a concern, we encourage them to contact the teacher as soon as possible.”
A new, extra-curricular, LEGO robotics program will cater to fourth through sixth graders, and junior high students this year.
Groff said she is excited about the activity.
“Jeremiah Beckett is at the helm of this program,” Groff said. “He’s looking for parent volunteers.”
Mt. Eccles is known for providing a solid foundation for kids going into junior and senior high school.
Groff said she hopes that Mt. Eccles becomes known for influencing children to be empathetic and kind, too, and for thinking of others more than of themselves.
The total enrollment at Mt. Eccles is at 185 students.
Groff said enrollment is slightly down from last year, but not by much.
“We had quite a few students move out of Cordova,” Groff said, “Nearly as many moved in. Our population is down just a few, but we have quite a few new students.”
Mt. Eccles Elementary School teachers and staff for the 2016-2017 school year are Kara Rodrigues, pre-kindergarten; Hailey Vogel, kindergarten; Laura Hanson, first grade; Lovie Brock and Molly Reggiani, second grade; Samantha Hammer, third grade; Pam Jones, fourth grade; Gretchen Carpenter, fifth grade; Stacey Plum, sixth grade; Debbie Collins, special education; Jeff Hamberger, physical education and swimming; Chelsea Corrao, music and band; Darlene Galambush, SPED aide; Karen Hallquist, swimming aide; Marita Kleissler, SPED aide; Laurie Phillips, SPED/preschool instructional aide; Michelle Souliere, SPED aide/classroom support; Sandy Van Dyck, Title I classroom instructional support; and Janice Warga, kindergarten instructional aide and bus driver.
Groff welcomes parents into the schools, too. Volunteer opportunities are available and there is always a niche to fill.
“We love parents to be involved on any level that is comfortable,” Groff said. “There are opportunities in the classroom — come in and read with individual students. Parents can volunteer to help supervise the playground, help children at the swimming pool, help keep the grounds/playground neat and safe, help with the gardening projects, share an area of expertise with a classroom — the sky’s the limit.”
It is evident that Groff loves kids and loves her work.
Groff became a school administrator, she said, because after a stint out in bush Alaska schools as a mentor teacher, she realized that she wanted an opportunity to widen the sphere of influence regarding instructional practice.
“Administration should be, and sometimes IS,” Groff said, “About what happens in the classroom, where the rubber meets the road.”
Here’s a fun fact about Mt. Eccles Elementary School’s principal: She said she loves to dress up in costumes!
Cordova Junior-Senior High School update
The halls of CHS are open for another spectacular year of high academic achievement, intense sporting and swimming events, extracurricular activities and memory making.
It’s the start to a new year for Cordova’s high school and junior high school students, who are joined by a new principal this year.
Curtis Clough, a 27-year education veteran, is in his first season as the principal of Cordova Junior-Senior High School.
Clough and his wife, Libby, moved to Cordova in the beginning of August. Libby is the administrative assistant for the school district.
CHS officially opened last Thursday, August 25, with a welcome assembly inside the gymnasium. The event was geared toward the students.
“It was more of a pep rally than a typical opening-day assembly,” Clough said. “I gave a presentation on the ‘New Future,’ the theme for this year and what the possibilities are that exist for kids in today’s 21st century learning environment. Lots of music, lots of hope and new start to a new, great school year.”
Clough said that the kids of CHS were rocking to the music and clapping at the end of the presentation.
“It made it feel like the school year has begun,” he said. “(It’s) easy to work in an empty building, but the kids in the building make it a great place to be.”
Clough said while he’s only been in Cordova for less than a month and he’s just started working with the staff at the school and in the community, he believes he will be doing much listening during his first few months on the job.
“There will be numerous opportunities for community and parents,” Clough said, “To interact with me on a regular basis, so that I can understand the expectations of our students.”
His door is always open.
There’s also just a few changes at CHS, including separate times for junior high students’ and high school students’ lunch periods.
Clough said the new lunch schedule is working out great and definitely has its advantages.
“This lessened the burden and stress of trying to rush kids through the line,” he said, “And allowed ample time to eat and have some time to relax in their long days. It was good to get back and talk to kids at lunch, to start to understand them on a personal basis as well as setting expectations for their behavior in school.”
There’s fun happening at CHS, too.
New technology courses are being taught after school. The CHS swim team has increased participation this year and shows great promise. The CHS cross country team has 24 participants.
Clough said if students that need extra help with their studies, there are options in place to assist them.
“Students can contact their teachers or coaches directly,” he said. “Several programs are being considered this year. Parents can also contact Micki Dunn or me with their concerns so we can meet and discuss the student’s needs.”
Cordova Junior/Senior High School’s enrollment on the Aug. 25, stands at 151 students.
The 2016-2017 teachers at the junior high and high school are Debra Adams, English; Laura Bowman, English language learners; Douglas Carroll, math; Brian Clark, social studies; Mary Gonzalez, SPED instructional aide; Danielle Hayden, physical education and health; Shane Hill, special education; Sara Hottinger, family consumer science; Pam Moe, individual learning program and correspondence classes; Emily Moody, junior high English and social studies; Neva Nolan, SPED instructional aide; Mae Quemado, ELL instructional aide; Rich Sorenson, career and technical education; Hans Werner, math and science; Lance Westing, science; Kathleen Zamudio, SPED instructional aide; Keith Zamudio, director of technology; Chelsea Corrao, high school music and band; Micki Dunn, counselor.
What cinched the deal for Clough to take the principal’s position in Cordova?
When the position first became available for applications, he said that he asked his colleagues what their perceptions of the district were.
“To a person, all said it would be a great place to work,” Clough said. “The reputation of this district is first class at the state level. When I interviewed and saw the direction the district is pursuing, I felt this was the best place for us. The people here are outstanding to work with. I’m excited to be a part of a community that has so much pride and commitment to their school and kids.”
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia about CHS’s new administrator: He said you probably cannot tell by the physical shape that he is in today, but he was voted, “Most Outstanding Senior Athlete,” of his class while attending Shelby Senior High School, in Shelby, Ohio.
“I participated in football, basketball and baseball,” Clough said, “And I attempted to walk on at Ohio State University for baseball. I was one of the last four cut from the team during tryouts.”
Cordova Public Schools – Important phone numbers:
Mt. Eccles Elementary School Office – 424-3236
Mt. Eccles Elementary School Principal Gayle Groff: ggroff@cordovasd.org
Cordova Junior/Senior High School Office – 424-3266
Cordova Junior/Senior High School Principal Curt Clough: cclough@cordovasd.org
Cordova Junior/Senior High School Counselor Micki Dunn: mdunn@cordovasd.org
Cordova Junior/Senior High School Administrative Assistant Andrea Whitcomb: awhitcomb@cordovasd.org
Cordova Junior/Senior High School Office Clerk Paoola Vargas: pvargas@cordovasd.org
