The Newberg Graphic
| District hands out apples; Crystal Apples | ||||
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| Annual awards go to five employees for outstanding job performance | ||||
A bright sunny day greeted teachers at Newberg High School Friday. It was the first day of summer their charges weren't present. The district had invited its staff to a breakfast in the NHS commons before handing out its top award: the Crystal Apples. The award has been given since 2000 to recompense employees for outstanding performance in their field. Sandra Shine from Chehalem Valley Middle School won in the educational assistant category. Shine has worked at CVMS for eight years. She is noted for helping students understand and finish their homework. She is also a dedicated fund-raiser for the Doernbecher Hospital and the Wadayama exchange program. The classified employee of the year was Linda Barnhart, who works as a child development assistant at Newberg High School and a crosswalk guard at Mabel Rush Elementary School. Barnhart holds a nursing degree and handles every situation in a "calm, patient, positive demeanor" said Superintendent Paula Radich. Ewing Young Elementary School teacher Terry Evers won the outstanding elementary teacher of the year. Evers teaches fourth- and fifth-grade. He has been employed in the district for almost 20 years, steps in when the principal is absent and is Ewing Young's technology coordinator. Don Staples of Chehalem Valley Middle School took home the award for outstanding middle school teacher. In addition to teaching, Staples is the district testing coordinator and strives "to keep parents involved and informed of their children's academic status" Radich said. Nancy Owens, a teacher of German, was recognized as the district's outstanding high school teacher. Owens, who was instrumental in starting the German exchange program, retired this year after 24 years of service in the district and more than 30 years teaching. The judges for this year's award were Lynn Weygandt, president of Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce, Myrna Miller a business owner and retired educator, Laine Douglas NHS Associated Student Body (ASB) president, Jordan Anderson an ASB officer, Mark Ankeny from the Newberg School Board and Dean of College Education at Pacific University, Kari Salzman chairwoman of the Newberg Parent Leaders Group, and K'Lyn Hahn, Youth Adult Services Director at the Newberg Public Library. The district also handed out a slew of pins to thank staff for length of service. | ||||
