Community Connections

April 2025

Within our growing, diverse community, we sow the seeds of opportunities to raise prepared, resilient students.

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Gervais High School Rolls Out Culinary Excellence—On Wheels!

The aroma of opportunity is in the air at Gervais High School! On April 10th, families, students, and staff gathered between the middle and high schools for a special sneak peek at a project that’s been cooking for months: the district’s very own food truck, custom-built by the talented team at PDX Cart Builders.

The brand-new mobile kitchen is the latest addition to the school’s growing Culinary Arts Program, and it’s already making waves. Outfitted with professional-grade equipment—including a griddle, fryers, a sandwich prep table, and refrigeration units—this fully functional food truck isn’t just impressive; it’s a rolling classroom designed to launch students into Oregon’s thriving food scene.

“The energy at the Student Showcase was electric,” said culinary instructor Maddy Van Dewalker. “Families from both schools toured the truck, asked questions, and got a feel for what this new mobile kitchen can offer. It was an amazing moment for our program and our community.”

Built on a brand-new 2022 Ford F59 18’ step van and tailored specifically for Gervais CTE Culinary students, the food truck will serve as a launchpad for hands-on learning in every corner of the culinary world—from food prep and safety to customer service, inventory tracking, event planning, and even small business operations. This kind of real-world experience is exactly what Career & Technical Education (CTE) is all about.

“Expanding a culinary program to include a food truck component to connect with the local community—some of whom operate their own food trucks—is a winning approach to another aspect of CTE,” said Scott Rose, Senior Project Manager at R&C Management Group, who has supported the district throughout the project.

To top it all off—literally—the truck is now fully wrapped in a bold, custom-designed graphic created in collaboration with Gervais students. The final design showcases their creativity and school pride, making the truck not only a teaching tool, but a moving work of art.

“This project is more than just a culinary tool—it’s a source of pride, creativity, and connection for our students,” Van Dewalker added. “We’re thrilled to share it with the community.”

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of staff, students, R&C Management, and PDX Cart Builders, the Gervais School District is cooking up something truly special. So keep your eyes (and appetites) open—because this food truck is just getting started, and the best is yet to come!

Gervais Preschool Earns Top Marks in Statewide SPARK Program

In early April, Gervais School District’s preschool program reached an exciting milestone: a 3-star rating from SPARK, Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System for early learning. District-supported, non-Head Start preschools in Oregon rarely achieve this level of recognition, making Gervais’s accomplishment especially noteworthy.

“This isn’t just a gold star on paper—it’s a sign that we’re giving our youngest learners the strongest possible start,” said Dr. Creighton Helms, Director of Student Services & Federal Programs at Gervais School District. “We chose to go through this voluntarily because we believe families deserve to know their children are in a high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and nurturing environment.”

SPARK evaluates early childhood programs through a rigorous and comprehensive checklist that focuses on curriculum, safety, learning environments, staff training, and child development best practices. The process demands deep reflection and dedication—and earning a rating means going well above and beyond what’s expected. Dr. Helms and Beth Flores, the district’s dedicated PreK Program Coordinator, made a shared commitment to pursue the rating no matter how long it took. “We sat down and said, ‘We’re going to do this right.’ It’s not just about having a program—it’s about moving the needle for these kids,” Helms explained.

As part of the process, the Gervais preschool team had to clearly articulate the values and vision behind their program. From their family handbook:

“We believe that young children learn best in a nurturing and play-based environment. Our goal is to create an environment where all children and staff are highly valued. Our child-led program encourages intentional, open-ended play-based activities in the classroom. Children can explore the world and their relationships with others in a safe environment. Parents are valuable partners, and we believe that by working together we can help children develop their full potential.”

“Our goal at Gervais Early Learning Center is to create a high-quality preschool environment for young children,” Flores shared. “We have all worked hard to improve the quality of our care. We are proud of our three-star rating, but we will continue to learn and grow as professionals to provide the highest quality early learning center for the families we serve.”

The preschool program, which has been steadily growing over the past six to eight years, is funded by Preschool Promise and has become the largest single-slot provider in Marion County. The need in the Gervais community is clear, with many families relying on affordable early learning options. Currently, the preschool operates three classrooms in sync, sharing resources, serving a wide range of children—including those with developmental disabilities—and never turning a child away due to their level of need.

“It takes a whole team,” Helms added. “It takes a superintendent like Dandy Stevens who believes in early learning, a district willing to invest in something this foundational, and staff who are willing to go through hours of professional development and implement research-backed curriculum with care.”

The SPARK rating isn’t just a stamp of approval—it’s a sign that Gervais is building something exceptional. From imaginative play to guided instruction, the district’s preschool is setting the stage for kindergarten readiness and long-term student success.

Congratulations to Beth Flores and her incredible team for their tireless work and unwavering commitment to early childhood education!

After School Magic and Saturday Storytime Bring Gervais Elementary to Life

Gervais Elementary School is buzzing with activity long after the final bell rings—and not just during the week. Thanks to creative funding solutions and a strong community spirit, the school has been able to bring back its beloved after school clubs and launch a brand-new Saturday storytime series in the library.

Earlier this school year, GES faced a major hurdle: the ODE Latinx Student Success grant, which had powered after-school programs for two years, was not renewed. This meant the school had to press pause on all clubs for the first semester.

“It was tough not having those opportunities for our kids in the fall,” said Principal Dusty Price. “But our superintendent and school board really stepped up to help us find funding to bring clubs back for the second semester. Their support made all the difference.”

And bring them back they did. From February 4 to March 20, students jumped into exciting, hands-on learning in clubs like 3D printing, sewing, Minecraft Science, Pokémon TCG, and even violins. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons transformed the school into a hub of discovery, with around 95 students participating during the two days.

“These extended learning opportunities really help students apply what they’re learning in class in creative and meaningful ways,” said Price. “We want learning to be fun and exciting. These clubs let students explore new interests and let their imaginations run wild.”

GES teachers played a vital role, serving as club advisors, mentors, and dream-makers for everyone involved! The next session of after-school clubs is already underway, running from April 8 to May 22. Students and families alike are thrilled to have the magic continue.

But the fun doesn’t stop on weekdays. Thanks to new support from the Willamette Education Service District’s (WESD) migrant education program, GES has also launched a heartwarming weekend program: GES Library Storytime. Every Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to Noon (April through June), the GES library opens its doors to students and families for storytime, arts and crafts, book checkouts, and even homework help for grades 6–12. Families are welcome to come and go as they please—and to sweeten the experience, Paisanito Paletas, a locally owned family business serving popular Mexican frozen treats, often joins the fun!

“Our first storytime was such a joy,” said Price. “We read fairy tales, made art together, and just spent quality time as a community. It’s a beautiful way to promote literacy and togetherness.” The same WESD funding also supports after-school tutoring for 18 students in grades K–5, blending literacy support with engaging STEAM activities. Monthly literacy nights for selected students and their families are also part of the expanded programming.

Whether it’s through coding, crafting, reading, or storytelling, Gervais Elementary is making it clear: learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends—it just gets even more fun.

Career and College Week Brings Future Dreams to Life at Gervais Middle School

What started as a one-day event more than a decade ago has now blossomed into an entire week dedicated to inspiring futures. Gervais Middle School recently celebrated its first-ever Career and College Week, transforming the traditional Career Day into a full five days of excitement, exploration, and hands-on learning.

Led by GMS Counselor and 504 Coordinator Aloha Yoshinaga—alongside Principal Toni Johnson and staff member Fenya—the week was filled with opportunities for students in grades 6–8 to dive into the world of work and higher education.

“We wanted to give students not just a glimpse of the future, but a whole window,” said Aloha. “It’s one thing to hear about a job or a college, but when you get to talk to someone who’s been there—and especially if they’re from Gervais—it makes that dream feel possible.”

Thanks to the support of GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) and ASPIRE (Access to Student Assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone), the Gervais team was able to pull out all the stops. GEAR UP, a national initiative, helps schools encourage college readiness beginning in middle school, while Oregon’s ASPIRE program connects students with mentoring and post-high school planning resources. Their combined funding allowed GMS to offer prizes, college swag, special events, and memorable experiences that made the week truly unforgettable.

Throughout the week, students played interactive college and career games during lunch, won prizes, and collected all kinds of college swag—from hats and sports balls to cozy sweatshirts and branded bags. Each day brought a new layer of discovery, culminating in the school’s traditional Career Day event. On that big day, 17 professionals shared their career journeys—including six proud Gervais graduates. Students heard from a registered nurse, an electrician, a pastry chef, a distribution manager, a state representative, and even a local coach. Colleges and trade programs like Western Oregon University, River Bend Materials, and Patsy’s Brows and Beauty Academy also came out to present programs and answer student questions.

Leadership students welcomed guests and acted as school ambassadors, guiding them to their assigned classrooms or gym stations. The gym was buzzing with energy as students explored simulators and participated in hands-on demonstrations at college and career tables.

After their sessions, students were encouraged to reflect on what they enjoyed and what sparked their interest. They even completed a survey and watched a short video to help identify personal passions. The week wrapped up with a high-energy assembly where students shared what they learned, explored career ideas, and took part in a lively prize raffle.

“I was told this was the best Career and College Week we’ve ever had,” said Aloha. “And honestly, I believe it. The smiles, the curiosity, the conversations—it was all so positive and productive.”

And the best part? This is just the beginning. Career and College Week is now officially a new tradition at Gervais Middle School, continuing to help students dream big and plan boldly for whatever comes next.

Bond Projects Making Big Strides Thanks to Collaboration and Community Commitment

It’s been a busy and exciting season of progress for the Gervais School District’s bond projects! From construction planning to smart facility solutions, the work happening behind the scenes—and now increasingly on-site—is setting the stage for transformational improvements across the district. Here’s the latest roundup of updates from our incredible project partners and teams working hard to bring these projects to life.

Local Partnerships in Motion

Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company (KNCC) has been actively connecting with local subcontractors to ensure community involvement stays front and center throughout this process. In fact, KNCC kicked off their early outreach by inviting local businesses to a community Skate Night, using the event as a chance to chat about bidding opportunities in a casual, family-friendly setting. They’ve continued reaching out to local companies to ensure everyone has a fair shot at participating in the upcoming projects.

Surveying, Soil, and Strong Foundations

R&C Management Group reported that site surveying for the design phase has been completed, with control points to be finalized again at the start of construction. Geotechnical studies were also wrapped up, and while soft soils—typical for our area—were discovered, the good news is that foundation designs have already accounted for these conditions. The mitigation plan fits well within the bond budget, keeping us on track both structurally and financially.

Roofing Progress Overhead

Pre-bid walkthroughs for both the elementary and high school roofs were completed, offering contractors a chance to assess the sites up close. The elementary school roof bids were received and came in right on budget—a great sign of efficient planning and management. Bids for the high school roofing project were received, and summer 2025 projects are gearing up for launch.

Seismic Safety in Sight

In January, the District submitted a seismic grant application specifically aimed at strengthening the high school cafeteria. If awarded, the seismic work will align with broader construction efforts scheduled for summer 2026. Results from the state are expected by the end of May—fingers crossed!

Signs of the Times

New signage and readerboards are also on the horizon, thanks to a contract awarded to ES&A Sign & Awning Co. Design work is already underway, with Watchfire LED units being secured for installation. Here’s a look at what’s coming:

• High School Exterior Readerboard: Installation planned for Fall 2025

• Hwy 99 Signage: Also slated for Fall 2025

• Elementary School Readerboard: Replacing the sign lost in Spring 2024, with a new one up by Fall 2025

• Middle School Signage: Included in the new construction and targeted for Fall 2026

Weight Room Reimagined

One of the most exciting wins so far? A reimagined solution for the Gervais High School weight room. Originally, the plan called for relocating the facility to the upstairs gym mezzanine. But thanks to the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) approach and some outside-the-box thinking from district leaders, the athletics department, and our project team, a better—and more budget-friendly—solution was found.

Instead of a costly and less-accessible move, an existing exterior structure on campus will now be transformed into a modern, permanent weight room. Even better, the design includes a new restroom area to serve both the weight room and nearby athletic fields. This clever dual-purpose plan not only supports student-athletes but enhances year-round community access to facilities. Plus, the upstairs mezzanine will now remain available for physical education and expanded programming.

This kind of collaboration between Gervais School District, R&C Management Group, Arcadis Architecture, and KNCC is exactly why the CMGC model was chosen. It allows for real-time problem solving, team synergy, and ultimately, smarter results for students and families.

Looking Ahead

From the ground to the rooftops and everywhere in between, progress is happening—and it’s happening because of thoughtful planning, dedicated professionals, and a community that continues to support these important improvements. Stay tuned for more updates as we move from planning to building, and thank you for being a vital part of this exciting journey!

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