Arts Discovery class survives at school

Kit Stafford with art camp student. photo by Jim Mitchell The Caldera Arts Discovery class is an arts program at Sisters Middle School with a focus on the arts, the environment, and creative problem solving.

The class offers support to the Caldera Discovery program conducted during the summer at Blue Lake. Taught by Kit Stafford, the class has served up to 60 students each of the last three years.

The program has been well received by students and the school administration with improvements in student attendance, academics and attitudes noted. The primary basis for admission to the program is economic, but other factors are considered as well. Students are referred by the school principal and the school counselor.

Because of Stafford's fund-raising efforts the program will be offered again in the next school year. Her representation of the program has garnered financial support from Caldera, The Roundhouse Foundation, Sisters Middle School, Sisters Schools Foundation, Community Action Team of Sisters (CATS) and an anonymous local donor.

Additional funds are needed to be able to offer the program throughout the school year.

Lora Nordquist, Sisters Middle School Principal, recently wrote in support of the Caldera year-round program: "We have had young people who have gained confidence and skills in self expression because of Caldera." She went on to say that Caldera "reflects our vision that our school is a place where each student is safe, valued and challenged."

The program will be administered by Caldera; all donations are tax deductible. The administrative office can be reached in Portland at (503) 937-7594.