It's back-to-school time in Sisters

Sisters students returned to the classroom at Sisters Elementary School and Sisters High School last week. Their teachers got there first - starting a whole week earlier.

Feelings of excitement, excellence and positive anticipation filled the high school commons for the Sisters School District All Staff In-Service orientation on Wednesday, August 23.

Superintendent Ted Thonstad charged the staff to make the 2006-07 school year the best ever for the Sisters School District. He said that this goal can be accomplished by all working together.

School Board Vice Chairman Steve Rudinsky spoke of the importance of the learning process and that excellence is truly achieved when both students and teachers continue to grow and learn.

He commented about the need for all to have "continuous improvement throughout life." Rudinsky encouraged each person to decide what he or she can accomplish as an individual to the end of making this an exceptional year for the district.

Smiles abounded as acquaintances were renewed and new acquaintances were made.

New hire Craig Ray will be teaching pre-calculus in the College Now program at the high school where students receive both high school and COCC credit. Ray has taught for 11 years at COCC and for three years at La Pine High School.

He was attracted to Sisters because of the district's "aggressive attitude of improving what we do and the demeanor that is here in leadership and administration."

Ray commented that meeting all Federal requirements is not enough for the Sisters district.

"They just want to keep moving forward and be one of the best districts in the country," he said.

Mary Lesowske, the principal's secretary at the middle school, has been with the district for 18 years. About the new year, she says, "I'm ready to get going."

The start of middle school was delayed to September 5 due to use of the facilities for a fire camp.

Lesowske feels that the decision to postpone the start of the middle school was the right thing to do for the firefighters, the teachers and the students.

Judy Mason - with a huge smile on her face - said that she has worked for the district for 25 years. She drives bus 15, route D and is now driving second-generation students.

Megan Schoenecker will be teaching seventh grade language arts at the middle school. She said, "This is my first year as a real teacher."

Pinky Pagano, who is a secretary at the high school, has been with the district for 20 years. Pagano loves coming back and being with the kids.

"I love seeing the energy that the kids have," she said. "I love to go down to the art wing and watch the kids whether its pottery or jewelry and watch the kids develop and pull out these magnificent talents."

Karla Harvin who teaches sixth grade language arts, social studies and home economics has been with the district since 2000, first as a substitute and now as a full-time teacher.

Harvin said, "I am excited. I'm just very, very excited. We have so many new things going on in the middle school, a new principal, a new fifth grade level. I think it's going to be a fabulous year."

Harvin is especially challenged to work on writing with her students this year. Her goal is to take her students to "a whole new writing realm."