Changes in the air for BBS

Fall is in the air, frost is on the tomatoes, and changes are coming for the 2014-2015 school year at Black Butte School (BBS) in Camp Sherman: New teachers, new books, new students, new ideas to make learning fun while staying on task.

Head teacher Carol Dixon has been back at work preparing for the new year during the week before Labor Day. At her side, except for the time she had to run out the back door to fetch him, was Truman, her one-year-old white Whoodle (Wheaton Terrier-Poodle mix) who she hopes will become the school mascot and help teach the children how to care for a pet.

Dixon, who has 44 years of teaching experience, says the best thing about being at BBS is "getting to know the students and watching them grow through all the creativity they get to experience here." She also teaches college essay writing and essay prep for SATs as students go through high school and move on to colleges.

"We're a family here at Black Butte School," Dixon says. "The staff works as a team, the community supports us. We all work together to foster a good learning environment for all the children who are fortunate enough to come here."

There are 26 returning and four new students

Stephanie Blakelock is excited to be moving back into the classroom as K-5 teacher after five years as physical education and health specialist and part-time educational assistant to Ethan Barrons, who previously taught the lower grades.

Blakelock taught physical education classes for five years and K-3 for five years at several elementary schools in Orange County, California before moving to Sisters. She went from 34 students per classroom and 680 students total to a total of 30 students at BBS. The intimate environment is familiar. The first school she went to for kindergarten was a one-room schoolhouse in the mountains of Colorado.

Most of Blakelock's summer has been spent decorating the new K-5 classroom with fun, colorful educational lessons on all the walls and windows. At one end is an "imagination station," which includes arts and crafts, games and a puppet theater. At another end is a "reading corner" with shelves full of books, comfy pillows to sit upon and an old wooden reading chair for volunteer storytellers from the community

"No matter where their curious little eyes wander while I'm teaching," she says, "learning is taking place, creativity and exploration are being encouraged."

Ethan Barrons got his first teaching job at BBS six years ago and has been K-5 teacher since then. After Sam Pierce left at the end of last term, Barrons decided he would like to continue with his students, some who have been with him since the second grade, and has moved into the new 6-8 classroom. He plans to continue with some of the programs Pierce had introduced but will include some new ideas he has been working on over the summer.

"I like the idea of combining art, history and music together," Barrons explains. "There is a program called 'Makerspace,' which is a collaborative effort using shared ideas, tools, space and just letting creativity flow. Everybody gets involved according to their interests. The children are allowed to explore, tinker, create, try, make mistakes, work together, problem-solve, re-engineer."

All students, including K-5, will be working toward telling a story they can present using different mediums - perhaps a variety show which might include artwork, original songs and music, an original screenplay acted out, a film portion - which they will present at their winter and spring programs to showcase their learning for the Camp Sherman community.

Carrie Buchanan is joining the staff to become the new physical education and health specialist. She taught K-5 in Redmond for 20 years. She has taught physical education, special education, adult education and fitness for COCC in Sisters for the last 10 years.

"I know I have big shoes to fill," Buchanan says. "But I hope to continue the strong program Stephanie has built over the years, and add a few of my own specialties."

This might include cross-country skiing, cross-country running, aerobics, trail running, wind-surfing.

Buchanan says she will follow the national and state standards for physical education and health, but she also wants to invite the community in to mentor kids with their special interests in sports and fitness. She can't wait for the school year to start and says, "I'm going to start out the year with my first hike and the traditional first hike of the year. We'll be hiking up to the top of Black Butte on September 5. Come and join us!"

Marsha Phelps is another new addition to the staff. She has lived in Sisters for 22 years and has been teaching for over 30 years, including 14 years with the Bend-La Pine School District. She and her husband also had some amazing experiences teaching K-6 classes overseas in Russia and Saudi Arabia. She will be Blakelock's Educational Assistant every morning teaching at centers and will supervise during lunch and recess.

"I just love to see it when kids make connections," she says. "You can just see it in their faces. It's wonderful to be able to reinforce that pride in themselves and see them eager to know more."

Also to be welcomed back are Jennifer Severied, district clerk, and Scott McNitt, transportation supervisor and maintenance director, who help to keep things running smoothly all year long.