Salem, Ore., Nov. 13, 2008 – Salem-Keizer’s annual gala celebration of education excellence saw twelve local educators honored with Crystal Apples Thursday night.

The honorees, including teachers, a principal, a utilities conservation specialist and a pass room supervisor, were chosen from a list of 61 nominees. Eleven are from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and one is from a private school.

The recipients were honored before a packed house during the 12th annual Crystal Apple Awards ceremony at Salem’s historic Elsinore Theater.

The annual event recognizes local educators who provide students with educational options, go beyond their regular job duties to benefit students, and demonstrate best practices. Nominations come from community members, students and parents.

“We can all be proud of the caliber of educators we have in this community,” said Chuck Swank, President of the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation. “These honorees go above and beyond the call every day to provide the very best education for students in the district.”

The Crystal Apples were handed out by Swank, Salem-Keizer Schools Human Resources Director Mary Cadez, Terri Frohnmayer, President of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, and Ron Welter, President of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce.

The event also showcased two scholarship awards: the Guido Caldarazzo Memorial Scholarship (see separate release) and the Western Oregon University Crystal Apple Award Scholarship.

Jeremy Horton, a 2008 McKay High School graduate, was given the WOU scholarship. Funded by College of Education donor, the scholarship awards $1,200 to a qualified Salem-Keizer graduate preparing to enter the teaching profession.

Horton earned a 3.49 GPA and academic honors at McKay. In addition to receiving the 2008 Leadership Award for Excellence for McKay's football team, Horton volunteered in local elementary and middle schools, exploring a career in education. He also was a leader in the school's Leadership Links program which helps freshmen transition successfully to high school.

Tom Hewitt, Judson Middle School drama teacher and local actor and comedian, again served as emcee for the event. Arriving nominees were treated to a red carpet walk broadcast live inside the theater.

In 1996, Salem Chamber business representatives teamed with local educators to begin the Crystal Apples as a way to encourage and recognize education excellence in Salem-Keizer schools. 

Presented by the Salem–Keizer Education Foundation in collaboration with the Salem-Keizer School District and the Salem and Keizer Chambers of Commerce, the Awards celebrate and recognize those teachers, administrators and support staff who exceed all expectations of their profession and who engage community in their work. Since its inception, the Crystal Apple Awards has been replicated in communities throughout the United States.

To see the list of Honorees, click here.

Salem, Ore., Nov. 13, 2008 – A 2008 West Salem High School graduate is the recipient of the first ever Guido Caldarazzo Memorial Scholarship. Holli Tuss graduated in June and is a student at the University of Portland, studying nursing and Spanish.

Tuss will receive $2,000 to continue her education. The scholarship was announced Thursday evening at the 2008 Crystal Apple Awards celebration.

The Guido Caldarazzo Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Guido Caldarazzo, a long-time teacher, coach, administrator and community advocate.

"Holli is a most deserving and honorable recipient," said Gayle Caldarazzo, Guido's wife of 44 years.  "Her story is remarkable, and as many of her admirers stated, she has an amazing attitude.  She did not let life get her down; in fact she is a student who strives for success in all aspects of her life."

Holli Tuss was only thirteen when her father committed suicide after a long battle with depression and methamphetamine addiction. 

"The experience left me distraught and empty," said Holli. "But when I entered high school at West Salem, something suddenly changed in me. I had a compelling desire to help the community and those around me in any way I could.  I began volunteering at various community organizations, the most prominent of these was my experience at Salem Hospital...it set into motion my career goals of becoming a nurse."

Toby Abraham-Rhine, Holli's West Salem High School counselor, said "People listen to her, respect her and admire Holli because ‘she has been there’ and chose not to seek solace in negative escapes." 

The Guido Caldarazzo Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a young man or woman who has contributed to the positive culture of their school and community in many small ways.  It is a scholarship to recognize someone who has overcome adversity, perhaps in some unconventional way, and who may otherwise go unrecognized.  It is a scholarship to assist in the next chapter of a deserving students' life.

Like many people, Guido was determined to make the world a better place.  Unlike some, he succeeded.  His life was dedicated to children, families, education, and public service and this scholarship is financed by all those who loved, supported, and benefited from his energy and patience

Contributions from the community will sustain the Guido Caldarazzo Memorial Scholarship. The 2009 application will be available on the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation website.

Salem, Ore., Oct. 14, 2008 - Sixty-one local educators have been nominated for a Crystal Apple Award, an annual honor celebrating education excellence in Salem-Keizer.

The 2008 list of nominees includes counselors, custodians, teachers, instructional assistants, office managers and administrators, all the professionals who help make a school tick. Of the 61 nominees, 58 are employees of the Salem-Keizer School District and three are from area private schools.

The Crystal Apple Awards recognize excellence in education by honoring those making a significant impact in the lives of children. The 12th annual event is set for November 13 at Salem's historic Elsinore Theater. 

The 2008 celebration will again feature a red carpet walk for nominees, broadcast live inside the theater. Tom Hewitt, Judson Middle School drama teacher and local actor and comedian, will emcee.

Tickets are on sale now. They can be purchased at the Elsinore Box Office, by phone with a credit card at (503) 375-3574, online at www.ticketswest.com, and at all Tickets West locations. All seating is reserved.

In 1996, Salem Chamber business representatives teamed with local educators to begin the Crystal Apples as a way to encourage and recognize education excellence in Salem-Keizer schools.

To view the list of nominees, click here.

Salem, Ore., Sept. 30, 2008 – The Salem-Keizer Education Foundation (SKEF) is launching its annual Awesome 3000 Art Contest, challenging Salem-Keizer middle and high school students to create a winning design for the 27th fun run next year.

Past winners have seen their artwork grace the front of 4,000 T-shirts, as well as thousands of posters, registration forms, banners and newsletters.

The deadline for entries is November 21, 2008. Entry forms are being sent to middle and high schools and will be available on the SKEF website: here. 

The foundation will award cash prizes to students for the top three designs: first place, $100; second place, $50; third place, $25. In addition, the school art department entering the winning design will be awarded $250.

The design specifications for the contest are as follows:

Multi-color design incorporating an alligator (as in GEO, the Foundation mascot).
T-shirt color will be chosen after the winning design is selected.
The design must be no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches.
The words “Awesome 3000” must be clearly readable and predominant.
The words “Salem-Keizer Education Foundation,” and “2009,” must be incorporated and legible.
The words may be computer generated.
The design may be either a hand drawn original or original computer graphics, but no clipart will be accepted.  Teacher signoff will be required for computer-generate graphics.
The artist must sign the design.
Each entry must have a submission form attached.

All design contest entries must be postmarked no later than November 21, 2008.  Winners will be notified in early January.

Mail entries to:    
            Salem-Keizer Education Foundation
            PO Box 993
            Salem, Oregon  97308
            ATTN:  Awesome Art Contest

The Awesome 3000 is one the largest timed youth fun runs in the U.S. and the funding source for SKEF’s annual teacher grants, awarded last week. The 27th annual Awesome is set for May 2, 2009.

Direct questions to Lisa Harnisch at (503) 910-9296 or rlharnisch@comcast.net.

Salem, Ore., Sept. 25, 2008 – The Salem-Keizer Education Foundation will invest over $525,000 to support innovative programs in the Salem-Keizer School District this year.

The non-profit Foundation awarded its annual teacher grants Thursday while celebrating the dramatic expansion of its before and after school program.

“Last year we hit the $1 million mark in giving in our 25th year, but this year is even more exciting,” said Krina Lemons, executive director. “We are truly taking the Foundation to a new level in serving the students of Salem-Keizer.”

Grants
Twelve district teachers earned regular grants for special projects. The Foundation also awarded five grants specifically supporting its subject initiative of secondary literacy. And the Foundation awarded the first grant from its replication fund, established last year to allow teachers to replicate best practices of previous grant projects.

On top of the teacher grants, the Foundation again set aside $10,000 to support professional development for district teachers in 2009.

The 2008 Susan Gleason Award went to Roberts High School’s Megan Garcia and Rebekah Engle. The $2,746 grant will fund “Blogamundo!” - a motivational literacy project. The Susan Gleason Award honors the memory of a Salem-Keizer Education Foundation founding director, and is the most prestigious grant the foundation presents.  

In all, the Foundation is awarding $65,246 in grants to fulfill its mission of enhancing education for all local students by providing resources for quality programs and materials.

“These grants reflect our very intentional effort to align with the district’s strategic plan,” said grants co-chair Margaret Aeschliman. “We think that alignment can be seen in the fidelity and integrity of this teacher grant program.”

Before and After School
The Foundation also celebrated the significant expansion of its enrichment programs, thanks to a $460,000 per year 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the Oregon Department of Education. The five-year grant will allow the Foundation to carry out before and after school programs at six sites in the district starting this fall.

“With this before and after school program, we are paving the way in best practices with the district and our other partners,” said Lemons. “The program will bring a real focus on the needs of the whole student, with special attention to academic achievement and family engagement.”

To download a complete list of the 2008 grants, click here.

The Oregon Arts Commission, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, announces the 2009 Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest http://www.oregonartscommission.org/education/. Now in its fourth year in Oregon, Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance and competition. Schools are invited to adopt the 2008 - 2009 Poetry Out Loud curriculum, present school-wide contests, and advance to the state competition, to be held Saturday, March 14, 2009, in Salem. Oregon's state champion will advance to the national finals, April 26 - 28, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Key Dates and Information:

• September 17, 2008: An Oregon Poetry Out Loud Curriculum Guide for 2008-2009 will be available online at http://www.oregonartscommission.org/education/.
• November 3, 2008: Deadline to register your school for participation. The 2008-2009 Poetry Out Loud School Application is located HERE
  
• February 25, 2009: Deadline for holding your school contest and registering a contestant for the state contest.
• March 14, 2009: State Contest in Salem
• April 26-28, 2009: National Contest in Washington DC

Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry - recitation and performance. The program builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music. Poetry Out Loud invites the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word and theater into the English class. Through Poetry Out Loud, students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. The NEA and the Poetry Foundation have awarded grants to state arts agencies, established prizes, and will coordinate the national finals next April. With this support, the Oregon Arts Commission is able to make Poetry Out Loud -- and its scholarship opportunities -- available to all public, private and parochial high schools across the state.

Interested in nominating someone for a prestigious Crystall Apple Award. Click here to access a nomination form.