News

Radon testing is scheduled to start this week and will be conducted at all schools by the end of January.

Radon tests in schools are required by the state to ensure that air quality is safe for students. Radon is a gas found in soil caused by natural deposits of uranium. It is more common in some geographic areas, but it can be found anywhere. If it is present and moves through the soil into a building, it can disperse into the air and release damaging particles that can lead to lung cancer after prolonged exposure.

The following is the anticipated schedule for this round of testing:

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This month, the East Albany Lions Club conducted their annual vision screening program for elementary students. Each year, they visit every elementary school in the district.

With parent permission, students sit for eye measurements taken with a device that is similar in appearance to a camera or a pair of binoculars. The screening is fast and does not require students to read eye charts or look into vision machines. The procedure is so quick that four Lions Club members using four devices can examine an entire class in just 10 minutes.

Results are later shared with families. If results indicate additional testing is needed, parent receive a letter recommending additional evaluation by an eyecare specialist. The Lions Club can help needy families obtain eyeglasses if necessary.

For Boss’s Day 2017, Waverly Elementary recognized Principal Anne Griffith.

Thank you Anne for all that you do for our school.  We truly appreciate you.

The Waverly Child Development Center enjoys their new playground equipment! Thanks to our district Facilities team–lead by Gary Dahlquist & our playground equipment representative Martha Rainey–for helping improve outdoor time for our youngest children. Our preschool community practices swinging, climbing, sliding, hiding, and jumping every day using their new equipment. Thanks again!

This week, schools are celebrating National School Lunch Week. GAPS joins schools around the country in recognizing the hard work and dedication of school food service staff members who work hard to prepare healthy and appealing meals for students.

Here are a few facts about nutrition services in our schools from Nutrition Services General Manager Kathy Pitzer:

We serve an average of 7,700 meals per day. That is broken down by 2,500 breakfasts, 4,500 lunches, 700 other (after school suppers, ala carte purchases, etc.).

There are around 90 food service employees in the 21 schools plus four support staff at the Nutrition Services Department.

We buy locally grown/produced food where/when we can. Currently there are about seven local vendors we work with, including Lochmead Dairy for milk, Truitt Family Farms for beans and Bob’s Red Mills for granola.