The Applegater

22 Winter 2016 Applegater Ruch School information provided by Julie Hill, Principal 541-842-3850 • julie.hill@medford.k12.or.us NEXT GENERATION "Next Generation" features the talents of our local students and school news and updates. All schools in the Applegate Valley are encouraged to submit news, art, writing, photography and any other creative pieces to gater@applegater.org. APPLEGATE SCHOOL Applegate varsity volleyball team undefeated (again) in 2016 RUCH SCHOOL Let's be firefighters! Applegate School information provided by Darrell Erb Jr., Principal Applegate and Williams Schools, darrell.erb@threerivers.k12.or.us Ms. Neiswanger's second-grade students at Ruch Community School have experienced firsthand what it would be like to be a firefighter! On Friday, October 28, second graders took a field trip to the Applegate Valley fire station in Ruch to share lunch with our firefighters and engage in safety training that would enable them, as community ambassadors, to help keep their families safe in an emergency. e class won a fire-safety plan challenge sponsored by the Applegate Valley Fire District. eir prize was this visit with members of our amazing fire district, who hosted a pizza lunch and provided additional safety training for the students, including reviewing their families' emergency plans, calling 911, and touring a fire truck. Ruch Community School and the Applegate Valley Fire District have treasured a community partnership for many years. Experiences for students have included meeting Smokey Bear in his natural habitat, reading with firefighters, and training in first aid, in babysitting, and in childcare. e Ruch School students and staff would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Applegate Valley Fire District for being our present-day heroes! To Carey Chaput, retired fire district office manager, we will miss you, but wish you many happy hours of relaxation and fun in your retirement. Thank you for your support of the children of Ruch Community School. Ruch School's Ryan King named 2016 Oregon Science Teacher Congratulations to Ryan King of Ruch Community School for being selected as the recipient of the 2016 Oregon Science Teachers Award. Jomae Sica, executive team president of Oregon Science Teachers Association (OSTA), said, about selecting Ryan, "One of the most important functions of OSTA is to recognize outstanding science educators across the state. As an early career teacher, we recognize the challenges that new teachers face. We honor Ryan's commitment to the teaching profession and his dedication to the students and their families of the Applegate Valley." Ryan was honored at an awards assembly on November 10, 2016, at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland. Science teacher Ryan King was honored by the Oregon Science Teachers Association. Applegate School's varsity volleyball team won ten straight games this year against its opponents in the Southern O r e g o n M i d d l e S c h o o l A t h l e t i c Conference, Small Schools Division. e volleyball team defeated Ruch, Sacred Heart, Shady Cove, New Hope Christian, St. Mary's, Butte Falls, Hanby Applegate School Cougars volleyball team, from left to right: Sydney Locke, Johanna DeVos, Kali Linn, Ruby Monsma, Zeyna DiBiasi, Teryn Powers, Alyssa Seal, Lexi Hill, Sierra Fimbres, Carlen Nielsen, Bree Saunders, Lily Emmons, Claire Emmons, and Aja LaPan. Middle School, Cascade Christian, and Rogue Valley Adventist on their way to a perfect season. Under the coaching team of Heather DeVos and Sandi Garoutte, the Cougars have gone undefeated for the second year in a row and the third time in the past four years. Way to go, team! Battle of the Books is alive and well Applegate School students—both elementary and middle school—will be well represented when Oregon's Battle of the Books begins. The school has two teams, and students are busy reading the state's list of books as they prepare for competition. For those unfamiliar, Battle of the Books is, believe it not, a spectator sport. No, there are no weapons to bear, but students do deploy brainpower to overcome their opponents, and it's actually fun to watch. Teams of four each from two schools face off at a table. Questions for the teams come from the dozen or more novels that students read in preparation for the competition. Upon receiving a question, a team has 15 seconds to come to consensus and have its spokesperson give an answer. Doesn't this sound fun? Actually, the tension is thick! Parent volunteers Becky Vidlak and Melissa Brunner are directing the elementary division team. Jean Hall is coaching the middle school team, which took second in the district-wide competition last year. e regional Battle of the Books will be held at a Rogue Valley school to be announced soon along with the date. e state competition will be held on Battle of the Books 4/5 division, left to right: Freyja Moeves, Zeyna DiBiasi, Chris Hartley, and Max Vidlak. Battle of the Books middle school division, left to right: Abby Sutton, Lucas Cross, Maria Cross, and Emma Singleton. Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Chemeketa Community College in Salem. ere is seating for spectators—call Applegate School at 541-846-6280 if you are interested in rooting for the Cougar Battlers! e Applegate Lions Club recently provided a $500 award for Applegate School. Lions Club members Rich Halstead, Stephen Rapp, and Rick Hoover presented the Murray Crowe Athletic Award, which is given as a memorial to Mr. Crowe, a long-time Applegate resident and supporter of the school and its athletic program. Lions Club supports Applegate School with funds for physical education Murray was husband to Judy Crowe, who taught for over 30 years at Applegate School, and father to Kellie Halstead, who is the new second-third grade teacher at Applegate School. e gift is given annually and is well-timed! is year, the funds will be used to support the purchase of a K-6 curriculum for physical education. Applegate Lions Club presented $500 to Applegate School in support of its athletic program. Lions Club members, from left to right: Rich Halstead, Rick Hoover, Applegate school principal Darrell Erb, and Stephen Rapp.

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