Category Archives: News

North Albany Middle School will have new leadership for the remainder of the school year. Timber Ridge Assistant Principal Tristan Heisley will take over principal duties through June.

Principal Marshall Jackson is out on emergency leave. He shared more information in a letter to families: “Unfortunately, I found myself having emergency surgery during the holiday break. It was not life-threatening, but a situation that needed to be addressed urgently. I am currently out and will be for some number of weeks, I just don’t know how long.”

Tristan has been an assistant principal at Timber Ridge for four years and a high school principal before that in Arizona. “Tristan has the talents to be a principal and is ready to lead NAMS,” said Superintendent Jim Golden.

Dani Blackwell will replace Tristan as assistant principal at Timber Ridge. She had previously been in the district office in charge of overseeing Secondary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.

Jazz bands from West Albany High School and North Albany Middle School brought home awards from the West Salem Jazz Festival last weekend.

The West Albany High School jazz band is directed by Stuart Walsh. The North Albany Middle School jazz band is directed by Andy Nelson.

West Albany Jazz Band II: 1st Place – High School Novice Division
West Albany Jazz Band I: 2nd Place – High School Heavy Division
NAMS Jazz Band: 1st Place – Middle School Intermediate Division

The sixth annual event drew high school and middle school bands from around the state in classifications ranging from no festival experience to established programs with extensive experience.

The high school novice division is for bands with no festival experience; the heavy division is for bands with established programs, medium to difficult charts, mature concept of style and mature soloists.

In addition to performing and listening to other student performances, the students attended a concert by guest artist Jeff Coffin, a professional saxophonist.

A joint meeting of the Albany City Council and the GAPS School Board is scheduled for tonight. District representatives will update the Council on the District’s strategic planning, bond project developments, school programs and emergency management.

See the agenda

The meeting will be held at Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW. It will begin at 7 p.m.

Early exposure to hands-on engineering activities can build interest in science, technology, engineering and math fields.

The Pipeline to Jobs project and Linn Benton Community College are sponsoring a hands-on workshop at Heritage Mall on Feb. 24 for elementary and middle school students. The event is free and open to all interested students.

Join us for a day of hands-on activities that give kids the opportunity to learn about how things are built, and engage in fun, creative kid-friendly engineering projects. Kids will enjoy building, learning, and creating something new at each station with our fun and experienced mentors. All supplies provided.

For more information, read the flyer. 

GAPS parents are invited to join parents of talented and gifted students in Corvallis for an informational night about the social-emotional needs of TAG students.

The featured speaker is Paula Prober, author, counselor and educator with more than 30 years experience.

The event will take place in the Linus Pauling Middle School Auditorium in Corvallis on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Childcare is available.

“Many staff members and families are eager for more support around TAG students and issues,” said Stacey Torres, District Talented and Gifted Facilitator. “I hope they can attend this event to​​ improve our ability to support our TAG learners.”

Read the flyer
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