Category Archives: News

On Saturday, 16 middle schools from around the state sent jazz bands to the 12th annual NAMS Music Festival. The event included performances by each school band and clinics taught by high school band directors, including West Albany High School Band Director Stuart Welsh.

The event is a fundraiser for the NAMS music program and provides an opportunity for all GAPS middle school bands to perform and observe other school bands.

Students also had the chance to see a performance by the band directors during the Directors’ Jam during the lunch hour. 

School Board Director Jennifer Ward volunteers at the concession stand during the jazz festival.

A participating school band poses for a group photo after their performance at NAMS.

The bond project plan and timeline is nearly complete, and work is scheduled to start this summer at school sites around the district.

This summer, high-priority projects at 18 school sites will begin, including upgrades at 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, the district office and facility department.

The project list includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, fire alarms and doors, food science classroom and PE locker room upgrades, and improvements to address HVAC, plumbing, paving, roofing and seismic needs.

See the list of school sites and projects. 

Demolition and reconstruction work will also start at Oak Grove Elementary School as soon as school is out for the year.

Designs for the new building are complete. See the latest drawings.

Music students from Greater Albany middle and high schools participated in the All-State Music Conference in Eugene this weekend. The high school students were selected through an audition process, and the middle school students were recommended by their music teachers. The annual event is sponsored by the Oregon Music Education Association.

Pictured above are students Emma Yonemura and Gabe LaChapelle with guest conductor Cheryl Floyd from Austin, Texas, preparing for an Honor Band performance in the Hult Center.

Emma Yonemura is a 8th grader at North Albany Middle School!!

Music students from Greater Albany middle and high schools participated in the All-State Music Conference in Eugene this weekend. The high school students were selected through an audition process, and the middle school students were recommended by their music teachers. The annual event is sponsored by the Oregon Music Education Association.

Pictured above are students Emma Yonemura and Gabe LaChapelle with guest conductor Cheryl Floyd from Austin, Texas, preparing for an Honor Band performance in the Hult Center.

Below are Ryan Nelson (senior WAHS bassoon) and Brandon Dodd (senior WAHS, oboe) with conductor Kevin Noe, guest conductor from Michigan State University after their performance with the All-State Honor Orchestra.

Last night, Superintendent Golden thanked the School Board members for their service to GAPS students. He read the official Governor’s Proclamation and showed a video of students thanking the School Board for their service.

The Proclamation reads as follows:

WHEREAS: Oregonians rely on public education to ensure a prosperous quality of life and strong economic health for Oregon; and

WHEREAS: Locally elected boards fulfill leadership roles and serve as the conduit through which teachers, parents, businesses and conununities demonstrate the care, creativity and support that lead to student achievement; and
WHEREAS: Public schools nurture and train diverse student populations to the best of their ability, whatever the resources, to give students the knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to succeed; and

WHEREAS: Board members build the framework that makes it possible for education organizations to teach Oregon’s children; and

WHEREAS: The committed men and women who serve on the boards of Oregon’s 197 school districts, 19 education service districts and 17 community colleges deserve recognition and thanks for their dedication to the education needs of the people of Oregon.

NOW, THEREFORE: I, Kate Brown, Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim January 2018 to be

SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH

See the official signed proclamation.