The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald & News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance.
Monday, November 16, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Monday Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Overnight, cloudy, with a low around 39.
Tuesday Rain likely after 10am. Snow level 6400 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Gusty winds as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Overnight, showers with the snow level 5800 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Wednesday Showers likely. Snow level 5400 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.
Thursday A chance of rain and snow showers before 1pm, then a chance of rain showers. Snow level rising to 4900 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.
Oregon health officials reported 868 new confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19 Sunday and two more deaths. The state is experiencing a spike in coronavirus infections and has reached record high positivity rates and hospitalizations in November.
Oregon has surpassed more than 1,000 cases a day twice this month. The state total was 56,880 cases on Sunday. The two new deaths were those of an 81-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman, both in Umatilla County.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (13), Clackamas (86), Clatsop (3), Columbia (8), Coos (5), Curry (2), Deschutes (13), Douglas (16), Gilliam (1), Harney (5), Hood River (7), Jackson (37), Josephine (4), Klamath (2), Lake (3), Lane (57), Lincoln (2), Linn (6), Malheur (12), Marion (176), Multnomah (184), Polk (18), Umatilla (47), Union (19), Wasco (6), Washington (110), and Yamhill (26).
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Friday announced a statewide two-week “freeze” that will limit restaurants and bars to takeout only and close gyms, indoor and outdoor recreational facilities during that period.
If people do not abide by the governor’s latest mandates, which restricts social gatherings to six people, they could face a citation, fine or arrest.
The freeze will take effect starting Wednesday, Nov. 18 through Dec. 2 and aims to limit group activities and slow the spread of COVID-19.
The state is experiencing a spike in coronavirus infections and has reached record high positivity rates and hospitalizations in November. During Friday’s press conference, officials gave grim descriptions of the state’s current situation: “Likely the most dangerous time in Oregon”, “the roughest days of the pandemic” and “dark days ahead.”
The governor has long warned about implementing tighter restrictions if case numbers did not fall. Just a week ago, Brown announced a two-week “social activity pause” for nine counties. But this week, officials said that more needed to be done. The latest set of restrictions are the most stringent since the start of the pandemic.
And that’s not all. Oregon employers must take additional steps to keep their employees safe – and notify them when they’ve been exposed to the coronavirus – under new rules that take effect today. Oregon OSHA, the state’s workplace safety division, announced the rules last week after a four-month process. Workplace outbreaks have been a recurring problem since the pandemic hit the state last spring, especially in small towns where infections linked to food processing facilities have spread throughout communities. Oregon OSHA accepts complaints about workplace violations online.
Severe workplace outbreaks have persisted all year but health officials haven’t blamed them for Oregon’s unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases over the past three weeks. Rather, health authorities say reckless social gatherings are behind the latest surge.
As COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the country, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued travel advisories Friday urging visitors entering their states or returning home from travel outside these states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus, according to a news release.
The travel advisories urge against non-essential out-of-state travel, ask people to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country, and encourage residents to stay local. In addition to urging individuals arriving from other states or countries to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival, the states’ travel advisories recommend individuals limit their interactions to their immediate household.
The advisories define essential travel as travel for work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.
The incidence of COVID-19 is increasing in many states and countries. Persons arriving in Oregon from other states or Oregonians returning from other states or countries could increase the risk of COVID-19 spread. In addition, travel itself can be a risk for exposure to COVID-19, particularly travel through shared conveyance such as air, bus or rail travel.
Tulelake High School classes will be online for the next two weeks after Modoc County Public Health Department recommended that Tulelake Basin Joint Unified School District close the campus through Nov. 30.
“Working with the Modoc and Siskiyou Public Health Departments, and Modoc County Office of Education we are moving forward with our response to the situation,” read a statement on the school district’s website. “At this time all of those with a potential exposure have been initially contacted. Public Health has directed that all potential exposures be isolated for 14 days. This is not a response to any failed protocols, but an effort to assure the exposure and potential subsequent exposures are minimized and contained. With the current state of the counties and COVID‐19 activity, we agree with this precaution.”
Tulelake students are directed by the district to continue with distance learning for all students through Nov. 30th.
The Oregon Employment Relations Board ordered Oregon Tech to cease and desist unfair labor practices after the board concluded the university violated its obligation to bargain with the faculty union in good faith.
University administration and the faculty union — Oregon Tech American Association of University Professors — have been negotiating a new three-year contract for staff at Oregon Tech since December 2019.
In June, college administration circulated a new workload guidelines document and requested feedback, according to the ERB findings. Union leaders say they were never given the chance to give feedback before the draft was posted on the website labeled “final.”
Administration also planned to eliminate the stipend and release time model, which provided compensation for program directors for work they do outside of instructional time. The planned changes boiled down to requiring more work for the same amount of pay, said union leadership, because faculty would have to pick up additional classes to meet the same workload requirements.
Klamath Basin Sunrise Rotary Club recently presented Father Ildefonce Mapara, director of St. Maurus Mission with a $4,000 check to fund clean water projects in Tanzania, according to a news release.
The funds were made available through a Rotary District 5110 Matching Grant. The grant funds will be used in the village of Mputa, southern Tanzania, to build a concrete water storage tank. This is the 10th year Klamath Basin Sunrise Rotary Club has supported clean water projects in Tanzania. For information on this project or Rotary contact Jack Baumann, baumann@aol.com.
KCSD honors eight staff with Crystal Apple awards
The Klamath County School District each year awards Crystal Apples to eight staff who best exemplify its mission: “Inspiring today’s students to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”
Five certified and three classified staff — nominated by students, staff, and community members — were awarded the coveted honor this year. Normally, the district honors its Crystal Apples during a celebration at the Ross Ragland Theater in April. Because of COVID-19 shutdowns last spring and continued restrictions on social gatherings, that event was cancelled.
KCSD Superintendent Glen Szymoniak this fall personally delivered the winners their Crystal Apple award. The district is featuring the winners on two billboards in November and December – one at Highway 39 and South Sixth Street near Klamath Community College and the other on Highway 97 near Wocus Road.
“Throughout our district, our educators are dedicated to the success of our students,” Szymoniak said. “The winners of our Crystal Apple awards showcase the qualities that inspire and help students succeed.”
The 2020 Crystal Apples include a bus driver, two school secretaries, a special education coordinator, two elementary teachers and two high school teachers. The eight awardees for 2020 are:
JOANNE CRISS, special services coordinator, Klamath County School District
In her 40 years as an educator, Crystal Apple winner JoAnne Criss has helped hundreds of students find their path to success.
“Every student has a different way of being successful,” said Criss, who for the past 15 years has worked as a special services coordinator for the district. “Our students have extra hurdles they have to jump over. It’s important that students and their parents know there are many paths to be successful.”
Criss grew up on a ranch in the Butte Valley area, graduating from Butte Valley High School. She and her husband raised their two children in the Klamath Basin. After earning her teaching degree with an endorsement in reading, Criss began her career in Butte Valley Elementary School. She is now in her 41st year as an educator with the Klamath County School District. She taught various grade levels, worked as a reading teacher, and was coordinator for Title I, ELL, and migrant programs before taking a position in special services.
Special services offers evaluation and support to students with various learning disabilities, health impairments, and emotional and intellectual disabilities. Criss specializes in evaluation of students to provide them with services that help them succeed.
In her nomination for the Crystal Apple, Criss was described as instrumental in helping new teachers navigate special services and its programs.
“She listens to concerns and comes up with reasonable solutions to any problem,” her nominators wrote. “She is not only a good support for students, but also supports guardians and school staff. Teachers, administrators, and guardians benefit from the advice JoAnne provides.”
Laura Blair, special services director for KCSD, called Criss one of the most student-centered educators she has ever worked with.
“She is selfless and committed, and she lives and breathes education,” Blair said. “She is always working towards expanding her skills to better help students and their families.
When she is not working, Criss likes to garden and practice Jiu-Jitsu. She has a black belt and has been practicing in the martial art for nearly 40 years.
Criss said she was surprised and honored to receive the Crystal Apple. “I work behind the scenes, and to be recognized with this award really touched my heart,” she said.
ROB DUNHAM, shop teacher, Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School
Crystal Apple winner Rob Dunham has taught shop classes to two generations of students at Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School, encouraging them to build and problem solve in a variety of hands-on classes from woodworking and welding to automotive and emerging technology.
Dunham works long hours, coming in early and staying late to help students on projects and homework.
“Rob is the rock of the school and a driving force behind the improved (academic) data with Chiloquin,” his nominators wrote. “It’s time for a community to thank a man for his life’s work. You will not find a more passionate and connected educator.”
Dunham started his teaching career in 1996 as a shop teacher at Chiloquin. From Walla Walla, Wash., he fell in love with the Chiloquin area, and he plans to stay until he retires. His wife, Jenny Dunham, also teaches at Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School.
“These are my people,” Dunham said of Chiloquin. “I’m honored that I get to come here and work with these kids every day. I enjoy my coworkers, but what fills my soul are the kids. Seeing them grow.”
A natural storyteller, Dunham admitted he is known for being loud, but he has tempered that over the years. He is passionate about his students, and today – five years after the seniors in his advisory class graduated – he knows about each one. Their names are autographed on his classroom door.
His shop is a working shop. Students are doing hands-on learning full time. He always has a vehicle for students interested in auto mechanics to rebuild.
Principal Scott Preston attributed Dunham’s success as a teacher to his ability to connect with students.
“Rob is a constant source of support for two generations of students at Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School,” he said. “His rapport with students is in a class of its own.”
ROSANNA EGGER, secretary, Gilchrist Elementary School
With four children, Rosanna Egger spent so much time at Gilchrist Schools that when the elementary secretary retired, the principal asked her to apply. That was more than six years ago, and Egger has taken care of Gilchrist students ever since.
Egger, one of KCSD’s 2020 Crystal Apples, exceeds expectations every day, even filling in as a bus driver when needed.
“I love watching the kids grow,” she said. Three of her children have already graduated from Gilchrist Junior/Senior High. The fourth is a freshman this year.
Egger is the first person students go to when they don’t feel well or have other issues. Her challenge? Trying to get her “job” done while giving students the attention they need.
“Rosanna Egger supports our students in all aspects of their school career,” said Melanie Mobley, principal of Gilchrist Elementary School. “She is known to many students as ‘Mama Egger.’ She goes above and beyond to take care of our teachers. She is patient and kind to our students and sets high expectations for them as well. Rosanna also attends after-school and evening events to support students in their activities.”
Egger chose to raise her family in small towns, and before Gilchrist, lived in Denio, a small town in northern Nevada with a two-room schoolhouse.
“Rosanna is never too busy to answer a question,” her nominators wrote. “She takes time to get to know our students, staff, and their families.”
FLOYD KENDALL, bus driver, Henley route
Crystal Apple award winner Floyd Kendall watches over the students who ride his bus, especially this fall when just the younger elementary set are attending class.
“If they’re not there, I get to wondering what’s wrong,” he said. “If I don’t have a kindergartener or a first-grader, I worry about where they are, how they are doing.”
This concern for students is one of the reasons Kendall was awarded a Crystal Apple, which honors school district staff who go above and beyond to make a difference in the life of students.
“Floyd always offers to help, whether driving the football team to Seaside, or helping leadership with volunteer projects,” his nominators wrote. “Floyd always has a contagious smile and a helpful attitude. He inspires students to be outgoing and kind and he tries to cheer everyone up.”
Kendall has deep roots in the Henley area. He graduated from Henley High School, where his father was a teacher.
He married and moved to Enterprise, Ore., where he and his wife raised their kids and Kendall worked as a building contractor. Once the mills closed, the family returned to Klamath Falls. When the housing downturn hit, Kendall needed a job and took a position as a school bus driver, driving Klamath Union and Mazama routes.
Kendall started driving bus for the Klamath County School District in 2009, driving routes for Peterson, Stearns, and for the past several years, Henley students.
“I love the kids. I love talking to them,” he said. “I’ll sit in the back of the bus with the high school kids while we’re loading and talk with them. The kindergarteners bring me books, and I’ll read to them.”
Kendall enjoys driving daily routes, but his favorite part of the job is driving students on out-of-town trips. He clearly remembers a trip to the state Capitol in Salem. Not one to sit in the bus and wait, he joined the students on a tour of the building. The group ended up in the governor’s office, but the governor wasn’t there. One of the students sat at the governor’s desk and a photo opportunity appeared. Kendall took a picture of the entire class gathered around the desk.
“That was great,” he said. “As long as my health will let me, I’ll be driving.”
CARI PATZKE, fifth grade teacher, Ferguson Elementary School
Crystal Apple award winner Cari Patzke makes sure her students at Ferguson Elementary School have experiences that help them succeed. At the end of each school year, she hikes with her fifth-grade class to the top of Hogback Mountain. She also coaches the school’s triathlon club.
“I love my fifth graders,” she said. “It’s a sweet spot, that turning point. You can still reach them.”
Jana Dunlea, vice principal at Ferguson Elementary, said Patzke is a teacher who goes the extra mile for each student in her class.
“Cari takes the time to get to know them and their needs and adjusts her teaching and lessons to make each individual successful,” Dunlea said. “She provides a safe, welcoming, and caring environment where students can come to learn and find an adult to look up to.”
Patzke charted a path to a college degree as a divorced, single mother with two jobs. When her youngest child turned 3, she enrolled at Klamath Community College. She earned her master’s degree in teaching from Western Governor’s University.
After a year of student teaching, she taught for two years at a private school and for a year in an intervention classroom at Roosevelt Elementary School. She started teaching fifth-grade at Ferguson in 2016. She has since remarried, and she and her husband have six children between them.
Her Crystal Apple nominators point to her dedication to the community, where she helps with events, coaches and encourages wellness.
“She is positive, caring and encouraging toward all those she meets,” her nominators wrote. “Anyone who knows her speaks volumes of the impact she has in the community, the school, and the district. She is such a wonderful person who wears many hats and never tires when it comes to helping out anyone.”
TAMMY PRESKITT, fifth-grade teacher, Chiloquin Elementary School
Crystal Apple award winner Tammy Preskitt believes teaching – and learning – is more than books and lessons. It takes empathy and understanding.
Preskitt has taught at Chiloquin Elementary School since 2013, her first job after going back to college for her teaching degree at the age of 50. She taught first grade for several years, fourth-grade last year and is teaching fifth-grade this year. Chiloquin, she says, is a good fit for her.
“We do have high poverty and all those things that go with that,” she said. “My background matches those things so I believe it’s given me great empathy and understanding for my students. I know where they’re at and know how to help them get to a place where they can be thinking and participating. It’s really important to create an atmosphere in the classroom where they can feel safe.”
She earned her degree from Western Oregon University and then moved to Chiloquin. Preskitt and her husband live within the city of Chiloquin.
“I wanted to teach where I live and live where I teach,” she said. “My students see my outside my classroom. They know where my home is. We see each other at the store and at the park. That is part of creating community. I get to know the students and they get to know me, which all helps with our learning process.”
Preskitt’s Crystal Apple nomination credited the educator with being able to reach students to help be successful in the classroom and in their personal lives.
“Tammy balances academics and empathy beautifully. Her strategies and mindfulness are positive and develop cooperation, mutual respect, and responsibility,” her nominators wrote. “She empowers and accommodates in her classroom, and her students develop a growth mindset.”
LAURIE ROSS, English teacher, Lost River Junior/Senior School
Crystal Apple winner Laurie Ross’ forward-thinking vision ensures her students not only succeed academically, but socially and emotionally as well.
An English teacher and robotics coach at Lost River Junior/Senior High School, Ross has a built state-recognized robotics program and developed partnerships that bring opportunities to students in the small, rural high school.
“The passion that she has for students is innate and can’t be developed — she works to the point of exhaustion evaluating, reflecting, and implementing opportunities for all students,” said Principal Jamie Ongman. “Her personal mission is to work to expose our students to other opportunities that normally small rural students don’t get.”
Ross started her teaching career in her hometown of Corning, Iowa, in a self-contained autistic classroom. In addition to a teaching degree, she has master’s degrees in reading and special education.
She taught for two years in Alaska before moving to the Klamath Basin to teach yearbook, journalism, and English at Mazama High School. She has taught English and robotics at Lost River since 2010.
Ross teaches English to 8th, 10th and 12th graders, including honors and dual credit courses such as Writing 121 and 122. Since she started at Lost River, she has taught journalism with computer aided design and started the school’s robotics program, which competes statewide and regularly ranks in the top third in the state.
Though she has now been an educator for 22 years, a bad experience student teaching had her second-guessing her career choice. She worked briefly in insurance before her hometown principal asked her to teach.
“It was the right thing. I can’t not teach,” Ross said. “When I’m teaching I have to do the very best I can all the time. I’m always trying to get better.”
SARAH SMITH, head secretary, Henley High School
Crystal Apple award winner Sarah Smith has been the face of Henley High School for more than 18 years as a secretary in the main office.
“I just love the kids,” she said. “Every day is different. It’s never boring.”
Smith started her career in the banking industry, but changed tracks when her son was about to start kindergarten. She was hired as attendance secretary at Henley High School in 2002, moving to the head secretary position in 2004. When she isn’t at school, she is working with her family’s beekeeping business.
Her nominators called Smith “an incredible asset” to the Henley community, not just the school.
“Sarah is the glue that seamlessly binds the daily operations of Henley High School,” they wrote. “Whether supporting students and staff members at her school or ensuring that every Henley patron feels valued and supported, she performs her role in a five-star capacity with smile.”
Two of Smith’s three children have graduated from Henley High School, and her youngest daughter is a seventh-grader at Henley Middle School.
“I loved to be here when my kids came through Henley. I loved seeing them every day,” she said, adding with a smile, “I don’t think they minded.”
Smith said she was surprised but pleased to receive the award. She said her biggest challenge is just managing time in the office. This year, with distance learning instead of in-person instruction, has been difficult. “Not having kids here has been really hard,” she said. “We really miss them.”
Around the state of Oregon
Governor Kate Brown’s Two-Week Freeze includes:
The Two-Week Freeze measures include:
• Limiting social get-togethers (indoors and outdoors) to no more than six people, total, from no more than two households.
• Limiting faith-based organizations to a maximum of 25 people indoors or 50 people outdoors.
• Limiting eating and drinking establishments to take-out and delivery only.
• Closing gyms and fitness organizations.
• Closing indoor recreational facilities, museums, indoor entertainment activities, and indoor pools and sports courts.
• Closing zoos, gardens, aquariums, outdoor entertainment activities, and outdoor pools.
• Limiting grocery stores and pharmacies to a maximum of 75% capacity and encouraging curbside pickup.
• Limiting retail stores and retail malls (indoor and outdoor) to a maximum of 75% capacity and encouraging curbside pickup.
• Closing venues (that host or facilitate indoor or outdoor events).
• Requiring all businesses to mandate work-from-home to the greatest extent possible and closing offices to the public.
• Prohibiting indoor visiting in long-term care facilities (outdoor visitation permitted for supporting quality of life).
The Two-Week Freeze does not apply to or change current health and safety protocols for personal services (such as barber shops, hair salons, and non-medical massage therapy), congregate homeless sheltering, outdoor recreation and sports, youth programs, childcare, K-12 schools, K-12 sports currently allowed, current Division 1 and professional athletics exemptions, and higher education — all of which can continue operating under previous guidance issued by the Oregon Health Authority.
For all other permitted activities listed above, the Oregon Health Authority will be issuing sector-specific guidance within the next week. Sectors without specific prohibitions or guidance must operate under this general employer guidance.
On Tuesday, November 3, Oregon State Police Detectives began an investigation into child Sex Abuse allegations in Josephine County.
On Monday, November 9, detectives served a search warrant in the 3500 block of Quartz Creek Rd. in Merlin. 55-year-old David Campa attempted to flee, on foot, out the back of the residence but was quickly detained.
Campa was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the following charges: 2 Counts of Sex Abuse I, 2 Counts of Sodomy I, 1 Count of Using Child in Display of Sexual Explicit Conduct The Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Division was assisted by the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.
Oregon Employment Department Prepares for Hike in Unemployment Claims During Two-Week Freeze
(Salem, OR)–The Oregon Employment Department announced today that it is preparing for an increase in unemployment claims following Governor Kate Brown’s statewide Two-Week Freeze. Oregonians whose employment is impacted by this effort to curb the exponential spread of COVID-19 will need to either file an initial claim or restart a stopped claim.
“While the Two-Week Freeze may not directly affect all businesses, we want Oregonians to know that we are in a much better place than we were at the start of the pandemic to respond to an uptick in unemployment claims. We are ready to take your claims and ensure you get your benefits as quickly as possible, whether through an existing benefit program or any new federal program that may get passed,” said acting director David Gerstenfeld.
The Employment Department is preparing to increase its claims processing capacity with support from the National Guard. The department is also developing an option for impacted employers to submit employee information in bulk to minimize the need for employees to locate key information that may not be easily accessible.
Oregonians whose employment is impacted by the Two-Week Freeze should take the Employment Department’s Eligibility Quiz to determine which benefit program they are eligible for.
If a claimant has returned to work and their employment is impacted by the Two-Week Freeze, they will need to restart their claim. Claims can be restarted by going to the Online Claim System and selecting Restart Your Claim (the eighth button down). Those unable to restart their claim this way should contact the Employment Department via the Contact Us form and select the Restarting my claim option.
Taking care during stressful times
Strong emotions like fear, sadness, or other symptoms of depression are normal, as long as they are temporary and don’t interfere with daily activities. If these emotions last too long or cause other problems, it’s a different story.
Sometimes stress can be good. It can help you develop skills needed to manage potentially threatening situations. Stress can be harmful, however, when it is prolonged or severe enough to make you feel overwhelmed and out of control.
Physical or emotional tension are often signs of stress. They can be reactions to a situation that cause you to feel threatened or anxious. Stress can be related to positive events (such as planning your wedding) or negative events (such as dealing with the effects of a natural disaster).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer tips for self-care.
Safe + Strong also has resources and information on coping with stress.
A demobilization ceremony for Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers of 1-186 Infantry, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, was held on Nov. 15, 2020 to recognize and honor their nearly yearlong deployment as part of Task Force Guardian.
The ceremony, conducted at the National Guard armory in Roseburg, acknowledged all of their efforts that contributed to peace keeping and security throughout Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti. This deployment was a part of the second largest mobilization of Oregon National Guard Citizen-Soldiers since World War II.
Today, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington (GSOSW) kicks off the first-ever STEMapalooza, a two-day virtual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math expo.
Girls will engage with STEM experts, explore STEM careers and experience live webinar panels, science demonstrations, and self-guided activities. STEMapalooza is generously sponsored by First Tech Federal Credit Union.
Throughout the two-day event, girls can explore more than 20 distinct STEM experiences, from live panels and demonstrations to self-guided STEM experiments and activities from partners including:
- First Tech Federal Credit Union
- Cambia Health Solutions Women in Information Security
- Chintimini Wildlife Center
- Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
- GSOSW Medford Service Center’s Garden Leader
- GSOSW Portland Metro Astronomy Club (Girl-Led)
- Haystack Rock Awareness Program
- Mad Science of Portland & Vancouver
- Microsoft Portland
- Miss Oregon
- National Association of Women in Construction – Portland
- Oregon Mermaids
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
- Oregon State University’s Marine and Geology Repository
- Portland State University Women in Aerospace
- Society of Women Engineers, Columbia River Section
- Women in Science PDX
- Women in Transportation Seminar
- University of Oregon’s Pine Mountain Observatory
“We know that for girls—and especially girls of color—representation matters,” says Nicole Frisch, Senior Director, Community Engagement First Tech Federal Credit Union. “That’s why we’re excited to partner with Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington for STEMapalooza, where girls will be able to see and engage with career professionals who look like them, learn about education and career journeys, and find a path for themselves in STEM. It’s one way we can work together to diversify the STEM pipeline, and support our next generation of thinkers, doers and leaders.”
Research shows that girls are keenly interested in STEM and excel at it. Yet, for a variety of reasons, girls often don’t pursue STEM—starting as early as elementary school—and women and girls are underrepresented across all levels of the STEM pipeline. Girl Scout STEM programs are designed to introduce Girl Scouts of every age to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and bridge the gender gap with progression-based, multi-year STEM experiences such as Girl Scouts’ new STEM Career Exploration badges. Through STEMapalooza, Girl Scouts in grades 2-8 will be able to complete steps toward these new badges as they connect with STEM professionals, learn about what they do, and discover their pathway to STEM careers.
“At GSOSW, it is so important for us to create STEM opportunities for girls where they can see themselves represented in a field that they have been told is traditionally not for them,” says Tessa Crosby, Program Manager for Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “We hope to inspire girls through these opportunities to step outside of their comfort zones to try something new, so they can cultivate the skills to become the STEM leaders of tomorrow.”
ABOUT STEMAPALOOZA
WHO: 175 girls in grades K-12; Girl Scout volunteers and staff; STEM professionals.
Salem – As a temporary rule addressing COVID-19 in all workplaces is set to take effect Monday – with certain parts phased in later – Oregon OSHA encourages employers and workers to use the division’s resources to help understand and comply with the requirements.
The following resources are now available online under “Documents,” with more on the way in the weeks to come:
- Exposure Risk Assessment Form – Employers can fill out this template (available in Word and PDF) as part of the requirement to conduct a risk assessment. The assessment must involve participation and feedback from employees. It gauges potential employee exposure to COVID-19, including addressing specific questions about how to minimize such exposure.
- Model Policy for Notification of Employees when COVID-19 Exposure Occurs – Employers can satisfy the requirement to notify affected workers within 24 hours of a work-related infection by adopting this model procedure, available in Word and PDF.
- The COVID-19 Hazards Poster – This required poster is available in both English and Spanish. The poster does not have to be printed and posted in color. Employers may also visit Oregon OSHA’s publications webpage to place an order.
- Overview Table – This table summarizes the requirements and how they apply. It also shows the effective dates of certain provisions of the temporary rule.
Oregon OSHA urges a careful reading of the temporary rule, which is intended to curb the spread of coronavirus in all workplaces by requiring employers to implement a comprehensive set of risk-reducing measures. It is expected to remain in effect until May 4, 2021.
Meanwhile, the division offers consultation services and technical specialists to help employers comply with the requirements. Here is the contact information for both:
Consultation services – Provides no-cost assistance with safety and health programs
- Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
- Field offices
- Online
- Email: consult.web@oregon.gov
Technical staff – Helps employers understand requirements
- Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
- Online
- Email: tech.web@oregon.gov
Beginning in late June, Oregon OSHA’s process to develop the temporary rule included more than a dozen virtual forums dealing with specific issues and industries before the first of four stakeholder review drafts was even developed. Each subsequent draft incorporated changes resulting from the division’s discussion with a large number of employer and worker representatives, as well as feedback from the public at large.
Following adoption of its temporary COVID-19 rule for all workplaces, Oregon OSHA continues to pursue permanent rulemaking that would provide a structure for responding to potential future disease outbreaks. More information is available on the division’s infectious disease rulemaking page and on its COVID-19 resources page.