TSN1013 by C.M.I.

Siuslaw News

R&D Propane Residential and Commercial delivery service Family Owned and Operated Since 1983

News & views that define our community

$1.25

thesiuslawnews.com

Siuslaw News Friday, October 13, 2023 Florence, Oregon

Number 41 • 133 years

We Pride ourselves on providing the best customer service possible.

Now Serving Florence 541-746-4621 • www.rdpropane.com

Mapleton gives parents choice in state testing By RODNEY HARWOOD Country Media

MAPLETON – The Mapleton School District is offering students and parents an option - a state and federally mandated standardized test by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. In March of 2023, the Mapleton School District school board approved a resolution Supporting the Opt-Out Option for Smarter Balanced Testing, giving local parents the option to decline the national testing in favor of localized student assessment. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is a team of states — including Oregon — working

to voluntarily to develop K-12 assessments in English language arts/literacy and math called Smarter Balanced. The tests, according to the website, are aligned to the Common Core State Standards and accurately measure student progress toward college and career readiness. The Mapleton School District school board disagrees with the nationalized testing for its district, which has an enrollment of 165 students. The Opt-Out Resolution states, “It is therefore the Board’s recommendation that Mapleton parents and guardians strongly consider exercising their right, under House Bill 2655, to opt out their student from the Smarter Balanced tests.” Mapleton school Su-

Wright eager to continue work for District 9

Olympic champion Billy Mills has spent the decades since his surprising win reaching out to young Native Americans to tell them they can accomplish anything.

By RODNEY HARWOOD Country Media Lakota elder Billy Mills paused for a moment, reflective in thought, almost as if he was asking a silent prayer for the Creator to guide his words. “Never in the history of the Tribal nations has

what’s best for kids.’ We knew we weren’t doing what’s best for kids with this test. It causes a lot of anxiety,” Holman said. “You’re not going to find a lot of cheerleaders for the test, but you’re also not going to find a lot of spine to challenge the test. I’m really proud of our board that we decided to do what’s best for kids and limit what’s harmful and a waste of time in this testing.” The Smarter Balanced assessment system includes a comprehensive suite of standards-aligned assessments and tools — including instructional supports, interim assessments, and summative assessments — to support effective teaching and maximize learning for each individual student.

Sonny Sixkiller

Notah Begay III

Long after starting for the University of Washington, Sonny Sixkiller continues his work to reach Native youth.

The first Native to play on the PGA Tour, Notah Begay III has opened the door for others to follow.

there been a greater need for us to get together and determine what type of life, what type of world we want to create for our future children,” he said. “The prophecies of the Seventh Generation are not a guarantee. The prophecies of the Seventh Generation are a choice. That’s why we need to get

together collectively and determine what choices we want to make to choreograph our future. If we choreograph it right, then the prophecies will be fulfilled.” The Seventh Generation is moving forward through the actions of two sisters from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatil-

Wade Mcgee

While playing football at Haskell Indian Nations University, Wade McGee led the nation in rushing.

Contributed photos la and four brothers from the Onondaga Nation. Native young people are emerging as role models in Indian Country. Atlanta Dream rookie guard Shoni Schimmel, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, was one of the most popular players in the WNBA in her first See NATIVE page 5A

Coastbusters comes to Florence By TONY REED Siuslaw News Those passing Florence Middle School on Oct. 7 likely saw a lot of wild pink clothes and heard spirited yelling from the school’s track as dozens of people took a long walk to support local breast cancer patients. The Coastbusters walk for breast cancer raised money for local patients The fundraiser is the idea of Sonia Graham and Jeanette Campagna, and was its first time in Florence, having taken place in Newport for three years now.

INSIDE Obituaries — A2 Sports — B1

ment process. “Oregon has the Oregon State Assessment System. We’re going to make sure that we’re testing locally for local performance and curriculum assessments,” Wilson said. “The only thing we changed in the process was to offer parents an option to opt-out. “The (SBAC) still exists and we still the test. But parents now have the option to have their students tested through the local assessment.” Holman said she was pleased with the process and that the Opt-Out Resolution gives parents and students a voice in their educational process. “Eight or 10 years ago we changed (the board’s) mission statement from, ‘We do what’s best for kids’ to ‘We strive to do

Native role models reach out to youth

Billy Mills

State Rep. Boomer Wright, right, will be seeking a third term in office, saying there is still a lot of work to do in the Legislature. Contributed photo and he is determined to By DAVID RUPKALVIS help find an answer. Siuslaw News “I’m looking forward Boomer Wright will to making some real be seeking a third term changes in our education as state representative in system,” Wright said. District 9, saying there is As he looks forward, still work to do. Wright said there is work Wright, a Republican to do. from Reedsport, said he “There’s still some bills has high hopes that the I want to push forward,” Legislature and a new Wright said. “There’s council the governor put some housing and hometogether, will be able to lessness issues I’ve been help improve education working on. I want to in Oregon. work on a bill that would After 31 years as a help cities use land.” teacher, principal and While Wright remains superintendent, educa- in the minority as a Retion remains a huge pri- publican, he said his secority for Wright, and he ond full session was far is excited to see progress different that his first. made. “Once you gain ex“I think there’s still a perience, you get a litlot left to do,” Wright tle more done,” Wright said. “I’m now on the said. “You can establish governor’s council for relationships across the literacy, so I’m work- aisle and get things done. ing with schools to help We had 22 new house them. I’m going to help members this year, 11 our governor do some Democrats and 11 Retraining for our teachers publicans, and you could in the classroom.” tell there was a different Wright said 60% of attitude this year.” students tested below the Wright said some of state average in reading, See WRIGHT page 4A

child may be exhibiting in their understanding, in my opinion.” Since 2010, Smarter Balanced has worked in partnership with state education agencies, districts, schools and educators to develop a high-quality comprehensive assessment system that is designed to support instruction and boost student learning, according to the website. The consortium includes educators, researchers, policymakers and community groups working to help all students thrive in a knowledge-driven global economy. Smarter Balanced members states educate more than 19 million students nationally. Approximately 80% of the Mapleton parents and guardians are in support of the local student assess-

perintendent Sue Wilson said approximately 13% of the parents for students in third through eighth grades and parents of the high school’s junior class did approve the continuance of the Smarter Balanced testing for their students. “The district decided it was a waste of time and money, and actually harmful to kids,” Mapleton School Board Chair Michelle Holman said. “We’re not anti-assessment, our staff assesses kids all the time. “But this test is administered in the spring and the results don’t even come to the district until the fall. The kids have already moved on, so it doesn’t really aide in helping with instruction. It doesn’t address the holes that a

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

The Coastbusters walk for breat cancer draw a spirited crowd of people determined to raise money to find a cure. Photos by Tony Reed/Siuslaw News Asked how they came na said. “Both of us were up with the idea, they living in Depoe Bay at the time… We became like both laughed. “Sonia and I were diag- sisters and bonded really nosed just a few months closely over that experiapart and it was just at the ence. What really promptend of COVID,” Campag- ed us was that because we

are middle class women, we didn’t qualify for any assistance and had stacks of medical bills. We decided we wanted to do something that keeps money local, for local residents and patients.” She explained that they worked with sponsors to raise funds to help with local patients’ transportation costs, rent, utilities and other costs. “It doesn’t pay their medical bills but at least,” she said, “It offsets some of that so they are able to pay their medical bills.” “It helps relieve some of the financial stress so they can focus on healing and See WALK page 4A

Celebrating Over 30 Years in Real Estate

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

1870 Hwy. 126, Suite A • PO Box 3040, Florence, OR