December 2, 2009
Vol. IV Issue iv
Ashland, Oregon
Putting the ‘pal’ in principal by Anna Hume “All of our students have an With the twists and turns equal value,” Schlehct said, “We of this year, we Grizzlies have decided as a staff to support all learned to accept and even emof our kid’s needs.” brace the unexpected. But on With only eight months left, the morning of November 9, Schlecht still has a lot of work news that took everybody by to do, but he is beginning to surprise blared over the loud cope with the idea of saying speakers. As the class of 2010 good-bye to the school that has graduates, our beloved principal become his home. When asked Jeff Schlecht will be graduating what he will miss most he said from Ashland High School simply “the 100 little choices with us. I make each day to benefit the It is hard for staff and stukids.” dents alike to imagine AHS “This has been the most diffiwithout Mr. Schlecht’s cheercult decision of my life,” he said. ful presence. “It will be so weird “Every student of this school not seeing him around,” Junior feels like part of my family.” Lee Dodds said, “he really repThe feeling is mutual. “Mr. resents AHS to me,” it’s true, Schlecht has played such a huge Mr. Schlecht is an everyday part role in my high school experiPhoto by Grace Riley-Adams of high school. Whether he is Principal Jeff Schlecht reminiscing about his days at the high school ence,” Senior Emily Hand said . congratulating an athlete on a Just because he is retiring, “Jeff is one principal in 2002. big game or just stopping into doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect to see of the most sensitive and compassionate “When I started as an educator, I did a class to observe, it is apparent that Mr. people I have worked with in education,” Mr. Schlecht at school events or strolling Schlecht is involved in his students’ lives. not think I would end up principal of says Government teacher Matthew McK- around town. “I plan to stay in the city In fact, Schlecht has even won the Intra- AHS,” Schlecht said, “but boy, am I glad innon, “As a teacher, I appreciate how and support the district in any way they mural Ping Pong Tournament and his cer- I did.” need,” he said. Schlecht will be around Since Schlecht became principal, he much he looks out for the best interest of for years to come, as will the incredible tificate can be seen in his office among his has made countless positive changes. Be- his staff and students.” “Principal of the Year” awards. Perhaps even more impressive than the impact he has made. It’s not only AHS student and alumni fore his time, AHS had 60% of students statistics is the number of programs that Senior and Student Body President attend 2-4 year colleges post graduation. that have memories with Schlecht. Ashhave been implemented since Schlecht Noah Sohl spoke for all of us when he said, land High School is only one of the many In the last three years, that number has became principal. Classes like SAEJ and “Jeff ’s care will forever remain with me places he has worked. He has been a coach, grown to an astonishing 86%. Ashland Wilderness Charter School are continu- and the others he has guided and inspired a teacher and a principal in Oregon for 30 High School was also recognized this ously offered to students who seek an al- as principal of the Ashland Schools” years. This includes being the principal of year for the first time as “exceptional” ternative path to learning. Ashland High It is undecided who the next principal Briscoe Elementary for four years. He was by the ODE. But Schlecht is happy to Schools AP and SAT scores have always will be, but whoever is selected has some also Associate Principal of AHS for five share the credit. “The staff and admin- been high, but Schlect took it upon him- pretty big shoes to fill. Mr. Schlecht, with years, so he described it as “coming home” istrators at this school have always been self to make sure more than just the honor his compassion and good nature, makes when he was offered the job of head a perfect fit,” he says “We brought the students were living up to their potential. everyday a good day to be a Grizzly. best out in each other and the students.”
AHS is “Exceptional” on average by Tim Borgerson Ashland High School students and staff don’t need a rating system to tell them that they are some of the best, but due to the No Child Left Behind Act, the state is forced to tell us anyway. On the latest report card from the Oregon Department of Education, AHS received an evaluation rating of “Outstanding.” Yet, this ranking is not indicative of Ashland’s progress because the rating system was recently revised. According to the ODE, if they had been using the previous year’s ranking system, AHS would have received the highest possible rating of “Exceptional.” This is an improvement over last year’s rating of “Strong.” According to the ODE, Ashland was the only high school in the valley to receive a rating of “exceptional.” A number of factors are used by the ODE to assess and rate a school. They include attendance and graduation rates, state testing results, as well as the dropout rate. Particularly impressive is that the high school’s already low dropout rate declined even more from 1.9 percent in 2007 to 1.7 percent in 2008. AHS Principal Jeff Schlecht credits the low dropout rate to the school’s well-developed safety net. “We have implemented a number of programs or interventions designed to make sure no one falls through the cracks. This, I believe, is what makes us an exceptional school.” Assistant Principal Don Valentini and Dean Glenna Stiles, for example, head the Student-Services Team, where staff members who problem solve
ways to help individual at-risk students one at a time. “It’s one of the best resources I’ve seen in my 30-year career,” Schlecht said. “We are able to help kids achieve a posthigh school vision.” Of course, AHS staff cannot take all the credit for the strong performance. “We have a wonderful K-10 program that ensures sophomores have a firm foundation when they take the test,” AHS English teacher Leeanne Wallace notes. However, despite the overall improvement, the recent report card raised some concerns. For instance, the number of sophomores that passed the state writing exam declined by 18 percent and the number who passed the science exam declined by 11 percent. The school’s failure to maintain its high place in the US News and World Report ranking of Best High Schools Is another disappointment for students and staff. In 2007, Ashland was honored as a “Silver Medal School,” ranking among the top 3 percent of public high schools in the nation. AHS failed to be recognized in the 2009 edition of the rankings. However, with its dedicated staff and diverse student body, Ashland High School continues to a provide quality education and to receive rightfully earned accolades. When asked what makes AHS exceptional in her eyes, junior Sophia Javna commented, “Despite the budget cuts, we still have plenty of opportunities to do what we feel passionate about. We are fortunate to have an administration that is mostly in touch with the needs and desires of students.”