Oregon Capital Bureau

POLK COUNTY — Smart Reading programs start next month in Polk County schools.

SALEM — Ann Gage envisions Brunk House as a place where guests can briefly experience what life was like on the farmstead decades ago.

MONMOUTH — Wouldn’t college be more fun without the tests, homework and tuition?

DALLAS — Teachers and staff at Dallas Community School were still setting up for school late into the night before students arrived for classes on Thursday.

DALLAS — On Wednesday, the first full day of school in Dallas, interim superintendent Andy Bellando visited two schools to check in on the start of classes.

DALLAS — Darrick Bruns, Whitworth Elementary School’s new principal, wasn’t sure it would happen, but he came back to where his career began.

DALLAS – Students will meet 15 new teachers when school starts in the Dallas School District next week.

DALLAS — For Rachel Alpert, it was a husband-and-wife team of elementary teachers who led her to believe she could do anything she wanted.

DALLAS – After two days on the job, Andy Bellando, Dallas School District’s interim superintendent attended his first school board meeting Monday night.

DALLAS – The Dallas School Board will name Andy Bellando as the district’s interim superintendent for the 2019-20 school year.

INDEPENDENCE — The Central FFA Chapter of Central High School was recognized by the National FFA Organization as a 2019 National Star FFA Chapter.

DALLAS — Meetings with the contractor on the Dallas High School track rebuild saved the district about $56,000 on the original bid.

DALLAS — The Dallas School Board accepted Superintendent Michelle Johnstone’s resignation and approved a separation agreement with her Monday night.

DALLAS — The Dallas School Board will vote on a separation agreement with Superintendent Michelle Johnstone at Monday’s special board meeting.

MONMOUTH — In its 19th year, the Mid-Summer Dinner and Auction is Western Oregon University’s Smith Fine Arts Series’ main fundraiser.

MONMOUTH — The Apple Box Children’s Theater’s production of “Beowulf” maintains the integrity of the original piece, while making it accessible to both the young actors who play the part and audience members.

DALLAS — The Dallas School District food service program will end the year with about a $20,205 deficit, including $18,579 in unpaid meal accounts.

MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE — The Central School District Board of Directors on June 24 renewed Superintendent Jennifer Kubista’s contract through June of 2022.

PERRYDALE – The Little Mermaid took the stage at Perrydale School on May 30-31.

DALLAS — When Nash Stanton was in his early years in high school, he wasn’t sure he would earn his way to graduation.

DALLAS -- Morrison Campus Alternative School celebrated graduation on Thursday, June 13 in the Dallas High School gym. 

FALLS CITY — Marissa Bowman just graduated from Falls City High School Friday, but she’s already well into her college coursework.

Marissa Ann Bowman

DALLAS — When Dallas High School junior Hailey McBride asked about why DHS doesn’t allow seniors to decorate their graduation caps, she didn’t get a definitive answer.

Lena Ann Abounadi

Nicholas Ainsworth

INDEPENDENCE — Visitors to Inspiration Gardens in Mt. Fir Park now have a safer path to walk along the south fork of Ash Creek.

DALLAS — Did you know that you are supposed to wash your hands for two minutes to effectively remove germs?

DALLAS — The Dallas School Board has directed its attorney to investigate allegations the district’s teachers’ and classified employees’ unions brought against Superintendent Michelle Johnstone.

DALLAS — Their slogan is “Be the Change.”

The Civil War was the topic of a series of demonstrations at LaCreole Middle School on Wednesday, May 29.

INDEPENDENCE — The latest addition to the landscape in front of Central High School doesn’t need to be watered, but the Interact Club hopes its intention will flourish in the community.

INDEPENDENCE — Atalin Venegas, 18, wants to pursue a career where she can help other people.