Where's the love???

Looking at our blog, it occured to me that our last post was August 10th ... sad, really, when you think about all of our blogging potential! Vacations, new jobs, new schools, new homes! So here's my post:

Where have I gone?
135 Montello #1, Hood River, OR (studio apt, baby! no more crazy roommates)

What am I doing?
Teaching 5th graders all about their local ecology through the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute by dressing up as trees, flowers, etc.

Do I like it?
Yes, but it's been a tough transistion. I'm excited just to spend a lot of time sleeping.

Are the people cool?
Yes, though I'm surrounded by AmeriKids and I haven't (yet) made any friends outside of AmeriCorps

What am I doing after work?
Sewing like mad to get my sister's salsa dance costumes done in time (think lots and lots of sparkly blue spandex)

What is my favorite color?
Green, like plants!

I hope everyone is doing really well, and please do stay in touch! Kudos to Bojana, who I ran into at the small local grocery store in Hood River last weekend.
Hugs,
M

Check out this resource!

www.thinkfinity.org

There are tools, curricula for teachers, activities and instructional
models for English language learners and other fabulous stuff for
literacy across all age groups.

There are also FREE online courses found under the
Thinkfinity Literacy Network section. The list of free, online courses
is huge and includes topics like: engaging hispanic parents, creating
community linkages, teaching technology, working with refugee families,
reaching out to homeless and migrant families, principles of adult
learning, family literacy, and many more. They have identified those
that would be helpful to potential volunteers, existing volunteers as
well as program staff.

There are also several online courses addressing volunteer management:
Volunteers in Parent Education, Volunteer retention, Incorporating
volunteers into your program's future

Janice!

Get well soon! Kelley

Willamette Narrows and Rock Islands Paddle Adventur

Join the Northwest Service Academy for an exciting and extraordinary canoe-based exploration of West Linn’s Willamette Narrows and Rock Islands. Feel worlds away from the city as we spend the day exploring the natural history, incredibly diverse habitats and outstanding wildlife of this amazing stretch of river. On this one of a kind trip, we will immerse ourselves in the flavor of the area while investigating its unique habitats, discovering the rivers hidden nooks and crannies, discussing the Rivers current challenges and victories as well as conducting scientific monitoring of water quality and plant life.

Suzi Cloutier is a Wildlife Biologist, and ACA certified paddling instructor and Northwest Service Academy Field Team Coordinator. Join her for this once in a lifetime trip filled with fun and discovery on Sunday August 12th from 10am to 5 pm.

Little Rock Island, about 20 acres in size, was given to the Nature Conservancy by the James River Corporation in 1988. The pride of Little Rock Island preserve is the largest and most stable population of Oregon’s rare and endangered Pale Larkspur. Pale larkspur has been found only along the Willamette River and was once was a common flower, but loss of habitat has reduced its population to the point of only being found in a few protected areas. This treasure of an Island offers a rare glimpse into how the Willamette Valley landscape looked before the days of Europeans. The relative inaccessibility of Little Rock Island has helped to protect and preserve the high percentage of natives species found there.

This trip is open to Adults and Children over 12 years of age (younger children with prior approval)

Trip Date: Sunday, August 12^th, 2007

Departure and Return: Willamette Park in West Linn

Cost: $50 per participant this includes canoes, snacks, take home materials and all associated fabulous memories! $30 for those with their own boats and Americorps members.

To Register: Contact Suzi Cloutier (suzi.cloutier@esd112.org) of The Northwest Service Academy 503-234-2383 for registration and payment. Checks can be made out to NWSA and sent to:

NWSA c/o Willamette Narrows Adventure 55 SE Main Street, Portland, OR 97214

Hi everyone

Hi everybody,
Hope everyone's site is going well. I don't really have anything important to say. Actually, whoever got the book about the wizard in the civil war (or something like that) is in luck. The city of Lake oswego library has a discussion group about wizardry in books and that is their currently featured work. I am looking forward to seeing you all for our upcoming team retreat. Unless if you show up late in which case, I will not be sharing my Crumblz! with you. Yes, Crumblz! They are delicious.

CAPs ARE DUE!

Reminder: Final CAPs due August 10th (October 06 Members)

They should be emailed (as an attachment) to Neil.Schulman@esd112.org, on the same form as the CAP mid-report.

Call Neil at (503) 234-2383 ext. 105 if you have any questions.

Environmental Service Symposium

You all have put together amazing CAPs so please take the time to check out this great opportunity to practice public speaking skills, let others know about your project and the impact that you made this year and network with some potential EMPLOYERS.


NWSA is holding an Environmental Achievement Symposium to showcase the amazing projects that our members have worked on during their term of service. We want to introduce Oregon and Washington’s environmental community to the great things our members achieve. This is a great opportunity for commencing members to:

· Show off your accomplishments to key players in the community, including potential employers!
· Practice professional presentation skills
· Help NWSA connect with potential sponsors, funders, and partners by displaying all that our awesome members are capable of!

The event will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. We want you to present!
Individual Placement and Summer EnviroCorps members who are about to commence are invited to participate.

Presentation should be 5-10 minutes long and include visual aids (Power Point, posters, props, etc)
Projects must be of an environmental nature
Impact and sustainability of project must be addressed
You may present alone, or with others if you have a group project to discuss

There will be a poster session for those who do not want to present, whose presentation proposal is not accepted due to time constraints, or have a project to share that is not environment-related. This is your chance to network with the community!

There will also be food.

If you want to participate, please answer these four questions and email them to Neil (Neil.Schulman@esd112.org) by Wednesday, August 1:

1. Name(s) of presenter(s)
2. Are you planning a presentation, a poster, or both?
3. Briefly describe your project and the main points that you plan to make.
4. Summarize the impact of your project.

Please contact Neil if you have any questions: Neil.Schulman@esd112.org, or 503-234-2383 ext. 105.