Written, illustrated, edited, and published locally, a new children’s book was released last month–Silly Lily’s Rhyming Adventures in Nature. We love that it’s full of humor, poetry, and whimsical illustrations, alongside a deep reverence for the earth itself – the book creates an engaging and educational experience for readers of all ages.
Art from a Crescent Valley Grad: In a stunning debut, the book is illustrated by Greta Gonzalez, a gifted 18-year-old artist that graduated Crescent Valley High.
As uniquely Oregon in origin as it is universal in theme, Silly Lily’s Rhyming Adventures in Nature was written by Jack Cooper, a nationally published poet, credentialed ESL teacher, and former communications director at the High Desert Museum in Bend. The book was edited by Dennis R. Hoerner, PhD, a retired professor of English literature and former Head of School at Wellsprings Friends School in Eugene; and published in Eugene by Eco-Justice Press as an Aurora Imprint.
Sarah Monroe, a Waldorf School instructor in Corvallis said, “The joys of rhyming, alliteration, and silly speculation are some of the best teaching tools for literacy, and some of the most fun to engage in! This joyfulness, along with a deep appreciation for nature’s wisdom and wonder, are all present in Lily’s adventures.”
With whimsical puns, homonyms, rhymes, and drawings, Silly Lily’s Rhyming Adventures in Nature brings to life a young girl’s journey through the natural world around her. It invites readers on an adventure filled with laughter, learning, and wonder – the book promises to be a valuable addition to any child’s library, fostering a love for language and nature in equal measure.
For more information, please visit sillylilysadventures.com or contact: Jack Cooper at jaccoop@gmail.com.
Majestic Masquerade Ball – Dine, Dance, Donate to Youth Theater
Don’t think of it as a $130 a plate evening of fine dining and good entertainment – see this as an opportunity to help fund the Majestic’s youth theatre programs.
The dollars raised will help to build up a robust and affordable youth program that fosters opportunities for children from elementary to high school to expand their skills both onstage and behind the scenes.
There’s Music: Entertainment will feature singer-songwriter and international recording artist Halie Loren, who was voted “Best Singer-Songwriter” in Eugene Weekly’s annual Best of Eugene 2023 awards, as well as Corvallis’ own Quartissimos, a world-class and versatile string quartet comprised of Anthea Kreston, her husband Jason Duckles, and their two talented children.
Very Good Food: Guests will enjoy an evening of fine dining courtesy of Magenta Restaurant and exquisite local wine selections. There will also be an opportunity to participate in a silent auction and to purchase an exclusive star on the sidewalk in front of the historical Majestic Theatre.
To Attend: Slated for 6:30 pm, Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave., in the Chandler Ballroom. Tickets available by calling 541-738-7469 or you can click here.
Area Schools Receive 32 Grants – Some Amazing Projects Get Support
The Corvallis Public Schools Foundation has announced this year’s IMAGINE Grant recipients – these funds are aimed at projects promoting student achievement, equity and real-world learning experiences.
Among the 32 projects funded this year are initiatives such as the district-wide CSD Student Art Exhibit, literary reading lounges, vihuelas for student mariachi, district-wide family math nights, and the creation of an elementary school sensory path.
Corvallis Public School Foundation Executive Director, Angela Hibbard said, “The IMAGINE Grants empower our educators to think outside the box, offering students diverse and enriching experiences that extend beyond conventional curriculum. These grants not only spark innovation but also contribute significantly to creating an educational environment where every student can thrive.”
And, without further ado, here’s this year’s recipients…
All Schools
2nd Annual Districtwide Art Exhibit: CSD pARTy! (Christa Schmeder)—$5,000
A transportable art exhibition showcasing student artwork represented by all 13 schools to share with the greater community.
Family Math Nights (Kimberly Johnson) —$5,000
Providing engaging math games and materials to advance equity, reduce math anxiety, and enrich student learning by fostering positive math mindsets through family engagement.
Arabic Culture and Language Club (Rabab Zghal Ep Khammar) —$2,000
Purchasing large visual aids in Arabic, interactive aids, audiovisual support, Arabic letter puzzles, scrabble, books, and children’s encyclopedias to nurture students’ desire to share about their culture and their respect for other cultures. To also include a reading corner in the Arabic Club classroom.
Multiple-School Grants
Women of the Woods Woodshop Camp (Aaron McKee)—$4,920
To offer after-school woodworking camps for Cheldelin Middle School, Linus Pauling Middle School, Corvallis High School, and Crescent Valley High School designed to increase the representation of women in all Career & Technical Education (CTE) fields.
Children’s Books About Letitia Carson (Christy Koegler)—$1,000
Purchasing printed copies of nonfiction children’s books about Letitia Carson for classrooms at Letitia Carson Elementary School and elementary schools throughout the district.
Garfield
Vihuelas for Mariachi (Kathryn Kinney)—$5,000
Purchasing vihuelas for students in 3rd – 5th grade to learn about, practice on, and perform as a Mariachi.
Sensory Path (Claudia Cano )—$3,500
Creating two sensory paths in the halls of Garfield Elementary designed to keep kids moving while supporting their development and well-being, supporting diverse sensory needs.
Animal Adaptations Field Experience (Emma Poff) —$598
Taking third-grade students to Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon to participate in hands-on learning experiences and study animal adaptations within the coastal ecosystem.
Kathryn Jones Harrison
Kathryn Jones Harrison School Garden Revival (Amanda Tucksen)—$2,000
Making updates to the existing garden to prevent deer damage; planting trees, flowers, perennial fruits, and vegetables, and building a pergola.
Second Grade Field Trip to the Eugene Science Center (Irene French)—$750
Providing admission to the Eugene Science Center, exhibits, a planetarium show, and an enrichment lab for two second-grade classes.
Lincoln
STEM to Enrich Little Minds (Arianna Gonzalez-Cas)—$2,000
Purchasing STEM materials that promote problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and logical skills.
Mountain View
Mountain View School Garden Rejuvenation Project (Michael Fischer)—$5,000
Making significant improvements to the school garden to create a vibrant and inclusive outdoor learning environment. Includes replacement of old irrigation, updated garden beds, soil, educational signage, garden tools, and curriculum materials.
Reading Lounges (Keli Abbott)—$5,000
Creating four literary-themed spaces around the school to enhance and promote students’ immersion in literature.
Everyone Is An Author (Shayna Hicks)—$3,924
Providing the opportunity for K-3rd students to become published authors, aimed to empower students and promote literacy within the school community.
Cheldelin
6th Grade Science Field Trip (Alexis McQuillan)—$2,166
Creating a science-based 6th-grade field trip for the end of the year. Having representatives from the OSU science department (genetics and fire ecology), Greenbelt Land Trust, and Confederated Tribes of the Siletz or Grand Ronde to teach students genetic engineering/selective breeding of trees in relation to climate change, economic use, and land management.
SAFE Family Dinners (Jennifer Davis)—$1,053
Developing and growing relationships and community with the diverse families of SAFE Students by hosting two potluck dinners during the school year.
Aquaculture 2.0 (Jeremy Adams)—$985
Expanding the aquaculture elective class to increase capacity and include more students.
Linus Pauling Middle School
Math Tutors (Heathrina Stanfield)—$1,000
Providing incentives in conjunction with a math tutor program during Pride Class, to help create a positive math culture and support students in strengthening their math identity.
C.A.T.S. Club (Sarah Johnson)—$850
Purchasing a popcorn machine, which The Corvallis Autistic Teen Social (CATS) Club will use to run a small popcorn stand at local events. Funds from the popcorn stand will be used to fund the club and any remaining profits will be donated to an organization that empowers autistic youth.
College Hill
College Hill Yearbook Club (Anne Foltz)—$2,500
A student-led, staff-supported club to produce yearbooks for the school’s students.
College Hill Weight Room Equipment (Jefferson Peak)—$1,901
Providing a complete weight room for students to learn more about the importance of strength training and exercise, to improve student wellness, and to build positive relationships among staff and students.
Farm Fence After the Remodel (Cherie Taylor)—$1,623
Supporting a partnership between the College Hill Urban Farm students and the College Hill Construction Program to install a hoop house and move existing fencing to expand farmable land access.
T-shirt Printing Business (Cherie Taylor)—$930
Starting a t-shirt printing business at College Hill. Students will create unique designs and additionally provide the Urban Farm t-shirts that are awarded to students each year.
College Hill Art Class (Drew Kelly)—$650
Purchasing new art supplies for College Hill art students who historically have not always had the opportunity to participate in art class and experienced limited access to supplies.
Corvallis High School
Equity in Band (Matt Boring)—$5,000
Purchasing musical instruments for incoming freshmen to increase equitable access to music for all students.
Latin Voices of our Community (Carlos Valdes-Casillas)—$4,550
Training students in the design, use, distribution methods, and evaluation of a bilingual questionnaire. Students will bring their perspectives to the attention of community support groups in Corvallis, helping to revisit the resources offered to Latino/a/x families in Corvallis. Students will lead focus groups and conduct interviews highlighting Hispanic identity and its representation in all schools.
Lingo Lunch (Karrie Woodruff)—$3,000
English learners (ELs) along with proficient English speakers gather weekly for lunch to build community while using English to increase language proficiency.
Crescent Valley High School
Student Music Production Stations (Jens Lovtang)—$4,907
Providing three music production stations for students to write, create, and record their own original music
MMIWG2S 5k Fundraiser (Julia Blue Arm)—$1,500
SAFE students to host a second annual 5k Run & Walk in May 2024 to fundraise for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S).
Marine Science Matters! (Eva Riedlecker-Wolfe)—$1,054
Field trip for two Introduction to Environmental Science classes to attend Hatfield Marine Science Center. Students will participate in research lab activities, study estuary populations, and learn about the unique adaptations of organisms living in the intertidal zone.
WINGS Business/Job Site Supplies (Allison Patrick)—$2,534
WINGS CV Businesses to become more profitable and self-sustaining by increasing capacity to market and sell beyond the local area. Support for WINGS students’ expanding marketable skills and increasing opportunities for employment.
And, Finally: The Corvallis Public Schools Foundation was founded in 1996 to support local schools and inspire learning for a lifetime. Current priorities include increasing graduation rates, learning enrichment, and educational access for students navigating poverty, homelessness, and mental health challenges. In its more-than-25-year history, CPSF has contributed over $11M to our local schools. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit cpsfoundation.org or call (541) 757-5857.
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