A new community center specifically for pregnant and parenting families in Corvallis and the surrounding area has opened its doors just outside the downtown core, it’s called Monarch on 4th, and it is a whole plethora of very good things.
First, while a number of their offerings are free, some are upscale and paid, but no family will be turned away from services because of cost.
Families can access support from conception through toddlerhood – think childbirth classes, lactation support, parenting classes, mami y yo support group, yoga, baby-wearing classes, and more, all under one roof. Classes will be available in English and Spanish.
The new center has brought together a number of providers.
“Monarch on the 4th is a space where every family can receive high quality, respectful, and easily accessed care – wrapped in the supportive connections they need to thrive,” said Miranda Tasker, Program Manager for Mid-Valley Nurture, a program of Connections Counseling, and Families Actively Improving Relationships (FAIR).
“All families need support during the critical time around when new babies are welcomed,” said Roslyn Burmood, executive director of the Community Doula Program, which helped launch the program. “Monarch on 4th is opening its doors to every birthing family in our community.”
“I am so excited to offer classes in such a welcoming community space where people can take advantage of wonderful services.” Kat Johnson who offers prenatal yoga and mama and little one yoga at Monarch on 4th.
Other available resources at Monarch on 4th include a community closet with baby gear for lending, a community pantry with nutritious food offerings, yoga, and parent meetups. Click here to learn more.
Corvallis Schools Seeking Budget Committee Applicants: The District has three Budget Committee vacancies, and they’re asking interested community folks to submit an application by Friday, Oct. 20.
They are looking to fill two vacant three-year positions, and one vacant two-year position.
The Budget Committee has 14 equal members: seven elected school board members and seven citizens appointed to three-year terms by the Board. These individuals are charged with reviewing the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget, listening to public comment about the budget, recommending changes, and approving the budget total and tax rates to be forwarded to the School Board for adoption.
Applicants must live and be registered to vote in the District and not be an officer, agent, or employee of the District. Positions are non-partisan, unpaid, and not connected to any specific region within the district. Members with expired terms can request reappointment.
All meetings of the Budget Committee are held in the evening at a District facility. The tentative 2024 meeting schedule is:
- April 25, 2024 – Committee Orientation
- May 23, 2024 – Meeting 1: Receive the Budget Message and Public Testimony
- May 30, 2024 – Meeting 2: Deliberation
Interested? Submit an application online. The materials you submit will be public information, with the contact information removed. Positions will be open until filled by a vote of the School Board. If the District needs more applicants, the deadline may be moved. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Schroeder, Budget Committee Secretary: Jennifer.schroder@corvallis.k12.or.us or 541-757-5874.
Melissa Goff Left the Mid-Valley, and Keeps Moving Up: Gov. Tina Kotek’s education advisor will soon lead the state agency in charge of licensing teachers and enforcing standards.
The 17-member Teacher Standards and Practices Commission voted unanimously in a special meeting Tuesday to appoint Melissa Goff executive director for the agency. She’ll start Thursday.
Goff replaces Anthony Rosilez, who was appointed by the commission in 2018. Rosilez informed the commission of his desire to resign this summer, and will officially step down effective Nov. 3, according to the meeting notes and Danny Moran, a spokesperson for Kotek. Rosilez did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Goff has served as Kotek’s education advisor since January, specifically to coordinate improvements and historic investments in literacy and early learning across state education agencies. Goff also did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.
About 40% of Oregon fourth graders and one-third of Oregon eighth graders scored “below basic” on the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to as the “nation’s report card.” That means they struggle to read and understand simple words.
“The governor is focused on the work TSPC does with educator prep, and she has a lot of trust in Melissa to go do this work,” Elisabeth Shepard, a spokesperson for Kotek, said. “The governor’s emphasis on early literacy shines through on this decision. Having somebody at the helm who has good expertise on this made a whole lot of sense.”
Goff comes to the job with no higher education leadership experience. She spent the bulk of her career as a K-12 public school district superintendent in Philomath, Albany and Portland. She was deputy executive director of the Oregon School Boards Association for three months before joining Kotek’s staff.
“Logic is she cares a lot about educators, and part of TSPC’s work is setting teachers up to go off and into a K-12 setting. We feel her expertise is there,” Shepard said.
In May, Kotek appointed a council to investigate and evaluate reading instruction at the state’s educator preparation programs and determine whether it’s aligned with decades of research on how best to teach reading. The goal is to update the teacher licensing process so all new teachers licensed in Oregon demonstrate they understand how best to teach all kids to read.
BTW: We highly suggest you read the Oregon Capital Chronicle’s three-part investigation on reading education in Oregon…
Part 1: Many Oregon kids still struggle to read because they are taught using ineffective methods
– Coverage of Melissa Goff by Alex Baumhardt of Oregon Capital Chronicle. Coverage of Monarch on 4th and the Corvallis School District Budget Committee vacancies by Advocate Staff
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