Written by: Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic 

The school district doles out five Crystal Apple awards and recognizes retiring staff members

The Newberg School District marked the end of the school year with a clang last week, handing out its Crystal Apple awards and recognizing its retiring staff members, who continued the tradition of ringing hand bells to close the ceremony.

Nearly 100 nominations were submitted by parents, staff, students and community members, but just five employees left the Chehalem Cultural Center June 15 with Crystal Apples recognizing their outstanding service.

Culinary arts and child development teacher Jane Eilert was named outstanding high school teacher. Eilert has brought recognition to Newberg the past two years as the high school’s team brought home top-10 finishes at the Oregon ProStart Culinary Championships.

Taking home the Crystal Apple as outstanding middle school teacher was Drew Gallagher, who leads language arts and social studies classrooms at Mountain View Middle School.

Missy Love was honored as the outstanding elementary school teacher for her work in the Emotional Academic Learning (SEAL) Program at Joan Austin Elementary School.

Chehalem Middle School’s Katie Worthington was recognized as the district’s top educational assistant and Maria Fuhrmann – who serves as a curriculum, assessment and data assistant for the district -- was honored as the outstanding classified employee.

The 21st Century Inspiration Award was presented to the Mabel Rush First Grade Innovation Team, comprised of Christy Smith, Jessica Fox and Sarah Wilmont.

District employees nominated 13 teams for the district’s Collaboration Award and the Chehalem Valley Innovation Team of Kim McDonough, Jessie Rainwater, Wendy Halstead, Bruce Carvahlo, Debbie Tofte, Sarah Brown, Wendy Garland, Bethany Stoller and Kim Silva was this year’s winner.

A panel of six community members independently judged the nominations on how they contributed to district goals.

The school district also bid farewell to 13 retiring employees who represent 264 years of teaching experience, office and specialist expertise.

Leading the way with 40 and 35 years of service, respectively, were Newberg High School ag teacher and FFA advisor Bob Beckner and elementary educational assistant Gloria Dreske, who worked at both Ewing Young and Dundee elementary schools during her tenure.

Not too far behind was a trio of 25-year district veterans, as Chehalem Valley kitchen manager Bonnie Kjersten, as well as Mabel Rush teachers Kay Passmore and Juli Cone are retiring this year.