Oregon Observer The
Thursday, June 7, 2018 • Vol. 133, No. 49 • Oregon, WI • ConnectOregonWI.com • $1.25
YEA
O R R PEN OU ND
w ! No ping p i Sh
Great for Grads & Dads! Tu-Fr 10a-6p, Sat 10a-3p 105 S Main St, Oregon • (608) 835-9294 chocolatecaper.com adno=576160-01
Oregon School District
Fitchburg school would be first OSD board picks plan for November referendum, will work on ballot language
At a special meeting Tuesday, May 29, Oregon school board members voted 6-0 to ask district residents Nov. 6 to fund the construction of a new elementary school in Fitchburg by 2020. Members chose one of two remaining SCOTT DE LARUELLE options for building two new schools and renovating every existing school other than Unified Newspaper Group Oregon High School. OSD completed conAll that’s left to decide for a planned ref- struction last year on a $54 million referenerendum vote this fall is the specific ballot dum voters approved in 2014, but the district is expecting to have to accommodate language.
rapid growth in the area over the next few years, particularly on the east side of Fitchburg and the west side of the Village of Oregon. District superintendent Brian Busler said administrators will now work to develop referendum language for the board’s consideration at the June 11 board meeting. He said the vote calling for the referendum will happen at that meeting “provided we can gather enough information and have the official resolution prepared by that
time.” Earlier this month, board members had agreed – without a vote – that the district would go to referendum this fall for funding to build new schools and renovating several others. They narrowed a list of plans from four to two at that meeting, then pared that to a final option Tuesday. That plan – labeled “D” in recent months’ discussion – would build two
Turn to School/Page 18
Paths less traveled Unlikely speakers lead colleagues in OHS class of 2018
If You Go
SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group
The graduates-to-be of Oregon High School are about to embark on the journey of their lives as they step across the dais Sunday afternoon. But some of them have already been on quite a journey to get to this point. A year ago, two of the three student speakers representing the OHS Class of 2018 – Carla Vicente and Lillian Wanless – didn’t even know they would be going to school in Oregon this year.
What: Oregon High School class of 2018 graduation When: 1 p.m. Sunday, June 10 Where: Oregon High School gymnasium, 456 N. Perry Pkwy Info: 835-4300
One was living in California, and the other thought she’d be graduating early. But Sunday, the two, along with fellow graduating senior Eva Syth, will tell their classmates
Turn to Graduation/Page 8
Oregon’s Iron-parents Photo by Kimberly Wethal
From left, juniors Kathleen Reif, Colin McCombs, Matthew Rusch and Drew Reynolds, who made the design, watch as the laser equipment cuts a star out of wood.
Solving problems together STEAM education preparing OHS students for future jobs Unified Newspaper Group
Whether it’s adapting materials to help people survive after a hurricane or creating a great-looking new video game, Oregon High School students and staff are increasingly teaming up. Classes are emphasizing problem-solving and direct collaboration more often, and subject matter is becoming cross-pollinated to help
prepare students for the workplaces they will enter after graduation. It’s all part of a long-term vision for STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, art and math) to prepare students to be “critical, creative thinkers and problem-solvers,” district director of curriculum and student achievement Leslie Bergstrom told the Observer in an email. STEAM is a relatively new concept,
Turn to STEAM/Page 7
STEAM at OSD The Observer is reporting on how STEAM education is changing around the Oregon School District. March: STEAM at OSD overview April: Elementaries/RCI May: Oregon Middle School June: Oregon High School
ALEXANDER CRAMER Unified Newspaper Group
Next Sunday, Oregon parents Kelly and Ryan Haut won’t be doing the “ordinary” married-couple routine of arguing about chores or running to Bed, Bath and Beyond. Instead, the Hauts will be tackling what Ryan said is one of the nation’s toughest half-Ironman courses as Ironman 70.3 Wisconsin returns for its second year. T h e H a u t s h ave p u t months of training into
If You Go What: Ironman 70.3 bicycle course viewing When: Approx. 8:1010:30 a.m. Sunday, June 10 Where: Corner of Main Street and West Netherwood Road, Bergamont Boulevard, Lincoln Road Info: ironman.com completing the 70.3 mile course, which kicks off at 7 a.m. Sunday, June 10. It starts with a 1.2-mile swim
Turn to Ironman/Page 20
FREE PREMIUM ANNUAL W/ ANY $30 PURCHASE Limit 1 coupon per person per day. Can not be combined w/ other offers. Some restrictions apply. Expires 6/13/18
5555 Irish Lane, Fitchburg (608) 271-3230 7595 W. Mineral Point Rd., Madison (608) 833-5244
$5 OFF
ANY (1) HANGING BASKET OR BAG 5555 Irish Lane, Fitchburg, (608) 271-3230 7595 W. Mineral Point Road, Madison, (608) 833-5244 www.kandagreenhouse.com Mon.-Sat. 9-7; Sun. 9-6
Limit 1 coupon per person per day. Can not be combined w/ other offers. Some restrictions apply. Expires 6/13/18
5555 Irish Lane, Fitchburg (608) 271-3230 7595 W. Mineral Point Rd., Madison (608) 833-5244
adno=574031-01
SCOTT DE LARUELLE
Hauts to compete in Ironman 70.3