Resiliency at Mountain Vista K-8 School
Crystle Nehrmeyer, Superintendent
The second academic semester is off to a strong start at Mountain Vista K-8 School.
Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade continue to learn from home at this time. It is our goal to welcome students and staff back to campus when the pandemic is under control and it is safe for in-person learning. Until then, our teachers continue to deliver interactive and engaging lessons from our adopted curriculum and the Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards.
Each student enrolled at Mountain Vista K-8 School has been offered the use of a tablet for students in grades K-2 or a Chromebook for students in grades 3-8. By the end of February, students in need of consistent and reliable internet access will also have the opportunity to use an internet hotspot provided by the Oracle Schools Foundation.
We held our first virtual Spelling Bee on Jan. 29. We are proud to announce that the first place winner of the Spelling Bee is Meledy Moreno Abril, who also represented our school at the Pinal County Spelling Bee on Feb. 19, which was held online this school year.
Our students worked on their projects for the Mountain Vista Online Science Fair on Feb. 11 and 12. Students in 7th grade and 8th grade completed individual projects where students in younger grades completed projects either as a whole class, small group, or with a partner. The winning projects from our science fair will participate in the Southern Arizona Regional Science Fair (SARSEF) this spring.
Each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening we offer free online homework help and tutoring for our students. Connections Tutoring, now in its 20th year of supporting students at Mountain Vista K-8 School is a great employment opportunity for high school students with exceptional grades and an interest in helping others. The program also benefits our K-8 students, in need of additional support with their assignments.
The 2020-21 school year definitely looks different when compared to previous school years. But if you look closely, you will see that we are thinking creatively and doing our best to preserve our traditions during this challenging time. We continue to teach students, provide interventions, support families, and do what is best for kids. We cannot wait until the pandemic is under control and we can all return to campus, safely. Until then, we will continue to embrace our “Small Town Roots, Global Expectations” and be resilient, just like our amazing students.
New Oracle School District Board Members
Linda Lyon
The Oracle School District (OSD) is happy to announce the swearing-in of two new governing board members on Jan. 14. Elected in November 2020, along with returning board member Linda Lyon (Vice President), Edie Crall and Camilo Gotay are replacing outgoing members Steve Brown and Jeff McClure. The new five-member board is rounded out by newly elected board President Gary Terrell of SaddleBrooke Ranch and Jeri Taylor of SaddleBrooke.
Edie Crall is no stranger to serving our community since moving to Arizona from Ohio with her husband Boyd in 2006. Her volunteer efforts include starting the Safe Journey House—Advocacy Center for domestic violence in San Manuel, volunteering at the Catalina Mountain School, and serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), IMPACT of Southern Arizona board member, and treasurer for the successful school bond political action committee.
When asked why she ran for the governing board, Edie said, “I am a person who loves to be involved and hopes my efforts make a difference in the lives of my fellow citizens.” As a product of public education, the daughter of an administrative assistant to the school principal, mother of two educators, and grandmother of five who attend public schools, Edie has a real sense of pride in our public schools.
“For too many years,” she said, “children in less affluent school districts have been ‘short changed’ for a variety of reasons. Due to the dedication of staff, parents, and the board, OSD has made great strides in giving students the ability to compete on a level playing field. I am incredibly honored to be a part of this team and look forward to an ever-brighter future for our students.”
Camilo Gotay, who resides in Eagle Crest, was born and raised in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, USA. He was active in sports in high school, playing baseball and volleyball, and later, was a member of the Puerto Rico Field Hockey National Team.
Educated in electrical and industrial engineering as well as international management and international law, Camilo served as a project manager for several domestic and international corporations around the world. No doubt, his ability to fluently speak Spanish, English, and French as well as some Portuguese and Norwegian, served him well.
His community service efforts include serving as the Habitat for Humanity Puerto Rico Chapter Construction and Public Relations Vice President for four years and past member of the Santa Catalina Parish Pastoral Council.
In response to why he ran for the school board, Camilo said, “My philosophy is that education is paramount in the development of the individual.” His involvement in the PTA at his daughters’ schools, as well as being the husband of an educator for almost 40 years, made him aware of what our public schools are dealing with. When he learned a member of the board had opted not to run again, he started thinking this might be a way to help. And even though he knows there are some real challenges, he says, “I know the job will be rewarding because I will have the opportunity to help develop our students today for a better society tomorrow.”