Corvallis Parent: School Supply Drive Starts; New Children's Clothes Store for Corvallis; Locals Named to Statewide Ed Council; Governor Signs Several Education Bills

Jul 31, 2023

Just in time for Back-to-School, Corvallis gets a new children’s apparel store – if you’ve been around our fair burgh awhile, you know this is big and welcomed news. Set to serve newborn to tween, Treefort Children’s Boutique is slated for a Grand Opening on Saturday, August 5.

Store owner Brittney Bryant says, “We are focusing on sustainability in the brands we carry. This can be in many forms, including the fabrics themselves, organic or light environmental impact, and hypoallergenic such as bamboo.” Bryant said the shop will center on brands that are responsibly manufactured in terms of working conditions and fair wages, as well.

The shopping environment includes distractions for the kiddos so we parent-folk can concentrate on making good purchase decisions. But, more than this, Bryant says, ” We encourage kids to have fun so their parents can also have fun.”

Some of the brands they currently carry are Sense Organics, Colored Organics, The QT, Mightly, Shelk Wear, Earthtiles, Naturino, and See Kai Run. Bryant points out that some of these lines will last for up to three full sizes, saying, “When you buy less, you throw out less.”

Uniquely for a store this size, they also have their own brand, and they’re also seeking to involve local artists.

Bryant said, “We have our own brand of super soft bamboo pajamas in two-piece and fold-over footie style rompers that we acquire directly from the supplier at a discounted rate to our customers. We have had success with the placement of a unique pattern and would like to extend a request for any young artists to submit their own illustrations to be considered for use on our pajamas and with compensation.”

Not gonna lie, we’re excited by this new shop, and this being The Advocate, the call to artists rocks our socks. (Yeah, yeah, yeah… socks, apparel… we’re shameless…. moving right along…)

County School Supply Drive: The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has kicked off its annual Back to School Supply Drive, which runs until the end of August.

“We are once again blessed to be able to work with the Benton County community to support our students as they return to classes. As I stated last year, this is a vitally important fundraiser, and an opportunity to have a positive impact on the life of a child,” said Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall. “Please take a moment and help your Sheriff’s Office make this a reality for our youngest residents.”

Benton County sheriff’s deputies largely serve our area’s rural communities, and the supplies gathered will be divided between five rural schools; Alsea Elementary, Blodgett Elementary, Kings Valley Charter School, Monroe Elementary, and Muddy Creek Charter School.

If you’re interested in donating to the supply drive, backpacks have historically been a large need for students of low-income families returning to school. Monetary donations will also be accepted. According to the Sheriff’s office, just $30 can provide one student with supplies for an entire year.

Other needed supplies include:

Cash or check or supplies may be dropped off or mailed to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, attention The Sheriff’s Foundation, at 180 NW 5th St, Corvallis, 97330. Please contact Sgt. Leslie Thilberg with any questions at (541) 766-6858.

Corvallisites Appointed to Early Literacy Council: Governor Tina Kotek has announced the full membership of the Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council, and it includes some names many Corvallisites will easily recognize.

Susan Gardner of Oregon State University will be one of two co-chairs for the council, and Shahnaz Sahnow, a Literacy Specialist with the Corvallis School District has also been appointed.

The council is tasked with developing recommendations to strengthen educator preparation programs for teaching reading and writing in Oregon schools. Appointees include teachers, principals, representatives from education preparation programs, early literacy experts, and bipartisan appointments from the Oregon House and Senate.

“I am grateful that these issue experts have come forward to support our students and educators,” Governor Kotek said. “My executive order was structured to bring together leaders with a wide range of perspectives with the common goal of better supporting children’s ability to read and write. I look forward to working with the Council on enhancing our literacy preparation standards.”

The full list of appointees includes:

• Executive: Governor Kotek or her designee• Senators (appointed by Senate President Rob Wagner): Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) and Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook)• Representatives (appointed by House Speaker Dan Rayfield): Ben Bowman (D-Tigard) and Boomer Wright (R-Coos Bay)• Public Educator Preparation Program Representatives: Ronda Fritz (Eastern Oregon University) and Susan Gardner (Oregon State University)• Private Educator Preparation Program Representative: Katie Danielson (University of Portland)• Early Literacy Experts: Julie Esparza Brown (Portland State University), Anita Archer, and Mikkaka Overstreet (Education Northwest)• Licensed Teacher Representatives: Shahnaz Sahnow (Literacy Specialist – Corvallis School District) and Julie Ragan (Lebanon Community Unit School District)• Elementary Principal Small District Representative: Heidi Brown (Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District)• Elementary Principal Large District Representative: Jennifer Whitten (Beaverton School District)• Tribal Representative: Valerie Switzler (Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs)• Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) Director: Dr. Anthony Rosilez• Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Director: Ben Cannon• Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Director: Dr. Charlene Williams (interim)• Educator Advancement Council (EAC) Director: Sara Spencer (interim)

The Governor signed Executive Order 23-12 in May to form the Council, directing it to develop recommendations for strengthening standards that the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) uses to approve elementary educator preparation programs and license elementary educators.

The TSPC will use these recommendations, which must align with the Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Early Literacy Framework for kindergarten through fifth grade, to adopt new rules next year. The Council must also develop recommendations to revise elementary educator licensing requirements and develop an implementation plan and timeline to ensure that our state’s educator preparation program faculty have what they need to be able to operationalize the new standards. The full executive order, including recommendation deadlines for the council, can be found here.

Kotek Also Signed Key Education Bills: On Wednesday, Kotek also hosted a signing ceremony for seven bills passed during the 2023 legislative session to support K-12 public education and child care.

“My vision for Oregon is a state where every child has a safe place to receive a high-quality, culturally responsive public education, and every family has access to affordable child care,” Governor Kotek said. “While I will always push for more, I can stand here today saying we made progress for our kids. We have built a strong foundation for the work ahead.”

Here’s what the governor signed:

SB 283: Addresses educator workforce needs by creating a statewide educator workforce data system and regular workforce surveys, allowing school districts to boost pay for teachers and classified staff working in special education, establishing apprenticeship and mentorship grants, allowing recently retired teachers to convert to substitute licenses at no charge, and more.

SB 1050: Grants funding to the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to provide professional development to teachers and administrators relating to Holocaust, genocide studies, and ethnic studies content standards.

HB 2281: Requires district school boards to designate one or more civil rights coordinators to monitor, coordinate, and oversee district compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws and oversee investigations of discrimination complaints.

HB 3005: Aims to increase child care availability by creating a new $50 million Child Care Infrastructure Fund to strengthen access to physical infrastructure for child care facilities and support opening child care facilities across Oregon.

HB 3144: Creates the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Student Success Plan to address the academic opportunity gap hurting NH/PI students.

HB 3198: Increases funding for early literacy to improve how children are taught to read and write, ensuring educators, parents, caregivers, federally-recognized Tribes, and communities have what they need to support students.

HB 5015: Allocates a historic $10.2 billion to the State School Fund (base funding for Oregon’s K-12 schools), which is $700 million above current service level and the most ever allocated to the fund.

Weekend Childbirth Class: This weekend childbirth education class is designed to prepare you to walk into your birth and new parent experience confidently.  This class will help you view birth as a normal, healthy event and to help you build that confidence in your own body and its capability to birth.  All the information is evidence-based and includes recommendations from major health organizations such as CDC, ACOG, and WHO.    

Classes are at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 4 pm, August 5 and 6. A virtual option is also available. $110 per pregnant person (partner included). If you have Oregon Health Plan insurance (IHN or Pacific Source), your plan will cover this class at no cost to you. Click here for more information and registration.    

Free CPR Classes: Santiam CPR is offering free single session trainings for parents and teens. Attendees who pass the class can get themselves a certification for children and infant CPR, AED use, and choking emergencies. The certificate is good for two years. We suggest signing up early, there’s classes tomorrow and in September. For full info and the schedule, click here. But, to register, you’ll need to click here.   

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