The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—Jan. 25 will be a busy day for the Dayton School District, beginning with drug impairment training for staff, in Pomeroy, and ending with the district’s community visioning meeting in the evening.

At their regular meeting on Jan. 4, the Dayton School Board heard from high school principal Paul Shaber about the drug impairment training, which he has set up, in conjunction with the Coalition for Youth and Families and local law enforcement personnel.

“Mr. Shaber has been working on this training for a while, and finally was able to find an acceptable date for the instructor. . . The training is intended to help determine if a child is under the influence of a drug, and some potential methods of helping the child get help,” said Superintendent Doug Johnson.

The training is open to teachers and adult volunteers, Johnson told the directors.

There is also a blood drive scheduled between 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, during the day on Jan. 25.

In the evening, the district is hosting its community visioning meeting, to help provide a ten-year roadmap for district goals.

“All employees, parents, and community members are invited to attend and provide input, as the Board of Directors work on a vision statement for the future,” said Johnson, who hopes to see at least 100 community members at the meeting.

Invitations have been sent to parents for the meeting, which will take place at 5:30 p.m., in the elementary school multipurpose room, and which will begin with a light soup supper.

Board assignments for the coming year were established at the Jan. 4 meeting, as follows: Dan Butler, Chairperson; Dave Bailey, Vice-Chairperson; Katie Leid, Legislative Representative; Dave Bailey WIAA Representative; Dan Andrews Facilities Representative; Dan Butler, Budget and Finance Representative; Dan Butler and Dan Andrews, Curriculum Representatives; Katie Leid and Justin Jaech, Public Relations; Dan Butler and Katie Leid, Certificated Staff Negotiations; Dan Andrews, Classified Employee Group; and Dave Bailey and Justin Jaech, Dayton Support Staff;

Plans for the high school Back Country Club include a ski date in February, rock climbing in March, and a rafting excursion in late May or early June, according to Shaber.

Shaber also said the ASB/National Guard food drive is underway, and elementary school principal Pam Lindsley said the elementary school students collected 575 lbs. of food for the local food bank during their food drive in December.

In her report to the board, Lindsley said the elementary school teachers continue to explore math curriculum, and are sampling those that might meet the district’s needs.

Also, the annual ASB Valentine’s Day candy-gram sale will begin shortly, according to Lindsley. “The kids want a drinking fountain outside,” she told the directors, describing how the funds may be used.

Both principals will attend a leadership conference in Seattle, in February.

A template is being designed for a district newsletter, according to Superintendent Johnson who suggested that board members contribute to it when it is ready for publication.