David Douglas is adjusting school start and end times for 2017-18 in order to facilitate a smoother transportation system and accommodate families. The start and end times for Ventura Park will be:

• 8:40 arrival/breakfast
• 9:10 school begins
• 3:30 dismissal

New Principal, Holly Schauer: Introduction

Hello, Ventura Park families and community!  I am honored and excited to be the new principal at VP beginning on July 1, 2017! Long-time principal Jakob Curtis will be moving his talents to the Evergreen school district in Washington to coordinate services for English language learners.  I thank him for his years of dedication and whole-hearted investment to our school, and we all wish him well in his new position!

A brief introduction:

I am a native of Tennessee, and I earned my bachelor’s degree in music performance from Belmont University in Nashville. After living briefly in Southern California, I moved to Portland in 2000 and earned master’s degrees in both music and education at the University of Portland. I’ve worked for 15 years as an educator in David Douglas and spent my first three years from 2002-2005 as the music teacher at Ventura Park!  I then worked at Ron Russell Middle School from its opening in 2005 to the present, teaching choir, drama, general music, academic support, and reading interventions.  For the last 3 years, I have served as RRMS School Improvement Coordinator, working with students, parents, and staff in the areas of behavior, academics, attendance, equity, PBIS, and instructional improvement.  My husband, Aaron, is also a long time David Douglas employee, having taught for 7 years at Cherry Park Elementary and 10 years at Alice Ott Middle School.  We live in Portland with our 2 sons, Matt, age 14, and David, age 11.  I am thrilled to return to Ventura Park as principal and look forward to working with staff, students, and parents to continue developing and fostering an atmosphere in which all members of the learning community can experience meaningful academic, social, and emotional growth. Go Vikings!

Dear Ventura Park School Community:

My vision for Ventura Park Elementary is that all students actively engage in their learning, and experience school as a safe, positive, appropriately challenging and supportive environment. I also envision the VP school community being a community for learning, where professional educator-student relationships and school-family connections foster equitable, meaningful social, emotional and academic growth for every child. VP’s staff is committed to providing the support and opportunities necessary to support student learning and growth. I am committed to making sure we, as a school community, accomplish this mission.

Ventura Park is a SUN Community School. SUN stands for “Schools Uniting Neighborhoods.” SUN services provide academic and enrichment opportunities to students, families and the school community. Your input and participation as a parent and community member is a valuable part of the SUN school process; watch for opportunities to volunteer, provide advisory input, and participate in school community programming, activities and events. Learn more about VP’s SUN programming at: http://venturaparkcommunity.wordpress.com/.

Ventura Park’s Parent Teacher Organization is an active, highly supportive group of parent leaders who care deeply about supporting all students by supporting the school and enriching the opportunities for school-community activities. The PTO supports the school community as a whole, in addition to providing support directly to Ventura Park’s the teaching staff. Watch for announcements and school support opportunities available through the VP-PTO. All parents and guardians are welcome to get involved! Meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 p.m. in the Ventura Park library, and child care is provided. Learn more about the VP-PTO at: http://venturaparkpto.weebly.com/.

VP staff is committed to fulfilling the David Douglas School District vision of providing meaningful, equitable opportunities for all to grow and thrive within supportive communities of learners.

Sincerely,

Holly Schauer
Principal
Ventura Park Elementary
503-256-6508