Slater talks education

THOMPSON FALLS – Members of the Thompson Falls business community assembled at the First Baptist Annex off Highway 200 for the monthly chamber of commerce meeting.

The meeting was held on Friday, Sept. 19 and the Superintendent of Thompson Falls Schools, Jason Slater was in attendance as the featured speaker at the luncheon.

After the chamber hand handled its opening business, Slater took center stage and began his presentation.

The superintendent’s speech emphasized the interconnectedness between the local community and the public schools.

“The connection between the community and the school is very close,” Slater said.

Slater continued by going over the 2014-2015 mission statement of the town’s public schools.

As he went through the mission statement Slater emphasized the school’s goal is to offer what is best for every child in the school system.

“Our mission is to work together as a school and community,” Slater said.

The statement highlighted the importance of the community and schools coming together to provide students with positive and educational experiences.

As he moved through his speech Slater presented the educational goals of Thompson Falls Schools, while listing the core values the schools strive to instill in students in the community.

“Within our schools we continue to develop ways to experience learning and having it not just be the textbook, not just be technology but to use a variety of ways to physically interact with out environment,” Slater said.

Slater touched on the schools’ involvement with the statewide Graduation Matters program.

He noted the importance of graduation and the long-term benefits of gaining a high school diploma.

“We recognize the impact graduation has on kids throughout the rest of their lives,” Slater said.

During his presentation Slater noted the school sets high expectations for learning and behavior.

He continued by stating the schools’ strong record over the past years.

“Thompson Falls Schools have repeatedly scored at or above state averages,” Slater said.

Another goal listed by Slater was the schools’ efforts to increase public awareness of the great things happening in our schools.  

The speaker stated everyone has something to offer for youth education and the development of area youth is very much a collaborative effort.

“The investment in our schools and in our youth, I can’t think of anything larger in any community,” Slater said.

At the beginning of the meeting, before Slater began his presentation a number of forthcoming events in the Thompson Falls area were announced to the assembled chamber.

This year’s Halloween Spooktacular will be held from 8 to 9 p.m. in the Park at Trout Creek.

Sandy Green of Trout Creek was on hand to explain the particulars of the event.

Green invited members of the community to take part in decorating spooky booths, which will be part of a maze for kids to make their way trough during the festivities.

“You can decorate it however you want to do it,” Green said.

The booths all have the dimension of 12 x 12.

Green said there will be no charge for going through the maze and there will also be a coloring contest held during the Halloween celebration.

Green explained after the success of events held earlier in the year, members of the Trout Creek community were looking to utilize the park space even more.

“Are Easter egg hunt was such a success. We really want to use the park more,” Green said.