A transcript of an oral history of Sonta Thompson, Teacher at David Hill Elementary School, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Ms. Thompson was adopted in the U.S. from an orphanage in Guatemala. She began attending school when she was about seven years old in second grade. At the time there were not many minority students in school.
A transcript of an oral history of Alice Tijerina, Home School Consultant at Thomas Middle School, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Ms. Tijerina has lived in Hillsboro since 1966 and has been a Hispanic liason with State representative John Meek. She is currently a home school consultant and works with the migrant program. Some goals of the school district are to decrease the drop-out rate and recruit bicultural teachers. Tijerina expresses her feeling that the ESL program can sometimes segregate the students too much. She would like to see a bilingual program for all students. She received a scholarship from OSU for a Bilingual Teacher Pathway program. They are in partnership with the district to recruit bilingual teachers. She will do an internship with the ESL program.
A transcript of an oral history of Ron Webb, Health Teacher and Athletic Director at Century High School, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Mr. Webb has taught some ESL health classes and helped with the Hispanic soccer clubs outside the OSAA. Recently the number of migrant Hispanic students has dropped. However, as the Hispanic population has increased, more students are involved in the soccer program at school.
A transcript of an oral history of Alice Woodall, Teacher at Poynter Middle School, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Ms. Woodall explains that within the district there are three stages of ESL classes, starting with the basics of learning English. Hillsboro School District continues to teach students how to read and understand English textbooks through high school. School principal Mike Scott has been supportive of outreach programs.
A transcript of an oral history of Olga Acuña Castillo, Office of Hispanic Outreach (TOSA), on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. She is the Director of the Office of Hispanic Outreach in the Hillsboro School District. She works with all 32 schools in the district. There are 4600 Hispanic students in the Hillsboro School District. Ms. Castillo would like to have mentor program to help students advocate for themselves. She also explains during the interview that it would prove beneficial to empower parents. Having a grant from OEA or Oregon Education Association and NEA also known as the National Education Association would help with parental outreach programs. Century High School offers free English classes for parents. She would like to close the achievement gap from 9.8% to 4%. Ms. Castillo will be the principal for the Migrant Summer School this year. 75% Hispanic students receive free or reduced lunch. The district will be providing “Understanding Racism” classes for administrators, staff, and students. Students continue ESL to attain Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency or CALP, takes 7-10 years to reach this level. There is currently dual language immersion program at two elementary schools, W.L. Henry and Minter Bridge. Adelle Hughes has a similar position in the Portland school district. Ms. Castillo has chosen to attend international conference on child labor in Florence, Italy.
A transcript of an oral history of Mario Alba, Principal at Thomas Middle School, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Beside his job as principal, Mr. Alba belongs to Union America, an informal group of Hispanic administrators and teachers to be supportive of each other. The goal for the Hillsboro School District is to understand Hispanic culture and how it affects students learning. The large drop-out rate is believed to be partially due to family economic circumstances. They need to emphasize education as investment in their futures. Mr. Alba came to U.S. from Mexico in 1962 when he was 10. Grew up in Idaho and Salt Lake City, attended Brigham Young University. Has been in Hillsboro School District since 1966. Hispanic Outreach Program, at the time of the interview was being run by Olga Acuña. Alba has made efforts to hire both bilingual and bicultural people of Hispanic descent to help students achieve and as role models. In 1996 Mr. Alba and Carlos Perez were the only Hispanic administrators in Hillsboro, now there are five and more teachers. District has different teaching models, one is sheltered instruction, as students have different learning styles. He took part in the “Understanding Racism” Foundation course. Olga Acuña put together “The Night of Bohemians” at Century High School; a type of fine arts presentation by Hispanic students. Mr. Alba and Carlos Perez began a statewide program for Latino administrators, OALA or Oregon Association of Latino Administrators. They were also a part of URF a curriculum group, OLI also known as Oregon Latino Institute and OCHA the advancement of Hispanic students. The book “A Day Without Hispanics” explains the economic power of Hispanics as a group. Intercultural discrimination in Latin America between people of European descent and Native American descent.
A transcript of an oral history of Janine Jacobs on May 30, 2002. She talks about the JagCrew program at Century High School in Hillsboro, Oregon. It is a mentoring program where juniors and seniors provide support to about 9-10 freshmen through their first year in high school. JagCrew is responsible for freshmen orientation and going to grade schools to give anti-bullying lessons. One of their biggest successes is the Breaking Down the Walls program where staff and students are invited to learn about the similarities between them all. New curriculum at the high school ended the JagCrew class, but the implementation of a zero period provides opportunity for its continuation. About 20-25 other schools in the Portland Metropolitan area also have a JagCrew program, but Century High School is different in that it offers a class and programs throughout the year.
A transcript of an oral history of Marcia Arganbright, Principal at Liberty High School, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Ms. Arganbright began working in Hillsboro in 1986. In 1987 she began teaching Spanish Literacy, Spanish for Spanish speakers, at Glencoe High School. She was also the home school consultant for the migrant education program, a teacher and principal of the migrant summer school. ESL students begin in mainstream classes with support from ESL classes, ESL staff, and classroom assistants. They gradually transition to regular school classes. Migrant summer program has preschool through high school classes. Hispanics have access to the county health department and the Virginia Garcia Clinic. Office of Hispanic Outreach, headed by Olga Acuña, is a service for parents. The school has a club for Hispanic students, Unidos, to give them a sense of belonging. Arganbright would like to see some bilingual classes and immersion classes. Basic premise of No Child Left Behind is good. Student Blanca Aguilar was Chairman of the U.S. Delegation to the World Congress on Child Labor.
A transcript of an oral history of Gus Balderas, Principal at Peter Boscow Elementary School, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Mr. Balderas is from Mexico and was an ESL student until 6th grade. He has been an ESL teacher at Poynter Middle School and a counseling coordinator at Glencoe High School. Balderas was also vice principal at Poynter Middle School. The office of Hispanic Outreach led by Olga Acuña helps parents connect to school. Currently Boscow has about 400 students, 65% Hispanic, 60% ESL. The migrant Summer School program is a model for Oregon. Mr. Balderas expresses being partial to the dual language program as students learn language better at a younger age. Hispanic drop-out rates most tied to poverty. Hillsboro School District Hispanic population is 24.6%. Minorities are needed on leadership teams to add their “voice”. Two organizations that focus on support and student achievement are Union America and Latino Administrators.
A transcript of an oral history of Linda Coble, Director of Assessment and Staff Development for the Hillsboro School District, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Ms. Coble ensures that schools take action to lessen the achievement gap between the white students and Hispanic students, from Brown vs. Board of Education. The hispanic population is growing, it is projected to hit 40% by 2010. The district is working to develope programs to aid Hispanic students. This began with migrant schools and ESL, now includes SLOP and Read 180 (a visual aid to vocabulary), Spanish literacy and Hispanic students. The Office of Hispanic Outreach helps assess problems. McKinney Elementary has achieved most success at closing achievement gap.
A transcript of an oral history of Gail Merrian, Coordinator of Migrant Education for the Hillsboro School District, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Ms. Merrian began working in Hillsboro in 1971 as an assistant in the Migrant Ed. Program. In 1983 she became an elementary ESL teacher. Previously Merrian had been a superintendent and principal at North Plains Elementary. During the 1960s Bob Warner, helped to start the migrant program along with Sunny Montez. Under the supervision of Jose Garcia it became a part of Washington County ESD. However, it was disbanded in the 1980s and each school district was given their own grant to run a migrant program. Currently the program covers preschool thru grade 12. The program offers students tutorial help, after school programs, and emergency medical, dental, and health services. Generally speaking the program has had tremendous success in parental involvement. Another aspect to the program is the Family literacy program or Latinos en Fronteras, for parents. The HITET grant was used – Hillsboro Intensive Training for ESL Teachers. In 1996 there were 1100 students in K-12, as of the time of this interview, there were 3000. The ESL population is 22% of district, Hispanics make up 25%. At W. L. Henry Elementrary there is a dual language program, Minterbridge school is also planning a dual language program. Ms. Merrian also discusses The Refugee Children Impact Grant, this grant aids students in school and family literacy programs. Hillsboro School District is 4th largest ESL program and 5th largest migrant and ED program in the state. Because of this diversity in population the Office of Hispanic Outreach led by Olga Acuña helps train parents, get them involved with school. Ms. Merrian expresses her feelings that the results of the No Child Left Behind act are positive, as it forces schools to help all children succeed. Also within the district Ms. Merrian helps to coordinate the Preschool for migrant students at Brookwood School and known as HIPPIE or home instruction for parents of preschoolers.
A transcript of an oral history of Henry Wiens, Executive Director of Special Programs for the Hillsboro School District, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Mr. Wiens began working in the Hillsboro School District in 1976 as the Title One and Title One M (migrant) director; Federal programs in the Elementary Secondary Education Act of 1965 under the Johnson administration. Also managed the ESL program for Hillsboro School District’s four schools. Took over the summer migrant program in Washington County in 1985-1986. Worked with Carlos Perez in the migrant program. An interstate program for high school credits was started by Jesus Vega (or Verra) called the Secondary Credit Exchange Program, where school districts in several states (Oregon and Texas mainly) would honor credit transcripts from other schools. Department of Education recognizes the program in the National Diffusion Network. 25% of student population in Hillsboro School District is ESL.Miguel Villancioanos started the Content ESL Project, teaching English in mainline courses not just ESL class; began in the 1980s. First Secretary of Education, Bill Bennett, honored the Secondary Credit Exchange Program and Content ESL Project as nationally effective programs. Jose Garcia was state director of Title One Migrant programs in 1976. Also was first Director of Migrant Education.The No Child Left Behind act brought additional funding for Title One Migrant (now called Title One C). Jonathon Furnow is a teacher on special assignment and principal of Summer Migrant Program. First federal money for migrant education came through CAP, Community Action Program, run by Sonny Montez and Jose Romero around 1967-68. In the 1970s, a computer in Little Rock, Arkansas, kept track of health and education records for all migrant students in Title One Migrant. Along with ESL, also teaches Spanish literacy.
A transcript of an oral history of Merced Flores, Mt. Hood Community College and former Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, Director of Hispanic Affairs, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Merced Flores had been a migrant worker and came to Oregon in 1969 to play college baseball. Mr. Flores received a B.A. from George Fox University and later an M.A. from Linfield College. In his eyes, successful programs include those that involve parents in school, bilingual programs, and extended day programs. Groups beneficial to the Hispanic community include Oregon Association of Latino Administrators, Oregon Council for Hispanic Advancement, National Community College Hispanic Council, and National Council of La Rassa (NCLR). Hillsboro School District has produced leaders in the Hispanic community; Jose Garcia, State Director of Migrant Education, Joseph Ochoa, a judge in Washington County, Carlos Perez, Gus Balderas, Mario Alba, Enedelia Schofield. During the civil rights movement in the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez began to demand quality education, before Brown vs. Board of Education.
A transcript of an oral history of Jose Garcia, founder of the migrant education program in Oregon in the 1960s, on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Mr. Garcia began as a teacher in Texas teaching high school math. He came to Oregon in 1967 and taught at J.W. Poynter Middle School. He later received his M.A. and became Director of Migrant Education. In Oregon 85-90% of migrants were Mexican-American. Garcia recalls his time heading the summer school for migrant children. he also started a program at Eastern Oregon College in the 1970s to educate Hispanic students to become teachers in Oregon; later the program was disbanded, because it could not use federal monies.
A transcript of an oral history of Julio Cesar Flores Gonzales (Sr.), Sherrie Flores, Adrian Enrique Flores-Cohrs, and Julio Cesar Flores-Cohrs (Jr.) on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Mr. Flores Gonzales (Sr.) grew up in Mexico and moved to the United States 15 years ago. He currently works for a landscape company. His wife Mrs. Flores is from the U.S. and learned Spanish as a second language. She has a college education and works as a travel agent. Their children, Adrian, 11, and Julio Jr., 9, speak English and Spanish. Adrian prefers to speak English as he finds it easier than Spanish, he will be taking a Spanish class in school next year. Julio Jr. has been in a bilingual program at school since Kindergarten. Mrs. Flores is very involved in their sons’ education. Having a multilingual school staff helps parents be more involved with school. Mr. Flores Gonzales had no formal education in Mexico. As a result he stresses the importance of education to his children. At home, Mr. Flores Gonzales peaks Spanish in order to help his children learn Spanish – meanwhile, they help him learn English. Mr. Flores Gonzales explains that in the Hispanic culture some want to move forward, while some stay within the old culture, and some take advantage of the system.
A transcript of an oral history of Gary Ellsworth on trends in crime and law enforcement in Hillsboro, Oregon from 1980-2005. Kiwanis club has community project of cleaning up graffiti, sponsored by Hillsboro P.D. Some areas where graffiti is usually found are 13th St., southeast 5th, 25th St., and across from the courthouse. He moved to Hillsboro in 1966 when it was still a small town, now sees more gang activity and drug problems. He also sees meth problem driving local problems, especially indentity theft and burglary. Mr. Ellsworth expresses his thoughts that Hillsboro P.D. doing a good job and likes the community policing idea. He also feels the neighborhood watch programs and D.A.R.E. are helpful.
A transcript of an oral history of Juan Rosas, ex-member of the 12th Street gang, on trends in crime and law enforcement in Hillsboro, Oregon from 1980-2005.
A transcript of an oral history of Jason LeCorre, Detective at the Hillsboro Police Department, on trends in crime and law enforcement in Hillsboro, Oregon from 1980-2005.
A transcript of an oral history interview of two women named Irene and Karen (no last names noted) from Tualatin, Oregon. Topics include the Tualatin Grange and the Grange movement in Oregon from approximately the 1940s-1980s; the Methodist Church of Sherwood; Camp Magruder; and other topics. The interview is undated but is likely from the 2000s based on the content.
A fragment of a transcript of an oral history interview of George Harvey Andrews. Topics include work in the Malloy Swamp and the Seely Ditch near Wilsonville, Oregon.
A transcript of an oral history of Juanita Pohl on her late husband, Leonard Pohl. Leonard Pohl (circa 1916-1996) was a descendant of several early Oregon pioneers and a life-long resident of Tualatin. The transcript appears to be a summary of a longer original interview. It includes a brief record of Leonard's life, with topics including his family genealogy, marriage, hobbies and locations where he lived.
