Instructor Voice - Scott Isler

Two days ago while watching my daily fix of Perry Mason, the station broke in with a breaking news story. As I watched smoke rising from suburban Portland the crawl was telling me that Marysville school was burning. Several thoughts went through my head. I am currently teaching Lego Physics at Marysville, and had been there just a few days before. When I started in the Portland TAG program over 20 years ago, Marysville was one of the hubs where students were bussed. I have no clear count of the number of times I have been in that school.

As the white smoke rose and drifted across the city I thought of the students and staff. As the reports continued and it appeared that all people were safe I thought of the several times I was there when there was a fire drill. The attempts to keep students quiet and to take this seriously all the while thinking "this is totally messing up my class time." Soon there were news crews on site showing the front of the school with the roof in flames. I thought of the hallways with the student murals and artwork. As the firefighters skillfully and quickly took a chain saw to the roof, cutting large sections to aid in the fight, I thought of the beautiful exposed wooden trusses. As I watched the hoses blasting untold gallons of water into these openings I thought of the classrooms both generic and unique, the projects, the posters and the books. As I watched the quenching water pouring like a small stream out the front door I thought of the conversation I just had with the custodian who was worried about a small leak and the ensuing water damage.

As the news helicopter showed the trucks, the hoses, and the chaos from above, I thought of the newly reborn playground, transforming the decades old asphalt into a truly wonderful space. Every school has its history and soul and when an event such as this happens it changes forever. It is my hope that the damage will be repaired with a minimum of scaring and that students and staff can return soon. And I look to the day when I can push my cart of Lego's down those happy halls.

College Prep

There are still several college prep classes that have yet to get underway. We are offering classes to prep for all the different standardized tests, in addition to classes that will help you write the college application essay, and even help you learn speed reading and increase your memory skills. Learn more about all of our college prep classes here: http://www.saturdayacademy.org/Classes/AdditionalClassInfo/CollegePrep/tabid/68/Default.aspx

Math Study Groups

Math Study groups are new for fall 2009. These small, informal classes are a great way to stay on top of your math homework and get help immediately, as you need it. You can sign up for these classes at any time, and the tuition is pro-rated based on the date you sign up. Go here for more information. http://www.saturdayacademy.org/Classes/AdditionalClassInfo/MathStudyGroups/tabid/179/Default.aspx

Math Academies

SA's math academies are a great way to get a jump start on next year's math course. All it takes is two weeks to get yourself ready to succeed in the fall.

Read about all of our math academies here:
http://www.saturdayacademy.org/Classes/AllClasses/MathAcademies/tabid/179/Default.aspx

Summer Catalog Published

SA's summer 2009 catalog has been published and is on its way to your mailbox today! We are offering 288 camps & classes this summer.

• 44 NEW classes!
• 22 camps!

Summer grade levels indicate the grade the student will be ENTERING in the fall, not their current grade. Thus a student that is currently in 8th grade would be eligible for classes for 9th graders.

Try your hand at everything from medicine and animal sculpture, to nanotechnology and writing!

TAG Camp

SA is offering a TAG Camp this summer for TAG students entering grades 4 - 5 in fall 2009. It will be the week of June 22 - 26 on the Reed College Campus. Check back soon for more information.

Used Digital Camera Drive!

Saturday Academy is holding a used digital camera drive! Do you have an extra, working, digital camera and/or memory card? Kids interested in discovering the power and magic of digital photography in SA classes can use your help. Send equipment to: Saturday Academy, 830 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97205 or call Courtney at 503-200-5853.