Make kindness normal. Be a good listener. Compliment people. These are some of the lessons CharacterStrong speaker Esteban Gast taught middle and high school students this week. He shared his story of being born in Puerto Rico and moving to Chicago in second grade – not knowing how to speak English. One classmate’s kindness made a difference in his young life. Esteban encouraged students to be kind – even though it takes more effort than just being nice.

Students in the Next Step Transition program are brightening people’s days across the district with their new Flower Friends school-based business. Each Monday morning, the four Flower Friends students create flower arrangements using flowers that Wagner’s Market Fresh IGA, Ericksons Thriftway, and The Posie Shoppe have donated and vases and ribbon that community members have donated to the program. The following morning, the students deliver the bouquets to district employees who have placed an order. Next Step Transition and the Youth Transition Program at Crook County High School partnered to launch the Flower Friends program this month, serving students ages 18 to 21. The program helps students with barriers develop skills, habits, attitudes and knowledge that will empower them to have future success in the working world. Additionally, Flower Friends will help students build a variety of skills, including money management and customer service skills. Funds from Flower Friends will go back into the Next Step Transition program to help fund projects, independent living skills, field trips, and curriculum. Contact Youth Transition Program coordinators to place a Flower Friends order. Thank you, students, for bringing joy to CCSD staff!

Officer Brandin Noland is the new School Resource Officer for Crook County High School, Pioneer High School, Rimrock Trails and COIC.

Officer Noland, a veteran police officer with more than 12 years of experience, has served as the Prineville Police Department detective and as a SWAT officer. He replaces Officer Jordan Zamora, who is now a patrol officer.

Officer Noland attended CCHS before serving in the U.S. Army for 12 years, including a tour in Iraq as a combat infantry.

As the SRO, his main duty is to protect and keep students safe. He also assists the staff and administrators with any legal issues that arise in the schools.

Officer Noland has three daughters, and he says he accepted this position to help keep students safe.

Meet Jason Ritter, the new Student Services Coordinator at Crook County High School, where he is responsible for building management. He supports students and staff on disciplinary issues, brings positive behavioral supports to students, and promotes school initiatives such as positive behavior intervention, AVID and CharacterStrong. He says care, compassion, relationships and accountability are all critical components of his position. He will partner with students, staff and parents to help all students be successful and to accomplish their dreams. Mr. Ritter spent the last two years coordinating the Redmond School District’s alternative education program at Redmond High School. He spent 13 years working as a teacher and English Language Acquisition Specialist in the Salem area before relocating to Powell Butte. From 2014-2017, he taught social studies at CCHS. Mr. Ritter and his wife have five children who are active in 4-H. He enjoys hunting, fishing and hiking and loves languages, travel and culture. He is thrilled to be back and fully vested in the community. He says the opportunity to return and serve the students and staff of CCHS feels like a privilege and an incredible head start on what he expects is going to be a wonderful year. Welcome to CCHS, Mr. Ritter!