Opening the Doors of Opportunity Through Education

Vernonia Schools to Receive $11.2 Million in FEMA Grants

Portland, OR –Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congressman David Wu announced that the Vernonia School District will receive $11.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The new grant comes in addition to the $150,000 in funding that the school district received through Congressional appropriations in fiscal

Merkley Statement on Congress Passing Childhood Nutrition Bill

Washington, D.C. – The House overwhelmingly passed the childhood nutrition bill yesterday, sending it to President Obama’s desk for signature.  The Senate passed the bill unanimously last August. The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act will reduce childhood obesity and strengthen programs dedicated to improving child nutrition.  The bill will also provide

Merkley visits after-school program, helps solve homework debate

“If I were the senator and I had homework, I would choose just one piece of homework, one day a week,” says Macen Richards, a third-grade student at Hiteon Elementary School. When U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley visits and asks the students what kinds of changes they’d like to see at

Merkley: $117 Million to Prevent Teacher Layoffs on the Way to Oregon

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Education announced this week that $117 million to help prevent mass teacher layoffs will be arriving in Oregon within a matter of days.  The emergency funding will save the jobs of approximately 1,600 Oregon teachers and help improve education for children throughout the

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