Lourdes Public Charter School - About Us

Mark Page, Administrator

Dr. Mark Page-Botelho brings over 20 years of experience in educational leadership, encompassing teaching, technology leadership, school administration, and district leadership both in the United States and at international schools abroad. His extensive background includes work in charter schools, rural schools, and small learning communities, with a strong emphasis on relationship building, student support, and collaborative leadership, particularly at Lourdes PCS.

Karen Van Vlack, Primary Teacher

Mrs. Van Vlack joined Lourdes PCS, a charter school, in 2021. Her OR Teacher's Certificate encompasses Elementary Education K-8, a BS, ESOL/Bilingual Endorsement, and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is celebrating her 29th year of educational leadership in teaching! In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, hiking, traveling, card making, and quilting.

Kevin Locke, Middle-Upper Room Teacher

Mr. Locke is entering his 6th year of teaching at Lourdes PCS, bringing prior experience as a middle school educator. He grew up in Dallas, OR, and now lives in Albany. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and kayaking, as well as pursuing hobbies such as board games and video games. His commitment to educational leadership is reflected in his efforts to foster a supportive and engaging learning environment where students at this charter school feel encouraged to grow both academically and personally.

Maria Gutierrez, TA

Mrs. Gutierrez is entering her 4th year as a teaching assistant at Lourdes PCS, a charter school dedicated to fostering a nurturing learning environment. Being both a mother and a grandma, she enjoys being around children and helping them learn. This passion motivated her to take ESOL & Child Development classes at Chemeketa CC, enhancing her skills in educational leadership. She loves hearing students’ stories and what they have to share. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, quilting, and walking, and she also spends time as a caregiver.

History

Lourdes Public Charter School (Lourdes PCS) has proudly served families in the Scio area for over a century. Located near Jordan, an unincorporated community in Linn County along Oregon Route 226, Lourdes is deeply rooted in a rural area characterized by farming, local service, and strong community ties. Established in 1898 as Bender School, it started as a small community institution just a few miles from its present site. The school later relocated to 39059 Jordan Road, adopting the name Lourdes School. In the 1960s, the original building was replaced with the current facilities, which include four classrooms and a separate gymnasium.

After significant changes in state law, Lourdes became part of the Scio School District in 1997. By 1998, families and community members began exploring options to sustain Lourdes’ long-standing tradition of educational leadership and support for local students within a small school environment.

With the backing of parents, staff, volunteers, and donors, Lourdes successfully operated during this transition. The following year, the Scio School District agreed to sponsor Lourdes as a charter school, allowing the institution to continue its mission of providing students with a personalized public education option close to home.

Today, Lourdes PCS welcomes students and families who appreciate small class sizes, individualized instruction, hands-on learning, and a strong sense of belonging. Students benefit from numerous learning opportunities that include access to technology, library resources, a school weather station, and participation in the GLOBE program, where they gather atmospheric, water, and soil data as part of their real-world science education.