Home

When thinking about famous Tigers, some might think about an icon in professional golf…or the Grrrrrreat spokesperson of a favorite breakfast cereal…but did you know that NCSD has its own team of Tigers roaring past all competition in the annual Oregon Battle of the Books?  Spring Mountain Elementary’s Midnight Tigers are a gifted group of five fabulous fifth graders who recently outperformed schools from all across the region in the fast-paced question-and-answer reading comprehension challenge, advancing all the way to the state finals!  In this episode, we learn how “The Midnight Tigers” challenged themselves chapter by chapter in 16 different books to become the only NCSD team…and the first ever from Spring Mountain…to earn statewide recognition as page-turning prodigies!  

Episode 42 - Spring Mountain's "Midnight Tigers" Earn Their Stripes

All in one day, more than 1,400 NCSD high school juniors boarded busses for a field trip to downtown Portland’s Convention Center to participate in the Northwest Youth Careers Expo…and this episode of the “Proud To Be NCSD” podcast follows them from start to finish!  As you’ll hear, this was certainly not “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!”  Students from Milwaukie, Rex Putnam, Clackamas, Adrienne C. Nelson, Clackamas Web Academy, Clackamas Middle College, and the Virtual Online Program spent hours learning about potential careers, building their resumes, and participating in mock job interviews. 

Episode 41 - Field Trip Day For NCSD Juniors

Since launching nearly two years ago, we've featured some very special guests…from NCSD’s Superintendent to extraordinary teachers and students who have captivated us with amazing stories from their school communities.  This week, we take a very unique approach to celebrate the podcast’s 40th episode...as three students from the Rowe Middle School Podcast Network (8th graders Jose-Angel Barraza, Kenadi Hammond, and Hayden Moreland) take over as hosts and interview Mr. Long before he gets a chance to interview them.  They uncover little-known facts about Mr. Long, then explain the ups and downs of middle school life as high school quickly approaches.  

Episode 40 - When Two Podcasts Collide

Where else can you come face-to-face with a 3-day-old sheep, pet the soft fur of a llama, and meet a duck with a comb over? President's Day was also Red Bard Baby Day at the Sabin-Schellenberg Center's Land Lab! We tag along with the hundreds of community members who came to visit the amazing animals at this annual favorite event, while learning from NCSD Agriculture students helping raise the furry and feathered friends as part of their Land Lab coursework!

When our students face changes and challenges both inside and outside school walls, where can they turn to confess their concerns, discuss their doubts, and shout out their successes?  NCSD school counselors are always there to make sure ALL students feel seen, supported, and most importantly, celebrated for who they are.  In this episode, it’s a conversation full of compassion as we’re joined by a school counselor from each level:  Clackamas High School’s Laura Nelson, Alder Creek Middle School’s Stephanie Atkinson, and Scouters Mountain Elementary’s Jessica Winfrey.  Together, they explain how they help meet student and family needs by lending advice, a helping hand, or sometimes, simply a listening ear. 

Episode 39 - Boosting Beliefs & Strengthening Self-Esteem

Although January is Oregon School Board Recognition Month, a certain ice storm put the freeze on our first try at coordinating calendars to record this appreciative podcast.  Now that the ice has melted away, we’ve made a new motion to honor the seven superheroes who tirelessly volunteer on our NCSD Board.  In this episode of the Proud To Be NCSD Podcast, get to know two of our newest Directors, April Dobson and Paul Kemp, as we call to order topics ranging from why they chose to run for such an important role…to the unfinished business they continually advocate for on behalf of all North Clackamas students and families. 

Episode 38 - Motion To Appreciate Our School Board!

As the first round of final exams wraps up in NCSD high schools, we shine the spotlight on three amazing Rex Putnam High School students whose journey through NCSD schools has looked (and sounded) a little different than most of their peers.  These high-achieving high schoolers have been a part of the district’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program since elementary school, meaning they’ve spent parts of their days learning in English…and the other parts 100% in Spanish.  This week, meet seniors Sebastian Castillo-Graduno and Leslie Osorio Martinez, along with sophomore Dahlia Sanchez Martinez, who share how growing up in NCSD’s DLI program has not only helped them develop bilingual skills, but also develop lifelong friendships that even resulted in the formation of a successful local band!

Episode 37 - Our DLI Program Hits The High Notes

With each NCSD school serving hundreds of hot lunches every day, sometimes an entrée can make a student’s mouth water before the first bite, while the same featured food can make another student’s nose crinkle. But as some Scouters Mountain third graders recently found out, our kindhearted Nutrition Department staff members will do anything to make sure students love their lunch choices…especially when their office receives fan mail!

We love our North Clackamas families! Thanks to your partnership, NCSD shined in the latest high school graduation rates announced today! Our schools outpaced the state average for the 12th consecutive year!

Students’ first years in elementary school can bring them their first best friend, and of course their first favorite teacher.  But for one Scouters Mountain Elementary student, fifth grade started with a not-so-pleasant first experience for him— being teased on the playground by classmates he considered his friends.  This week, hear the incredible story of 10-year-old Makiah Butler, who not only forgave the teasers, but took the negative emotions he felt and turned them into a positive…by starting a schoolwide recognition program awarding kids for being “Upstanders,” and motivating an entire school to break down bullying before it begins.

Episode 36 - A Creative Coyote Putting The Brakes On Bullying