Drama students light up high school stages
High schools in North Clackamas will stage several productions to brighten cold winter days. The shows are family friendly, affordable, and open to the public.
Theater Showcase: Rex Putnam High School will stage a night of several short productions including scenes, one-act plays, monologs, songs, and devised theater pieces from different theater classes. Performances are in the school’s Black Box Theater, located at 4950 SE Roethe Road. Admission is $5 at the door. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, and Friday, January 27.
Hairspray: Rex Putnam High School, in collaboration with New Century Players, will present the uplifting musical. The play tells the story of lovable, plus-size heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has a passion for dancing. After winning a spot on the local TV dance program “The Corny Collins Show,” overnight she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Performances are in the Rex Putnam Auditorium, located at 4950 SE Roethe Road. Tickets cost $10 to $15 at the door. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. on February 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 and at 2 p.m. on February 12 and 19
Comedy Sportz Improv Show: Milwaukie High School will stage an interactive comedy improvisation show, a chance for the audience to help direct the action on stage. Performances are at the Black Box Theater at Milwaukie High, located at 11300 SE 23rd. Tickets cost $8 at the door. Shows begin at 7 p.m. on February 23, 24, and 25.
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Riverside School to study Trolley Trail
The historic Oak Grove Trolley Trail runs through the middle of the Riverside Elementary neighborhood. The transformation of an abandoned trolley line to a pedestrian and biking trail provided learning experiences in history, writing, art, and science for fourth and fifth grade students at the school.
Grants from the Regional Arts and Culture Council, the Clackamas County Cultural Coalition, and North Clackamas Schools will fund the project.
The students will create a three dimensional piece of public art work for submission and possible installation on the Oak Grove Trolley Trail.
“Our plan is to create a design that reflects the students’ yearlong study of the environment, history, and the future of their Oak Grove neighborhood,” said teacher Molly Morrow. “Kids will work with local government and historians to learn about the past use of this land, the changes that have taken place, and the involvement of local citizens to bring improvements to their neighborhood.”
Working with artist Beth Wilson, they will follow the county and local guidelines to create vandal resistant art. Students will present their work and designs to the appropriate committees or agencies for approval. A community celebration of the completion of their studies and accomplishment will be held in the spring.
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High school students run deli
The Verte Deli is a student-managed restaurant that offers the opportunity for culinary arts students to gain hands-on experience in the restaurant business.
“The majority of our menu items are prepped and produced fresh daily,” says Chef Jason McCammon. “Peek into our kitchen, and you’ll see students at work not just for the deli, but also catering jobs for local organizations.”
The menu includes a variety of sandwiches and wraps, along with daily specials, including the soup, salad, and burger of the day.
The deli is located on the north campus of the Sabin-Schellenberg Center, a career-technical program run by North Clackamas Schools. It is open to the public on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To place an order for carryout, call 503-353-5910.
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Museum Tour donates to Oak Grove Elementary
Marilynne Eichinger, President of Museum Tour, an educational toy company located in Milwaukie, has been an ongoing supporter of Oak Grove Elementary School for many years. Each year she donates a variety of toys to the school during the holidays to provide toys to families that are not able to do so on their own.
“This year, Marilynne gave our fourth grade classrooms individual composting containers to be used in science units,” explained teacher Debra Sankovitz. “Each student will have their own container , and will learn the effects of temperature change on the decomposition process, allowing them to first-hand experience this important environmental science concept. We are very grateful for Museum Tour's ongoing commitment to Oak Grove.”
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Clackamas High seeks rolling toolbox donations
Clackamas High school’s wood shop is seeking the donation of some large, upright toolboxes on wheels. Several school programs, including drama and environmental science, use the wood shop.
To make a donation, contact teacher Rod Shroufe at shroufer@nclack.k12.or.us or call him at 503-353-5810, extension 38051.
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Mocha Express donates to several schools
Mocha Express, a local coffee shop, has long been a supporter of schools in the community, contributing 10 percent of each purchase price to any of several designated schools at the customer’s request. The coffee shop is located at 14813 SE Webster Road in Milwaukie.
Schools and programs benefiting from the program include Alder Creek Middle School, Bilquist Elementary, Cascade Heights Public Charter School, Clackamas Middle College, El Puente Bilingual School, the Rex Putnam Cross Country Team, and View Acres Elementary.
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Two bilingual schools serve North Clackamas elementary students
El Puente and Riverside schools are K-5 elementary school programs that provide a dual-immersion education in both Spanish and English, including students who are native English speakers as well as those who are native Spanish speakers. By the end of fifth grade, all students become fluent in both languages.
Students living in the Bilquist, Concord, Oak Grove, Oregon Trail, Riverside, Sunnyside, Duncan, or View Acres attendance areas should apply to the Riverside Bilingual Program. The program is located on the Riverside Elementary campus 16303 SE River Road, in Oak Grove.
Students living in the Ardenwald, Campbell, Happy Valley Elementary, Lewelling, Linwood, Milwaukie, Mt. Scott, Scouters Mountain, Spring Mountain, or Whitcomb attendance areas should apply to El Puente Bilingual School. The school is located on the Milwaukie Elementary campus at 11250 SE 27th in Milwaukie.
Tours of both bilingual programs will be offered from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on the following Tuesdays: January 24 and 31; February 7, 14, 21, and 28; March 6, 13, and 20. For more information, call El Puente at 503-353-5480 or call Riverside at 503-353-5560.
Information meetings for prospective applicants are scheduled at both schools (in Spanish and English) on Tuesday, March 6 from 6 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, February 25 from 10 to 11 a.m. Applications are due Thursday, March 22 by 3:30 p.m. Acceptance and waiting list letters will be mailed by April 16. If the number of kindergarten applicants exceeds the number of spots available, admission will be determined by lottery.
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Milwaukie Academy of the Arts invites prospective students to Exhibition Night
Families looking for an arts-focused college preparatory high school are invited to Exhibition Night at Milwaukie Academy of the Arts. The event will include a student showcase of visual and performing arts and a chance to talk with teachers, students, and parents who are part of the school community. Participants will have a special opportunity for early application to the school for the 2012-13 school year.
The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 19 at the school, located on the campus of Milwaukie High: 11300 SE 23rd Ave. in Milwaukie. The event will begin in the school’s recently expanded J.C. Lillie Center for the Arts.
Milwaukie Academy of the Arts, a public charter school in the North Clackamas District, is open to students from any Oregon school district. The curriculum features arts-based learning in core academic classes, plus a personalized, small school environment.
MAA students have the freedom to participate in elective classes, sports, and activities at Milwaukie High, ranging from drama, visual arts and music to world languages, AP courses, and advanced science.
Students can also choose from 15 programs at the Sabin-Schellenberg Professional-Technical Center, pursuing interests from interior design and broadcasting to computer aided design and fashion design. Many courses provide students with the chance to earn college credit.
“This school is a good fit for any college-bound student, and also for teens with a more hands-on learning style,” explained Director Tim Taylor. “Not every student learns the same way, and here at Milwaukie Academy of the Arts, we not only understand that – we welcome it.”
For more information, visit the MAA Web site at http://tinyurl.com/ArtsAcademy or call Director Tim Taylor at 503-353-5846.
