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Search through any vocabulary list, and there are dozens of word pairings to describe something showcasing a significant cultural impact: cultural tradition, cultural significance, cultural experience, or cultural understanding to name a few.

But through an amazing showcase of their own now on display in the school library, Ceramics students at Alder Creek Middle School have created a brand-new word pairing that’s catching the eyes of every student and staff member who walks by. After kneading together long hours of research with a small lump of clay, each student artist proudly constructed spectacularly stunning cultural creatures.

When athletic seasons culminate at NCSD high schools throughout the school year, it’s a rare honor for an NCSD student to receive all-state recognition, especially with thousands of students competing statewide for limited slots. 

Yet nearly 50 North Clackamas students recently earned that coveted ultimate recognition…not for an outstanding performance playing a sport, but for an equally impressive performance playing an instrument or showing off their vocal range.  

Kindergarten staff members have a gift for making students feel warm on the inside, but for nearly two decades, Lynda Delk’s heartfelt handiwork has helped Seth Lewelling kindergartners also feel warm on the outside. Learn how the retiring paraeducator has created such a “close-knit” bond with Lewelling’s youngest students year after year.

It’s less than a half-hour before the Friday afternoon dismissal bell rings at Sunnyside Elementary, and while teachers shuffle around their classrooms organizing end-of-week routines and students busily put the final touches on late afternoon assignments, one group of volunteer fifth graders is doing some weekly weightlifting up and down the hallways.

But these tireless 10- and 11-year-olds aren’t lifting dumbbells.  Instead, they’re flexing their muscles to make recycling a top priority at their school.

When middle schoolers accidentally do something embarrassing, the last thing they want to be is caught on camera.  Unless you’re one of 58 eighth graders enrolled in Rowe Middle School’s “Shamrock News” class, where students spend nearly every minute of class time with video cameras in hand reporting school news and laughing over bloopers as they skillfully produce Rowe’s weekly news program.

“It’s really fun shooting and editing the different segments,” says eighth grader Seren Dreves.  “Plus you can always go back and find them on the internet.  Someday I’m going to watch and think, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s what I was like in eighth grade!’”

Heading into her junior year at Milwaukie Academy of the Arts, Ella Genzer knew she’d have a long list of important responsibilities—keeping up her grades in advanced-placement classes, helping take care of her younger sister at home, and even taking time to start thinking about college and career options post high school.  But her favorite responsibilities so far this year?