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Feeder Focus MHS

In North Clackamas, our "feeder systems" create a consistent journey where most students attend a specific group of neighborhood elementary schools, move together to the same middle school, and eventually graduate from the same high school. Throughout this journey, we’re proud to see our district’s Core Values shine through our amazing students’ and staff’s accomplishments. This month’s edition highlights how the students and staff within the Milwaukie High School Feeder System bring our NCSD Core Values of Equity, Relationships, Integrity, Empowerment, and Care to life each day. See below why we’re Proud To Be…NCSD!

The image shows a classroom setting with several students, some wearing hooded robes, gathered around a table with various objects on it.
Rowe logo - Relationships
The image shows a group of people, including a woman in a red sweater, a woman in a black outfit, and a woman in a gray sweater, engaged in what appears to be a dance or movement-based activity in a studio setting with a mirrored wall.

Students Choose to Stick Around After School

With the latest afternoon dismissal time of any of our district schools, it wouldn’t be surprising to see NCSD middle schoolers quickly making a beeline for the exit doors after the day’s final bell. Yet several Rowe students can’t wait for that bell to ring for an entirely different reason. As part of the school’s unique after-school program, students from all grades stay after school on purpose—to get a little extra tutoring help mixed in with a wide range of engaging activities from athletics to board games.

NCSD After-School Site Coordinator Ruben Garcia leads the program that helps students feel connected to school through strong relationships and a wide range of student-generated interest groups. Now in its third year, the list of opportunities continues to grow as more students sign up to stick around after the final bell. 

A group of young people, some wearing colorful clothing, are gathered around a table and interacting with each other, with one person holding a mobile device.
The image shows a group of people, including a woman in a red sweater, a woman in a black outfit, and a woman in a gray sweater, engaged in what appears to be a dance or movement-based activity in a studio setting with a mirrored wall.
Two students are seated at desks in a classroom, one appears to be studying or working on something while the other is looking at them.
The image shows a group of people, likely students, gathered in a colorful and vibrant classroom setting, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative activity or discussion.
The image shows a group of people, likely students, in a gymnasium or sports facility. They appear to be engaged in some kind of activity or discussion, with a volleyball visible in the background.
A man in a green shirt is standing in a gymnasium, writing on a whiteboard.
The image shows a group of young people sitting at tables in what appears to be a classroom or study area, with various posters and decorations on the walls behind them.
The image shows a classroom setting with several students, some wearing hooded robes, gathered around a table with various objects on it.
The image shows a group of people playing volleyball in a gymnasium, with a net set up in the center of the court and various sports equipment visible on the walls.
Two young people, a woman and a man, are engaged in conversation in what appears to be a classroom or study area, with other individuals visible in the background.
Milwaukie High School logo - Empowerment - Integrity
A person in a black shirt is sitting at a desk, working on a sewing machine, with various objects and people visible in the background.

Making a Biology Topic a Little Less Microscopic

As a biology teacher, Elliot Cameron’s job is to help his students marvel at the entire world of creatures living in a single drop of pond water. However, it isn’t enough for them to simply “oooh,” “ahhh,” or offer the occasional “eewww!” The real challenge is giving students the tools to accurately describe what they see through their microscope’s eyepiece.

That’s why Cameron has his students recreate their microscopic observations on paper. Students chose from a variety of specimens: onion epidermis, carrot roots, and even human blood. At greater magnification, seemingly smooth surfaces reveal intricate structures—some resembling evenly layered bricks, others appearing as a jigsaw puzzle of cells.

Amoebae, however, are another matter entirely. "I see a map of Great Britain!" one student exclaimed, only for the tiny creature to shape-shift the moment they tried to commit it to paper. To finish their work, some students added depth and color to their sketches—illustrating membranes, nuclei, and chloroplasts—moving one step closer to capturing the magic of the microcosm and conveying that wonder to others.

A person with long, wavy hair is leaning over a counter, examining something on the surface in front of them. The background appears to be a kitchen or dining area with various items visible.
A person with curly hair is using a sewing machine in a room with various other items, including a bottle of liquid.
A person in a black shirt is sitting at a desk, working on a sewing machine, with various objects and people visible in the background.
Two young people, a woman and a man, are engaged in conversation in what appears to be a classroom or study area, with other individuals visible in the background.
A person in a brown coat is intently focused on writing or drawing on a piece of paper while using a microscope on a desk in a classroom setting.
The image shows a group of people working together at desks in what appears to be an office or classroom setting. The foreground features several individuals focused on their tasks, while the background reveals a larger group of people engaged in various activities.
A young man with curly hair is intently focused on using a microscope in a laboratory setting, surrounded by various scientific equipment and workstations.
Two young individuals, one holding up a piece of paper, are seated at a desk in what appears to be an office or classroom setting, with various items and furniture visible in the background.
The image shows a classroom setting with several students engaged in various activities, including a young woman working on a project at a desk.
Two individuals, a woman with curly red hair and a woman with dark hair, are working together at a desk in what appears to be a kitchen or laboratory setting, with various equipment and appliances visible in the background.
A person in a black and white patterned garment is leaning over a table with various objects, including a plate and glasses, in a brightly lit indoor setting.
The image shows a handwritten worksheet or study material with diagrams and labels related to microbiology or biology, including illustrations of different types of cells or microorganisms.
Two young people, a male and a female, are sitting at a table in what appears to be a classroom or study area. The male has short blond hair and is wearing a gray shirt, while the female has curly dark hair and is wearing a patterned shirt. They both appear to be engaged in some kind of academic or work-related activity, with papers and a laptop visible on the table in front of them.
The image shows several people, likely students, working with microscopes and other scientific equipment in what appears to be a laboratory or classroom setting.
The image shows a group of students in a classroom setting, with some of them engaged in discussion or collaboration.
The image shows two women, one with red hair and the other with dark hair, posing together and holding a drawing of facial features.
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A group of people, mostly children, are engaged in an active physical activity or game in a gymnasium-like setting, with various national flags displayed on the walls.
Milwaukie El Puente logo - Relationships - Care
A group of people, mostly young, are engaged in an active physical activity or exercise in a gymnasium-like setting, with various national flags displayed on the walls.

Putting the "Fun" in Funky

Sure, it’s a Physical Education teacher’s job to help bring elementary students’ heart rates up during their bi-weekly visits to the gym…but nobody said students couldn’t learn a few dance moves at the same time. Take Milwaukie El Puente PE Teacher Alex Edwards, who’s leaving jumping jacks and sit-ups behind during warmups in favor or viral dance trends that keep kids excited about PE while movin’ and groovin’ to the beat! Try to keep up with their musical movements by clicking the video below.
A group of people, mostly children, are engaged in an active physical activity or game in a gymnasium-like setting, with various national flags displayed on the walls.
A group of young students, dressed in casual attire, are gathered in a gymnasium-like setting with national flags displayed on the walls.
A group of people, mostly young, are engaged in an active physical activity or exercise in a gymnasium-like setting, with various national flags displayed on the walls.
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A young girl with long brown hair is excitedly holding up a colorful handmade sign or artwork, with a classroom setting visible in the background.
Ardenwald Allstars Logo - Relationships
A young person is sitting at a table, focused on creating an artistic work using colored markers and paper.

Achieving Goals from a Different Angles

Ever heard of an agamograph? Ardenwald fifth graders hadn’t either, until their teacher Mariah Maier connected the unique word with a unique way of looking at their academic goals for 2026. Turns out an agamograph is a piece of art that transforms into a different image when viewed from a different angle—which is exactly how Maier wanted her students to view their new year’s goals. The folded, three-dimensional art project showed fifth graders how progress toward their yearly aspirations can be measured from many different angles. 

A classroom filled with students engaged in various activities, with colorful decorations and displays on the walls.
A young girl with long, light-colored hair is holding up a sign that says %222021%22 while sitting at a table with other students in what appears to be a classroom setting.
A young person with long, dark hair is intently focused on a task at a desk in a classroom setting, surrounded by other students also engaged in their work.
A young girl with a bright smile is holding up a colorful paper craft in a classroom setting with other students and desks visible in the background.
A young woman wearing a black t-shirt with the text %22I love my art%22 is sitting at a table, assisting a young child in an art project in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting.
A young girl with long brown hair is holding up a colorful sign with the word %22Grades%22 written on it, surrounded by her classmates in a classroom setting.
A young person is sitting at a table, focused on creating an artistic work using colored markers and paper.
A young girl in a black sweater is intently focused on drawing or writing at a desk in a classroom setting, with other students visible in the background.
A young boy is sitting at a table, intently focused on creating a colorful artwork, while other students can be seen in the background working on their own projects in what appears to be a classroom setting.
A young boy with a serious expression is holding a colorful, patterned object in front of him, seated at a table in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting.
The image shows two young girls, one wearing a gray hoodie with a pink graphic design and the other wearing a black shirt, sitting at a table in what appears to be a school or classroom setting.
A young boy in a blue sweater is sitting at a table, focused on an art project, surrounded by other students in a classroom setting.
The image shows a handwritten %22LOVE%22 sign on a piece of paper, surrounded by colorful drawings and artwork.
A young girl with glasses and a tie-dye shirt is sitting at a table, smiling and holding up colorful objects in the foreground, while other people are visible in the background.
A young girl with long brown hair is excitedly holding up a colorful handmade sign or artwork, with a classroom setting visible in the background.
A young person in a gray sweatshirt is sitting at a desk, working on a drawing or craft project, with other students and classroom materials visible in the background.
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Two young students, a girl in a red jacket and a boy in a blue hoodie, are sitting on the floor and engaged in a collaborative activity, surrounded by classroom furniture and other students in the background.
Linwood logo - Integrity
Two young students, one with a green sweater and the other with a gray hoodie, are engaged in a conversation in a classroom setting with a whiteboard and other educational materials visible in the background.

It's All Fun and Games Learning Multiplication

Strong mathematical foundations can lead students along just about any career path. And for third graders at Linwood Elementary, number knowledge recently led them along a map to buried treasure.

This lesson had students on a roll, as each tumble of the dice guided them along a path of multiplication “quick facts” multiplying single digits by each other. The first to color in every correct answer along their path claimed victory and proved there’s strength in numbers when it comes to having fun in math.  
Two young students, a girl in a red jacket and a boy in a blue hoodie, are sitting on the floor and engaged in a collaborative activity, surrounded by classroom furniture and other students in the background.
Two young women, one wearing a pink sweatshirt and the other a black top, are sitting on the floor and working on a project together. The background appears to be a carpeted area with colorful shapes on the floor.
A person in a hooded jacket is sitting on the floor, while a young woman in a sweater is seated nearby, both appearing to be engaged in some activity.
Two children, a boy and a girl, are sitting at a table and interacting with each other. The background appears to be a classroom or school setting, with lockers and other school-related items visible.
Two young students, one with a green sweater and the other with a gray hoodie, are engaged in a conversation in a classroom setting with a whiteboard and other educational materials visible in the background.
Two young girls, one with long brown hair and the other with shorter blonde hair, are sitting at a desk in a classroom setting. The background shows shelves filled with various school supplies and materials.
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A crowded indoor space with people of various ages and attire, including a young boy in the foreground, surrounded by colorful banners and flags.
Lewelling logo - Relationships - Empowerment - Care
A group of people, mostly young individuals, are standing in a room with various signs and posters on the walls, suggesting a gathering or event.

 Lewelling Knows How to Do Fridays

Whether in the morning or afternoon, schoolwide “Friday Meeting” assemblies take place throughout most NSCD elementary schools, but Seth Lewelling’s 4th and 5th graders have turned their weekly celebrations into lessons in empowerment and care.

Operating like a well-oiled machine, these students took charge of staging mats, chairs, and equipment, ensuring the room was ready for all grades to enjoy an energetic MLK Day-centered assembly. The community celebrated birthdays to a rousing ukulele-led chorus, cheered for attendance awards, and filled the "Pride Ticket" bucket past its weekly goal.

Following a soul-stirring rendition of "We Shall Overcome" and a musical salute to Dr. King, the assembly was adjourned and the upper-grade students immediately sprang back into action. They cleared the floor in record time making it ready for the day’s lunch crowd, proving that leadership isn't just about action—it's also about modelling pride in the community you belong to.

A group of young people, mostly women, sitting on the floor in a casual setting, some making peace signs with their hands and smiling.
Three young women with smiling expressions are the focus of the image, which appears to be taken in a crowded indoor setting with people in the background.
Two individuals, a man and a child, are standing in what appears to be a school or educational setting, with a whiteboard and other classroom-like elements visible in the background.
A large group of children, some wearing colorful hoodies and jackets, gathered together in what appears to be a classroom or school setting.
A group of young people, some wearing colorful and patterned clothing, are gathered in what appears to be a school or community center, with various posters and signs visible in the background.
A group of children with raised hands are gathered in a classroom setting, with a man standing in front of them and colorful decorations on the walls.
A group of young children, some smiling and others making funny faces, are gathered together in what appears to be a classroom or school setting.
A group of people, mostly young individuals, are standing in a room with various signs and posters on the walls, suggesting a gathering or event.
A group of young people, some wearing casual clothing and others in pajamas, are gathered together in what appears to be a school hallway or common area, with various posters and signs visible in the background.
A group of young people, some wearing casual clothing and others in school uniforms, are gathered together in what appears to be a school setting, with a colorful mural visible in the background.
A group of students and a teacher posing together in a classroom setting, with various posters and displays visible in the background.
A crowded indoor space with people of various ages and attire, including a young boy in the foreground, surrounded by colorful banners and flags.
A group of people, including several individuals wearing casual clothing, are working together to set up or move a large blue mat or tarp in what appears to be a gymnasium or indoor facility.
A group of young people, likely students, are standing in a classroom or school setting, with colorful mats or cushions in the foreground and an American flag visible in the background.
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A group of students sitting in a classroom, engaged in a discussion or activity, with a whiteboard and other classroom elements visible in the background.
Sojourner logo - Empowerment
A group of students are gathered around a table, engaged in a collaborative activity, with shelves and storage units visible in the background.

Pods Are Full of Possibilities at Sojourner

Elective courses, where students learn a unique series of skills in a specific interest area, are only found in NCSD middle and high schools, right? Not quite—each Monday and Thursday morning at Sojourner School, students in all grades scurry to different classrooms for their own set of electives. Sojourner’s “Pods” are mixed-grade electives that have kids exploring their own interests by crafting creative stories, plotting the perfect chess move, and even computer coding. As a magnet school, Sojourner attracts students from all across NCSD to participate in its unique approach to learning.

A young girl in a pink unicorn-themed shirt is sitting at a desk, intently focused on a craft project in front of her, with bookshelves visible in the background.
The image shows a group of children sitting at a table in a classroom, engaged in various activities such as drawing, writing, and using art supplies.
A group of children are engaged in a game of chess, surrounded by bookshelves and other items in what appears to be a library or study area.
Two young girls, one wearing a pink hooded sweater and the other a burgundy sweater, are sitting at a desk and using laptop computers in what appears to be a classroom setting with desks and chairs visible in the background.
A group of students are gathered around a table, engaged in various activities such as writing, drawing, and using electronic devices, in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting.
A group of students are gathered around a table, engaged in a collaborative activity, with shelves and storage units visible in the background.
A group of students are gathered around a table, engaged in an activity or discussion, with various supplies and materials visible in the background.
A plastic bag containing a worksheet with various zentangle patterns and blank spaces for the user to create their own designs, along with colored pencils.
The image shows two young boys playing a game of chess at a table, with a woman sitting nearby observing their game.
Two young girls, one with blonde hair and the other with glasses, are sitting at a table and using laptop computers in what appears to be a classroom or study area with wooden furniture and chairs visible in the background.
A young boy wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt is sitting and reading a book, surrounded by other people in a classroom or similar setting.
The image shows a woman with glasses and a gray sweater sitting at a desk, assisting a young student who is also seated at the desk and appears to be working on something.
A person in a red sweater is holding a white gaming controller in front of their face, with various electronic devices and a lamp visible in the background.
A group of students sitting in a classroom, engaged in a discussion or activity, with a whiteboard and other classroom elements visible in the background.
A young person in a brown jacket is sitting at a desk, surrounded by playing cards and a white sheet of paper.
Two young children, a girl in a pink and white striped shirt and a boy in a bright green shirt, are sitting at a table and using laptop computers in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting.
A young girl in a pink t-shirt is sitting at a table, intently focused on drawing something on a piece of paper in front of her. The background includes colorful green walls and other classroom-like furnishings.
A woman in a purple sweater is interacting with a young boy, surrounded by various toys and books in a colorful room.
A group of young students are gathered around a table, engaged in an activity or discussion, with various colorful decorations and items visible in the background.
The image shows a young woman and a young man interacting in what appears to be a children's playroom, surrounded by colorful toys and furniture.
A young girl in a blue sweater is sitting at a table, intently focused on crafting something with various colored papers and materials.
Two young students are sitting at a desk in a classroom, surrounded by various art supplies and materials.
A group of students are gathered around a table, working on various tasks and projects in a classroom setting. The background includes educational posters and displays on the walls.
A young girl with long brown hair is sitting at a desk in a classroom, surrounded by various school supplies and materials.
A young girl in a white shirt with a fruit design is sitting at a table, intently focused on drawing something on a piece of paper in front of her.
A young boy in a black hoodie is intently focused on building something with wooden blocks on the floor, while other people's legs can be seen in the background.
Two young girls, one with long brown hair and the other with shorter hair, are sitting at a table and appear to be engaged in an activity, possibly drawing or coloring. The background suggests a classroom or educational setting, with various items and decorations visible.
The image shows two young girls, one wearing a cat-themed shirt, sitting at a table and drawing or writing together in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting.
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The image features a colorful collage of various elements, including speech bubbles with the text %22I have a dream%22, a black-and-white photograph, and vibrant rainbow-colored pencils or markers.
Lot Whitcomb logo - Empowerment - Equity - Care
The image shows a group of young people standing in front of a colorful, graffiti-style mural on a wall, with various text and drawings covering the surface.

Honoring MLK's Dream at Whitcomb

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech is familiar to most, but the students in Ashlee Brazell’s Transitional Learning Center (TLC) recently took that inspiration a step further. They were tasked with reflecting on their own hopes and dreams, the future they envision, and how they might contribute to a more equitable society.

The result was a colorful collection of ribbons, each inscribed with a student’s unique perspective. These pieces were so moving that the class was invited to display their project at Whitcomb’s front entrance for all students and visitors to see.

The image shows a group of young people standing in front of a colorful, abstract mural with a message about darkness and hate.
The image features a colorful collage of various elements, including speech bubbles with the text %22I have a dream%22, a black-and-white photograph, and vibrant rainbow-colored pencils or markers.
The image shows a group of young people standing in front of a colorful, graffiti-style mural on a wall, with various text and drawings covering the surface.
A colorful and vibrant mural with geometric shapes, inspirational messages, and various artistic elements in the foreground, set against a backdrop of abstract patterns and shapes.
The image shows a group of people, including children, standing in front of a colorful mural with messages about darkness and hate.
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2025 Feeder Focus Newsletters