
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 is a special edition. We're highlighting how the students and staff within Clackamas Middle College, Clackamas Web Academy, New Urban, and the Sabin Schellenberg Technical Center 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!
An Annual Legen-dairy Field Trip for Kindergartners!
As if the 18 different career fields and three locations available across our district’s Sabin Schellenberg Career Technical Center weren’t impressive enough, one campus in particular recently had wide-eyed kindergartners exclaiming, “Holy Cow!”
Throughout the past month, NCSD high school agricultural students welcomed five- and six-year-old visitors to the Land Lab, the 10-acre working farm that serves as a hands-on classroom for high school students…and a much-anticipated annual field trip destination for hundreds of elementary students.
Agriculture students from all NCSD high schools utilize the Land Lab each day to learn about agriculture, managing crops, soil science, and, of course, raising livestock. As you can see below, kindergarten students had an udder-ly amazing time visiting the animals, which included a baby calf born just the night before one group’s visit.
Special thanks to the high schoolers for giving kindergarten students plenty of moo-ments they’ll remember for years to come…perhaps inspiring them to one day enroll in high school agriculture classes themselves!

When the Commons Becomes Uncommon at New Urban
Twice a year, an amazing transformation takes place inside New Urban High School’s commons area. The folding tables and chairs usually reserved for eating lunch, completing assignments, and connecting with classmates are suddenly reshuffled into an exciting mini-museum showcasing New Urban students’ handcrafted board games, intricate textile designs, and eye-catching paintings. The student projects on display are all part of the school’s semiannual Student Learning Exhibition, where families, friends, and community members gather to celebrate the students’ creative endeavors throughout the past semester.
As part of the exhibition, students share their reasons for pursuing each project along with the hours of research leading to the final product. Although presentations are usually reserved for peers and adults, this spring’s exhibition also welcomed current NCSD eighth graders, giving them a firsthand look at New Urban’s unique learning environment and how it might be a perfect fit for their upcoming high school experience.

The CWA Cafe: High Fives & Good Vibes
Poetry came alive, and that’s no jive…when the Clackamas Web Academy recently morphed into a totally righteous, ersatz cavern of the soul, a dim-lit poetry haven where the youthful spirits ran free and got their groove on syllable by syllable.
Strutting their subterranean style in berets and midnight black tights, these newborn wordsmiths stood tall behind the mic, shedding their square inhibitions like polyester platform shoes. The youngbloods let loose a wild torrent of vibes in verse that chilled the room, absolutely captivating the gathered tribe of proud kin, cool staff, and fellow hepcats. Still, even some of the chillest members of this cool crew needed a shoulder to lean on…ya' dig?
But everything was copacetic as the air grew thick with pure, unadulterated expression, exploding not into the heavy claps of the straight world, but into an out of sight symphony of ecstatic adulation and the steady, rhythmic rain of finger snaps. Groovy!

CMC Students Give Back During Annual Day of Service
Sometimes, the most impactful student learning takes place outside the classroom. Nowhere was that more apparent than when Clackamas Middle College (CMC) held its schoolwide Day of Service in late April. The annual event engages students and staff in various community projects across the Portland-Metro area. In-building students kicked off the day by creating Spring-themed bookmarks for homebound seniors through the Store to Door program, an organization quick to praise CMC’s efforts. "What a fantastic project- our clients will LOVE these bookmarks!" said Linda of Store to Door.
Beyond the classroom, teams participated in eight distinct service projects. At Birch Community Services and Sunshine Division, students worked diligently to sort and pack food items for families in need. Sunshine Division’s Jennifer noted that students filled 540 food boxes for their home delivery program, remarking, "The students did a wonderful job—they were kind, respectful and hard-working." Emily from Birch Community Services added, "We would love to have you all back at any point to serve in the Birch warehouse with us again."
Senior care and literacy were also high priorities. At the Milwaukie Community Center, students served food and washed dishes for local seniors. "Your students are awesome!" shared Joe from the center. Meanwhile, at the Children’s Book Bank, volunteers cleaned donated books to prepare them for young readers.
The spirit of service extended to child welfare and animal care. Students organized clothing at Northwest Children’s Outreach—where Janet noted they "love having (CMC) students volunteer"—and provided essential maintenance at the Oregon Donkey Sanctuary NW. Representatives from the sanctuary thanked the volunteers for helping provide a "safe harbor" for special needs donkeys like Shrek and Fiona.
Finally, back at CMC, a dedicated group helped staff prepare for upcoming summer remodels by packing books and clearing out outdated technology. Staff members Amy, Brian, and Elaine praised the group for going "above and beyond" by filling a three-yard dumpster and recycling a truckload of items. The day served as a powerful reminder of the impact CMC students have on our local community.
*Special thanks to CMC Assistant Principal Hillary Pinkston for her ace reporting skills!

2026 Feeder Focus Newsletters
Milwaukie High School

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!



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.



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.




Putting the "Fun" in Funky




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.




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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.




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.




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.

Clackamas High School

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!
A Fun Festival Celebrating Culture and Cuisine
It’s not often that a middle school cafeteria serves up globally delectable dishes like authentic Jordanian maqluba, Mexican sopita de fideo, pork lumpia from The Philippines, and even green waffles from Vietnam. Yet those were only some of the delicacies free to sample during Rock Creek Middle School’s annual Cultural Night earlier this month. What started with just a single student four years ago has now transformed into a festive evening for RCMS students and families to proudly share their national customs and cuisine.

First Grade & Penguins- A Brrrilliant Ballet Combination
While most six-and-seven-year-olds aren't exactly known for their poise, Beca Skolo of the Oregon Ballet Theatre sees endless creative potential in these Sunnyside first graders. Rather than teaching classical dance routines, Skolo embraces their natural energy—encouraging them to jump, roll, and squirm. By having the students mimic penguins, she helps them discover the joy of movement and illustrates how ballet draws inspiration from the natural world. Watch how the students were quick to master penguin waddles and belly slides, proving that no matter the age, everyone can find their inner artist.

Hoop Dreams Come True for Unified Athletes
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Winterfest means Winnerfest at Oregon Trail

Spring Mountain Art Gallery: One Night Only!
When it comes to special schoolwide celebrations, Spring Mountain always goes all out to make sure the event feels as authentic as possible for students and families. During Movie Nights, for example, the entire gym transforms into a movie theater complete with a retractable screen and a real popcorn machine always popping in the background. The school’s recent Art Night went even further-- turning the entire school into one giant art gallery, with student artwork on display on every wall on both floors. Thanks to a long list of family volunteers, Spring Mountain’s Art Night was a huge success and plans are already in the works to make it even bigger and better next year!

How Many Kinders Loved Last Friday? 100%
Do you know how high you can build a pyramid with exactly 100 cups? Or how long it takes to construct a necklace made out of 100 Froot Loops? After last Friday, the kindergartners at Mt. Scott…and many other NCSD schools…sure do!
That’s because the end of last week officially marked 100 days of kindergarten in our school district. Both of Mt. Scott’s kindergarten classrooms celebrated with plenty of creative, hands-on activities centered around the special number of the day. We’re proud of all our kindergartners who are now officially 100 days smarter!
Adrienne C. Nelson High School

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 Rex Putnam 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!
Science Skills Erupt at Happy Valley Elementary
When someone says “School Science Fair,” what are some of the first images that come to mind? Perhaps popsicle-stick bridges, plastic straw roller coasters, or even balloon-powered cars. But among the many amazing projects on display at Happy Valley Elementary’s recent Science Fair, visitors were treated to an amazing student-created volcano eruption!
Organized by a dedicated parent volunteer, the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Expo allowed students to experience the traditional science fair by exploring scientific questions and testing hypotheses. From thoughtful experiments to imaginative designs, the event was a true celebration of curiosity, discovery, and learning.

BMC’s Shoebox Safari Highlights Endangered Animals
It only takes a quick trip up the entry stairs at Beatrice Morrow Cannady Elementary School to discover a stunning global safari, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the entire fifth-grade class…and lots of shoeboxes. Students populated the corridor with ornate shoebox dioramas and vibrant posters, each meticulously detailing the lives of endangered species. From the grassy terrain of the white rhino, portrayed with swatches of artificial lawn, to the deep-sea haunts of the basking shark hiding in forests of seaweed made from green pipe cleaners, the displays serve as a colorful yet sobering testament to the biodiversity our planet is currently fighting to maintain.
The creative execution of these "wild environs" showcased a limitless imagination paired with clever resourcefulness. Viewers can marvel at the ingenious use of everyday materials: Play-Doh sculpted into “massive” boulders, rivers shimmering with glitter and glue, and fluffy cotton balls repurposed as drifting clouds or dense polar snow packs. In one display, a clay representation of the elusive Carolina northern flying squirrel jumps between miniature plastic trees—cleverly held aloft by fishing wire—unaware of the plastic owl glued to the top of the box looking for an easy meal. The project is a true demonstration of the students' commitment to representing a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Beyond the artistic flair, the heart of the project lies in its powerful message regarding the survival of these threatened creatures. The displays do not shy away from harsh realities, explicitly illustrating the impact of poaching, habitat degradation, and human-caused global warming. By highlighting the plight of animals like the vaquita—whose population has dwindled to fewer than 20 worldwide—BMC students have become passionate advocates for conservation. Their work serves as a moving reminder that while some of these species were only discovered in the last 50 years, it will take immediate, collective action to ensure they don't disappear in the next 10-20.

Ukrainian Youth Find Hope in Their Heritage
Empowerment and heritage took center stage as student leaders from Adrienne C. Nelson High School hosted the fourth annual Leleka Ukrainian Youth Conference. Named after the white stork that symbolizes home and hope in Ukrainian folklore, the event was established four years ago when a small cohort of Nelson’s Ukrainian students asked ELD Paraeducator Nataliia Zybachynska to help them form a club dedicated to navigating their cultural and educational journeys together. Today, the conference serves a vital and growing community; while Ukrainians make up roughly 0.56% of Clackamas County’s population, they represent 1.07% of the North Clackamas School District student body—a figure that likely undercounts the population due to increased bilingualism at home or occasional misidentification at registration.
This year’s summit was distinguished by a keynote address from Judge Adrienne C. Nelson herself, who drew powerful parallels between her own journey as a young Black woman striving for recognition and the lived experiences of Ukrainian students who navigate the socio-economic and cultural challenges often faced by immigrant and minority populations. Judge Nelson’s presence emphasized the importance of civic leadership and set an encouraging tone for the day. Following her address, a panel of local Ukrainian professionals shared candid reflections on the unique hurdles of navigating American systems not originally designed for their success. They highlighted how a blend of fierce personal determination and the strategic use of community supports allowed them to not only thrive but also become pillars for the next generation, proving that cultural identity can be a source of strength rather than a barrier.
The remainder of the day focused on practical, future-oriented development through specialized workshops designed to equip students with the tools for economic and academic mobility. Participants engaged in "deep dives" into college applications and scholarship acquisition, while others explored high-growth careers in the tech industry and the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.
By combining the wisdom of established mentors with actionable career advice, the Leleka Conference ensures that as the Ukrainian population grows, its youth are equipped to transform their cultural resilience into long-term success.

HVMS Earns the Gold Standard of Student Councils
TThe coastal breeze carried the scent of salty air and the buzz of anticipation as Happy Valley Middle School students neared the Seaside Conference Center. However, they weren't just there for the ocean view; they were HVMS’s representatives at the Oregon Association of Student Councils’ (OASC) Spring Conference, a dynamic hub where high school and middle school leaders from across the state converge to sharpen their leadership toolkit.
Four of HVMS’s leaders developed a workshop to share their expertise on Kindness with young peers from across Oregon. To break the ice with a room full of strangers, the team led a high-energy, non-verbal challenge: moving a hula hoop around a circle of students without ever letting go of their neighbors' hands. One caveat: when each circle successfully completed the challenge, they were encouraged to cheer in celebration of their teamwork.
The road to the Spring Conference was paved with close collaboration and partnership. Before the trip, Council Advisor Shelley Lute gave the team a chance to practice their presentation in front of their HVMS student council peers. This "beta test" provided invaluable feedback, allowing the presenters to refine their activity and sharpen their message. Their ability to quickly adapt and value each other's ideas didn't just make for a much improved workshop—it’s evidence why HVMS earned OASC’s prestigious Gold Council Award!
This success is also a testament to the council’s Heron Helper program, where students serve as ambassadors of school culture. Whether they are guiding 6th graders during orientation or acting as "UPstanders" who intervene against mistreatment, these leaders are dedicated to building a culture of respect and safety. Congratulations to HVMS students for taking their "sharing of excellence" to the state level and representing Happy Valley with such heart!

Lights! Camera! Action! Scouters Mountain’s Got Talent
For many students, the thought of singing and dancing in front of a packed gymnasium would be terrifying.
Then there are the brave performers from all grade levels who recently took the stage during Scouters Mountain’s annual Coyote Showcase Talent Show, who proudly showed off their talents by singing, dancing, tumbling, and even controlled karate punching to roaring applause from families throughout a magical evening to remember.
Special thanks to the school’s PTA and Nelson High School Key Club members for making the night so special for all performers, who each received a special medal for their performances.

Once A-Pawn a Time: Chess Club Still King at Verne Duncan
Whether it’s during four-square on the playground or seeing who can draw a perfect square during a geometry lesson, elementary school is often filled with friendly competition…and nowhere is that more evident than when Verne Duncan Elementary students “square off” during their weekly Chess Club meetings.
The students gather on Thursdays during their recess, and gives players of all skill levels a chance to learn new moves and sharpen their strategy. Most importantly, every final checkmate is met with a handshake and good game sportsmanship.
Duncan students never get “board” of the classic game, as the Chess Club has now been a part of weekly activities every year since the school opened in 2009.


2025 Feeder Focus Newsletters
- Adrienne C. Nelson High School
- Rex Putnam High School
- Clackamas High School
- Milwaukie High School
- Special Edition
Adrienne C. Nelson High School

In North Clackamas, almost all students who attend a specific group of neighborhood elementary schools eventually attend the same middle school, which then "feeds" into the same high school. That's why we call it a "feeder system!" Although it may vary for students attending one of our fabulous magnet, charter, or dual language immersion schools, it's a great way for us to give you an inside look at each school within one feeder system. This month? It's schools that all eventually feed into Adrienne C. Nelson High School!

Happy Valley 5th Graders Explore the Art of Persuasive Writing
In Ms. Petri's 5th-grade class, students are honing their persuasive writing skills. They explored how to craft a compelling topic, take a clear stance, and brainstorm effectively to support their claims.
This wasn't a typical writing lesson— as Ms. Petri's class had special guests: a group of fellow NCSD teachers!
These 3rd-5th grade educators observed the lesson to learn new strategies for teaching writing, hoping to bring fresh ideas back to their own classrooms.
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OBOB Comes to Scouters Mountain Elementary
This year at Scouters Mountain, a new adventure began for the Coyotes as they formed their very first teams for the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB). For many of these 3rd through 5th graders, the challenge is an exciting one—reading a carefully selected list of books and preparing to answer questions about them in a fast-paced competition.
The students have thrown themselves into the task with enthusiasm, often sacrificing their recess time to meet up and quiz each other on the details of their books.
As the date for their first "battle" approaches, there’s a sense of anticipation in the air. The outcome will determine which group of Coyotes will move on to compete in the state competition in Salem, Oregon, this April. It’s an exciting time, and the Coyotes are ready to give it their all!
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Verne Duncan Students Travel the Globe with Passport Club
Can you identify Mozambique on a map? What about Bahrain or Burkina Faso? Those are just some of the countries students in the Passport Club are studying this month.
Fifth grade teacher Brian Pfaff brought the Passport Club to Duncan. Once a month, students to identify as many countries on the list as possible on a blank map.
"The goal is for students to not only study geography, but to also have kids realize that there is a bigger world than just Oregon," said volunteer Michelle Pfaff.
Starting next week, these geography buffs will have a new list of countries to study!
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Beatrice Morrow Cannady Students Dive into Fresh Books
The new calendar year means a new book or series to explore at Beatrice Morrow Cannady Elementary!
The library, run by Media Tech Jennifer McLaughlin, has some fresh new books on the shelf for students to check out.
"Picking out new books is my favorite part of library time," said first grade student Fatima Warraich as she's in line to check out Unicorn and Yeti Friends Rock.
There's a lot that goes into deciding which new books to bring into a school's library. At Cannady,
McLaughlin says she keeps an ongoing wish list of books that students ask for. She also uses resources like Destiny, that makes books suggestions.
McLaughlin adds media techs around the district also work together and ask for recommendations as well.
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Happy Valley Middle Hosts Inspiring Art, Food, Film & Engineering Festival
Happy Valley Middle School held its annual Art, Food, Film, and Engineering Festival! It was a true celebration of creativity, innovation and community.
Students in the Engineering, Arts, and FACS programs showcased what they have been working on this semester while enjoying delicious treats and short films.
Seventh grade engineering student Samantha Walker displayed the game she created titled Clowning Around.
"I really enjoyed showing my creative side when creating my carnival game!" Walker said. "It's fun watching everybody play it."
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Adrienne C. Nelson Students Craft Creative Magnets for National Exchange
ANHS Junior Sophia Leontyuk, Senior Norah Simmons, and Senior Bridgit Szczesniak, along with their classmates have finished up their ceramics projects for the semester!
Students in Linda Kieling's class have been working on a variety of projects this semester, including creating magnets for a nationwide magnet exchange! At least 70 schools from across the country are participating this year.
Magnets that ANHS students contributed include odes to the state of Oregon, and of course the Nelson Hawk.
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Bonus Feature from NCSD's Sabin-Schellenberg Technical Center
Into the Woods: NCSD Students Building Forestry Futures

As a new term of classes begins for NCSD high school students in February, many eager teenagers take notes and contribute to class discussions in warm indoor classrooms…safe from the cold, rainy weather that usually comes during that time of year. Yet for several groups of classmates, the outdoors is their classroom…and they wouldn't want it any other way.
Who are these high-climbing, hands-on high schoolers who happily spend class time trekking along forest pathways, wearing weighted vests, and even harnessing themselves to trees more than 15 feet off the ground?
They're all students in NCSD's unique Forestry Program, one of 17 Career Technical Education study areas offered by the district's one-of-a-kind Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center (SSC). And they have some advice for students considering a career in the outdoors.
Coming up next month... NCSD heads to the Rex Putnam High School Feeder System!

Rex Putnam High School

In North Clackamas, almost all students who attend a specific group of neighborhood elementary schools eventually attend the same middle school, which then "feeds" into the same high school. That's why we call it a "feeder system!" Although it may vary for students attending one of our fabulous magnet, charter, or dual language immersion schools, it's a great way for us to give you an inside look at each school within one feeder system. This month? It's schools that all eventually feed into Rex Putnam High School!
Annual Spring Sing Unites Elementary, Middle and High School Choirs
It’s a unique once-a-year opportunity for student singers from five different schools to blend their voices together in one community-building concert. The exciting Spring Sing takes place March 11th at Rex Putnam High, and will include choirs from View Acres, Bilquist, Milwaukie El Puente, Alder Creek, and Rex Putnam. Singers rehearsed together for the first time this week in preparation for the traditional concert that’s been a yearly favorite for decades!


Riverside Elementary Breaks Ground on New Garden
A once barren hillside at Riverside Elementary will soon be home to a new community garden! Students helped break ground on "Sarah's Hill" February 12th. Appropriately, the project is named after the Riverside staff member leading the effort: fourth-grade teacher Sarah Hill.
With help from Dennis' 7 Dees Landscaping and the Portland Trail Blazers, the garden is expected to be finished in the coming weeks.
More Photos from Riverside

Riverside has partnered with PlayWorks Northwest, a local company that helps schools keep kids active and builds valuable social and emotional skills on the playground and in the gym.

Riverside Elementary students benefit from Playworks Northwest activities in the gym.

Some literacy book groups give kids a reading choice. These fifth graders chose "Los Gatos Guerreros" or "Warrior Cats."

Not only are students in this group reading their common book together, they engage in deep discussions about characters and themes.

As part of their daily literacy, fifth graders are split into book club groups, where student partners read and discuss the same book.

As part of their daily literacy, fifth graders are given the opportunity to choose books that they would like to read independently.

Kindergarten Dual Language Immersion students partner together in reading groups.

Kindergarten Dual Language Immersion students gather on the carpet before heading into writing groups.

A Dual Language Immersion kindergartener works on her writing assignment.

Student authors meet one-on-one with their teacher during writing time to discuss their latest efforts.

Kindergarten students in the Dual Language Immersion Program learn letter names and sounds from their teacher.


Bilquist Elementary Brings the World Together for Culture Day
Bilquist Elementary shined with color, tradition, and pride as students celebrated their annual Culture Day! Festivities included a vibrant assembly and a "Cultural Museum," where students proudly showcased personal items from their native countries while sharing stories and traditions that make their cultures unique. It was a day that certainly showed off the unity within Bilquist's diverse commUNITY.
View More Photos From Around Bilquist

One Bilquist Bronco even brought a real flag to celebrate her Mexican culture!

Many math activities require much more space than a desktop, so these second graders moved to the carpet!

Three second graders use blocks to verify the answers to their math problem.

Two students share special items that their family brought to the United States from Ethiopia.

Bilquist teachers take time during their math lessons to individually connect with each student.

As organizers, these Bilquist staff members are proud to celebrate Culture Day on February 7th.

The Bilquist Elementary community celebrated Culture Day during an assembly on February 7th.

Students are all smiles and more than happy to point out their native countries on a globe!


Alder Creek Middle School Explores the Wonders of Science
Ever wondered what a brine shrimp looks like under a microscope? So did sixth-grade Alder Creek scientists, who also estimated the shrimp's size and observed its response to light.
Meanwhile, eighth graders were on a roll learning about kinetic energy. Science students collaborated on a marble ramp experiment, predicting and measuring how far the marble would spin from different ramp heights.


Rex Putnam’s Clubs Fair Sparks Student Involvement
A new semester also gave Rex Putnam students a chance to join a new after-school club, and there were plenty to choose from during the recent Clubs Fair…14 to be exact! Club leaders spent lunch periods showcasing their organizations, sharing their passions, and recruiting new members.

The Drumline Club has competed in national competitions- no experience necessary!

Just write your name to sign up!

All experience levels are welcome in the Dungeons & Dragons Club.

Students representing the Art Club during the Rex Putnam Clubs Fair on February 3rd.

These students are happy to welcome potential new members of their after-school club.


Oak Grove Elementary Makes a Trip Around the World
It may only be down the hallway, but definitely bring a passport when visiting Oak Grove Elementary's Library these days. After teaching about different countries, Media Tech Alisa Rich stamps student-created passports to verify their latest knowledge. In February, third-fifth graders learned about North and South Korea, while kindergarten, first, and second-grade classrooms took imaginary tours around various Pacific Northwest National Parks and monuments.

After learning about North and South Korea, students are eager to ask questions.

Students are captivated by the lessons they learn each week about different cultures during library time.

One-on-one attention is essential for teachers to assess their students' reading progress.

Picture clues help some second graders sound out words during phonics lessons.

Flexible furniture allows first graders to comfortably work on their writing skills.


View Acres Celebrates 30 Years of Advocating for Healthy Hearts
View Acres Elementary students always show a lot of heart when it comes to the Kids Heart Challenge, an annual fundraising drive that raises money for the American Heart Association. They consistently rank among the top schools statewide for funds raised while they take on heart-healthy activities both in PE and at home with their families.
This year is extra special for the Vikings, as they celebrate 30 years of participation! Over the decades, they’ve proudly hung success banners year after year in their gym and inspired other school communities to join the movement.
Bonus Feature from NCSD's Sabin-Schellenberg Technical Center
An Un-baaa-lievable Time at the Land Lab's Red Barn Baby Day
A little rain didn’t stop hundreds of community members from visiting NCSD’s Land Lab for an up-close look at the farm’s newest additions. Red Barn Baby Day, an annual event hosted by NCSD agriculture students ahead of National FFA Week, gives students the opportunity to showcase adorable baby animals while helping the furry and feathered friends get comfortable around people.
Coming up next month: NCSD is heading to... all Clackamas High School feeder schools!

Clackamas High School

In North Clackamas, almost all students who attend a specific group of neighborhood elementary schools eventually attend the same middle school, which then "feeds" into the same high school. That's why we call it a "feeder system!" Although it may vary for students attending one of our fabulous magnet, charter, or dual language immersion schools, it's a great way for us to give you an inside look at each school within one feeder system. This month? It's schools that all eventually feed into Clackamas High School!



1 Night, 30 Years, & 100 Days: Mt. Scott By The Numbers
After meeting a survey response goal challenge by principal Jeff Green, community members watched in amazement as the proud principal fulfilled his promise to spend 1 night on the school roof! We also found retired teacher Karen Cook utilizing her 30+ years of experience with weekly volunteer visits, and kindergartners celebrating their first 100 days of school!

Sweet dreams! Principal Green made it to the roof as after meeting a schoolwide survey response goal!

Mr. Green makes his way up to the roof!

Students love the chance to meet one-on-one with volunteer Karen Cook for a little extra help.

The former educator works with first-grade students each week.

Eight different teachers dressed as crayons for "Dress Like A Book Character Day."

A crowning achievement - two kindergartners celebrate 100 days with fashionable headwear.

A teacher works one-on-one with a student as they practice place value.

Spotted: A class full of paw-some dalmatians for "dress like a book character day"!




Spring Mountain Ignites Imagination During Artist-in-Residence Visit
Spring Mountain students recently had the opportunity to explore their creativity through a special Artist-in-Residence program with Mrs. Flinn from Acts of Wonder. Mrs. Flinn guided students in the art of Creative Dramatics, focusing on social-emotional skills, problem-solving, imagination, storytelling, creativity, collaboration, and movement.

Mrs. Flinn, Artist-In-Residence from Acts of Wonder, sits in a circle with fifth-grade students during introductions.

Artist-In-Residence sessions often start with all students receiving directions at once.

Students use dramatic skills to act like they are part of a garden.

These fifth graders are tree-mendous as they act like trees in a forest.

In celebration of Women's History Month, a student learns about artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

A Spring Mountain teacher listens to her student as he works on reading fluency.




In their groups, Mrs. Flinn asked the fifth graders to act out the what it would be like to be a tree in the forest.




Rock Creek's Dungeons & Dragons Club Keeps Membership Rollin'
Where are students allowed to cast a spell, grapple, dash, dodge, disengage, or drink a potion? If they're members of Rock Creek's Dungeons & Dragons after-school club, they can do all of those and more with a roll of the dice! More than 20 students gather after school every Thursday to embark on creative adventures together!

A group of 20 Rock Creek students play Dungeons & Dragons together once a week. Some students have a lot of experience playing, while others are just learning the rules of the game.

Two club members discuss what their next move in the game may be.

There's always at least one student able to clarify a rule in question.

Club members are happy to explain what makes this game so special.

These students partner up to develop a strategy to advance through their fantasy world.





Cavalier Girls Basketball Makes Memorable Playoff Run
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Sunnyside's Annual Potato Parade Celebrates Creativity and Reading
A SPUD-tacular morning at Sunnyside Elementary always gets this annual favorite day off to a great starch! Students paraded potatoes down the hallways, with each spud decorated as a favorite book character. Check out the students' tater-ly awesome creativity!




Oregon Trail Caps Off Spirit Week With Dill-lightful Surprise!
Coming up next month... NCSD heads to the Clackamas High School Feeder System!

Milwaukie High School

In North Clackamas, almost all students who attend a specific group of neighborhood elementary schools eventually attend the same middle school, which then "feeds" into the same high school. That's why we call it a "feeder system!" Although it may vary for students attending one of our fabulous magnet, charter, or dual language immersion schools, it's a great way for us to give you an inside look at each school within one feeder system. This month? It's schools that all eventually feed into Milwaukie High School!



Stock Market Simulation Pays Big Dividends
When a suspenseful simulation suddenly turned their everyday Advanced US History classroom into the New York Stock Exchange, groups of Milwaukie High students were forced to buy, sell, or trade assigned stocks before the final bell! Did they make a stash…or did their prices crash?




A STEAM Powered Family Fun Night




Worming Their Way Into Science




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Let's Get This Pottery Started
When it comes to schoolwide art projects, Lewelling volunteers came through in a pinch! Thanks to their incredible efforts, every Lewelling student created a clay pinch pot to take home and share with families. A huge thank you to volunteer Christina Coleman for helping this special project bloom!




Passion Projects on Parade: Sojourner Students Share Their Discoveries
Sojourner intermediate students showed off their research projects that they had been working on over the last few weeks! These projects allowed students to explore a topic they were passionate about, then share their findings with their families and peers.




Adding Some Extra Spark to Kindergarten Learning
As part of a recent Community Heroes unit, kindergartners didn't have any trouble warming up to special visitors from Clackamas Fire. The real-life heroes gave tips about fire safety and showed off how parts of their trucks work— including the hoses!




Shamrocks Sprint into Track Season
High school students aren't the only athletes jumping into track & field season. Along with all other NCSD middle schools, Rowe is off and running! The Shamrocks kicked off their season with a crosstown meet against Alder Creek, where many speedy students from both schools competed in their very first event.
Coming up next month... an NCSD Feeder Focus Special Edition!

Special Edition

In North Clackamas, almost all students who attend a specific group of neighborhood elementary schools eventually attend the same middle school, which then "feeds" into the same high school. That's why we call them "feeder systems!" Over the past few months, we've highlighted the Adrienne C. Nelson, Rex Putnam, Clackamas, and Milwaukie High School Feeder systems!
But those four systems don’t represent our entire North Clackamas School District community. NCSD also offers several unique school options. This month, we're bringing you a Feeder Focus – Special Edition!



What a COOL Way to Celebrate Student Learning!
There's a reason why Clackamas Web Academy leaders kept referring to their recent end-of-year celebration of students' research displays as COOL. One student explaining about her recent experience volunteering at Outdoor School = cool. Another student erupting his model volcanoes on demand = also really cool.
Even the name of the first-ever celebration was COOL, as in, “Celebration Of Our Learning.” Nearly 90 students from the NCSD-sponsored K-12 charter school participated in the showcase, which allowed them to reflect on their growth, present to a live audience, and engage in real academic discussions. Ninth-grade projects explored a theme of love and transformation, while 10th graders focused on survival, integrating language arts, history, and science. Pretty COOL indeed!




"I’d Like to Thank the Academy…”
Students from the district-sponsored charter school even walked a makeshift red carpet toward the stage to receive awards recognizing academic excellence, personal growth, and resilience. The ceremony also included a heartfelt tribute to the school’s seniors, many of whom are graduating with multiple terms worth of college credits and thousands of dollars worth of tuition savings.




Leading the Parade About Equality
As they move about during a typical school day, high school students may "parade" through a crowded hallway on their way to class…or maybe through the cafeteria toward their favorite seats. But every spring for the past 16 years, New Urban High School students actually do parade up and down Oak Grove Boulevard in front of their school. On a recent Friday afternoon, local store owners and neighbors cheered as the students marched in the school’s annual Pride Parade, celebrating a community spirit of recognizing people’s identities and advocating for equal rights. The beloved annual tradition even gathered some new participants this year, as residents of the nearby RoseVilla Senior Living Community joined the festivities.



























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































