NCSD News

We've previously shared Unified Basketball highlights from our district's high schools, but Clackamas High's team played it's first-ever game earlier this week. Thanks to Rex Putnam High's squad for making the road trip, and to all the students, staff, and fans who always make these contests more about having fun while making new friends...and less about points on the scoreboard. The seasons continue for CHS, RPHS, Milwaukie, and Adrienne C. Nelson throughout this month!

When all of NCSD’s Media Technicians met together for a recent monthly meeting, they also met Roz, Rita, Ramona, Roxy, Rusty, Rufus, and many other “Reading Rabbits” all made of paper mache…and all lovingly made by Clackamas High’s Paola Bandiera. The CHS Media Tech spent more than a year hand-crafting each keepsake from discarded book pages, then surprised each of her overjoyed colleagues by gifting each one.

With so many amazing hands-on experiences, we definitely did not have the right to remain silent when we checked out Sabin-Schellenberg’s Law Enforcement program. Students from all district high schools cover all aspects of law enforcement from traffic stops, detective work, forensics, and even how to conduct an arrest (as our host suddenly found out).

You’re provided one solid block of metal, two axles, and four small plastic tires. Your mission? Use only these materials to cover the most distance using one model rocket engine as your fuel source. Why yes, this IS rocket science, and it’s part of the Machine Tool Technology course in Sabin Schellenberg’s Manufacturing Engineering Program. Just how far did these rocket-powered projectiles buzz from blueprint to blacktop? Buckle up!

The Building Construction program at our Sabin-Schellenberg Center is becoming so popular, it’s running out of classroom space. So how do Building Construction students solve the problem? They build their own classroom right on campus! These advanced students are building their own outdoor classroom space one board at a time, and plan to start officially using their new outdoor spot in the next few weeks!

Students in our summer CARE program always have a great time participating in summer activities, but we visited on a day they were having a WHEELIE great time! Special thanks to the Rose City Rollers for rolling through Ardenwald with their truck full of skates and safety equipment, allowing many of our CARE participants the chance to try out roller skating for the very first time!

Did you know that every elementary classroom science kit can contain hundreds of loose items, from plastic cups, to straws, to rubber bands, to even specific size marbles? So what happens if a kit is missing any of those supplies? That’s where this amazing team comes in each summer! Get ready to be “Blinded By Science,” as these amazing NCSD staff members spend long hours every summer counting (and recounting) every piece of equipment elementary teachers need for science success!

Doesn’t matter if it’s during the first few minutes of the day in high, middle, or elementary school, those opening moments of class are a perfect time to set a positive tone for the entire upcoming day. That’s why many NCSD elementary classrooms don’t start the day with a morning math problem or reading assignment…but instead focus on morning circle time. As our series on Social Emotional Learning lessons continues, see how Rachel Wong, currently a K-3 Literacy Coach at Bilquist Elementary, keeps students from feeling down by simply circling them up.

As the end of another school year draws near, many North Clackamas high school seniors are thrilled to accept college tuition offers for skills ranging from academics, to special trades, to athletics. But Rex Putnam senior Hayden Gonzales is the first NCSD student to receive a unique athletic scholarship for a skill he perfected playing in his own backyard. Meet Putnam’s very own king…of cornhole.

Dedicated Food Network fans know that celebrity chef Jet Tila has sliced and diced hundreds of delectable dishes in front of some very competitive critics. He’s appeared on the network’s hit shows like Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped, Iron Chef America, and even won a $20,000 prize for his work on Guy’s Grocery Games. Still, the internationally known culinary ambassador for Thailand said he felt a different kind of energy as a recent surprise visitor to NCSD’s Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center.