NCSD News

It was just another day when the phone rang in Robert Parker’s office seven years ago, when the practicing architect was busily going about his routine of drawing plans and scheduling meetings with clients. He never dreamed that phone call would change his life forever, when a local school principal was on the line. 

“They had a need and they were desperate,” explained a smiling Parker. “They invited me in and I got in the classroom and I realized this is a good fit for me—I just like the feeling, I like the excitement, and I like the impact you can have on young people, so I got hooked…and here I am.”

“Here” is NCSD’s Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center, where the start of Parker’s third period class was suddenly interrupted this week by several district and regional education leaders. That’s when to the excitement of cheering students and colleagues, Parker was named the 2024-25 Regional Teacher of the Year for Clackamas County.

Forty years ago, students might call a fun day at school totally tubular.  Earlier this week at Happy Valley Elementary, it was totally…circular…as students and staff were quick to "spot" hundreds of unique decorations suddenly dotting hallway walls and windows Monday morning.

The spotty circles in all different sizes and colors are a traditional part of the school's annual celebration of International Dot Day, a day inspired by a familiar children's book to Happy Valley students called The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. The award-winning book is about a caring teacher who encourages a student named Vashti to “make her mark.” Vashti couldn’t draw, so she simply made a single dot on a piece of paper.   

The sounds echoing throughout Rowe Middle School's hallways during this past July might've caught visitors a little off guard.  What would normally be a silent summertime kitchen was actually brimming with students noisily clanging bowls and measuring cups.  The stage area, usually vacant and reserved for a deep scrubbing once the school year ends, suddenly became a lively spot for student drum and electric guitar solos, and even fancy DJ equipment.

When Jake Lee asked his kindergarten students at Scouters Mountain Elementary about ways they could spread kindness throughout local neighborhoods, all 24 of his enthusiastic five- and six-year-olds immediately signed up. And by “signing up,” that meant putting motivational signs up at landmarks all over the Scouters Mountain and Happy Valley area, including walking trails, parks, and even the local library. See how the kindness is spreading beyond the classroom and throughout the community.

Where else can you come face-to-face with a 3-day-old sheep, pet the soft fur of a llama, and meet a duck with a comb over? President's Day was also Red Bard Baby Day at the Sabin-Schellenberg Center's Land Lab! We tag along with the hundreds of community members who came to visit the amazing animals at this annual favorite event, while learning from NCSD Agriculture students helping raise the furry and feathered friends as part of their Land Lab coursework!

With each NCSD school serving hundreds of hot lunches every day, sometimes an entrée can make a student’s mouth water before the first bite, while the same featured food can make another student’s nose crinkle. But as some Scouters Mountain third graders recently found out, our kindhearted Nutrition Department staff members will do anything to make sure students love their lunch choices…especially when their office receives fan mail!

We love our North Clackamas families! Thanks to your partnership, NCSD shined in the latest high school graduation rates announced today! Our schools outpaced the state average for the 12th consecutive year!

A giant pink stuffed unicorn is taking the Milwaukie High School hallways by storm! "Atta Baby" is awarded to a student recognized for going above-and-beyond to do amazing things for Milwaukie High. The student also gets to add a little personal style to Atta-Baby's wardrobe.

Lights, Camera, Action! Students in the Broadcasting and Journalism program recently hosted the National Teach Ag Day webcast from their studio at the Sabin-Schellenberg Technical Center. Hear from the student Executive Producer about her experience putting on a live show, and the importance of this event for both the Broadcast/Journalism program and the Agriculture program.