Proud to Be NCSD- Podcast

Since Oregon state policy says students need to be five years old before entering public kindergarten, none of our schools in North Clackamas enroll students younger than that, right? Well, not exactly…did you know that in one NCSD elementary school, you’ll find one colorful classroom where thriving three- and four-year-olds playfully paint, sing, and even snooze as they learn to be a part of a classroom community?  In this episode, we sit down (in tiny chairs) with “Ms. Melinda” at Oak Grove Elementary, who teaches NCSD’s only preschool classroom. You’ll hear both the silly…and the serious sounds of preschool…and why Melinda Hayward says she wouldn’t want to teach anywhere else!  

Episode 47 - Proud To Be Preschool in NCSD!

Nearly everyone can relate to the feeling of being a new student at school…the nerves, the uncertainty, with maybe even a little excitement mixed in. But what if you were brand new to a school…as the principal?  In this episode, meet two new NCSD administrators who felt all the emotions of not only being new to their school, but also new to the principal position. We start with Katrina Edwards, the new enthusiastic principal of Verne Duncan Elementary, who shares the joy she finds each day in her first principal assignment. Then it’s off to high school, visiting with Sabin-Schellenberg’s new Assistant Principal Liz Maki, who says she “won the jackpot” landing her first administrator role at our district’s award winning professional technical center.  

Episode 46 - It's A Matter Of Principal

In the past, NCSD has canceled school days because of icy road conditions or poor outdoor air quality…but never extreme heat during a school year.  That is, until Friday, September 6th…as temperatures crept toward triple digits the previous afternoon without major cooling in the overnight forecast.  In this season’s debut episode, we sit down with Superintendent Dr. Shay James, NCSD Chief of Operations Teresa Neff-Webster, Facility Operations Supervisor Leif Palmer, and Adrienne C. Nelson High School Principal Greg Harris to give you behind-the-scenes look at the many aspects considered before making such an important decision.

Episode 45 - Tackling a Hot Topic: NCSD's Extreme Heat Closure

If you have students in school, you’ve probably heard your share of school-related acronyms, including I-E-P.  An Individualized Education Plan serves as a vital connection between schools and families with students who need a little extra help with academics or behavior.  But what exactly is an IEP, and how does the legal document help foster a trusting bond between families and school personnel?  In this episode, meet NCSD parents Colleen Sackos and Sean Kriloff, who each have kids receiving Special Education services in different NCSD schools, and share their emotional story of how an IEP helps give their students an extra boost, and their families extra comfort.

Episode 44 - Students With IEPs: Inspirational Exceptional Parents

Why did three enthusiastic team members from the Clackamas Trader Joe’s recently pay a very special visit to a Mt. Scott Elementary classroom?  It turns out they received a unique request in a persuasive letter written by third grader Xander Sievers, then responded in a way students in teacher Liz Maxwell’s classroom won’t soon forget!  In this episode, learn why Xander’s letter now proudly hangs on display at the grocery store, and how NCSD’s focus on elementary writing skills is resulting in more students excited about putting pencil to paper, and more teachers excited to teach the power of persuasion! 

Episode 43 - Persuasive Prose & Trader Joe's

When thinking about famous Tigers, some might think about an icon in professional golf…or the Grrrrrreat spokesperson of a favorite breakfast cereal…but did you know that NCSD has its own team of Tigers roaring past all competition in the annual Oregon Battle of the Books?  Spring Mountain Elementary’s Midnight Tigers are a gifted group of five fabulous fifth graders who recently outperformed schools from all across the region in the fast-paced question-and-answer reading comprehension challenge, advancing all the way to the state finals!  In this episode, we learn how “The Midnight Tigers” challenged themselves chapter by chapter in 16 different books to become the only NCSD team…and the first ever from Spring Mountain…to earn statewide recognition as page-turning prodigies!  

Episode 42 - Spring Mountain's "Midnight Tigers" Earn Their Stripes

All in one day, more than 1,400 NCSD high school juniors boarded busses for a field trip to downtown Portland’s Convention Center to participate in the Northwest Youth Careers Expo…and this episode of the “Proud To Be NCSD” podcast follows them from start to finish!  As you’ll hear, this was certainly not “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!”  Students from Milwaukie, Rex Putnam, Clackamas, Adrienne C. Nelson, Clackamas Web Academy, Clackamas Middle College, and the Virtual Online Program spent hours learning about potential careers, building their resumes, and participating in mock job interviews. 

Episode 41 - Field Trip Day For NCSD Juniors

Since launching nearly two years ago, we've featured some very special guests…from NCSD’s Superintendent to extraordinary teachers and students who have captivated us with amazing stories from their school communities.  This week, we take a very unique approach to celebrate the podcast’s 40th episode...as three students from the Rowe Middle School Podcast Network (8th graders Jose-Angel Barraza, Kenadi Hammond, and Hayden Moreland) take over as hosts and interview Mr. Long before he gets a chance to interview them.  They uncover little-known facts about Mr. Long, then explain the ups and downs of middle school life as high school quickly approaches.  

Episode 40 - When Two Podcasts Collide

When our students face changes and challenges both inside and outside school walls, where can they turn to confess their concerns, discuss their doubts, and shout out their successes?  NCSD school counselors are always there to make sure ALL students feel seen, supported, and most importantly, celebrated for who they are.  In this episode, it’s a conversation full of compassion as we’re joined by a school counselor from each level:  Clackamas High School’s Laura Nelson, Alder Creek Middle School’s Stephanie Atkinson, and Scouters Mountain Elementary’s Jessica Winfrey.  Together, they explain how they help meet student and family needs by lending advice, a helping hand, or sometimes, simply a listening ear. 

Episode 39 - Boosting Beliefs & Strengthening Self-Esteem

Although January is Oregon School Board Recognition Month, a certain ice storm put the freeze on our first try at coordinating calendars to record this appreciative podcast.  Now that the ice has melted away, we’ve made a new motion to honor the seven superheroes who tirelessly volunteer on our NCSD Board.  In this episode of the Proud To Be NCSD Podcast, get to know two of our newest Directors, April Dobson and Paul Kemp, as we call to order topics ranging from why they chose to run for such an important role…to the unfinished business they continually advocate for on behalf of all North Clackamas students and families. 

Episode 38 - Motion To Appreciate Our School Board!