Oregon City School District

 First Day of School September 8, 2010 (see individual school calendars for specific grade level start dates)

Weekly Wednesday early release schedule begins September 15, 2010

Great news on OCHS student reading scores!

"But there were notable exceptions: Oregon City High -- where one-third of students are low-income -- got 88 percent of its sophomores to pass, tying Lake Oswego and beating Lincoln."

Read the entire article on OregonLive.com

 Download the UpFront Newsletter (PDF) which includes:

Recently Gaffney Lane Elementary School was awarded second place in the National Scholastic Book Fair Contest. Beyond this recognition they will receive $500 towards scholastic products!

The theme, Book Fair Diner- All You Can Read, inspired a 1950’s ‘Grand’ Event. To keep with the vision of 'grand', students were encouraged to invite Grandparents or any special adult in their lives to come for lunch, shop the Book Fair, attend workshops, and watch the student versus faculty basketball game. One hundred fifty-three guests enjoyed apple and berry pies donated by Shari's Restaurant of Berryhill in Oregon City. They also learned how to use OCSD online services and were delighted to see John Olson, the school principal, ride through the gym on his Harley to promote the 1950's theme.

Beavercreek

• Received an Outstanding rating on the State Report Card.
• Digital Classroom students’ created an Internet Safety video that will be used district wide.
• Tennis Paralympics Gold Medalist, David Wagner, visited school and gave a message about “Never Giving Up.”
• Student Leadership began school wide recycling program.
• Students raised over $2,000 for “Pennies for Patients” to benefit the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.
• Rock Concert Violinist, Aaron Meyer, performed for students.
• PTO Family Read Night, Game Night, Bingo Night, Art Night and Movie Night were very successful.
• All grade levels were at or above 90% in all state test scores in reading and math.

Candy Lane and Jennings Lodge

• Held fun and very well attended Cinco De Mayo and Multicultural community events.
• Increased our green standing by creating a classroom garden in partnership with Singer Hill Gardens. This will provide an outdoor learning area while giving back to the community vegetables from the garden. This was entirely funded through generous donations from our families and the community.
• Chosen as a site for the Free Lunch Program.

 
John McLoughlin

• Increased the number of students exceeding and meeting the Reading State Standards in grades 3rd-6th.
• Ninety-eight percent of our K-2nd students are proficient readers at or above their grade levels.
• Each grade level met their strategic achievement goals in math. We focused on in-depth mastery of Number Sense within the Math Standards.
• Increased the number of students meeting the state writing standards at the 4th grade. McLoughlin 4th graders scored above the state average.
• Effective Professional Learning Communities. This is the first year our teachers have been given time within their contract day to meet, discuss, and plan for the needs of every student. We want to thank our community for supporting the Wednesday Early Release program. 
• Held Positive Behavior Support Assemblies. Prizes were awarded and over 150 students each month for making excellent academic and behavioral choices. -- "Caught Ya Being Great!"

Gaffney Lane

• Selected as an Apple Exemplary Program for use of technology in the classroom.
• Had a great year with our 6th grade one-to-one laptop pilot program.  
• Held a successful Grand Event Bookfair.  

King

• Completed the creation of our Outdoor Classroom with the addition of 18 raised beds. King's green team is once again providing fresh vegetables to families over the summer and is hoping to donate to a local food bank in the fall.
• Our Parent Teacher Student Organization helped to raise $12,000 to go towards new playground equipment. They are working towards additional grants this summer in hopes of raising the funds needed. Emerick Construction Special Projects group has graciously volunteered to install the new equipment.
• Had our first Math Night for families in February. The event was heavily attended by King families and we are looking forward to having the event again next year. The Math Night was such a success that next year King will also be hosting its first Literacy Night in March 2011.
• Students excelled on state assessments! Overall, King students improved scores in math, reading and writing compared to last year. We are proud of the hard work and dedication to academic excellence our students and teachers put in to accomplish these improvements.

Mt Pleasant

• Saw an increase in Math Scores, though increased usage of Professional Learning Communities and the help of District Employee, April Albers, Teacher on Special Assignment.
• Reached our goal of raising $14,000 to build a track around the playground. Money was raised through various fundraisers and events including a generous $6000 donation from Trick n' Racy Car Club!
• Had many successful fundraising programs including having a “Classroom Sponsor” for every classroom and having a really fun Trick n' Racy Car Club Cruise-In that raised $1400.
• Student had the opportunity to visit OMSI Outdoor School with help from the Gray Family Foundation Grant of $10,000.
• Host of Summer at the Library where students can visit the school 5 days a week between 10:00am and 2:00pm for activities and lunch!

Redland

• Awarded a $5000 Target Literacy Grant used to purchase 25 iPods for classroom learning.
• Successful transition and creation of new student body with former Park Place and Holcomb students.
• School-wide staff dedication and focus helped to increased our state scores. 
• Had great community support and volunteers including the Computer Cleaning Grandmas (PDF).

Gardiner

• Chris Mills receives Middle School Principal of the Year award.
• Lynn Barry named National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
• Focused on Math Achievement with Great Results.
• Alter Wiener talked to school about experiences as Holocaust survivor.
• Cheri Rizzo entered essay contest through inTune Magazine and won $40,000 for a music program make over. 
• Cheri was invited by K105 Radio Station to perform at their Winter Holiday Party.

Ogden

• Jazz Choir competed in Mt. Hood Jazz Festival and posted second highest score. Also took 2nd at the CCC Jazz Choir and Northwest Choir Festivals.
• Jazz Band took 2nd place at the Music in the Parks Festival in Seattle and also had 4 outstanding soloist award winners, Jonathan Pass, Katelyn Eggiman, Chandler Pederson and Nathan Kammerer. Special Thanks to Jeremy Kramer who is the fantasic music teacher behind it all.
• Community Care Day was a success making our grounds look great. Special thanks to:
  • OC Rotary
  • B&B Leasing
  • and everyone who volunteered
• Two 7th grade students were chosen by the state to use their writing papers as examples of exemplary work for all teachers across the state to use an “anchor” scoring papers. Students are Alyssa Dingwall and Megan Christensen

 
High School

• Nancy Bush-Lange Named Oregon Principal of the Year
• Girls Lacrosse State Champions
• Sherril Daniels receives Outstanding High School Business Educator Award
• Won Healthy School Award
• Congrats the following award winning Coaches
  • Dara Kramer - Coach of the State Champion Girls Lacrosse Team!
  • Kurt Guelsdorf - Girls Basketball
  • Mike Doherty - Boys Basketball
  • Roger Rolen - Wrestling
  • Dave Adelhart - Softball
  • Adam Thygeson - Boys Track
• Received National Student Council Award

Back in the spring of 2007 the Oregon City High School Advanced Construction Class decided it was time to do a big project, a really big project. Previous classes had successfully completed many impressive community construction projects including a number of park bridges and other structures. However, the students from this spring class wanted to go bigger.

After much discussion the students finally decided on the project, a massive outdoor event center with attached pergola. After the class chose the project they went to work on a scale model. Then came the really hard part, getting the actual dollars to bring the project to life!

"Once the students created a vision of the project, they were determined to let nothing get in their way, their determination and will to complete this project was amazing" ~ Britt Tucker, Oregon City High School Construction Class Teacher and Project Leader

The Oregon City School District Board of Directors has completed its internal search for its next superintendent, and has named human resources director Larry Didway to replace Roger Rada who announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

The school board will receive public input on Didway's selection at its June 14th board meeting, and is expected to take action at that meeting to confirm his hiring.

Didway began his education career in Salem where he taught in their talented and gifted program. He taught elementary school in Oregon City in the early 1990s and then took a three-year hiatus to teach English in Okayama City, Japan. He returned to Oregon City in 1996 and has held several administrative positions since that time including manager of Linkup Charter School, director of auxiliary services, principal of Ogden Middle School, and most recently director of human resources.

Board chair, Carol Sturman, said that she is pleased that Didway will have a year to work with Rada. "In these difficult times it's nice to be able to affect a smooth transition in district leadership." Sturman continued saying "Larry is highly regarded by district teachers, staff and administrators. He will provide seamless leadership as Oregon City schools continue to gain state recognition as a leader in school improvement."