District Awarded $20,000 Grant to Support Outdoor School
The Gray Family Environmental Foundation recently awarded Oregon City School District a $20,000 grant to help send 546 elementary students to Outdoor School.
Outdoor School allows students the chance to learn about the natural world. There is something special about combining students with the outdoors. Qualified staff help guide the student’s natural exploring to create an unforgettable educational experience.
At Outdoor School, the study of ecology, science, math and conservation of natural resources takes on real meaning. Through hands-on activities, students develop an understanding of the environment and how the parts fit together. Students develop an appreciation of the natural world and their place in it.
Social growth also occurs as the students learn, live and play together in supervised groups. The extent to which Oregon's youngsters learn to understand and use their natural resources today will largely determine their economic security in the future.
We greatly appreciate the generous grant from the Gray Family to help support this amazing experience for students!
Upfront Newsletter Winter 2011
Download the UpFront Newsletter (PDF) which includes:
- Message from the Superintendent: State of the Schools: Strong but Struggling
- Enhancing Kindergarten for the Right Start
- Oregon City Community Education Classes and Activities
- Oregon City Schools Help Parents Help Students with Family Focus Forum and More
- Oregon City Schools Foundation: Supporting Schools
- State Report Cards: OC Achieves
- Oregon City Soars in Reading
- OCHS Provides Opportunity to Excel
- School Directory and Calendar
View Community Education classes online, with online registration!
Oregon City Schools Foundation Hires Manager, Announces Logo and Branding Competition Open to Community
The Oregon City Schools Foundation is making two important announcements to coincide with American Education Week.
After more than ten years as an all-volunteer organization, the Foundation Board announces the hiring of Robyn Morrison as the Manager. Investing in paid leadership is a commitment to the mission: By providing resources for the Oregon City Schools, we support our diverse population and proactively encourage a balanced educational experience for all.
"I am honored to have the chance to lead the foundation's efforts to support the Oregon City School District, a recognized leader in school improvement," Morrison said. "Oregon City residents already enjoy the benefits of an excellent public school system, and yet there are many more ways the community can rally to support and sustain the School District."
A relative newcomer to Oregon City, she brings a track record of successful and innovative fund raising, excellent communication skills, proven strategic planning and organizational development skills, and a passion for quality public education for every child. Morrison has raised millions of dollars in funding for nonprofit organizations and churches. She also has extensive experience as a small business owner and economic development professional.
"Investing in public education is the path out of our current economic challenges," Morrison said. "A high quality public school system attracts business development, increases the quality of life for all residents, and reduces the need for law enforcement, public safety, and human service supports."
The second announcement from the Oregon City Schools Foundation is the community-wide logo and branding competition. The winner will be featured in a marketing campaign when the selection is made in January. Morrison believes in the artist and creative talent of this community and sees sponsoring the competition as a win-win opportunity.
CAIS Students Work with Community Leaders to Help Others
Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences High School (CAIS) students are doing volunteer work on a variety of projects throughout our community. Mr. Semrad’s Sustainability Science Project Class worked with SOLV on Goat Island. Last Friday the CAIS Green Team volunteered after school at King Elementary: Dakota Eells, Roman Crone, Jacob Eells, Wyatt Edwards, Hunter Edwards, Gabe Crone, Hank Kelly, and Wade Mitchell. Cody Keith’s science project is redesigning King Elementary rainwater collection system. If approved, Cody will manage the project that the entire class will construct!
CAIS students Ivan Eells, Mason Fraser, Linn Points, and Hank Kelley volunteered at the request of CAIS volunteer Dave Akers to help deliver 5,900 food items to the Molalla Food Pantry. The Molalla area has the highest unemployment in the county and many families need help with food every week. Several CAIS students work part time in Molalla. Dave Akers was a personal finance guest speaker last year and encouraged students to get involved and make a difference. In addition, Suz Maus in the Community Education Office helped the group contact Grocery Outlet so items could be purchased in bulk, which increased the total number of items donated to three different local food banks. All told the group behind the effort raised enough money in a month to provide over 10,000 items to local food banks!
Why Oregon City School District is Moving Forward Without the Federal Teacher Incentive Fund Grant
The Oregon City School Board supports the efforts of the CLASS Project Design Team, but regrets that it was unable to reach agreement with the federal government on a way to utilize grant funds. Leaving a five-year 2.54 million dollar grant was a difficult decision. Not all stakeholders will agree with it. However, supporting proven strategies to increase student achievement will continue to be the focus in Oregon City. A new evaluation system for teachers and administrators is only one example of the strong work generated by this grant that will carry on.
Extended Day After School Program
Extended Day is an after school program that is a great option for working families that would otherwise need a daycare service. Extended Day offers students field trips, arts and crafts, enrichment classes, homework club and sport and games and serves students from the time school is out until 6pm.
All elementary schools have an extended day program. Please note Jennings Lodge and Candy Lane students are transported to Holcomb and Mt. Pleasant students to King.
For more information on this popular program visit the Extended Day Page or contact Gail Hoskins at gail.hoskins@orecity.k12.or.us or call 503-785-8514.
Upfront Newsletter Fall 2011
Download the UpFront Newsletter (PDF) which includes:
- A Message from the Superintendent
- Success for All Special Education
- Gary McCormick to Helm McLoughlin Elementary
- Four OCHS Students Earn National Merit Honors
- Schools Fight Summer Reading Loss
- Overhauling OCSLA: Learning for Life
- Building Better Readers
- Raising the Rigor: Meeting Higher Reading Standards
- School Directory and Calendar
View Community Education classes online, with online registration!
Oregon City School District is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
