Staff and Student Shout Outs
Spring, 2020
This is the second edition of Staff and Student Shout Outs for the 2019-20 school year! The following are just a small number of highlights from across the district this school year.
West Linn-Wilsonville Recognizes Classified Staff Members for Classified Appreciation Week
2018-19 West Linn-Wilsonville Graduation Rates Climb Once Again
West Linn-Wilsonville Student Artists Receive 178 Scholastic Art Awards and Recognitions
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then the artwork created by West Linn-Wilsonville students this year is thousands of words and then some. The Oregon High School Scholastic Art Awards were announced on Friday, Jan. 24, highlighted by more than 150 awards and recognitions for West Linn-Wilsonville students.
At Wilsonville High School, 18 students earned Gold Key Awards, while 34 earned Silver Key Awards and 41 students received Honorable Mentions. At West Linn High School, six students earned Gold Key Awards, five students received Silver Key Awards, and seven students earned Honorable Mention.
Students were recognized with awards for paintings, drawing and illustrations, photography, digital art, mixed media, and sculpture among other mediums. In total, West Linn-Wilsonville students received 178 Scholastic Art Awards in 2020.
The Scholastic Art Awards are separated into categories and juried by three unique jurors. Professionals and art professors make up jurors, judging the category or medium they specialize in through a blind adjudication process. Of the more than 7,000 individual works that were submitted this year, only 7 percent were awarded Gold Keys, while 10 percent receive Silver Keys and 10 percent receive Honorable Mentions.
Gold Key winners advance to the national competition in New York, where past West Linn-Wilsonville students have excelled. View the complete list of award winners below:
GOLD KEY
Jasleen Bhullar (8), Maile Campos, Kate Flechette (2), Ethan Gail, Alexander Gohier, Rowan Hardt, Kameron Koslowski, Audrey Kunde, Sydney Leveque (2), Rachel Rey Longstreet, Megan Maguire, Angelica Maldonado, Donald Nuffer, Shelby Parrack, Darrius Ramsey, Ciera Ross (4), Kylee Rusher, Carly Shanklin, Kelly Deng, Bennett Moscato, Zinaan Ogadhoh, Abby Schmidt, Jade Schoenfeld, Hannah Tsai.
SILVER KEY
Rodayna Abdelhalim, Jasleen Bhullar (2), Maile Campos (4), Catherine Carr, Ellie Counts, Cole Eagles, Ethan Gail (4), Elaysia Gates (3), Gabrielle Guertin, Kyle Guice, Rowan Hardt (2), Emily Harms, Alexis Homsonbath (4), Kameron Kozlowski (3), Audrey Kunde (2), Sydney Leveque, Angelica Maldonado, Max McGuire (2), Claudia Molatore, Donald Nuffer, Darrius Ramsey (3), Annika Reed, Ella Rice, Savannah Rodriguez, Ciera Ross (3), Kylee Rusher, Juliette Saccente, JulieAnna Schaecher, Julia Soares, Anna Stanley, Kendall Taylor, Grace Wilhelm, Chanelle Woods, Jocelyn Zamora, Masha Galtseva, Andrew Kim, Emma Mitchell, Jade Schoenfeld (3), Addison Sobotta, Hannah Tsai.
HONORABLE MENTION
Cameron Azizi, Elia Bartlett, Max Bates, Gabi Bean, Jasleen Bhullar (4), Maile Campos (3), Celeste Catalan, Logan Demarais, Cole Eagles, Ethan Fister
WLWV Nursing Teams Hosts Another Successful Free Immunization Clinic
Athey Creek Middle School Welcomes Guest Students From South Korean Sister School
The Athey Creek Middle School gym came to life with the sound of beautiful music, resounding speeches, entertaining dance performances, and the formation of many budding friendships on Jan. 16.
Athey Creek Middle School welcomed guest students from South Korea’s Eonyang Middle School during a school-wide assembly on Thursday, Jan. 16, marking the beginning of an exciting week for both Eonyang and Athey Creek students alike. Eonyang Middle School has been Athey Creek’s sister school for the past seven years, providing opportunities for students to visit their peers on the other side of the globe.
Athey Creek Principal Joel Sebastian welcomed guest students and administrators during the morning assembly, thanking them for traveling from so far while asking Athey Creek students to open their school to their new friends. The South Korean sister school relationship is one of just a few in the United States, and one of just two in Oregon, providing unique opportunities for ACMS students to learn about Korean culture first-hand from guest students. Guest students will spend the next several days living with ACMS host families, meanwhile, touring Oregon while learning about life in an American middle school.
Eonyang Middle School Vice Principal Choi also greeted ACMS students, before Eonyang students treated the ACMS community with Gangnam-style dancing and traditional Korean songs. ACMS orchestra and band students also provided musical performances before ACMS host students capped the fun-filled morning with a collaborative dance, joining their South Korean peers on stage.
Students from both sister schools take turns visiting one another in Oregon and South Korea, strengthening the bond the two communities share. Thank you to our Eonyang Middle School friends and to South Korea Honorary Consul Greg Caldwell for joining us for such an inspiring morning!
Student Scientists Wow at 19th Annual CREST-Jane Goodall Science Symposium
Wood Students Build School Culture, Community During Student Voice Summit
Wednesday, Feb. 5 at Wood Middle School looked a little different than your typical school day. While robust and rich learning takes place in Wood classrooms every day, the lessons and workshops that took place during the school’s second Annual Student Voice Summit on February 5 provided profound learning for everyone involved.
Organized into topics that were generated through student input, the all-day event provided learning opportunities in several key equity areas. The Student Voice Summit included sessions such as "Stress and Mindfulness," "LGBTQ+ Awareness and Inclusivity," "Self-Identity and Labels," "Responding to Racism," and a special panel of Wilsonville High School students.
Topics were selected based on student input provided through brainstorm sessions and online surveys, representing areas or issues of particular importance for Wood students. In particular, workshop topics emphasized building school culture while increasing inclusiveness for all students.
In “Stress and Mindfulness” sessions, students explored the idea of being present at all times, learning strategies and tools to regulate emotions. During “How to be an Upstander” sessions, students learned how to recognize and stand up to bullying. In “Social Media and Online Communities,” students discussed the impacts that social media can have on young people, and how students can work together to improve online communities for all people.
Equity work centered on the inclusion of historically marginalized student groups was a key focus during the Student Voice Summit. During the “LGBTQ+ Awareness and Inclusivity”, students listened to terms and issues related to the LGBTQ+ community and how students, while “Responding to Racism” sessions explored different ways in which students can respond to and stop racist actions, jokes, or words. Working with scenarios in small groups, students practiced skills and strategies to make their community a better place.
Eighth-Grade students also received the chance to listen to a panel of Wilsonville High School students, learning about the transition from middle school and how current middle school students can make positive impacts at Wilsonville High School next year.
Students tended a total of three sessions during Student Voice Summit, focusing on making Wood Middle School a better and more welcoming place for all. Feb. 5 marked the second annual Student Voice Summit at Wood Middle School.
West Linn-Wilsonville Celebrates School Counselors During National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling Week was celebrated across the nation during the week of Feb. 4, focusing public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors in schools across America. West Linn-Wilsonville school counselors make an immeasurable impact on their school communities, helping students to examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents while working in partnership with parents to enhance students' academic, post-secondary, and social-emotional development along the way. School counselors help students realize their potential as well as set healthy, realistic, and optimistic aspirations for the future. All school counselors in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District are experienced educators with a master's degree in school counseling.
West Linn-Wilsonville School Counselors include:
West Linn High School — Michelle Olson, Greg Bean, Kim Gwin, Carly Halverson, Krystal Toderick
Wilsonville High School — Alyson Leatherman, Christine Moon, Andre Abraham, Lucia Meza
Arts and Technology High School — Tammie Lewis, Cheryl Wilson
Middle School Counselors — Jennifer Jolly, Toni Snapp, Erin Block, Amy Koslowski, Alison Gemperle
Primary School Counselors — Rita McClellan, Catherine Ramos, Mollie Hyman, Megan Prior, Carmen Ryan, Deana Johnson, Katie Flaker, Tami Brester, Pamela Campbell
Help us thank our school counselors for all that they do!
National School Board Appreciation Month — Arts and Technology Rock Band Honors Board With Performance
West Linn High Marine Biologist Students Come Full Circle with Salmon Research Education
Curriculum alignment from grades K-12 is a constant goal in all subject areas for the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. A student’s journey from kindergarten through their senior year of high school follows an intentional trajectory that promises fulfilling learning that will serve them for college and career after high school.
West Linn High School Marine Biology students experienced one example of that learning arc first-hand earlier this January, engaging in fish and wildlife science lessons with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s John Cox. The learning was the culmination of years and years of science lessons.
Every year, dating back as far as 2000, West Linn-Wilsonville students have first learned about salmon life cycles in the third grade, when students across the district fill fish tanks with salmon eggs and watch as eggs begin to hatch over a period of weeks.
Students then release the hatched salmon fry into nearby waterways, even visiting the Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery to explore salmon habitats and see salmon spawn toward the end of their life cycle. The research lessons open students to just a small area of science exploration, setting the stage for much of what they learn in subsequent years.
That learning came full circle for West Linn High School Marine Biology students earlier this month, with students digging into the important role salmon serve in Oregon habitats and ecosystems while revisiting the salmon life cycle process. ODFW’s John Cox shared his most recent salmon research with students, culminating in a class dissection of two Coho salmon — a male and female. Students studied salmon eggs, just before the release and incubation process, exploring differences in species and environment.
To learn more about Oregon salmon, including much of the research WLHS students engaged with last week, visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
Willamette Primary Students Commit to the Great Kindness Challenge
Willamette Primary students joined together on Monday, January 27 to kick-off the Great Kindness Challenge — a nationwide initiative to engage students, teachers, administrators, families, and communities in creating a culture of compassion, acceptance, unity, and respect.
Students were joined by teachers, West Linn Police, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue first responders, district administrators, and even West Linn Mayor Russ Axelrod to celebrate the start of the important week. Willamette Primary joins more than 13 million students and 24,000 schools across the world.
In 2019, more than 650 million acts of kindness occurred in 115 countries thanks to the powerful week of kindness. Learn more about the Great Kindness Challenge.
Meridian Creek Leadership Students Partner with Soles4Souls in School's Most Ambitious Fundraising Initiative Yet
The Meridian Creek Middle School Leadership Team has grown in both size and impact since the school opened in 2017-18. Leadership students spent the majority of the first two years at Meridian Creek building school culture, engaging mostly in school-based activities and fundraising campaigns.
But with high school fast-approaching, the 2019-20 Eighth Grade Class wanted to do something a little different before finishing their middle school careers. Their goal is to leave a legacy of giving. In fact, the leadership team’s latest mission aims to benefit people on a global scale.
Meridian Creek students have partnered with Soles4Souls, a national non-profit organization with Wilsonville roots. The company collects shoes and clothing to distribute to those in need across the world while fighting poverty by helping people launch and sustain small businesses.
“Most of the fundraising our leadership team has done has been more focused on our school,” said seventh-grade leadership student Lily Vu. “We wanted to show students that we can make a bigger impact on the world while also helping our local community.”
Meridian Creek will kick off its fundraising efforts on Thursday, Feb. 20 at a school-wide assembly. Canby High School student and Soles4Souls Volunteer Rachel Bigej will visit with students to share her experiences and the difference she’s been able to make across the world. Rachel organized her first shoe drive at age 10, volunteering with Soles4Souls ever since.
“We want to inspire the entire school and so we thought to bring in a student to show what kind of difference we can make could help do that,” said eighth-grade leadership student Lily Scanlan. “We’re going to turn the fundraiser into a class competition to start out with a bang and collect as many donations as possible.”
Meridian Creek will collect donations from students through March 4 and encourage Wilsonville residents to participate as well. Unwanted shoes or clothing can be dropped off at the Meridian Creek front office and students will make sure all items are transported to Soles4Souls. When Meridian Creek students have finished the fundraising portion, students plan to visit the Wilsonville Soles4Souls facility to help package their donations.
“Our goal is to fill an entire bus with shoes,” said seventh-grade leadership student Jack Jensen. “We want to help as many people as possible.”
After months of thoughtful preparation, leadership students say they’re thrilled to get the ambitious fundraiser underway. Eighth-Grade students hope the project serves as a catalyst for the leadership team at Meridian Creek Middle School, setting the stage for current sixth- and seventh-graders to build on this year’s hard work.
“We want to bring things full circle and do as much as we can to help,” Caleb said. “We hope other students can continue to work with Soles4Souls next year and build up the leadership team at Meridian.”
Boones Ferry Fifth-Graders Look to Improve Local Bioswale Through Engaging Environmental Science Research
The presentations that Boones Ferry fifth-graders gave on Wednesday, Dec. 4 weren’t your typical class projects. The milestone was the culmination of weeks-long environmental science work for Boones Ferry fifth-graders, and a landmark occasion for the school’s local ecosystem.
Presenting to local stakeholders that included native plant specialists, ecologists, stormwater specialists, natural resource specialists, and maintenance engineers from the City of Wilsonville, students shared designs to improve the local bioswale and, in turn, the ecosystem that surrounds Boones Ferry Primary.
The innovative project started earlier in the school year when fifth-graders visited the district’s CREST Center (Center for Research in Environmental Science and Technology) to learn about local ecosystems and the importance of bioswales. Students learned that a bioswale is a channel created to convey stormwater runoff while removing debris and pollution from the environment.
That learning continued during science lessons in the classroom and coalesced with Wednesday’s hands-on learning opportunity. Organized in table groups, students listened to guest speakers, who helped students in the design process for their bioswale improvements.
Local stakeholders introduced their concerns for the Boones Ferry site and areas that could be addressed long-term. Students thought through aspects such as salmon population, bird habitats, wildlife trophic levels, stormwater surface water quality, the maintaining of diverse biodiversity, and supporting of the ecosystem. Using a variety of resources, students created a base map of the Boones Ferry property and bioswale, working together to add elements to enhance the area. Groups then presented to their peers, sharing their thinking and ideas for the site.
Following their site designs, students plan to work with school district operations staff to implement some of their ideas this school year, enhancing the bioswale located on the Boones Ferry Primary property. Students will receive further opportunities to apply their new knowledge with hands-on learning that will benefit the local ecosystem for years to come. The goal is for future fifth-grade students to continue working with CREST to monitor water quality through sampling to create a database for the site while ensuring environmental sustainability into the future.
The research project intentionally aligns with fifth-grade Next Generation Science Standards, providing a rich opportunity for authentic science and engineering thinking while giving fifth-grade students the opportunity to connect with local leaders and improve their local environment. Thank you to the City of Wilsonville for the time and resources given to our fifth-grade students!
Wood Sixth-Graders Participate in CRCC/CoderZ Competition
Superintendent Dr. Kathy Ludwig Named 2020 OALA Tom Ruhl Ally Award Recipient
West Linn-Wilsonville Superintendent Dr. Kathy Ludwig was recently named the 2020 Tom Ruhl Ally Award Recipient by the Oregon Association for Latino Administrators. Dr. Ludwig was presented with the award during the 2020 OALA Winter Conference on Saturday, February 8 at Grant High School.
The Tom Ruhl Ally Award is presented every year to non-Latino OALA members who have exhibited leadership in the areas of equity and cultural competence. Recognized leaders have implemented strategies or activities that align with OALA’s mission, purpose, and goals in their district.
During her 20-plus years with the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, serving as superintendent since 2016, Dr. Ludwig has led pivotal equity work across the district’s 16 schools, beginning with a District Equity Action Plan. Under Dr. Ludwig’s leadership, the district has prioritized disrupting systems of racism, building school communities that are safe and welcoming for all students, and cultivating a district staff that reflects students in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District through intentional hiring processes and professional development.
The Oregon Association for Latino Administrators was formed in 2002 to create a vehicle to support and mentor Latino Administrators as well as Latino educators who aspire to become administrators in the State of Oregon. The association has grown exponentially over the past 16 years, increasing the capacity of Latino educators across the state while building equity for all students.
OALA’s goals include promoting Latino educators into leadership positions; ensuring educational equity for all students and especially those of Latino heritage; advocating at the federal, state, and local level for equitable educational policies impacting Latino students; disseminating data related to the changing demographics and their implications for schools in Oregon; developing strategic partnerships with organizations throughout Oregon that acknowledge and support the accomplishments of Latino youth; and providing opportunities to build the capacity in the organization and of its members.
The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is an Institutional Sponsor of the OALA Conference, helping to push the organization’s pivotal mission while increasing the capacity of Latino educators and administrators across the district and larger State. In addition to the district’s involvement in OALA, Lowrie Primary Principal Sarita Amaya serves as Vice President and Bolton Primary Principal Edgar Solares serves as a member at large on the OALA Board.
Wilsonville Community Enjoys Successful Meridian Creek Middle School Community Night
It’s been less than three years since Meridian Creek Middle School first opened its doors to students, yet the growing school has already become an integral part of the Wilsonville community. Meridian Creek Middle School added to its increasing list of school traditions when it hosted the first Meridian Creek Middle School Community Night on Thursday, Feb. 13.
In addition to building Meridian Creek Middle School’s (MCMS) budding relationship with the Wilsonville community, the public event raised proceeds for the Meridian Creek Middle School Scholarship Fund. The MCMS Scholarship Fund was created to provide all MCMS students with equitable access to enrichment opportunities, school supplies, yearbooks, and other incurred costs that are associated with school.
The MCMS Community Night enjoyed participation from all members of the Wilsonville community. The fun night offered excitement for everyone, including activities, games, raffles, and even student music and drama performances. The Wilsonville Rotary was also a hit, providing “breakfast for dinner” to all event-goers.
Thank you to the Wilsonville Rotary Club and to all community partners who made donations or helped to make Meridian Creek's first Community Night a success.
Health Science Career Chats Inspire WLHS Students
Health Science professionals from across West Linn and Wilsonville joined West Linn High School students on Thursday, Feb. 20 to discuss various health science careers and how students can get started. Students spent part of lunch on Thursday learning about health careers from local professionals, including dental, physical therapy, pharmacy, and nursing fields. Dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, physical therapists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and registered nurses provided information and networking opportunities for interested students.
Thank you to Advance Sports and Spine Therapy, Advance Dental Arts, Hi-School Pharmacy, and Providence Home Health for joining our students! To learn more about career opportunities, check out the CREST Internship Pathways Program webpage.
WLWV Student Scientists Use Hitachi TM 4000 Scanning Electron Microscope in Preparation for Science Fair Season
Every year, dozens of West Linn-Wilsonville student scientists compete against the brightest young minds in Oregon, participating in science fair competitions at the regional, state, and national levels. Not only that, but hundreds of WLWV students have been recognized for their scientific achievements in past ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair) competitions. That will almost certainly be the case once again this year when high school students submit projects this spring following months of research and hard work.
Students have spent months, even years in some cases, conducting research and curating projects in preparation for the science fair season. For many, that research has been aided by access to state-of-the-art equipment through a partnership with the Hitachi — one of the leading scientific technology companies in the world.
Specifically, students have utilized a Hitachi TM 4000 scanning electron microscope (SEM) in their research. This research-grade microscope allows students to capture and analyze high-quality images of microscopic samples. The device provides measurements, allowing students to better document samples for comparison during experimentation. In addition, the Hitachi Inspire program has arranged the loan of an Oxford Energy Dispersive X-Ray System (EDS), a chemical microanalysis technology that makes it possible to conduct elemental analysis of specimens.
Students have used the (SEM) in a variety of ways. One student, for example, has used this microscope to analyze diatom species (environmentally sensitive microalgae) and their morphology in a river impacted by high levels of agricultural irrigation runoff in comparison to diatoms collected from the Nature Conservancy Camassia ponds located nearby West Linn High School. Another project, meanwhile, examined ocean water and marine fish gills to characterize the types of microplastics found in sample. A third project involves analyzing the degradation of a bioplastic made in the school chemistry lab. The SEM has allowed students to collect more data that is consistent and reliable, including research that wouldn’t be otherwise possible.
The machine will be available for student-use through the science fair season and into the summer. This partnership was made possible through Project Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Outreach (NANO) — a Portland State University science education outreach program that trains and teaches students to use the complex machinery. West Linn-Wilsonville ISEF Program Coordinator Dr. Jennifer Wells’ involvement in the program as the Principal Investigator led to a symbiotic relationship with Hitachi and this unique opportunity for students. Monthly progress reports have been shared with Hitachi for inclusion in the monthly newsletter for employees and dealers. This spring, student projects will be showcased on the Hitachi website, showcasing ISEF students’ research to the larger scientific community worldwide.
In addition to improved research, the opportunity has allowed for West Linn-Wilsonville students to connect with peers in neighboring school districts. The District has worked in tandem with schools and high school students in local school districts allowing for interested student scientists to also utilize the powerful piece of equipment. Lake Oswego School District, for example, has integrated the SEM into elementary, middle, and high school science and engineering classes, thus fostering the development of a strong scientific community amongst our local student researchers.
The West Linn Wilsonville School District student scientists’ hard work will culminate with the 19th Annual CREST-Jane Goodall Science Symposium on March 10th at West Linn High School with a public viewing of posters from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Auxiliary Gym. From there, 50 judge-selected projects will advance to proudly represent our District at the state level Northwest Science Expo and at least four students will proceed on to compete at the international level in the spring at ISEF.
For more information on the instrument loan program or about the District level ISEF program, please contact Jennifer Wells at Wellsj@wlwv.k12.or.us.
Meridian Creek Middle School Students Learn From LEGO Master
Meridian Creek Middle School students received quite the treat on Tuesday, Dec. 18 in the form of an interactive presentation from one of the world’s greatest LEGO builders.
Grant Davis, son of Meridian Creek Middle School Math Teacher Dean Davis, visited interested students during an after-school presentation, taking them through his journey in LEGOs while inspiring students to follow dreams and embrace their own passions in both education and life.
Grant, a sophomore engineering student at George Fox University, is a world-renowned LEGO builder — creating unique works of art from various LEGO brick pieces he’s collected over the years. He’s been building with LEGOs for most of his life, regularly attending LEGO conventions and posting pictures of his work online. When he began winning awards at LEGO conventions across the west coast, he said he began to see LEGOs as possibly more than a hobby.
Grant began building elaborate displays of all kinds, including pirate-themed tropical landscapes and massive forested expanses, sometimes spanning more than 10-feet in length. The accolades continued as he built up his skill level, leading to an invitation to participate in “Iron Builder” — an international LEGO competition based on the “Iron Chef” cooking show.
His LEGO accomplishments reached the highest of heights, however, when Grant entered the LEGO Ideas competition — a LEGO-sponsored competition where the winning entry is selected by LEGO and turned into a real LEGO kit for purchase. Working with fellow builder Jason Allemann, Grant created a pop-up book out of LEGOs, with interchangeable pieces and themes, and submitted his idea. After nine months of anguish, he received the required 10,000 fan votes, making him a finalist for the competition. Much to his surprise, his creation was selected, and six months later his wildest dreams became reality, with his very own LEGO kit in stores for purchase.
Grant showed students pictures of his various works during the presentation, even passing around some of the pieces and design examples he’s used over the years. Students asked questions about his various projects and creative process, as well as how he first got interested and made it so far in the LEGO landscape.
Grant shared with students that his passion for LEGOs stems from curiosity, causing him to continue to push the boundaries of the interactive medium. He highlighted the importance of his interest in math and how his own schooling influenced where he is today in the world of LEGOs. Grant plans to finish his degree in engineering, at which time he hopes to work on the LEGO design team in Denmark. Learn more about Grant’s LEGO journey at https://www.georgefox.edu/journalonline/summer19/feature/building-blocks.html.
Wilsonville High School Student Gains Experience Through Oregon City Farmers Market Internship
The West Linn-Wilsonville Internship Pathways Program launched last summer, connecting WLWV high school students to career-based opportunities in the local community. One such opportunity came through the Oregon City Farmers Market.
Each Saturday, Wilsonville High School senior Katie Walter was eager to jump right in and assist the Market Manager with the behind-the-scene operation of a large Farmers Market. This youth internship was a great opportunity to witness how much before market work there is, how to disembark all of the produce from trucks, how to arrange produce, and price produce for the market. Katie helped with the Power of Produce (POP) Club activities to empower kids to make healthy food choices.
The program is free for kids 5 years to 12 years to join. Kids who join receive $2 of tokens to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables each time they are at the market. Hosting a high school intern was a natural fit for the Oregon City Farmers Market because they are “dedicated to empowering youth to get involved in not only eating good food and growing it too. It is just great to have that kind of energy and interest from a young person” said Market Manager Jackie Hammond-Williams.
The mission of the Oregon City Farmers’ Market will serve as a market place that supports the growth of sustainable agricultural businesses and food security by encouraging the consumption of locally grown fresh food.
“My favorite part of the internship at the market was the opportunity to interact with members of the community and see how the work we did at the market impacted their lives,” Katie said.
In addition to expanding customer service skills, Katie used this opportunity to network with local farmers and was able to get part-time paid work assisting a local farm, Sun Love Farms.
"Internships are a great way to build experience in an environment that encourages you to challenge yourself,” Katie said. “Once you have a job, failure isn't always an option, even if you want to grow from it. Internships are really safe ways to learn new skills so that when you do start getting jobs, it's not nearly as daunting."
All WLWV student interns receive .5 high school credits and optional college credit for their internship work in addition to the career skills they gain. To learn more about available student internships, or for local businesses interested in hosting a high school intern, please visit the district website.
West Linn-Wilsonville Hosts Equity-Based Oregon Associaton for Bilingual Education (OABE) Conference
The Oregon Association for Bilingual Education’s mission is to advocate for educational equity, excellence, and empowerment for bilingual/multilingual students in a multicultural society. On January 10-11, the West Linn-Wilsonville School District hosted the association’s annual conference as members help further the important work of OABE.
OABE leaders from across the State of Oregon will gather on Jan. 10 to visit classrooms across the district. Members will meet with a panel of WLWV high school students, working with program leaders, equity advocates, and superintendents to improve outcomes for bilingual and multilingual students in Oregon.
On Jan. 11, OABE leaders gathered at Meridian Creek Middle School for a day of keynote speakers, workshops, and collaborative learning. The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is honored to host this important conference full of invaluable work. Learn more about OABE.
Primary Strings Musicians, Rosemont Ridge Middle School Musicians Combine Forces for Winter Performance
Wilsonville High School Students Help Peers with Cocoa and Cram Finals Study Session
High School Students Learn Marketing Skills Through Internship Pathways Program
The West Linn-Wilsonville Internship Pathways Program launched this summer, connecting WLWV high school students to career-based learning opportunities in the local community. One such work-based opportunity came through PAWS Animal Shelter in West Linn.
Arts and Technology student Brandon Murray, Wilsonville High School student Olyvia Neal, and West Linn High School student Emily Buffington spent part of their summer interning for the local organization. PAWS, an animal shelter dedicated specifically for cat adoption, is the only shelter of its kind in Clackamas County. Students helped raise awareness of the unique nonprofit through a variety of internship tasks.
Brandon helped showcase animals to increase animal adoptions through photography, while Olyvia provided marketing expertise through a social media internship and Emily a promotional video. Students put together professional-grade marketing materials, including social media accounts and posts to increase the digital footprint of PAWS.
“This is a great opportunity to learn new schools while gaining important work experience,” Olyvia said.
Students spent 30 hours working for the nonprofit in addition to several internship assignments and interviews of professionals in similar career fields. Students learn career-specific skills in addition work experience that is important in any workplace setting.
“I’m interested in photography and possibly marketing so this internship was a good fit to get some of that experience,” Brandon said of the summer internship.
All WLWV student interns receive .5 high school credits for their internship work in addition to the career skills they gain. To learn more about available student internships, or for local businesses interested in hosting a high school intern, please visit the district website.
District Recognizes Teacher Librarians, IT Specialists For Their Incredible Work
Boeckman Creek Celebrates Las Posadas With Dance
Hour of Code Returns to West Linn-Wilsonville Schools
Several West Linn-Wilsonville schools participated in the Hour of Code during the week of Dec. 13 – a nationwide initiative that aims to introduce students to computer science and programming. Hour of Code is part of Computer Science Education Week, which introduces students across the country to many STEM-related ideas.
While coding has the reputation of being incredibly complex and requiring advanced technical skills, Hour of Code is intended to show students that coding has advanced from what you see in television and movies. While it isn’t necessarily easy, it’s a skill more and more students are realizing is attainable. And while computer code has historically been text-based, there’s more and more coding that is graphical and easier to master for visual learners.
Students at West Linn High School, for example, gave interactive demonstrations of their coding prowess during the lunch hour all week long. Robotics students shared their work with students, inviting them to participate in various coding activities.
Students at the primary level participated largely in introductory activities — which teach ideas like problem-solving and increase digital literacy — which are meant to be fun and engaging. Some games are “Star Wars” themed, for instance, while others are based around popular children’s television shows.
Students across the district regularly practice Hour of Code skills in a variety of courses, meanwhile. To learn more about Hour of Code go to https://hourofcode.com/us.
About West Linn-Wilsonville
Email: kilstroa@wlwv.k12.or.us
Website: www.wlwv.k12.or.us
Location: 22210 Southwest Stafford Road, Tualatin, OR, USA
Phone: 503-673-7012
Facebook: facebook.com/wlwvschools
Twitter: @wlwvdistrict