WLWV Staff and Student Shout Outs
First Quarter happenings across WLWV schools
Have a story you want to share with West Linn-Wilsonville staff, or the WLWV community at large? Contact Andrew Kilstrom at kilstroa@wlwv.k12.or.us or at 503-673-7012.
Wilsonville Celebrates Loved Ones with Dia De Los Muertos Festival
Wilsonville High School hosted its third annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Wednesday night, inviting the entire West Linn-Wilsonville community to celebrate loved ones. Community members enjoyed artworks from all Wilsonville schools, vibrant dances from Boeckman Creek's Baile Folklorico, and Mariachi performances from Wood students as well as Mariachi Viva Mexico.
Lupita's Mexican Food Cart, Zapopan Taqueria, Voodoo Donuts, and Churros Locos provided authentic foods, and WLWV students also enjoyed face-painting, crafts, and other unique Dia de los Muertos opportunities. Organized by Wilsonville High Art Teacher Angennette Escobar, with the help of many others, the Dia de los Muertos Festival was a smashing success once again.
WLWV Schools Participate in the Great Oregon ShakeOut
West Linn-Wilsonville Schools participated in the Great Oregon ShakeOut on Thursday, Oct. 19, reviewing processes and routines in the event of an earthquake before putting their safety skills to the test.
Teachers went over the proper “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” protocol ahead of the state-wide drill, ensuring students are ready should it ever be necessary. Taking cover under desks and away from windows, students listened to announcements over the intercom before forming single-file lines and exiting their respective buildings.
Maintaining silence, students from all schools and grade levels put their preparation on display, performing all of the necessary steps to perfection. The Great Oregon ShakeOut was a state-wide initiative to practice earthquake safety in the event of a natural disaster, with agencies all over Oregon participating in the event at precisely 10:19 a.m.
WLWV Hosts Dyslexia Information Session With Expert Guest Speaker
West Linn-Wilsonville hosted Oregon Department of Education Expert Carrie Thomas-Beck for a Dyslexia Information Night on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Sunset Primary. Dozens of parents and community members filled the library as Thomas-Beck provided updates on recent legislation around Dyslexia and the changes families can expect to see in the future.
Thomas-Beck said the most notable change is that school districts throughout Oregon will now test for Dyslexia in kindergarten, with clear guidelines that will help school districts address learning disabilities early on in students’ career. Warning signs will be tracked during students’ development, ensuring the best education plan for all students.
That change won’t take effect until the 2018-19 school year, but WLWV Assistant Principal of Primary Schools David Pryor said the legislative update is a welcome change that will help West Linn-Wilsonville eliminate opportunity and achievement gaps.
“Student achievement is maximized when people work together and when everyone is on the same page working toward the same goal,” said Pryor, who welcomed parents before handing the mic off to Thomas-Beck Wednesday night. “That’s why were so excited for these changes and to have Carrie Thomas-Beck here with us tonight.”
According to recent research, approximately one in five students have a language-based learning disability, with Dyslexia being the most common of those. Thomas-Beck described Dyslexia as a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin and causes inaccurate or non-fluent word recognition. She shared the specifics behind the disability and evidence-based strategies that Oregon school districts will utilize in the future. She also added if properly diagnosed and managed, students can achieve the same levels of reading comprehension and academic success as those without Dyslexia.
The night ended with a question and answer period for parents. Any lingering questions were collected by District staff, to be followed up on at a later date, which concluded the night of information and learning.
Rosemont Ridge, Boones Ferry, Cedaroak Park among Fun Run participants
Jr Scoop Aims for the Ice Cream Pinnacle
Jr Scoop Ice Cream is not just a club or hobby for Wood Middle School students. It’s a full-fledged business that generates tens of thousands of dollars of revenue every year while making some of the best ice cream you’ve ever tried.
Made up entirely of middle school students who apply and interview for a variety of positions in the company, as well as a small number for adult mentor-advisors, Jr Scoop makes all of its own ice cream from scratch. With two monthly flavors, the ice cream business sells 10-month memberships to hungry locals. With four different levels (Snowflake, Scoops, Yeti, and Avalanche), community members can pick whether they want varying amounts of ice cream per month.
With popular flavors like Dirt (Ghiradelli chocolate base, homemade salted caramel, and brownies), Triple Crown (Vanilla bean base with a blackberry swirl and oatmeal crisp chunks), S’mores (Ghiradelli chocolate base with chocolate covered graham crackers and toasted marshmallows), and Lemon Marion Berry among others, there’s an ice cream for everyone.
The quality, meanwhile, is undeniable. Jr Scoop tripled its yearly memberships to 220 last year, and has aspirations of doubling that total to 440 this year.
“We’re hoping to get 440 memberships to double it again, and that’s going to be our projection for next year,” says Jr Scoop President Carson Puppo, who’s a seventh-grader at Wood. “We think it’s a very reasonable goal because there are 26,000 people in Wilsonville alone. That’s probably our biggest, is trying to hit that 440 mark. Also, we’re trying to get more community involvement. This year I’m going to try and get my team to go out and do community stuff, be in the community, even if it’s not selling ice cream.”
But proceeds don’t go into the pockets of the hard-working students who make Jr Scoop successful. Instead, proceeds go back into Jr Scoop — for things like equipment and supplies — with additional revenue going back to the school and community charities. Jr Scoop is particularly excited to buy new bikes for Wood’s wellness biking program. A quarterly unit that teaches eighth-graders the rules of the road, the biking program is always looking for new rides for students who don’t have one of their own.
“We’re trying to make some money, pay off the ice cream machine we recently bought, and we’re trying to help out the bike program,” Puppa says. “This year, and hopefully next year, we’re going to start putting money toward really nice bikes for the program. That way we can continue this and possibly get it out there that Wood Middle School has this awesome program that every school should have. With transportation, emissions, and all of that discussion, the more we can get people to bike the better.”
Jr Scoop participated in some 30-odd community events last year, selling ice cream at the Wilsonville Festival of the Arts and West Linn Old Time Fair among others. Another goal for this year is to buy a Jr Scoop truck to haul supplies and the Jr Scoop stand to local events. And another goal, albeit an ambitious one, is to buy a building for the business to operate autonomously. Currently, Jr Scoop makes its ice cream in the Boones Ferry kitchen, which can be cramped when a half dozen middle schoolers are buzzing around the room.
“With that building we could house a cooking school and have kids from all over the district get bused over, because we’re hoping it’ll be a central location,” Puppa says. “A cooking school would teach kids to make nutritious meals, and then we could become this big company that expands even bigger over time. Then our next step would be just growing. Right now we’re in Wilsonville, people come to us to pick up ice cream, but yy the time we leave I’m hoping that everyone in Oregon knows us.”
To learn more about Jr Scoop or to buy a yearly membership, go to the Jr Scoop website.
New Year, New School District
WLHS Named Special Olympics Unified National Champion School
Special Olympics Oregon announced Wednesday, Aug. 23, that West Linn High School has been named an official Special Olympics national banner Unified Champion School. West Linn High School is one of just four high schools in Oregon and 38 schools in the country to receive this distinguished status for 2017.
Unified Sports is a program through Special Olympics that blends equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (also known as unified partners) into one team. West Linn High School enjoyed a Unified Soccer team for the fall season and a Unified Basketball team for the winter season, competing against other Unified teams across the Portland-Metro area.
Each team played an eight-week season, including practices, games and tournaments. Coached by West Linn High School Special Education teachers Julie Holson and Nick Pepper, as well as Instructional Assistant Lynn Squires and English Teacher Alex Close, students enjoyed success on and off the field. A culminating moment for Unified seniors came in their last game of the basketball season, when they were introduced over the PA system to start their game, receiving flowers and a standing ovation as well.
"West Linn High School is incredibly honored to be recognized by Special Olympics as a national banner Champion school,” said WLHS Principal Kevin Mills. “Our staff and students have worked extremely hard these past few years to build unity within our school, and this award is proof that we are creating an environment where all students can thrive."
Part of the West Linn High School Unified Club, which met every other Wednesday throughout the school year, Unified Sports served as a bonding experience for both Special Olympics athletes and Unified Partners. WLHS’s Unified Club and Unified Sports teams strive to increase inclusion throughout the entire school population, which included a Respect campaign as well as a series of Autism Awareness Week events last school year. Unified Sports played a pivotal role in West Linn High School’s Unity Club, which was created last year.
“Throughout the district we have been working to build learning communities where all students belong,” said Assistant Director of Student Services Josh Flosi. “Unified Sports is a great entry point to building an inclusive school culture. This national recognition shows that our students and staff have gone beyond sports to create unified activities & leadership programs and opportunities for school-wide engagement. This has an impact in the classroom and throughout the school community.”
West Linn High School was named a national Champion school after completing an application process last spring. Special Olympics determined that West Linn High School had met national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect, and presented the school with a special award presentation and national banner in October.
WLWV Receives Award at Oregon Art Education Association Fall Conference
West Linn-Wilsonville hosted the 2017 Oregon Art Education Association (OAEA) Fall Conference on Saturday, Oct. 14, bringing art educators from all over the state together under the same roof. Both Suzanne Bonamici, congresswoman, and Jane Chu, Chair of the National Endowment of the Arts, served as guest speakers during the day-long conference and workshop.
The emphasis of this year's conference was on the importance of arts in our schools, which is evidenced by recent research that links creative and innovative thinking nurtured by the arts to critical thinking in mathematics and science.
As the host of many recent OAEA conferences, West Linn-Wilsonville received a special award for Outstanding Service to Oregon Art Education during this year's Fall Conference.
Willamette Primary Raises Money for Red Cross Relief
When Hurricane Harvey caused massive flooding and destruction in Texas toward the end of August, many across the nation watched in panic as water levels continued to rise. When wildfires erupted throughout Eagle Creek and the Columbia River Gorge on Sept. 2, a short time later, many Oregonians felt helpless as the surrounding forest burned away. And when Hurricane Irma ripped through parts of South America, the Gulf Coast, and eventually Florida, many people's reaction was similarly subdued.
The reaction at Willamette Primary, meahwhile, was one of determination, as students decided to jump into action. Organized by students and staff, the school decided to raise money to donate to Red Cross for relief efforts toward all three causes.
But rather than ask others for money, students decided to to give back themselves, collecting loose change from around the house to bring to school every morning. With a jar set up in every classroom for donations, classes have taken joy in delivering their hard-sought money to the Willamette office at the end of every school day for the past two weeks.
Every afternoon, classes take turns feeding the Red Cross Unicorn — the fun-loving stuffed animal that guards the treasures collected by students. To date, Willamette Primary has already raised north of $1,000 with no plans of slowing down. Their original goal was $700, with all proceeds going towards Red Cross relief efforts.
West Linn-Wilsonville Participates in Youth Activation Summit
This past Tuesday, Oct. 10, West Linn-Wilsonville students and staff from all four middle schools and all three high schools participated in the Portland Region Youth Activation Summit. There, students took part in activities and workshops they helped plan themselves around inclusivity.
Aimed at creating more inclusive school cultures, students of all backgrounds and grade levels interacted throughout the day-long conference, even participating in a Unified Fashion Show. Students from West Linn High School wore their Autism and RESPECT T-shirts, students from Wilsonville High School wore their Unified Soccer jerseys, and students from Rosemont Ridge Middle School wore their T-Shirts from last year’s middle school Unified Basketball Jamboree.
Students used the opportunity to meet like-minded students from all over the region, reflect on inclusive practices at their own schools, and of course take part in a number of fun activities. More than anything, students left with the feeling that EVERYONE belongs.
Athey Creek Hosts Grandparents Day Lunch
WLWV Bee Club Buzzes with Excitement
The satisfaction that a handful of West Linn-Wilsonville high school students received Thursday, Sept. 1 was as sweet as honey. In fact, it was exactly that, as the District’s Bee Club harvested its first collection of honey from bee hives that it has cultivated over the past several months.
Students from Wilsonville, Art Tech and West Linn high schools joined the inaugural year of the CREST (Center for Research in Environmental Sciences and Technologies) Bee Club last spring, starting out by learning about the pivotal pollinators and their role in the global ecosystem.
Taught by CREST Director Bob Carlson and West Linn High School Science Teacher Geoff Bingham, with the help of local bee expert John Edwards, the Bee Club then purchased a large collection of bees for their own hives at CREST Headquarters in Wilsonville. Meeting every other week, students learned to be real-life beekeepers, donning suits and routinely checking on bees and hives throughout the spring and summer.
“When we put the suits on was my favorite part. To go out there and check on the bees was really cool,” says Wilsonville High School Senior Carson Collins. “We were keeping track on how they’re doing, the number of the bees, or what the queen is doing. We always look at the different queen pods and keep track of how often they’re trying to find a new queen. That part was really interesting.”
The Bee Club came to fruition thanks to a partnership with the City of Wilsonville and the Wilsonville Bee Stewards Project. CREST received a $1,200 grant to purchase bees and equipment, and also received donated materials from local beekeepers. Carlson then began recruiting students, keeping the number small at six for the club’s first year. It wasn’t hard to find interested students, and before long the club was off and buzzing.
“My mom saw an email about the club and she told me about it. I had done my Eagle project at CREST and had known about it for a while, and it just seemed interesting to me,” Collins says. “Beekeeping just sounded really cool, and before I had even heard about the class I was looking into it, because we have some land and I thought it would be interesting to start.”
The Club met and worked throughout the summer, save a few particularly hot days, and watched as hives grew larger. With the help of the Wilsonville Bee Stewards, CREST had bushes planted near the hives, perfect for pollination. Students witnessed firsthand how bees operate as well their importance to pollinating plants and vegetables.
All that work over the summer came to a head Thursday when students harvested their first batch of honey. With the help of local beekeeper Jerry Hulsman, students scraped wax caps off honey combs, extracted honey from hives, and then filtered out remaining wax. The Bee Club students gathered more than two dozen jars of honey during their first collection period, with aspirations of adding to their stockpile in the coming month.
The Bee Club plans to sell their tasty honey at the CREST Harvest Festival Oct. 14, with all funds going back to the Bee Club for more bees and future equipment. The group will also look into providing informational materials about bees and their work this past year in hopes of spreading awareness about the importance of bees.
Carlson and Bingham say the goal is to ensure that the club is self-sustaining into the future, with aspirations of adding additional students and even more bees and hives.
“It went great for the first year and we received a ton of help from the community,” Carlson says. “Our students were here for every meeting and really learned a lot the past few months.”
“It’s been a lot of fun so I think I’ll come back and help out if I can as an advisor,” Collins says. “It’s been a really cool experience.”
Art Tech Takes Ropes Course Challenge in Stride
Arts and Technology High School students took part in their annual challenge course field trip, traveling to Camp Tilikum in Newberg on Tuesday, Sept. 12. There, staff and students took part in a variety of team-building activities and bonding challenges.
Split into small groups, Camp Tilikum staff started out by taking the Art Tech community through a series of games centered on communication, requiring teamwork and cooperation. Students had to call out a classmate’s name before throwing them a ball, with that student then instantly performing the same process with a different classmate.
Art Tech students and staff followed the activity up with an exercise on trust and effective communication. Students were split into pairs and given a blindfold, with one partner tasked with leading their blindfolded peer up a winding trail and to the Tilikum Creek challenge course.
Once at the top of the hill, the real fun began, as students took part in daunting competitions. They started with a challenge requiring students to work as a team — traversing from wooden platform to wooden platform without touching the ground. Split into three groups of five, teams were given a total of five planks to strategically place and walk across. Any time somebody slipped or touched the ground they had to go back to the previous platform, adding to the obstacle’s difficulty. The challenge tested patience and determination, but Art Tech students lacked neither attribute during the activity.
Finally, toward the end of an eventful day, it was time for the real challenges, where students climbed dozens of feet, into the canopy of the towering forest, to walk across tight ropes. While students were strapped strapped into safety harnesses and outfitted in safety gear, the various ropes course challenges required courage and support of one another. By the end of the day the long list of activities had served as a fun opportunity to build leadership and cohesion between Art Tech staff and students, two attributes that will continue to grow throughout the 2017-18 school year.
Nine WLWV Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
The group of students are competing for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance and attain Finalist standing. About 90 percent of semifinalists are expected to move on to the Finalist level, with about half of Finalists winning a National Merit Scholarship and Merit Scholar title. National Merit Scholars and National Merit Scholarships will be announced in the spring.
Art Tech's Jacob Thompson Shines in the Spotlight
For Arts and Technology High School Senior Jacob Thompson, Willamette Falls Media Center’s Fall Into Media event this past Friday, Sept. 23, was the culmination of a whirlwind summer. That’s because Thompson, who’s known as JT at school, served as the event’s emcee, podcasting the entire two-hour show while providing entertainment in between multiple musical acts.
It was an honor that was hard-earned, as Thompson has spent the past several weeks learning the ins and outs of podcasting while working eight-hour shifts at the local media center.
“I worked really hard this summer, working eight-hour days three days a week. I really just wanted to do anything they needed to help out and also learn about television and other media, because that’s what I want to do someday,” Thompson said right before he went live Friday night.
The Fall Into Media event was an opportunity for local community members to come together and network, as well as a chance for local bands and on-air talent to show off their chops. Thompson was one of those talents, effortlessly leading topics and conversations with guests, transitioning between bands and commercial breaks with ease. It was impressive stuff, especially considering Thompson was new to podcasting prior to his internship that started in August.
“I didn’t have any experience with any of this, so it took me a while to learn how to use the equipment and what makes for an interesting podcast,” Thompson said. “I usually did a show called ‘Top Five,’ where me and guests debated our top-five favorites for any given topic, like music, food, or something else.”
Thompson also took the opportunity to highlight C-TEC, a youth services collaboration with Clackamas County Educational Services District that works to give eligible youth employment opportunities. He spent a segment of Friday’s live podcast interviewing Art Tech C-TEC Career Advisor Hally Olson, who helped the Thompson locate and land the internship with Willamette Falls Media Center.
Olson has a caseload of 40 students, working with them even after they graduate high school in many cases to find careers. She helps seek out opportunities, build resumes, practice interview skills, and function in the workplace among many other things. Thompson says he appreciates everything Olson has done for him in the past year-plus, which was why he wanted to interview her on Friday. The pair talked about C-TEC and everything it’s done for students aged 16-24 across Clackamas County.
“I’m interested in film, movies, acting, screen writing, and podcasts,” Thompson said. “This opportunity let me learn more about those things and get experience, so I’m really thankful for C-TEC.”
“C-TEC is really a bridge for students to be successful after high school, giving them those skills before and after graduation to flourish,” added Art Tech Principal Saskia Dresler. “We’re really proud of JT and everything he’s accomplished.”
Thompson’s conversations with his guests are always unscripted, which can be nerve-racking at times, but it also makes for an exciting listen. That was certainly the case Friday night.
And while Friday’s event marked the end of Thompson’s internship, he says it’s just the start of his foray into media. He plans to continue learning and producing his own podcasts. Also an avid writer, Thompson says he’s not sure where his future will take him, but that he hopes it involves some medium of entertainment.
“This was right up my alley and a great opportunity,” Thompson said. “It was really great experience for me, and a great chance to learn some skills I’ll be able to use later on. It was just really great. I can’t wait to do more.”
WLWV Enjoys Dual Language Family Night
Dual Language Family Night was a hit yesterday! Dual Language students from Lowrie and Trillium Creek primaries combined at Lowrie to share a night of tasty food, fun games and, above all, excitement for the school year.
With more than 200 people in attendance, families met teachers and District administrators while enjoying traditional Mexican dishes, followed by a variety of interactive activities. Dual Language families all took part in reading some of their students' favorite books, followed by a giant game of Loteria (Bingo)!
Families even got to take home their own Loteria game and book, capping off a successful Dual Language Night, and setting the stage for another great school year.
Lowrie Welcomes Renowned Children's Author
Award-winning children’s author Kathryn Otoshi is known across the nation for her character-building children’s books, which promote themes of acceptance, tolerance, and community through stories that resonate with students of all ages.
With more than a dozen national awards to her name — including a Teacher’s Choice Award, Mom’s Choice Award, Young Readers Award, and Nautilus Gold Book Award among others — Kathryn’s work has impacted countless children. That’s why Lowrie Primary students and parents are thrilled for the chance to meet Kathryn in person, when the renowned author traveled to the school for a book reading and signing on Oct. 9.
The exciting opportunity was the result of a partnership with Powell’s Books and a serendipitous relationship with Lowrie’s own counselor Carmen Ryan. Carmen and Kathryn grew up together as childhood friends in Southern California, so when Carmen heard there was a chance the prolific writer might be able to come to Wilsonville, she jumped at the opportunity.
“I’m grateful for our very supportive PTA and Principal Patrick Meigs offering an honorarium and volunteering at the event, allowing a wonderful and celebrated author to come to Lowrie,” Carmen says. “The ideas in Kathryn’s books show students that if you dream big, and consistently practice patience and hard work, you can accomplish just about anything.”
Students had the option to preorder Kathryn’s books at a discounted rate, including titles “Zero,” “One,” “Two,” “Beautiful Hands,” and “Draw the Line.” Lowrie parents were also encouraged to attend the event, where they received the chance to sit in on Kathryn’s keynote speech and book-reading, followed by the chance for students to meet one of their favorite authors.
“We are so lucky and excited to have Kathryn come to Lowrie and speak with our children,” Carmen says. “Students are already talking about it, and it will reinforce our core beliefs of inclusivity, diversity, standing up for each other, and kindness.”
Carmen and the Lowrie community have put an increased emphasis on social emotional learning this year, to create a school community where everyone feels safe and valued. Using Second Steps and other resources, Carmen has already seen improvements, but she’s especially excited for Lowrie students and families to meet a well-known champion of inclusive beliefs.
Barbour's Basket Keeps Stafford Primary Energized
Students at Stafford Primary can work up quite the appetite during the course of a school day. Between recess, wellness class, and hours of rigorous learning, it’s common for students’ bellies to begin to rumble by the time the afternoon rolls around.
That’s where Barbour’s Basket comes in.
The longstanding tradition is one that Counselor Laura Barber started when she was first hired at Stafford 12 years ago. Now a PTSA-sponsored event, Barbour’s Basket is a school-wide food drive of sorts, where students bring in extra snacks to create a community stockpile.
Every year, for a two-week period in the fall, students who are able are asked to bring in one snack for the school day and a second snack to donate to Barbour’s Basket. Students just finished up this year’s installation of Barbour’s Basket this past week, collecting hundreds of snacks that are sure to last well into the school year.
While some students and families go above and beyond, bringing in multiple snacks for Barbour’s Basket, the goal is simply to collect enough snacks to last throughout the year. That way, any student that forgets to bring food to school or just needs a pick-me-up has something to eat.
“It’s been great to see how supportive our community is and how generous students have been,” Barbour says. “My favorite part about Barbour’s Basket is that students learn about kindness, empathy, and generosity, and they really get the chance to give to others and see what that looks and feels like.”
The result of this year’s Barbour’s Basket snack drive was a giant bin full of diverse treats. There’s a variety of healthy offerings, but one of Barbour’s favorite parts of the yearly tradition is the wide selection of food that families donate.
“There are so many options, which I think is fun and appreciated by students,” she says. “We have everything from seaweed snacks to Ritz crackers, so there really is something for every student.”
So if you’re ever around Stafford and you’re feeling a little low on energy, just head over to the counselor’s office. Barbour’s Basket is sure to have just the snack for whatever craving you might have.
Art Tech Brings Down the House with Rock Concert
Arts and Technology High School's Rock Band threw their annual concert on Wednesday, Oct. 25, inviting community members out to a free show. Students played a variety of past and current hits, including a tribute to the late Tom Petty among many other songs
Willamette Invites Community to Celebrate Douglasaurus' 10th Birthday
This year marks the 10th birthday of “Douglasaurus,” the 20-foot tall dinosaur that sits in the library of Willamette Primary School. While the giant Douglasaurus — a 3-D reading nook shaped as a welcoming dinosaur — has greeted students as they enter the school library for years, the statue’s origin is something of a mystery for many students who enjoy reading in the leaf-shaped pillows located at the base of Douglasaurus’ tail.
The functional piece of art was commissioned by Phil and Cheryl Bransom in 2007, in honor of their son Douglas Bransom. Douglas, a then-Willamette Primary student, was tragically hit and killed by an SUV as it pulled out of a West Linn driveway in 2006. But while Douglasaurus spawned from tragedy, the friendly dinosaur serves as a memorial of Douglas’ life, and as a source of inspiration for students and staff at Willamette.
“We really wanted it to be something that both commemorated Douglas but also inspired others, especially young children to stretch themselves, reach out, and be creative,” says Phil Bransom. “Douglas loved dinosaurs and he loved trains, so we wanted it to be something that young kids, for their first time walking into the school, they could let their guard down because there’s this big dinosaur smiling down at you.”
To commemorate the 10th birthday of Douglasaurus, the Bransoms hosted a celebration party Saturday, Oct. 21 at Willamette Primary. There, students, staff, parents, and the Willamette community at large came together to take part in an afternoon of remembrance and appreciation. Families were invited to bring a book to donate — which was added to Willamette’s library collection — in honor of Douglas.
Willamette students also celebrated Douglasaurus’s birthday at school during the week of Oct. 16-20, highlighted by a school-wide assembly Oct. 18. It’s only right considering Douglasaurus has become such an integral part of Willamette Primary.
“Douglasaurus is such an important part of our school,” says Principal Patrick Minor. “He really is a focal point of our library and provides that welcome, safe feeling as children enter the school and head to the library.”
In addition to Douglasaurus, The Bransom family contributes a scholarship to a graduating West Linn High School senior every year, donating money to an individual who displays the same qualities that made Douglas so special. Those qualities include compassion, love of life, an eagerness for learning, and artistic creativity.
“We’re really happy to continue the Douglas Bransom Memorial Scholarship,” Bransom says. “He had a love of life in general and an eagerness for learning. And part of that scholarship is that, especially in today’s world, we want to celebrate and remember the things that made his life important and what others should try to emulate.”
In addition to honoring their son, the Bransoms’ mission is to educate communities about safe driving and the importance of keeping an eye out for children. It’s especially vital for those that drive large SUVs with big blind spots. Hundreds of children die of accidents similar to Douglas’ every year, which is why the Bransoms have worked with the organization Kids and Cars for the past decade.
“The second layer to this is that we’ve brought awareness to children safety in and around cars,” Bransom says. “Most SUVs have 10- to 15-foot blind spots. We really want to keep that in the forefront of people’s minds, because it only takes a few seconds for a child to come out and get in the way of your car. It’s so important to take that 10 seconds to look in front of and behind your car, to make sure there’s no child there that you can’t see.”
More than anything, the Oct. 21 birthday party was meant to be a celebration. After all, that’s what Douglas would have wanted.
“It’s an afternoon for joy. We hope students, families, and the whole community join us on Oct. 21.”
Bolton Primary Wows with Annual Trashion Show
Bolton Primary's annual Trashion Show did not disappoint this morning, with students showcasing personally-crafted costumes designed solely with recycled materials. Fifth-grade students got the chance to display their colorful and inventive outfits at a school-wide Fashion Show on Wednesday, Oct. 25, with student emcees announcing the inspiration behind their creations to the entire Bolton community.
Students were challenged to create costumes with a $0 budget, so all items must already be in their possession, borrowed or repurposed. It is Bolton's goal to foster creativity, along with some awareness of how we have become a "throw away society."
Third-Graders Study Salmon in their Natural Habitat
West Linn-Wilsonville third-graders spent the week of Oct. 31-Nov. 3 taking field trips to the Columbia River Gorge, getting a close-up look at salmon in their natural habitat as they get ready to spawn. Orchestrated by CREST (Center for Research in Environmental Sciences and Technologies), students paid visits to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery as well as other salmon spawning sites along the Columbia River Gorge for the past 20-plus years.
Led by CREST Director Bob Carlson, students first learn about the egg fertilization process. Students get their own set of salmon eggs in the classroom, which they raise and observe before releasing back in the wild later in November.
At this week’s field trip, meanwhile, students learn about the thousands of miles that salmon travel to get to the Gorge. They see firsthand the different stages of salmon spawning, even viewing live, full-sized salmon. Students learn from members of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Experts, and even get to see salmon matriculate salmon ladders at the hatchery.
Lowrie Rolls to the Wheel-A-Thon Music
MAP-sponsored Wilsonville High Fall Festival of the Arts Returned for Another Star-Studded Show
It’s hard to pick a favorite piece or performance from Wilsonville High School’s annual Fall Festival of the Arts. Some prefer the energetic performances from the orchestras and band, while others are partial to the sweet sounds of the choir. Then, of course, there’s the walls and walls of captivating artwork and photography that line the gym, as well as the Drama Department’s performance of a scene from their current production of “The Little Mermaid,” which hits the WHS stage starting Nov. 2.
Regardless of what your favorite part of the Fall Festival of the Arts is, everyone can agree, Wilsonville High School is bursting with talent. Whether it’s a performance from one of the school’s talented choirs, or a song from a cappella group Soul’d Out, there truly was something for everyone to enjoy.
West Linn-Wilsonville
Website: https://www.wlwv.k12.or.us/
Location: 22210 Southwest Stafford Road, Tualatin, OR, United States
Phone: 503-673-7000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WLWVschools/
Twitter: @WLWVdistrict