Brockett Bulletin
Superintendent Communication: April 11, 2024
Outdoor School!
For the first time, all six elementary schools sent their fifth grade students to multi-day, overnight Outdoor School. The experiences are funded by Measure 99 that directs lottery revenue to offer immersive, outdoor science education to all school districts.
Outdoor School has been in Oregon for more than 60 years, giving students a chance to move from the classroom into nature for hands-on experiences they may not otherwise have. Before Measure 99, access to Outdoor School was limited to schools that could successfully fundraise.
This week, Buel and Newby visited Camp Arrah Wanna, an historic summer camp in the foothills of Mt. Hood, situated alongside the Salmon River. Other Outdoor School locations include camps in Vernonia, Drift Creek and Rockaway Beach.
See more photos on the MSD Facebook page.
Patton Service Days
Patton is piloting the return of student service days and launched a slate of activities for sixth graders this week. Students were dispatched to all elementary schools, the MSD Family Resource Center, the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce, Vineyard Heights on Hill Road, See You Later Foundation, and more.
See more photos on the MSD Facebook page!
Buel Students Visit School Board
Kindergartners from Maddy Podnar’s class visited the School Board this week to demonstrate the Early Literacy Success initiative. With the help of Buel staff (pictured, Erin Combs) students showed board members how they are learning sounds and letters and how they put those sounds together to understand how words are formed.
Students Share Experiences with School Board
In addition to the Buel students, other student visitors to this week’s board meeting included exchange students from both Germany and France. The German students are part of the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) exchange that involves German students visiting Mac High for a little more than two weeks and the MHS students visiting them in June for a similar visit intended to expand cultural understanding between Germans and Americans.
Two of a group of French students visiting Mac High for two weeks also attended the meeting with their host students to share experiences about their program. The students are part of an international pathway program in their home school. This summer a large group of Mac High students will take a trip to France and hopefully re-connect with the students here on exchange.
Kindergarten Registration
Registration day for kindergarten (and pre-K too) is Thursday, April 25 from 3 - 6:30 p.m. at your neighborhood elementary school.
Don’t wait to enroll! Registered kindergarten students will be invited to playdates on school playgrounds over the summer! Find out here what you need to know.
Erin Caldwell Combs named principal of Buel Elementary
Erin Caldwell Combs will take over as principal of Buel Elementary beginning July 1, replacing Veronica Chase, who will finish her tenure in the district on June 30.
Erin has been working at Buel as a TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) since 2021. Read more here.
Reminder: No School on Friday, April 12
There is no school tomorrow due to teacher inservice. See you Monday, April 15!