News Blast
Gladstone Schools • Growing Great People • 11.19.20
Gladstone High Stages fall play online
The fall play at Gladstone High required a new approach during distance learning. Each actor performed their part from their own home, with teacher Josh Weir editing the pieces into a complete video production. Here's the link to the performance: https://youtu.be/zSZiuaJ6GNU
The family-friendly comedy is Homeschooled by Jason Pizzarello. It tells the timely story of the town of Smorgasbord, which is forced to close the public school system and rely on a motley crew of parents to homeschool all the children.
The parents are thrown for a loop. They realize that none of them is qualified to teach a full course load, so they decide to divide and conquer the subjects. The results are hilarious, including a lecture on eighteenth-century European society delivered by a clown, a drill sergeant baking pies in Home Economics, and a lady who's had way, way too much caffeine zooming through 200 years of U.S. History.
Listen to the Gladstone High School Band performance online:
Band instruction evolves during pandemic
Gladstone's band teacher Seth Arnold feels like a first-year teacher again. Distance learning has meant an end to daily group rehearsals, live performances, guest conductors, master classes, and travel to Eugene for the All-State Honor Band. So he’s teaching band in new and different ways.
“We have focused more on individual technique, music theory, guided listening, and writing about music,” said Arnold. “Next we will be digging into composition.”
The group considered outdoor rehearsal. However, given the lack of access for some students, the recent spread of the virus, and the start of Oregon’s fall rains, band remains entirely online for now.
For Arnold, the most drastic difference has been the reprioritization of social/emotional health, which takes conscious effort and planning in a distance learning environment.
“The most important thing this program provides to our students is a safe space to make friends and work together towards a common goal. We’ve lost hours of time together that we can never get back,” he said. “To make up for this, I’ve tried some different online things such as “story time with Mr. and Mrs. Arnold” and streaming video games for the kids on the weekend. They get to chat with each other and make fun of my poor gaming skills.”
Students are coping with online school in a variety of ways, from spending time together in socially-distanced ways and playing games online to chatting. Most are just trying to hold out until school gets back to normal.
“Still, positive things have come from this challenging situation,” said Arnold. “Some students have played their instruments even more that they would have during regular school. Others are learning new instruments on their own.”
So far the band has had only one opportunity to perform “together.” High school musicians each recorded their own track to a short chorale. Then Arnold spent 11 hours to mix the 30 seconds of music into a group performance.
“It was quite a lot of work, but the reaction from the kids, their parents, and the community has been worth it,” said Arnold. “Listening to the piece brought us a ray of sunshine, because it was the first time we’ve heard the kids play together in over seven months.”
Nonprofit donates free books for Wetten students
Gladstone non-profit The Clackamas Bookshelf made a recent delivery of children’s books to John Wetten Elementary. The books will be given to students on their next supply pickup day.
“We are grateful to the school staff who help us hand out the books,” said project leader Katy Preston. “At a time when libraries are difficult to access, it’s so important that children have books to read.”
To support The Clackamas Bookshelf, buy books from their used book shop located in a portable behind Kraxberger Middle School. All books are 50 cents, and all proceeds are used to provide books for students across Clackamas County. To make a Sunday shopping appointment or order a surprise bag of books delivered to your porch, visit
Gladstone High student Brynn Tatom met outdoors with her fellow Key Club members to paint rocks for World Kindness Day.
Key dates to remember
November 23: No School due to Parent Conferences; No free meal distribution.
November 24: No School due to Staff Development
November 25 to 27: No School due to Thanksgiving Break
December 16: Last day of fall Trimester for students
December 17 to January 3: No School for students – Winter Break