Staff and Student Shout Outs
Fall, 2019
This is the first edition of Staff and Student Shout Outs for the 2019-20 school year! The following is a collection of just a few of student and staff accomplishments so far this year. If you have news or recognition you want to share with your colleagues, or know of someone in the district who does, please contact Andrew Kilstrom at kilstroa@wlwv.k12.or.us or 503-673-7012. In addition to inclusion in this newsletter, stories are shared on the district website and on the district's social media pages. We'd love to share the great news!
High School Art Students Stun Community with SMART Bus Design Unveiling
Wednesday, June 26 was a monumental day for the City of Wilsonville thanks, in part, to students at Wilsonville and Arts and Technology high schools.
The City of Wilsonville’s SMART Transit Center unveiled two battery-electric buses during its celebratory community event, marking 30 years of independent transit service in Wilsonville. The new buses will cut down more than 5 million pounds of carbon emissions over their lifespan, highlighting another important chapter in the City’s quest to reduce Wilsonville’s carbon footprint and increase practices of environmental sustainability.
The unveiling of the two buses was noteworthy for more than the positive impacts they will make on Wilsonville and the larger world, however. The unveiling ceremony on June 26 marked the first time that Wilsonville and Art Tech students saw their breathtaking design boldly displayed on the exterior of the two new buses. Students spent months collaborating on their vibrant design, combining the blue and green colors of SMART with many of the prominent landmarks of Wilsonville.
Students presented their design to the Wilsonville City Council in December of 2018, where it was unanimously approved as the design for the new buses. Students who worked on the bus wrap design included Leilani Bautista, Vianey Bautista, Jasleen Kaur Bhullar, Elaysia Gates, Mason Wright, Eleanor Karrick, Angelica Maldonado, and Max McGuire. Under the mentorship of Wilsonville High Art Teacher Christopher Shotola-Hardt and Arts and Technology High’s Tech Teacher Philip Clark, students even got the chance to see the design wrapping process before it’s unveiling.
And After months of hard work and waiting, June 26 marked the day when the entire community could see all their hard work come to fruition. Students met transit officials and state legislators, received certificates for their service to the City, and took pictures with Mayor Tim Knapp and other government officials during the celebration event. They even had the opportunity to take a ride on the 35-foot electric buses prior to their deployment into the field on June 27.
Maybe best of all, students will now get the satisfaction of seeing their impactful design roam the City’s streets for years to come. They will always be able to point to their contributions, as their names are quite literally etched in Wilsonville's proud history, appearing on the back bumper of the new and future electric bus fleet.
Athey Creek Prinicpal Joel Sebastian Named Peace Educator of the Year
Athey Creek Middle School Principal Joel Sebastian received the Wholistic Peace Institute’s Peace Educator of the Year Award on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Mr. Sebastian was recognized alongside distinguished students and teachers from across Oregon for their work in making their local communities and the world a better and more peaceful place. During the ceremony at Leslie Middle School in Salem, Mr. Sebastian was presented with the prestigious award for the great work taking place at Athey Creek Middle School. Among other peace-centered projects, Athey Creek Middle School works closely with two sister schools in the Republic of Korea, located in Daegu and Ulsan. The central purpose of the exchange program is to build a bridge of understanding between the two countries and student populations, with students traveling back and forth between the two countries.
The Wholistic Peace Institute holds the belief that the solution to school hate crimes, anger, and gun violence is multifaceted, advocating for peace education in schools as an aspect of the solution. Teaching conflict resolution skills, the institute focuses on projects that embrace diversity and promote tolerance, Nobel Peace Laureates as leadership models, mediation to solve conflict, and the teaching of peacemaking skills as part of the solution.
Students Visit West Linn-Wilsonville Schools From Kitakata City, Japan
Earlier this month, the City of Wilsonville and West Linn-Wilsonville School District welcomed middle and high school students from Kitakata City, Japan. Kitakata City is the sister city of Wilsonville, with students staying with Wilsonville host families for 10 days in late October. Students visited various places in the greater Portland area, including West Linn-Wilsonville schools.
Students visited Boeckman Creek Primary, Meridian Creek Middle School, Wilsonville High School, and Lowrie Primary, interacting with WLWV students and learning about the similarities and differences between Japanese and American schools.
At Wilsonville High School, Kitakata City students visited Wilsonville High Japanese Teacher Shinobu Sakurai Chrisman's Japanese II, III, and IV classes, sharing experiences and playing games. Shinobu's students visited Kitakata City last summer, providing international experiences for Wilsonville High students.
Wilsonville and Kitakata City have been sister cities for more than 30 years, visiting every other year.
WLWV Students Gain Hands-On Environmental Science Experience Through CREST 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 the Clackamas River Basin, whose collaboration has allowed two students to gain first-hand environmental science experience this summer.
West Linn High School students Gavin Harvey and Camden Saks spent their summer working in different areas of the Clackamas River Basin. Working alongside CRBC’s Suzi Cloutier, Gavin and Camden regularly visited water sites to learn about the Clackamas River Basin Council’s role in preserving the watershed for future generations. There, the pair would test samples from various sites on the Willamette River, record observations of surrounding wildlife, and help staff with regular reports. [READ THE FULL STORY]
Wilsonville High School Homecoming Parade Doesn't Disappoint
Willamette, Lowrie Primary Schools Help Fight Heart Disease Through Kids Heart Challenge Program
Summer Reading Program Builds Skills for Students From All Nine WLWV Primary Schools
While the West Linn-Wilsonville School District’s Summer Reading Program has gone through a variety of iterations over the years, one thing has always stayed constant — the program increases reading skills for students in a fun and inclusive environment.
The free three-week-long Summer Reading Program kicked off on Monday, June 17. Open to all West Linn-Wilsonville students in grades 3-5, the program consists of nearly 200 students with representation from all nine of the District’s primary schools.
Bus transportation is provided for all participating students, who arrive at Boones Ferry Primary at 9 a.m. where they spend the better part of 3.5 hours interacting with peers from all over WLWV, selecting books from the BFPS library and, of course, finding a comfy spot to curl up and read.
“One thing I really like about the program is that, even in just three weeks, we really feel like a mini-family and students get to know one another really well,” says Elisa Lee, the District’s Dual Language Coordinator and one of the Summer Reading Program coordinators alongside Kelly Rogers. “We have tremendous staff members, instructional assistants, and reading specialists who help make this program successful.”
It’s the second year that the program has been open to all nine primary schools. Students receive snacks and a hot lunch during their day of learning, providing ample time to get to know teachers from other schools as well as peers they might not otherwise get the chance to meet. In addition to reading, students spend time discussing literature, participating in writing activities, and even some art projects all aimed at accelerating and improving reading skills.
“It’s really an extension of what students receive in the classroom during the school year,” Rogers says. “Instruction is probably more focused during the course of the school year, but our teachers are certainly using all of the same strategies that we would in the regular classroom setting.”
New this year is an additional component for the District’s Dual Language students. WLWV Dual Language teachers oversee students who participate in the Spanish-English program using books written in Spanish as donated by Lowrie Primary. The additional element allows Dual Language students the chance to further their skills in the summer months.
West Linn High School Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
Earlier this week, seven West Linn High School students were named National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalists. West Linn High School students Nathaniel Adam, Natalie Cha, Gregory Daswick, Haydn Maust, James Nicholson, Katarina Pejcinovic, and Jason Von Ahn were all given the prestigious honor. Only 16,000 students from across the country were named semifinalists.
In addition to semifinalists, 12 WLHS students were awarded National Merit Scholarship Commendation. Those students included Kyle Bezio, Elijah Cirioli, Casey Culbertson, Christopher Dunstan, Gabrielle Garcia, Maggie Metcalf, Samuel Montagut, Bella Royer, Sabrina Smith, Ethan Sovde, Isaiah Woram, and Zyla Zody. Only 50,000 out of 1.5 million high school students are eligible for the prestigious award.
National Merit Scholarship finalists will be named in February, with winners selected after that. Winners are selected based on ability, skill, and accomplishments, including academic record, information about the school’s curricula and grading system, two sets of test scores, written recommendations, information about student activities and leadership, and an essay. Learn more at the National Merit Scholarship Corporation Website.
We did it! WLWV voters pass capital bond, local option levy
Students Learn Healthy Nutrition Through Nutrition Services Department Partnership with Oregon State University
The West Linn-Wilsonville Nutrition Services Department is constantly looking for ways to connect with students and provide the healthiest and tastiest food options in WLWV cafeterias. From food taste-testing during lunch to surveying students, staff frequently look for ways to provide students with food education while ensuring cafeterias have nutritious food offerings that students enjoy.
The Nutrition Services Department had a special surprise from students of all grade levels last week when agriculture researchers from Oregon State University visited classrooms to solicit feedback around new bread recipes, introducing students to healthier options while garnering student input on taste. Oregon State researchers shared their work and findings with students, explaining the amount of sodium found in bread, and how different aspects of nutrition affect student health.
Fourth- and fifth-graders from Willamette Primary, as well as high school students from Wilsonville and Arts and Technology High Schools engaged in the food exercise, helping to inform WLWV Nutrition Services food offerings while learning about healthy nutrition of their own.
Learn more about the WLWV Nutrition Services Department.
Wilsonville High School Once Again Throws Successful Dia De Los Muertos Festival
Middle Schools Participate in Annual Unified Soccer Jamboree
Wilsonville High Wins OSAA 5A Oregonian Cup, West Linn High Finishes Second in OSAA 6A League
The Oregonian Cup is arguably the best indicator of success in high school athletics in any given school year. The Oregonian Cup is given to the high school who demonstrates the most cumulative success across all sports in any given year based on a points system. Schools are also awarded points for academic success, meaning student-athletes need to demonstrate well-rounded abilities to earn the top prize.
The final results were tallied and 2018-19 winners were announced on June 17, showing that Wilsonville and West Linn high schools have some of the best athletes the State of Oregon has to offer. Wilsonville High School finished first in all of 5A while West Linn High School finished second in all of 6A.
Wilsonville earned a total of 3,662.5 points over the course of 2018-19, finishing a whopping 565.75 points ahead of second-place Crescent Valley among all 5A schools. Of note, Wilsonville High School's boys basketball team won a state championship, earning 200 points, while the football team finished second, girls basketball finished third, and many other teams turned in tremendous seasons. It was the first time Wilsonville has won the Oregonian Cup since 2002.
West Linn High School finished second in all of 6A, trailing only Jesuit High School. West Linn student-athletes thrived in a number of sports, including football, boys and girls soccer, volleyball, girls basketball, track and field, baseball, girls golf, and more. Congratulations to the many successes of our 2018-19 student-athletes!
Hundreds of Middle School Students Participate in Walk to School Day
CREST Summer Campers Learn About Agriculture Science, Interact with WLWV Community
CREST Farm Foodies Summer Campers had a blast on July 3, selling CREST-grown foods to the Wilsonville community. Students sold blueberries, basil, asparagus, raspberries, other herbs, and even kale chips they made themselves.
Farm Foodies is a new CREST summer camp offering this year, allowing students to experience agriculture and farming first-hand while learning about where food comes from. Middle school-aged students have spent the past three weeks planting, weeding, and harvesting produce, as well as experimenting with cooking using ingredients they grew themselves. Students visited school gardens across West Linn-Wilsonville, learning about the importance of healthy soil and ideal growing conditions, and spent time making tasty items such as raspberry jam, kale chips, and other healthy foods.
West Linn-Wilsonville Named No. 2 School District in Oregon by Niche.com
The West Linn-Wilsonville School District was recently ranked the No. 2 school district in Oregon by Niche.com. West Linn-Wilsonville received "A+" grades for college prep and sports programs as well as "A" grades for academics and teachers among other rankings. West Linn High School was ranked No. 5 with an "A+" rating and Wilsonville High School was ranked No. 11 with an "A" rating.
Niche.com rates schools through a series of steps, using data and parent feedback among other factors.
High School Students Represent WLWV at Oregon Unified Leadership Summit
West Linn-Wilsonville Participates in Successful Inaugural Multi-City Equity Summit
The cities of West Linn, Wilsonville, Lake Oswego, Tigard, and Tualatin joined forces to organize the inaugural Multi-City Equity Summit on Saturday, Oct. 19. Hosted by Lake Oswego High School, hundreds of school and city leaders, police departments and community organizations came together to learn about equity, diversity, and inclusion in our communities.
Participants spent the day collectively deepening their understanding of how racism and discrimination are experienced in our communities; sharing ways in which our communities are responding to problems in neighborhoods, schools and city government; and explored ways to address these issues at the local level.
Special guest speakers included Dr. Dean Marvin Lynn, Emmett Wheatfall, Dr. Paul Miller, Dr. Emily Drew, Charu Manchanda Nair, Bill de la Cruz, Don Johnson, Thomas Bruner, John Lenssen, Dr. Markisha Smith, Willie Poinsette, Christine Moses, Glenn Montgomery, and Megan Phelan.
A special thank you goes to everyone who helped put the special event together.
WLWV Welcomes Outstanding Group of New Teachers for 2019-20 School Year
Boeckman Creek, Bolton Primary Among Several Schools Enjoying Successful Fun Run
WLWV High School Students Code for the Future During Summer Robotics Camp
District Receives Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The West Linn-Wilsonville School District received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting on Sept. 26. Awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association, the award was given for the District's comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.
Students Learn About Teamwork, Restoration Efforts Through Metro Native Plant Center Work-Based Learning 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 comes through the Metro Native Plant Center, whose collaboration has allowed three students to gain first-hand environmental science experience this summer.
Through a youth work-based learning program, students have already begun working at Metro’s Native Plant Center in Tualatin, located just down the road from Athey Creek Middle School. Students have hit the ground running, gaining perspective on the vital purpose the Metro Native Plant Center serves in the Metro Region while learning valuable work skills. Read more about the exciting partnership program at the CREST website.
ISEF Students Partner with PSU for Upcoming Microscopy Society of America National Microscopy and Microanalysis Conference
On Aug 5-6, 10 West Linn and Wilsonville high school students received the opportunity to partner with 10 Portland State University undergraduate students as part of the Microscopy Society of America Annual Microscopy and Microanalysis national meeting. Sponsored by the conference Education Committee, student scientists worked alongside WLWV International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Program Coordinators Dr. Jennifer Wells and Danielle Grenier, as well as PSU’s Dr. Erik Sanchez to pilot a program that will introduce students to the world of professional conferences and advanced microscopy and digital imaging.
On Aug. 4, students engaged in a pre-conference electron microscopy workshop in the Portland State University Nano Development Laboratory to learn key concepts and technical language. Nanoscale microscopy is the technical field that uses electron microscopes capable of magnifications up to 10 million times in comparison to light microscopes that are limited to below 200 times magnification.
On Aug. 5 and 6, students attended and participated in the first two days of the Microscopy Society of America National Microscopy and Microanalysis Conference at the Oregon Convention Center. Students participated in the Plenary Session and visit the Exhibit and Vendor booths.
Each West Linn-Wilsonville student was paired with a PSU undergraduate student, allowing for collaboration and learning throughout the conference. West Linn-Wilsonville students then presented their International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) project poster to conference attendees. During the two-day conference, students learned about the latest in Microscopy and Microanalysis from some of the field’s top scientists and researchers.
West Linn High School's Steve Davala Releases Third Book of Soulkind Trilogy
Steve shared the final installation of his original Soulkind series at Rose City Comic Con in September. Find the complete collection of works on Amazon!
WLWV Continues to Improve Student Outcomes Through Inclusive Practices
On June 10, West Linn-Wilsonville Superintendent Dr. Kathy Ludwig and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Jennifer Spencer-Iiams gave a special presentation alongside members of FACT Oregon, highlighting the changes in special education in the State of Oregon. Speaking in front of members of the Oregon Senate Committee on Education in Salem, Dr. Ludwig and Dr. Spencer-Iiams highlighted the importance of Inclusive Practices in Oregon schools. Specifically, they shared the dramatic impact Inclusive Practices have had on West Linn-Wilsonville schools and students in recent years.
Even before Inclusive Practices were first implemented, the West Linn-Wilsonville School District’s mission statement was to create learning communities for the greatest and most thoughtful people for the world. And for the better part of the past decade, that mission has included Inclusive Practices. Congruently, the District has experienced a great deal of growth during that time, as the District has collected data, monitored student outcomes, cultivated school cultures, and refined Inclusive Practices.
[READ THE REST OF THE STORY AND ALL ABOUT RECENT WLWV INCLUSIVE PRACTICES UPDATES]
Wilsonville Public Library Provides WLWV Interns With Real-World Photography Experience
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, which is exactly what Wilsonville High School Sophomore Hanna Rizo hopes to achieve with her photography. In fact, storytelling was one of many reasons she was excited to begin a photography internship through the Wilsonville Public Library this summer.
Hanna has spent her summer vacation photographing various Wilsonville Public Library events, providing marketing materials for the Library while building awareness of the many exciting opportunities it has to offer Wilsonville residents. In addition to experience and work she can add to her portfolio, Hanna will also get the chance to learn from a photography mentor in local photographer Kim Elliott. [READ ALL ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY ON CREST'S WEBSITE]
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