West Linn High School received its National Banner on Friday, Oct. 20, making it an official Special Olympics Unified Champion School. Members of the West Linn High School Unified Club were handed the banner in front of the entire school, making WLHS one of just 38 schools in the entire country to receive the 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. Unified Sports is an extension of the West Linn High School Unified Club, which meets every other Wednesday throughout the school year, serving as a bonding experience for students from all backgrounds.

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.

The cultural relationships that form after students from South Korea stay with Athey Creek Middle Schoolers and their families during a week-long exchange is an experience like none other.

"They have this bond that you can't really get anywhere else in school," said John Moshofsky, director of Korean Studies Program and social studies teacher at Athey Creek. "These people have been through this experience that is pretty unique and it's a common experience that they share."

Friday, Oct. 13, 26 students from Yongsan Middle School in Daegu, South Korea — part of Athey Creek's sister school exchange program — came to the school to be paired with their Athey Creek families for their week-long immersion into American education. [READ THE FULL STORY]

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.

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. [FULL STORY HERE]

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 upcoming 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 is something for everyone to enjoy.

That will be the case again this year when Wilsonville High partners with Music and Arts Partners (MAP) — the nonprofit organization that sponsors music and arts educators in all 16 West Linn-Wilsonville schools. Scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21, the Wilsonville High Fall Festival of the Arts is a showcase of all performing and visual arts at Wilsonville High, combining delicious food, a great time, and an opportunity to give back and support local students and the arts. [FULL STORY HERE]