Greetings West Linn-Wilsonville School Community -Welcome to the West Linn-Wilsonville School District! This is an exceptional place of teaching, learning and community support. Between our incredible students, dedicated staff, supportive School Board and wonderful community, I can’t imagine a better place in which to learn and lead.
What makes this district so special is that while we draw upon students, families and patrons from two cities, we are ONE community, made stronger by our mission of creating learning communities for the greatest thinkers and most thoughtful people for the world. We have compelling District Goals, that drive strategies and actions for improving how we teach, learn and lead in cultures that are inclusive, courses that are academically rigorous and results that generate equitable outcomes for each child.
This year, our West Linn-Wilsonville theme is “Leading Together”, and I invite members across our community to engage and participate in ways that strengthen our district mission and shine a light on the endeavors of our amazing students.
To a great year!
Kathy Ludwig, Superintendent
When West Linn-Wilsonville students venture into their school cafeteria this coming school year they might notice a new yet familiar face.
That’s because Brian Quinn joined the West Linn-Wilsonville School District as Nutrition Services Coordinator at the beginning of July, bringing a diverse background in food that might sound, and look, familiar to WLWV families and students.
If you’re an avid watcher of KGW’s Portland Today news broadcast, you might recognize Brian from their popular “In the Kitchen” segment. For the past eight months, Brian has educated viewers on a variety of both tasty and healthy foods, teaching other aspiring chefs how to prepare delicious dishes in their own kitchens. It’s just one example of Brian’s passion for food education, and a great example of why he’s so excited to join the West Linn-Wilsonville School District.
“I’ve been in senior dining for the last 10 years, and before that I’ve been in restaurants, hotels, and have pretty much done all kinds of things in the food industry,” he says. “But I wanted to get into a school district where I felt the passion that I still have for food, and for discovery and cooking that I could share with kids.” [READ MORE ABOUT WLWV'S NEWEST ADDITION]
Every summer, CREST’s Catalyst Camp offers one-of-a-kind experiences for up-and-coming student scientists in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. With two options — High Tech for the technology-inclined and Engineering and Inquiry for ISEF hopefuls — incoming high school students have spent the past several weeks hard at work in science exploration.
After weeks of learning, Engineering and Inquiry students capped off their summer of science by pitching research projects to past International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalists in a “Shark Tank” setting. Students spent the week experimenting with CREST science equipment at Wilsonville High School, touring science institutions in downtown Portland, all the while brainstorming and working on science projects that have interest to them.
Their hard work culminated on Friday, July 13, when students pitched their project ideas to their mentors. Facilitated by CREST Program Coordinators Amy Schauer and Danielle Grenier, students pitched their science project ideas — projects they’ll likely pursue as ISEF competition research projects next school year — to science “sharks.” [READ THE FULL STORY]
Last week we shared the great student learning taking place in our high schools, as incoming freshmen transition from middle school to high school, returning students take advantage of Go-Ahead opportunities, and students across the school district embrace the growth mindset that has become a calling card of West Linn-Wilsonville.
And while those students will wrap up their summer learning at the end of this week, they’re not alone. Both Primary and Middle School students have been similarly engaged for the past few weeks, participating in reading programs, CREST summer camps, and a variety of other summer learning opportunities.
At Boones Ferry Primary, for example, students from across the school district have joined together to participate in a unique summer reading program. Aimed at all reading levels, students have received extra practice this summer while getting a chance to read both their favorite books as well as explore new titles as they improve reading skills.
For the outdoor-inclined, CREST (Center for Research in Environmental Sciences and Technologies) is offering multiple summer learning camps for varying grade levels. [Learn More About Summer Learning Across the District]
