Health Science professionals from across West Linn and Wilsonville joined West Linn High School students on Thursday, Feb. 20 to discuss various health science careers and how students can get started. Students spent part of lunch on Thursday learning about health careers from local professionals, including dental, physical therapy, pharmacy, and nursing fields. Dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, physical therapists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and registered nurses provided information and networking opportunities for interested students.

Thank you to Advance Sports and Spine Therapy, Advance Dental Arts, Hi-School Pharmacy, and Providence Home Health for joining our students! To learn more about career opportunities, check out the CREST Internship Pathways Program webpage.

The Meridian Creek Middle School Leadership Team has grown in both size and impact since the school opened in 2017-18. Leadership students spent the majority of the first two years at Meridian Creek building school culture, engaging mostly in school-based activities and fundraising campaigns.

But with high school fast-approaching, the 2019-20 Eighth Grade Class wanted to do something a little different before finishing their middle school careers. Their goal is to leave a legacy of giving. In fact, the leadership team’s latest mission aims to benefit people on a global scale.

Meridian Creek students have partnered with Soles4Souls, a national non-profit organization with Wilsonville roots. The company collects shoes and clothing to distribute to those in need across the world while fighting poverty by helping people launch and sustain small businesses.

“Most of the fundraising our leadership team has done has been more focused on our school,” said seventh-grade leadership student Lily Vu. “We wanted to show students that we can make a bigger impact on the world while also helping our local community.”

Meridian Creek will kick off its fundraising efforts on Thursday, Feb. 20 at a school-wide assembly. Canby High School student and Soles4Souls Volunteer Rachel Bigej will visit with students to share her experiences and the difference she’s been able to make across the world. Rachel organized her first shoe drive at age 10, volunteering with Soles4Souls ever since. [READ MORE ABOUT THE FUNDRAISER AND HOW TO DONATE].

West Linn High School is celebrating its 100th year as a school, highlighting past students and traditions while continuing to build a better West Linn High School for tomorrow. WLHS has celebrated a "Century of Pride" all year, including special Homecoming festivities and upcoming May Day activities. 

Now, West Linn High School is hoping to celebrate with the entire community. Join WLHS staff and students for the Century of Pride community event this coming Saturday, March 28. Alumni and community tours begin at 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:15 p.m. Community members will get the chance to connect with past staff and alumni and enjoy entertainment from current students.

To RSVP for the Century of Pride event, please follow directions on the WLHS website.

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District sold $147.9 million of the district’s General Obligation (GO) Bond authorization on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The bond was approved by voters in the November 2019 Election.

Due to high investor interest, the District sold $147.9 million in bonds but will receive $158.1 million for capital projects to be completed over the next few years. The remaining $58.9 million of the $206.8 million bond measure will be sold at a future date to complete the remaining capital projects outlined in the bond measure.

“Because of low interest rates in the market and the attractiveness of the District’s bonds, Wednesday’s sale resulted in a premium that the District can use for projects outlined in the bond measure,” said Chief Financial Officer Son Le Hughes.

The bond proceeds from the Feb. 12 sale will result in several key projects across the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. Capital projects will address overcrowding across the District, increase Career and Technical Education opportunities for students, increase safety and security, upgrade technology, and fund several other projects District-wide.

Major projects include a new primary school in Wilsonville, stadium and parking upgrades at West Linn High School, construction of a new Athey Creek Middle School in West Linn, relocation of the district’s third option high school to the existing Athey Creek Middle School building, and construction of a new performing arts center at Wilsonville High School among others.

In addition to the sale of GO bonds, the District executed a “refunding sale” agreement to save borrowing costs through lower interest rates. The refunding sale pertains to a bond measure approved by voters in 2014, saving West Linn-Wilsonville residents approximately $4.8 million.

“The District is grateful for the financial support of the community and is committed to managing bond funds responsibly,” Hughes said. “With this sale of bond proceeds, the District is excited to now focus on planning and construction of the capital projects outlined in the bond measure.”

To learn more about the 2019 Capital Bond, or to subscribe for capital bond updates and communications, please visit the Bond Website.

It’s been less than three years since Meridian Creek Middle School first opened its doors to students, yet the growing school has already become an integral part of the Wilsonville community. Meridian Creek Middle School added to its increasing list of school traditions when it hosted the first Meridian Creek Middle School Community Night on Thursday, Feb. 13.

In addition to building Meridian Creek Middle School’s (MCMS) budding relationship with the Wilsonville community, the public event raised proceeds for the Meridian Creek Middle School Scholarship Fund. The MCMS Scholarship Fund was created to provide all MCMS students with equitable access to enrichment opportunities, school supplies, yearbooks, and other incurred costs that are associated with school.

The MCMS Community Night enjoyed participation from all members of the Wilsonville community. The fun night offered excitement for everyone, including activities, games, raffles, and even student music and drama performances. The Wilsonville Rotary was also a hit, providing “breakfast for dinner” to all event-goers.

Thank you to the Wilsonville Rotary Club and to all community partners who made donations or helped to make Meridian Creek's first Community Night a success.

West Linn-Wilsonville Superintendent Dr. Kathy Ludwig was recently named the 2020 Tom Ruhl Ally Award Recipient by the Oregon Association for Latino Administrators. Dr. Ludwig was presented with the award during the 2020 OALA Winter Conference on Saturday, February 8 at Grant High School.

The Tom Ruhl Ally Award is presented every year to non-Latino OALA members who have exhibited leadership in the areas of equity and cultural competence. Recognized leaders have implemented strategies or activities that align with OALA’s mission, purpose, and goals in their district.

During her 20-plus years with the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, serving as superintendent since 2016, Dr. Ludwig has led pivotal equity work across the district’s 16 schools, beginning with a District Equity Action Plan. Under Dr. Ludwig’s leadership, the district has prioritized disrupting systems of racism, building school communities that are safe and welcoming for all students, and cultivating a district staff that reflects students in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District through intentional hiring processes and professional development.  

The Oregon Association for Latino Administrators was formed in 2002 to create a vehicle to support and mentor Latino Administrators as well as Latino educators who aspire to become administrators in the State of Oregon. The association has grown exponentially over the past 16 years, increasing the capacity of Latino educators across the state while building equity for all students.

OALA’s goals include promoting Latino educators into leadership positions; ensuring educational equity for all students and especially those of Latino heritage; advocating at the federal, state, and local level for equitable educational policies impacting Latino students; disseminating data related to the changing demographics and their implications for schools in Oregon; developing strategic partnerships with organizations throughout Oregon that acknowledge and support the accomplishments of Latino youth; and providing opportunities to build the capacity in the organization and of its members.

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is an Institutional Sponsor of the OALA Conference, helping to push the organization’s pivotal mission while increasing the capacity of Latino educators and administrators across the district and larger State. In addition to the district’s involvement in OALA, Lowrie Primary Principal Sarita Amaya serves as Vice President and Bolton Primary Principal Edgar Solares serves as a member at large on the OALA Board.

Wednesday at Wood Middle School looked a little different than your typical school day. While robust and rich learning takes place in Wood classrooms every day, the lessons and workshops that took place during the school’s second Annual Student Voice Summit on February 5 provided profound learning for everyone involved.

Organized into topics that were generated through student input, the all-day event provided learning opportunities in several key equity areas. The Student Voice Summit included sessions such as "Stress and Mindfulness," "LGBTQ+ Awareness and Inclusivity," "Self-Identity and Labels," "Responding to Racism," and a special panel of Wilsonville High School students.   

Topics were selected based on student input provided through brainstorm sessions and online surveys, representing areas or issues of particular importance for Wood students. In particular, workshop topics emphasized building school culture while increasing inclusiveness for all students.

In “Stress and Mindfulness” sessions, students explored the idea of being present at all times, learning strategies and tools to regulate emotions. During “How to be an Upstander” sessions, students learned how to recognize and stand up to bullying. In “Social Media and Online Communities,” students discussed the impacts that social media can have on young people, and how students can work together to improve online communities for all people.

Equity work centered on the inclusion of historically marginalized student groups was a key focus during the Student Voice Summit. During the “LGBTQ+ Awareness and Inclusivity”, students listened to terms and issues related to the LGBTQ+ community and how students, while “Responding to Racism” sessions explored different ways in which students can respond to and stop racist actions, jokes, or words. Working with scenarios in small groups, students practiced skills and strategies to make their community a better place.

Eighth-Grade students also received the chance to listen to a panel of Wilsonville High School students, learning about the transition from middle school and how current middle school students can make positive impacts at Wilsonville High School next year.

Students tended a total of three sessions during Student Voice Summit, focusing on making Wood Middle School a better and more welcoming place for all. Feb. 5 marked the second annual Student Voice Summit at Wood Middle School.

The West Linn-Wilsonville Internship Pathways Program launched last summer, connecting WLWV high school students to career-based opportunities in the local community. One such opportunity came through the Oregon City Farmers Market.

Each Saturday, Wilsonville High School senior Katie Walter was eager to jump right in and assist the Market Manager with the behind-the-scene operation of a large Farmers Market. This youth internship was a great opportunity to witness how much before market work there is, how to disembark all of the produce from trucks, how to arrange produce, and price produce for the market. Katie helped with the Power of Produce (POP) Club activities to empower kids to make healthy food choices. READ MORE ABOUT KATIE'S INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE.

National School Counseling Week is celebrated across the nation this week, focusing public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors in schools across America. West Linn-Wilsonville school counselors make an immeasurable impact on their school communities, helping students to examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents while working in partnership with parents to enhance students' academic, post-secondary, and social-emotional development along the way. School counselors help students realize their potential as well as set healthy, realistic, and optimistic aspirations for the future. All school counselors in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District are experienced educators with a master's degree in school counseling.

West Linn-Wilsonville School Counselors include:

West Linn High School — Michelle Olson, Greg Bean, Kim Gwin, Carly Halverson, Krystal Toderick

Wilsonville High School — Alyson Leatherman, Christine Moon, Andre Abraham, Lucia Meza

Arts and Technology High School — Tammie Lewis, Cheryl Wilson

Middle School Counselors — Jennifer Jolly, Toni Snapp, Erin Block, Amy Koslowski, Alison Gemperle

Primary School Counselors — Rita McClellan, Catherine Ramos, Mollie Hyman, Megan Prior, Carmen Ryan, Deana Johnson, Katie Flaker, Tami Brester, Pamela Campbell

Help us thank our school counselors for all that they do!

Curriculum alignment from grades K-12 is a constant goal in all subject areas for the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. A student’s journey from kindergarten through their senior year of high school follows an intentional trajectory that promises fulfilling learning that will serve them for college and career after high school.

West Linn High School Marine Biology students experienced one example of that learning arc first-hand earlier this January, engaging in fish and wildlife science lessons with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s John Cox. The learning was the culmination of years and years of science lessons.

Every year, dating back as far as 2000, West Linn-Wilsonville students have first learned about salmon life cycles in the third grade, when students across the district fill fish tanks with salmon eggs and watch as eggs begin to hatch over a period of weeks. Students then release the hatched salmon fry into nearby waterways, even visiting the Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery to explore salmon habitats and see salmon spawn toward the end of their life cycle. The research lessons open students to just a small area of science exploration, setting the stage for much of what they learn in subsequent years.

That learning came full circle for West Linn High School Marine Biology students earlier this month, with students digging into the important role salmon serve in Oregon habitats and ecosystems while revisiting the salmon life cycle process. ODFW’s John Cox shared his most recent salmon research with students, culminating in a class dissection of two Coho salmon — a male and female. Students studied salmon eggs, just before the release and incubation process, exploring differences in species and environment.

To learn more about Oregon salmon, including much of the research WLHS students engaged with last week, visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website.