The past several months have been challenging for everyone across the world. While West Linn-Wilsonville students, parents, teachers, and community members alike have all adapted and adjusted on a seemingly daily basis to ever-changing circumstances, perhaps no one has persevered more than West Linn High School Math Teacher Kathleen Terner.

Like her students, Kathleen has taken to Comprehensive Distance Learning, adjusting to virtual learning, ZOOM classes, and Google Classroom. But her resilience dates back further than that.

Kathleen was diagnosed with throat cancer in November, 2019. She soon underwent surgery and began radiation and chemotherapy treatments, all the while continuing to teach her students at West Linn High School. She taught lessons for a period of time using a microphone to amplify her voice, but remained committed to teaching. In April, just weeks after the start of the pandemic, Kathleen learned that her cancer was in remission. It was the first of many achievements — something that would become a recurring theme for Kathleen in the months that have followed.

When West Linn High School seniors graduated in June and teachers finished their work for the school year, Kathleen decided to embark on another challenge — this one in the form of an eight-week motorcycle road trip across the country. To add to the remarkable feat, she decided she would be making the journey alone.

 

READ KATHLEEN'S FULL STORY

The Oregon Health Authority will provide free COVID-19 testing to all community members on Nov. 5-6 at Rolling Hills Church in Tualatin. Anyone experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms should contact a doctor or healthcare provider. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should not attend the event. The two events will be offered:

• Thursday, Nov. 5, 1 - 5 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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• Jueves 5 de noviembre de 1 a 5 p.m.
• Viernes 6 de noviembre de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m.

West Linn-Wilsonville Superintendent Dr. Kathy Ludwig, School Board Chair Regan Molatore and Vice Chair Chelsea King, WWEA President Jennifer Cerasin, OSEA President Jessica Pricer, and WLWV Human Resources Director Shyla Waldern released a joint statement on Friday, Oct. 30. The message reaffirms the district's collective partnership and steadfast committment to the West Linn-Wilsonville community during these challenging times. Read the statement below.

Joint Statement in English

Joint Statement in Spanish

    

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District launched the Family Empowerment Center with a soft opening kick-off event on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Located at Wilsonville High School, the Family Empowerment will work with all families residing in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District area, equipping families with needed resources such as food, clothing, school supplies, access to mental health resources, local programs, education classes, and much more.

The soft opening was an outdoor event to introduce families across the district to the new Family Empowerment Center. Families were invited to learn about some of the initial resources offered, learn about the nutrition services department, receive donated food and school supplies, and get technology help. Utilizing proper COVID-19 health protocols, families toured the Family Resource Center, located on the backside of Wilsonville High School.

Thank you to the many community partners who have already donated supplies and resources. To learn more about the Family Empowerment Center, please visit the FEC webpage, or contact Maria Horton.

Dear West Linn-Wilsonville Families,

Based on the current health metrics and Clackamas County case rates, the West Linn-Wilsonville School District will plan to extend Comprehensive Distance Learning into Quarter 2.

This decision is subject to change if we meet current metrics or in the event that any of the health metrics are adjusted at the state level. The Governor’s Office, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) are reviewing the health metrics this month and will announce any updates or changes in the near future. We will keep our community informed as soon as we hear any news from the state level.

Preparing for K-3 Exception

While we are still not meeting the health metrics for bringing students in grades K-3 back on campus, our staff have spent the past few weeks preparing for a future transition to Hybrid learning. Each primary school’s principal and a team of teachers and staff members, along with facilities staff, have been working together to prepare their building for a safe return to in-person learning. This has included a physical walk-through of the facility with adjustments to classroom spaces, implementation of arrival and departure safety protocols, safety protocols for daily routines, and development of hallway and lunch procedures among other return-to-school planning.

This important work up front will ensure that we can transition students to Hybrid learning more efficiently and effectively when the time comes and it is safe to do so. To review the current health metrics for transitioning to in-person learning, please visit the district website.

Increase of Limited In-Person Learning

This past week, we began the process of allowing very small numbers of students on school campuses throughout the district for Limited In-Person Instruction. This type of instruction is reserved for specific individuals or groups of students based on needed education, relational, curricular, instructional, and/or assessment supports. We continue to refine practices and adjust health protocols with the goal of slowly increasing the number of students coming on school campuses under these circumstances.

Reach Out, Stay Connected

Thank you for your continued partnership as we navigate a changing and challenging landscape. We know this road has not been easy. Please continue to reach out to your teachers, support staff, principals or district office when you need help. I continue to be amazed and inspired by the efforts, adaptation, creativity and support for one another by our students, teachers, staff members, and families during this unprecedented school year.

Leading Forward,

Kathy Ludwig, Superintendent

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El Aprendizaje a Distancia Integral (CDL) continúa durante el Segundo Trimestre (Q2)

Estimadas familias de West Linn-Wilsonville,

Basado en las medidas actuales de salud y los niveles de casos en el Condado de Clackamas, el Distrito Escolar West Linn-Wilsonville, tiene planes de extender el Aprendizaje a Distancia Integral durante el Segundo Trimestre.

Esta decisión es basada en las actuales medidas de salud y está sujeto a cambio en el evento de que cualesquiera de las medidas de salud sean ajustadas al nivel de estado. La Oficina de la Gobernadora, la Autoridad de Salubridad de Oregon (OHA), y el Departamento de Educación de Oregon (ODE), están revisando las medidas de salud este mes y anunciara cualquier actualización o cambios en el futuro cercano. Mantendremos a nuestra comunidad informada tan pronto como nos enteremos de cualquier noticia a nivel estatal.

Preparándose para la excepción de K-3

Mientras que todavía no alcanzamos las medidas de salud para traer a los estudiantes en grados K-3 de regreso a nuestros edificios, nuestro personal ha estado, durante unas cuantas semanas pasadas, preparándose para una futura transición al aprendizaje Híbrido. Cada director de escuela primaria, equipo de maestros y miembros del personal, junto con el personal de las instalaciones, han estado trabajando juntos para preparar su edificio para un regreso seguro al aprendizaje en persona. Esto ha incluido una visita en todo el edificio con ajustes a los espacios en los salones de clases, implementación de protocolos de seguridad de llegada y salida, protocolos de seguridad para las rutinas diarias, y desarrollo de procedimientos para el pasillo y almuerzo entre otros planes para el regreso a la escuela.

Este trabajo por adelantado, asegurara que podamos tener una transición de los estudiantes a un aprendizaje Híbrido más eficiente y efectivo cuando el tiempo llegue y sea seguro hacerlo. Para revisar las medidas de salud actuales para la transición al aprendizaje en persona, por favor visite el sitio web del distrito.

Aumento en el Aprendizaje Limitado en Persona

Esta semana pasada, comenzamos el proceso de permitir un pequeño número de estudiantes en las instalaciones de las escuelas en el distrito para una Instrucción Limitada en Persona. Este tipo de instrucción está reservado para individuos específicos o grupos de estudiantes basado en la necesidad de respaldos educacionales, relacionales, curriculares, de instrucción, y/o examinaciones. Continuamos refinando las prácticas y ajustando los protocolos de salud con el objetivo de aumentar despacio, el número de estudiantes que vienen a los edificios bajo estas circunstancias.

Comuníquese, Permanezca Conectado

Gracias por su continua colaboración, al navegar este panorama cambiante y retador. Sabemos que este camino no ha sido fácil. Por favor continúe comunicándose con sus maestros, personal de respaldo, directores y oficina del distrito cuando necesite ayuda. Continúo siendo inspirada por los esfuerzos, adaptación, creatividad y respaldo de uno a otro, por nuestros estudiantes, maestros, miembros del personal y familias durante este año escolar sin precedentes.

Con liderazgo hacia adelante,

Kathy Ludwig, Superintendente

On Monday evening, October 26, our School Board will hold a work session to engage in discussion and take possible action following the completion of our School Resource Officer (SRO) Program Review.

We have shared in previous communications that the West Linn-Wilsonville School District and School Board have committed to conducting a review of our School Resource Officer (SRO) Program using an equity lens. We wish to thank the many students, staff, parents, and community members who provided feedback either through our online survey, focus groups, or through written communications.  We had more than 2,400 respondents to the survey. 

As a reminder, this review is typical of other district program reviews, such as curriculum, high school accreditation, Title IX or emergency operations. This review is of the School Resource Officer Program as a whole and is not a review of individuals.

Over the past several weeks, district staff have compiled various reports for the Board to discuss and analyze while conducting their review. Reports the Board will consider and reference include:

• Review of the SRO Program (history, overview, costs, training, job description, referral data). Both the West Linn and Wilsonville Police Departments compiled reports for the Board to review.
  • West Linn Police Department Report
  • Wilsonville Police Department Report
• Feedback from students, staff, parents, and community members in the form of focus groups and an online survey. Results from the online survey were analyzed by third-party research firm Patinkin Research Strategies.
  • Online Survey Results and Analysis Report
• Research of other SRO programs and school security models.
• A Recommendation by the Superintendent and district staff to the School Board regarding the program review findings, including areas of strength and areas for improvement.
  • Superintendent's Recommendation Report

As always, community members who would like to provide additional feedback for the School Board to consider can submit public comment via email to Kelly Douglas, douglask@wlwv.k12.or.us.  

Thank you for your critical participation and engagement in this process. Your shared input and comments were incredibly helpful towards the recommendation by staff to the School Board.  We have appreciated working with our law enforcement partners, students, staff, and community members during this program review.

Leading Forward,

Kathy Ludwig, Superintendent

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El lunes en la tarde, 26 de octubre, nuestro Consejo Escolar tendrá una sesión de trabajo para entrar en discusiones y tomar una posible acción siguiendo la conclusión de la revisión de nuestro Programa de Oficial de Recursos Escolares (SRO).

Hemos compartido en comunicaciones previas, que el Distrito Escolar West Linn-Wilsonville y el Consejo Escolar, se han comprometido a conducir una revisión del Programa de SRO usando una lente equitativa. Quisiéramos agradecer a los muchos estudiantes, personal, padres y miembros de la comunidad que proporcionaron su retroalimentación, ya sea a través de una encuesta en línea, grupos de debate, o a través de la comunicación escrita. Tuvimos más de 2,400 respuestas a la encuesta.

Como recordatorio, esta revisión es típica de otras revisiones de los programas del distrito, tales como, currículo, acreditación de preparatoria, Titulo IX, u operaciones de emergencia. Esta revisión es del Programa de Oficial de Recursos Escolares (SRO) como un todo y no es una revisión de individuos.

Durante las semanas pasadas, el personal del distrito ha compilado varios reportes para que el Consejo discuta y analice mientras conducen su revisión. Los reportes que el Consejo considerará y tomará como referencia, incluyen:

• Revisión del programa de SRO (historia, vista general, costos, entrenamiento, descripción del trabajo, información de referencia). Los dos Departamentos de Policía, West Linn y Wilsonville, compilaron reportes para que el Consejo revise, los cuales están adjuntos a este mensaje.
• La retroalimentación por parte de los estudiantes, personal, padres y miembros de la comunidad, en forma de grupos de debate y encuestas en línea. Los resultados de la encuesta en línea, fueron analizados por una firma de investigaciones como tercera entidad, Patikin Research Strategies, y ese análisis está adjunto a este mensaje.
• Investigación de otros programas de SRO y modelos de seguridad en escuelas.
• Una recomendación por la Superintendente y el personal del distrito al Consejo Escolar, en referencia a lo encontrado en la revisión del programa, incluyendo áreas de capacidades y áreas de mejoramiento.

Como siempre, los miembros de la comunidad que quisieran proveer comentarios públicos adicionales para ser considerados por el Consejo Escolar, envíelos por correo electrónico a Kelly Douglas, douglask@wlwv.k12.or.us. 

Gracias por su participación y colaboración intensiva en este proceso. La información y comentarios compartidos, fueron increíblemente útiles hacia la recomendación por el personal al Consejo Escolar. Hemos apreciado el trabajar con nuestros compañeros del orden público, estudiantes, personal y miembros de la comunidad durante la revisión de este programa.

Con liderazgo hacia adelante,

Kathy Ludwig, Superintendente

For the 21^st-consecutive year, the West Linn Wilsonville School District has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

The district received the award on Oct. 16 for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.

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.

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.

West Linn-Wilsonville Social Workers Brittany Bucholz and Sarah Hiatt provided parents with important tools and insight into helping students deal with anxiety during their Anxiety 101 Information Session on Oct. 2. 

Families can watch a recording of that information session to learn more about coping with anxiety. 

The SRO Program Review Survey will be open starting Monday, Sept. 28 and will close on October 5, 2020. We invite you to begin providing us feedback.

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District and School Board have committed to conducting a review of our School Resource Officer (SRO) Program using an equity lens. The review will guide our work towards continually improving our support to our students.

District staff met with both West Linn Police Department and Wilsonville Police Department leaders this summer to inform and include them in our review process. We want our community to be assured that we value our partnership with our local officers, agency and especially the currently assigned SROs. Our partnership is critical to our commitment of keeping students and families safe at school and district-sponsored events. Our partnership is critical during emergencies or crises interventions (e.g. lockdown, lock out, evacuation). And our partnership is critical to disrupting systems of racism in our community and in our schools.

The SRO Program in our schools is multi-faceted and highly collaborative with our district leaders and staff. Currently, the program includes:

• Contributing to a Safe and Welcoming School Culture
• Providing law enforcement-related education, counseling, and prevention
• Investigating and Responding to Criminal Behavior
• Engaging in Restorative Practices and Group Circles for Problem-Solving
• Promoting Student Health and Wellness
• Engaging in Quarterly WLWV-First Responder Safety Meetings
• Providing Assistance During School Safety Events, Crises or Emergency Response
• Engaging in WLWV-Joint City Equity Events
• Serving as Liaisons between the District and Wilsonville, West Linn Police Departments

This review of the SRO Program is typical of other district program reviews, such as Curriculum, HS Accreditation, Title IX, Emergency Operations, to name a few. When we review a district program we do not review the individuals. We are careful to look at the purpose, investment, effectiveness and outcomes of the program itself.

 

This review will include several aspects, including an opportunity for our community to provide their input and suggestions regarding the SRO Program through a survey.

• Review of the SRO Program (History, Overview, Costs, Training, Job Description, Referral Data) – this information will come from our police departments.
• Feedback from students, staff, parents, community (focus groups, phone calls, survey) – this information will come from our community.
• Research of other SRO Programs or School Security Models – this information will come from District administration.
• Analysis and Summary of the Survey Feedback – this analysis will be conducted by a third-party agency and given to the district and Board for review.
• Presentation and Recommendation Regarding the SRO Program by the Superintendent to the School Board at the October 26, 2020 Board Work Session.
• School Board Analysis, Discussion and Action regarding the SRO Program at the October 26, 2020 Board Work Session. Our community can provide additional input to the Board prior to this meeting by submitting it in an email to Kelly Douglas, douglask@wlwv.k12.or.us.

We want to assure our school community that we are taking great care to hear all viewpoints as we review this program. Often the voices of our minority or marginalized students and families in our communities can be missed if we are not careful. Therefore, we are making intentional efforts to reach out and hear the experiences of our students, parents and staff of color in our community.

The SRO Program Review Survey will be open starting today and closing October 5, 2020. We invite you to begin providing us feedback.

Thank you for your participation and we are eager to share back with our community what we learn and our next steps towards serving our students.

Leading Forward, 

Regan Molatore, School Board Chair                 
Kathy Ludwig, WLWV District Superintendent

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District stands by Oregonians across the state as wildfires continue to impact local communities. The following online resources offer aid for those affected by continuing wildfires.

• Clackamas County Info/Resources: https://www.clackamas.us/wildfires/returning-to-your-home
• Clackamas County Info/Resources: https://www.clackamas.us/h3s/resources.html
• Evacuation Check-in sites: https://www.clackamas.us/wildfires
• Food Pantries: https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/
• Oregon Resources: https://caporegon.org/

For a complete list of wildfire resources, please visit the Clackamas Education Service District website.

To make a donation to wildfire relief efforts, volunteer, or provide resources for those in need, please visit Clackamas County's 'How to Help' webpage.