West Linn-Wilsonville schools practice a wide range of safety protocols and drills throughout the school year. Created by the I Love You Guys Foundation, district safety response protocols include evacuation/fire drills, lockout drills, lockdown drills, and shelter in place drills. Schools also practice earthquake drills, which

West Linn-Wilsonville leaders regularly review Standard Response Protocols (SRPs), meeting with local law enforcement, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue officials, and other safety partners to improve practices. West Linn-Wilsonville hosts quarterly joint safety meetings, bringing key safety stakeholders together for this work.

The district hosted safety partners on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to review the four SRPs and participate in table-top scenarios, talking through potential safety situations. The four Standard Response Protocols that schools practice are:

Lockout — A lockout secures and locks the building’s entryways while safely sheltering all students, staff, and visitors inside the school building. This protocol allows the school day to continue within the building. A lockout is typically called when there is danger outside the school or in the surrounding area. This could be police activity or a dangerous animal in the surrounding area.

Lockdown — A lockdown secures students, staff, and volunteers within classrooms while leaving entrances open for emergency personnel and law enforcement to clear the building. Lights are turned out, curtains are drawn, and staff and students hide out of sight until further instruction is given. A lockdown is called when there’s a threat of danger inside the building.

Evacuate — An evacuation requires students, staff, and visitors to relocate to another area in the event of a fire, earthquake, or other emergency situation. Students and staff regularly practice evacuations, with designated areas student groups.

Shelter in Place — A shelter in place protocol requires students and staff to take shelter inside the school in the event that hazardous materials are released into the atmosphere, or extreme weather circumstances exist. This protocol can vary on the situation.

To learn more about standard response protocols, as well as other safety measures in place in West Linn-Wilsonville, please visit the Safety and Security portion of the District Website.

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. 

  
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. 

Hundreds of students at Rosemont Ridge and Wood Middle Schools participated in National Walk to School Day today, practicing environmental sustainability, exercise, and healthy nutrition. Students who rode their bikes or walked to school received certificates of participation, healthy snacks, and the chance to hang out in the "VIP Lounge" before school started. 

Boeckman Creek and Bolton Primary students enjoyed perfect weather during their annual Fun Runs on Friday, Sept. 27, raising money for their school during a great time for everyone. Thank you to all of our generous PTA and community volunteer groups for all that you do for West Linn-Wilsonville schools!

\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.

2018-19 Smarter Balanced Results were released on Thursday, Sept. 19, showing increased participation from students across the State of Oregon. In West Linn-Wilsonville, students tested well above state averages in all categories of English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Altogether, 72.1 percent of WLWV students tested proficiently in the Level 3 or 4 category, which is 18.7 percent higher than the state average. In mathematics, WLWV students tested 19.5 percent higher than the state average. The District experienced marginal decreases in English Language Arts (down 1.3 percent from 2017-18) and Mathematics (2.6 percent) but saw increased participation of 97.4 percent District-wide.

West Linn-Wilsonville saw the most notable year-to-year increases at the seventh-grade level, with increases of 6.8 percent in English Language Arts and 5.9 percent in mathematics.

Boeckman Creek Primary, Boones Ferry Primary, Cedaroak Park Primary, Willamette Primary, Meridian Creek Middle School, and Arts and Technology High School students saw considerable increases in mathematics. Similarly, Boeckman Creek Primary, Cedaroak Park Primary, Meridian Creek Middle School, Trillium Creek Primary, and Willamette Primary all saw growth in English Language Arts.

Smarter Balanced data is one of many important assessments that the West Linn-Wilsonville School District uses to improve instruction. At the high school level, school leaders also look at graduation rates, course grades, Advanced Placement course participation, Advanced Placement results, and participation relative to courses of study.

All District schools also use several forms of formative and interim assessment data to monitor student growth and generate equitable outcomes for all students. To see the complete Smarter Balanced Results, please visit the Oregon Department of Education website.

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District announced Kevin Hertel as the new Assistant Principal at Athey Creek Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 18. 

Mr. Hertel was selected from a pool of highly-qualified candidates following a thorough multi-step interview process. Candidates meet with an interview team comprised of teachers, learning specialists, administrators, assistant superintendents, and an administrative assistant, followed by secondary interviews with Superintendent Dr. Kathy Ludwig and other district administrators.

“Evident in Kevin’s interview was his strong belief in all students and their ability to learn and contribute in thoughtful and meaningful ways,” said Human Resources Director Kathe Monroe. “He expressed a desire to be a part of the Athey Creek community where he looks forward to being in classrooms and getting to know students and staff.”

Mr. Hertel comes to Athey Creek Middle School from the Hillsboro School District where he most recently served in the role of Teacher on Special Assignment, supporting ninth-grade students. He holds an M.Ed. in Special Education from Southern Oregon University, and has worked as an autism consultant, instructional coach, and special education teacher at the middle school level. He also received his administrative license from Concordia University. Mr. Hertel brings a deep knowledge of instructional practices to Athey Creek Middle School.

Mr. Hertel will transition from his current position in Hillsboro in the next few weeks. He will spend time in both districts in the interim. 

The start of the school year means school buses, bike riders, and walkers will be making their way to school. Please watch this safety video PSA from Clackamas County Sheriff's Office with help from First Student, and check out helpful tips below:

• In a school zone, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection — remember, the speed limit is 20 miles per hour.
• Always stop for school crossing guards.
• Take extra care to look out for students in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas.
• If the red lights on a school bus are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop to allow students to safely enter and exit. Wait until the lights stop flashing before continuing forward.
• Watch out for bikers — slow down and leave at least three feet of space when passing.
• Check side mirrors for approaching bicyclists before opening your door.

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]