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March Newsletter
APRIL 4, 2025 Next Month in D62 April 11 - OCSLA - No School - Grading Day April 14 - Regular Session Board Meeting April 25- Gardiner, Tumwata, CAIS Middle School, and OCHS - No School - Grading / PD Day April 28 - Budget Informational Meeting #2 at Work Session View the District Calendar Here | View Elementary Calendar Here | View Middle School Calendar Here View OCHS Calendar Here | View CAIS Calendar Here | View OCSLA Calendar Here Hot Minute in District 62 Join us each week for a Hot Minute in District 62. In approximately 62 seconds we will be highlighting an aspect of our district. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube! OCSD Facebook Page OCSD Instagram OCSD Youtube Chanel Kinder Connect: Oregon City School District is excited to welcome you to Kinder Connect —a special event designed to help you and your child feel confident and excited about starting school. Join us on Monday, April 15 , at your neighborhood elementary school to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and learn about what to expect in kindergarten. ✨ This event is the perfect first step in your child’s school journey—and we encourage families to register early to help us plan and provide the best experience possible. 📍 Visit www.ocsd62.org/kinder-connect to find your school and register today. Beavercreek Elementary April 15 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Candy Lane Elementary April 22 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Candy Lane is home to ¡Todos Unidos! a spanish bilingual program. Enrollment in this program is through a lottery. Please visit their website for more information. Gaffney Lane Elementary April 15 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Holcomb Elementary April 15 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm John McLoughlin Elementary April 15 from 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm Redland Elementary April 15 from 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm 2025 Bond Update! If you’ve recently driven past Oregon City High School or Pioneer Stadium, you might have noticed the fields dotted with orange flags, indicating work already happening on our fields and grounds projects. We’re excited to share that our first round of bond-funded projects is officially underway! You may be asking yourself: “Why are the fields and grounds projects starting before work on the school buildings?” It’s a great question—and the answer comes down to timelines and complexity. Fast-Track Projects Fields and grounds improvements—like upgrading athletic fields, improving drainage, or revitalizing outdoor spaces—are typically faster to plan and execute. These projects can begin shortly after bond approval because they require less design time and fewer regulatory steps. We also want to take advantage of the dry summer season! School Building Planning In contrast, updating or building school facilities is a much more involved process. Our team is currently working hard behind the scenes on the design and planning phases for these larger, more complex projects. This includes everything from architectural work and permitting to making sure each building meets the future needs of our community. Work is being done , it’s just not as visible as the fields and grounds projects, yet! The great news? While the fields and grounds work is moving forward, our planning and design teams are simultaneously working on the school facility projects. So, even though you may not see construction on buildings just yet, the process is very much in motion. What’s Next? The Citizen Bond Oversight Committee will hold it’s first meeting on Monday, March 31. District staff, architects, and project engineers began meeting weekly to move forward on planning and design for phase two projects. These projects will include improvements at three elementary schools, Holcomb, Candy Lane and John McLoughlin, District staff, architects, projects engineers, and other consultants continue to meet weekly to continue to move forward on the progress of phase one projects that include, but are not limited to, improvements of fields and grounds at OCHS. Bond Name Update: Now the 2025 Bond In alignment with standard naming conventions, the Oregon City School District’s bond will now be referred to as the 2025 Bond instead of the 2024 Bond. This change reflects the year the bonds were officially sold—2025—and helps ensure clarity moving forward. District staff will be updating the bond website and all related materials to reflect the new name in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued support as we move into this exciting phase of our community’s investment in schools. Strategic Plan Update Oregon City School District’s March 2025 Strategic Plan Report highlights strong progress across all five priority areas. The district has updated emergency protocols, expanded student access to AP, CTE, and early literacy supports, and deepened community partnerships with PTOs and local organizations. Staff development continues with mentoring, job fairs, and clearer growth pathways. These efforts reflect OCSD’s commitment to safe, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments for all students. Read the full report to learn more. OCHS Students Shine in Clackamas ESD Regional Art Show We are proud to announce that eight talented Oregon City High School (OCHS) students have been selected to showcase their artwork in the 2025 Clackamas Education Service District (ESD) Regional Art Show. This prestigious event features nearly 200 pieces from students across 27 schools in Clackamas County. The Clackamas ESD Regional Art Show runs from March 24 through April 24, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Clackamas ESD headquarters. The event will culminate with a Reception and Awards Ceremony on April 24. The OCHS artists featured in this year’s exhibition are: • Ivan Chebykin • Lucy Cumplido-Vasquez • Lilly Kastigar • Bailey Paulsen • Olivia Shanley • Lydia Strawser • Kylee Turner • Ava Wessel This annual exhibition celebrates the creativity and hard work of young artists in our community. We encourage everyone to visit the show and support our students’ artistic endeavors. Congratulations to our OCHS artists for their outstanding achievements! Oregon City High School JROTC Drill Team Heads to Nationals -- Again! The Oregon City High School Army JROTC Advanced Unarmed Drill Team—known as the “Regulators”—has once again qualified for the Army JROTC National Drill Competition in Daytona Beach, Florida this May. Selected by the Army’s 8th ROTC Brigade, they are the only Army JROTC program from WA, OR, MT, ID, or AK invited to compete—representing the entire Pacific Northwest. This year, the team also earned a spot in the Interservice Nationals , making this a historic achievement for the program. The Regulators recently swept the Columbia River Division for the third year in a row and took 1st Place at the Pacific Northwest Regionals. Out of over 1,700 Army JROTC programs nationwide, only about 40–50 qualify for Nationals each year. While travel is mostly Army-funded, the team is raising funds to support their trip. Donations can be made at www.ochspioneers.org/jrotc —just scroll to “online donations” and specify “Army Drill Nationals trip.” Checks can also be made out to “Oregon City JROTC.” Let’s cheer them on as they represent Oregon City and the Pacific Northwest on the national stage Oregon City Community Education Offerings Clackamas County PTA Clothing Closet Summer Event ! : Families can come shop the clothing closet at Jennings Lodge Campus on Thursday, May 29th from 5:30PM-7PM. We kindly ask that participants arrive no earlier than 5:15pm, and please bring their own bag. K5 Summer Camp Registration opens April 15th! See flyer for more details, or visit our website: https://ocsd62occe.org/summer-camp Northwest Family Services, in partnership with OC Community Ed, is offering a second round of the Free Parenting Class Series for families with children 10-14 years old. This 7-part series begins April 16 - June 4, 2025, on Wednesdays at Gardiner Middle School from 5:30pm-8pm. * No Class on April 23rd * Dinner is included and childcare will be available for younger siblings!! Here is the Flyer to share, and Registration link. OCCE Yoga Class: Join us for a 6-week beginner series to learn basic yoga poses and begin developing fitness in a supportive community setting. All Ages & Skills Levels Welcome! Please bring a mat, but if you do not own a yoga mat, we will have some available to use. Mondays, 5PM-6PM, beginning June 23-July 28, 2025 at Gardiner Middle School. Cost is $40/participant. See Flyer for more details. Register Here. OCYCD Cheer: Registration opened April 1st for OCYCD Cheer 2025 Season. For 1st-8th graders. Season begins August and runs through October 2025. Cost is $150/participant. Additional Gear fees will be paid at the time of uniform fittings. See flyer for more details! Registration link here ! ** All Flyers are attached to this post. OCSD Recognizes 150 Community VIPs! As part of Oregon City School District’s 150th anniversary celebration, we are proud to recognize 150 Community VIPs —individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond in supporting our students, schools, and mission. From volunteers and local partners to alumni and advocates, these VIPs represent the heart of our community and the spirit of OCSD. Each honoree received a commemorative T-shirt and was celebrated across our schools and district communications. Thank you to everyone who makes OCSD a place where students belong, thrive, and succeed. Here’s to 150 years of partnership—and the many more to come! View the VIPs on our website by visiting the 150 Years Celebration page. Every Day Counts: Why Attendance Matters at Every Grade Level Did you know that just two missed days a month —even if they’re excused—can add up to chronic absence and put students at risk of falling behind? Whether your child is in kindergarten or high school, showing up matters. Regular school attendance helps students: ✅ Stay on track with learning ✅ Build friendships and routines ✅ Feel connected and supported ✅ Develop habits that lead to graduation and lifelong success Here’s what attendance looks like at each level: Elementary School: Builds the foundation for reading and math success. Middle School: Supports identity, friendships, and prepares students for high school. High School: Strong attendance is one of the top predictors of graduating on time and accessing future opportunities. 💡 Parents & Caregivers—You Make a Difference! Establishing morning routines, setting bedtimes, and talking about the importance of school sends a powerful message: Education is important. You belong. We believe in you. 🎯 Need support? If your family is facing challenges related to transportation, health, or other barriers, reach out to your school. We’re here to help. OCSD Family STEAM Night When : May 8 | 5:30 pm at Gardiner Middle School Registration Link: bit.ly/K-8STEAMSignUp A fun family event for K-8 students and families to combine the power of coding with creativity! Free Pizza Dinner Drawings for STEAM toys including a Sphero Robot Ball, build kits, books and more! NO Coding experience required! Pair up with your child to learn the basics of coding together! 🤖 Skynet Robotics Team Inspires Beavercreek Elementary Students Beavercreek Elementary School recently hosted Family Math Night featuring the Skynet Robotics Team from the Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences (CAIS). The team conducted a robotic demonstration, showcasing their student designed and built robot, sharing insights into their process. Skynet, also known as Oregon City FIRST Robotics Team 2550 , is well-known for designing, building, and programming robots for competition. Their visit to Beavercreek Elementary underscores OCSD’s commitment to providing students with real-world learning experiences and inspiring the next generation of innovators. For more information about Skynet and their initiatives, visit the OCHS Robotics Club page .
Saturday, Apr 05 2025
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February Newsletter
MARCH 6, 2025 Hot Minute in District 62 Join me each week for a Hot Minute in District 62. In approximately 62 seconds we will be highlighting an aspect of our district. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube! OCSD Facebook Page OCSD Instagram OCSD Youtube Chanel Next Month in D62 March 7 - No School - All Schools - Grading Day March 10 - Board Meeting March 17 - Board Work Session March 20 - Gardiner, Tumwata, and CAIS MS - No School - Conferences March 21 - Gardiner, Tumwata, and All CAIS - No School Conferences March 24-28 - No School - All Schools - Spring Break 2024 Bond Updates OCSD selects OTAK for Project Management. Their expertise will help guide the planning and execution of these important improvements for our schools. 16 Members selected for Community Bond Oversight Committee from 38 applicants. OCSD has maintained an A+ bond rating , with an AA+ enhancement through the Oregon School Bond Guarantee (OSBG) Program. This rating reflects our district’s strong financial management and stability. Our District sold its $163 million voter-approved bond issue mid-February. The sale went extremely well, with overall demand for bonds vastly surpassing supply. In fact, our District’s bonds had nearly 4 orders for every maturity, meaning that our Underwriter, Piper Sandler, was able to reduce the interest rates over the initial offering, and investors were willing to pay a premium price in order to receive bonds. As a result, our District will receive approximately $13.6 million in additional proceeds that can be used on projects in accordance with the voter-approved ballot title. The stellar results were due in large part to our District’s credit rating. In their rating summary, S&P Global noted our District’s “strengthened available fund balance,” reinforcing the Board’s choices to prioritize prudent financial management. They also noted the “growing local economy and tax base” here in Oregon City. Work on Phase 1 and Phase 2 begin! A team of architects, civil engineers, landscape specialists and district staff toured the Pioneer Stadium, the fields at OCHS and wings at the high school for potential CTE upgrades mid-February. It was determined from those tours that additional geotechnical studies and land surveying studies were needed. Those additional scopes have been identified and the bond team is working on getting them scheduled. It is essential that we do the work on the fields and grounds projects during the dry summer months. However, these projects will take less time and allow for the design and planning work for the schools to occur simultaneously. Architects, civil engineers, landscape specialists, and district staff touring fields and grounds at OCHS. Strategic Plan Update This March at our Board meeting, we will be reporting out on strategic plan efforts. Over the last year and a half, we’ve been working hard on our strategic plan priorities: Instructional Excellence , Career and College Readiness, Robust Systems of Well-being and Belonging, Community Engagement, and Safe and Engaging Learning Environments. W e’re looking forward to reporting on our progress and the impact of our initiatives. Our March report will highlight: ✔ Key updates on our progress towards our goals for this year ✔ Ongoing initiatives that support student learning and district growth Our Strategic Plan is a living guide, designed to help us make decisions that are providing the best possible education for our students while strengthening our connection with families and the community. To view the strategic plan and learn more about the priorities and goals, please visit www.ocsd62strategicplan.org FAMILIES IN TRANSITION Oregon City School District’s Families in Transition (FiT) team works to identify all children within the district who may be experiencing housing instability or homelessness, in compliance with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The term “homeless children and youth” is defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, which includes: Living in a motel, hotel, trailer park or campground due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; Living in emergency or transitional shelters; Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations or similar settings; Living in substandard housing (no running water or working utilities, infestations, etc.); and, Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason. Children who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing may qualify for assistance with enrollment, transportation, school supplies/materials, meals and extra curricular activities to help them remain in their school of origin or residence throughout the current school year. If you believe your child(ren) may qualify for this service, please contact your school counselor or administrator, reach out to the FiT team via email at FiT@oscd62.org , or comple te the Referral Form ( Para español ). If your living situation changes during the school year, and you and your child(ren) become homeless, please be sure to contact the school or McKinney-Vento Liaison. OCHS SPANISH DUAL LANGUAGE STUDENTS TO ATTEND AUTHOR EVENT Students in the newly expanded Spanish Dual Language Immersion program at OCHS have been working hard reading, writing, listening, and speaking in Spanish all year long. In March, students in Spanish Language Arts 10 will have the opportunity to attend An Evening with Javier Zamora, the author of the autobiographical novel they have been reading. Solito is an inspiring story of migration from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine, and is a gripping memoir of bravery, hope, and finding family. Click here for more information about OCSD's K-12 Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program - https://www.ocsd62.org/dli-in-ocsd FEBRUARY FUN AT GARDINER We are all about empowering students to become informed, engaged, and goal-oriented citizens! In classrooms across campus, students are delving into the significant contributions of Black leaders throughout history, exploring their impact on society and the world around us. This exploration of the past provides a rich context for understanding the present and shaping the future. Speaking of the future, our students are also looking ahead and setting ambitious goals for the 2025 school year and beyond! To help them explore their options and discover their passions, we over 40 guest speakers representing a wide range of careers to share their experiences and insights with our students. This incredible opportunity will provide students the ability to look toward their future and gain valuable knowledge about potential pathways after graduation. This dynamic combination of honoring the past and planning for the future is creating a truly enriching learning experience for our students! OCHS Junior Bowling State Champion! Congrats to 11th grader Shelby Unger on her state champion title (girls single scratch tournament). OBOB AT HOLCOMB Holcomb's Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) students have had so much fun battling this month to determine who will represent Holcomb at their regional competition. Congratulations to all of our OBOB readers and thank you to all of the volunteers that make OBOB happen. COMPLETE YOUR VOLUNTEER APPLICATION We need you! Our schools need you as a volunteer. Whether its assisting in the classroom, helping with making copies, sorting books in the library, eating lunch with students, chaperoning a field trip... We depend on your help as a volunteer. Our volunteer process does take a little bit of time to complete, so starting it now will ensure you're able to help out as soon as possible. Please note that you must fill out an application each year. To apply, please visit: www.ocsd62.org/volunteer FREE EDUCATIONAL EVENT FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY TYPE 1 DIABETES (T1D) There is a free educational event for families affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D) coming up soon: the 2025 Breakthrough T1D Community Summit on Saturday, March 8 th , at Providence Willamette Falls Community Center in Oregon City. This event is designed to support individuals and families affected by type 1 diabetes, offering them access to the latest research, resources, and a strong network of support within the T1D community. You can share in your school newsletters or families that could be interested in the Community Summit - March 8, 2025 . SPRING CLOTHING CLOSET EVENT! Clackamas County PTA Clothing Closet at Jennings - Spring Fling Clothing Event Date : Thursday, March 13, 2025 Time : 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Address: 18521 SE River Rd. Milwaukie, OR 97267 Important Notes: Bring your own bags! Public access is limited: The clothing closet is generally not open to the public except during scheduled events like this one. Need Clothing Assistance? Request forms: We have clothing request forms available in both English and Spanish. How to receive help: School administrators/support staff Counselors District social workers These individuals can assist families in filling out the request forms. Once completed, district staff can visit the Jennings Clothing Closet during operating hours to collect requested items.
Friday, Mar 07 2025
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IMPORTANT: All schools closed, Friday, February 14, ...
Oregon City School District will be closed tomorrow, Friday, February 14, 2025. This is due to already slick road conditions and a forecast of colder temperatures and more precipitation. Although Friday was already a no school day for most students, for the safety of students and staff we will be closed. Have a safe Valentines Day. For tips on navigating this winter weather, please visit www.ocsd62.org/district-news/winter-weather-tips For information on our inclement weather updates, please visit www.ocsd62.org/inclement-weather For answers to commonly asked questions related to closing school, please visit : https://www.ocsd62.org/inclement-weather-process-and-faqs
Friday, Feb 14 2025
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IMPORTANT: All schools closed Thursday, February 13,...
Oregon City School District is closed, Thursday, February 13, 2025 . This is due to the forecasted ice storm, expected unsafe road conditions, and our priority of student and staff safety. Be safe everyone! Stay warm! For tips on navigating this winter weather, please visit www.ocsd62.org/district-news/winter-weather-tips For information on our inclement weather updates, please visit www.ocsd62.org/inclement-weather For answers to commonly asked questions related to closing school, please visit : https://www.ocsd62.org/inclement-weather-process-and-faqs Stay up to date with ParentSquare, FlashAlert, Facebook, Instagram, and our Website.
Thursday, Feb 13 2025
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IMPORTANT: Two Hour Delay: February 13, 2025
Oregon City School District will be on two hour late start tomorrow morning, Thursday, February 13, 2025 . This is due to the forecasted ice storm, expected unsafe road conditions, and a desire to keep all students and staff – including our bus drivers and our young drivers– safe . We are currently monitoring the ever changing weather forecast and will continue to do so throughout tonight and tomorrow morning. We will make a decision for the entire day by 8 am. For tips on navigating this winter weather, please visit www.ocsd62.org/district-news/winter-weather-tips For information on our inclement weather updates, please visit www.ocsd62.org/inclement-weather For answers to commonly asked questions related to closing school, please visit : https://www.ocsd62.org/inclement-weather-process-and-faqs Stay up to date with ParentSquare, FlashAlert, Facebook, Instagram, and our Website.
Thursday, Feb 13 2025