WLWV Community Update

As part of the West Linn-Wilsonville School District's continued efforts to enhance inclusivity, two different WLWV groups presented at the state Fall Confederation of School Administrators (COSA) Conference on Oct. 5 and 6 to share their recent work.

The first group consisted of the District's Early Childhood Evaluation team, which works with children birth to age 5. Consisting of coordinators, speech language pathologists, bilingual/Spanish assessment assistants, and physical therapists, the panel of evaluation team members shared their processes and strategies for enhancing collaboration and positive outcomes for children at the recent COSA session.

Several staff members from Boeckman Creek also had the opportunity to present at the conference, reflecting on their journey from a school with a Resource Program and Life Learning Program, to a school with inclusive & collaborative model for supporting all students. Presenting at the state Fall COSA Conference was Counselor/Psychologist Zach Deets, Special Education Instructional Coordinator Mark Lapides, and Learning Specialist Leslie Holden, who shared the 'Why,' 'What,' and 'How' of their journey, as well as addressing some of the growing pains.

Both groups were also recognized at the Oct. 2 WLWV School Board meeting for their recent work.

West Linn-Wilsonville hosted the 2017 Oregon Art Education Association (OAEA) Fall Conference on Saturday, Oct. 14, bringing art educators from all over the state together under the same roof. Both Suzanne Bonamici, congresswoman, and Jane Chu, Chair of the National Endowment of the Arts, served as guest speakers during the day-long conference and workshop.

The emphasis of this year's conference was on the importance of arts in our schools, which is evidenced by recent research that links creative and innovative thinking nurtured by the arts to critical thinking in mathematics and science.

As the host of many recent OAEA conferences, West Linn-Wilsonville received a special award for Outstanding Service to Oregon Art Education during this year's Fall Conference.

We appreciate your support for our back-to-school campaign celebrating the 25th year of the West Linn-Wilsonville Education Foundation. Each year, with your tax-deductible donations, we are able to write a check to the school district. We designate these funds to be used specifically to hire additional teachers. We are the only organization able to do so.

We are proud of the many award-winning and excellent programs offered in our schools, such as: language arts, music, robotics, athletics, dance, theater, environmental science, mathematics, design, journalism, dual language, world language for all, information technology, the CREST-Jane Goodall Science Symposium, visual arts, broadcasting, career and technical education, social science, wellness, leadership opportunities and so many more.

But we know it is our highly-qualified, dedicated, and talented teachers that bring these programs to life for our kids every day.

Because of your generosity, the district can continue to fulfill the promise that each child, every child becomes part of a learning community for the greatest thinkers and most thoughtful people for the world. Thank you!

Wilsonville High School celebrated its annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, Oct. 6. Check out video highlights from the event, or go to West Linn-Wilsonville's new YouTube page to view more videos from recent WLWV happenings.

Music and Arts Partners, also known as MAP, is a nonprofit, independent volunteer organization that works to provide additional funds for the music and arts programs in all West Linn-Wilsonville Schools. Their most immediate upcoming event is the Fall Festival of the Arts at Wilsonville High School this Saturday, Oct. 21 from 4-6 p.m. Cost is $25 per family with complimentary barbecue.

To learn more about MAP, volunteer, donate, or become a MAP member, go to www.musicandartspartners.org/.

West Linn-Wilsonville staff shared district-wide enrollment numbers at the Oct. 2 School Board meeting, painting the picture of an ever-growing school district. Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools Aaron Downs and Director of Human Resources Kathe Monroe shared enrollment numbers across the West Linn-Wilsonville School District as of Sept. 30.

The District has a total enrollment of 9,902, and an enrollment of 10,023 kids if you include preschool students. Enrollment is up a total of 128 students from the start of the 2016-17 school year, and class sizes are within their target ranges with minimal outliers. Of particular note, Meridian Creek Middle School currently has 349 enrolled students, compared to 623 at Athey Creek Middle School, 556 at Inza R. Wood Middle School, and 778 at Rosemont Ridge Middle School. The Board agreed it would discuss enrollment numbers at specific schools at a future work session.

Monroe shared with the Board that it's been an exciting 2017-18 hiring season with the addition of Meridian Creek. Between new hires and positions filling retirements, WLWV hired a total of 78 licensed staff (classroom and specialist teachers), 56 classified staff (support staff), and nine administrative staff. She added that a continued strength of the District is its retention rate, which was approximately 96 percent this year.

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District recently updated portions of its Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook on Sept. 15. Access the links below to view the updated Student Rights and Responsibilities for the 2017-18 school year.

• Student Rights and Responsibilities (English)
  
• Guia de Responsabilidades Derechos del Estudiante (Spanish)

School Board Work Session: Monday, Oct. 16 — The WLWV School Board will hold a public work session on Monday, Oct. 16 starting at 5 p.m. The meeting will be held at the district office; 22210 SW Stafford Road, Tualatin. Read the night's agenda ahead of time.

Dyslexia Night: Wednesday, Oct. 18 — The West Linn-Wilsonville School District invites community members to participate in an evening with Dyslexia Expert Dr. Carrie Thomas-Beck of the Oregon Department of Education. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 5-6:30 p.m. at Sunset Primary. All public are invited to the free event.

Bond Oversight Meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 18 — The Bond Oversight Committee will hold its regularly scheduled public meeting starting at 6 p.m. in the district office; 22210 SW Stafford Road, Tualatin. The Bond Oversight Committee is a seven-member citizen committee appointed by the School Board.

Professional Growth Wednesday: Oct. 25 — Professional Growth Wednesdays include a two-hour early release on select Wednesday afternoons to allow educators time to collaborate and participate in professional development opportunities. Upcoming Early Release Wednesdays include Oct. 25 and Dec. 6.

• Updated 9/15/2017 Student Rights and Responsibilities

• Flash Alert ListServ

• Education Foundation

• Music and Arts Partners (MAP)

• Volunteer in WLWV Schools

• SafeOregon Tip Line

• Bus Routes

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is nationally recognized for its high student and staff achievement, including one of the top graduation rates in the State of Oregon. West Linn-Wilsonville serves nearly 10,000 K-12 students across 16 schools in West Linn and Wilsonville, with a mission of creating learning communities for the greatest thinkers and the most thoughtful people for the world. WLWV strives to provide challenging education opportunities that prepare students to be college and career ready.

Website: https://www.wlwv.k12.or.us/
Location: 22210 SW Stafford Rd, Tualatin, OR, United States
Phone: 503-673-7000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WLWVschools/
Twitter: @WLHSdistrict