August Newsletter

Greetings MHS/MAA Families,

I hope everyone is having a great summer so far. We are already starting to get things settled for the upcoming school year, and wanted to get a few pieces of information on your radar ASAP.

STUDENT SCHEDULES:

All returning Mustangs had the opportunity to forecast their schedules for the 2026-27 school year and schedules are currently being finalized. The vast majority of students will have a full schedule when school starts and students are expected to follow the schedule as it has been prepared. Counselors will only change students' schedules if they meet the following criteria:

Reasons for granting a schedule change:

1. If you are missing a core class/graduation requirement

2. If you are in the wrong level of a class

3. If you do not meet the minimum requirements for a full class schedule

(9th-11th - 8 class periods. 12th - 6 classes)

4. If you need support class

Reasons a request will be denied:

1. You forecasted for the class

2. You want to change to another teacher

3. You want to drop a year-long class in the middle of the year

4. Changing periods for your convenience

5. You have friends in another class period

Once schedules have been released on September 4th and you believe your schedule qualifies as needing to be changed please use the following FORM

Notes:

*You must attend all of your classes until it has been determined that a change will happen. If you do not attend the class and the schedule is unable to be changed, you will be behind. There will be no exceptions to this rule, as classes are balanced based upon student numbers.

*Do not come to the counseling office to request a schedule change during the first few days of school. Counselors will only see students who have pre-scheduled appointments and meet the predetermined requirements. If a student has SEE COUNSELOR on their schedule they should come to the community Room during the period they have SEE COUNSELOR on their schedule only.

*Year-long classes will not be dropped at the semester unless there are extenuating circumstances. Detailed above in order to be scheduled with an appointment with the MHS

If you are a new student to MHS/MAA you will need to follow the registration process to be scheduled with an appointment with your MHS/MAA COUNSELING team

MHS/MAA 2026-27 Counseling Assignments

9th Grade- Staci Postema postemas@nclack.k12.or.us

10th Grade - Freeland Church churchf@nclack.k12.or.us

11th Grade - Roberto Aguilar aguilarr@nclack.k12.or.us

12th Grade - Grade Mads Bourdon Bourdonm@nclack.k12.or.us

Pre-ACT Accommodations (10th Grade)

Next year, the North Clackamas School District will provide all 10th graders the opportunity to take the Pre-ACT, a practice test for the ACT which is a college-entry exam, on Wednesday, October 21st. Many colleges and universities require that students take a college-entry exam and provide their score as part of their application to school. Taking the Pre-ACT in 10th grade is a chance to practice such an exam, with no pressure on the outcome and get feedback from your results. We hope you will give the Pre-ACT your best efforts in October, and make the most of this learning opportunity.

Students served by an IEP/504 may be eligible for accommodations on the Pre-ACT and other standardized tests. If you have accommodations for testing, such as extra time or testing in a quiet, alternative space, you can also use these accommodations on the Pre-ACT. In order to use such accommodations, we have to register you and them with the Pre-ACT ahead of time. In preparation for October, we're reaching out to you now.

If you believe you have accommodations that apply to testing, and you would like to use them on the Pre-ACT in October, email Assistant Principal Greg Neuman @ neumang@nclack.k12.or.us directly and we will send you the necessary paperwork ASAP.

We need to have all requests submitted seven weeks prior to the Pre-Act being administered on October 21st, so we will need this returned prior to the start of the new school year, due to the time it takes for the ACT organization to process accommodations requests, we want to get this paperwork back by the end of this school year. If you would like to have testing accommodations applied to the Pre-ACT next year or if you have any questions, please act quickly.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to Greg Neuman @ neumang@nclack.k12.or.us.

PSAT Information/11th Grade

MHS/MAA 11th Grade families,

We hope all are having a wonderful summer! We are already starting to get things settled for the upcoming school year and wanted to get this information on your radar ASAP.

Each year, the PSAT awards the top 1% of 11th grade test takers nationally the status of being a National Merit Scholar. Of those who qualify, half receive scholarship money. North Clackamas schools will offer the PSAT on October 21st during College and Career Day for 11th graders who sign up for the test. Please note that this is an optional opportunity, not a requirement.

If your MHS/MAA 11th grader would like to sign up for the PSAT, we ask that you fill out this FORM by September 11th, so we can place our initial order.

• Ordering Deadline: Friday, September 11th

• Cost of Test: No Cost

• Testing Day: Wednesday, October 21 - College & Career Day

• Reminder: Only 11th grade students are eligible to register for this date.

More information about this day will be provided as the date approaches.

If you have any questions please reach out to Greg Neuman @ neumang@nclack.k12.or.us

Thank you,

Greg Neuman

Assistant Principal

MHS/MAA

Hello Mustangs!

Athletics is looking forward to another amazing year! Last year had so many memorable moments and I am sure we have more to come.

Two events in August:

8/29 boys soccer host Crater High School at 2pm

8/29 cross country at wilsonville tbd

See everyone next month!

Tom Moore

Welcome back everyone!

WELCOME BACK MUSTANGS!

We are excited to begin the 25-26 school year. To our incoming students and families, we are honored to have you join our Mustang Family here at MHS and MAA. Returning students, we are so excited to welcome you back and see all of your faces. To our senior students and families, congratulations on entering this final year of your high school career. Let’s make it a great one!

As we approach the start of school, we have a few things to share so you have all of the necessary information for a smooth return.

STUDENT SUPPORT OFFICE FAQS

Our team supports students and families with many aspects of high school life: attendance, dances, campus safety, conflict navigation, discipline and behavior support, Mustang Way Celebrations, Outdoor School enrollment, extended absences, supporting students in goal-setting, and more.

MEET OUR TEAM:

Britney Rebluud- Administrative Assistant

• Ext: 35839

Tim Price- Campus Security Specialist

Melren Pichon- Campus Security Specialist

Harry Apelbaum- Dean of Students

• Ext: 35849

Danielle McKay- Assistant Principal (SSO)

• Ext: 35834

PARKING:

The link to apply and register for student parking permits for the 25-26 school year can be found here. A few dates to consider:

• Applications must be completed by Wednesday, September 2nd, with notification of acceptance communicated on Friday, September 4th via email.

• Parking Fee is $70 for the year, and must be paid to the bookkeeper prior to obtaining the physical permit. Semester payment is an option but arrangements must be made with SSO.

• Permits will be available for pick-up from SSO before or after school on Wednesday, September 9th- Friday, September 11th.

• Ticketing will begin on Monday, September 14th, so please be sure to get your permits by that date.

• Note that you cannot purchase a parking pass if you have any outstanding fees.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Britney Rebluud (SSO Administrative Assistant).

ATTENDANCE: Every Day Matters! Attendance improvement takes community collaboration, and we need your support. Below are a few points that stress the importance of consistent attendance in high school, as well as a reminder of attendance codes to look out for on your student(s)’ attendance profile:

• Anything below a 90% attendance rate is considered “chronically absent”.

• 17% of Oregon students fall into this range.

• Graduation rates strongly correlate with attendance rates:

• 90% attendance rates= 91% graduation rate.

• Less than 90% attendance rates= 75% graduation rate.

• Synergy Attendance Codes:

• ABV- Verified Absences (guardian has excused the absence)

• AB- Unverified Absence (student did not attend class: skipping, no guardian excusal)

• ABS- Absent Sick

• T- Tardy (student was less than 30 minutes late to class)

• TXL- Tardy Extra Late (student was over 30 minutes late to class, missing a large chunk of instructional time).

If you would like support in helping your student improve their attendance at school, please reach out to us at any time: 503-353-5839

CLOSED CAMPUS: MHS/MAA is a closed campus, meaning that all students are expected to remain on-site for the duration of the school day (including lunch). The only exceptions are those with a free period, SSC class, or work experience. The food cart pod has always been a high draw during the school day, and we would appreciate your support in reminding your student(s) that this area is NOT a part of our campus and should only be visited before or after school.

FAMILY AND STUDENT HANDBOOK:

Students are required to follow the policies and practices outlined in the NSCD Student and Family Handbook available HERE.

Click here to read the full email that was sent out on June 2nd and July 21st.

• Dates:

• Sign up: Monday, June 1st - Tuesday, August 11th

• Painting: Saturday, August 24 (base coat) & Sunday, August 25 (design)

• Time: 7:30-10 AM each day. We need to paint early so that you will not be in the heat. The blacktop becomes dangerous in high temperatures.

• Location: Washington St. parking lot (in front of the gyms)

• Cost: $10 per participant (includes materials, excluding paint). Please bring cash or check on August 24th.

• Submit the Student Interest Form (attached here) by Tuesday, August 11th at 2:00 PM. Only students can complete this form from their NCSD email.

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You must provide your own paint. All paint must be exterior paint — no spray paint allowed. Paint will be approved on August 24 before you begin. If you bring the wrong type of paint, you won’t be allowed to paint and won’t be reimbursed for your paint purchase.

We recommend:

• 1 gallon of your base color (for 2 coats)
  
  

• Sample, quart, or half-gallon sizes for design details, based on your needs

Paint Recommendations From Local Hardware Stores

Lowe’s: Link to exterior paint choices at Lowe’s.

Suggested: Valspar SeasonFlex exterior paint

Link Crew Training

Students who signed up for Link Crew and attended the meeting in June must attend the mandatory training and MAMD. If you’re not sure if you signed up for Link Crew, email Mrs. Balint before September 2nd.

Link Crew Training: Wednesday, September 2nd

Sign in: 12:45 pm -- Training: 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Making A Mustang Day: Tuesday, September 8th

Arrive: 7:45 am -- MAMD: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

We are located one block east of the orange max line. Please consider using public transportation or carpooling as often as possible.

Website: www.nclack.k12.or.us/mhs
Location: 2301 Southeast Willard Street, Milwaukie, OR, USA
Phone: 503-353-5842