Corbett School District Newsletter
March 2024
Calendar Dates to Remember
- March 05 – Edgefield Friends & Family Fundraiser
- March 13 – Kindergarten Kickoff Registration
- March 13 – Regular School Board Meeting
- March 14 – PTA Meeting
- March 25-29 – Spring Break
National School Breakfast Week
March 4-9, 2024
National School Breakfast Week celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the national School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day.
Multicultural Calendar
March is Women’s History Month, which highlights contributions that women have made in history and in society. It is celebrated every March to correspond with International Women’s Day on March 8. The first Women’s History Month was celebrated in 1987.
March 2 – Granting of U.S. Citizenship to Puerto Ricans
On this date, Congress passed the Jones Act, which gave Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship and the right to elect representatives to the House and Senate.
March 8 – International Women’s Day
This global holiday is celebrated as a means to bring gender issues to the forefront such as reproductive rights, violence against women, and equal pay.
March 10 – Harriet Tubman’s Birthday (Observed)
The Moses of her people, this American abolitionist helped others gain freedom as a conductor of the Underground Railroad. She also served as a spy, scout, guerrilla soldier, and nurse for the Union in the Civil War despite only being paid $200.
March 10 – Ramadan*
The arrival of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, brings forth a month of fasting, praying, and reflection.
March 21 – World Down Syndrome Day
This global day of awareness can be supported by wearing fun socks, which is a tradition that started because Chromosome 21 strands look like socks and are unique looking.
March 24 – Purim*
This holiday celebrates the rescue of Jews by Esther from a plot to kill them. Fasting the day before Purim honors the fasting of Esther before her plea to the king for the Jewish people.
March 25 – Holi
This Festival of Colors, Love, and Spring is an important Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It also celebrates the arrival of Spring and the blossom of love and hopes for a good harvest.
March 31 – Easter
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion and the end of the 40-day Lent period with nearly two billion followers worldwide.
Video Message from Superintendent Dr. Derek Fialkiewicz
School District Public Meetings
Regular School Board Meeting
- This meeting will be offered hybrid: in person and via Zoom.
- The meeting agenda including the Zoom link will be posted here 3 days prior to the meeting: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1554
- Everyone is welcome, and each meeting includes time for public comment. The agenda will provide instructions for public comment.
- 2023-24 School Board Members: Michelle Vo - Board Chair; Todd Mickalson- Board Vice Chair, Bob Buttke, David Granberg, Dylan Rickert, Leah Fredericks, Ben Byers.
Wednesday, Mar 13, 2024, 07:00 PM
Corbett Middle School, East Woodard Road, Troutdale, OR, USA
Budget Committee Vacancy, Position No. 6 and Position No. 7, Terms ending 12/31/2026.
Are you interested in making recommendations concerning financial priorities of the Corbett School District? There are two vacancies on the school district budget committee. Applications are currently being accepted. For an application, email Robin Lindeen-Blakeley at: rlindeen@corbett.k12.or.us
Thank you to Stuart Childs and Stephanie Nystrom for their service on the budget committee.
Corbett Charter District Application for 2024-25
This application is for NON-RESIDENT students who are not currently attending Corbett School District.
Applications will close at noon on March 30.
For more information visit our website: https://corbett.k12.or.us/non-resident-info/
Please contact cduprey@corbett.k12.or.us with questions.
Breaking News
Sophie Bergkvist, named 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Candidate
Sophie Bergkvist, a graduating senior at Corbett High School, has been named one of more than 50,000 candidates in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2024.
Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.
Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth.
A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select approximately 600 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the scholars in May. U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program each June. To commemorate their accomplishments, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.
Corbett Middle School Fundraisers
Event Details:
Congratulations to our 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Math is Cool Teams
Congratulations to our 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Math is Cool Team, who participated in the regional competition held at Skyview High School in Vancouver, Washington.
Our 8th-grade Team was honored with Second Place and invited to the Masters event at Moses Lake High School! The team members are Austin Field, Holden White, Jordan Chiu, and Parker Ross.
Our 7th-grade team was honored with being invited to Masters! The team members are Collin Turkington and Ellen Ciecko.
Our 6th-grade Team was honored with First Place and invited to Masters! The team members are Grace Cooper, David Enos, Lally Helzer, Claire Horton, Quincy McIntire, Colton Moon, Logan Nutting, Ian White, and Kai Unruh.
Overall Honors:
David Enos (6th) - 2nd place
Claire Horton (6th) - 3rd place
Kai Unruh (6th) - 4th place
Lally Helzer (6th) - 6th place
School Honors:
Austin Field (8th)
Parker Ross (8th)
Collin Turkington (7th)
David Enos (6th)
Many thanks to the Corbett High School Math Team, led by Olivia McGrew, who helped coach this team after school, and to Mrs. Chiu for being the staff in charge.
The Corbett Bands have multiple performances coming up this March
The Wind Ensemble will be performing on Friday, March 8th at the Warner Pacific University Band Festival (curtain - 9:30am).
The Wind Ensemble will also perform on Friday, March 15th at the Mount Hood Community College Band Festival (curtain - 8:30am). Both of these events are state qualifying events. Families and friends are encouraged to attend.
On Tuesday, March 19th, the Middle School Band (which includes 6th-8th graders from CAPS) will be performing at the OMEA District 2 Middle School Band Festival at Sandy High School (9:15am). We will be loading the bus at the middle school at 8:00am. Please make sure all Middle School Band members are dropped off at the middle school that morning. Chaperones are also needed for this trip. If you are a band parent and can help out with this event, please contact Mr. Budge. (nbudge@corbett.k12.or.us)
Robotics Team Takes First in Oregon City
FIRST Robotics Competition Pacific Northwest District's Week 1 event hosted by Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences
This past weekend, Corbett High School's robotics team, Cardinal Dynamics, participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition Pacific Northwest District's Week 1 event hosted by Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences in Oregon City. After some frustrating technical issues during qualifying rounds, the was selected for the number 2 seed alliance for the event playoff rounds. Corbett teamed up with SOTABots, from Tacoma, Wa, and Cloverbots, from Battle Ground, Wa. for a decisive win of the event. Cardinal Dynamics' robot driver, Aiden Moore, ran impeccable and flawless defense causing a headache for opposing alliances. The team is ready to get to work on repairs and strategy for their upcoming 2nd event of the season in hopes of maintaining their district ranking and earning a spot in the district championship in April. Watch the team on the winner's podium here, and see their round 2 win below. You can see Cardinal Dynamics in action on March 21-23 at the PNW District Wilsonville Event.
https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search/event?id=68570
Spring Athletics
Want to play a spring sport? Make sure you have a current physical, and get registered at https://corbett.bigteams.com/.
Free sports physicals are available at Student Health Centers; the closest one is at Reynolds High School. Phone: 503-988-3340. Hours: Mon 9:15am-5:15pm | Tues-Fri 7:45am-3:45pm
Cardinal Athletics Weekly Huddle
- CSD Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/corbettschools
- Corbett High School Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corbett.hs/
Winter Sports Recap
Making Headlines...
High School Girls Basketball
On Saturday, February 24, the Cardinals played Burns in The Nest. The team won 72-44. Details of the game can be found in The Outlook's article, Corbett’s Ally Schimel has career-high 45 points in second round playoff win.
Costal Range League names Ally Schimel Player of the Year, Coach Bill Schimel Coach of the Year
Corbett’s undefeated season garnered individual accolades for the Coastal Range League champs.
Ally Schimel was named the Player of the Year, and got first team. Bill Schimel was named the conference’s Coach of the Year. Lilly Schimel and Ella Holwege joined their teammate on the first team, while senior Ava Blatchford got an honorable mention nod.
OSAA 3A State Champions
In an undefeated season, Corbett's girls basketball team brought home the state trophy for the first time since 1987. Senior Ally Schimel broke two 3A state tournament records, with 45 points scored in in a single game and eight three-point field goals scored in a single game (both in the final against Amity). The team's was detailed in numerous articles.
- Final game: Ally and Lilly Schimel combine for 73 points en route to Corbett's elusive state title
- Semi-Final: Hardie's free throw, Schimel's 24 points lead Corbett to state semifinal win over Vale, 50-49
- Quarter-Final: 3A State Basketball Tournament: Day-1 wrap-up from Coos Bay
The team was welcomed back on Sunday in the parking lot of the high school gym by supporters and fans from Corbett High School and Corbett community.
High School Boys Basketball
Corbett Men's basketball took a Leap in the right direction this year and the future is bright for this program. We celebrated record numbers coming out for basketball this year and had three full rosters. Our main goal this season was to redefine the men's basketball culture here at Corbett, and build something that these players , this school, and this community can be proud of. We talked a lot about commitment, accountability, effort, and drive. We wanted to push our players to improve every rep , every drill, and every game. Looking back on our season we did exactly that. If you were to watch game film from night one and compare it to one of our last games , you would see a completely different team on the floor. I could not be more proud of these boys this year! Congratulations to our 2023 -2024 Men’s Basketball Program!
Also Congratulations to our All League Team Honors
# 0 - Armin Mehanovic - Honorable Mention
# 10 - Hunter Hergert - Honorable Mention
-Coach Windust
High School Swim
The OSAA High School State swimming qualifiers from Corbett included four individual qualifiers and two relay teams representing our school. The girls 200 medley relay qualified with the 5th seed of 12. Anna Rondema qualified 3rd in the 200 IM and 5th in the 100 breaststroke. Elliot Greene qualified in the 200 IM. Sienna Arechiga and Tyler Huskey both qualified in the 500 freestyle events. The girls 400 freestyle relay is ranked 8th in their event.
Congratulations to all of the Corbett swimmers.
Sophomore Anna Rondema's performance at the state swim meet was featured in The Outlook, Corbett sophomore Anna Rondema wins bronze at State Swim Championships.
High School Wrestling
Lily Nuno and Carl Orchard competed in the OSAA State Championship for wrestling February 22-23 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. In Round 1, Orchard received a bye. In the quarterfinal, Orchard won by decision over Hunter Langham (Harrisburg). In the semifinal, Orchard defeated his opponent by decision (6-3). On Saturday, Orchard battled Brett Highburger (Elmira) in a rematch of last year's state final and was defeated, taking second in the state. Congratulations to Carl Orchard, second place in the state! Hear more about Carl's experience at state in this Outlook article.
Middle School Girls Basketball
Following in the footsteps and great success of the high school basketball team, the middle school girls are wrapping up a stellar season. It has been a banner year for participation, with enough players to send two teams to the hardwoods instead of just one. Between varsity and JV, the teams have posted an impressive 17 wins and 1 loss. Besides their great win percentage, the players have improved their skills and teamwork throughout the season and have readied a group of 8th graders for the transition to high school ball.
-Coach Steve
Middle School Wrestling
Corbett launched a Middle School wrestling team this year! We had 16 wrestlers, including a handful with prior experience from Barlow Mat Club and Team Quest. This experience has helped elevate the team and even helped our newer wrestlers to improve faster. The team was coached by Dave Rau and assistant Amin Qouchbane (a 2023 Corbett High School Graduate). It has been a super exciting and developmental year so far. We will be headed to the regional state qualifying tournament and a novice tournament. We expect to have at least a couple of state tournament qualifiers this year and to build from there in the years to come.
Spring Athletics: Middle School
Track and Field
Spring Registration is open!
Current 6th-8th Graders! Do you want to be a part of a team, but still compete as an individual? Do you like to run fast, outlast the competition, jump high, throw pointy sticks, or hurl metal discs?
Track Season is coming soon! Practices will start Monday 4/1 (right after Spring Break), and will be on the Main Campus after school from 4p-5:30p, Monday-Thursday. Keep an eye and both ears out for more details to come, or reach out to Ms.White at kwhite@corbett.k12.or.us or Ms.Kennedy at ckennedy@corbett.k12.or.us.
How to Register:
If this is the first time registering an athlete please read the kick off letter before beginning:
https://corbett.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BigTeams-Kickoff-Letter.pdf
Help guide for troubleshooting
https://corbett.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Big-Teams-Getting-Started-Guide.pdf
Athletics/registration
The registration link is on our website under the athletics tab.
District Wide News
From the Health Room
As we head towards Spring and your children are outside more, I thought it would be helpful to print the CDC guidelines on preventing injuries in children. For those who have students that are learning to drive, reviewing basic traffic and car safety is important.
Steps you can take to prevent leading causes of child injury include:
Burns • Install and maintain smoke alarms in your home. • Develop and practice a family fire escape plan. • Set your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. • Use safe cooking practices, such as never leaving food unattended on the stove. Drownings • Install a four-sided isolation fence, with self-closing and self-latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. • Wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water. • Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and get recertified every two years. • Supervise young children at all times around bathtubs, swimming pools, and natural bodies of water. Falls • Use playground equipment that is properly designed and maintained, and that has a soft landing surface material below. • Use home safety devices, such as guards on windows that are located above ground-level, stair gates, and guard rails. • Wear protective gear when playing active sports, such as wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, and helmets when in-line skating. • Supervise young children at all times around fall hazards, like stairs and playground equipment. Poisonings • Store medicines and other toxic products such as cleaning solutions in locked or childproof cabinets. • Put the poison control number, 1-800-222-1222, on or near every home telephone. • Follow directions on the label when giving medicines to children. Read all warning labels. • Dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs. Road traffic injuries • Use appropriate child safety seats. • If you have a teenage driver, sign an agreement in order to limit risky driving, such as having multiple passengers and driving at night. • Transport children in the back seat of your vehicle. • Make sure children wear motorcycle and bicycle helmets. www.cdc.gov/safechild
Have a safe and active Spring!
Julie Nakamura, RN
Corbett Has Heart!
Kids Heart Challenge is kicked off on February 15! Together, we’ll empower our students to have happy and healthy hearts and brains, while raising life saving donations to help others with special hearts.
The AHA is celebrating 100 years of saving & improving lives, and this would not be possible without YOU! Please join the AHA’s 100th birthday party by following these two steps:
- Register TODAY at http://www2.heart.org/goto/Corbett or by downloading the free AHA Schools App for Apple or Android
- Start Finn’s Mission to learn Hands-Only CPR & raise lifesaving donations to help special hearts
SPECIAL INCENTIVES:
- Any student that signs up before our kick-off will get a special shoutout during the assembly!!
- Students that complete Finn’s Mission will be entered into a weekly drawing for XL Avocado Stuffy!
Our event will conclude on 03/14/2024
Our donation due date is 03/14/2024
High School students to compete in the GBSD regional Science and Engineering Fair on Friday March 8th
Students have been hard at work designing, preparing and conducting their own chosen experiments in science class this winter season. It's really awesome to see the dedication and engagement in the process of science this year. There are a wide range of interesting projects from engineering inks from plant based pigments, assessing the growth of plants using mutualistic fungi and bacteria, to analyzing the speed of enzymes in breaking down food. The following students are set to bring their projects to the regional fair in March:
12th grade students Ally Schimel and Ellie Mason with their environmental chemistry and plant science project titled: Investigating the optimal inoculation concentration of rhizobia on the amount of nodule formation in Pisum sativum.
11th grade students Allison Arnold and Anastaysia Brixey-Margeson and their bioengineering project titled: Engineering natural inks from plant based and common household ingredients.
11th grade student Bailey Sample with her biochemistry project titled: Investigating the effect of pH on algal bloom growth.
11th grade students Malaya Cannon Peterson and Lilly Christensen with their biochemistry project titled: The effect of time since eating on the reaction rate of the amylase enzyme found in human saliva.
11th grade students Samantha Blume and Haley Potts and their chemistry plant science project titled: Investigating the effect of mutualistic fungi mycorrhiza concentration on plant growth and health.
10th grade student Leena Saied with her environmental science project titled: Analyzing the correlation between environmental attitudes and actions using Chi-Squared analysis.
10th grade student Jack Kirnan with his chemistry project titled: Investigating the effect of temperature on chemical reactions using the iodine clock indicator reaction.
School Based Mental Health-SBMH
Parent and Community Trainings
Collaborative Problem Solving
Understand why your child(ren) sometimes struggle to meet expectations and how to approach conflicts in ways that reduce challenging behaviors, improve relationships, and teach critical skills.
Thursday, Mar 14, 2024, 06:00 PM
36039 Historic Columbia River Highway, Corbett, OR, USA
Corbett School-Based Mental Health Services
The School-Based Mental Health center provides mental health services to children, teens, and families in Corbett School District.
If you’re experiencing a change in mood or your regular routine, we can help. Reach out to your school counselor/social worker or call 503-261-4246. They’ll connect you with a professional program who you can talk to privately.
Need immediate help? Contact Multnomah Mental Health Center.
When you call the Call Center at 503-988-4888, you get:
Free, 24/7 mental health support
Interpretation services for non-English speakers
Referral to low-cost or sliding-scale agencies
Information about non-crisis community resources
Urgent Walk-In Clinic
Need to meet face to face? Stop by our Urgent Walk-In Clinic.
The clinic can help anyone experiencing a mental health crisis at no cost.
Receive immediate care during a mental health crisis
Speak to a psychiatrist or a mental health nurse practitioner
Get help with medication and treatment
Location: Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Urgent Walk-in Clinic
4212 SE Division St, Portland
Hours: Monday - Saturday 7 am-10:30 pm, Sunday 9 am-9 pm
If someone is in danger, dial 911.
For questions about access to mental health resources at Corbett School District, please call Helen Leedom at (503) 261-4246.
SBMH Contact List
Erica Boykins- High School Social Worker (eboykins@corbett.k12.or.us)
Anna McNeely-Miles: Grade School Social Worker (amcneely@corbett.k12.or.us)
Tiffany Dennis: Special Education/504 Social Worker (tdennis@corbett.k12.or.us)
Holly Roach: Middle School Counselor (hroach@corbett.k12.or.us)
Vanessa Knight: CAPS Counselor (vknight@corbett.k12.or.us)
Corbett PTA News
Hello from PTA!
The Landscape Committee will resume on March 9th, 9:30am-11:30am. (Typically the 2nd Saturday of every month, weather permitting)
Our next meeting will be at Peline’s Restaurant on March 14th at 6:30pm. Join us as we prepare for Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week.
Feel free to follow the PTA’s Facebook page to stay up to date on important info!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064875030602
If you are interested in being a member visit the link below to get started!
Email: corbettcardinalspta@gmail.com.
CHAMPS
CORBETT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF MAMAS & PAPAS OF SENIORS
- Please save and donate your bottles and cans to help the senior class of 2024, Drop off location is across the street from Corbett Water District in the shipping container.
- Parents of Seniors CHAMPS need your help with the events. Please email me at cardinalmom24@gmail.com
Corbett Education Foundation
Staff Highlight by Michelle Smith
Interview with Brie Windust, Business Office Assistant
*Manages all of the student body accounts and funds
*Manages all of the school district board and committee meetings to be accessible via Zoom
*Manages public relations and communications for the school district, including the newsletter
*Manages all of the many uses of all of the district facilities
*Supports all parts of the business office for the district.
Who is often the first person of contact if you enter the Corbett School District office and need to inquire about almost anything having to do with the district? Brie Windust will greet you with her cheerful smile and warm welcome. She knows the district well, and also the Corbett community in general. Brie was born in Medford, Oregon. Brie grew up as the oldest of five children in a happily blended family situation that allowed her to live with both parents. Both families were very physically active in the outdoors camping, boating, riding four-wheelers, and skiing. Brie also played organized sports throughout her childhood. Both soccer and softball were her favorite, and she played both sports all through both middle and high school. Although Brie grew up in Medford, she attended both middle and high school in the Phoenix-Turner School District, just south of Medford. After graduation, Brie attended Southern Oregon University, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in athletic training with a minor in health promotion fitness management. Brie played three years of college soccer and softball! Brie's husband Eric was attending the Univ. of Oregon when they first met through mutual friends. After college graduation, Brie wanted to try living in a bigger city, so moved to Portland in 2003. It was at this time she reconnected with Eric and they started dating and then became engaged. They purchased their first home together in Fairview and then in 2006, they decided to purchase a home in Corbett. In 2007, they married at the local Bridal Veil Lake. Brie and Eric have both a son and a daughter who are growing up in the Corbett community where Eric was raised. Cruz was born in 2009 and Mila was born in 2012. When her children were born, Brie decided to leave her work in the arena of physical therapy to stay at home full-time with their children. While staying at home full-time, she volunteered extensively in the Corbett community, coaching numerous youth and high school sports and actively serving as the VP of Corbett Youth Sports. Brie is a firm believer that ALL kids have a place on a team, each contributing differently. Travel is huge for Brie- something she is passionate about and wants to do more of. Some of her favorite places are Tahiti, Sedona, Hawaii, and ANY ski town! In 2021, Michelle Dawkins reached out to Brie and asked if she would be interested in being an employee of the Corbett School District. Brie began by working in the SPED Dept. for the grade and middle school kids. In December 2021, the current position Brie holds became available as a result of Debbie Schneider retiring. Brie loves the Corbett community as well as the school district and believes she can help continue making the schools a vibrant part of the community. Both Cruz and Mila are following in their parent's footsteps by being actively involved in Corbett sports. Eric just finished coaching the boy's basketball team at the high school. As a family, they not only enjoy sports but love to camp and travel as well. They have a cat named Timber (think soccer) and a dog named Beau. They recently moved into a home that was in Eric's family for years and has a view of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.
CORBETT SD 39 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Click here to see the most up to date listing and to Apply:https://corbett.tedk12.com/hire/Index.aspx
Stay Connected:
Here are a few ways to stay connected with what is happening within Corbett School District.
- Corbett School District Website: https://corbett.k12.or.us/
- CSD Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/corbettschools
- Corbett Grade School Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corbett_grade_school/
- CAPS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corbettartsprogramwithspanish/
- Corbett High School Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corbett.hs/
- Corbett Athletics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corbett_athletics/
- Monthly District Newsletter: https://corbett.k12.or.us/parents/parent-news/
Stay Connected
Email: bwindust@corbett.k12.or.us
Website: https://corbett.k12.or.us/
Location: 35800 East Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, OR, USA
Phone: 5032614268
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corbettschools
Twitter: @CorbettSchools