February Newsletter
Milwaukie High School & Milwaukie Academy of the Arts
Dear Milwaukie High School and Milwaukie Academy of the Arts Community,
At Milwaukie High School and Milwaukie Academy of the Arts, we are deeply committed to empowering every student to reach their full potential by fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity, cultivates curiosity, and nurtures resilience. We believe that every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and celebrated in our school community.
In times of uncertainty, we recognize that national policies and discussions can have a direct impact on our students and families. Recent events have raised concerns and stress for many in our community, and we want to take a moment to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting, respecting, and celebrating ALL students and their identities.
Our values remain steadfast, and now more than ever, we are committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, valued, and supported in our school. Our diversity enriches and strengthens our community, and we take pride in fostering a culture of care and support for each and every student.
We are here to listen, support, and stand with you. As always, if you or your family need assistance or just someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our commitment remains strong in fostering an environment where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered to thrive. Together, we will continue to build a community where every student knows they belong.
Kim Kellogg
Start of Second Semester
With the first semester behind us, we’re excited to begin a new semester filled with fresh opportunities for growth and success. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students thrive both in and out of the classroom. We also look forward to celebrating achievements, tackling new challenges, and making the most of the months ahead.
Report Card Update
Student grades for the 1st semester of the 24-25 school year will be coming out this week and you can access them through ParentVUE. In order to see your students report card, see directions below:
Select your student
Click on Report Card (Scroll down)
If you need any help accessing your ParentVUE/StudentVUE please reach out to Aileen Hernandez-Maltos in the counseling office hernandezmaltosai@nclack.k12.or.us and she will be able to assist you in getting access.
Below, you'll find important updates and upcoming events for February. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to a great semester!
First Day of 2nd Semester
Monday, February 3
Winter Play: 12 Angry Jurors
Thursday, February 6 – Saturday, February 8 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Saturday, February 8 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Thursday, February 13 – Saturday, February 15 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Saturday, February 15 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
PTSA Meeting
Tuesday, February 11 | 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Mattress Sale Fundraiser
Saturday, February 22 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
MAA Open House
Wednesday, February 19 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
8th Grade Night
Wednesday, February 26 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Comedy Sportz
Thursday, February 27 – Saturday, March 1 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Mustang Born BottleDrop Fundraiser
Saturday, March 1 | 9:00 – 11:00 AM
For a full schedule of athletic events, visit our athletics website:
MHS Athletics Website
Black History Month - Please join us in honoring the Black brilliance and strength of our community.
National School Counseling Week – February 3-7 - Let’s celebrate our wonderful counselors! Our entire counseling team @ MHS/MAA does so much to support all of our students and overall school community everyday. Please let them know how much we appreciate them all!!
Youth Truth - Student Survey
In February we will be giving students a survey about their experience at MHS/MAA. We believe hearing from our students is important and we know they have a valuable role in helping shape school culture. The electronic survey will be given in class and will be confidential. Students will identify their grade, gender, and race/ ethnicity, but not their name. Responses are not linked to individual students. The survey will ask students about their school experience from feeling included and being accepted, to bullying and academic rigor. Our staff will use the data from the survey to help guide our school plan for the coming year. It is our goal for students to be heard and valued. This survey will help us hear directly from our students about things that matter most to them. Families are encouraged to have conversations about identity and the school experience with their student(s).
Youth Truth - Family Survey
I am asking for your help by taking the ~15 minute survey. This online survey will help us improve your child’s school.
Please take the survey before it closes at midnight on February 28 by clicking this link:
Please note:
The survey needs to be completed in one sitting.
We ask that one member of each household fill out the survey.
If you have more than one child who attends the same school, you may respond to the survey multiple times - one time per child.
If you write any comments, please do not include your name or anything else that might identify you. Your responses are anonymous, and they will be combined with the responses of other parents and guardians before being shared back with school and district leadership.
We sincerely thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. Your response is incredibly valuable to us.
If you have any questions about the survey, or our plans for how we will use your feedback, please contact Kim Kellogg, (503)353-5830.
The Youth Truth Survey comes in multiple languages, as shown below. Click on the blue link and select the appropriate language for you.
Statewide Exclusion Day for Immunizations is February 19, 2025
Students who are incomplete on their immunization status will be excluded from school starting Wednesday, February
19, 2025. This means that if your student’s records are not up to date with the required vaccinations, your student will not be able to attend school this day and must remain out of school until their vaccines are obtained and our records are brought up to date.
Here is a list of options to bring your students immunizations up to date:
- Make an appointment through your own primary care physician
- Make an appointment through a local pharmacy / urgent care
- Clackamas County Health Department 503-655-8471
- Oregon City, Gladstone, and Sunnyside locations
- North Clackamas School District School Based Health Centers
- Milwaukie High School: 503-353-5847
- Go to www.healthoregon.org/vaccineexemption and,
- Bring the signed certificate of immunization status form and the Nonmedical Exemption Certificate to your school.
If you have questions, please reach out to our school nurse.
MAA
Dear MAA families,
I hope this message finds you well! We have several exciting events coming up at Milwaukie Academy of the Arts and we’d love for you to be part of them. Below are some key dates to mark on your calendar:
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Winter Play: 12 Angry Jurors
Thursday, February 6 – Saturday, February 8 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Saturday, February 8 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Thursday, February 13 – Saturday, February 15 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Saturday, February 15 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Mustang Born BottleDrop Fundraiser
Saturday, March 1 | 9:00 – 11:00 AM
MAA Open House
Wednesday, February 19 | 6:00 – 7:30
Mattress Sale Fundraiser
Saturday, February 22 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Comedy Sportz
Thursday, February 27 – Saturday, March 1 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
8th Grade Night
Wednesday, February 26 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Some Recent Highlights
A few recent highlights from our MAA community: We just finished a two-day residency with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival–incredible fun and powerful learning. (We alternate years–one year they come to us; one year we go to Ashland). MAA students were able to attend two plays and one workshop. We have already attended two of the Literary Arts evening author events, including Amy Tan, who blew our minds. Whether it be Spooky art contests in October, this week’s Zine workshops to promote Transgender Rights (which we will sell at Spoke & Word bookshop in downtown Milwaukie), there are always ways for students to get involved, express themselves, and connect with like minded folks.
Important Dates:
This year’s remaining MAA Open House date is: February 19. (See attached flier.)
Our application deadline is March 14. Families will find out if they’re invited to attend MAA within a week of the deadline.
We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at these events! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Counseling
MHS/MAA Community,
Welcome to the second semester! There are a few things that we wanted to make sure that you are caught up on around student schedules as we move into the second half of our school year. Please pay close attention to this information in order to make sure that all students have the classes they need and the counselors have time to take care of all of the adjustments that are needed, in order to ensure student success.
Great job to all of our Mustangs finishing out the first semester strong! On Monday we will start our second semester of the school year, as we have officially completed 50% of our school year. Time certainly does fly and we are looking forward to a fantastic second half of the school year.
Semester 2 schedules are currently visible in StudentVUE and ParentVUE and counselors will be working to fill student schedules as quickly as possible. During the first week of semester 2, counselors will only be supporting schedule changes that have:
A missing class or are doubled up class in their schedule
Are in the wrong level of a class
Are missing a graduation requirement
Have a "see counselor" on their schedule
(Example: A student is missing a 2nd period class, they will come to the community room during the second period.)
Students should go to the community room (room 117) during the period that there is a problem in their schedule. We will not be changing schedules for any other reason during the first week, and students will need to address other issues only after all these issues have been corrected. Any other changes will need to have been specifically approved after the second week of the semester, with admin approval only.
Please feel free to reach out to the counselors if you have any questions.
Here are the counselors’ contact information:
9th Grade - Mr. Aguilar - aguilarr@nclack.k12.or.us
10th Grade - Ms. Iverson - iversonj@nclack.k12.or.us
11th Grade - Ms. Postema - postemas@nclack.k12.or.us
12th Grade - Mr. Church - churchf@nclack.k12.or.us
Thank you and see everyone back on Monday, February 3rd.
Greg Neuman- neumang@nclack.k12.or.us
Assistant Principal
Milwaukie High School
Milwaukie Academy of the Arts
College & Career
Hello Mustangs!
February is a crucial month for planning your next steps after high school. Here are some important updates and opportunities to keep in mind:
FAFSA/ORSAA Priority Deadline: March 1, 2025.
Seniors, don’t forget! The priority deadline for FAFSA and ORSAA is just around the corner! Submitting by March 1 ensures you qualify for the Oregon Promise Grant and other financial aid programs. Need assistance? Stop by the College & Career Center during lunch or set an appointment with Valentina or Mr C.
Scholarship Watch
Oregon Community Foundation Scholarships: A single application unlocks access to over 600 scholarships! Deadline: March 3, 2025.
Early-bird deadline is on February 18 to enter into a $1,000 scholarship sweepstakes. oregonstudentaid.gov/scholarships
Ford Scholars Program: Covers up to 90% of unmet college costs for students with significant financial need. Deadline: March 1, 2025. www.tfff.org/scholarships/ford-scholars/
Community College Foundation Scholarships:
For students planning to attend Portland Community College.Deadline: February 1, 2025. pccscholarships.academicworks.com
For students planning to attend Clackamas Community College.Deadline: February 3, 2025. clackamas.awardspring.com
For students planning to attend Mt. Hood Community College. Deadline: March 31, 2025. mhcc.academicworks.com
Upcoming Events
Career & Career Thursdays: Every Thursday during Lunch Explore college & career options, set goals, and complete steps to pursue higher education with Mr. Church, Valentina, and Mr. C! Location: College & Career Center, 11:32am - 12:07pm.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact:
College & Career Coordinator, Valentina Galindo, galindoe@nclack.k12.or.us
ASPIRE Coordinator, Nathan Christ (Mr. C), christn@nclack.k12.or.us
Athletics
Hello Mustangs!
Wrapping up January with some big wrestling wins for Girl’s Wrestling. Recently they have beaten Putnam and Wilsonville High School. Including an individual 3rd place finish for Taitum Ozuna at the Putnam Tournament. February will be a very busy month for basketball, wrestling, swimming, dance, and cheer.
Please go to our website for upcoming events. https://schools.snap.app/mhsmaa-athletics
Some important athletic dates are:
Swim district meet 2/14 and 2/15 at Parkrose High School
Wrestling districts at Canby High School 2/15
Cheer State Competition at Oregon City High School 2/15
Have a great February!
Tom
SSO
Welcome to second semester Mustangs! Here are some important reminders and upcoming items from our Student Support Office as we begin the second half of this school year:
Parking Permits- As a reminder, students who are driving to campus need to register their cars and pay the parking permit fee for the 24-25 school year. We will be increasing ticketing as we have noticed an uptick in unregistered cars on campus in recent weeks. If you are in need of a parking permit, please fill out this form and pay the $35 half year fee to the bookkeeper.
- Yondr Pouches- We will be taking an inventory of Yondr pouches during the first days of second semester. All students have received a pouch for this school year and the district/school-wide expectation is that these pouches are brought to campus daily (even if a phone is forgotten or left at home) and used during the school day. Replacement fees for pouches are $30 (please discuss with SSO for alternate options for replacement). Please be sure to remind your student to bring their Yondr pouch in their backpack every day.
Health Center
Hi Mustangs!
Is your student missing any vaccinations required for school? Vaccinations are due by February 19th and now is the time to schedule at the Milwaukie Health and Wellness Center. Sports Physicals for Spring are also due in February. Make sure to reach out soon to secure your spot on our schedule.
We will be open on February 17th and February 24th during our regular hours.
All North Clackamas School District students can access the health center’s services regardless of insurance status. The Health and Wellness Center is open Monday-Thursday from 8:30am-4pm and Friday from 8:30am-12pm. Call 503.353.5847 or email mhsfrontdesk@outsidein.org to make an appointment. Virtual or phone language interpretation services are available.
We are located on Milwaukie High School’s campus directly to the left of the main entrance and across from Milwaukie Academy of the Arts.
Need help getting to your appointment? Call 503.353.5847 for assistance!
_____
¡Hola, Mustangs!
¿Ud. es padre o guardián/tutor de un estudiante quien tiene alguna vacuna pendiente requerida para la escuela? Las vacunas deben completarse antes del 19 de febrero y ahora es el momento de programarlas en el Centro de Salud y Bienestar de Milwaukie. Los exámenes físicos para deportes de primavera también deben completarse en febrero. Asegúrese de comunicarse pronto para reservar su lugar en nuestro horario.
El centro de salud estará abierto el 17 de febrero y el 24 de febrero en su horario habitual.
Si tienen preguntas o si quieren ayuda haciendo citas, por favor contacten a la trabajadora bilingüe del centro de salud en Milwaukie, Kyra. Detalles para contactar a Kyra:
Correo electronico: ortegaschwartzk@nclack.k12.or.us o kyrao@outsidein.org
Telefono (clinica): 503-353-5847
Telefono (liña directa): 503-353-8419
Todos los estudiantes del Distrito Escolar de North Clackamas tienen acceso a los servicios del centro de salud aun si no tienen seguro. El Centro de Salud y Bienestar está abierto de lunes a jueves de 8:30 am a 4 pm y los viernes de 8:30 am a 12 pm.
El Centro de Salud y Bienestar está en el campus de Milwaukie High School directamente a la izquierda de la entrada principal y enfrente de la Milwaukie Academy of the Arts.
¿Necesita ayuda para llegar a su cita? ¡Llame al 503.353.5847 para obtener ayuda!
PTSA
Parent Teacher Student Association Meeting
Our next meeting is February 11th at 6pm in the community room.
We hope to see you there!
Milwaukie High School/Milwaukie Academy of the Arts
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