School News Blast
Gladstone District • Growing Great People • 5.20.21
John & Merilee Wetten donate land for county park
The former principal of the school that now bears his name, John Wetten continued his service to students long after he retired. Now Wetten and his wife Merilee [also an educator] have gifted a tract of land for a county park, nearly 13 acres between Canby and Oregon City. The land is valued at more than $520,000.
“For years first graders took field trips to Mr. Wetten’s farm, part of a classroom lesson on farming,” said Superintendent Bob Stewart. “Now that land will be developed as an educational, environmental, and recreational resource for generations to come.”
The land is a natural park setting with a spring-fed pond, a wetland area, an active beaver colony, walking trails, and many cedar, fir, cottonwood, and cherry trees. Plans for the site may include a conservation system, trails, or a more developed park.
School calendar set for 2021-22
Gladstone schools anticipate a full return to classroom learning this fall, as an increasing number of adults and teens receive COVID-19 vaccines. Print the calendar.
"We are very excited to bring our school community back together," said Superintendent Bob Stewart. "A regular schedule will boost student learning and increase social-emotional wellbeing."
To maintain student safety, schools will maximize outdoor air flow by boosting ventilation systems this summer. They will also follow state health guidelines to protect students.
The district plans to test students this fall to identify education needs. That will allow schools to adjust lessons to fill any learning gaps and ensure long-term student success.
Key Dates: 2021-22 School Year
August 30 – First day for grades K-6 and 9
August 31 – First day for grades 7-8 and 10-12
September 3 - 6 – No School [Labor Day weekend]
November 11 – Veteran’s Day Holiday
November 22 - 26 – No School/Thanksgiving
December 20 - January 3 – Winter Break
March 21 – 25 – Spring Break
June 15 – Last Day/Graduation
Gladstone school district awarded grant for antiracism work
Thanks to a $31,000 grant from the Multnomah-Clackamas Regional Educator Network, Gladstone educators are building upon our district’s ongoing equity work to educate and empower our staff to better serve every student and family in the community.
The project will focus on foundational antiracism training for 16 educators from Gladstone’s four schools, provide ongoing staff equity work sessions founded on Courageous Conversations and offer staff training in the Improvement Science Process.
In the future the Equity Design Team, led by Jammie Landis, Siri Carlson, Lauren Thompson and Emmett Pearson, will use their training to provide professional development to staff from all of our schools and keep racial equity in the forefront of our school communities. In addition the district is providing books for a staff organized antiracist book club that welcomes all employees.
“Our students will benefit from having teachers who are prepared and willing to have conversations about race and to address racism in our schools,” said Equity Design Team member Lauren Thompson. “Through this multi-school, cross-curricular effort, we can build a culture of antiracism across our community.”
Teens invited to free COVID-19 vaccine event Saturday, May 22
Clackamas County Public Health plans a free Pfizer vaccine clinic for ages 12 to 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, May 22. The drive-through event is in the Clackamas Town Center parking garage near Dick’s Sporting Goods. Adult family members are also invited to get a vaccine at the event.
Schedule your appointment online at https://web3.clackamas.us/schedule/start.jsp?type=phvac or call the Clackamas scheduling line at 503-655-8224. Another place to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments is at your local pharmacy, or here: https://getvaccinated.oregon.gov/#/ If you have questions about the vaccine, email health officials at COVIDVaccine@clackamas.us
Tour the GCCF Kindergarten and register for fall
The Gladstone School District welcomes fall Kindergarten families to Connect to Kindergarten. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Kindergarten environment and community that your child will experience.
This event will happen across 3 Wednesdays in May and June. Families may sign up for a tour of our classrooms and program overview at the Gladstone Center for Children and Families led by our Kindergarten staff.
Our tours are limited to those currently registered or interested in enrolling in the 2021-2022 school year.
When visiting, we will follow all health and safety protocols including wearing masks and remaining distanced and keeping our groups limited in numbers. To register for a tour, email or call Heidi Smith (smithh@gladstone.k12.or.us) or 503-496-3939.
Tours
May 26 -- 10 to 11 a.m.
May 26 -- 1 to 2 p.m.
May 26 -- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
June 2 -- 3 to 4 p.m.
June 2 -- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
June 9 -- 10 to 11 a.m.
June 9 -- 1 to 2 p.m.
June 9 -- 5:30 to 6:30p.m.
Food programs open May 24 but closed May 31
Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, both the free meal distribution at Kraxberger and the Gladstone Food Pantry will be closed. Those in need of food assistance for that week should phone 211 or visit https://www.211info.org/ to locate nearby nutrition resources.
However, both food programs will be OPEN AS USUAL on May 24 and June 7
Free Kids Meals Mondays at Kraxberger Mondays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. & 4 to 6 p.m.
Gladstone Food Pantry Mondays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 6460 Glen Echo Ave.