

Scappoose School District News
April 25, 2025
Remember to Click Below!
Below, you will find links/hot buttons to each school. In this format, click on your chosen school logo, and you will find the same familiar updates and newsletters from your schools.
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Highlights from Another Amazing Week in SSD!
On a vibrant and warm Earth Day, a passionate group of 40 Plant Science students and 3 dedicated adults set out from the high school to the local park, celebrating nature in an engaging, hands-on way.
Throughout this exciting day, they planted over 200 trees and perennials, playing an essential role in the restoration of the South Scappoose Creek ecosystem. The team also took on the task of removing invasive weeds, filling more than 5 wheelbarrows with these unwanted plants.
This event not only fostered a sense of community, but also sparked a deeper appreciation for the environment, leaving participants inspired to think about ways to protect and sustain healthy waterways in Scappoose for the future.
Earth Day Adventures Shine Bright at Grant Watts and Warren: Fun, Sun, and Nature Galore!
Grant Watts and Warren went all out for Earth Day this week, and it was a blast! At Grant Watts, students explored the vibrant garden and got an exclusive sneak peek at all the incredible plants that will soon be bursting into bloom. They also got their creative juices flowing in the outdoor classroom, sketching the garden and everything that thrives there.
Over at Warren, students went on a thrilling adventure with stations that had them discovering plants, spotting animals, and listening to inspiring stories about our beautiful planet. And of course, they did it all under the gorgeous sunshine! It was a day full of excitement, exploration, and Earth Day magic!
Scappoose Jazz Band Rocks District 11, Claims 1st Place and State Spot!
The Scappoose High School Jazz Band hit all the right notes at the District 11 Jazz Festival at West Albany High School, earning three qualifying scores and taking 1st place in the 4A band division!
Congratulations to these talented musicians for making it into the State tape pool!
Scappoose Dance Teams Shine with Standout Performances and State Honors!
A couple of weeks ago, the Scappoose Middle School dance team lit up the floor in Pendleton, taking home 2nd place with their energetic and fun "Mary Poppins" routine! They also earned a solid 4th place finish in their sharp and stylish "Elite Jazz" performance.
The Scappoose High School dance team brought the energy to the OSAA State Championship in March! They stormed into 3rd place in Hip Hop with their intense and powerful piece, “A Storm is Coming,” and captivated the crowd with “Silent Scream, which was their homage to the empowerment of the 1950’s domestic housewife.
More exciting Dance news, Addison Schrotzberger was named to the 4A All-State Team, and the team celebrated two OSAA Drill Down Medalists: Cierra Arstill-Brown (2nd place) and Alyssa Pindell (5th place)!
Way to go, Scappoose dancers!
Scappoose High School ELKS Student of the Month
The Scappoose High School (SHS) January ELKS student of the month is Freddy Zamora-Ortega. Freddy is a student who values academics and is determined to do his best for his future. He is diligent in his work from the beginning to the end. His diligence has been exemplified in his school life by how he challenges himself by taking rigorous college-level classes. However, this was not always the case. When he was younger he struggled with his own academics, his older siblings would try to help him but couldn't always, and his mother was faced with a linguistic barrier, he would struggle often. However, through his hard work and determination, Freddy has obtained over 20 college credits throughout high school.
His family is another factor that drives his academic life, his motivation and determination stem from his mother. She encourages the idea of pursuing further education for a better life. He was instilled with the idea that family will always be there for each other. He supports this principle in his own way by aiding his family. Whether it be his younger brother with his homework, his older sister with her math, or his mother with translating something, he is there to help.
Furthermore, Freddy extends his service to others by regularly volunteering at the Columbia Pacific Food Bank, where he helps package food into boxes and gives it out to those in need. He started volunteering at the food bank during his sophomore year and has been going every year when he has the chance.
In addition to the food bank, he also aids his community through his Individual Service Project (ISP). Freddy’s ISP is spending his Wednesdays after school going to Otto Peterson to tutor younger students and give them a space to do their homework. He spends time doing this because he wants to help all students and people of color excel academically and pursue a higher education. This is important to Freddy because he would like to see the Hispanic community continue to pursue higher education, and to allow them to see college as a viable option for their future.
In Freddy's childhood, he often found himself taking apart gadgets and trying to rebuild them, which would be to the dismay of his mom, however, it was likely foreshadowing regarding his interest in engineering. Freddy plans to go to Oregon State University and go into their engineering program.
*This article, originally scheduled for January, was unintentionally delayed in publication. Apologies for the delay.
SMS 8th Graders Blast Off into Fun at OMSI!
This week, our 8th graders had an amazing time exploring the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)! From hands-on exhibits to interactive displays, students dove into science in a fun and engaging way. Whether experimenting with physics, learning about space, or discovering new technologies, the trip was a perfect blend of education and excitement. It was a blast for everyone involved!
Otto Petersen Elementary Brings the Community Together for a 2000's Dance Party to Remember!
Otto Petersen Elementary turned back the clock and brought the community together for a fun-filled 2000's-themed dance party! Students, staff, and families hit the dance floor to the sounds of late 90’s and early 2000’s hits, dancing the evening away. It was a lively, energetic event full of nostalgia, great music, and even better company. A perfect way to spend time together and make lasting memories!
Fourth Graders Make Waves at the Columbia Maritime Museum!
Sauvie Island’s fourth graders set sail on an awesome adventure to the Columbia Maritime Museum! They dove into life on the Columbia River, discovered the role of trade, and learned how this mighty waterway keeps our local economy flowing.
The crew returned full of fun facts and maritime know-how, ready to impress!
Check out What's Happening in SSD Libraries!
The Rolling Eagle Library Program at Warren Elementary celebrated Earth Day with Here We Are: Notes About Living on Planet Earth! I like this book because it helps us understand how complex life on Earth is and how we need to take care of both ourselves AND the planet to live our fullest life. And, we finished our Spring Book Fair--thank to all the families who supported our efforts!
At Grant Watts this week we celebrated National Pretzel Day with a reading of Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever and then we celebrated with each teacher getting to take a bag of pretzel sticks back to the classroom--there was a lot of fun with friends in the library this week!
At OPE it was Book Fair week - many thanks to all the shoppers and volunteers who made our fair possible!
The Scappoose School District is doing great things in our libraries and it is wonderful to be a part of it! Keep reading everyone! ~ Mrs. Nudo
Free Preschool Opportunities in Columbia County for the 25-26 School Year
Registration is OPEN
2025-2026 School Year Free Preschool opportunities in Columbia County. Free Preschool is for families with children aged three and four (by September 1, 2025) Meeting income guidelines.Scan the QR code to learn more about the local programs or visit https://www.nwresd.org/departments/early-learning/early-learning-hub/free-preschool
News From Sauvie Island School
Our Public Place-Based Charter School is now accepting applications for grades K-8.
Sauvie Island School students engage in real-world curriculum that is relevant, authentic, and community-based within and beyond our school.
Sauvie Island School values hands-on learning, real-world experiences, and a strong community connection. Please contact us to learn more about Place-Based learning. We are currently accepting enrollment applications for the 2025-2026 school year
From the SSD Nurses
SSD Inclement Weather and Snow Routes
The winter months bring with them the possibility of busses being on snow routes, school closures, or delayed openings due to severe weather conditions, power outages, or other unexpected events.
With student safety leading these decisions and an understanding of the disruption these closures and delays cause our families and staff, SSD is committed to announcing changes to the school schedule as early as possible. If conditions are severe enough to threaten the safety of students traveling to and from school, a decision will be made the night before. Otherwise, decisions will be made by 6 a.m.
How we will notify you:
- FlashAlert.net
- Phone call
- District email
- SSD App notification
2024-2025 SSD Snow Routes can be found on our website HERE. Additionally, snow routes are listed on the District and individual school websites at the top of each page. If you have questions about bus pick-up or drop-off locations, please contact First Student at 971-290-4020.
We hope that providing this information will make inclement weather days easier to navigate.
Prevent the Spread: Guidelines for Keeping Sick Students Home
Keeping our students healthy is a top priority, and we need your help! Please keep your student home if they are experiencing a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or any symptoms of contagious illness. Staying home when sick helps prevent the spread of illness.
Click the links below for some important guidelines about recommendations on when to keep students with symptoms out of school.
Important Driver/Walker/Biker Safety Reminder
As the school year begins, we must prioritize safety around our school grounds.
Drivers: Please exercise caution and be aware of the increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic during drop-off and pick-up times. Adhere to posted speed limits and remain vigilant for crossing guards and children crossing the streets. Your attentiveness can prevent accidents and ensure the safety of our students.
Walkers and Bike Riders: Please remain alert and follow all safety guidelines while traveling to and from school. Use crosswalks and obey traffic signals. If biking, wear a helmet and ensure your bike is equipped with lights for visibility.
Together, we can make sure that our children have a safe and positive experience as they travel to and from school. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued support in keeping our school community safe.
How SSD Communicates
As we begin the school year, we would like you to be aware of how Scappoose School District communicates. We strive to develop and deliver clear, timely, and accurate information about the district and all that is happening in and around our schools. We seek to provide resources and materials to ensure families, students, staff, partners, and community members are informed about our key priorities, community events, our successes, and obstacles.
We look forward to communicating with you and your family!
Information is conveyed primarily via:
BlackBoard Messaging: Directly from the District or Individual Schools via a variety of mediums; email, text message, app notification, automated phone calls.
The SSD App: To get the App, simply go to the App Store on your device and search for “Scappoose School District.” From there, you can choose which schools you want to get new/alerts from.
Scappoose School District Website:
School-specific websites: (These can be navigated to from the SSD main webpage)
School Newsletters:
These will be sent out every Friday to your email inbox
District social media sites: Please follow us!
Facebook: Scappoose School District
Instagram: @Scappoose_Schools
FlashAlert notifications:
Scappoose Flash Alert Page This is mostly for inclement weather
Letters/emails to parents/guardians
To streamline our social media communication and ensure that accurate information reaches our community, we are transitioning to an information only/no commenting approach for our social media posts. This change is designed to minimize negative or irrelevant comments and to encourage direct communication with our District Office or individual schools. By doing so, we aim to prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure that the community receives official responses through the appropriate channels. We believe this approach will enhance the clarity, positivity, and effectiveness of our communications. If you have any questions regarding information in our posts, please connect the relevant school or District office directly. You can still look forward to all of our usual content and information throughout the year.
Thank you for being a vital part of our SSD family! We wish you the very best start to the school year!
Thanks,
Scappoose School District
SSD Sports Schedules
Come out and Watch Scappoose School's Student Athletes Play!
For more information, you can find Scappoose Middle School and High School sports schedules on the schools’ web pages under “Athletics.”
See the links below for more information.
Do you have the Scappoose School District App?
It’s one of the best ways to stay informed on both District and School specific information in real time, right on your smartphone!
If you don't yet have the app here is how to get it:
1. Search; “Scappoose School District” in your device's App store
2. Download the App to your phone/tablet and click “Open”
3. There will be a pop-up and click “Choose from list”
4. Choose the schools you would like to receive news/alerts from
5. CONGRATS! Your App should now be set up!
Are you interested in becoming a substitute for the Little Lilu Preschool?
Here is the Link to CBR
The CBR is an online application and will require free fingerprinting that individuals often coordinate with a local business (there are several options for fingerprinting in Hillsboro or up Highway 30).
Individuals with questions on the CBR application process can contact Jen Stearns, jstearns@scappoose.k12.or.us.
OEA Choice Trust (OEA CHOICE WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN) supports the well-being of Oregon’s public education employees. Scappoose School District has received a grant to support our employee’s well-being. OEA Choice Trust files an annual report with the Employee Benefits Security Administration, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). You can visit the OEA Choice Trust website to see how to request and receive copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof.
Scappoose School District
Website: https://www.scappoosek12.org
Location: 33589 SE High School Way Scappoose, OR 97056
Phone: 971-200-8000