SMS Students Celebrate Growth and Look Forward with Year-End Reflection
At Scappoose Middle School this week, students wrapped up their Homeroom Character Strong journey with a meaningful Sankofa session. Each homeroom gathered in a circle to reflect on the past year, sharing lessons learned, challenges overcome, and moments of growth. The Sankofa experience encouraged students to look back in order to move forward, carrying with them the wisdom and strength gained throughout the year as they head into what’s next.
Scappoose High Honors Class of 2025 at Inspiring Senior Awards Night
On Wednesday evening, Scappoose High School proudly hosted its Senior Awards Night, a heartfelt celebration honoring the remarkable Class of 2025.
Students who earned a variety of scholarships, including awards from the ELKS Lodge, Fitness Connection, Sauvie Island Grange, Doernbecher, Scappoose Education Association, and many others, were recognized with pride. Exceptional student-athletes and activity participants received well-deserved accolades, alongside those who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Special honors were also given to SHS leadership students, as well as this year’s Salutatorians and Valedictorian.
Emceed by SHS Principal Jerimy Kelley, the event was warmly attended by families and community members who came together to cheer on and celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of these incredible students. The evening was filled with joy and pride, marking an important milestone on their journey toward graduation.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Your future shines bright, and the entire community eagerly anticipates the great things you will achieve.
Field Day Frenzy: Grant Watts Wraps the Year with Fun and Games!
Grant Watts turned up the fun for an unforgettable Field Day celebration! From high-energy relays to colorful parachutes, music pumping through the air, and games for every kind of mover and shaker, the playground was bursting with joy. Laughter echoed, spirits soared, and every student celebrated the school year with big smiles and even bigger fun!
Honoring Ceremony Celebrates Indigenous Graduates and Students on Their Journey to Graduation
Scappoose School District’s annual Honoring Ceremony was once again a moving and meaningful event, bringing together tradition, community, and celebration. Held Monday evening in the Scappoose High School Library, the ceremony opened with powerful drumming and traditional songs by Turquoise Pride, creating a heartfelt and reverent atmosphere.
Organized by the SSD Social Justice and Equity Team, the event recognized and honored the accomplishments of Indigenous graduating seniors. Families, friends, and community members gathered to celebrate these remarkable students as they prepare to take the next steps in their journeys.
A special addition to this year’s ceremony was the recognition of Indigenous students in PreK through 11th grade. These students were honored for their ongoing educational journeys and received symbolic gifts representing the work they are doing toward the culminating goal of graduation. This new element of the ceremony highlighted the importance of celebrating not just the milestone of graduation, but the path leading up to it.
District leaders Jerimy Kelley and Jen Stearns shared messages of pride and encouragement, followed by powerful words from local tribal elders. In a touching part of the evening, each graduate was presented with a ceremonial stole to wear at graduation, if they choose, and honored with an eagle feather, symbolizing strength, courage, and the ability to soar. Elders also enveloped each student in sage smoke and performed an honor song in their recognition.
The passing of the Tribal Regalia bill (House Bill 2052) celebrates the hard work and achievements of our American Indian / Alaska Native students, honoring culturally inclusive ceremonies and reflecting and acknowledging the diversity of our students and families. The Oregon Department of Education is committed to fostering district government-to-government relationships with the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon.
Scappoose School District is proud to maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. We are deeply honored to host this annual event, and we’ve heard from students and families just how meaningful it is to be able to celebrate their heritage through the Honoring Ceremony and at graduation.
This year’s event was a beautiful celebration of identity, achievement, and cultural pride, for both our graduating seniors and those still on the path toward that important day. Thank you to all who helped make the evening possible, and to everyone who came to support and uplift our Indigenous SHS graduates and students.
Please note: Eagle feathers are protected and are only provided to permit holders who have applied through the National Eagle Repository. The eagle feathers presented to the Indigenous SHS graduates were obtained this way and given in accordance with federal regulations.
Boogie Cat Brings the Blues to SMS!
Sauvie Island Middle School Dance Sparks Unforgettable Night of Fun and Friendship!
The Sauvie Island School middle school dance was pure magic from start to finish! The energy in the room was electric as students danced nonstop to their favorite jams, sang along, and laughed with friends. Everyone was fully in the moment, making new memories and celebrating together. It was an unforgettable night filled with fun, friendship, and good vibes that will keep everyone smiling for weeks to come!
SHS Boys Soccer is hosting a Youth Soccer Camp
- June 23rd-26th
- K-3rd Grade- 9:00am- 10:30am- $55
- 4th- 8th Grade- 10:30am- 12:30pm- $65
- Scappoose High School- McNabb Field
Join the SHS Boys Soccer Players and Coaches
- Skill development drills
- Team games and scrimmages
- Bring a water bottle and shin guards
- Receive a camp souvenir
- All levels welcome for boys and girls
Wild Bites: Foraged Food Adventure for Kids & Families
Date: June 24, 2025
- Time: 5-7 p.m.
- Where: McCormick Park, St. Helens, OR 97051; Meet at the Covered Area
- No Busing
- Student and Family Event - Sponsored by Scappoose School District Title VI Funds
- Send any questions to Jen Stearns; jstearns@scappoose.k12.or.us
Join Chef Instructor Amelie Rousseau for an unforgettable evening of wild food exploration in the park! This family-friendly outdoor workshop invites curious kids (and their grown-ups) to discover the edible magic growing all around us. Wear comfy clothes, bring a water bottle, and get ready to forage, taste, and play in nature’s kitchen. We’ll taste the season with:
- A live cooking demo of sweet, creamy acorn pudding—a traditional Indigenous dish adapted for modern kitchens.
- A hands-on nettle pesto: from identifying to tasting, we’ll explore how to safely harvest, handle, and enjoy this powerhouse plant.
- Plus: plant ID basics, folklore, and foraging safety tips for beginners.
- Perfect for our Indigenous community, budding nature lovers, aspiring chefs, and anyone who loves snacks with a story.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-xyheqi9KUgyVQ83V7bSA1EgJtTqFFekjyOrZY2jBfK1WsA/viewform
SHS Girls Soccer is Hosting a Youth Soccer Camp
Summer Soccer Camp
August 5th-7th
K-3rd Grade- 9:00am-10:30am- $50
4th-8th Grade- 10:30am-12:30pm- $60
Scappoose High School- McNabb Field
Skills and ball techniques
Footwork exercises
Fun games and scrimmages
Bring a water bottle and shin guards
All levels welcome, boys and girls
For more information: bzanotta@scappoose.k12.or.us
SHS Dance Team is Hosting a Dance Camp
Scappoose High School Dance Team is hosting their annual “Summer Beats Dance Camp” August 6th-8th at Scappoose High School. Camp is open to all boys and girls K-8th grade (upcoming grades).
This is a great opportunity to learn routines, make new friends, and perform what you learn on the last day of camp at the free showcase. Cost is $90, but you can get the early bird discount of $80 if you register and pay by June 30th.
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
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
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
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.
Scappoose School District
Website: https://www.scappoosek12.org
Location: 33589 SE High School Way Scappoose, OR 97056
Phone: 971-200-8000