Scappoose School District News
November 1, 2024
Happy Fall!
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.
For more SSD news- be sure to follow us on:
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Instagram @Scappoose_Schools
Grant Watts 3rd Graders Talk About Park Improvements and Explore Scappoose History
Our 3rd-grade students recently completed an exciting project that brought learning to life through field trips and hands-on activities! As part of their units on communities and environments, students focused on improving local parks by writing persuasive letters to the mayor. To gather ideas, they visited Chief Concomly Park and Veterans Park, observing each space through a lens of safety, accessibility, or fun. Their ideas were creative and thoughtful, sparking a lot of enthusiasm for community improvement!
On October 23, students personally delivered their letters to Mayor Backus at Scappoose City Hall. Mayor Backus welcomed them into the city council chambers, shared city goals, and even unveiled upcoming park improvement plans. The Scappoose Chief of Police treated students to a tour of the Police Department, complete with an exploration of police equipment and vehicles.
The students also visited the Watts House Children's Museum, where they experienced Scappoose history firsthand through exhibits featuring artifacts, photos, and even vintage student desks. It was a memorable journey through time, giving students a look at how our community has evolved. The students had a blast and returned inspired!
OPE’s 5th Grade Turns Math Class into a Mystery Adventure!
Huge thanks to OPE's 5th Grade Parliament for turning their math block into a thrilling, Clue-inspired mystery! With suspects, locations like the Library and Study, and weeks of planning, they crafted an unforgettable learning experience. The 5th graders dove into challenging math puzzles to uncover who “took” Miss Kelly, with what, and cracked a riddle to reveal her hidden location.
And just so everyone knows, it was Veach and Krieck, in Principal Ticer's office, with a lawn flamingo!
Behind the Scenes with Sweeney Todd: Students Experience Theater Like Never Before!
Earlier this month, SHS Teachers Ms. Gonzales, Mr. Sprenger, and Ms. Edge brought 30 excited students to see Sweeney Todd at Portland Center Stage—and it was a blast! The students got an exclusive backstage tour, saw the costume team in action, and learned all about the many exciting roles that keep a professional theater running smoothly. They had a fantastic Q&A with the cast, and several students even scored autographs while waiting for the bus. They were absolutely thrilled! This trip was the perfect mix of inspiration, learning, and unforgettable memories!
October Spirit Brings Fun and Creativity
Thursday was filled with creativity and spirit across all Scappoose schools! Students and staff embraced the festive October energy with imaginative costumes, lively activities, and plenty of smiles. What a fantastic way to wrap up the month!
Grant Watts Students Enjoy Fun Learning in the Library!
Grant Watts students are having a blast exploring their library and the vibrant maker space! From cozy reading nooks to hands-on learning stations, students are diving into stories and creating with exciting tools designed to spark curiosity and creativity. This dynamic space is where imaginations take flight, whether students are building, experimenting, or just enjoying a good book. Learning has never been so much fun!
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Scappoose High School Theatre
Get ready for a fun-filled adventure with SHS Theatre as they present a quirky take on the Brothers Grimm stories! With plenty of humor and a few nods to spooky and romantic themes, it’s a show that promises surprises. While it's not specifically designed for a younger audience, it's also not off-limits to them—parents, you know your family best, so feel free to decide what's right for your crew. Come enjoy the creativity and excitement!
November 1st- 7:00pm
November 2nd- 2:00pm & 7:00pm
November 3rd- 2:00pm
We hope to see you there next weekend! SSD staff gets in free!
Sauvie Island School Harvest Festival and Costume Parade
Sauvie Island School had a wonderful time during their Parade of Costumes on Thursday. Thank you to all of the family and friends who were able to attend.
November 7th is Sauvie Island School’s annual Harvest Festival. This is a school and community event. We hope you will come and partake in the fun. The event is from 3:15pm- 5:00pm, depending on attendance and weather.
Strategic Plan Message from Superintendent Porter
Dear SSD Community,
On behalf of the Scappoose School District, I am excited to share our Strategic Plan along with an opportunity to participate in a community survey whose results will help guide our strategic initiatives for the next six years. I invite each of you to be part of this journey and encourage you to participate in our Community Survey to help shape the district’s future. Your feedback is invaluable.
Please look for the survey link below, on our website, in the District newsletter, and on our social media pages. The survey will be open until December 20th. In addition, you can find the Strategic Plan Foundational Pillars, as well as a four-page informational document on our District website or here in our SSD District Newsletter. This plan represents our commitment to excellence across every part of our education system.
This strategic vision and survey opportunity are truly community endeavors as we continue to bring together voices from our students, families, staff, and community members to build a future where every student is prepared to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Our mission is clear. With the support of families and our community, we are dedicated to developing students who are leaders, effective communicators, critical thinkers, and principled, caring individuals. This focus guides all we do, ensuring a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for our students’ emotional, social, and academic well-being.
Our strategic plan stands on three foundational pillars:
Promoting Excellence in Student Learning – through expanded opportunities in academics, the arts, athletics, extracurriculars, and a commitment to nurturing each student’s unique potential.
Supporting Our Staff – By recruiting, developing, and retaining outstanding educators and staff, we’re focused on continuous professional growth and well-being within our teams.
Engaging Our Community – with a focus on strengthening our partnerships with families and the community through open communication and collaboration, therefore creating a thriving educational experience.
Together, we will continue to foster passionate, lifelong learners who are ready to lead and succeed.
Thank you for being part of our mission and for supporting the success of all Scappoose students!
We invite you to take part in our Community Survey. Simply click the link or scan the QR code below to share your feedback.
Scappoose Community Survey Fall 2024
Thank you for your continued support,
Sincerely,
Tim Porter
Superintendent
Scappoose School District
Scappoose Equity and Social Justice Team
A group of educators, students, and community members committed to explicitly identifying disparities in education and school climate for the purpose of targeting areas for action, intervention, and investment. Please contact Jen Stearns (jstearns@scappoose.k12.or.us] if you are interested in participating.
We meet QUARTERLY on ZOOM on the FOLLOWING DATES:
Tuesday, November 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom
Tuesday, January 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom
Tuesday, March 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom
Tuesday, May 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom
RSVP to jstearns@scappoose.k12.or.us and a calendar invite will be emailed to you
Check Out SSD's New School Menu System
We’re excited to share that our Food Service Menu system has recently been upgraded! In this video, I'll guide you through the new features, making it easier than ever to stay informed about menu items and their nutritional details.
You can access menus on each school’s website or on the District page—conveniently located in the Quick Links section both at the top and bottom of the page, as well as under the Food Service Department tab.
Once you click the menu link, you’ll be directed to the EZSchoolLunch landing page where an Allergen Disclaimer will appear. From there, you can simply select your school and the menu you would like to view to see what is being served.
Each item includes detailed nutritional information and you can easily browse by day, week, or month
If you like to keep a printed menu, just hit the "print" button to get the full month's menu in a handy calendar format.
We hope this upgrade makes it easier to plan meals and ensures you have all the information you need to feel confident about the nutritious options we offer. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our Food Service Director, Barbara Foti.
Thanks for helping us keep mealtime healthy and informed!
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.
Free and Reduced Meals
If you have SNAP benefits, your student(s) are directly certified and no application is necessary.
If you applied and were approved for Free or Reduced meals during the previous school year, you must reapply for the current year. The grace period ends on Oct 14th. Please apply before that date as you will be responsible for any balance on your child’s account until you are approved.
If you are denied with the Federal income guidelines, Oregon has expanded the income to qualify more families for free meals. Please fill out an application to see if you qualify.
For applications, visit:
Scappoosek12.org/departments/food-service
Click on “Free and Reduced Meals”
You will also find a link for the Income Guidelines
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
Back to School Also Means- Back to School Sports!
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