Lincoln Middle School is happy to have experienced our first year with the MESA program. MESA (which stands for Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement) is an after school program which allows students the opportunity to find success. The program teaches a range of applicable skills that starts with problem identification, idea generation, physical prototyping, iterative problem solving, cooperative achievement, and public speaking.

This year we partnered with Aprovecho, a non-profit organization here in Cottage Grove. The students completed an interview, in which they identified a problem to solve. They then developed a product that would help, and then worked together to write code, build a prototype, and explain their process.

Aprovecho is currently working on developing solar-powered water containers, which will heat water enough to pasteurize it, making it safe for use. Our students were working on a device which would be able to gauge the time and temperature of the water and indicate when it has been pasteurized.

The year-long club culminated in MESA Day, where teams from all over the state came together to demonstrate their products and progress, as well as participate in a STEAM fair and college/career fair. While our team did not win an award for their project (this time), Jill Myers was recognized as Advisor of the Year. We will continue to grow this program, and look forward to seeing what our students create in the future!

June is a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible achievements of our students as they reach important milestones. On Saturday, June 7th, we will proudly celebrate the graduating seniors of Cottage Grove High School and Al Kennedy High School as they walk across the stage and begin their next journey beyond high school.

Then, on Thursday, June 12th from 6:00–7:15 p.m. at CGHS, Lincoln Middle School staff along with Cottage Grove High School staff will join together in a special drive-through celebration to honor our 8th grade students as they transition to high school. Students are invited to roll through in any ride—car, bike, or something creative—while LMS staff say goodbye and CGHS staff welcome them to their new school. Following the drive-through, students can stay to receive a promotion certificate, enjoy a sweet treat, take photos, and celebrate with family and classmates.

Let’s come together as a community to celebrate these exciting transitions and applaud the hard work, resilience, and growth our students have shown this year. The future is bright—and it starts right here!

Cottage Grove High School is celebrating a major achievement after its yearbook, Lion Tracks, was honored with the prestigious Pacemaker Award at the 2024 National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Spring Convention in Seattle.

Often referred to as the Pulitzer Prize of student journalism, the Pacemaker Award recognizes the nation’s top scholastic yearbooks. Out of hundreds of entries, only 22 yearbooks were selected, representing approximately 20% of submissions. Lion Tracks stood out among them—and proudly held the distinction of being the only school from Oregon to earn the award.

This honor reflects the incredible dedication, creativity, and storytelling talent of the Lion Tracks staff, who poured countless hours into producing a book that captures the heart of Cottage Grove High School.

A special shoutout goes to the gurus @shallwepictavo for their guidance and support throughout the process.

Congratulations to the entire Lion Tracks team for this historic and well-deserved achievement!

On May 2, 2025, the South Lane School District celebrated School Lunch Hero Day. District office staff visited the nutritional services teams at each school to acknowledge these School Lunch Heroes who serve the students. During these visits, leadership expressed their gratitude for the staff's commitment and recognized their dedication to providing excellent meals.

To show appreciation, each team received a tray of homemade treats along with a card honoring the day. Additionally, every member of the nutritional services staff was given t-shirts as a token of thanks. These t-shirts were especially meaningful, as they were ordered through the Cottage Grove High School Career and Technical Education Business class, where students created the designs and fulfilled the order.

Al Kennedy High School students have been diligently preparing for a plant sale
since February as part of their Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources
classes, which are included in Career and Technical Education programs offered
in the South Lane School District. They have planted thousands of seeds,
transplanted seedlings, brewed compost tea, fertilized the plants, and conducted
research on the medicinal properties of plants and their benefits for pollinators. Additionally, they have assembled hanging baskets and mixed soil for planting.

Our greenhouse has become a bustling hub of activity, fostering significant
learning experiences. The best part is that many students are taking plants home
to care for in their gardens, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts. The plant
sale allows students to extend their learning from planting and growing to
include valuable business skills relevant to various career fields.

If you would like to learn more about the plant sale, please contact Al Kennedy
High School.

The Rhythm & Blues Revue is a special fundraiser for our high school music program, featuring performances by students, faculty, former students, and professional musicians, along with entertaining skit commercials sponsored by our generous supporters. We are all set up at the Cottage Theatre located at 700Village Drive, Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424, and are currently in rehearsals for this year's program!

Tickets are available at https://www.cottagetheatre.org/rhythm--blues.html

We look forward to seeing you there, and thank you for your support!

Devin Wright

Director of Bands & Choirs Cottage Grove High School

**2025 Rhythm & Blues Revue Schedule:** May 1, 2, 3 at 7:00 PM May 4 at 2:30 PM **Tickets:** $20 for all ages

Following the fire near Dorena last summer and its impact on air quality, the South Lane School District purchased two PurpleAir sensors to enhance the existing air quality monitors in and around Cottage Grove. These PurpleAir sensors provide real-time air quality data, allowing communities to effectively track air pollution.

One of the sensors has been installed at Dorena School to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) and has been operational since January. The district is currently working on displaying this sensor's data on the reader board at Dorena School. The second sensor will be installed at London School in the coming months. This addition will offer the Cottage Grove community more localized air quality information, helping residents stay informed.

The data collected from these sensors is available to the public at the following website: https://www.purpleair.com/map?zoom=12&lat=43.73809362006536&lng=-122.87974754865722&key=RGQ0JF8OCERAWCQB.

Strong attendance is a priority at Harrison Elementary, where creativity and community spirit thrive. Last week, students enjoyed a surprise cake celebration for their school spirit and consistent attendance, thanks to the kitchen team!

Every month, classrooms compete for attendance trophies, often presented by administrators in inflatable costumes! Students also participate in daily puzzle challenges for perfect attendance, making each day exciting.

Harrison aims for at least 90% attendance for all students, as regular attendance supports learning and relationships. Teachers and staff work closely with families to overcome challenges and encourage growth.

Why Attendance Matters:

• Academic Progress: Stay on track and avoid falling behind.
• Social-Emotional Growth: Build friendships and social skills.
• Good Habits for Life: Foster responsibility and strong routines.
• Long-Term Success: Regular attendees are more likely to graduate and thrive.

Harrison proudly contributes to a district-wide commitment to student success while celebrating each Bobcat!

This winter sports season was one for the books! With a record 126 athletes participating—the most since before COVID—our teams showed incredible dedication and success across the board. Boys Basketball finished 3rd in arguably the toughest league in the state and qualified for postseason play! Trevor Cooper earned first-team all-league honors, along with multiple other athletes receiving all-league recognition. Girls Basketball also had a strong season in the pre-season, with Makaya Alsup earning first-team all-league honors, alongside several teammates receiving all-league recognition. Wrestling sent seven boys and one girl to the state tournament, with Jeffery Conklin securing an impressive third-place finish Alison Palluck finishing in 4th place. Boys Swimming made history by winning their first district title in 11 years, while Girls Swimming clinched their first district title in 22 years! Several swimmers qualified for the state meet, with Hayes Valley and Avery Bengston leading the way with strong finishes. Cheer had an outstanding season, bringing home a 4th place trophy at the OSAA State Championships!

Congratulations to all our athletes and coaches for their hard work and achievements this season. Go Lions!

Bohemia Elementary School hosted a highly interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) night on March 13th! Over 350 students and their family members attended, making it one of the most well-attended Title Nights in recent years. Families received a map of the school, which highlighted various science experiments and math activities available for completion. Each family enjoyed a complimentary dinner consisting of chips, vegetables, hamburgers, and a personal pie, generously donated by Walmart. Students who completed all the stations were eligible to enter a raffle for a free science experiment kit. It was a night filled with excitement, learning, and plenty of fun!

The South Lane School District's competitive chess teams traveled to South Umpqua High School in Myrtle Creek to participate in the Oregon High School Chess Team Association Championship, held from February 28th to March 1st. A total of 18 teams from across the state competed in the tournament, with teams offive players each vying for state titles. Notably, three of our players achieved individual placements in the top six.

This year, the talented Cottage Grove junior varsity team finished with a record of 4 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, earning a total of 4.5 points and securing first place in the 3A-4A classification. Meanwhile, the Cottage Grove "open" team showcased exceptional skill and teamwork, also earning first place in the Open Team category with a record of 3 wins and 2 losses.

The last time the SLSD chess team secured a victory at the State Championship was in 2011. This year's wins were both very close and dramatic, coming down to the final game of the last match.

One of the primary goals of the South Lane School District is to foster a culture of care and belonging within our schools and community. In support of this mission, Lincoln Middle School has established a Family Engagement Committee that meets regularly to plan, organize, and implement various community events, all offered at no cost to participants.

On Friday, February 21st, Lincoln Middle School proudly hosted its second FamilyFun Night Winter Festival. Families enjoyed an engaging evening filled with activities, including creating glitter slime, engineering catapults, decorating delicious cookies baked by Lisa Kelley from Lincoln, making hot chocolate, singing karaoke, and testing their athletic skills in pickleball and dodgeball. Additionally, participants showcased their knowledge in a fun trivia competition. The event was filled with joy, providing a wonderful opportunity for our students, families, and community members to connect and strengthen their relationships.

The South Lane School District is dedicated to preparing students for their careers or further education. In recent years, the district has focused on developing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at the high school level. These programs provide pathways for students to acquire practical skills necessary for their post-high school options, whether they choose to enter the workforce, attend trade school, or pursue higher education at a college or university. CTE courses create relevance for students in their studies and help them build meaningful connections to their futures through work-based learning opportunities. With an emphasis on hands-on learning and real-world application, CTE programs are designed to facilitate a successful transition from education to employment.

CTE encompasses a wide range of educational programs that specialize in teaching specific skills for careers in fields such as construction, manufacturing, information technology, early childhood education, and many others. South Lane School District currently offers 11 CTE course pathways approved by the Oregon Department of Education, all of which are connected to post-secondary job experiences. Career and Technical education is a pathway to success and pivotal in equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need for their future careers.

The transportation department at South Lane School District is dedicated to providing students with safe and accessible rides to and from school, as well as to educational field trips and sporting events. Our team consists of eighteen licensed bus drivers, three licensed type 10 vehicle drivers, and seven bus aides who work collaboratively to meet the district's transportation needs. Despite facing a driver shortage for several years, this team consistently demonstrates excellent teamwork and adaptability on a day-to-day basis to ensure that the students receive the service needed and that all routes are covered.

To highlight their efforts, here are some statistics for the current school year:

• Since the beginning of the year, we have traveled a total of 210,867 miles, averaging about 44,948 miles per month.
• We have transported 68,940 students, which averages around 766 students per day.
• In the first three months of the 2024/25 school year, we traveled over 13,000 miles for athletic events and nearly 3,000 miles for instructional trips.

The transportation team has been busy this year and will continue to work diligently to make sure students reach their destinations safely.

At Al Kennedy High School, students that work with Kennedy Conservation Corps [KCC]  have worked at Quamash Prairie every Wednesday in the school year since 2010. Quamash Prairie is Lane County Waste Management’s wetland mitigation site. It was created to replace wetlands that have been destroyed due to the construction of Short Mountain Landfill and other county developments. At Quamash Prairie participating students learn the three basic functions of a wetland, how Lane County manages its landfill, how Lane County complies with the Clean Water Act and they assist in the practical aspects of managing a wetland and lowland hardwood forest. Students are employed there on a service learning grant, and earn an hourly wage, along with earning credit.  

We are currently burning the trees brought down by last year’s ice storm in kilns to create Biochar to be used to increase the amount of carbon in the wetland soils. There are two more branches of Kennedy Conservation Corps at Al Kennedy High School.   One  works for three hours on Fridays at the school maintaining the school grounds and garden. The other crew works for a full day on Fridays on projects off site. These projects include restoring native prairie ecosystems, for the Army Corps of Engineers, by planting native wildflowers and eradicating noxious weeds in places like Bake Stewart Park. KCC manages the vegetation on the Bureau of Land Management's section of the  bike path. Periodically KCC has worked to manage the grounds at Great Days Early Learning Center.

At South Lane School District we want to acknowledge and celebrate an extraordinary fall sports season. This year, over 230 students participated in fall sports, marking the highest participation level in several years. It’s important to recognize the incredible dedication shown by our student-athletes, each committing over 10 hours a week—often spread across five or six days—just for practices. When we add in the time for games and travel to and from away games, the hours add up! Our student-athletes excelled not only in their sports but also in academics. Four fall sports teams ranked among the top ten for team GPAs in 4A: Girls Cross Country (#2), Boys Cross Country (#3), Girls Soccer (#4), and Volleyball (#6). Every fall sports team advanced to the postseason, with each team finishing in third place or higher in league play. Three teams—Boys Cross Country, Boys Soccer, and Football—claimed district titles. 

The Boys Cross Country team particularly shined, finishing 4th at the state championships. This is the second state trophy in the program’s history since 1975, Additionally, we witnessed an extraordinary feat as one student-athlete became our first-ever two-time state champion in cross country, recording the second-fastest time in 4A history. These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work, talent, and perseverance of our student-athletes and coaches, as well as the unwavering support from our amazing families and community. 

The South Lane School District's nutrition program offers students a diverse selection of high-quality and nutritious meal options throughout the school year, including a substantial number of scratch-made foods. Our dedicated nutrition staff across the district commit multiple days each week to serving scratch meals or specific scratch-made items. Students can enjoy a variety of scratch-made foods, such as pizza, cheese rolls, hot dog wraps, orange chicken with rice, spaghetti, various soups, burrito bowls, macaroni and cheese, and much more. In November, the Oregon Department of Education conducted an on-site review of the district’s school nutrition program and praised the quality of our food. They remarked, “The foods offered were of the highest quality in school nutrition. South Lane’s focus on scratch cooking really shines through. Students had a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to choose from and each student seemed to enjoy the meals they were served.” We take great pride in our outstanding staff within the school nutrition department and the excellent food they provide our students

From 12/9-12/12 our District was able to participate in it's 3rd round of Peace Learning Circles training. 

Certified and Classified staff signed up first come first serve carrying over from the cancelled August training to participate in this learning. The difference this time is that our very own SLSD staff got to conduct the training to complete their certification as Peace Learning Circles trainers. Peace Learning Circles is a process of building a sense of belonging that supports our first district goal of Building a culture and climate of care and belonging by providing students and staff time, supports, and connection. You might have seen Circles in action as it has been integrated into School Board meetings, Admin meetings, District Data meetings, and is happening every day in a majority of our schools. The goal of Circles is to engage all teacher, administrators, students, and families in working together as a learning community that is dedicated to caring and support, active participation and positive expectations for all students. Circles supports our work in that it is an integrated Social Emotional learning process that aligns with our required District SEL essential standards, it leveraged student voice, and it supports staff and student wellness.

We are continuing the build capacity for this very important work in our district with these trainings. Last week our trainees learned the evidence-based research behind the Peace Learning Circles process, they practices different strategies that build community, focus the brain, and support SEL skills, and they left with an action oriented plan for implementing Circles work in their buildings.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Weyerhaeuser Company, Harrison Elementary’s Newspaper Club is thriving in its second year. This funding supports the production of *The Harrison Hotline*, the school’s monthly newsletter, allowing creativity to flourish after school. The club was launched last year, inspired by the enthusiasm of fourth and fifth-grade students. 

These young journalists meet weekly to write, edit, and design a publication that highlights school events, student achievements, and community stories. *The Harrison Hotline* has quickly become a beloved read in the Harrison Elementary community. This year, the grant has expanded the club’s capacity, enabling more students to participate and develop their skills as writers, editors, and designers. 

Under the guidance of dedicated mentors Ruby Davey, Ryan Merchant, and Jody Pattison, the Newspaper Club has become a hub of creativity and collaboration. The students bring their ideas to life with every issue, creating a newsletter that celebrates the unique voices and talents of the Bobcat community. The growth of this club is a shining example of what can happen when passion meets opportunity.

Students at Al Kennedy High School enhance their learning experiences through regular field trips. On a recent art appreciation-themed excursion, students explored the works of courageous artists such as Banksy, Marina Abramović, and Andy Goldsworthy. Following this lesson, they traveled to Potter's Quarter, where they hand-painted delicate designs on ceramic pieces. 

Afterward, the students enjoyed a personalized tour of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon. During the tour, they engaged in meaningful discussions and shared insightful perspectives on various forms of artwork. To conclude the day, the students became brave artists themselves by learning the Japanese technique of ink painting, creating a four-panel series of nature scenes.

The Holiday Store at Lincoln Middle School (LMS) is a cherished tradition that has been celebrated for many years. Each year, generous donations from the community and staff help stock the Holiday Store, allowing students to “purchase” items for their family, friends, or teachers just in time for the holidays. In the weeks leading up to the Holiday Store, students earn special Winter Bucks for targeted behavior. The store usually operates for three days during the last week of school before winter break and is open during lunch, allowing students to browse or make purchases after eating. Additionally, big-ticket items are placed in an auction.  Students can bid on them, in hopes of winning those prizes. Past big-ticket donations have included items such as TVs, ping-pong tables, and bicycles. This year, the LMS leadership class is overseeing the project, providing students with valuable work experience. The leadership class will also offer gift-wrapping services for the students! Although it’s a busy time, this tradition is one we hope to continue for many years. For many students, the Holiday Store offers their only opportunity to give gifts to their families, making the experience even more special. The joy on their faces when they have gifts to give is truly heartwarming.

Students from London and Dorena enjoyed an exceptional fall festival filled with exciting activities at London School. They had the opportunity to choose from a variety of games and entertainment options, such as bingo, ring toss, a petting zoo, hayrides, and even a dance party. This fantastic event was made possible by the dedicated parents, community members, and district volunteers and staff who planned and helped run the festivities.

The South Lane School District (SLSD) prioritizes the onboarding of new certified staff through a week-long series of training and activities, affectionately dubbed WOW or the Week Of Welcome. “New to the district” certified staff are guided throughout the week by mentor teachers, curriculum leaders, and building administrators as they participate in a combination of learning activities. As they progress through the week, content is covered on topics including highly effective teaching, social-emotional learning, district mission/vision/values/goals, Professional Learning Communities Work, and literacy building. This approach is designed to provide new SLSD teachers and specialists with a week to learn about the culture, systems, and priorities of the district so they can fully engage in the teaching and learning activities built into the in-service week along with their colleagues.

Students at Lincoln Middle School have an exciting new class available this fall that allows them to explore, learn, and practice skills related to sharing information through media sources. The Electronic Media class teaches students how to operate a camera, develop acting skills necessary for filming, and navigate the editing process. Each week, students work within their production groups to complete their assigned Weekly Roar segments, which air every Tuesday during zero period. In addition to these assignments, students engage in both group and independent projects to further enhance their skills. The principal often includes links to the finished videos in her weekly newsletters. This experiential, project-based learning provides excellent hands-on opportunities for students to gain essential skills in planning and developing content, delivering information in an electronic format, using various recording equipment, and producing final products. These experiences help them decide whether they want to pursue media courses in high school.

The 2023-2024 yearbook, Tell Me About It, created by students at Cottage Grove High School (CGHS) has been awarded the title of "National Yearbook of the Year" by Pictavo. Pictavo is the largest yearbook printing company in the yearbook industry; they identify Books of the Year as part of their celebration of National Yearbook Week in America.  A panel of professionals from various fields, such as professional journalists, former award-winning advisers, student creators, and journalism curriculum developers, selected 10 publications from the international community of yearbook creators for recognition. The selected yearbooks demonstrated excellence in overall reporting, editing, representation, writing, and inclusivity, as well as their innovative design elements in content, photography, art, and graphics. Steve Kent, Pictavo’s Chief Marketing Officer, stated in an official release from Pictavo that, “Panelists review every detail of the books. Then they cull the group until they feel the remaining publications represent the very best student work in our network.” Cottage Grove High School students' hard work, creativity, and dedication to this project led to the creation of a well-regarded and beautiful yearbook. 

Several board members, the superintendent, and a few district administrators took a “field trip” to Dorena school to see district instructional practices in action with students. Across the two-hour visit, Dorena Principal, Devin Pixten led the team on a tour visiting several classrooms. The day started with interacting with students as they ate a nutritious and delicious breakfast prepared by the nutritional staff. From there, Devin met with the visitors in the building library and provided an overview of the instructional activities the team would see. The first stop on the tour was an upper-grade level class completing their morning Peace Learning Circle,  a component of the social-emotional learning curriculum embedded in the student’s day. The team was invited to participate in the circle and were welcomed as active participants. Next, the board members observed English Language Arts instruction in practice across several classrooms. Following the tour, Devin met with board members again and answered any questions they had. This is the first of several similar visits that will occur throughout the school year.

Harrison Elementary's second-grade students celebrated the magic of fairy tales and tall tales with a memorable Colossal Flapjack Day! With the help of enthusiastic parent volunteers, the event truly came to life as the kids delved into the world of larger-than-life characters from American frontier tall tales such as Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Casey Jones. The enormous flapjacks, cooked up by the parents, were a perfect match for the theme, adding to the excitement. The day was filled with laughter, storytelling, and creative activities, creating a special experience. Thanks to the support of the parent volunteers, the kids enjoyed a magical day of imagination, tasty treats, and lasting memories, all linked to their language arts curriculum.

Lincoln “Paul Bunyan Flapjack day was the best day of this year so far”

Luna “Those colossal-sized flapjacks were the best pancakes I’ve ever had”

Parent: “Jesse is so sad to miss today, he said that we don’t have pans big enough at home to make Paul Bunyan sized pancakes”

Last spring, the Cottage Grove Community Foundation generously donated $1000 to the CGHS Art Program to help launch a new Ceramics course. The funds were used to purchase start-up supplies, including clay and glaze, for the 2023-24 school year and assisted with supplies to establish Ceramics as a course offering starting in the fall of 2024. CGHS and its students would like to thank the Foundation and its donors for this grant.

Ceramics is a stand-alone course for students who want to focus on clay-based art. Advanced students will even have the option to earn college credit from LCC. Studio Art students were able to sample this new Ceramics course with a couple of small projects last spring. Our new Ceramics class kicked off this fall with over 30 students. In addition to Ceramics and our existing Studio Art courses, CGHS added Drawing and Cartooning to our Fine Arts offerings, with more to come. These courses lend to a more robust art program, and more so are part of a state-recognized CTE (Career Technical Education) career pathway in Fine Arts available to students in the district.

A week before they officially returned to work, 28 teachers and staff members chose to participate in 4 days of QTEL training. Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) is a framework, philosophy, and set of strategies for improving students' language skills. It emphasizes learning by doing, increasing student participation, and utilizing the strengths of each student regardless of their background. Many teachers, specialists, administrators, and educational assistants participated and left the training with great enthusiasm and new ideas for how to better serve their students.

The Delight Valley campus, currently home to Al Kennedy High School, was originally an elementary school and later used by Head Start of Lane County. Due to the building's age, the older wiring began to experience issues, resulting in a limited number of connections available for network devices such as phones, computers, wireless access points, and printers. With the help of federal E-Rate funds, the district replaced the older CAT5 cabling at Al Kennedy High School with newer cabling. This project allowed for the addition of extra cables in areas that previously had limited or no connectivity. All existing CAT5 cables at non-wireless access point locations were replaced with CAT6 cables. This upgrade will enable the district to install faster wireless access points in the future without encountering speed limitations. Most of the access points at Kennedy can now utilize a wired connection of 2.5Gb/s, allowing wireless clients such as laptops and Chromebooks to access network resources more quickly.

The South Lane School District has been running the Kids in Transition to School program, known as KITS, since the early 2000s. KITS prepares incoming kindergarten students for their entry into school by helping them be better prepared both socially and academically. The program runs during the months of July and August in the South Lane School District, and it is one of the numerous summer programs that support students. The implementation of the program with 59 pre-kindergarten students was a full team effort from the staff. Families turned out in great numbers to help celebrate their child’s success and graduation from the KITS program.

When visiting the sites within the South Lane School District, you will notice the excellent condition of the grounds. In addition to weeding, trimming, and maintaining the exteriors of the buildings, the maintenance team had a very productive summer. They completed several significant "behind-the-scenes" projects that have improved or repaired important functional systems, environmental areas, safety and security measures, and student spaces across the district. You can find details of many of the completed projects in the tables.

Dorena Elementary was used as a command center for firefighting efforts during the Cottage Grove Lane 1 fire for part of the summer. The school's resources were utilized to support the command structure for the North Carolina Complex Incident Management Team 1. Firefighters from this team occupied various areas within the school, including classrooms and gymnasiums, to carry out their daily operations in managing the fire, and even stayed on-site to sleep. The South Lane School District was pleased to provide this support and resource.

Cottage Grove High School became the site for this year's Miner's Breakfast when wildfires prevented the event from being held in its usual location. This breakfast has been a tradition since 1964 and is organized by The Cottage Grove Prospectors and Gold Diggers Club. Typically the club feeds attendees a hearty flapjack meal in the forested and mountainous setting of the Bohemia mining district, about 25 miles south of Cottage Grove, in the Cascade range. When organizers had to pivot to find a new location for this year's Diamond Jubilee edition of the breakfast, the South Lane School District mobilized resources at the high school to help ensure this community tradition could still happen for its 60th year. 

South Lane School District provided multiple summer programs that focused on closing academic skills gaps and students making academic progress. These programs wrapped up in late July.

Elementary

We had about 125 students attend the elementary summer school program, which ran July 1-July 25th from 8:15-11:45, Monday through Thursday. Our focus was to help students fill any gaps that they might have from the previous school year. We had an hour of ELA each day, an hour of math, and the remaining time was for enrichments. These enrichments included swim lessons, science experiments, and teacher-directed activities. We had a field day the last day, where kids had a blast at various stations, including water ball toss, water sponge races, and bubbles. We also had a binational teacher come, and she taught about her culture in Mexico, including food and traditions. We had 8 teachers, 8 teacher aides, a school nurse, an office manager, a translator/floating EA, and an SEL Coordinator. 

Kids had a great time making slime today in 2nd grade.  And tomorrow morning we have a fun field “day” (hour) planned.

High School

We had the benefit of some outstanding educators who taught courses that both reviewed and explored new content for all students, provided learning recovery and slowed summer learning loss. 

After discussion with Principal Herington, a grading scale was established to allow all students to earn letter grades for summer school and helped motivate all students to engage with the coursework. The average GPA based on credits earned in summer school was 3.33 this year.