Over the course of the last two school years, Holcomb has increased it's percentage of "regular attenders" (those attending school more than 90% of the school days) by 22%. We have surpassed attendance goals the last two years (building-wide and district-wide) and have outpaced the growth made in the state of Oregon. We set an 8% attendance growth goal for this year that would have us outpacing the state of Oregon in terms of regular attenders.
We have identified February attendance as our primary Holcomb goal for this month. We will be tracking individual student attendance in their classrooms and awarding prizes to those students who both a) are regular attenders each week (over 90%) and b) improve upon their attendance from each previous week (after the first week).
We know that student attendance at the elementary school level is a partnership between schools and families, so if there are attendance barriers to regularly attending, please let them know. We will be highlighting attendance best practices throughout the month of February and sharing them out to families. Our goal is to make school a place that students both enjoy coming to and feel safe in their respective learning environments.
Attendance research around today's post: researchers have identified four specific factors that contribute to feelings of school connectedness. Students are connected to schools when they: believe there is an adult at school who knows and cares about them; have a supportive peer group; engage, at least some of the time, in activities they find meaningful and which help others; and feel seen, heard and welcome in school.
Best,
Josh Bryan (Principal, Holcomb)
Join us tonight for our PTA meeting! All are welcome and we are looking for input for our upcoming winter family night.
Join us January 27th from 6:30-7:30 pm. We will be in the library and also available via zoom.
Thank you!
Holcomb PTA
✔ Years of service : I’ve officially served as an OCSD board member for the past two and a half years. However, my relationship with the school district goes back much further, as a parent, educator, and school volunteer.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I truly believe OCSD is home to some of the most dedicated families, educators, and students around and I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful, supportive community.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: The support shows up everywhere whether it’s cheering in the stands or applauding at the theater.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: One of the most meaningful moments of my board service was being part of the school board when the most recent school bond passed, knowing it will make a lasting, positive difference for our schools and community for many years to come.
Thank you, Dr. Heidi, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : This my 7th year in OC and I also served 4 years in Canby (so all total I am in my 11th year.)
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I believe in public education and I want all kids to have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: I love how our community supports our student activities, fundraising, sports, volunteering and all round putting kids first.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: My memorable highlight is seeing our community support the needed facility infrastructure by passing our school bonds!
Thank you, Pamela, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
It’s that time of year when getting up and coming to school can feel especially hard. The days are dark, cold, and wet. The excitement of the start of the school year has faded, winter break has come and gone, and spring break can feel far away.
Some mornings, you may not feel like coming to school—or doing much of anything at all. The cozy comfort of your favorite place calls your name. You may not be in the best mood, or maybe you feel like you won't put in your best effort. And that's ok! We still, very much, want to see you here at school.
Come as you are.
Tired. Excited. Quiet. Curious. Unsure. Happy. Restless. Bored.
We understand there are times when staying home is necessary, and we support that. On all the other days, we want you here—learning, and growing in all your beautiful human conditions. No matter the day. No matter the feeling. We are here for you.
✔ Years of service : 6 whole months!
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I love how the Oregon City School District continues to move in the right direction. I'm proud of our many wins (school bond, test score improvements, CTE, expanded opportunities for all our students, etc) and am extremely optimistic about where OC is heading.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: I'm encouraged and inspired to see our families, educators, and students work together with a shared commitment to helping kids succeed.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: The first 6 months have been a whirlwind but breaking ground for the bond's first phase is definitely a highlight (check out social media to see pics of our new softball fields). I cannot wait for later this year for when we start inside our schools. A lot of work is ahead but it's such an exciting time for OC.
Thank you, Ryan, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : I have been a board member for just about two and a half years.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I am motivated by so many things, but really I think this job is about making sure that all of our kids and staff have what they need to succeed, and that by ensuring that, ensuring that our community succeeds as well.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: Maybe I’m biased, because my kids have had such great teachers, but I am so proud of the people who work in our schools and so grateful to be able to work alongside them. We have such a diverse, vibrant community here, and I think our school district is a shining example of everything good about this place we choose to live.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: It would be easy to say my biggest highlight thus far is passing our bond, which we are using to finally transform our elementary schools. The biggest highlight, though, has been getting to hear kids talk about how much they love school and their community, and getting to be a part of watching them succeed. Being a school board member is a lot of work and a lot of time, but absolutely worth it.
Thank you, Alex, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
From inclement weather updates ❄️ to emergency notifications 🚨 and important school news, staying informed helps us keep students and families safe and supported. Here are the best ways to stay up to date:
⚠️ FlashAlert
FlashAlert is a regional alert system that shares school closures, delays, and emergency announcements—especially during severe weather.
✔️ Visit flashalert.net
✔️ Select Oregon City School District
✔️ Follow alerts through local media partners
From inclement weather updates ❄️ to emergency notifications 🚨 and important school news, staying informed helps us keep students and families safe and supported. Here are the best ways to stay up to date:
📱 OCSD District App
Your one-stop hub for district and school information—right on your phone.
✔️ Push notifications for urgent updates
✔️ News, events, and announcements
✔️ Easy access to school info and links
How to get it:
• Download the Oregon City School District app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
• Turn on notifications to receive timely alerts
From inclement weather updates ❄️ to emergency notifications 🚨 and important school news, staying informed helps us keep students and families safe and supported. Here are the best ways to stay up to date:
🔔 ParentSquare
This is OCSD’s primary communication tool for families and staff.
✔️ Weather-related closures or delays
✔️ Emergency notifications
✔️ School and district updates
✔️ Messages from your student’s school
How to sign up:
• Look for an invite from ParentSquare via email or text
• Or visit parentsquare.com/signin using the email or phone number on file with your school
• Download the ParentSquare app for real-time notifications
✔ Years of service : Just starting my 5th year
✔ What motivates you to serve? : My motivation is to see the successes of our students as they enter into each stage of their education. I love seeing the confidence, the growth, and the opportunities for them to explore.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: One thing I love about our district is the amazing , dedicated , and hard working educators that show up each day to share their love for education with our students.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: My highlight is the district, staff and community all embracing our Narcan policy, training on substance use and signs of an overdose with the education of fentanyl and other drugs. We chose to be proactive and not wait until tragedy happened to react.
I will always be so thankful to be able to share Keaton’s story to educate our youth and give them the information to deter them from experimenting with illicit substances.
Thank you, Michele, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
Your presence makes our classrooms stronger, kinder, and more connected.
If today feels heavy, we want you to know this:
We’re here for the good days and the hard ones.
Support, care, and understanding are always within reach.
Being here today helps build tomorrow—and we’re so glad you’re part of our community. 💙
✔ Years of service : This is my third year.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : Our students! As a parent, I am committed to supporting a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment for our kids.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: The people! I enjoy getting to meet and work with so many amazing people- including students, staff, parents, and community members.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: Helping to support bringing our community together to pass our bond and getting to spend time in our schools.
Thank you, Katie, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
January is School Board Appreciation Month!
Our school board members are volunteers who give their time to help guide our district—listening, learning, and making decisions with students at the center. This month, we’re saying thank you for the commitment, care, and countless hours behind the scenes.
Learn more about our school board members.
Vaccine Exclusion Day is February 25, 2025! Please note the corrected date
📢 Reminder: Vaccination Exclusion Day is coming! 🗓️
Oregon law requires all students attending school, preschool, childcare, and Head Start programs to have up-to-date immunizations or a medical/non-medical exemption on file with their school.
If your student’s required immunization records are not complete by February 25, they cannot attend in-person learning or childcare until we receive documentation showing compliance.
💉 Where to get vaccines:
- Make an appointment with your primary care provider, a pharmacy (for older children), or one of the clinics below.
- Clackamas County Health Centers: Call: 503-655-8471 Locations in Beavercreek, Gladstone, Sandy, and Sunnyside.
- School Based Health Centers: Open to district students at Oregon City High School. OCHS Clinic: 503-785-8770
- Neighborhood Health Centers: Call: 503-848-5861 Locations in Oregon City, Milwaukie, and Canby.
Affordable or no-cost options are available.
📍 Need records?
Contact your doctor, your school, or the Oregon Health Authority registry. If vaccinated at a Clackamas County clinic, call 503-650-3195.
📄 Don’t forget to turn in your student’s updated immunization record or exemption form to the school as soon as possible.
Calling all Future Chefs for our culinary competition!
We're inviting all Future Chefs to create a recipe inspired by a country or culture from anywhere in the world - from spicy tacos to tasty noodles or sweet treats - the possibilities are endless!
One lucky winner from each school will be chosen as a finalist to compete in our contest at Gardiner Middle School March 6th. As a bonus, the winner of this event will be entered in Future Chefs National Challenge for some great prizes!
To participate, go to this website: https://futurechefschallenge.com/
***Contest open to 2nd-5th grade only***
Need a paper recipe form ? Just ask Nutrition Services!
503-785-8440
We’re continuing to make steady progress across multiple bond-funded projects throughout the district! Here’s a snapshot of where things stand:
🏫 Phase 2 Elementary Schools (Candy Lane, Holcomb, John McLoughlin):
Design development is complete, with teams reviewing staff feedback from November and continuing cost estimating. Community, staff, and family input gathered through conferences is helping inform next steps. Planning is underway for how schools will operate during construction, including preparations for Candy Lane’s temporary transition to the King campus. Vendor selection is also underway for moving services and new playground equipment.
🔧 Oregon City High School – CTE:
Design development is complete, and the project remains in the design phase as plans are refined.
⚾ OCHS Fields & Grounds:
Construction continues to move forward—even through heavy rain. Softball facilities and fencing are complete, work is resuming on the baseball field, and the project remains on track for completion before the spring athletic season. Several new scoreboards are now installed!
🏟️ Pioneer Stadium:
Cost estimating and coordination with the City are ongoing, with construction currently anticipated for summer 2026.
Thank you to our staff, students, families, and community members for your continued feedback and support as we build safe, updated, and future-ready learning spaces for our students.
📖 Holcomb Elementary School featured in the news!
Our incredible educators were featured on KATU for their work with Oregon's Early Literacy Initiative—and they're seeing results. So proud of our teams for helping every student become a confident reader! 💙
Watch the feature here: https://youtu.be/N3Eh75ING10?si=f4bP6LYmf3CAjA__
Holcomb Spirit Week - December 15th - 19th
Monday, December 15th: Comfy Cozy Day (Clothes need to be school appropriate).
Tuesday, December 16th: Sports Day - Wear your favorite team clothes/colors or sports clothes.
Wednesday, December 17th: Book Character Day - Dress as your favorite book character. Use your imagination! No masks please.
Thursday, December 18th: Dress Like a Teacher Day - Wear clothes that make you look like a teacher.
Friday, December 19th: Holcomb Hero Day - Wear your Holcomb attire or dress like your favorite superhero.
