District News

This week’s School Board meeting featured an interactive presentation of digital learning by Grandhaven students. Led by teachers Robin McClendon and Kathy Mika, students partnered with board members, district staff and some audience members to showcase some of the ways they are using technology to learn. First graders showed how they use digital storytelling on…

The Oregon Department of Education has released state-wide data on high school graduation rates, and McMinnville High School (MHS) has again improved its rates across the board. For the first time, all subgroups have outperformed the state averages by double-digits. McMinnville’s graduation rate rose just over two points to 86.85 percent, which is a little…

The construction work made possible by the May 2016 ballot initiative is beginning at the high school as the first phase of proposed work begins. Work at the remainder of district schools will begin in June, as soon as school lets out for the summer, and will be completed by the end of August. The…

The McMinnville High School cheer squad won its first OSAA State Cheerleading Championship on Saturday at Memorial Coliseum in Portland. Coached by Tracy Brandt, the squad includes Captain Maranda McCormick (senior), Daniel Salewski (senior),  Haley Schoenthal (senior),  Jordan Burgess (senior),  Julian Lemus (senior),  MaKinzee Duddles (senior),  Malayna McCormick (senior), Merica Zoch (senior),  Nancy Macias (senior),…

The Patton Junior Thespians earned various honors at the National Junior Theatre Festival held in Sacramento, California, this past weekend. The students, under the direction of Patton drama director Emily Wilcox, are the first junior troupe from Oregon ever to attend the national festival. Out of 47 groups, Patton’s thespians were awarded an Excellence in…

Six robotics teams from the McMinnville School District competed in the FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifying Tournament at Oregon State University on Saturday, January 28.  There were two teams from McMinnville High School (MHS) and two each from Duniway and Patton middle schools.  Both high school teams and one team from Patton will advance to the…

McMinnville School District’s effort to improve learning outcomes through curriculum was honored at the last week’s Confederation of Oregon School Administrators winter conference. The Excellence in Curriculum Leadership Award recognizes work that has resulted in enhanced student achievement. The award was presented for the district’s Early Learning Initiative, which includes Ready for Kindergarten – The…

Have you signed up for the “Be College Ready” offers this year? Every family with a current kindergartner can get $25 to open a new (or contribute to an existing) account with the Oregon College Savings Plan. The deadline to receive this offer is Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Additionally, one family in every elementary school…

Two McMinnville High School (MHS) students earned top honors in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards regional competition. Senior McKenna Suarez (Roebuckstag ) and junior Zelmira Vindas (Self love=war) both won a Gold Key designation in Digital Art and Mixed Media and both pieces will advance to the national competition in New York City later…

McMinnville High School’s Vic Downs has been named Sectional Coach of the Year for Boys Track & Field by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coaches Association. Downs is recognized for the Northwest Section of the association, which covers Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Coaches are nominated based on their…