District News

McMinnville School District welcomes Samantha Nelson as the district’s new Finance Director. She replaces Susan Escure, who is retiring. Samantha comes from the Gladstone School District where she served for more than five years. Prior to that, she worked in city government and the medical field. Welcome Samantha! Jan. 15, 2021

January is Board Appreciation Month, a time to honor the hard work of school boards across the country. At this week’s McMinnville School Board meeting, the following proclamation was entered into the record: WHEREAS, school boards create a vision for what students should know and be able to do; WHEREAS, school boards establish clear standards…

The COVID-19 metrics for Yamhill County continue to be too high for the reopening of McMinnville schools to large groups of students according to the current Oregon Department of Education metrics which advises that schools do not fully open if the COVID-19 case count is greater than 200 cases per 100,000 population. The number of COVID-19 cases…

Duniway’s Leadership class collected books and toys for the annual Toys for Tots project headed locally by the McMinnville Fire Department. “Despite COVID restrictions and despite class being on Zoom, the Duniway Leadership class continues to embody its motto to ‘Go do good things,’” said Leadership teacher David Holmes. “The Fire Department told me how…

The McMinnville School District is beginning the formal search process for a new superintendent. In January 2020, Dr. Maryalice Russell announced her impending retirement. She joined the district in 2002. “Dr. Russell has made an incredible contribution to this district and community,” said Larry Vollmer, chair of the McMinnville School Board. “Her leadership and vision…

MSD will extend CDL through the second quarter, February 8, 2021. This is consistent with most districts in Oregon and in response to a growing number of COVID-19 cases statewide. We are hopeful that the health metrics improve in the weeks to come. MSD tentatively plans to begin transitional activities for its youngest students mid-…

The McMinnville School District will distribute food boxes with five days of breakfasts and lunches to any family with children from ages 1 to 18. Families with multiple children will receive meals packaged together. The boxes will be available for pickup on Monday, Dec. 21 at two locations: McMinnville High School between 2 – 6…

Eighth grade Duniway student Emma Arvin has been named a state-wide winner in the Oregon Blue Book 2021-22 essay contest.  The contest theme was to honor Oregon state parks, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the opening of Oregon’s first state park, Helmick Park in Polk County. Emma’s essay and illustration feature Silver Falls,…

The McMinnville School District will distribute the ordered five-day food boxes on Monday, Dec. 21. Families with multiple children will receive the ordered meals packaged together. When ordering, families chose a specific location and pickup time:  McMinnville High School between 2 – 6 p.m. Wascher Elementary between 3 – 6 p.m. Questions? Call 503.565.4048 (Spanish,…

The McMinnville Education Foundation (MEF) has awarded grant funds of nearly $16,000 to nearly 20 projects from district teachers that will extend learning opportunities for students, both in and outside the classroom. Teachers at all levels requested up to $1,000 to support additional educational projects including science opportunities; arts, history, and reading activities; and other…