District News

The annual Santa Claus Project, a partnership with McMinnville’s Noon Rotary, took place on Friday, December 11.  Students were selected from every elementary school in the district, 24 students in all, and were treated to a holiday shopping trip for clothes, toys and gifts for their families. Rotary volunteers helped each student with their shopping…

Click below to see the holiday concert of the Patton and Duniway Middle School choirs, which traveled to Salem to perform in the Capitol Rotunda.  

Memorial fifth grade teacher Julie Lockhart spent the day in Salem on Friday, learning about how to incorporate civics into the classroom.  Selected by Oregon Representative Jim Weidner for the Oregon Civics Conference for Teachers, Lockhart attended a day-long workshop in the State Capitol. Teachers from across the state got an inside look at the…

Kerry Naylor’s Horticulture classes have launched their annual wreath and candle arrangements sale.  Students construct the holiday displays over a two-week period as part of the class curriculum and are responsible for selling the arrangements as well.  “We’re doing this a little differently this year,” said Naylor.  “This is an SAE, a ‘supervised agricultural experience,’…

The McMinnville High School (MHS) drama department presents “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!” beginning this Friday.  The play is directed by MHS drama teacher Bethany Mason with musical direction by MHS choir teachers Robin Pederson and Dana Libonati. The story follows the unlikely rise of a young, ambitious window washer who becomes…

The McMinnville Education Foundation (MEF) has selected 32 projects from the school district to receive grant funds to enhance learning opportunities for students.  Teachers at all levels can request up to $1,000 to create and develop innovative programs including field trips; science opportunities; arts, history, and reading activities; and a variety of other enrichment opportunities….

The winter concert season is coming up fast.  Below is a list of upcoming musical performances: Thursday, December 3 Columbus Winter Program at McMinnville Community Center at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 4 Middle School Choirs at the State Capital at 11  and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 8 Memorial Winter Program at McMinnville…

McMinnville schools are highlighted in a new series of videos that just premiered on the City of McMinnville website.  Intended to highlight the livability of the community, the video tour covers Education, the Economy and Lifestyle.  The Welcome video also includes information on the school district.  Check them out!

Patton students visited the School Board meeting last night to share information about the WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) Leadership project at the middle school.  WEB leaders showed photos and explained the project that’s intended to help sixth graders feel connected to the school community throughout the year. The more than 50 WEB Leaders each have…

The results are in from the first-ever Smarter Balanced Assessment in English/Language Arts and Mathematics.The new data, culled from assessments that were completed last school year, are aligned with Common Core State Standards.  Students in the district exceeded Oregon state averages across the board. Additionally, McMinnville High School students earned over 9,700 college credits last…