Growth doesn’t happen all at once.
 It happens day by day.

Here in OCSD62, we believe each and every student is worth it. We believe they can do it! Our passion and purpose are rooted in helping students learn, grow, and thrive. And research shows what we see every day: attendance matters.

Even one missed day means missed learning, missed connections, and missed confidence-building moments.

We’re Here for It.

We’re here for their questions.

We’re here for their hard days.

We’re here for their future.

If getting to school is hard right now — reach out. Our school teams are here to provide support for your student!
4 days ago, OCSD62
You are worth it. We believe in you.
You are worth it. We believe in you.

🥎It was a beautiful, sunny day to celebrate something special for our students and community! ☀️

Yesterday we officially opened our newly turfed softball field at Oregon City High School with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Members from our softball team and local softball community joined us for this celebration, as well as school board members, bond team members, and Community Bond Oversight Committee members!

OCHS Softball players then held their first practice on the new turf surface.

This project is one of several in the fields and grounds updates being worked on in phase 1 of our 2025 capital bond projects. Other projects in this phase include new turf installations at the OCHS varsity baseball field and the multipurpose field directly behind OCHS.

The new turf creates a safer, more durable playing surface that will allow for more consistent practices, games, and outdoor learning opportunities throughout the year—rain or shine.

We’re grateful for the support of our community and look forward to more celebrations as the rest of our projects are completed. These are your bond dollars at work!

14 days ago, OCSD62
Softball team members, district staff members, and school board members smiling poised to cut ribbon.
Softball team members, district staff members, and school board members smiling holding cut ribbon.
Community members and softball players smiling and standing casually on new turf surface.
Softball Players standing and smiling in a group
Softball Players standing and smiling in a group
Softball Players standing and smiling in a group
Community members and softball players smiling and standing casually on new turf surface.
Woman holding baby and smiling, pointing at the camera
OCHS Principal Greg Timmons shaking hands with OTAK bond team member Dennis Petross.
Softball players on new turf surface getting ready to practice.
✨ Are you here for it? ✨

Every day counts. Showing up helps build confidence, connection, and opportunity.

We know some days are harder than others. When students are able to be here, we’re glad to see them—and we’re here to support them along the way.

Show up. Level up. We’re here for it. We're here for you.

19 days ago, OCSD62
Attendance awareness graphic with the headline ‘Are You Here For It?’ and the phrase ‘Here today to achieve tomorrow.’ Text on the left reads ‘Attendance = Achievement’ and explains that students with 95% or higher attendance have better grades, test scores, friendships, and career outcomes. A smiling student stands on the right holding a small object, wearing dark clothing and safety gear. Additional text reads ‘Show Up & Level Up’ and ‘Oregon City School District—Here for it. For you!’ on a teal background.
Attendance awareness graphic with the headline ‘Are You Here For It?’ and the phrase ‘Here today to achieve tomorrow.’ Text on the left reads ‘Attendance = Achievement’ and explains that students with 95% or higher attendance have better grades, test scores, friendships, and career outcomes. A smiling student stands on the right holding a small object, wearing dark clothing and safety gear. Additional text reads ‘Show Up & Level Up’ and ‘Oregon City School District—Here for it. For you!’ on a teal background.
✨ Meet Dr. Heidi Blackwell ✨

✔ 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. 💙
26 days ago, OCSD62
Heidi Blackwell
✨ Meet Pamela White ✨

✔ 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. 💙
about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Pamela White

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.

about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Square graphic with a bright blue background and bold text that reads, “Here today to achieve tomorrow. Come as you are. We want you in all your beautiful human conditions.” Oregon City School District branding appears at the bottom. The message highlights inclusion, acceptance, and the importance of showing up as you are
Square graphic with a bright blue background and bold text that reads, “Here today to achieve tomorrow. Come as you are. We want you in all your beautiful human conditions.” Oregon City School District branding appears at the bottom. The message highlights inclusion, acceptance, and the importance of showing up as you are
✨ Meet Ryan Pitz ✨

✔ 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. 💙
about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Portrait of Ryan Pitz, Oregon City School District Board Member, smiling in a plaid shirt against a blue comic-style background with red and black graphic accents. Text reads “Ryan Pitz, Board Member.”
✨ Meet Alex Halpern ✨

✔ 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. 💙
about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Portrait of Alex Halpern, Oregon City School District Board Member, smiling in front of a bright blue comic-style background with red and black graphic accents. Text reads “Alex Halpern, Board Member.”
📣 Stay Connected with OCSD—When It Matters Most (Part 3 of 3)

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
about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Stay Connected!’ graphic from Oregon City School District featuring the FlashAlert logo, indicating FlashAlert as a communication tool for receiving school and district updates.
📣 Stay Connected with OCSD—When It Matters Most (Part 2 of 3)

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
about 1 month ago, OCSD62
‘Stay Connected!’ graphic from Oregon City School District showing three smartphone screens demonstrating how to enable notifications in the ParentSquare app. The screens show allowing notifications, selecting ‘Schools’ in settings, and choosing which schools to subscribe to. App Store and Google Play download badges and a QR code appear below.
📣 Stay Connected with OCSD—When It Matters Most (Part 1 of 3)

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
about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Graphic with the headline ‘Stay Connected!’ above the Oregon City School District logo and tagline, ‘Where students are first. Donde los estudiantes son primero.’ Colorful cloud icons represent communication tools such as email, phone calls, calendars, documents, notifications, and messages, rising from a smartphone displaying the ParentSquare logo
✨ Meet Michele Stroh ✨

✔ 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. 💙
about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Portrait of Michele Stroh, Oregon City School District Board Member, smiling and wearing glasses against a blue comic-style background with red and black graphic accents. Text reads “Michele Stroh, Board Member.”
We notice when you’re not here—because you matter.
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. 💙
about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Square graphic with a blue background and bold text that reads, “Here today to achieve tomorrow. We notice when you’re not here. We’re here for you. For the good days and the hard days.” Oregon City School District branding appears at the bottom. The message emphasizes care, belonging, and the importance of student attendance.
Square graphic with a blue background and bold text that reads, “Here today to achieve tomorrow. We notice when you’re not here. We’re here for you. For the good days and the hard days.” Oregon City School District branding appears at the bottom. The message emphasizes care, belonging, and the importance of student attendance.
✨ Meet Katie Wilson ✨

✔ 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. 💙
about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Portrait of Katie Wilson, Oregon City School District Board Chair, smiling and wearing glasses and a denim jacket, set against a blue comic-style background with red and black graphic accents. Text reads “Katie Wilson, Board Chair.”

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.

about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Bright, comic-style graphic reading “School Board Appreciation Month!” next to the Oregon City School District 62 logo. Below, a group of seven school board members stand together outdoors on a sunny day, smiling at the camera with trees and grass in the background.

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.

about 1 month ago, OCSD62
Vaccine Exclusion Day is February 26, 2025! Records needed by Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Two girls with bandaids on their arms, smiling
Vaccine Exclusion Day is February 26, 2025! 📢 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: Immunizations are one of the most effective tools we have to prevent serious, vaccine-preventable diseases. They not only safeguard your student’s health but also help keep our classrooms and community healthy and safe.    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.
🏗️ 2025 Bond Project Update | Phase 1 and 2 Progress

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.
2 months ago, 2025 Bond
2025 BOND PROJECT UPDATES
Crews working on OCHS Softball fields
New gravel laid at OCHS Softball Field
Crews working on OCHS Softball fields
Crews working on OCHS Softball fields

Check out last week's Hot Minute in District 62! Each week we highlight a different part of our district with a short video. Last week we visited Candy Lane and heard 5th grade students present their ideas about our upcoming bond projects at their school. You can tune in each week on our YoutTube channel. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss out!
https://youtu.be/wdAjYWWcM48

3 months ago, OCSD62
Hot Minute in District 62
Last night our Elementary Design Advisory Group met to review the new updated conceptual design plans for our Phase 2 Elementary schools. Our team will be visiting these schools (John McLoughlin, Holcomb, and Candy Lane) on November 24 and 25 during conferences to hear feedback and input on these new conceptual designs from parents and our community. Read more about the meeting here: https://www.ocschoolbond.org/o/bond/article/2548208
3 months ago, OCSD62
Holcomb Conceptual Design
Candy Lane Conceptual Design
John McLoughlin Conceptual Design
EDAG Members discussing the new conceptual designs
EDAG Members discussing the new conceptual designs
EDAG Members discussing the new conceptual designs
EDAG Members discussing the new conceptual designs
EDAG Members discussing the new conceptual designs
EDAG Members discussing the new conceptual designs

Last week four OCSD students presented to school board leaders and district leaders from across the state during the annual OSBA conference. They shared their perspectives and experiences from serving on the Superintendent Student Advisory Committee.

Watch the Hot Minute on our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/9SnkZ5FRwGs

3 months ago, OCSD62
SSAC students, Dr. Spitzer and three board members posing in front of OSBA sign.
SSAC Students preparing with Superintendent Dr. Spitzer
SSAC Students presenting
SSAC Students in front of a banner