Best Proud To Be NCSD Podcasts (2024)

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S3 Ep48: Episode 48 - A Shamrock Shoutout To Rowe Middle School! 26:40

6d ago26:40

26:40

If your family has a student older than second grade, you likely know about the annual Oregon State Assessments administered to students across the state each spring in English/Language Arts and Math. Although results are down statewide, NCSD’s Rowe Middle School is one of the only middle schools in Oregon where students showed growth in both Engli…

1
S3 Ep47: Episode 47 - Proud To Be Preschool in NCSD! 24:44

24d ago24:44

24:44

Since Oregon state policy says students need to be five years old before entering public kindergarten, none of our schools in North Clackamas enroll students younger than that, right? Well, not exactly…did you know that in one NCSD elementary school, you’ll find one colorful classroom where thriving three- and four-year-olds playfully paint, sing, …

1
S3 Ep46: Episode 46 - It's A Matter Of Principal 25:29

1M ago25:29

25:29

Nearly everyone can relate to the feeling of being a new student at school…the nerves, the uncertainty, with maybe even a little excitement mixed in. But what if you were brand new to a school…as the principal? In this episode, meet two new NCSD administrators who felt all the emotions of not only being new to their school, but also new to the prin…

1
S3 Ep45: Season 3, Episode 45 - Tackling a Hot Topic: NCSD’s Extreme Heat Closure 32:40

2M ago32:40

32:40

In the past, NCSD has canceled school days because of icy road conditions or poor outdoor air quality…but never extreme heat during a school year. That is, until Friday, September 6th…as temperatures crept toward triple digits the previous afternoon without major cooling in the overnight forecast. In this season’s debut episode, we sit down with Su…

1
S2 Ep44: Episode 44 - Students With IEPs: Inspirational Exceptional Parents 34:38

6M ago34:38

34:38

If you have students in school, you’ve probably heard your share of school-related acronyms, including I-E-P. An Individualized Education Plan serves as a vital connection between schools and families with students who need a little extra help with academics or behavior. But what exactly is an IEP, and how does the legal document help foster a trus…

1
S2 Ep43: Episode 43 - Persuasive Prose & Trader Joe's 29:12

6M ago29:12

29:12

Why did three enthusiastic team members from the Clackamas Trader Joe’s recently pay a very special visit to a Mt. Scott Elementary classroom? It turns out they received a unique request in a persuasive letter written by third grader Xander Sievers, then responded in a way students in teacher Liz Maxwell’s classroom won’t soon forget! In this episo…

1
S2 Ep42: Episode 42 - Spring Mountain's "Midnight Tigers" Earn Their Stripes 23:40

7M ago23:40

23:40

When thinking about famous Tigers, some might think about an icon in professional golf…or the Grrrrrreat spokesperson of a favorite breakfast cereal…but did you know that NCSD has its own team of Tigers roaring past all competition in the annual Oregon Battle of the Books? Spring Mountain Elementary’s Midnight Tigers are a gifted group of five fabu…

1
S2 Ep41: Episode 41 - Field Trip Day For All NCSD High School Juniors 19:25

8M ago19:25

19:25

All in one day, more than 1,400 NCSD high school juniors boarded busses for a field trip to downtown Portland’s Convention Center to participate in the Northwest Youth Careers Expo…and this episode of the “Proud To Be NCSD” podcast follows them from start to finish! As you’ll hear, this was certainly not “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!” Students from Mi…

1
S2 Ep40: Episode 40 - When Two Podcasts Collide 33:28

8M ago33:28

33:28

Since launching nearly two years ago, we've featured some very special guests…from NCSD’s Superintendent to extraordinary teachers and students who have captivated us with amazing stories from their school communities. This week, we take a very unique approach to celebrate the podcast’s 40th episode...as three students from the Rowe Middle School P…

1
S2 Ep39: Episode 39 - Boosting Beliefs & Strengthening Self-Esteem 29:08

8M ago29:08

29:08

When our students face changes and challenges both inside and outside school walls, where can they turn to confess their concerns, discuss their doubts, and shout out their successes? NCSD school counselors are always there to make sure ALL students feel seen, supported, and most importantly, celebrated for who they are. In this episode, it’s a con…

1
S2 Ep38: Episode 38 - Motion To Approve Our School Board! 32:05

9M ago32:05

32:05

Although January is Oregon School Board Recognition Month, a certain ice storm put the freeze on our first try at coordinating calendars to record this appreciative podcast. Now that the ice has melted away, we’ve made a new motion to honor the seven superheroes who tirelessly volunteer on our NCSD Board. In this episode, get to know two of our new…

1
S2 Ep37: Episode 37 - Our DLI Program Hits The High Notes 20:23

9M ago20:23

20:23

As the first round of final exams wraps up in NCSD high schools, we shine the spotlight on three amazing Rex Putnam High School students whose journey through NCSD schools has looked (and sounded) a little different than most of their peers. These high-achieving high schoolers have been a part of the district’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program…

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S2 Ep36: Episode 36 - A Creative Coyote Putting The Brakes On Bullying 22:08

10M ago22:08

22:08

Students’ first years in elementary school can bring them their first best friend, and of course their first favorite teacher. But for one Scouters Mountain Elementary student, fifth grade started with a not-so-pleasant first experience for him— being teased on the playground by classmates he considered his friends. This week, hear the incredible s…

1
S2 Ep35: Episode 35 - High School Drama Students Steal The Show 36:02

11M ago36:02

36:02

When discussing extracurricular activities in our North Clackamas high schools, the conversation often turns to athletics. But what about the hundreds of high schoolers who spend countless hours before and after school practicing an instrument, singing in choirs, or like this week’s special guests, creating costumes and memorizing lines for an unfo…

1
S2 Ep34: Episode 34 - A Foundation Of Giving 26:25

12M ago26:25

26:25

For more than three decades, the North Clackamas Education Foundation has been serving NCSD through teacher grants, scholarships, gifts to after-school and pre-K programs, services for food-insecure families, and so much more. In the past year alone, members of this amazing foundation funded more than $227,000 to students, teachers, and families. H…

1
S2 Ep33: Episode 33 - Why Students Love Doing The Write Stuff 40:38

1y ago40:38

40:38

With the first eight weeks of the school year now in the books, it seems likely that NCSD’s elementary students have chosen a favorite subject they love learning most about each day…but you may be surprised at the overwhelming answer! Recess? TAG- not it! Social Studies? That’s history! These days, NCSD elementary students are falling head over hig…

1
S2 Ep32: Episode 32 - Celebrating More Than A Decade Of Dedication 32:24

1y ago32:24

32:24

Converted from a neighborhood elementary school nearly 13 years ago, NCSD’s Wichita Center For Family & Community offers district families access to resources including dental screenings, employment training, preschool, mental health support, a food pantry, and a clothes closet…all under one roof. Yet perhaps the center’s most important offering—ho…

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S2 Ep31: Season 2, Episode 31 - Our Superintendent & Super Engagement Specialists 30:13

1y ago30:13

30:13

Season #2 kicks off the school year visiting with our district’s top leader, Superintendent Dr. Shay James, who helps introduce us to members of our amazing Student & Community Engagement team, dedicated to making sure students and families from all cultures feel safe, welcome, and celebrated in each of our district’s 32 schools. In this episode, h…

1
S1 Ep30: Episode 30 - Sources Of Strength At Nelson High 30:17

1+ y ago30:17

30:17

Media reports say that teen suicides have risen nearly 30% in the past decade, but the stories of lives saved rarely make headlines. Neither do the powerful prevention efforts of teenagers featured in this episode: Adrienne C. Nelson High’s Imani Lewis, Delanie Woolcock, and Natalie Sangasy are charter members of a new peer leadership group called …

1
S1 Ep29: Episode 29 - Reppin' (And Rappin') Rowe Middle School 39:17

1+ y ago39:17

39:17

Although his official role at Rowe Middle School is Media Arts & Journalism teacher, Lucas Dix’s unofficial Shamrock title could be School Culture Champion. In this episode meet the energetic teacher who not only leads a team of school reporters to produce weekly “Shamrock News” videos, but also created the school’s writing magazine, invented the O…

1
S1 Ep28: Episode 28 - Keeping Kids Moving Forward 38:57

1+ y ago38:57

38:57

Who can NCSD teachers and families count on to make sure students with physical challenges can participate in all the same activities as their peers? That’s when our district’s amazing Occupational and Physical Therapists move in! In this episode, we catch up with members of NCSD’s “Motor Team” – Rose Brenner, Morgan Garner, Lisa Kline, and Nicole …

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S1 Ep27: Episode 27 - Special Needs Are Their Specialty 40:16

1+ y ago40:16

40:16

North Clackamas schools welcome nearly 17,000 students through their front doors each morning, including hundreds of students with special needs stemming from Autism Spectrum Disorder. How do NCSD staff members ensure students displaying autistic characteristics feel welcome, excited, and inspired in each of our schools? That’s where this week's gu…

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S1 Ep26: Episode 26 - The Bookworms: A Story To Celebrate 30:46

1+ y ago30:46

30:46

Perhaps you’ve heard of the War Of The Roses, the Clash Of The Titans, and even the Attack Of The Clones…but have you ever heard of the Oregon Battle Of The Books? These fabulous fifth graders from Riverside Elementary sure have! They recently outperformed schools across the state in the fast-paced question-and-answer reading comprehension game and…

1
S1 Ep25: Episode 25 - Giving Special "CARE" To Kids After School 35:12

1+ y ago35:12

35:12

It may sound strange, but some of NCSD’s elementary and middle school students would be upset if they didn’t get to stay after school each day. That’s because they love being a part of our district’s amazing after-school programs, offered to families who need affordable after-school care options. In this episode, we learn this is far from any “baby…

1
S1 Ep24: Episode 24 - DLI Classrooms: ¡Increíble! 35:27

1+ y ago35:27

35:27

Did you know that in several K-12 classrooms throughout our school district, students may learn from their teacher one moment in English, but the next moment in Spanish? These amazing classrooms are part of NCSD’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program. This week’s podcast is the first-ever bilingual edition, as we learn in both English and Spanish …

1
S1 Ep23: Episode 23 - Cheers For The Cavaliers - Part 2 40:16

1+ y ago40:16

40:16

Before dribbling off to Spring Break, we posted up a preview of our conversation with three key members of the recently crowned OSAA girls basketball state champions, the Clackamas Cavaliers. With March Madness now in the rearview mirror, this episode bounces back with Part 2 of our chat with the champs, where CHS coach Korey Landolt, along with th…

1
S1 Ep22: Episode 22 - State Champs! A Pre-Spring Break Preview 7:35

1+ y ago7:35

7:35

Just days before Spring Break tips off across the school district, we jump back less than two weeks ago to the OSAA State Girls Basketball Championship, where the Clackamas Cavaliers capped off an incredible season by winning the school’s first ever girls basketball state title. In this pre-Spring Break preview episode, we sit down for Part 1 of ou…

1
S1 Ep21: Episode 21 - A Sound System For Reading Instruction 35:20

1+ y ago35:20

35:20

Aside from creating engaging lesson plans for every subject, our elementary school teachers—particularly those in kindergarten, first, and second grade—take on perhaps the most challenging task a teacher can face…teaching kids to read. That’s where this week’s guests on the “Proud To Be NCSD” podcast come in! This week, we get down and wordy with N…

1
S1 Ep20: Episode 20 - When Wild Winter Weather Strikes... 43:14

1+ y ago43:14

43:14

As we’ve learned throughout these past winter months and even in March, extreme weather incidents can quickly escalate into NCSD calling for two-hour delays or cancellation of school days. Whether the announcement comes before sunrise or late in the afternoon, each decision impacts every NCSD family’s daily routine and is never taken lightly. In th…

1
S1 Ep19: Episode 19 - Field Trip! NCSD Visits The NW Youth Careers Expo 14:19

1+ y ago14:19

14:19

Just before a record-breaking snowfall hit our area last week, a record- breaking field trip took place in our school district! More than 1,400 NCSD high school juniors hopped on buses for downtown Portland’s Convention Center to participate in the Northwest Youth Careers Expo, and this episode follows them from start to finish! As you’ll hear, thi…

1
S1 Ep18: Episode 18 - Mustang Mentors At Milwaukie High 34:25

1+ y ago34:25

34:25

This week marks the middle of February, which means we’re also right in the middle of celebrating Black History Month in our school district. And while a 34-minute podcast doesn’t allow us to recognize all of the amazing Black educators making a difference in the lives of kids in NCSD, this week’s episode takes us to Milwaukie High School, where we…

1
S1 Ep17: Episode 17 - A Check Up With NCSD School Based Health Centers 38:30

1+ y ago38:30

38:30

Did you know that NCSD has a professionally staffed medical center inside Milwaukie, Rex Putnam, Clackamas, and Adrienne C. Nelson High Schools? They’re called School Based Health Centers, and did you know that they’re not just for high school students and families…and they can be accessed regardless of insurance coverage? In this eye-opening episo…

1
S1 Ep16: Episode 16 - Let's Work Together! 29:40

1+ y ago29:40

29:40

Looking for a job that’s near? Can you bring kids cheer? Or maybe even check a rearview mirror? We just might have your next career! In this informative episode, we make it our job to help you learn about all the employment opportunities available right now in North Clackamas…and who better to answer our interview questions than NCSD’s Associate Hu…

1
S1 Ep15: Episode 15 - Friday Friendship, Fun, & Lots Of Fouls 37:09

2y ago37:09

37:09

During a typical school week, you’ll find many NCSD teachers meeting together in a colleague’s classroom long before the first bell assessing student work or collaborating on lesson plans…but what if staff members met before 6:00 a.m. three times a week not in a classroom, but on a district soccer field or basketball court? And they’ve been having …

1
S1 Ep14: Episode 14 - A MOM-umental Influence At 2 Schools! 30:41

2y ago30:41

30:41

Some teachers started their careers in NCSD because they were attracted to our well-known reputation of providing a family atmosphere among all staff. Then there are those who’ve taken “family atmosphere” to a whole new level! In this “All In The Family” edition of the “Proud To Be NCSD” podcast, we meet two mother-son dynamic duos, with Lot Whitco…

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S1 Ep13: Episode 13 - A Unanimous Appreciation Of Our School Board 34:12

2y ago34:12

34:12

January is Oregon School Board Recognition Month, and in this episode, we make a motion to honor the seven superheroes who tirelessly volunteer on our NCSD Board. In candid conversations with Directors Mitzi Bauer and Jena Benologa, we call to order topics ranging from why they voted to run for such a vital district role…to the unfinished business …

1
S1 Ep12: Episode 12 - Hired In The 80s! 4 Totally Tubular Teachers 34:24

2y ago34:24

34:24

When television shows like The Golden Girls and Miami Vice were just getting started, so were the careers of these four guests! In this most excellent episode of the “Proud To Be NCSD” podcast, we share lots of insights (and lots of laughs) with NCSD veteran teachers Chuck Nott (Sabin-Schellenberg), Christy Bunker (Clackamas High), Jeff Schroeder (…

1
S1 Ep11: Episode 11 - A Helping Hand For Homeless Students 27:24

2y ago27:24

27:24

While many of our 16,000+ North Clackamas students will spend the upcoming Winter Break celebrating with loved ones inside warm homes, some are worrying about where they’ll lay their heads down to sleep tonight. Those are the students NCSD’s Katie Ray advocates for each day. In this inspiring episode, learn how our district’s Homeless Student & Fam…

1
S1 Ep10: Episode 10 - Heroes Of The Health Room 31:37

2y ago31:37

31:37

They may not wear capes or leap over tall buildings, but our guests this week are truly superheroes when it comes to keeping our 16,000+ students healthy with smiles on their faces. In this heartwarming episode, we visit with seven of our Heroes of the Health Room…the NCSD Nurses Team. Whether they’re monitoring student health conditions, administe…

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S1 Ep9: Episode 9 - Our Substantial Love Of Substitutes 32:40

2y ago32:40

32:40

Who do we call when support staff's or teachers’ tummies turn troublesome? We are SO thankful for our super substitutes, who often fill in at a moment’s notice to help make sure the day goes as smoothly as possible for our students and staff. In this appreciative episode, we check in with two of our district’s trusty substitute teachers, Andrea Gla…

1
S1 Ep8: Episode 8 - Campbell's Caring Crew 21:18

2y ago21:18

21:18

Although Campbell Elementary School hasn’t been utilized as an NCSD school since 2011, hundreds of future students and families visit the site every school year! It's now our district's Early Childhood Evaluation Center, welcoming many 0-5-year-olds each day. In this lively episode, we visit with the inspirational staff of the unique center, who ev…

1
S1 Ep7: Episode 7 - A Veterans Day Salute 34:19

2y ago34:19

34:19

During this Veterans Day week, we salute all veterans across the United States and especially those working within our own district, like NCSD’s own Greg Neuman, Rowe Middle School principal and Army veteran, along with Yvette Lightbourn, program administrator in our Teaching, Learning, & Professional Development Department and veteran of the Air F…

1
S1 Ep6: Episode 6 - Miss Teen Oregon USA 21:56

2y ago21:56

21:56

No disrespect to our previous NCSD guests, but we have our BIGGEST celebrity yet on this week’s episode! This week, we visit with Isabella Ellsworth, the recently crowned Miss Oregon Teen USA and senior at Adrienne C. Nelson High School. Isabella and her mom Kristen describe how life has turned upside down since the big announcement, but it hasn’t …

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S1 Ep5: Episode 5 - Oregon Regional Teacher Of The Year Ron Antlitz 27:10

2y ago27:10

27:10

For the second consecutive year, one of Oregon’s Regional Teachers of the Year teaches right here in North Clackamas! This week, we’re visiting with the delightful Ron Antlitz, who teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in the Transitional Learning Center at Alder Creek Middle School. As you listen, it won’t take long to realize why Mr. Antlitz is so be…

1
S1 Ep4: Episode 4 - The Wonderful World Of Kindergarten 28:27

2y ago28:27

28:27

For the first time this school year, the Proud To Be NCSD Podcast moves out of the studio and into school classrooms…but not just any rooms! In this episode, we’re talking about all the excitement…and exhaustion…that comes with teaching fantastic, frenetic, filterless five-year-olds during the first six weeks of school. Curtis sits down after schoo…

1
S1 Ep3: Episode 3 - Happy National School Lunch Week! 20:37

2y ago20:37

20:37

It’s National School Lunch Week, and that means we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of our school cafeterias who prepare and serve more than 12,000 meals every school day for North Clackamas students. In this tasty episode of the Proud To Be NCSD Podcast, Curtis sits down with NCSD Nutrition Services Operations Manager Greg Collins and Culinary Man…

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S1 Ep2: Episode 2 - Emergency Response In Our Schools 25:38

2y ago25:38

25:38

They're words that students, staff members, and especially family members NEVER want to hear…There's an emergency at one of our NCSD schools. As you'll hear in this episode, one of our North Clackamas high schools recently went into Lockdown…and while nobody was hurt and the event ended without any incident…we want to make sure our community member…

1
S1 Ep1: Episode 1 - Superintendent Shay James 27:39

2y ago27:39

27:39

In North Clackamas, you know her name, and you know her face...but who is the always calm Dr. Shay James guiding our district's 2,100+ employees? In Episode #1 of the Proud To Be NCSD Podcast, we learn that there’s no such thing as a “typical” day for our superintendent, and how memories of her first years as a middle school teacher still bring a s…

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