From The Superintendent's Desk

Willamina Enters Final Quarter with Stadium Graduation, New Schedule, and Focus on Student Growth

Graduation in the  Stadium…weather permitting!

The highlight of the spring season, the annual commencement ceremony, is officially set for May 30th at 10:00 a.m. In a move to accommodate the consistently high turnout for the event, the district has installed additional bleacher seating in the stadium. This expansion ensures that more family members and friends can gather locally to celebrate the graduating class.

Testing and the "Growth Mindset"

With state testing dates approaching, administrators are emphasizing a "growth mindset" across all grade levels. Rather than focusing solely on final scores, the school is encouraging students to view the assessments as a personal challenge.

"If you were a proficient or advanced tester last year, keep it up," the school shared in a statement to families. "If you were not in those categories, show how much you improved yourself with your hard work."

Academic Check-ins and Senior Success

Third-quarter report cards are being issued this week, serving as a vital benchmark for the home stretch of the year.  Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for next week.  Check the website for details!

School officials are specifically urging parents of seniors to attend these sessions. With graduation only weeks away, these meetings are a critical tool to ensure every senior remains on track to meet their credits and requirements for the May 30th ceremony.

Sports Partnerships Strengthen Local Teams

On the field, the district is seeing the benefits of a strategic "co-op" with Sheridan for baseball and softball. By partnering with a neighboring district, the school can maintain local athletic opportunities for students even during "building years". This collaboration allows student-athletes to compete at a high level while keeping sports accessible within the small-town community.

Looking Ahead: A Unified Calendar

The Board of Education recently finalized the calendar for the upcoming school year, bringing a major change to the weekly routine. The district will move to a more traditional calendar, which eliminates the Monday late starts previously held at the middle and high school.

This change will align the entire K-12 student body on the same daily schedule, a move intended to simplify logistics for families and create a more cohesive district-wide environment.

As the days grow longer and after-school activities fill the campus, the district remains focused on finishing the year with momentum and preparing for the transition into a new chapter this fall.

Be Well!

Mike Gass, Superintendent