March 3, 2023

Rolled Newspaper Pages

Dear Knappa Community: 

As we move toward spring, we had an eventful week and there are so many  upcoming events to look forward to.  

Community members meeting to view the schematics and drafts for new school buildings
On Tuesday, we held our “Show the New School to  the Community” event. About fourteen people visited at one point or another that night to see floor plans and renderings of the facility based on the schematic design phase of the bond project. These pictures are now on our website under the community tab if you wish to take a look. Thanks to those who attended.

The new softball dugout is taking shape. Mr. Rathfon and students are making progress toward a new larger Logger themed home dugout for the team. They are wrestling a bit with the elements and some supply chain issues, but are working toward a completion date for the first home games. 

Speaking of wrestling, at the state tournament last week, Kyia Roe took second place and Corbin Roe went all the way to the semi-finals and took third place. Congratulations to them. Isabella Ramirez and Donnie VanGundy also  proudly represented Knappa at the meet. Congratulations to them, their  teammates, and their coaches on a successful season.  

Both basketball teams participated in post-season play last weekend. Both teams  suffered a heartbreaking loss in their respective games. We are proud of their  hard work and successes this season. Thank you to both coaching squads and to  the student athletes for their hard work and for providing the students, staff,  citizens, and the families a quality community–engaged experiences at their  games. Thank you to the “Knappa faithful” for supporting both teams, home and  away!

This week, our fourth grade music students had the opportunity to visit the  Oregon Symphony with Mr. Hughston (photos below). After learning the “link up” curriculum this year that includes singing, recorder, and listening to nine different  songs, the students traveled to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland to  listen, sing, and play recorder along with the Oregon Symphony and two thousand  other 3-5th graders.

Fourth Grade students attend the Oregon Symphony and check out the architecture in the entryway
Fourth Grade students attend the Oregon Symphony in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

This month is classified staff appreciation month. Please take a moment to thank  a bus driver, kitchen worker, custodian, program assistant, secretary, or grounds  worker for helping to make school a quality experience. Almost all of our  classified employees live in the community, so please show appreciation as you  run into them. 

Providence Healthy Smiles and Arrow Dental will be on campus next week  performing free dental screenings, sealants, and fluoride for students. This is an  optional service and informed consents went home with students last week. We  can accept consents as late as Monday for these services. If you need additional  copies of the informed consent, let Katie Montgomery (aka “Nurse Katie”)  (montgomeryk@knappak12.org) know and she can send it home with students  today. 

This Tuesday (March 7 at 5:30 pm) is the Hilda Lahti Parent Club  Burger Bingo event. The Family Literacy and Math Night that was  cancelled last week is rescheduled for March 15 at 5:30pm in the HLE  Cafeteria. And, of course the Foundation Auction and Dinner is  scheduled for April 22. Mark your calendars for these fun events. 

All the best from Knappa Schools to you. 

Bill Fritz, Ph.D. 

Superintendent 

Knappa School District #4