The end of summer and beginning of school is not typically a highlight for
most children. One, however, found the bright side of the situation when
Welches Elementary and Middle Schools kicked off last month.

“I get to see all my friends that I haven’t seen in a long time,” said third
grader Brenna McColl.

First grader Wyatt Nelson is excited to get back to work.

“I’m just happy because I really like doing my projects and stuff,” Nelson said.
Projects, homework and assignments have already kicked into high gear, such
as the multiplication houses T.J. Brewster’s class created. Each one features a

door with a number, while the windows have numbers to multiply with the
door number. Brewster went for a challenge for his house. “I picked (the
number) 12,” he said.

All the students at the two schools met a new face this year: Alex Leaver,
their new principal. Leaver, who served as vice principal for Patton Middle
School in the McMinnville School District, has already found his new job and
the surrounding community to be everything he’s heard.

“What I found probably to be a surprise is that the reputation of it being a
great school and a real supportive community is true ... to the fullest,” said
Leaver who reported many community groups and agencies, including the
Hoodland Fire District, Hoodland Women’s Club and the Lions Club, have
reached out to him. “Sometimes the promise is a little different than the
reality.”

Other new additions this year include a half-time sixth grade teacher and the
entire middle school returns to a block schedule — similar to Sandy High
School. And for the youngest students, now both morning and afternoon
kindergarten classes are offered.

Enrollment at the two schools has remained steady, Leaver reports, with class
sizes mostly in the mid-20s, except for some electives in the middle school.
And new things are also expected to happen outside the classroom, including
a forest clearing near the middle school fields that will turn into an outdoor
learning space.

Leaver hopes to enlist community volunteers to help cut branches, clean up
the ground, add mulch and install logs for seating.

He also sees an opportunity to restore a nature trail on school property and
turn it into a tool for teachers to use.

“You can take science classes out there and you can make an interpretive trail
with stations along the way (or) you can have part of P.E. classes running up
there,” said Leaver. “It’s safe, it’s our property and right now it’s just
dormant.”

Meanwhile, with the new school year started and a new principal on hand,
many students hope one thing stays the same: staying out of trouble.

“I’ve never been in the principal’s office,” said third grader Patrick Barrett.
To help with the interpretive trail or outdoor learning space, call 503-622-
3166.