Jefferson High School

Middle College for Advanced Studies
School of Champions

5210 N Kerby AvePortland, OR 97217Ph (503) 916-5180Fx (503) 916-2698

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Jefferson
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Principal's Message

  • Dear Jefferson Community,

    As we near the end of another remarkable school year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey we've undertaken together and express my gratitude for your unwavering support, dedication, and resilience.

    This year has presented us with numerous challenges, but through our collective efforts, we have not only persevered but thrived. Our students have shown remarkable resilience, adapting to new learning environments and embracing change with courage and determination. Our teachers and staff have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, creativity, and flexibility in ensuring the continuity of education and the well-being of our students. And our parents and guardians have been steadfast partners, supporting our efforts every step of the way.

    As we look back on the accomplishments and memories of this school year, let us celebrate the achievements of each and every member of our Jefferson family. Whether it be academic successes, artistic endeavors, athletic triumphs, or acts of kindness and service, each contribution has made a meaningful difference in shaping our community and enriching the lives of those around us.

    As we bid farewell to the school year, let us also look forward with hope and optimism to the opportunities that lie ahead. While we may face uncertainties and challenges in the future, I am confident that together, we will continue to inspire, empower, and support one another in our pursuit of excellence and fulfillment.

    To our graduating seniors, as you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your lives, know that you carry with you the knowledge, skills, and values instilled during your time at Jefferson. You are prepared to face whatever challenges come your way, and we are immensely proud of all that you have achieved.

    In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every member of the Jefferson community for your dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your principal, and I look forward to the continued growth and success of our school in the years to come.

    Wishing you all a safe, restful, and enjoyable summer break. May it be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories with family and friends.

     

    Warm regards,

    Drake Shelton

    dshelton@pps.net

     Principal Jefferson School

     

District News

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  • Earthstock Brings the Joy to the Crystal Ballroom

     Two students dance at Earthstock 2024.

    A little over 30 years ago, a Madison High School student named Joseph Janson had a simple wish. He wanted to go to a dance. But nothing was simple for Joseph, who was born with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy and was confined to a wheelchair. 

    He confided his wish to Tony Nitz, who at that time was an educational assistant at Madison (now Leodis V. McDaniel High School). Tony had been working one-on-one with Joseph for months and he immediately went about making the young man’s dream come true.

    “The truth is, I would have done anything for Joseph,” Nitz said. “He was a unique person, and we had a very special bond.”

    Read More
  • Glencoe Elementary School Counselor and GSA Coordinator Pens a Book About Chosen Family

     This is a photo of Madi Bourdon's book, A Kid's Book About Chosen Family.

    Madi Bourdon’s first book practically wrote itself. 

    According to the Glencoe Elementary School counselor and Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) coordinator, it only took them an hour and a half to finish A Kid’s Book About Chosen Family, which came out this March with A Kid’s Co. publishing.

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  • Mission Accomplished: Roosevelt Senior Helps Green Card Holders Obtain U.S. Citizenship

     Alondra in the Classroom

    For the past three years, Alondra Nieves Barajas has been both student and teacher.

    Most days, the senior from Roosevelt High School attends class, does her homework, and spends time with her friends just like any other 18-year-old. But on Wednesday nights, you can find her at the front desk, teaching adults – often much older than herself – the ins and outs of the United States naturalization test.

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  • PPS Senior Program Manager of Energy & Sustainability Invited to White House Summit

    When Aaron Presberg first got the email from the White House, he thought it was some sort of prank. 

    Then he shared the message with a few colleagues who assured him that it was no joke, and the exciting reality that he had been invited to Washington, D.C. to present at the White House’s first-ever Summit for Sustainable and Healthy K–12 School Buildings and Grounds started to sink in.

    Read More

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