November 2022

In a surprising move this school year, Oregon Charter Academy has partially unblocked popular video hosting website YouTube for 9-12th grade students. 

ORCA high school principal Matt Lacy explained why the change was made. “YouTube is a useful tool largely accepted in educational communities for both students and teachers,” he stated. “Teachers, in particular, were having to undergo a labor intensive process to make valuable video content accessible to students. This removes that barrier.” 

The school intends to give students YouTube access for educational purposes, and as a result, not all of the website is accessible on school browsers. 

“Only certain channels are unblocked, and those channels are unblocked because they are a part of coursework,” explained ORCA Curriculum Administrator Matt Bergdall. “Channels are unblocked one by one when they are needed to be unblocked as part of class or coursework.”

Students will likely start to notice that educational videos embedded in online textbooks and other learning websites are now playable and no longer display an error message. 

However, YouTube access isn’t guaranteed to be permanent. “We are excited about this change, but it has been made on a trial basis,” said Mr. Lacy. “If it proves to be the useful tool we know it to be and students use it responsibly, it will remain unblocked for the foreseeable future.” 

In June of 2021, The Current reported that it was likely impossible for YouTube to be unblocked on school Chromebooks, as ORCA’s Executive Director Alison Galvin had stated that the website was blocked by Google Education, the learning platform the school uses. In a school board meeting, she stated that unblocking YouTube “will not be reviewed as it is beyond ORCA’s control.”  

Mr. Lacy explained what changed. “Google Education, by default, blocks YouTube,” he said. “Our executive leadership had to specifically request that it be opened for Oregon Charter Academy use.”

“This furthers the point that students need to responsibly use the tool,” he added. 

As for how to use YouTube responsibly, Mr. Lacy stated that students should refer to the rules outlined in the student handbook regarding student use, privacy, and safety.

Veterans Day is a national U.S. holiday that is celebrated every year on November 11. This holiday pays tribute to the people who served in the U.S. military.

President Woodrow Wilson created Armistice Day in 1919, a year after the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918 which ended World War I. In 1938, Armistice Day became a federal legal holiday. 

After the end of World War II, many organizations and veteran groups campaigned to turn Armistice Day into a holiday to honor all those who served, and in 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill that changed November 11 to Veterans Day.

There are many ways Americans celebrate Veterans Day, including parades, leaving flags or flowers on the graves of veterans, attending religious services, and spending the day helping veterans. 

Many businesses offer discounts to veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day. If you know a veteran, tell them about the many deals available. For example, there are discounts on food and beverages, free admission to certain places like state parks, free haircuts and spa treatments, and even discounts at grocery, convenience, and retail stores.

You can honor veterans by simply saying “thank you for your service” when you see one or by flying the United States flag. It is important to recognize that veterans helped fight for our country and to show them the respect they deserve.

Coding, the art and science of writing instructions for a computer program, is a fun and rewarding activity, but it may be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, there are many resources that are accessible on school Chromebooks. 

For beginners, Scratch is a great place to start. Scratch focuses on the use of block-based coding, but introduces simple coding concepts like “if" statements and “for" loops. Coders can create complex projects on Scratch – for example, a Scratch user coded and developed a 2D version of Minecraft. 

For an alternative source that is a bit more technical, Microsoft MakeCode Arcade is another great program that has many options. It has a steeper learning curve than Scratch since it not only supports block code but also Python and JavaScript. Learning Python and Javascript can help in the game design industry. For example, you can make an online game using JavaScript, and Python has a library (additions to the code to support a wanted function) called Pygame.

If you want to learn coding languages, then check out w3Schools, which has information on all sorts of languages, including C, JavaScript, and Python. w3Schools also has its own Integrated Development Environment (IDE) called the “Try It Yourself Editor.” 

Khan Academy also has a great computer programming course which includes HTML, JavaScript, and a little bit of SQL. Similar to Scratch, Khan Academy is the home of many fantastic user-created projects, including replicas of popular games like Minecraft, Doodle Jump, and Geometry Dash. The website also has an active, school-safe learning community for those looking to collaborate on programs or give and receive feedback. Khan Academy also has an interesting Computer Science course. 

Another great IDE is Replit, with a massive collection of coding languages to program in, and those coding languages have their own libraries. Replit also has some funny programming languages like LOLCODE, which is a programming language that utilizes the language of the meme world.

ORCA’s ASCEND Computer Science pathway also offers courses that specialize in game design and programming. There is also a K-8 Coding Club for those who want to improve their programming skills and interact with other students interested in computer science.

Programming can feel like an intimidating world of ones and zeroes, but there are a number of excellent, free options online that can make the learning process fun and stress-free. If you’re interested in programming, you can check out the resources mentioned or contact a computer science teacher at ORCA for more information on which related courses you could sign up for in upcoming semesters. 

Fall has arrived. It’s the time of cold weather, golden leaves, and most importantly, food. 

It’s the time of sharing a turkey with family, enjoying a warm soup while a freezing wind whirls outside, or being one of the many who looks forward to the controversial pumpkin spice latte. But no fall food better embodies the season than pie. It’s an undeniable staple of any dessert served throughout the autumn months. 

One of the numerous things that makes this dish incredible is the many different types of pies that can be made. Throughout its rich history (dating back to the Ancient Egyptians, per BBC), pies have taken on many forms in different cultures and time periods, some stuffed with fruit, others with meat and vegetables, and more recently, chocolate pudding. 

But with so many delicious options, which one is the best? At The Current we’re determined to find out. You can help us out by filling out this form to find out what is officially ORCA’s favorite pie.  

The rules are simple, simply click on your favorite type of pie (or type it in if it isn’t included in the multiple choice options) and click “Submit.” You can also type in the reasoning behind your choice if you’d like to provide evidence for why your answer is the only correct one. 

The final verdict on which type of pie is the best will be published in The Current’s December issue, just in time to bake one for your friends and family over Winter Break. 

On October 10, Student Government announced ORCA’s newly elected student senators for middle school and high school. 

ORCA high school principal Matt Lacy and middle school principal Susan Pollnow announced Student Government’s senator positions were open for applications a week into the new school year. As mentioned in the announcements, the duties of a Student Government senator include being a positive role model in the ORCA community, supporting ORCA events such as prom, Spring Celebration, and Open House, announcing Student Government events and news in live classes, and attending bi-weekly meetings.

The following names are the newly elected middle and high school leaders for Student Government’s 2022-23 senators. 

These are middle school’s newly elected senators in Student Government listed in alphabetical order:

• Anson R.

• Braden P.

• Dominick P.

• Emma B.

• Emma D.

• Hana M.

• Ila G.

• Jordana G.

• Julia M.

• Kayli O.

• Keagan S.

• Leesy L.

• Lily S.

• Milleah N.

• Music T.

• Nathan S.

• Parker C.

• Rachel M.

• Shriya S.

• Taylor S.

These are high school’s newly elected senators in Student Government listed in alphabetical order:

• Alexis T.

• Avery K.

• Barrett S.

• Chloe B.

• Claire J.

• Danielle M.

• Emily P.

• Grace B.

• Grey P.

• Haddy A.

• Halli L.

• Hannah M.

• Ryland B.

• Senna A.

• Steliana S.

• Summer J.

You can support Student Government by participating in their planned activities and assemblies hosted by your grade band's principal and other events like prom, Spirit Week, Spring Celebration and Open House.

“It was great to see some familiar faces from my live classes as a senator, but I met lots of new students as well, from all different grades, who were all very nice,” said Keagan Stewart, a newly elected eighth grade senator. “I am very excited to contribute to ORCA as a senator this year and the coming years. I am hoping to plan assemblies, events, and more.”

Martin Salinas, the middle school Student Government advisor, stated, “Our middle school Student Government senators have ‘hit the ground running’ since first meeting earlier this month. They are hard at work collaborating with one another to prepare and host the Middle School Bullying Prevention assembly and our 9 Week Celebration assembly. I couldn't be more impressed with their dedication to their school.”

For more information and updates on ORCA’s student government, make sure to check out their website.

Sora is ORCA’s digital library platform that allows students to access a wide range of ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks. With more than 5,200 unique titles – ranging from literary classics, YA fiction, and graphic novels – students can explore a variety of new stories and resources available online. 

Rachel Tullar, ORCA’s digital librarian, helps create an online resource that reflects the interest of the school community by curating titles that students want to read. She also creates book bundles for teachers so students have access to certain titles that help support what they are learning in class. 

“It is fun to discover new books, read award-winning and fresh off the press titles and make sure ORCA has a wide variety of books available to students,” she says. “I also love to see what students are interested in. My goal is that every student is able to find a book just right for them that they can get lost in.”

Ms. Tullar is working to expand Sora’s collection to include a wider variety of genres – particularly fantasy, mystery, thrillers, and various series that are popular among high school students. 

“I’m currently in the process of conducting a diversity audit on our collection and this will guide some of the future purchase decisions,” Ms. Tullar said. “There needs to be books for every student in this school to see themselves reflected back to them while reading and there also needs to be books that show students new experiences and cultures that they have never experienced. I want to fill any gaps.”

As for her own tastes in books, Ms. Tullar recommends the Pura Belpre Award-winning novel Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez. “I love reading books about characters that break down barriers and don’t fit into a mold that is created for them,” she says, adding that “there’s romance mixed in and she’s a soccer player: all of this creates a page-turner.”

She offers an additional list of popular book recommendations per grade level with resources for students to learn about Sora. 

In Sora, students can participate in a monthly reading challenge with various books and scavenger hunts for each grade band. These challenges can be found on the Digital Library Page on each Language Arts course. Once the challenges are complete, students can then choose to showcase their favorite books and discover new titles to add to their reading journey.

Through Sora, students can link their public library to a school account and have access to the Oregon Digital Library Consortium, which has more titles instantly available to students. 

New books are added to Sora regularly on a monthly basis. Students can also request new books through this form. 

ORCA’s monthly video newsletters have been a staple of the school’s communication with each grade level for years. Released by the school’s administration, the newsletters provided information on school events occurring in the upcoming month along with other helpful tips and reminders. 

Starting in November, a major change will be coming to ORCA’s video newsletter format. 

The newsletter will be changing hands from the school administration to the Broadcasting Club and Student Government, whose members will now take the lead on this. Students in these organizations will be placed in charge of providing most of the video segments and producing the final product. 

This change has been planned by the ORCA administration since 2021. “This is something that has been in the works ever since I took over the newsletter last year, as when I took [the video newsletter] over it was with the understanding that we would work towards it being student led and student created in the future,” said Broadcasting Club advisor Carly Pederson. “Our school always wants to let students lead as much as possible, and also we see this as an opportunity to give students real world experience in video production, which could open up career possibilities for them as well.”

Students in the Broadcasting Club currently meet once a month to share segment ideas and discuss the production of the newsletter.

“I am looking forward to the newsletter being more relevant to students, interesting, and fun!” said Ms. Pederson. “I can tell already that will be the case based on our first meeting of the club and all the excellent ideas the students have… the newsletter will have the perspective of students instead of being administrator and teacher led, so I expect the difference will be very noticeable to viewers.”

ORCA’s Student Government has taken the lead on putting together the November video newsletter, the first ever student-made edition, as the Broadcasting Club only started meeting in mid-October. This partnership between Student Government and the Broadcasting Club is expected to continue as many students work in both organizations. 

"I am really excited that students will be taking a bigger role in school-wide communication,” said ORCA student president Brady Cruse. “I believe this will encourage more students to become involved with clubs and activities our school has to offer."

Ms. Pederson also mentioned the possibility of students in the Broadcasting Club having the opportunity to use the professional recording studio at ORCA's office in Wilsonville. 

Students looking to help put together the video newsletter can still join the Broadcasting Club at any grade level through ORCA’s club page. A new edition of the newsletter will be available via Canvas’ global announcements on the first school day of each month. 

November 1 is National Authors Day, a day to recognize books and authors alike. Whether they're writing for a cause, helping young students learn morals, inspiring the next generation to chase their dreams, or encouraging imaginations to take flight, authors allow us to discover new genres and content that are enjoyable.

Here are a few of our favorite titles from the staff at The Current to help ORCA kick off this month strong.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Rec. by Annalaina Yip)

Written by John Green, the co-founder of the educational Youtube channel Crash Course, this book tells the story of a sixteen-year-old girl who is caught in a bind between love, terminal inevitabilities, and grief. Hazel Grace has had many attempts to live her life to the fullest, until things take a turn for the better – or have they? With endless love from her parents, Hazel Grace finds herself by the side of Augustus “Gus” Waters, the love of her life, after she meets him at a cancer support group. At times, she feels ashamed to be with him, knowing awfully well that if given a chance, she would break someone’s heart. However, Gus makes her feel alive. Their bond strengthens as the days grow longer and their love grows stronger. Will their hearts stay whole or will one be broken?

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier (Rec. by Kenna Stewart)

This novel is the first of a trilogy about a teenager named Gwyneth whose ancestors are time travelers. Gwyneth’s cousin Charlotte was supposed to be the next to carry the special gene, but when Gwyneth finds herself jumping to the past, everything she thought she knew is turned upside down. With help from Gideon, a fellow time traveler, she faces many challenges and adventures that take her across time.

The Mortality Doctrine Series by James Dashner (Rec. by Keagan Stewart)

When a gamer named Michael discovers that a rogue hacker named Kaine is trapping gamers inside the VirtNet and not letting them leave, he knows he must use his hacking skills to stop him. Sarah and Bryson, online friends Michael has never actually met in real life, want to help him stop Kaine from terrorizing gamers. In this three-book science fiction series, join Michael and his friends while he tries to stop Kaine’s forces inside and outside the VirtNet, where it’s impossible to tell what is reality and what is virtual.

This year, ORCA’s English Language Arts teachers are recognizing National Authors Day as an important holiday that brings awareness and remembrance to those who wrote students’ wildest dreams. Many ELA teachers will be opening up an optional discussion board to encourage their students to share their favorite titles and write a small summary. 

November 1 is a day to celebrate the many authors who have written excellent novels that have helped change society, bridging a way to understand issues and shaping history. By celebrating National Authors Day, we can honor the authors that have made an impact in society and in the lives of their readers. 

Oregon Charter Academy’s club roster is live for the 2022-23 school year, and a close look on the club page shows some notable changes from last year. Let’s take a look at ORCA’s newly added middle school and high school clubs: 

ORCA Cares Club (All grades)

“Students should join this club because they want to do good things for others through acts of kindness and volunteering,” reads the new club’s description. 

The ORCA Cares club was one of the first new clubs added this year. Its emphasis is to help others and improve local communities through community service and social awareness. 

“The purpose of the ORCA Cares club is to continue to grow our sense of community, and to give back to the communities around us,” reads the ORCA club page. “The intent is to encourage students to be more aware of their local communities and things that they can do to have a positive impact on them.” 

Club members will meet monthly and use discussion boards to plan and reflect on activities to improve the world around them. Natural area clean-ups, bottle drop donations, food drives, gift drives, mowing a neighbor's lawn, and random acts of kindness are some of the initial suggestions. The club will have a monthly theme as well. 

Broadcasting Club (All grades)

ORCA’s student body is taking over the school’s video newsletters, and if you’re interested in helping, the Broadcasting Club is the place to be. Started this year, the club aims to help students “learn video creation best practices, collaborate with peers who enjoy video production, and help show off what an amazing school ORCA is,” per the club page. 

Students will have the chance to help steer the creative direction of the newsletter, present segments, and choose topics to cover. 

The Broadcasting Club aims to meet monthly and collaborate asynchronously when producing each month’s newspaper. There is also a possibility of in-person field trips for on-location filming. 

HS Book Club (High school)

The HS Book Club was created for students interested in reading, discussing, and discovering books. Students who join will be able to learn about new books and authors, explore reading strategies, and swap favorites with other members. 

“The goal of this club is to create a welcoming place for students who love to read or students who want to learn more about different books, authors, and genres to come together and read and discuss awesome books,” reads the club description. 

The HS Book Club meets the second and fourth week of each month. 

Biomimicry Design Club (High school)

Biomimicry is the process of designing technology inspired from naturally occurring objects and systems. ORCA’s new club on this very topic hopes to use these inspirations to solve real world problems as members participate in the Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge. 

“We hope that [ORCA students will] find the spark and the profound interests that lie at the doorstep of biology,” reads the club description. 

Per the ORCA club page, students in the club will have the opportunity to design and engineer an idea and prototype, demonstrate the usages of biology in real-world applications, use modeling technology, and participate in many other activities in the club’s bi-monthly meetings. 

Philosophy Club (High school)

A mix between a speech and debate club and a good conversation with friends, ORCA’s Philosophy Club is open to all high school students who want to discuss different ideas and topics. 

“The goal of this club is to discuss the big questions of life in a safe setting where nobody is judged on their opinions and to learn about the history of philosophy,” reads ORCA’s club page. 

The club will meet twice a month and include in-depth discussions, lessons in Socratic dialogue methods, and games. 

“We will give everyone a chance to speak about a different topic,” adds the club description. 

Returning clubs from previous years for middle school include ORCA NASA Club, ORCA Military Leadership Club, National Junior Honor Society, Craft and Chat Club, Newspaper Club (The Current), K-8 Coding Club, Yearbook, Middle School GSA Club, MS Writing Club, Chess Club, Gamers "R" Us, Science Olympiad, Spanish Buddies, and Book Battle. 

For high school, returning clubs from previous years include Breakfast Club 2.0 QSA, Military Leadership Club, Music Club, ORCA NASA Club, National Honor Society, Prayer Club, Pens & Prose (formerly Poetry Pals), Newspaper Club (The Current), Chess Club, Yearbook, Science Olympiad, Spanish Buddies, HS Art Club, Book Battle, and Speech and Debate Club. 

Check out ORCA’s club page for more information on each club as well as instructions on how to join clubs and create new ones. Also make sure to stay tuned to The Current for in-depth club spotlights throughout the school year.  

On October 28, Student Government led an assembly for all high school students and teachers with the goal of raising awareness for bullying and meeting the 2022-23 Student Government Executive Board. October is National Bullying Prevention month and in recognition of bullying awareness and prevention, attendees were encouraged to wear blue to the assembly. 

At 9 a.m. ORCA’s high school principal, Matt Lacy, introduced Student Government President Brady Cruse and Executive Board members.

Here is a list of the 2022-23 Executive Board and their individual grade levels:

• President: Brady Cruse (senior)

• Vice President: Ahnalya De Leeuw (junior)

• Secretary: Isaac Choi (junior)

• Activities Director: Reagan Stanek (sophomore)

• Public Relations Officer: Grace Peterson (junior)

• Senior Senator Representative: Alex Leventhal (senior)

• Junior Senator Representative: Grace Choi (freshman)

• Dance Committee Leader: Kenna S. (junior)

• Newsletter Committee Leader: Wyatt Stevens (sophomore)

• Website Committee Leader: Tristan Hughes (sophomore)

After the Executive Board members were introduced, Cruse handed the reins to Public Relations Officer Grace Peterson, who led the group through a slideshow on bullying awareness that was created by Junior Senator Representative Grace Choi. The presentation touched on topics including recognizing signs of bullying, ways to support fellow students, and how to report bullying at ORCA.

Next, Alex Leventhal and Grace Choi shared a Kahoot on anti-bullying while many students and teachers answered the questions in the Zoom chat.

Cruse ended the meeting with a final closing statement that reminded students of the October 28 deadline for Harvest Fest submissions and shared Student Government’s website.

Overall, the assembly was very active with about 80 participants. There was a lively discussion surrounding the importance of bullying awareness and a chance to learn more about Student Government’s Executive Board.

The Oregon Association of Student Councils (OASC) has been around since the 1940s, and hundreds of schools statewide are a part of it. OASC is an organization that strives for equity and inclusion, making sure all student voices are heard in a statewide setting and providing help and leadership to schools across the state. For more information about OASC, check out their website or social media. 

Within OASC, there is a Student Executive Council (SEC) made up of high school sophomores and juniors who have played key roles in their own student councils. Among other duties, the SEC leads discussions and plans leadership events. 

OASC has four main events: Fall Conference, Winter Energizer, Spring Conference, and Summer Camp. November 5 to 7 is the annual Fall Conference (FC), which will take place at the Seaside Convention Center. It will have speakers, exhibits, workshops, and more, all tied to leadership among student councils. It will also have SEC elections, where the positions – Representatives, At-Large Representatives, and State President – are passed to the next generation, voted on by the attending schools. 

ORCA has been associated with OASC for years and recently had numerous students serve on the SEC. In the 2020-21 school year, Rory Petersen, ORCA’s former Student Government president, served as SEC’s Midwest Representative. The following year, Grace Peterson, ORCA’s Public Relations Officer, served as Midwest Representative, following Petersen’s footsteps. 

But ORCA’s Student Government members aren’t stopping there. At the Fall Conference, ORCA student Grace Peterson is campaigning for OASC State President, hoping to secure the title and serve her state. While at FC, she will deliver a speech and present a workshop, trying to convince the attending schools to vote for her. 

Results of the SEC election will be posted by OASC on Monday, November 7.

Note: Seek guidance from an adult when using kitchen equipment.

Two months into the school year, your class routine has probably been set. However, sometimes there are situations where Zoom meetings are back-to-back, leaving only 5 to 10 minutes before the next class. This doesn’t leave much time to prepare meals, and especially around lunch time, there is barely a chance to eat a nutritious meal before the next meeting. This can lead to lower energy levels and make it harder to focus during lessons. Students can easily complete these recipes between classes to create a healthy lunch in time to join the next meeting.

Spiced Creamy Ramen

This is a recipe that will require pre-boiled water, so putting a pan with 2-3 cups of water onto the stove or turning on an electric kettle is recommended.

Ingredients:

1 serving ramen noodles (an individual packet)

¼ cup sour cream OR 2 oz. cream cheese

¼ tsp basil

½ tsp paprika

¼ tsp cumin

¼ tsp ground black pepper

1 pinch salt

1 minced green onion

1 tsp soy sauce

2-3 dashes of hot sauce (optional)

1 tsp chili oil (optional)

Steps:

1. Set the water to boil – you can do this in the background, but keep an eye on it.

2. Add ramen noodles, cream cheese or sour cream, and basil into a heat-safe bowl.

3. Add the boiling water. Let it sit for three minutes. You can prepare ingredients in the meantime.

4. Once the noodles are cooked you may add the rest of the ingredients. Wait until cool to eat.

All Encompassing Sandwich Wrap

The title may seem ominous but it’s named for a simple reason: there’s food from every part of the food pyramid in this one sandwich wrap.

Ingredients: 

1 tortilla

Around 1-2 tbsp mayonnaise

3 slices of sandwich ham (or other sliced deli meats or vegetarian alternatives)

3 tomato slices

2 leaves of lettuce 

Crushed black peppercorns

Steps:

1. Lay the tortilla on a flat surface and spread mayonnaise evenly.

2. Layer the ham flat and do the same with the tomato slices on the tortilla.

3. Add the cracked pepper.

4. Lay the lettuce leaves side by side over the other ingredients.

5. Roll up tightly like a burrito (be careful, as it will want to unroll).

6. (Optional) Repeat the steps above to make more wraps if desired.

Lentil & Chickpea Soup

This one will take a bit longer due to the fact it has lentils in it. This is for the occasion when you have a little more time for food prep. If you are lactose intolerant, you do not have to add the sour cream.

Ingredients:

¼ cup canned chickpeas

⅛ cup dried lentils

⅛ cup canned black beans

1 cup water

Rough handful raw spinach (de-stemmed if preferred)

¼ tsp cumin

¼ tsp paprika

¼ tsp table salt

Half of a tomato (diced)

(Optional) sour cream

Steps:

1. Add the lentils and water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil.

2. Add the tomato, cumin, paprika, and sour cream (if included).

3. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes and add the spinach, chickpeas, and black beans. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.

4. Allow soup to cool and add salt or water if it ends up too thick for your preference.

The Portland Workforce Alliance offers a free ACE program open to juniors and seniors who are interested in architecture, construction and engineering. Sophomores may also be considered if space is available. 

ACE is an after-school mentorship program that connects Portland high school students to careers in architecture, construction and engineering. Seniors interested in this career path are eligible to apply for ACE scholarships to a four-year university, community college, or apprenticeship training program. 

“Our program serves nearly 150 students per year and relies on 100 volunteer mentors, all professionals in their fields, to coach students in a hands-on, team-oriented project,” reads the ORCA announcement. “The program has demonstrated success in helping Oregon students graduate from high school, earn scholarships to college or apprenticeship training, continue their education, and make informed career decisions.”

ACE supports educational scholarships and is growing the ACE Summer Experience, a program that connects ACE students with paid summer opportunities in local firms. Last year, $11,500 was awarded to 17 seniors in the program and 10 students worked at eight companies in the Portland area.

This is an in-person, after-school mentoring program that will run from January 10 to May 18. 

To apply, complete the two-part application by November 22 at 5 p.m. You can view the Oregon application here and the National registration here.

Participating students need at least a 2.0 GPA or teacher/counselor recommendation, two years of high school level math, and a good attendance record. They must also be drug/alcohol free.

Students will be notified about acceptance to the program mid-December.

ACE will host a student and parent/guardian information session via Zoom on November 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to provide a program overview and answer questions. To attend, register through this form. 

For more program details, check out the ACE Mentorship website, flier, and commonly asked questions. 

ORCA high school students can prepare for the skilled trades with an upcoming training in electrical work. Sponsored by the Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon, the Electrical New Worker Training Program will be taking place in Salem on December 3 and 10 this year for students interested in exploring a career as an electrician. 

The course will run two consecutive Saturdays for eight hours a day.

Per the event description sent to ORCA students, attendees of this program will develop skills for success in the trades, increase confidence through hands-on training, learn important safety habits, obtain certification to build a resume, and more in preparation for an electrical career. 

“Learn skills that will set you apart and prepare you for your electrical career,” states the flier for the program.

The program is open to students both in and outside of the Salem area. There is a $50 non-refundable fee to attend, and students under the age of 18 must have their parents sign a waiver. 

More event information and the link to sign up can be found here. 

Autumn is here, and these six Korean songs may be the perfect match to the pumpkins and falling leaves. This selection includes a variety of songs from soft ballads to melancholy pop.

Here are six fall tracks to add to your autumn playlist this year.

“Autumn Morning” by IU

• This song was released in 2017 by beloved South Korean singer IU and was a success in South Korea, topping all major music charts. “Autumn Morning” has a homey, minimalistic feel that starts with a relaxing acapella. The song is about a man reflecting upon his favorite memories on an autumn morning.

“We’re Already” by KIMMUSEUM

• KIMMUSEUM’s hit “We’re Already” was released in 2021 as the first OST (Original Soundtrack) for the popular Korean drama Nevertheless. “We’re Already” is a compelling, energizing song with heartwarming lyrics.

“I Can’t Run Away” by SEVENTEEN

• “I Can’t Run Away” is a B-side track of Attacca, the ninth mini album of well-known South Korean boy group SEVENTEEN. Behind a dramatic beat, this song has meaningful lyrics about vulnerability and overcoming challenges when you're losing hope.

“Dad” by D.O.

• South Korean boy group member D.O.’s solo debut mini album consists of eight diverse songs, including “Dad.” This song starts off with a simple tune and progresses to a refreshing climax. The sudden drop in this song brings it personality and uniqueness. “Dad” is about the emotional connection between a child and father, providing the perfect chance to reminisce about autumn memories.

“Hurt” by NewJeans

• By rising South Korean girl group NewJeans, “Hurt” is a B-side to the group’s debut album. This track has a simplistic foundation, but this feature gives it a crystal clear freshness that not many songs have. In addition, the repetitive yet addicting lyrics are perfect for the moody autumn weather.

“Magic Island” by TOMORROW X TOGETHER

• “Magic Island” starts off with a high-pitched whistle that introduces the main melody of the song. By South Korean boy group TOMORROW X TOGETHER, the song’s lyrics and melody have a magical quality. The soothing music produces a calming effect that is the right fit for the autumn vibe.

This autumn, try listening to these six downtempo Korean songs to get you in the fall mood.

Now is a great time to explore new careers and opportunities outside of school. The Portland Workforce Alliance, a non-profit organization partnered with Oregon Charter Academy, offers a wide array of programs for students to explore fast-growing careers in various industries. These in-person opportunities are available to all high school students and take place in the Portland metro area. 

Wieden + Kennedy Career Day

Explore the innovative and fast-growing marketing industry with Wieden + Kennedy, a world-class global ad agency behind Nike, Procter & Gamble, and other world-renowned brands. Students will connect with project managers, designers, producers, and social media analysts to learn about what it is like to work in this creative field. 

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on November 2. 

To apply, fill out the student interest form and parent/guardian form on the PWA website as soon as possible – available spots are limited. 

CREW Real Estate + Commercial Development Career Day

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work in commercial real estate? Join the CREW real estate organization in Portland to explore careers in architecture, construction, property management, and more. Students will hear from professionals in the field and participate in a hands-on activity simulating how to develop and market property. Students will also explore the 30-story PacWest Center and get the inside scoop on how it is designed and leased.

The program runs from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on November 3. Lunch will be provided. 

Fill out the student interest form and parent/guardian form on the PWA website to apply. 

Nike Career Day

Visit the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton to explore one of the world’s most recognizable sportswear brands. Students will tour around the campus and participate in a hands-on footwear prototyping session. Top engineers, scientists, and designers will show students how they invent new products. 

The event runs from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. on November 10.

To register, fill out the student interest form and parent/guardian form on the PWA website for more event details. Don’t forget to also register on the form in Field Trip Central. Available spots are limited. 

These career programs offered through the Portland Workforce Alliance are a great way to explore new fields and learn how to get started in the industry. Remember to register through the PWA website and Field Trip Central if needed for these events.

NaNoWriMo is shorthand for National Novel Writing Month. The event is run by a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young authors by building a writing community, tracking milestones, and participating in events that are full of encouragement.

From November 1 to November 30, NaNoWriMo gives individuals, especially students, the opportunity to participate in a rewarding, month-long writing challenge.

From a page that was once blank to a plot spanning fifty thousand words or more, this is a challenge that budding writers will relish.  

Officials at NaNoWriMo encourage their participants to plan, rewrite, or refresh an already written novel idea. However, all writing must occur during the dates of the competition to be considered. The writing can be in any genre as long as the fifty thousand word minimum is reached – around the length of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby. The team at NaNoWriMo also wants participants to calculate the amount of words per day needed to fulfill the word minimum at the end of the month.

Those who write a fifty thousand word novel in one month will achieve an impressive writing feat. This challenge offers an opportunity for individuals struggling with writer's block to have an excuse to get creative. The goal of NaNoWriMo is that those who enjoyed the challenge and their final product will find a way to distribute their writing through a publisher or other means. 

With pen, paper, and an imagination that runs wild, anyone has a shot at writing the next bestseller.

For more information on this challenge, please check out the NaNoWriMo website.

Congratulations Aaron B. for submitting the winning piece of art! Second place is awarded to Felix B. and third to Genevieve B. It was a tight race because everyone’s art was impressive.

The Current would like to thank those who participated in the Fall Art Competition.

The wide array of field trips available to ORCA students, both virtual and in-person, help everyone stay connected and remind us how online school translates into real-world experiences.

Let’s take a look at some of the field trips ORCA is offering for the month of November.

National Constitution Center Virtual Tour (11/4)

Open to all high school students, the National Constitution Center Signers Hall Virtual Tour is a way for students to learn about the significance of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. 

Organized by ORCA teachers Casey Comstock and Kristin Holmes, this event will be held in Ms. Comstock’s Zoom room at 1 p.m. Students will be able to virtually tour the National Constitution Museum, the only museum dedicated to the signing of the U.S. Constitution, per the organization’s website.

“A museum educator will walk us through Signers' Hall, an exhibit featuring life-size statues of the 42 men who gathered to sign the Constitution on September 17, 1787,” reads the event description. Students will get the opportunity to learn about the historically famous individuals that made the signing of the constitution possible. 

Students currently taking U.S. History and American Government may receive extra credit for attending this event, according to the flier.

Willamette Heritage Center Woolen Mill Tour & Activities (11/18)

Ms. Comstock and Ms. Holmes have organized a tour in Salem, Oregon of a wool mill that was founded in 1889. With more than seventy years worth of production of wool fabrics and blankets, this mill was one of Oregon’s most critical economy-based workspaces during this time. Students will learn about the history of industrialization and the environments that workers had to experience during this time. There will also be activities such as weaving where students can take home their creations. 

This event is open to all high school students, but has limited spots available. Those who attend the event and are taking U.S. History may gain extra credit by participating, according to the flier.

LCC’s Health, Medical, and Fitness Programs Tour (11/18)  

Open to all high school students, ORCA teacher Amy Lee is hosting an in-person Lane Community College tour for students to explore the LCC campus and the multiple career pathways that LCC provides. According to the flier, LCC has 19 different programs in the health, fitness, and medical fields between their two campuses. These occupational pathways include “...hands-on careers such as nursing, phlebotomy, massage therapy, EMT, and physical therapy assistant [and] behind the scenes careers like health information management and medical receptionist.” 

If you are interested, sign up as soon as possible – spots are limited to 20 students. 

Please check out Lane Community College’s website for all available career opportunities.

Columbia River Maritime Museum (11/18)

Available to all grade levels, ORCA teachers Vineeta Lower and Hanna Morris are planning a field trip that takes students to Astoria, Oregon. The event will consist of a self-guided tour to explore “...the maritime history of the north Oregon Coast, along with other culture focused exhibits,” according to the flier. Available spots are limited to 30 students. 

Though this event is free for ORCA students and their parents/guardians, payment through Paypal is required for non-ORCA attendees. Payment for the field trip is open until November 17th.

Dream Job: Occupational Therapist (11/30)

Organized by ASCEND advisor Liberty Lacy, students from grades 6-12 are invited to explore a career as an occupational therapist. Students will experience an insightful conversation with someone currently working in the field. With limited availability, students interested in this pathway are encouraged to sign up by November 26. The field trip will be hosted in Ms. Lacy’s Zoom room.

Students are encouraged to jot down and ask questions during the Q&A period of the event. 

Available spots and Zoom link access will be provided by those that sign up on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The field trips listed above are just a few of the many field trips offered by ORCA this November. Make sure to check out the school’s constantly updating Field Trip Central, which can be found in the Principal’s Office/Corner course, for a listing of every available field trip. 

You can print The Current's Fall Crossword HERE. The clues are listed below:

ACROSS

1. A common shoe choice in the fall.

2. The nut from an oak tree.

4. A large fruit that wears many faces in fall.

6. Canadian symbol that falls from trees.

8. Another word for fall.

DOWN

1. People gather around this and tell spooky stories.

3. Common Oregon weather.

5. The death of this changes the colors of leaves.

7. Feline that's said to be bad luck.

The answers to the crossword will be published in The Current's next issue.