August 14, 2025

Dear Cascade Junior High Families,

It's back-to-school time and we can't wait to see you! We've been working hard to ensure the building is ready for your return. As we near the start of the school year, here are a few important things to keep in mind. Our school motto is: WE ARE CASCADE!  BE A LEADER AND ROAR LIKE A TIGER! 

Registration and paying fees online:  Powerschool link

About 40% of students attending the Junior High have not completed their online registration packets. Please ensure you go through all sections to verify that phone numbers and emails are accurate. Completing registrations might be as simple as clicking "SUBMIT" in all the sections. Emails will be sent to remind families to complete all online forms. Families of returning students do not need to attend next week’s registration unless you are struggling to complete the online registration our Emily Nunez, at Emily Nunez or call 503-749-8030 x3805.

Registration times:

New Student to Cascade School District:  Monday, August 18, 2025 and Tuesday, August 19, 2025  by appointment - please call 503-749-8030 x 3805 

                  (If you went to any Cascade School last year -including the elementary schools) you are not considered a new student

Returning students (you can do everything online, so this is if you need technical support)-   Wednesday, August 20- 9 am- 3 pm or Thursday, August 21- 12 pm- 7:30 pm

Monday, August 18, 2025 and Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Fees :  Intouch Online Payment Portal

All Students:    School fee (electives, lockers,books)- $25

                 Yearbook pre-order- $20 (October 1 it will cost $25)

                 Sport-    $25 per sport

                PE Uniforms-    $15    7th/ 8th graders

                Outdoor School-  $25  6th graders only

Proof of residency:

All new Cascade and sixth-grade families are required to submit Proof of Residency this year as part of the registration process. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, mortgage or rental statement, or tax statement with the parent's name on the form. If you live with another person/family, another form must be completed by the homeowner. If you have trouble uploading your proof of residency or need a copy of the homeowner form, please contact our registrar, Emily Nunez, at Emily Nunez or call 503-749-8030 x3805.

Lockers:

Seventh and eighth graders signed up in the spring.  If your student did not do that they will have that opportunity at the Popsicle party on August 28th.  

Sixth-grade teachers will determine when students are ready to add lockers to their routine- probably after Thanksgiving.

Phones

Students can bring their phones; however, from the time they enter the building until they leave, phones and other electronic devices must be in their lockers on silent mode. Students who do not follow phone expectations will face disciplinary consequences. The best way to contact your student during the school day is to call the office.

Popsicle Party/ Open House:

Join our staff on Thursday, August 28th, from 3-5 p.m. Everyone will enter through the gym. Sixth-grade students will meet their homeroom teacher, which will be posted then. Seventh and eighth graders can get their schedules, explore classrooms before school starts on September 2nd, and practice opening their lockers.

At the Junior High, we want to open our doors so families can meet our wonderful staff and see the classrooms. Teachers and staff will be available to answer questions about the upcoming school year. If you want to take pictures with your student and their teacher, this is a great opportunity! After touring the building, your student is welcome to sign up for one of the upcoming fall sports: Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, or Soccer.

This is also an excellent time to pay any school fees. Just stop in the main office with cash, check, credit, or debit. On your way out, grab a popsicle. We will have 3-inch binders ($5.00) and spiral notebooks ($0.50) available at this time.

Visitors in the building:

During the school day, parents and visitors must stop by the office upon arrival. Like last year, volunteers will be allowed in the building only if they have completed a background check. If you filled out the application last year, you are good to go for another year. All applications are district-wide and take about two weeks to process. If you hope to volunteer at Outdoor School, this would be a great time to fill out the following form: Volunteer link.

Communication:

Fostering a solid connection between home and school is vital. One way we achieve this is by ensuring you know what is happening in the school environment. Here are some ways we communicate with families:

• Grade checks every three weeks regarding your student’s academic progress

• Weekly notices if your student is failing one or more classes

• Daily website updates, including our calendar

• Facebook page: Cascade Junior High

• ParentSquare—please help us by providing a current email address during registration

• PowerSchool—online registration and gradebook

• Reporting your student’s absence—remember to report the absence within two days of your child being gone: Absence cjh-attendance@cascade.k12.or.us

We try to post information online as much as possible instead of sending home hard-copy documents to help conserve costs and increase the possibility of information making it home. However, if your family needs a paper copy, please contact the school.

Supply list: Here is the Supply list.   We have found the best deals at Walmart and BiMart.  

Dress Code:

Shopping for new school clothes? Here are some helpful reminders: We do not allow clothing that might interfere with or disrupt the learning environment. Families need to ensure that all clothing covers from the shoulders to mid-thigh. Pants with holes must not show skin above mid-thigh. Leggings or spandex worn underneath is a good compromise. Midriffs must not be visible. Shirts or tank tops must have a 1-inch strap. Hats and hoods are not allowed during school hours.

Assistant Principals' Corner:

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! We look forward to welcoming your students into our hallways and classrooms. Our greatest asset is information from you and your student about what is happening in our school.Please encourage your student to discuss with counselors, teachers or administration any issues that arise.  As parents, if you have concerns, please reach out if you feel that the issue is not getting resolved.   Many times when we know of issues early on, we can help our students to be problem solvers and work through them. Our doors are always open for our students to talk, and we have many resources to help them navigate junior high life. 

We would also encourage our families to take a moment to talk to your children about kindness.  Any harassment or bullying involving race, gender or protected class will be dealt with following the Cascade School District and Junior High’s disciplinary matrix.  These issues can be prevented when students choose to be kind to one another. Let’s make it a great year together!

• Molly Gehley: mgehley@cascade.k12.or.us, 503-749-8030 x3901

• Greg Nolan: gnolan@cascade.k12.or.us, 503-749-8030 x3903

Athletics:

Checklist for Athletic Participation at Cascade Junior High:

1. Must have a physical every two years and on file at the junior high.

2. Must be in attendance that school day for all classes in which they are enrolled to participate in contests.

3. Must have paid the sports fee or made arrangements for payment.

4. The junior high must have insurance information on file each year.

The first official practice is Tuesday, September 2 right after school.  Here is a list of where each sport should report after school.  

Cross Country: Mr. Tedrow’s classroom (room 10)

7th and 8th Grade Football: junior high locker room

Boys and Girls Soccer: junior high locker room

8th Grade Volleyball: junior high gym

 7th Grade Volleyball: meet by the main office to ride the shuttle bus to Aumsville Elementary School gym.  This is where the 7th graders practice and play their games.

Thank you for continuing to check our school calendar and our schedules online to keep up with any changes to our games, matches, and meets! 

Counselor’s Corner: 

Welcome back to another exciting school year! We have two counselors this year, Reyna Gonzalez and Bryan Rozo, who are excited to be a part of your child’s journey. Our role is to foster a supportive and nurturing environment, ensuring your child’s well-being and success. From navigating challenges to celebrating achievements, we're here for it all! Please feel free to contact Reyna Gonzalez (rgonzalez@cascade.k12.or.us)  or Bryan Rozo (brozo@cascade.k12.or.us)  with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the school year. Let's make this year one of growth, learning, and lasting memories!

Parental Concerns:

If you have a concern or question about a class, please contact the teacher first. Often, the issue is a miscommunication or misunderstanding and can be resolved quickly. If you are unsatisfied with the response or solution, I will be more than happy to assist. All teachers' email addresses and phone numbers can be found on our junior high ParentSquare or through PowerSchool.

**We can’t wait to see you on Thursday, August 28th at our annual Popsicle Party/Open House.  In the meantime, if you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an email.  Enjoy the rest of the summer.**

Important upcoming dates:

8-28  Popsicle Party/ Open House

9-1    Labor Day

9-2   First Day of School 6th, 7th, 8th School first bell at 8:05 AM

9-10  Late Start

9-16  Picture Day