KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Tech Athletics is excited to announce that Friday, January 30, has been designated as K–12 Field Trip Day as the Owls take on Lewis-Clark State College. The women’s game will tip off at 12:00 PM, followed by the men’s game at 2:00 PM. All students in kindergarten through 12th grade will receive free admission.

In partnership with schools throughout the Basin, the Athletic Department is using this event as an opportunity to reward students for exhibiting positive behavior and achieving strong academic performance, providing them with a chance to experience the excitement of college basketball during the school day.

For more information, please contact Michael Garrard at michael.garrard@oit.edu or 541-885-1851. 

By Joaquin Aguilar-Flores, KFCS

Students from Eagle Ridge New Tech High School gained real-world construction experience while showcasing their skills to the community during the KFalls Build My Future event today, held at the John Hancock Event Center.

Under the guidance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Construction and Advanced Mathematics instructor David Parker, Eagle Ridge students spent the day building a full-scale shed on site, giving event attendees a hands-on look at what students in the construction program are capable of accomplishing.

“This was all student-driven,” Parker said. “The students designed the shed themselves, and now they’re in the process of building it from the ground up.”

Before construction began, students created detailed drawings that outlined the shed’s dimensions, framing angles and roof design. The detailed plans guided the build throughout the day and helped students translate classroom math concepts into real-world applications.

The project began with students constructing the floor and framing the walls before assembling the structure at the event, which is a non-profit youth trades experience aimed at engaging the next generation of builders and contractors, with students from other high schools in the Klamath Basin assisting Eagle Ridge in their work throughout the day.

Lumber for the shed was sponsored by J&P Wholesale, allowing Parker and his students to take on a large-scale project they otherwise would not have been able to complete.

“They sponsored all of the lumber so we could build this,” Parker said. “Once the shed is finished and sold, we’ll be able to pay them back. That support made this possible.”

Eagle Ridge participated in last year’s event as visitors, but this year Parker requested a dedicated space so students could actively build and demonstrate construction skills. Event organizers and Klamath Community College Director of Apprenticeship Programs, Mark Griffith, agreed, providing a work area where students could use tools, explain techniques and interact with peers from other schools.

Eagle Ridge senior Rose Purkhiser, who serves as the student leader within the class, said the experience was both challenging and rewarding.

“It was definitely chaotic at times,” Purkhiser said. “Some students hadn’t framed walls or floors before, so I helped teach them how to do that. But it was a really good learning experience for all of us.”

The shed will be transported back to Eagle Ridge New Tech High School, where students will continue working on it during class time over the coming weeks. Once completed, it will be sold, with proceeds supporting the construction program.

“It was fun trying to build something this size in such a short amount of time,” Purkhiser said. “We got a lot done in one day, and I’m really proud of what we accomplished.”

“This is why they’re in my class,” Parker said. “They enjoy building, working with their hands and teaching others.”

KFCS Board of Education members were recognized this past Monday during the district’s monthly board meeting for School Board Recognition Month.

During the meeting, KFCS Superintendent Keith Brown read aloud handwritten letters Ponderosa Middle School students wrote for members of the school board.

Dear board member,

Thank you for being a board member. Thank you for listening to all of our voices and making sure all our voices are heard. Please make sure our schools are a safe place for everyone.

Braydon H.

Dear board members,

Thank you for supporting and listening to students and their families. Knowing that our voices matter helps us focus on learning. Thank you for believing in us and investing in our success.

Thank you, Jayla

Dear board members, thank you for all of the support you give our schools! Knowing your school is strongly supported always makes going to school feel safer, along with knowing we are being educated well! Thank you!

Thank you for being there for our schools! Because of you, students are safe and heard. We notice your efforts to make our schools better, and better, everyday! We are so thankful! Our futures are brighter, with supporters like you! Not all schools have such big supporters, so you are truly such a blessing! Thank you for all you do!

Malea Cordova

Dear board members, thank you for helping and supporting our school! We appreciate the money and supplies you give us!

Thank you for listening to students, including those who need extra help. We notice that, all it matters to us.

Thank you, Tiana

Dear board members,

Thank you for serving our school board because of your decisions, our schools have been growing. We have better classes and safer places and given us more opportunities to grow.

By Emely Hernandez

Dear board member,

Thank you for serving on the board! Because of you, our school is safer, has better classes, and we have more and better chances to learn and grow. You give your time to help make our school better and our futures brighter. Thank you for believing in us and investing in our success.

Thank you, Jayla

Dear board members,

Because of your help, our school is a better place and people learn better here because of you. Thank you for believing in us and helping us prepare for high school. Our school is very grateful for you guys.

Thank you for keeping our school safe and for helping give us a good education. You support our school and everyone inside and we thank you for that.

By - Kiera

To all of you that listen to students and their families, you are appreciated and thanks for your work.

Thank you board members. No name

Dear board members,

Thank you for serving on the board. You give time to make decisions that help our school and our future! You support all students, including the ones who need extra help. We notice that it matters to you and us.

From Iris

The support you give to our extracurriculars such as clubs, including the DND club, I love so much. It is extremely nice and thanked.

Thank you board members! No name.

Klamath Union swimmers rose to the occasion Saturday at the annual Henley Freeze at Ella Redkey Municipal Pool, as both the girls and boys teams earned first place in the program’s only hometown meet while showcasing strong preparation and depth across the lineup.

The Henley Freeze, known for its cold air and colder water, provides KU swimmers a unique advantage, the opportunity to compete in the same outdoor pool where they train daily. For Klamath Union senior Hazel Squibb, that familiarity showed both individually and in the relays.

“It was actually a really good day,” Squibb said. “I felt like the team overall did really good because we’re used to this. I kind of like seeing how everybody else competed, feeling what we kind of have to go through every day at practice.”

Squibb won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 28.9 seconds and placed second in the 100 freestyle at 1:04.44. She also anchored the 200 and 400 freestyle relays, both of which placed first. Those relays hold school records, which Squibb said have been broken multiple times during her KU career.

“I was kind of surprised by the times we actually did get because of how cold it is,” Squibb said. “But we actually all competed really well, and we were pretty close to our personal records.”

Fellow senior Quinlynn Spivey said the atmosphere made the cold worthwhile. Spivey placed fourth in both the 50 free (30.86) and 100 free (1:08.25) and led off both freestyle relays.

“Honestly, this was a really cool meet,” Spivey said. “It was my last home meet, and I had all my friends there. Even though it’s cold, it was a good meet.”

Spivey credited steady improvement across the roster as the season progresses.

“As a team, we’re getting a lot better,” Spivey said. “Every single race, someone is PR’ing or getting really close. Personally, things are finally starting to click this year.”

Klamath Union junior Elly Amos delivered one of the standout individual performances of the meet, winning the 100 butterfly in 1:17.99, improving by more than three seconds, and placing third in the 200 IM. She also swam splits on both winning relays.

“I think the cold maybe pushed people to work harder,” Amos said. “It kind of forces you to focus on what we’ve been training for.”

On the boys’ side, senior Kamron Bouma claimed first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.23 and placed second in the 100 butterfly. He led off both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays, which also finished first.

“It’s really stinking cold, and it kind of sucks, which is great,” Bouma said. “Hard things are fun when you get done with them. There’s just a really good community and culture around this event.”

Senior Max Hendricks did nothing but impress in all of his events and capped the day with wins in the 200 free (2:01.82) and 100 backstroke (1:02.28), while anchoring both winning relays.

Hendricks has already established himself as one of KU swimming’s top performers, with school records and ambitious goals driving his training. In past seasons, Hendricks broke the school record in the 200 freestyle, lowering the mark to 1:53.95, and reset the 100 backstroke record with a time of 1:00.54.

Hendricks was also part of record-breaking performances in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays, helping drop each mark significantly.

“I definitely want to hit PRs for those and break new school records,” Hendricks said. “Ideally, I want a 1:49 in the 200 free and about a 58 in the 100 back. It’ll be difficult, but it’s doable with the work we’re putting in.”

Hendricks said chasing record times comes down to refining the smallest details, especially as improvements are measured in fractions of a second.

“When you get to a point where you’re breaking school records and dropping milliseconds at a time, it’s the little things that become massive time droppers,” Hendricks said. “One extra dolphin kick off the wall, better underwaters, better tempo, all of that adds up. For me, pushing that third 50 in the 200 free is where I know I can drop the most time.”

As the season continues toward districts and state competitions, Saturday’s meet served as both a celebration of senior leadership and a reminder of KU swimming’s depth.

“I just want to finish this year feeling like my swim chapter came to a good conclusion,” Squibb said. “I want our team to do really well at districts and hopefully bring a lot of people to state.”

Klamath Union wrestlers faced strong competition Saturday at the High Desert Classic at Mazama High School, gaining valuable experience and strong individual performances in a large, competitive field.

Freshman Amazing McCoy led Klamath Union with a third-place finish, while seniors Christopher Stromberg and Emily Say added notable results in their respective divisions.

McCoy emerged as KU’s top performer on the day, navigating a challenging bracket to earn a spot on the podium.

Senior Christopher Stromberg earned fourth place, battling through multiple matches and facing the same opponent more than once during the tournament. Stromberg said the experience tested both his physical conditioning and in-match adjustments.

“My first match I kind of started off slow, and it didn’t really go my way,” Stromberg said. “The second time I faced him, it was a lot closer. It showed how much I adjusted as the day went on.”

As Stromberg competes in his final season, Stromberg said his focus is on continued improvement and reaching the state tournament for the first time.

“My goal for my senior year is to make it to state and place,” Stromberg said. “I just want to work as hard as I can to get there.”

In the girls division, senior Emily Say captured fifth place, continuing a strong season in her first and final year of high school wrestling. Say said the tournament allowed her to put her training into action.

“It’s nice to put in all the hard work and just go out there and let everything go,” Say said. “To put in the dedication that’s needed and see it pay off feels really good.”

Say also credited the growth of the girls wrestling program and the support of her teammates throughout the tournament.

“I’m proud of all my girls for trying as hard as they can,” Say said. “Most of us are freshmen or second-year wrestlers, and to see us competing and placing means a lot.”

Students from the Klamath Union High School and Eagle Ridge New Tech High School Theater brought stories to life Friday afternoon during a special performance at Conger Elementary School, giving students an energetic introduction to live theater.

The theater group includes 19 Klamath Union students and five Eagle Ridge New Tech students. 

Together, the KU/ERNTHS drama class presented a reader’s theater-style performance featuring familiar fairy tale pieces, including The Little Piggies, Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, The Lion and the Mouse, Hansel and Gretel, and The Billy Goats Gruff, using expressive voices, movement, and humor to engage their elementary audience.

“You never really know what little kids are going to say or how they’re going to react,” theater instructor Jackie Lancaster said. “That can make students nervous, but it’s also a great learning experience. Performing for a live audience teaches them things you just can’t replicate.”

Lancaster explained the group practiced for several weeks before beginning performances, but spacing between rehearsals challenged students to quickly refocus and project their voices without microphones.

“It’s tough for students to understand how much work goes into getting to the point where you really feel confident on stage,” Lancaster said. “Some students have very strong projection, and others are still developing that skill. Performing in different spaces helps them recognize how sound travels and how they need to adjust.”

Following the performance, students reflected on how the show went, celebrating successes while identifying areas for growth. Several students noted how responsive the elementary audience was, something they hadn’t fully expected.

“I was kind of scared at first,” one student shared. “I thought the kids might just stare at us, but they actually reacted and laughed”

At the same time, the theater students acknowledged areas they want to improve before their next showcase, including stronger memorization and tighter pacing. Klamath Union and Eagle Ridge New Tech Theater will have a chance to perform in front of family and friends in its Theater Showcase starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, January 22 at the James Ivory Arts Center.

“Every performance helps you grow,” Lancaster said. “You take what you learned, refocus, and make the next one even better.”

Lancaster said she is especially pleased with how students from Klamath Union and Eagle Ridge New Tech have come together as one theater group. While bringing the two schools together took some initial coordination, she said the students are now connected and supporting one another on stage.

“It took a little bit of coordination in my mind at first to join the two schools, but now they’re really connected,” Lancaster said. “The students fed off each other’s energy. Today, they learned new things such as waiting until there is room to give their next line after an audience laughs or cheers. Sebastian did a great job with his expressions, and students like Silas, Draven and Danny really projected well. I was proud of all of them today.”

Ponderosa Middle School families enjoyed an evening of pizza, hands-on math fluency games, and family fun during its Ponderosa Family Math Night held this past Tuesday. Jason Bragg of the Educational Solutions Team joined Ponderosa teachers Sherri Kies, Kaitlyn McAllister, Martin Monti, Declan Ritter, Amy Hill, Brent Glidden and Alexander Hernandez, who were present to support families and assist students with interactive math games throughout the evening.

KU DECA showed up strong at the 2nd Regional Competition at SOU 👏

31 Klamath Union students competed in 7 business, entrepreneurship, and marketing events against more than 100 students from 7 Southern Oregon high schools and brought home top placements in nearly every event including SIX top three finishes 🔥

If you see these students, make sure to congratulate them on their hard work and professionalism

🏆 Results
Automotive Marketing
🥇 Riley Rodgers

Food Marketing Series
🥉 Eleanor Rodriguez

Restaurant and Food Service Management
🥇 Zahira Rico
🥉 Gavin Whitaker

Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making
🥈 Thomas Biggs & Lucas Perez

Hospitality Team Decision Making
🥉 Jacob Martin & Zoe Bitzer

So proud of our Pelicans and the way they represented KU 💙🟥
#KUDECA #Pelyeah

🎶 KU Students Headed to All-State 🎶

We are proud to celebrate three Klamath Union High School students traveling to Eugene for the OMEA All-State Honor Program this Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend.

After a competitive audition process, these students were selected to perform with top musicians from across Oregon under renowned guest conductors. All concerts will take place at the Hult Center in Eugene.

👏 Congratulations to:
• Seattle Trejo — All-State Choir
• Daisy Kupitz — All-State Orchestra
• Tommy Biggs — All-State Jazz Band

Your hard work, dedication, and talent represent KU so well. We are cheering you on 🎼🖤✨

Each week at Pelican, we reward the class with the highest weekly attendance to continue "Attendance is a Gift".  The data is taken from Friday to Friday and the reward was that the students got to put stickers on the Dean and Principal.  The giggles were so great!  Then the Dean and I walked the building to show off the reward to all classrooms.

We want you!

Our school is lexpanding our exciting and growing Sports Broadcasting program, and we are looking for adult mentors with experience in the field who would like to help guide and inspire students.

If you have a background in sports broadcasting, media production, journalism, video editing, camera operation, audio production, live streaming, or related fields, we would love your support. Our students are learning how to run live game broadcasts—from play-by-play announcing and instant replay to camera work and pre-game shows—and having real-world professionals involved makes an incredible difference.

This is a chance to:

Share your expertise with motivated students

Help build a high-quality, professional-style broadcasting program

Mentor the next generation of broadcasters, storytellers, and media professionals

Be part of something exciting and impactful in our school community

Whether you can help occasionally or more regularly, your experience and guidance are needed and appreciated as we continue to grow this program.

Interested in helping?
Please contact Dan Stearns at 541-891-7511 or email stearnsd@kfalls.k12.or.us

Thank you for supporting our students and helping bring live sports broadcasting to the next level!

Cold and flu season is here ... please help us prevent the spread of viruses by doing these things at home, school, and work.

Steps you can take

Individuals can

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.

• Learn and use proper handwashing technique.

• Teach children the correct way to wash their hands.

• Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs regularly.

Information presented comes from the Center of Disease Control. Click this link for more information.

La temporada de gripe y resfriados ya está aquí. Ayúdenos a prevenir la propagación del virus haciendo estas cosas en casa, en la escuela y en el trabajo.

Las personas pueden:

• Cubrirse la boca y la nariz con un pañuelo desechable al toser o estornudar; botar los pañuelos desechables usados a la basura; y si no tienen un pañuelo de este tipo, toser o estornudar cubriéndose con el ángulo interno del codo, no con las manos.

• Aprender y usar la técnica correcta de lavado de manos.

• Enseñarles a los niños la forma correcta de lavarse las manos.

• Limpiar con regularidad las superficies que se tocan con frecuencia, como mesones, barandas y manijas de las puertas.

La información presentada proviene del Centro para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades. Haga clic en este enlace para obtener más información.

KFCS Board of Education

Andrea Jensen, Zone 1, Roosevelt - andrea.jensen@kfcityschools.org

Andrew Biggs, Zone 2, At-Large - andrew.biggs@kfcityschools.org

Vanessa Bennett, Zone 3, Conger - vanessa.bennett@kfcityschools.org

Kathy Hewitt, Zone 4, Mills - kathy.hewitt@kfcityschools.org

Trina Perez, Zone 5, Pelican - trina.perez@kfcityschools.org

Kelsey Bitzer, Zone 6, At-Large - Kelsey.bitzer@kfcityschools.org

Nicole Trejo, Zone 7 At-Large - Nicole.trejo@kfcityschools.org

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Klamath Falls City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. For more information, please visit our website at Nondiscrimination and Title IX webpage