Students from the Vocational Independence Program (VIP) spent time today at our Pelican Babies Child Development Center, putting their job skills to work by helping clean and prepare the play area for our youngest learners.
The Vocational Independence Program, led by teacher Stephanie L. Mattingly and paraprofessional Rebecca Knight, provides students with hands-on experiences that build independence and workplace readiness. From grocery shopping at Sherm’s to helping in job sites at Keno Elementary School and now Pelican Babies, students are gaining skills they can carry with them beyond graduation.
Today, VIP students Miranda Jimenez-Hernandez, Caleb Lokey, and Khalil Hutner (along with peers RW, JW, and DC who were not photographed) worked hard at Pelican Babies, which this year is serving more than 20 little ones—the most in recent years.
Pelican Babies paraprofessionals Becky Briones-Chavolla and Kyla Pace spent the sunny afternoon keeping up with the Pelican Babies as they played outdoors.
These opportunities not only give students meaningful work experiences but also strengthen connections across our district.
For a full photo gallery from all stories today, go to the KFCS Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Klamath.Falls.City.Schools
Eagle Ridge New Tech High School welcomed students and parents for an evening of food and connection in its recent open house.
Student ambassadors representing Eagle Ridge’s FFA club, leadership Team and the freshman class, led guests on tours and through activities.
In addition to the activities, Eagle Ridge New Tech’s CTE programs were represented as well. The ERNTHS Construction program, taught by David Parker, welcomed guests to the wood working bay. Dylan Houser, Eagle Ridge New Tech’s Agriculture Manufacturing instructor, had demonstrations of the different designs for manufacturing.
Cathy Smith, Eagle Ridge’s Agriculture Science and Technology teacher, provided examples of the work that is and will be done in the agriculture program this year, which is in its second year in FFA.
The Business/Marketing/Broadcasting program, led by Jackie Lancaster, was facilitated by students from the program.
Eagle Ridge New Tech is looking forward to a robust year of learning for its students this year, both from Eagle Ridge and eighth graders from Ponderosa Middle School who are a part of the 8th Grade CTE Exploratory Wheel and take classes at the high school everyday.
Eagle Ridge New Tech High School is celebrating students who are showing the power of consistency and commitment through perfect attendance. Last week, nearly 45% of Eagle Ridge students were present every single day and on time, with zero tardies.
Students who meet this standard are entered into the school’s weekly Perfect Attendance Drawing, where two winners are recognized with rewards. While only two students are selected each week, every student who reaches the goal is setting an example of responsibility, dedication, and school pride.
The initiative has quickly become a highlight at Eagle Ridge. Teachers and staff report seeing more students arrive ready to learn, and students themselves are motivated not just by the rewards, but by the pride of reaching a goal that truly matters. Perfect attendance reinforces the importance of showing up each day, because every day adds up to long-term success.
This effort is made possible through the generous support of Citizens for Safe Schools and The Ella Redkey, who have partnered with Eagle Ridge to provide meaningful rewards for students. Their contributions ensure that students’ hard work is recognized and celebrated.
Our cafeteria staff are some of the very first friendly faces students see each morning. From warm greetings to balanced meals, they set the tone for a great school day.
✨ At Mills Elementary School, cook Angie Bassett makes sure to hug and greet her granddaughter every morning. Alongside her fellow cook, Cheleasa Peña-Ramirez, they wave to familiar students, serving both smiles and nutritious meals.
✨ At Ponderosa Middle School, cafeteria staff prepare three full lunches daily — including crowd-pleasers like sloppy joes — making sure no student leaves hungry.
Behind the scenes, our food service staff start their day at 6 a.m., ensuring breakfast and lunch are ready to fuel learning. And of course … Friday means donut day at Mills and all our elementary schools at KFCS 🍩
Students are always encouraged to “fuel up” at breakfast and lunch:
Step 1: Select a ½ cup of fruit or vegetable 🍓🥦
Step 2: Pick at least two more food groups (grain, protein, or milk) 🍞🍳🥛
Step 3: Build a meal with at least three food groups — or go for the max with all five! 💪
#5formaxflavor #fuelup
For a full gallery from this post, go to the KFCS Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Klamath.Falls.City.Schools
Morton, Carlos Garcia lift Klamath Union boys soccer over Hidden Valley in Skyline Conference opener
The No. 5 Klamath Union boys soccer team came out of the gates with a win in their first Skyline Conference game of the year Thursday at Modoc Field and beat Hidden Valley decisively, 2-0.
The Pelicans had their hearts broken in a tightly contested game just two days before against Class 5A Ashland. The Grizzlies refused to end in a tie with the Pelicans and had the game’s only score with 11 minutes left in the matchup.
KU quickly shook things off.
Klamath Union senior Caleb Morton had likely the most exciting goal thus far in the season for the Pelicans against the Mustangs. Off a stellar pass from freshman Carlos Garcia from nearly the edge of the bottom touch line, Norton broke free of his defenders and found himself in the middle of the box for a header in the 29th minute.
The goal was made possible after Garcia juked his defender and found space to lob a pass to Morton, who confused Hidden Valley goalie Pablo Leavitt with his movements just enough to push the ball into the center of the goal.
Garcia joined in on the fun in the second half.
In the 66th minute, Garcia scored after a perfectly timed pass from defender Callahan Daniels. Daniels sent the ball downfield into open space, and though Hidden Valley’s Abraham Sandeen seemed set to intercept, Garcia surged forward.
Garcia lightly nudged Sandeen, and broke free as he slipped the ball to the left of Leavitt, who collided with Sandeen. Garcia found himself alone about 10 yards from the goal and calmly tapped the ball with his left foot into the net.
The Pelicans will play tomorrow Saturday, September 27 at Eagle Point High School, and will continue conference play Thursday, October 2 at Phoenix High School.
Klamath Union girls soccer
Klamath Union girls soccer left Grants Pass Thursday with a tie in its opening game of the Skyline Conference against Hidden Valley, 1-1.
The Pelicans also had a close game against Class 5A Ashland in an away game and fell this past Monday, 1-0. The girls soccer team will play at Eagle Point High School tomorrow, and will have its first game at Modoc Field this season starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 2 against Phoenix.
Klamath Union football
The Klamath Union Pelicans (1-2) dropped a 25-18 decision to the South Umpqua Lancers (3-0) last Friday. The difference in the game came in the second quarter when the Lancers surged ahead with 17 unanswered points. KU’s defense clamped down in the second half and didn’t allow another score, giving the Pelicans a chance which fell short.
A bright spot came with the season debut of Tuko Saluskin, who hauled in 11 receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
Once again Klamath Union quarterback Reese Johnson put on a show and went 31-for-49 through the air, throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns, though he also had two interceptions.
Klamath Union plays at 7 p.m. tonight at Sutherlin.
Klamath Union cross country
Klamath Union cross country will compete in the Willamette Golden Hour 5k tomorrow, Saturday, September 27 at Willamette High School in Eugene.
The Pelicans will compete against hefty competition, including schools Junction City, Philomath, Woodburn and Willamette.
The top five runners for each of the boys and girls in the Skyline Conference are all mostly Klamath Union runners.
The top female Skyline runner is Klamath Union junior Hallie Pyfer. Pyfer earned fourth place in the West Orthodontics Invitational on Sept. 9, setting the pace with her best time of the year so far, 19:13.6. Senior Leona Higgins holds the second best time in the conference, 20:22.2, which she also ran at the West Orthodontics Invitational.
Junior Elsie Baumann has the fourth best time, 20:53.0, which came in the same race.
The best male runners in the Skyline Conference can be found at KU, holding the second through fifth fastest times this year.
Junior Jonas Southwell has the second-best finish in the conference so far, running 17:12.4 at the West Orthodontics Invitational.
All of Klamath Union’s top times this year have come at the West Orthodontics Invitational.
Klamath Union’s top boys runners finished within just 13 seconds of each other, as Mark Madsen owns the third-best time (17:20.8), Callum Squibb fourth (17:23.3), and Kanoa Kranz-Kahopea with the No. 5 best time (17:25.3).
