Thank you to all who represented Klamath Falls City Schools at the Klamath Snowflake Festival Parade Thursday night. 

Eagle Ridge New Tech High School, Klamath Union High School's cheerleading team, marching band and the Vocational Independence Program, were all present at the parade in downtown Klamath Falls.

The Klamath Union cross country and track and field teams continued its fundraiser of the 27th annual Snowflake Mile, 35 minutes before the parade started, with a wave of runners filling Main Street. 

By Joaquin Aguilar-Flores. KFCS

For nearly two decades, Eagle Ridge New Tech High School has upheld a beloved tradition in the Klamath Snowflake Festival Parade by building a student-designed float that reflects both creativity and craftsmanship.

This year, that tradition grew even stronger as students in instructor David Parker’s CTE construction classes, and even Ponderosa Middle School eighth graders who attend daily courses at Eagle Ridge, spent the last two weeks constructing a snowy “tunnel” float entirely from scratch for tonight’s snowflake parade.

Using their own stock of wood and relying on the same tools they’ve practiced with all year, Parker’s students handled the project from start to finish.

“Each class worked on little bits of the pieces until they were all built,” Parker said. “They cut the arches with the jigsaw, cut the two-bys with the chop saw, used drills and impacts, all of it was done by hand.”

Once the sections were fully assembled, students carried them outside, sprayed them with paint, and added finishing touches. Even after the main structure came together, Ponderosa eighth graders stepped in to help detail the float.

“All of them were up there with paint brushes,” Parker said. “Getting all the little corners that got missed.”

This year’s theme, “Arctic Adventures,” inspired Parker’s classes to design a tunnel-like structure for parade participants to walk through as they sit comfortably during the parade.

“We wanted it to be a tunnel,” said Eagle Ridge instructor Jackie Lancaster, who has helped coordinate Eagle Ridge’s parade entry for over a decade. “Our construction class built the rings for it, and it is amazing our students did all the work for this. It’s one of the longest-running traditions we’ve kept since at least 2010.”

While Eagle Ridge New Tech is typically the only school in the Klamath Basin to put together a float, and traditionally the only one to include a student rock band, Lancaster said the heart of the tradition is about showcasing student programs.

“We usually have drums, guitar, bass and vocalists but we were not able to have the students do that again this year,” Lancaster said. “And we always try to represent our programs, CTE, FFA, construction and our Ponderosa students on the float.”

Beyond the parade, Parker’s CTE program continues to make an impact in the wider community. Recently, Pelican Elementary School Principal Liza Butler ordered more than 40 custom coasters from him for her staff after a sample engraving was mistakenly delivered by one of his grandsons who attends Pelican.

“She emailed me that morning and said, ‘This is wonderful. Can I have 43 more?’” Parker recalled with a laugh.

Klamath Snowflake Festival Eagle Ridge New Tech High School

At Pelican Elementary School, each morning begins with something simple yet powerful, a connection. From the moment students step onto school, staff members across the building model what Klamath Falls City Schools’ Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) initiative looks like in action. Pelican TOSA Shannon Kappas and clerical secretary Allison Phair greet students at the door and front office with smiles, waves, or fist bumps, offering a warm start to the day.

Inside second grade instructor Nichole Dotson’s classroom, the CKH approach is clear the moment breakfast trays hit the tables. Students settle in for “good things,”a daily practice where children can share something positive in their lives, from a fun moment at home to excitement about upcoming activities. It’s a calm, structured beginning that lets Dotson set the tone for the day while ensuring her students feel seen, valued and safe.

“Good things happens right with breakfast,” Pelican Dean of Students Brandon Powell said , explaining how CKH expectations guide morning routines.

“Teachers greet students when they come in, then within the first ten minutes they’re doing their good things. During that time, kids get to ask follow-up questions, and teachers celebrate what they share. It’s a chance to dig deeper and help students feel heard.”

Dotson’s classroom is a busy place as students chat quietly, breakfast wrappers crinkle but she navigates it with steady warmth as her voice moves between gentle reminders and affirmations.

“Thank you for having a bubble,” Dotson tells her class as she prepares them for the day’s expectations. When a student settles quietly on the carpet, she praises them immediately: “Great job. Excellent listening.”

Much of Dotson’s guidance is rooted in the class’s social contract, a CKH tool created collaboratively by students at the start of the year. The contract outlines how students want to treat each other and how they want to be treated in return. When behaviors slip, Dotson encourages students to use a “check,” a silent reminder students offer each other to refocus.

“It simply reminds them to think, ‘What am I doing? What do I need to be doing?’” Dotson tells her students. “Are you being a role model? Are you using kind words? It’s just a reminder to make sure you’re following our social contract.”

During CKH walkthroughs at Pelican Elementary, Powell said staff look for small but meaningful signs of connection.

“We’re asking, are teachers greeting every kid when they come in? Are they celebrating students during good things? Are they referencing the social contract in a positive way? These little things build the culture,” Powell said.

“Our staff are really good. They’re saying hi to kids who aren’t even theirs. Sometimes you’ll see kids getting hugs from their previous teachers or fist bumps from teachers they might have next year. It’s really cool. A kid might be having a bad day, but walking into Pelican, they’re getting all these positive hellos.”

In Dotson's classroom, that feeling plays out in countless small routines and students know the expectations. They know they’ll be listened to. They know good things matter.

Whether it’s sharing excitement about a toy, a family moment, or simply being ready for the day, Dotson responds with the same encouraging consistency: “I love that. Thank you for sharing,” Dotson said.

Before the Thanksgiving break, students at KFCS had a chance to celebrate great attendance, part of the KFCS Attendance Initiative.

Purpose: To recognize coming to school may be challenging during the Holiday season. While we understand the importance of being with family and friends during the holiday season, we want to recognize those still making it to school everyday.

Time frame: November 10 through December 19.

Process: The class with the highest attendance percentage each week (Monday through Thursday) from each school receives an award/incentive on the Friday of that week.

Here are images of some of the classes who took part in the recognition, all earning higher than 96 percent attendance.

Roosevelt Elementary instructor, Jay Knodel’s 4th grader class, Conger Elementary instructor Kelly Phillips' class, Klamath Union High School instructor Bret Crawford's first period class and Ponderosa Middle School instructor, Sherri Kies' class.

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.

Here are photos of the Ponderosa Middle School bingo night put together by the Ponderosa PTO.

Thank you to all members of the Pondo PTO who helped students come away with an assortment of prizes, and an overall great night with friends and family.

Ponderosa instructors Shari and Brent Glidden were at hand to help call out numbers, along with members of Klamath Union's cheer team who helped with concessions.

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