By Kimberly Melton, The Oregonian
January 28, 2010, 8:24PM

Almost every chair in sight is pint-sized. Nearly every classroom has a rug for story time. Students actually like going to the principal's office where they can read to Spike and Coughdrop -- the school turtles. And assemblies bring cheers from the kids, especially when they get ice cream and Popsicles.

Five- and 6-year-olds rule at North Powellhurst School -- one of three in Oregon that serve only kindergartners. The school started out as a one-year stopgap while the David Douglas School District and city leaders tried to figure out how to build a new elementary school in the fast-growing outer east Portland area.

But the money hasn't come through. And now North Powellhurst is in its second year -- with no plans to close anytime soon.

Dear Parents:

We are excited as we head into Spring at North Powellhurst. Thank you for coming to conferences. As you heard, the children are making significant progress and are growing physically, academically, socially and emotionally. They are on their way for being well prepared for first grade. One of our school improvement goals is to have at least 92% of our students knowing all their letters, sounds and kindergarten sight words. Most students have either achieved this goal or are well on their way! Thanks so much for all the parents who have helped to support this goal!

We want to remind you the importance of regular attendance. We know that several nasty viruses have been floating around, but just as soon as your children are well we want them back to school. Those children who have consistent attendance are making greater gains both academically and socially.

By Tom Hallman Jr., The Oregonian
January 23, 2010, 4:10PM

The kindergartners have their coats on and packs slung over their backs when teacher Katherine Macomber calls them to the front of the class for the drawing. It's been a long day, and parents are waiting in the hall to take them home. But the kids scurry to sit, knee to knee, in a semicircle.

"So who's going to be the lucky one today?" Macomber asks. All hands go up.

In the back, a petite woman, a stranger to the kids, steps toward school Principal Kate Barker, who has come to watch the drawing. Tracy Oseran leans in and whispers: "This is the best reward I can get."

It's prize day, a twice-weekly event in every classroom at North Powellhurst School, a 275-student, kindergarten-only school in outer Southeast Portland. Without Oseran, many of the children and their families would go hungry.