August 24, 2023 - On Wednesday, Aug. 23 HSD held a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Tamarack Elementary School - its 27th elementary school and final major project of the district’s $515 million 2017 capital construction bond. More than 600 community members, staff, students, contractors, community partners, and elected officials were in attendance for the festivities. U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici joined Superintendent Reiman, Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway, School Board Chair Mark Watson, and Principal Christy Walters in delivering remarks. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees were welcomed into the school for tours, celebratory cake, photo opportunities, and meeting teachers.

Tamarack Elementary School was constructed on an eight-acre site for $40.8 million, the third and final new school based on a prototype already built at Brookwood and Atfalati Ridge Elementary Schools. With a capacity of 600 students in the 73,500 square-foot, two-story building,Tamarack will serve as an academic and community center for the developing South Hillsboro area. Special features of the school include: a solar rooftop array; a lighted, synthetic turf field striped for youth soccer and baseball/softball; and beautiful murals along the central hallway, called “learning street,” that represent the seasons in a tamarack forest. The school’s mascot, the river otter, is prominently incorporated in these landscapes. Also housed at Tamarack are K-8 Hillsboro Online Academy teachers and staff. Scroll down to see 51 photo highlights...

Evento destacado: Gran inauguración de la Escuela Primaria Tamarack
El miércoles, 23 de agosto, HSD llevó a cabo una ceremonia de inauguración y corte de listón para la Escuela Primaria Tamarack, su escuela primaria número 27 y el último gran proyecto del bono de construcción de capital de 2017 de $515 millones del distrito. Más de 600 miembros de la comunidad, miembros del personal, estudiantes, contratistas, socios comunitarios y funcionarios electos asistieron a las festividades. La congresista estadounidense Suzanne Bonamici acompañó al superintendente Reiman, al alcalde de Hillsboro, Steve Callaway, al presidente de la Mesa Directiva, Mark Watson, y a la directora Christy Walters para brindar sus discursos inaugurales. Después de la ceremonia de inauguración, los asistentes fueron recibidos en la escuela para realizar recorridos, comer una rebanada de pastel de celebración, tomar fotografías y conocer a los maestros.

La Escuela Primaria Tamarack fue construida en un terreno de ocho acres por $40.8 millones y fue la tercera escuela nueva basada en un prototipo ya utilizado en las escuelas primarias Brookwood y Atfalati Ridge. Con una capacidad de 600 estudiantes, el edificio de Tamarack de 73,500 pies cuadrados y dos pisos servirá como un centro académico y comunitario para el área en desarrollo del Sur de Hillsboro. 

Las características especiales de la escuela incluyen: una matriz solar ubicada en su techo; un campo de césped artificial iluminado y marcado para los juegos de fútbol juvenil y béisbol/softbol; y hermosos murales a lo largo del pasillo central, llamado «La calle del aprendizaje», que representan las estaciones que se producen en un bosque de alerces. La mascota de la escuela, nutria de río, está incorporada destacadamente en estos paisajes. 

El edificio de Tamarack también cuenta con la presencia de maestros y miembros del personal de Hillsboro Online Academy K-8. Desplácese hacia abajo para ver 51 fotografías destacadas...

Photo 1: installation of the seasonal murals on learning street is now complete, highlighting the tamarack forest in spring, summer, fall and winter.

Photo 2: the addition of the spring and fall murals completes the installation.

Photo 3: the secure entry vestibule is nearly complete; a mural with all seasons of the tamarack forest represented greets visitors as they enter.

Photo 4: the main office is ready for visitors as staff go over the equipment.

Photos 5 and 6: colorful rugs appropriate to each classroom grade level add to the finishing touches and match the environmental theme of the school.

It's down to the finishes! Crew members are working to complete the murals, lighting, gym and playgrounds. Hydroseeding and landscape cleanup will be coming soon.

Photos 1 and 2: the "summer" mural is being installed, the second of four murals on learning street. The crew affixes and smooths each panel to assemble the whole picture.

Photos 3 and 4: pendant lamps are going into the learning areas.

Photo 5: an initial varnish coat and striping have been added to the wooden gym floor.

Photos 6 and 7: protective rubberized tiles are being added to the playground area and swingset.

With the building structure, tiles and painting completed, work now moves to the final finishes that help to secure the building, complete the gym, and add school spirit to the building.

Photos 1 and 2: installation of the secure entry vestibule is taking place next to the main office. Visitors will be required to check in at the office before they can pass through the second set of doors into the building.

Photo 3: the gym floor continues to be assembled.

Photo 4: the winter mural has been installed, the first of four seasonal scenes that will be placed along learning street (another mural representing all the seasons will be installed at the building entrance).

Photo 5: the remaining pylons await installation of their seasonal mural.

Photo 6: the Tamarack horizontal logo has been added above the serving line in the cafeteria.

Photo 7: the circular badge logo appears in the gym adjacent to the stage.

Photo 8: the folding door is being installed between the gym and cafeteria, enabling closure to separate the spaces as needed.

Photo 1: walkways and landscaping continue to be installed around the campus.

Photo 2: the main entrance and courtyard are nearly complete.

Photos 3 and 4: furniture has been moved into the classrooms, ready to be arranged.

Photo 5: technology staff work on unpacking student Chromebooks and staff computers and moving the equipment into their respective classrooms.

Photo 6: panels are being added to finish up the main office.

Photo 7: installation of the gym floor has started, with the wood slats arranged in position.

Photo 8: crew members apply the gym floor underlayment before the wood slats are placed.

It takes a lot of hands to move furnishings into the new school building. Several students from Century High School volunteered part of their summer to unpack and place equipment, furniture and books into their proper rooms.

As the campus gets closer to its substantial completion date of June 30 (enabling occupancy), finishes such as carpeting, cabinetry and doors are being installed throughout the building, and sitework such as paving and concrete is nearly done. Note that landscaping, wall graphics, and other final touches will continue after this date.

Photo 1: carpeting and countertops are being installed in the main office.

Photo 2: installation of cabinetry is complete in the staff workroom.

Photo 3: with all the ceiling tiles in, this classroom is ready for furniture to be moved in.

Photo 4: glass now encloses the think tank area, which will provide a space for students to collaborate.

Photo 5: partitions and doors have been installed for the restroom stalls.

Photo 6: members of the volunteer Citizens Bond Oversight Committee gather in the media center to listen to an update on the project.

Photo 7: student volunteers from Century helped shelve the hundreds of books in the bookcases.

Photo 8: the CBOC members look out over the gym from the stage area.

Photo 9: acoustic tiles have been applied on the stage/music room walls.

Photo 10: outside, the "boulder" seats are arranged in the outdoor learning area.

Photo 1: an aerial view of the paving work; the east (parent) parking lot has been fully paved, while the west (bus dropoff) parking lot is undergoing paving.

Photo 2: the asphalt crew lays out and smooths the asphalt from the dump truck.

Photo 3: crew members set up the reinforcing bars for a concrete walkway.

Photo 4: asphalt has been poured for the hard play areas.

Photo 5: storefront windows and doors have been installed into the gym.

Photo 6: the serving counter and roll-up window are now in place in the kitchen/cafeteria area.

Photo 7: the covered outdoor play area serves as a storage/staging area for additional doors and windows.

Photo 8: crew members push bookcases in place in the media center.

Photo 9: cabinetry is being installed in the main office.

Photo 10: painting continues in the think tank, learning street and other areas of the building.

Photo 1: exterior siding has been installed on the south side of the building (along Kinnaman Street) and the outdoor learning area is taking shape.

Photo 2: concrete has been poured for additional walkways and the bases for the playgrounds, creating more definition at the north of the building.

Photo 3: once the concrete is poured, it needs to be leveled and smoothed out.

Photo 4: "boulder" seats are incorporated into the concrete edges of the outdoor learning area.

Photo 5: the front door has been installed at the main entrance to the building, and rails have been added to the walls to anchor exterior siding.

Photo 6: the media center is now fully painted and cabinetry is starting to be installed. A crew member buffs the concrete floor.

Photo 7: tilework and sink installations are completed in one of the bathrooms.

Photo 8: in the kitchen, appliances are starting to be installed.

Photo 1: crews are installing hardscaping for the playground bases and for sidewalks inside the campus.

Photo 2: on the south side of the building, siding is being added to the exterior walls and work continues on the outdoor learning area and swale.

Photo 3: inside, the stainless steel work surfaces are being installed in the kitchen.

Photo 4: painting of the gym ceiling is complete.

Photo 5: a crew member seals the joints in the HVAC ductwork.

Photo 6: sheetrocking is nearly complete on learning street.

Photo 7: the media center is painted and being prepped for cabinetry installation.

Photo 8: tile is being installed in the bathroooms.

Photo 9: cabinetry, tack and white boards, and classroom technology has now been installed in all classrooms.

Photo 1: this aerial photo shows the completion of roofing work on top of the building. In the foreground, the covered play area has been fully roofed.

Photo 2: crew members distribute rock ballast on the rooftop. The ballast offers protection from heat and wind, and distributes weight across the roof. After being hauled up via a loader, the rock is distributed across the roof with a spreader and evened out with rakes.

Photo 3: the outdoor learning area is being framed for a concrete pour. Seating "boulders" are moved to their designated places.

Photo 4: the gym ceiling is being painted as a crew member outside checks the window seals now that the exterior brick has been installed.

Photo 5: sheetrock is being custom-cut in the think tank area.

Photo 6: projectors are being installed in all classrooms, part of the classroom technology package.

Photo 7: the elevator has been installed and ready to be wired up.

Photos 1 and 2: these aerial photos show the site work in progress, including hardscaping for the playground, roofing for the covered play structure, and the solar panels recently installed on the building.

Photo 3: crew members frame the area for the base of the playground swings.

Photo 4: sheetrocking continues throughout the building interior, including tricky cutting and placement around the cafeteria area ceiling.

Photo 5: concrete is buffed along learning street to prepare for polishing.

Photo 6: the glass doors have been installed for entry into the STEAM lab.

Photo 7: sheetrocking of the pylons along learning street is nearly complete to prepare for installation of graphic murals.

Photo 8: crew members install large HVAC ductwork along a second-floor classroom hallway.

Photo 9: installation of tackboards and marker boards follow after painting of classrooms.

Photo 1: roofing work and hardscaping for the playground area continues.

Photo 2: concrete has been poured for the outdoor learning area.

Photo 3: in the gym, sheetrock and low-voltage wiring continue to be installed.

Photo 4: sheetrocking of the pylons along learning street and installation of the ceiling panels underneath has begun.

Photo 5: on the second floor, finishing of the think tank and adjacent learning area continues.

Photo 6: nearly all of the classrooms have been painted, with installation of cabinetry and countertops following the painting.

Photo 1: it was a beautiful day for roofing the building and continuing to construct the top of the covered play area.

Photo 2: rubberized pellets have been added to the nearly-complete synthetic turf field.

Photo 3: crew members work on framing the hardscaping around the playground area.

Photo 4: the base of the outdoor learning area is being compacted to prepare for a concrete pour.

Photo 5: windows have been installed and sheetrocking continues in the gym.

Photo 6: framing work is in progress under the clerestory windows overlooking the learning street.

Photo 7: a second-floor classroom in the northeast corner is ready for painting.

Photo 8: in a kinder classroom on the first floor, windows have been installed and cabinetry is nearly complete.

Take a walk through the Tamarack construction site in this video:

Preparing for the School's Opening

Planning for the school year has started in earnest at Tamarack — one of the highlights is the coordination of STEM and environmental science programming with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). A tour of the project site on Friday, April 14, guided by Principal Christy Walters, provided insight into the available spaces and potential areas for curricular and programming activities.

In addition to four group learning areas, the school also houses a STEAM lab, video production lab, and a think tank group work area.

Photo 1: visiting the site were: Dave Laubenthal, OMSI Creative Director; Steve Tritz, OMSI Senior Director of Statewide and Community Engagement; Abby Jones, Tamarack planning teacher (6th grade); Christy Walters, Tamarack principal; and Sharon Angal, Tamarack planning teacher (2nd grade).

Photo 2: Ms. Walters highlights features of one of the learning areas and the view of the learning street beyond.

Photo 3: 6th-grade teacher Abby Jones sees her new, second-floor classroom for the first time, at the northeast corner of the building.

Photo 4: 2nd-grade teacher Sharon Angal claims her new classroom, located in the middle of the second floor.

Photo 5: the planning group checks out the area for the think tank, which is just starting to be framed. The think tank will be a glass-enclosed collaborative workspace for student groups to work on and present their projects.

Photo 1: at the entrance to the school, windows have been framed and crew members are installing sheathing under the canopy.

Photo 2: the kitchen is getting sheetrocked.

Photo 3: concrete has been poured for the steps in the middle of the gym benches.

Photo 4: a crew member determines placement for a plumbing elbow in a second-floor ceiling.

Photo 5: plumbing is being installed in a second-floor restroom.

Photo 6: a crew member bends a conduit to fit above the media center.

Photo 7: casework is starting to be installed in painted classrooms, including these cubbies and cupboards.

Photo 8: cabinetry casework is also installed below the windows.

Photo 9: the culmination of data wiring will be the network room, which will house servers as well as connections to the district's fiber optic network.

Photo 1: this aerial view shows the start of hardscaping between the field and building as well as continued work on the covered play area and building exterior.

Photo 2: masons add brick from the bottom to the top of the exterior of the gym.

Photo 3: a crew member prepares for a concrete pour for the steps in the middle of the gym benches.

Photo 4: concrete pours are also taking place on the stairway landings.

Photo 5: hoods and other equipment are starting to be installed in the kitchen.

Photo 6: a crew member works on the electrical connections to a circuit box.

Photo 7: the elevator chute has been framed on the second floor.

Photo 8: after drywall installation and taping is done, painting of the classrooms progresses.

Photo 9: in the courtyard learning area, insulation is being added under the canopy rooftop.

Photo 1: framing of the offices shows through the entrance of the school; above, windows are being framed on the second floor.

Photo 2: members of the Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee are shown the location of a mural highlighting the spring season of a tamarack forest.

Photo 3: the bottom portion of the gym's concrete benches have been poured.

Photo 4: a crew member adds insulation to the overhead plumbing.

Photo 5: drywall mud is being smoothed in one of the classrooms.

Photo 6: a soffit is being added off of a classroom ceiling.

Photo 7: HVAC ductwork is being installed in the classroooms.

Photo 8: crew members continue adding brick to the building exterior.

Photo 1: construction of the front entrance to the building continues as crew members apply roofing tar above.

Photo 2: a mason applies finishing brick to a corner wall of the courtyard.

Photo 3: strips are applied over insulation to provide seam backing for exterior wall panels.

Photo 4: one crew member guides data wiring along a holding "basket" while another pulls it through; nearly 15 miles of wiring for devices and access points are being installed throughout the building.

Photo 5: insulation is being cut to size to fit into the wall frames.

Photo 6: crew members cut ductwork pieces to fit the HVAC duct pathways.

Photo 7: it's a team effort to fit and connect HVAC duct pieces together.

Photo 8: concrete has been poured into the first level of the gym benches.

Photo 1: this aerial view shows continued framing of the front entry and roofwork.

Photo 2: exterior insulation is being applied around the windows along the building's back walls as well as backing strips for the exterior panels.

Photo 3: in the rear courtyard, bricklaying of the wall is nearly complete.

Photo 4: crew members are constructing the forms for the concrete benches in the gym, surrounded by ductwork yet to be installed.

Photo 5: framing surrounds one of the second-floor learning areas.

Photo 6: a crew member works on the plumbing for one of the bathroom areas.

Photo 7: drywall is cut to fit over the remaining wall framing in one of the classrooms.

Photo 8: a second-floor classroom's walls are nearly finished; protective paper covers the concrete floor.

Photo 1: offices in the administration wing are being framed as the front entrance becomes more defined.

Photo 2: brick is being applied on the exterior of the building; this is the southeast corner of the school building.

Photo 3: brickwork lines the wall of the rear courtyard.

Photo 4: windows have now been installed in over half of the building.

Photo 5: framing is nearly complete along learning street; clerestory windows above the gym will bring in natural daylighting.

Photo 6: drywall installation in the kitchen area is complete.

Photo 7: drywall also has been installed on most of the first-floor classroom walls on the west side of the building.

Photo 8: westside second-floor classrooms are undergoing installation of drywall.

Photos 1 and 2: framing for windows is being constructed. Some windows already have been installed for initial testing against water intrusion; the rest will follow once the installation method has been verified.

Photos 3 and 4: roof timbers are being installed over the covered play area.

Photos 5 and 6: decorative finishing brick is being laid over sheathed exterior walls.

Photos 7 and 8: interior work also continues as crew members install electrical conduit and wiring for lighting, power and security systems.

Photo 1: drywall is starting to go up in the hallway for the utility rooms as well as the rest of the kitchen area.

Photo 2: overhead work continues in the gym to add fire sprinklers and conduit and to prepare for installation of HVAC ductwork.

Photo 3: the view of learning street to the east shows framing progress so far of classrooms and other spaces.

Photo 4: a welder secures roof beams and joists over the administration area.

Photo 5: framing is going up in the office areas in the administration area.

Photo 6: hardscaping is starting to be installed at the front of the school.

Photo 7: trees and other landscaping are ready to be planted in the beds of the parent dropoff/parking lot.

Photo 8: this aerial views shows the progress on the exterior and roofing so far.

A time-lapse video of construction from Feb. 2022 - Jan. 2023:

Photos 1 and 2: these aerial views show exterior construction progress to date, from the front of the school (facing southeast) and the back of the school (facing northwest).

Photo 3: crew members prepare a roof section with weatherproofing underlayers where the solar panels will be installed.

Photo 4: masons construct the trash enclosure outside of the kitchen area.

Photo 5: a crew member walks along the first floor of the learning street, in front of where a learning area and the STEAM lab will be constructed.

Photo 6: grids are installed under the roof to secure conduit lines. At the left is a doorframe into what will be an electrical room off of the stairwell.

Photo 7: a view of learning street and classroom construction so far from the second floor.

Photo 8: the courtyard area at the back of the school is being constructed behind the media center.

Photo 1: work continues on framing the administration section of the building.

Photo 2: a view of construction from the second floor along learning street facing west.

Photo 3: second-floor classrooms are being enclosed with framing.

Photo 4: a view of construction from the second floor along learning street facing east; the roofing canopy is nearly halfway done.

Photo 5: a crew member prepares wiring for ceiling fixtures in the kitchen area.

Photo 6: masons construct a concrete enclosure for equipment outside the kitchen area.

Photo 7: this aerial view to the south provides perspective of the extent of construction on the campus, including the site for the covered play area and the start of walkways along the campus.

Photo 7: the view of the campus to the north shows sheathing about halfway complete along the back of the building.

Photo 1: crew members begin adding forms for concrete pathways between the building and parking lot.

Photo 2: framing is being erected for the first-floor classroom walls along the learning street.

Photo 3: on the second floor, framing continues along the perimeter at the back of the building.

Photo 4: the view of learning street toward the east shows the current progress of interior construction.

Photo 5: masons are building up the play wall between the posts for the covered play area.