The Eagle Eye

Children are the heart of Imlay!

Dear Imlay Families,

Welcome to The Eagle Eye! This newsletter will be distributed weekly during comprehensive distance learning (CDL) in an effort to streamline communication from Imlay Elementary.

From Principal McCalley

Dear Imlay Families,

What a wonderful couple of weeks we have had with our students in hybrid back on campus. In addition, seeing the faces of our students remaining in CDL, projected on screens and interacting with peers, was wonderful to experience. Thank you for your patience as we all get our feet underneath us during this transition. In particular, you have been AMAZING during drop off and dismissal pick up. I've never seen the parking lot run so smoothly. You are appreciated!

The state testing waiver (for the Smarter Balanced Assessment) ODE applied for was partially denied, and as a state we have been asked to come up with an alternative testing plan. Currently ODE is greatly reducing testing for each grade 3-6th and is narrowing it down to be about 80 minutes of testing maximum per student. Rest assured, when I know exactly what this will look like for our students at Imlay, I will communicate with you all. As a heads up, if you are planning to opt out your 3rd-6th grade student there will be a form to do so. Please be watching for more information in the next couple of weeks.

We will be teaching our Comprehensive Sexual Education lessons beginning the week of April 26th. Please see the last Eagle Eye for information regarding these lessons. Just a reminder, if you want to opt your student out, we will need to know exactly what lesson (Name and number) you do not want your child participating in and the form must be turned in prior to the lessons beginning.

Lastly, I have been getting questions about what next year will look like. At this time, we are not certain and are awaiting guidance from ODE and seeing how vaccinations roll out. HSD will continue to communicate about future plans. One thing we need from you is feedback on your family's experience with CDL. Please take this survey before 4/22 to provide input. Thank you!

Yours in Eagle Pride,

Jen McCalley

Imlay School's Guide for Student Classroom Placement

IMLAY SCHOOL GUIDE FOR STUDENT CLASSROOM PLACEMENT
Each Spring, plans for the next school year begin to take shape. Classroom assignments for students are one of the important decisions made. Information from a number of sources is used to make the most effective placement. Teachers who know individual students provide much of the information. Parents have insights about past learning experiences, personality traits, and out-of-school friendships. The purpose of this guide is to clarity the placement process at Imlay Elementary.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF STUDENT PLACEMENT?
It is our goal to have all students in instructional settings that will allow them to learn as much as possible in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Classrooms are heterogeneous in their makeup. The means each class has a wide variety of talents, abilities and interests. A well balanced classroom is in everyone’s best interest. It is also our intent to match teacher strengths to student’s needs and talents.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLACING STUDENTS IN CLASSROOMS?
Student placement is done cooperatively by the principal & staff with parent input (this form).

MAY PARENTS HELP THE PRINCIPAL MAKE THE APPROPRIATE ASSIGNMENT?
Yes, by filling out a Classroom Assignment Information Form. Forms returned by April 30th will be used in the assignment process. Please do NOT request a specific teacher by name.

WHAT CRITERIA IS USED FOR PLACEMENT?
There are many variables which affect the assignment process. Some of these are input from staff and parents, academic performance, behavior, special needs/programs, peer relationships, gender, ethnicity, and teacher style.

MAY PARENTS HAVE INPUT IN THE CHOICE OF THEIR CHILD’S TEACHER?
Parents can let the principal know the specific needs their child possesses so the most appropriate assignment can be made. Imlay has a very strong staff. If parents can describe the needs of their child clearly, we will be able to match those needs with a teacher’s strengths. The present teacher is able to give input and make recommendations regarding the placement variables. Please do not ask your current teacher to place your child in a certain class for next year.

WHY WOULD THIS PROCESS BE EFFECTIVE?
The staff knows the children as students and learners, the parents know the students as children, and the Principal, who knows the staff, will be working together in selecting the most appropriate placement for the next school year. Teamwork is essential!

WHEN ARE CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS MADE?
Tentative class lists are developed in June. Assignments may be available at the Ice Cream Social.

HOW WILL THIS FORM BE USED? WHO WILL SEE IT?

The staff and principal will work together to make tentative assignments. The principal will then review each form and review the classroom assignments and make adjustments as needed. The Assignment Information Forms will then be filed in the principal’s office for the remainder of the school year.

Here is a link to the form in English and in Spanish!

Meals for CDL Students @ Imlay

For families who have chosen to stay in CDL, you have the option to request 5 day meal packs from nutrition services. Below is the link to the form you will need to fill in, to request your meal pack. At this time, the only option is to request the full 5 days. In addition, forms for these meal packs need to be turned in WEEKLY by Friday at 8AM, to pick up your pack on Thursday or Friday of the next week. Questions? Please reach out to Imlay Elementary!

5 Day Meal Request Form

(The above request form closes Fridays at 8AM and reopens Monday mornings)

2021-22 Academic Calendar for HSD

At their meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 16, the School Board unanimously approved the calendar for the 2021-22 school year.

The year will officially begin with a “soft start” on Sep. 7 and 8, similar to the one we had in Sep. 2020, where staff will make connections with students and families. Classes will begin for all students on Thursday, Sep. 9.

The only other big change is that fall conferences have been moved to Thanksgiving week to reduce the number of no-school days in November.

You can access the 2021-22 calendar on the Calendar page of our website.

Kindergarten Registration for 2021-22

Dear Imlay Families,

It is the time of year when we begin to identify children who qualify to attend kindergarten in September 2021. In the State of Oregon, children must turn 5 years old by 09/01/2021 in order to attend public school.

Kindergarten registration starts March 1st, 2021 for the 2021-2022 school year. If you have a child who is eligible for kindergarten in September 2021, please contact the school office or the HSD website at www.hsd.k12.or.us for online registration information.

If you know of a family who may have a child who should start kindergarten in the fall, please pass this information along to them or ask them to call 503-844-1090 for more information.

Thank you for your assistance, and we look forward to welcoming the graduating class of 2034!

~Principal McCalley

Health Instruction Information

Dear Imlay Elementary Parents/Guardians:

The Hillsboro School District (HSD) recognizes the importance of supporting the physical, emotional, and social health and well-being of our students, and provides health education lessons to our students on an annual basis. Oregon’s Health Education Standards require the instruction of health-enhancing skills (such as accessing information, analyzing influences, decision-making, goal-setting, and interpersonal communication) and concepts that are meant to build students’ health literacy and prepare them to live healthy lives. Performance Indicators related to each of the Standards cover the following topics across all grades:

Wellness

Injury Care & Prevention

Promotion of Healthy Eating

Disease Prevention

Mental, Social, & Emotional Health

Promotion of Physical Activity

Environmental Health

Drug Prevention

Sexual Health & Violence Prevention

All instruction is based on Oregon Law and the comprehensive Oregon Health Education Standards and Performance Indicators adopted by the Oregon State Board of Education in December of 2016 and is delivered by skilled, caring, and dedicated staff who are committed to supporting each student’s academic and personal growth in a safe, inclusive environment.

Per Oregon law, school districts are required to develop a more specific plan for the provision “Comprehensive Sexuality Education.” Three key laws guide our sexuality education efforts:

Human Sexuality Education (2009),
Healthy Teen Relationships (2013), and
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education (2015)

In communication with superintendents and principals, the Director of the Oregon Department of Education, Colt Gill, explained that “These laws provide for consistent instruction, are based on the most current evidence and best practices, and equip students with the knowledge and skills to realize their health, well-being, and educational goals. Sexuality education supports young people with skills to delay sexual initiation, prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), promote their own health, and reduce sexual violence, harassment, and bullying.”

5th and 6th grade parents/guardians- Students get lessons on adolescent development and human reproduction in groups by gender. In our Comprehensive Sexuality Plan, we have tried to not reinforce gender binary, nor do we intend to exclude students who identify as transgender or non-binary from any part of our instructional programs. For the purpose of these specific lessons, we predict that some students will feel more safe and more free to ask questions if they are allowed to experience the lessons in gender-specific groups. We will allow students to attend the lessons of the gender with which they identify, and we will offer a small group setting facilitated by Ms. Zephirin, school counselor, for students who do not wish to attend the boys group or the girls group.

HSD’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education Plan includes the right of parents/guardians to be notified of upcoming sexual health lessons (as is the purpose of this letter), to review instructional materials, and to propose alternative learning activities for their student(s) if they choose to.

Below, you will find information related to our delivery of sexuality education this year:

All grades April 30, May 3-7, 2021 First 20-30 minutes of the day in every grade level

As a parent/guardian, we encourage you to learn more about our K-12 Comprehensive Sexuality Plan and teaching materials. To make this as easy as possible, we have posted documents on our Comprehensive Sexuality Education Plan website that outline the standards, curricula, and instructional materials used at each grade-level. (Note: If/when materials cannot be posted online due to copyright restrictions, you may call the school and make an appointment to view them in person.) Remember, parents/guardians have the right to utilize our opt-out process if they wish to have their student(s) participate in alternate activities during sexual health instruction (Opt-Out Form).

If you have any questions/concerns about the health curriculum, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Sincerely,

Principal Jen McCalley, Imlay Elementary School

Additional Information

HSD’s Health Education Overview

ODE’s Health Education Website

ODE’s Sexuality Education: Frequently Asked Questions

HSD’s Resources for Families

*Link to the 5th & 6th Grade “Always Changing” Co-Ed Video on Adolescent Development from P&G