
The Weekly Update #4
February 2nd, 2025

Superintendent's Corner (Staff) Volume 1, No. 8 February 4, 2025
CBSD Team,
As we begin S2, I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the significant progress we have made last semester in the CBSD. Our shared commitment to student success has resulted in notable improvements in attendance, reduced failure rates, and the continued implementation of the Science of Reading and PLC framework These achievements reflect the dedication and expertise of our educators and staff.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on key strategic priorities—our Big Rocks—that will drive continued growth and improvement across the district. This includes strengthening our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), refining the master schedule process, leveraging data-driven instruction, and expanding student support systems to ensure every learner has the resources they need to succeed.
Additionally, we are actively working to finalize the district’s Tsunami Evacuation Protocols as part of our ongoing commitment to student and staff safety. For more details, I encourage you to listen to our Podcast (below) summarizing the district’s recent Community Meetings.
While individual school improvement efforts are valuable, district-level leadership and systemic coherence are critical in achieving widespread and lasting improvements. High-performing districts do not see themselves as bureaucracies managing schools; they see themselves as "engines of instructional improvement."
A coherent district-wide strategy ensures that all schools operate under the same guiding principles and expectations, fostering consistency and equity in student outcomes. "A fragmented system produces inconsistent results, while a unified system can raise achievement across all schools."
To sustain improvement, we must remain focused on system-wide alignment, high expectations, and a shared commitment to student achievement. Our continued success will come from collaboration, instructional leadership, and a strategic approach to improvement, ensuring that, "ALL students have great schools, teachers, and principals by design, not luck."
Our work is grounded in the belief that "the students who need the most deserve the best" and that "the smartest person in the room is the room." The progress we are making is not the result of chance but rather the outcome of intentional, collaborative efforts to provide high-quality education for every student.
In the CBSD, our mission is clear: "Know ALL students by name, strength, and needs, and ALL students will graduate with a plan: Enrolled, Employed, or Enlisted (3Es)."
One Compass--One Goal--One Mission,
Dr. Ainsworth
CBSD Podcast Alert!
The Coos Bay School District is excited to share our latest podcast episode: "Tsunami Preparedness & Safety"! This episode was produced using an innovative new AI tool, incorporating valuable insights from our recent community preparedness meeting, held in partnership with the City of Coos Bay, Coos Bay Police, and Coos Bay Fire, along with information from official government resources. Listen now to learn about warning signs, emergency response plans, and how you can take proactive steps to stay safe in the event of a tsunami. Don’t miss this important information—spread the word and stay prepared!
Celebrating Our School Counselors – National School Counseling Week 2025
This week, we celebrate National School Counseling Week 2025 (Feb. 3-7), recognizing the invaluable contributions of our school counselors. The theme, "School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive," perfectly reflects the essential role our counselors play in ensuring student success.
From one-on-one conversations and social-emotional learning to academic planning and postsecondary guidance, our counselors are a critical part of our school community and infrastructure. They provide unwavering support, helping students navigate challenges, set goals, and prepare for bright futures.
If you get a chance, please take a moment to extend your gratitude to our school counselors for their dedication and commitment to our students. Their work makes a lasting impact on our schools, families, and community. Thank you to our incredible CBSD school counselors for everything you do!
January Sprint Glows!!!
1. Attendance Improvement Across the District
Attendance rates continue to improve across CBSD, with several schools seeing significant growth. Madison and Sunset are seeing steady improvements in attendance, reinforcing their commitment to student engagement. Eastside maintains some of the highest attendance rates in the district, ensuring students are present and ready to learn each day. Destinations has also seen significant attendance growth, helping to increase student engagement and success.
2. Literacy & Math Growth Accelerating
Student achievement in literacy and math is improving at all schools, with notable acceleration in specific grade bands. Eastside is leading the way with some of the highest growth rates in the district, demonstrating the impact of strong instructional practices and interventions.
3. Increased Engagement in SuccessMaker
SuccessMaker access and usage have increased at every elementary and middle school, with students spending significantly more time in personalized math learning. Millicoma continues to be a district leader in SuccessMaker engagement, setting the standard for ensuring students receive targeted support. Madison and Sunset are also making strides, meeting their SuccessMaker goals and showing meaningful gains in student math engagement.
4. Higher Pass Rates & Fewer Failing Grades
MHS Jr. achieved a 90% pass rate, demonstrating strong academic performance, while MHS reduced failing grades at every grade level. Destinations is also improving both attendance and overall pass rates, reflecting the commitment of students, staff, and families to academic success.
5. Resource Link’s Continued Excellence
Resource Link continues to provide outstanding service to families who seek a homeschool experience with greater flexibility. Their ability to support students in a personalized, student-centered environment remains a valuable option for many families in our district.
Overall, these data points highlight the momentum we are building in attendance, engagement, and academic performance
February Sprint Goals – Driving Student Success
Our February Sprint Goals remain a key strategy for improving student learning and ensuring continuous growth. These short-term, data-driven goals help focus our efforts on the most impactful areas, ensuring that students receive timely interventions and opportunities for success.
Elementary Schools
- Attendance by grade level and school (90% < goal schoolwide)
- Savvas Math Usage – Target: 60 minutes per week
- Character Strong Lessons – Ensuring weekly engagement
MHS Jr.
- Attendance by grade level and school (90% < goal schoolwide)
- Savvas Math Usage – Target: 60 minutes per week
- 90% Pass Rate – Striving for excellence in all subjects
MHS and Destinations
- Attendance by grade level and school (90% < goal schoolwide)
- 90% Pass Rate – Closing the gap and supporting all students
S2 Big Rocks
As we move into S2, our focus remains on key priorities that will drive student success, safety, and instructional excellence. These Big Rocks will guide our efforts and ensure we continue to provide high-quality learning experiences while strengthening district-wide systems.
- Developing Master Schedules for Next Year – Ensuring equitable access to instruction, interventions, and enrichment.
- Continuing with Sprint Goals – Keeping a data-driven focus on attendance, academic performance, and student engagement.
- Further Developing Our PLC Model – Strengthening collaboration, instructional practices, and data-informed decision-making.
- Providing 120 Minutes of Reading, Writing, and Discussion Per Day – Ensuring consistent, high-impact literacy instruction across all grade levels.
- Finalizing the District’s Tsunami Evacuation Protocols – Enhancing emergency preparedness to keep students and staff safe.
- Finalizing District Emergency Operations Procedures – Creating a comprehensive emergency response system for all schools.
- Teaching a Guaranteed and Viable District Curriculum – Ensuring all students have access to high-quality, aligned instruction that meets district standards.
- Preparing for Spring State Assessments and Advanced Placement (AP) Exams – Supporting students with targeted instruction, intervention, and test-taking strategies to ensure success.
- Developing Our Pathways to Proficiency Model at MHS – Expanding structured support to help students recover and master essential learning through Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions.
By prioritizing these Big Rocks, we are ensuring that every student is known by name, strength, and needs, and that ALL students graduate with a plan: Enrolled, Employed, or Enlisted (3Es).
Master Schedule Process – Aligning Priorities for Student Success
Principals will collaborate with district leadership, counselors and teacher leaders to develop next year’s master schedules, ensuring they align with school and district priorities. As we refine the development of the master schedule, we remain committed to the guiding principle that: “Classrooms should look like hallways, and master schedules should reflect district and school priorities.” The following list outlines the key goals driving the development of next year’s master schedules.
Elementary Master Schedule Goals:
- Increase instructional time for reading and mathematics
- Create equitable schedules across similar schools
- Improve access to special programs (life skills, music, PE, etc.)
- Reevaluate prep time to better support student learning
Secondary Master Schedule Goals:
- Strengthen directive Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for academic interventions
- Expand access to college-ready courses
- Increase middle school access to high school courses
- Evaluate Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) for efficiency and access
Adoption of the Oregon Data Suite Dashboard
CBSD has adopted a new data dashboard that is being used by all administrators and district office staff to drive performance and improve student outcomes. The Oregon Data Suite Dashboard enables us to:
Use Data for Instructional Improvement
Teachers and administrators can adjust teaching strategies, interventions, and resources based on real-time data. “In high-performing districts, data isn’t just collected—it’s analyzed, shared, and used to drive continuous improvement.”
Ensure Transparent Performance Metrics
The dashboard provides clear and accessible data to track progress toward district goals. "Transparency in data builds trust and fosters a shared commitment to student success.”
Implement Early Warning Systems for Struggling Students
By proactively identifying at-risk students, we can intervene early and provide targeted support.
"We must use data not just to report failures, but to prevent them.” With this data-driven approach, we are ensuring equity, accountability, and continuous improvement for all students.
Pathways to Proficiency Model at MHS
At MHS, we are implementing the Pathways to Proficiency model—a system designed to provide structured and directive support and additional time for students to recover and master essential learning from S1.
What is the Pathways to Proficiency Model?
The Pathways to Proficiency model does not replace courses but ensures students receive targeted support when needed. Teachers will continue using their professional judgment to identify students who would benefit from these opportunities. For example, students who received an Incomplete or F during S1 can recoup/recover essential learning during S2 to recover credit from the previous semester.
How does this model support struggling students?
This system shifts from an “opt-in” model to a proactive approach, where students automatically receive structured interventions. “Learning is the constant, and time is the variable.”
79 Days Left of High Quality Instruction
With only 79 days of instruction remaining, every moment in the classroom matters. To maximize student learning, we must focus on high-yield instructional practices, deliver high-quality Tier 1 instruction, and provide targeted, directive T2 and T3 interventions for students who need additional support. A key part of this effort is ensuring that all students engage in 120 minutes of reading, writing, and discussion each day, reinforcing critical thinking and literacy skills across all content areas. By being intentional, data-driven, and relentless in our commitment to student success, we can ensure that every student is prepared to graduate Enrolled, Employed, or Enlisted (3Es).