Message from Superintendent Newton
Link to message from Superintendent Bill Newton including Mid Valley Elementary School students.
Content of this newsletter:
- Mid Valley Elementary School spotlight
- Calendar and upcoming activities
- School community listening sessions
- Kindergarten and new student enrollment is open
School board information
School-Based Health Center
Hood River County Health Department monthly tip
- Budget development information
School wellness policy
- School meals menus
Become a volunteer
Learn about opportunities for your students
Better Screen Time monthly tech tip
A Team Approach to Technology update
Job opportunities
Dual language program
School is focused on biliteracy, which can benefit students' academic and future opportunities
Kindergarten and new student enrollment is open
Hood River County School District is now enrolling kindergarten and new students for the 2025-26 school year! If your child will be five years old by September 1, it is time to enroll!
- New student enrollment is only for children who have not attended an HRCSD school during the 2024-25 school year.
- Enrollment is online—find the form on our website: 🔗 https://www.hoodriver.k12.or.us/our-district/enrollment
- Incoming kindergarten families—save the date for Kindergarten Open House! Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, at all neighborhood elementary schools
- Returning families: You will receive details about student verification this summer—please do not complete the new student form.
For questions, contact us at hrcsd.enrollment@hoodriver.k12.or.us or 541-386-2511. We look forward to welcoming our newest learners!
Last month's school board meeting
The school board meeting agendas include reports and action items. Here are a couple of highlights from the last two school board meetings:
- Mid Valley Elementary School Report: Mid Valley Elementary shared an inspiring school report showcasing significant growth in student data and family engagement. The presentation also highlighted a meaningful partnership between the PTO and local artist Mark Nilsson, who was recognized for his stunning mural addition to the school (picture to right).
- Budget Update: Superintendent Newton and Chief Financial Officer DeMoss provided the board with a budget update, outlining ongoing efforts to navigate state and federal funding changes, declining enrollment, and budget deficits. The board commended their transparency and commitment to keeping the community informed as they work through the budget process.
- 2025-26 School Calendar Approved: The board officially adopted the 2025-26 school year calendar. Families can access the approved calendar on the school district website.
To learn more about school board meetings, including the schedule, livestream link, and board meeting materials, please visit this HRCSD webpage. (Our District>School Board>School Board Meetings)
School-Based Health Center offers help with immunizations
Spring season is almost here and it’s the perfect time for students to get active by joining your school's spring sports team. Physical activity and team participations is so important your student’s health, let us help you make sure they are ready! If your child is due for a sports physical the School-Based Health Center is here to support you and your student with a comprehensive check-up that helps ensure students are physically fit and healthy enough to safely participate in their chosen activities.
Keep the School-Based Health Center in mind if needing to schedule your student’s sports physical where we can often schedule same-day or next-day appointments. And don’t forget, we are also available for your urgent care needs if your child is feeling unwell or if you have other health concerns, including convenient access to mental health supports!
We are open Monday- Thursday 8am-5pm and Fridays 8am-2pm. Please call or text (541) 308-8345 or visit our website https://www.onecommunityhealth.org/sbhc to schedule an appointment.
Hood River County Health Department monthly tip
Oral health is important to your overall health
😬 Brush your teeth twice a day
😃 Clean between your teeth daily
😋 Eat a healthy diet that limits sugar
😁 See your dentist regularly
Some dental services are free for all Hood River County School District students. Please contact your child's school for more information. If you have Oregon Health Plan (OHP) coverage, you may be eligible for free dental care. Raul at the health department can help you understand your benefits, navigate the system, and check your OHP eligibility for free. Call 541-386-1115 to set up a time to meet with him in person or over the phone.
Monthly Recipe: Dry-Roasted Garbanzo Beans
This month, we are featuring a delicious and nutritious snack from OSU Extension’s Food Hero program—Dry-Roasted Garbanzo Beans! Packed with flavor and a satisfying crunch, these crispy beans are seasoned with garlic, onion, dill, and parsley, making them a perfect snack for any time of the day. Ashleigh Wajtyna, Education Program Assistant with Oregon State University Extension Service will be out in elementary schools later this month, taste-testing this recipe with students. Try making a batch at home!
School meals menus
This HRCSD webpage (Department>Nutrition Services>Menus) includes the March breakfast and lunch menus for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Tech tip #7: Have regular Tech Check-ins to help kids reflect on their digital choices.
Parents often ask if they should check their child or teen's devices. They worry about invading their privacy or breaking trust. As parents, our children's safety should be one of our top priorities. Unfortunately, many kids and teens are exposed to unsafe situations online and it's our job to prevent these harms as much as possible, and to guide our children when they encounter predators, cyberbullying, pornography, and other digital dangers.
We need to check devices and apps, and we can do it in a way that is respectful and promotes conversation and teaching rather than "spying." We've found it helpful to check in every few weeks, but you may decide to do it more or less often depending on your child's age and digital habits.
Here are a few ideas to help you with a Tech Check:
Tell your child/teen that a parent/caregiver will check devices since the internet was not built with safety and young people in mind.
Check the devices with your child/teen in the room with you.
Scan apps, texts, email, etc. for any red flags. This could be anything that feels alarming to you.
Ask your child/teen about it. Let them know they are not in trouble, you would just like to know more. If changes need to be made to time spent, content being viewed, or online connections, make a plan together.
Thank your child/teen for the good choices they have made on a device and remember to keep checking in.
Remember a Tech Check isn't a reason to spy on your child, it's an opportunity to start important and vital conversations about your child's tech use and to make a plan on how you can help them to make even better digital choices.
Partnering on thoughtful technology use in schools
Our school district continues to take A Team Approach to Technology, working together with educators, families, and students to create a balanced and supportive learning environment. Through the Technology Task Force and ongoing conversations, we are committed to thoughtful decision-making around both personal and school-issued devices, ensuring students can focus on learning while developing responsible digital habits.
This school year, we have made several key strides in our efforts. The school board adopted a revised personal electronic device policy, reinforcing our commitment to a phone-free school environment to support engagement, focus, and well-being. We are also developing clearer procedures for school-issued devices, including guidelines on app usage, digital literacy, and classroom management strategies. As we continue this work, we appreciate the valuable input from our school community and will keep you updated on next steps. Thank you for your partnership in helping students navigate technology in a way that enhances learning and personal growth.
Learn about opportunities for your student
We use Peachjar to share digital flyers containing school and community resources. Please visit this Peachjar website for current opportunities for Hood River County School District students.
