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Superintendent's Update

September 15, 2023

Superintendent's Update September 15, 2023

Centennial School District | May 3, 2024

Dear Centennial Colleagues, Students, Families & Community,


As we enter May, and our last full month of this school year, we find ourselves at the threshold of both reflection and anticipation. This allows us the opportunity to remember the challenges we’ve faced, the good times we’ve had, and how much we’ve all grown together.


It’s also a time to think about what’s next, with end-of-year activities, celebrations, and graduations just around the corner. I encourage us all to take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come and the exciting moments to come.


Let’s keep the momentum going and finish the school year strong!



Roadmap ‘27 | Full Strategic Plan


Last month, I shared with you a new one-page graphic created to summarize our Strategic Plan, Roadmap ‘27. This month, I’m pleased to introduce the full 27-page version of Roadmap ‘27.


Like the title suggests, this document provides the Centennial School District community with a Roadmap to Success for Every Centennial Student, including:


  • Goals for Student Success

  • Success Measures

  • Our Four Pillars: which describe the capabilities we need to develop to accomplish our goals

  • Professional Practices we will develop to promote instructional effectiveness

  • Strategic Priorities aligned to the Four Pillars; and

  • Associated Key Actions


With District-wide alignment and a shared understanding of common goals, we can empower the achievement of our vision for all students to be future ready. I encourage you to take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the Centennial School District Roadmap ‘27 Strategic Plan.

2024-2025 Proposed Budget


On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Centennial School District Budget Committee was presented with the 2024-2025 proposed budget. This budget proposal largely maintains the basis of our instructional and operational structures, and continues investments in support of our recently developed Roadmap ‘27 Strategic Plan Goals.


Prudent fiscal management in recent years has bolstered our ending fund balance, providing a foundation for resilience in the face of future funding uncertainties. However, with anticipated cost increases, and a modest increase in state funding, Centennial must contend with a significant budget gap, necessitating strategic adjustments to maintain financial equilibrium. Careful stewardship of resources and managing programs for superior student outcomes remains our primary focus.


Centennial has incorporated a planned fund balance spend down into its budget formula. The difference between the current level of service and the cost to provide those services is developing a wider and wider gap. This proposed budget begins the necessary reconciliation of this gap.


The proposed budget, including my Budget Message, which provides more information about the current financial state of the District, can be found at the following link.


To view the April 24, 2024 Budget Committee meeting, click here.


The next Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2024. More information, including a virtual link to attend, can be found here.



Teacher Appreciation Week


As you may know, next week (May 6-10) is Teacher Appreciation Week. This dedicated week serves as a reminder of educators’ significant impact on shaping our students’ future. I am grateful for the passion, resilience, and dedication shown by our licensed educators on a daily basis.


On April 24, 2024, the Centennial School Board passed a proclamation honoring our teachers, which is linked here.


Let’s continue to show our appreciation for our educators and staff who are making a difference in the lives of students in Centennial!

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) Heritage Month. This month serves as an opportunity to celebrate the rich culture, history, and global achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across Centennial and the United States. Join me in amplifying the voices of AAPIs and celebrating the achievements and progress AAPI people bring to our community.

School Lunch Hero Day - May 3

National School Lunch Hero Day is observed on the first Friday in May, and Centennial Schools were all invited to join the celebration. This celebration showcases the impact school nutrition staff make in the lives of our students who receive their meals at our schools. We appreciate the tremendous work of our dining services staff across our schools. Thank you!

National School Nurse Day

National School Nurse Day is May 8, and May is National Nurses Month. National School Nurse Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness of nurses' critical role in our healthcare system. We thank our dedicated school nurses for caring for our students across our schools. National Nurses Week is May 6-12 each year.

Memorial Day 2024

Centennial School District will observe Memorial day on Monday, May 27, 2024. All schools and offices will be closed. Classes will resume and offices reopen Tuesday, May 28.

Connect to Kindergarten a Success Across Elementary Schools

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Centennial School District hosted Connect to Kindergarten on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at each of its six elementary schools. Over 300 students and their families attended across the District and over 100 students were registered.


At Centennial, we strive to make the kindergarten registration process as smooth and informative as possible. We understand that this is an exciting time for families, and our school is here to welcome you with open arms, providing all the necessary information and fun activities. Our dedicated staff is ready to answer all your questions and guide you through the process.


If your child will be five years of age on or before September 1, they are eligible to enroll in kindergarten at their designated neighborhood school. To find your school, use our convenient Centennial School District Attendance Area Map/ School Locator tool.


To learn more details about getting your child registered, visit csd28j.org/16976_2. This website contains information and instructions on how to register your child online. After submitting the online form, the school will contact you to complete the process.


We look forward to seeing you in the fall of 2024!

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Our Connect to Kindergarten event was more than introductions. Incoming kindergarteners had the chance to explore their new schools, receive free books, and engage in various activities designed to prepare them for their exciting journey ahead.
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Incoming kindergarteners took a short bus ride to learn how to get on and off the bus. Centennial Transportation staff also gave them bus safety tips.

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Connect to Kindergarten took place across all our elementary schools, and students and their families could meet school staff and learn what to expect in kindergarten.

Summer Learning Kicks Off July 8!

Centennial School District is once again offering summer learning programs for students across the District thanks in part to grant approval from the Oregon Department of Education. The program will be for K-12 grade students and will be similar to the last few years with some additional components based on the grant requirements. All participating students will experience well-rounded, hands-on, integrated learning by Centennial staff and community partners.


This year, the program will run Monday through Friday from July 8 - 26, 2024. If you are interested in having your student(s) participate in summer programming, please visit www.csd28j.org/summerlearning.


You can also pick up a copy of the application at your child's school and return it to your school’s office once they are available. Parents will be contacted if their student(s) are selected for summer programming.

Diana Mitchell Named Principal for Parklane Elementary School

I am pleased to share the selection of Diana Mitchell as the new principal of Parklane Elementary. Diana will assume principalship on July 1, 2024, following the supportive interim leadership of Mairi Scott-Aguirre and Laura June during the 2023-2024 school year.


With 17 years of experience in education, Diana has deep roots in the Parklane/Oliver community. Most recently, Diana has served as the Assistant Principal at Oliver Middle School (OMS) for the past two years as well as the Assistant Principal at Oliver Elementary School in the year prior to the school’s transition to OMS. Prior to her current role, she served as a Learning Specialist at both Centennial Middle School and Parklane Elementary and as a 5th and 6th grade classroom teacher at Oliver Elementary.


Diana has been an active participant in various committees at the District level, including the Recent Arriver English Language (RAEL) Committee, Special Education Programming Planning Team, Steering Committee for Instructional Coaching Practices, Educator Effectiveness Committee, and the OSEA Special Education Assistant Work Group to name a few.


Conversant in Spanish, Diana has a Baccalaureate of Arts degree in Humanities with a minor in Spanish from Concordia University, Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) from the University of Portland, and Special Education endorsement from the University of Portland. She earned her Principal Licensure from George Fox University.


An equity-centered leader who strives to build on others’ strengths, Diana prioritizes high-quality instruction. She is dedicated to building a collective for the rewarding work of educating all students.


Diana is excited to join the Parklane community, and looks forward to getting to know the staff, students, and families. She is excited to work with the current administration, Parklane Elementary staff, and community to ensure a smooth transition.


Please join me in congratulating Diana on her new leadership role in Centennial!

MultCo Student Health Center offering Telehealth at Oliver Middle School

Oliver Middle School students can now see a Multnomah County Student Health Center medical or behavioral health care provider virtually without leaving school. This free service is part of a pilot project to increase access to the student-focused primary and behavioral health services provided by the Student Health Center at nine high schools, including Centennial High School. The benefit is that it saves students and their families time away from school, home, and work for doctors' appointments and money on gas, parking, and public transit.


The Oliver school nurse and counselors will arrange these visits based on their interaction with students or upon the request of students/families.


This telehealth service is conveniently available at Oliver even if families see an outside doctor or pediatrician. There is no out-of-pocket cost and no copay.


Please visit your school nurse or counselor for more information or an appointment.

Student Health Centers: Here for YOUth
James Owens
Centennial School District Superintendent