May Newsletter

This month, we highlight student voices through the Connecting Communities Through Art exhibition, recognize the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month, and honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

We continue advancing the goals outlined in the MESD Blueprint’28 Strategic Plan with a clear focus on equity, inclusion, and student success. From Board action supporting our transgender and gender expansive students to ongoing work across departments, our commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments remains at the heart of everything we do. Thank you for being part of this important work and for supporting our shared mission to serve all students and communities across the region.

Each May, we honor the rich histories, diverse cultures, and lasting contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. This month is an opportunity to recognize the strength and resilience of AANHPI individuals and families—past and present—who have helped shape our communities, institutions, and collective history.

According to the US census (which often undercounts populations of color and those that identify as multiracial), roughly 20.6 million people in the US identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. At MESD we are committed to creating inclusive spaces where students, staff, and families of all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and celebrated. This month brings us a valuable chance to explore the myriad of cultures and languages of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

Resources:

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• History of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Learning for Justice: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Resources

• We Are Here: 30 Inspiring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Have Shaped the United States from the Smithsonian Institute

Podcasts:

• 31 Asian American Podcasts for AAPI Heritage Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to recognize the importance of emotional well-being and to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. This month, we want everyone in the MESD community to know: whether you are experiencing stress, grief, anxiety, or simply need someone to talk to, support is available. Below are trusted resources offering free, confidential help, tools, and guidance:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 anytime for free, confidential support

• Oregon YouthLine — Teens helping teens. Text “teen2teen” to 839863 or call 1-877-968-8491

• Lines for Life — Offers specialized support for youth, adults, educators, and veterans: www.linesforlife.org

• Multnomah County Mental Health Call Center — 503-988-4888, 24/7 crisis and support line

• Mental Health America — Resources, screenings, and education: www.mhanational.org

As a community, we can show up for each other — with compassion, with resources, and with a commitment to mental health equity. Let’s continue to foster environments where every person is seen, heard, and supported.

At its April meeting, the Multnomah Education Service District Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution affirming support for gender expansive and transgender students. The resolution reflects MESD’s commitment to creating safe, affirming, and inclusive learning environments where every student is respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

This action builds on MESD’s equity policy and ongoing work to ensure that schools are welcoming and supportive for ALL students, regardless of gender identity or expression. We stand with our transgender students, staff, and families — not only in words, but through policies and practices that promote dignity and belonging.

As graduation season approaches, we want to remind our community of an important piece of legislation — House Bill 2052 (HB 2052) — which requires all Oregon school districts to allow Native students to wear culturally significant tribal regalia during graduation ceremonies.

This law reflects Oregon’s commitment to honoring the cultural identities and traditions of American Indian and Alaska Native students and families. It reinforces the values of inclusivity, respect, and cultural understanding across our educational system.

MESD current policy IKFB-Graduation Exercises clearly calls out that “Graduating students will be allowed to wear Native American or other items of cultural significance.”

Packed with informative discussions and important updates, each episode explores the experiences, insights, and strategies of exceptional leaders in education. By subscribing to the podcast, you'll gain valuable insights into our district's ongoing efforts to provide a high-quality education for all students.

Catch up on previous episodes and subscribe to stay up-to-date:

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Each year at the Oregon School Nurse Association (OSNA) conference, over a hundred school nurses from across the state gather to share ideas, build skills, and improve student outcomes. This year, Jenn Carlton brought a unique dual perspective to the topic of diabetes in schools—combining her clinical expertise as a complex needs nurse with the lived experience of parenting a child with diabetes.

In her almost two years with the Multnomah Education Service District (MESD), Jenn has dedicated herself to meeting the needs of some of our most medically complex students. Her insight into the world of diabetes has made a meaningful impact on the students and families she serves.

During a joint presentation with Dr. Bruce Boston of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Jenn shared “The Highs and Lows of Diabetes Management in the School Setting.” A particularly meaningful moment came when she invited her sons to join her on stage—one of whom, Miles, lives with type 1 diabetes. He was joined by his brother, Luke, as they shared their experiences navigating school life with a chronic condition.

While every student’s journey is different, Miles spoke honestly with the nurses in attendance, expressing his desire for school nurses and staff to understand that he knows his condition well and is capable of managing it. His openness offered valuable insight into the daily realities faced by students with diabetes and served as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the student may know more than the nurse.

Multnomah Education Service District, in collaboration with Northwest Regional ESD, Clackamas ESD, and the University of Portland, is offering a unique opportunity to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping education and administration with a focus on:

• Ethical and Responsible AI Literacy
• AI For Inclusive and Impactful Education
• Efficiency and Productivity
• Preparing Students for the Workforce
• Leadership and Strategic Planning

Please join us on Tuesday, May 13th, 2024 from 8am to 3:30pm at the University of Portland. Registration is now full, but you can still join the waitlist!

MESD proudly hosted Connecting Communities Through Art, a vibrant exhibition that brought together students, families, educators, and staff from across the county. The event showcased powerful, creative works by MESD and Parkrose students — ranging from expressive paintings to mixed media and digital art — highlighting the diverse voices and experiences that make our community so unique. Each piece reflected the individuality and imagination of our students, while also echoing shared themes of identity, connection, and belonging.

This inaugural exhibition is part of an ongoing effort to center student voice and create meaningful opportunities for community-building through the arts. By transforming a shared space into a gallery, Connecting Communities Through Art aims to inspire conversation, celebrate cultural expression, and deepen relationships across the district. We are grateful to all the students, families, and staff who made this event such a powerful experience — and we look forward to many more moments of connection and creativity ahead.

Students from Springwater Trail High School in the Gresham-Barlow School District, under the guidance of art teacher Brandi Kruse, crafted realistic food models to support diabetes skills sessions led by MESD nurses at the Oregon School Nurse Association Conference in April. Using dampened toilet paper molded into shapes, they assembled the pieces with hot glue, painted them with acrylics, and applied a glossy finish for realism.

These innovative creations served as practical tools to help nurses across Oregon strengthen their carbohydrate-counting skills and enhance how they teach caregivers this critical skill, ensuring safe care for students with diabetes at school.

We want to extend our sincere thanks to Brandi Kruse and her talented students for their creativity and meaningful contribution to student health across Oregon.

• Substance Use Prevention Lessons

  New substance use prevention lessons for grades K-12 are now available on the ODE website. The lessons were developed collaboratively with educators, youth, and substance use prevention experts and align with Oregon's Health Education Standards and integrate Oregon’s Transformative Social and Emotional Learning (TSEL) Standards. These lessons are available in addition to the annually required Opioid Prevention lessons released last year.

  
  

• Oregon's Call to Action: Help Prevent Youth Suicide This Spring

  The rates of suicide attempts and related deaths among Oregon's youth often increase each spring. This Call to Action provides resources and action items to equip school administrators and staff, along with caregivers and other trusted adults with skills to support students who may be at risk for suicidal behaviors and refer those students to qualified mental health providers. Please review and distribute widely this Suicide Prevention Joint Call to Action from ODE, Oregon Health Authority, Lines for Life, and University of Oregon Suicide Prevention Lab.

  
  

• Protecting Oregon Students From Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying in Public Schools

  ODE released new guidance clarifying existing law protecting students from discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, and immigration status in Oregon schools.