![Logo](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/a676/thumb-44ff256027aeb1fdced4bfba9f55742d.png)
Community News
May 2024
Superintendent's Office
Message from Superintendent Bill Newton
Link to message from Superintendent Bill Newton
Content of this newsletter:
- Upcoming dates
- Licensed staff appreciation May 6-10
- Team Approach to Technology
- New student enrollment and kindergarten orientation
- School board information
- Budget development for 2024-25
- Science curriculum adoption update
- Every Day Matters (school attendance)
- Hood River County Health Department monthly tip
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Nutrition Services monthly recipe
- School meals menus
- Bike to School Week May 13-17
- Bus stop rules in Oregon
- Educational Equity Advisory Committee
- Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
- Volunteer in schools
- Peachjar flyers
- Job opportunities
- HRVHS highlights
Hood River Options Academy Spotlight
Art
Students learned from guest local artist about print making
Outdoor activities
Students practiced Nordic skiing at Mt. Hood Meadows
Interactive notebookes
Students receive support and engage with their online learning platform with interactive notebooks tailored to subject areas.
Upcoming dates
Monday, May 27: No school (observance of Memorial Day)
*Thursday, June 13: Regular school day
*Friday, June 14: Last day of school for students
*Instructional time is important in Hood River County School District. This day is an emergency closure make-up day. To find our school district’s calendar, please visit this webpage.
Licensed staff appreciation May 6-10
The week of May 6 is licensed staff appreciation week within our school district. Although we are grateful for their contributions all year long, this week is a chance for us to recognize all of the contributions our licensed staff make to educate and support our students. During this licensed staff appreciation week, we honor and celebrate them for the positive impact they make on our students.
A Team Approach to Technology
Over the next several months, our school district is working on a project, A Team Approach to Technology, that aims to enhance student health and wellbeing by fostering responsible and balanced technology use within our school district and community. Through the development of comprehensive policies, procedures, and practices, we seek to empower students, engage parents, and collaborate with educators to create a supportive environment that promotes physical, mental, and emotional wellness. By involving the school district, parents, and students in the decision-making process, we aim to ensure that our approach is holistic, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our students.
This spring, our objectives are to:
- Learn about current attitudes and behaviors surrounding technology use through surveys, focus groups, a school board work session, and research
Educate our community about impact of technology on mental, emotional, and physical health, and necessity for balanced and responsible usage
Create district technology plan for school device use
Our school district is partnering with a local organization, Better Screen Time, that is donating consultation time to help with this initiative. We look forward to involving all of our school community members in this project. Please contact Superintendent Bill Newton if you have any questions/suggestions (hrcsd.superintendent@hoodriver.k12.or.us).
New student enrollment for 2024-25 school year open
The new student enrollment form for the 2024-25 school year is open. Families with children who will be five years old by September 1 are eligible to enter kindergarten at a school within Hood River County School District. Kindergarten orientations are scheduled for this spring. To learn more, please visit this webpage.
New student enrollment information is posted on our school district website (About Us>Enrollment). Please contact hrcsd.enrollment@hoodriver.k12.or.us or 541-386-2511 if you have any questions.
School Board
Upcoming meeting dates
Wednesday, May 22: HRCSD school board meeting at 6:30pm at Hood River Valley High School
Wednesday, June 5: HRCSD school board meeting at 6:30pm at Cascade Locks Elementary School
Tuesday, June 18: HRCSD school board work session at 6:30pm at Nathaniel Coe Administrative Center
Message to community
Our school board is thrilled to announce the appointment of Bill Newton as our permanent superintendent. His dedication to education and leadership qualities make him an excellent choice to lead our schools forward.
Our school board also wants to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation for our hardworking teachers. Your commitment to our students is truly admirable, and we are grateful for everything you do.
Together, we will continue to ensure excellence in education for our community. Thank you!
Business Services
Budget development for 2024-25
Our school district proposed the 2023-24 budget on Tuesday, April 30, to the Budget Committee.
The Budget Committee is made up of 14 voting members, including seven board of directors and seven community members representing the same zones as the board of directors. There are two non-voting members on the budget committee, one representing HREA and one representing OSEA. Twelve of the 14 voting members heard the budget message presented by Superintendent Bill Newton and interim Chief Financial Officer Nancy Hall.
The Budget Committee voted to approve two motions, including approval of the proposed budget. The next step is to present the approved budget to the board of directors of HRCSD for a vote to adopt the budget.
To review information about the budget, please visit the HRCSD website.
Curriculum and Instruction
Science curriculum adoption update
The selection committee has worked since October 2023 to find instructional materials that align to equitable science teaching practices. Teacher teams from across the district have been working hard to investigate new and innovative Science materials. The committee was determined to find engaging materials that support the science Standards, while also offering hands-on experiences and experiments for students to explore Science concepts.
The committee makes its recommendation after closely reviewing the materials, meeting with publishers, and gathering student and community feedback.
The committee’s charge was to provide every student with access to a high-quality curriculum that supports collaborative opportunities to implement culturally responsive instructional practices and evidenced-based best practices in the field.
We are excited to announce that we will be bringing the following curriculum to the board for adoption: Board Meeting Slides
Elementary School: Mystery Science
Our elementary team will continue its partnership with Mystery Science. “Mystery Science is an innovative, standards-aligned, hands-on curriculum that teaches children how to think like scientists. The phenomena-driven instruction helps kids to better understand and communicate about the world around them through writing, discussion and exploration.”
Middle School: Stile or Lab Aids
Our Middle school team has narrowed the search to two different options students are investigating Stile, “Stile is a next-generation phenomena-based science resource. It is purpose-built to facilitate vibrant, collaborative learning with a mixture of rich, interactive activities, hands-on labs, assessments, and much more.” As well as Lab Aids, Issues and Science which was “developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science in response to the need for high quality, three dimensional, phenomena driven curriculum. These big ideas make the content relevant to students' lives and are anchored in real-world events.”
Hood River Valley High School
The High School is currently piloting, Savvas “Science curriculum which is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and STEM learning. Savvas Science materials, instruction and assessments engage students in real-world, natural phenomena. Students build scientific knowledge by applying Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Cross-Cutting Concepts through inquiry-based learning.”
Thank you to all who supported the Science Curriculum Adoption Process
A huge thank you to the educators, administrators, board members, students and community members who engaged in the selection process through feedback, support and engagement. We are excited to bring these exemplary materials to our district.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to Sarah Hayden, Curriculum and Instruction: sarah.hayden@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-387-5711.
Student Services
Every Day Matters (school attendance)
Each month, we share our district-wide attendance. As a school district, our goal is to increase the percentage of students attending 90 percent or more. In the bar graph below, it shows that 65 percent of all HRCSD students met that standard last school year (2022-23). In March and April 2024, 72 percent of all HRCSD students met that standard.
Hood River County Health Department
Hood River County Health Department offers health tips for our community to consider. This month, the health department reminds us that summer is almost here. It is time to think about water safety. The Gorge has:
- High river levels
- Swift currents
- Cold water
Please take extra care:
- Learn to swim
- Wear a life jacket
- Keep kids in arm's length
For more health tips and county health information, check out the Hood River County Health Department's Facebook and website.
May is Mental Health Awareness month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Throughout the month, individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate in this national movement, dedicated to eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public education, and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness. To learn more, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website.
Photos below: This school year, Arlo, a local certified therapy dog, has been visiting our schools and students. Therapy dogs like Arlo provide comfort and affection to people other than their handlers or owners. The students always love a good snuggle with Arlo! And it is a treat for Arlo to visit our students. Thank you to Arlo's family, Kellie Dunne and Gary Szalay, for dedicating time and sharing Arlo with our school communities!
Nutrition Services
Monthly recipe: Homemade popcorn
Whether you’re planning a family movie night or just craving something to munch after school, popcorn’s your go-to. It’s fun to make it yourself! And it’s whole-grain and inexpensive too.
- 2 tablespoons vegetable, olive, or coconut oil
- 1⁄3 cup popcorn kernels
- Salt and seasonings (see below)
To find the full recipe, visit the Chop Chop website.
School meals menus
Our school district website includes the breakfast and lunch menus for elementary, middle, and high school students for May.
Transportation
Bike to School Week is May 13-17
Join your school community for Bike to School Week, May 13-17! Bike to School Week connects communities with many issues such as creating safer and more friendly routes for biking and walking to school, building a sense of community or school spirit, and inspiring families to walk and bike to school more often. Whether or not you have wheels, celebrate this exciting day with movement before, during and after school.
School bus stop rules in Oregon
School buses have amber or red flashing lights near the top of the bus, and on the front and rear of the bus. The flashing lights warn drivers that the bus is about to stop to pick up or drop off students. School buses also have a stop signal arm that may come down from the driver's side window when the lights start to flash.
If you see flashing lights, you should stop before reaching the school bus. You are required to remain stopped until the flashing lights turn off. This requirement applies if:
- You are driving on a two-lane road in the same or opposite direction of a school bus
- You are driving on the opposite side of the road as the school bus (that includes when there is a yellow median strip or a turn lane)
A yellow median strip or a turn lane does not create two separate roads, so all lanes of traffic are required to stop, according to the Oregon DMV (see the far right illustration below).
You are not required to stop for a school bus only if you are traveling in the opposite direction on a divided highway with two roads separated by an unpaved median strip or barrier (see the middle illustration below).
Credit: Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services
The illustrated graphics above show examples of scenarios where drivers are and aren't legally required to stop for a school bus.
Family Partnerships
Educational Equity Advisory Committee
A recently passed state legislative bill requires that each school district establish what the law calls an Educational Equity Advisory Committee. The District Equity Committee (DEC) we are assembling will support our school district, school board, and the superintendent by:
- Advising about the educational equity impacts of policy decisions.
- Informing about the larger district-wide climate and helping to identify the forces that impact the success of students who have been excluded, impacted, marginalized, or underserved due to institutionalized and intersectional racism and systemic oppression.
- Supporting and informing resolutions for situations in school districts that negatively impact underrepresented students, and making recommendations to the board and superintendent about how best to handle such situations.
We will be carefully assembling the team to support this important work and want to invite your involvement to help us best reflect the values and demographics of our school district. In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 732. We are adapting the ongoing equity work that exists through the efforts of our school district. Please pay attention to a following message that will include ways to get involved with these efforts.
May is Asian / Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Asian / Pacific American Heritage Month. In May, we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history. Read the White House proclamation.
Volunteer in schools
Volunteers are an important part of a system of student and learning support. Our school district welcomes community members to volunteer within school buildings. To volunteer, individuals must complete a few steps. Application review and approval may take up to one week to process.
To learn more information about becoming a volunteer, including the steps to take and frequently asked questions, please visit the HRCSD website.
Peachjar shares resources and opportunities
Human Resources
Job opportunities
We are hiring for a few positions for the 2024-25 school year. To learn about all job opportunities, please visit this webpage. Below are a few current open positions.
- Counselor at Wy'east Middle School
- Student support specialist at Parkdale Elementary School
- Staff accountant at District Office
Hood River Valley High School
Local scholarship night recognizes HRVHS senior awards
On Thursday, April 25, Hood River Valley High School honored nearly 100 local seniors at Scholarship Night. This evening is the culmination of months of hard work for seniors, who apply for local scholarships throughout the fall and winter. Recipients are invited to the event each year not knowing which scholarships they have won. Announcements are made as a surprise and recipients celebrate with family, friends, and teachers. This year, 86 HRVHS seniors received $500,000 in scholarship awards, with awards ranging from $500 to $20,000. HRCSD congratulates all local scholarship recipients!
The Local Scholarship Program is a partnership between HRCSD and over 30 local organizations and grantors who are passionate about supporting students as they pursue their educational and career goals. The program awards over $500,000 in scholarships each year to HRV graduates pursuing two-year, four-year and trade degrees after graduation. To learn more, or if you are interested in creating a scholarship, contact ed.foundation@hoodriver.k12.or.us.
HRV LEOS address student meal debt
Hood River Valley LEOS presented a check for $6,680 to HRCSD Nutrition Services director Jordan Haas and HRCSD Superintendent Bill Newton to help relieve student meal debt. LEOS worked with local shops and restaurants to host a “Dine out/shop local for a cause.” Several local businesses, including Lake Taco, Celilo, Solstice, Pine Street Bakery, and G. Willikers Toy Shop, donated a portion of their profits while others made direct donations to support the effort.
One of the HRV LEOS club’s goals this year was addressing food insecurity. In addition to donating to FISH Food Bank and volunteering in the Meals on Wheels garden, LEOS wanted to specifically address meal balances for students who would typically qualify for FREE/reduced at Hood River Valley High School.
Picture: Nutrition Services Director Jordan Hass, HRV LEOS Inga Hennessey and Jenner Baumhackl, and HRCSD Superintendent Bill Newton.
Columbia Gorge News
HRV students achieve milestones in higher education pursuits | Free News | columbiagorgenews.com
Newton named superintendent of HRCSD | News | columbiagorgenews.com
HRV goes to Washington, D.C. | News | columbiagorgenews.com
Eagles look to turn around softball fortunes | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
Eagle boys shut out West Salem | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
Eagles, West Salem tie, 4-4 in girls tennis | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
Eagle track and field team fine tunes at Dean Nice | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
Key games on tap for HRV boys lacrosse | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
Eagle girls look to stop losing skid | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
Canby sweeps HRV in NWOC baseball | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
HRV track and field tests two more NWOC teams | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
Eagle girls qualify for regional golf tourney | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
HRV boys golfers prep for regionals | Hoodriver | columbiagorgenews.com
STEM updates include new van, expanded program | News | columbiagorgenews.com