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Superintendent's Update

May 30, 2025

Superintendent's Update May 30, 2025

Centennial School District | May 30, 2025

Dear Centennial Colleagues, Students, Families and Community,

As we near the end of the school year, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the milestones we’ve reached together.


To start, I want to extend my congratulations to our graduating seniors. Their perseverance, growth, and achievements are a testament to their hard work and to the support of the families, educators, and mentors who have guided them along the way. Reaching this moment is no small feat, and it’s worth celebrating.


I also want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank our Centennial staff. Your daily efforts make a lasting difference in the lives of students. Throughout the year, I’ve seen how you have aligned your work with the goals of Roadmap '27 by collaborating in teams, focusing on instructional practices, and creating conditions for each student to succeed. Your dedication is what makes this progress possible.


I want to extend my gratitude to this year’s retirees for their years of dedication and service to our students. We wish them all the best in their retirement.


As a District, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together this year across the priorities outlined in Roadmap '27. From deepening our focus on literacy instruction to refining the Profile of a Graduate, each effort has been a step toward a more cohesive, connected, and supportive learning environment for our students. These strides are the result of intentional collaboration and a shared belief in what our students are capable of achieving.


Budget Update

I want to extend my thanks to the members of our Budget Committee, who voted earlier this week to approve the proposed 2025–26 budget. While the financial landscape continues to present challenges, this budget reflects thoughtful choices, aligns with our long-term priorities, and supports the continued implementation of Roadmap '27.


The budget now moves to the Centennial School Board for adoption consideration at the June 18, 2025 meeting. The budget approved by the Budget Committee, including my Budget Message, which provides more information about the current financial state of the District, can be found at the following link:

Finally, I’d like to recognize a recent honor that affirms our value for community investment. Centennial School District was recently selected as the recipient of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce’s Try Local First Award. This award celebrates our commitment to hiring local contractors for our 2020 Bond projects, ensuring that our schools benefit not only from needed improvements, but also from a strengthened local economy. We’re grateful for the recognition and proud to represent what’s possible when public investment stays rooted in the community it serves.


Wishing you a strong finish to the school year, a restful and rewarding summer.

We are thrilled to honor the Centennial graduates from Centennial High School, Centennial Virtual Academy (CVA), and Centennial Transition Center (CTC). The CTC graduation will take place on Friday, June 6, followed by the CHS & CVA graduation on Wednesday, June 11.


These ceremonies recognize the significant accomplishments of our Centennial students as they complete their journey in our District. We celebrate their achievements and wish them continued success in their future endeavors. Congratulations to all the graduates!

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

June marks LGBTQ2SIA+ Pride Month, a time dedicated to acknowledging the historical milestones and efforts toward achieving equal justice for LGBTQ+ individuals. Join us in recognizing this month and our commitment to fostering safe and inclusive environments for Centennial students, staff, families, and the community.

Celebrating Juneteenth - June 19, 2025

Juneteenth is a significant day of recognition, restoration, and celebration. Also known as Freedom Day, it commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved people in America were freed, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.


In honor of Juneteenth, all Centennial schools and office buildings will be closed on Thursday, June 19. Operations resume Friday, June 20.

2025 Triple-C Award Winners

Each year, Centennial presents Triple C Awards to honor employees who demonstrate the values of caring, commitment, and/or creativity through their work in our District. Nominated by their colleagues, the winners of the Triple C Award have been recognized for ways in which their efforts have benefited the students, staff, and community of the Centennial School District.


At our May 14, 2025 Board of Directors meeting, this year's winners were announced and recognized for their contributions to our District. This year, we have three winners who exemplify the Triple C values:


  • Erin Buehler, Kindergarten Teacher at Meadows Elementary
  • Renaldo Alexander, Campus Safety Liaison at Oliver Middle School
  • Annie Garcia, Lead Custodian at Butler Creek Elementary


Please join us in congratulating this year's Triple C Award winners!

Trimester Data Summit Helps Shape Year-End Reflections and Future Planning

This week, building teams and District administrators came together for our final Trimester Data Summit of the year. These sessions continue to serve as an important structure for aligning instructional priorities and student support strategies across Centennial.


At this summit, teams reviewed spring academic data, identified areas of growth, and discussed where additional focus is needed. The conversations helped clarify how we will build on this year’s efforts while preparing for a strong start to 2025–26. Planning discussions focused on accelerating progress in literacy and math, refining inclusive practices, and advancing school-wide strategies aligned with Roadmap ’27.


Throughout the year, these summits have provided a space for teams to engage with student learning data in a thoughtful and collaborative way. The insights from these sessions are already informing summer planning, shaping professional development, and supporting school improvement efforts across the District.

Summer Meals Program and Free Lunch + Play

This year, Centennial School District is once again participating in the Summer Meals Program. Meals, including breakfast and lunch, are available at no cost to any child 18 years of age or younger. Meals will be served at select Centennial school sites, as well as a variety of community locations. Please note that as per U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements, all meals must be eaten on-site (no grab-and-go option).


For a full list of locations and meal schedules, visit our Summer Meal Program website at the link below.

Additionally, we are excited to partner with Portland Parks and Recreation for the Free Lunch + Play Program, where kids come to share a meal and have fun in the sun at various park locations throughout the Portland Metro area. For information about the Free Lunch + Play program, visit the Parks and Recreation's website here or see the flyer below (Click image for PDF).

Student Health Center Summer Locations and Hours

Logo for Multnomah County Student Health Center

While the Centennial High School Student Health Center will be closed this summer, free medical, mental and pharmacy health care will be available for all children ages 5-18 at the Parkrose or David Douglas Student Health Center locations.


The Parkrose and David Douglas locations are open June 16-August 20, 8:45am-4:45pm daily. Available services include:

  • Physical exams
  • Sports physicals
  • Counseling and mental health
  • Reproductive health
  • Prescription medication
  • School immunizations
  • Vision and dental screenings


For appointments, please call the Parkrose location at 503-988-3392 or the David Douglas location at 503-988-3554. For more information about Multnomah County Student Health Centers, please visit the link below.

Summer Pool Hours

The weather is getting warmer, which means it's almost time for summer swimming in the pool at Centennial High School!


Open recreational swim begins June 23, and will run through August 30 (pool is closed on Sundays and on Friday, July 4).

Daily Hours:

Afternoons: Monday – Saturday, 12:00PM – 3:00PM
Evenings: Monday – Friday, 7:00PM – 8:45PM


Admission:

Cash or Check Only, No Credit or Debit Cards
Students (18 & Under): $5.00
Adults (19 & Over): $5.00
Senior Citizens (62 & Over): Free
Family Pass: $50 -allows access to our Open Recreational Swims. For immediate family members only living in the same household. No refunds on Family Passes.


Need to improve your swimming skills? Swimming lessons are also available! Pre-registration opens June 21, from 1:00-3:00pm.


For details about open recreational swim or swim lesson options, visit chs.csd28j.org/swim-center.

James Owens
Centennial School District Superintendent