Volume 1, No. 2 October 8, 2024

Dear CBSD Parents,

As we wrap up the first month of school, I hope you have enjoyed the beautiful September days on the Oregon Coast. Our students and staff have been settling into their routines and schedules, creating safe and productive learning environments.

This year, our district is focusing on several key priorities, which we call our “Big Rocks” for the 2024-25 school year. These include a strong emphasis on attendance, the Science of Reading (K-6), reestablishing the purpose of Early Release Fridays (professional learning communities), access to Advanced Placement classes, Algebra 1 readiness, and ensuring that ALL students engage in 120 minutes of reading, writing, and discussion each day across multiple subject areas. These initiatives are designed to enhance our students’ overall academic performance.

We are also excited to announce the launch of our new Parent Square app on October 11th. Parent Square is a comprehensive communication tool that will streamline how we share important information with you. More details about Parent Square will be provided by the district and your child’s school in the coming weeks. We believe this app will greatly enhance our ability to keep you informed and engaged in your child’s education.

Lastly, the CBSD would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you! We are thrilled to share that our district’s average daily attendance is currently over 90%. This remarkable achievement is a testament to your dedication and commitment to your children’s education.

We understand that ensuring your student(s) attend school regularly requires effort and coordination, and we deeply appreciate your support. Attending school consistently makes a significant difference in terms of academic progress and proficiency for our students. Regular attendance helps students stay engaged, keep up with their studies, and build a strong foundation for future success.

We also recognize that there may be times when you need additional support to maintain this level of attendance. Please know that we are here to help. If you need any assistance, whether it’s related to transportation, health concerns, or any other challenges, do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s school or the district office. We are committed to working together to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support and for making education a priority. Together, we can continue to achieve great things for our students and our community.

One Compass – One Crew – One Mission,

Dr. Justin Ainsworth

Superintendent Coos Bay Public Schools

• October 11th: Inservice/Teacher Workday (no school)
  
• October 16th: Pre-ACT and ACT MHS and MHS Jr.

• November 8th: Grading Day (no school)
• November 11th: Veteran’s Day (no school)
• November 13th-14th: Early Release Conference Days (Pre-K – 6th grade only)

The district's average daily attendance is currently over 90%. Thank you for making an effort to bring your student(s) to school. Attending school makes a huge difference in terms of academic progress and proficiency for our students. If you need any support, please reach out to your student's school or the district office for support.

On behalf of the Coos Bay School District, I want to extend our gratitude for conducting vision screenings for our students. Early detection of vision issues can significantly impact a child’s academic performance and overall development. By identifying potential problems early, you are helping to ensure that CBSD students have the best possible chance to succeed in their education and beyond. Thank you for your invaluable support and for making a positive difference in the lives of our children.

Reading at home with your children for just 20 minutes a day can make a significant difference in their academic and personal development. This daily habit helps improve their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. Moreover, it fosters a love for books and learning, strengthens your bond, and provides a wonderful opportunity to discuss various topics and ideas. By dedicating 20 minutes each day to reading, you are setting the foundation for your child’s lifelong learning and success.

The Science of Reading is a critical focus in the Coos Bay School District (CBSD) as we strive to ensure that all students build a strong foundation in literacy. Grounded in decades of research, it provides evidence-based practices that support effective reading instruction for every student. The five key components of the Science of Reading include phonemic awareness, which helps students recognize and manipulate sounds in words; phonics, the relationship between sounds and their written symbols; fluency, the ability to read with speed and accuracy; vocabulary, the knowledge of word meanings; and comprehension, the ability to understand and make meaning of text. By prioritizing these components, we can equip our students with the essential skills they need to become confident, lifelong readers.

The Coos Bay School District (CBSD) is excited to implement the new Savvas math curriculum for grades K-8. This comprehensive program is designed to build strong math skills through engaging lessons and research-based practices. A key strength of the Savvas curriculum is its adaptive math software, which tailors instruction to meet each student's individual needs, ensuring personalized learning and growth. To maximize the benefits of this program, all students should be receiving 60 minutes of Savvas math adaptive software support each week. If you have any questions about the new curriculum, please feel free to reach out to your student's school or the district office for more information.

This year we will be transitioning from the Remind app to ParentSquare. The official changeover will happen on October 11, 2024. ParentSquare is a robust communication tool designed to keep our families informed and engaged. ParentSquare will be the primary platform for sharing important updates, announcements, and information from both the district and your child’s school. It allows for easy two-way communication between parents and staff, ensuring that everyone stays connected and informed. I encourage all families to sign up and actively use ParentSquare to stay involved in your child’s education.

Nutrislice is a user-friendly app tailored to help parents of K-12 students easily access and interact with school menus. With Nutrislice, you can browse daily menu items offered at your child’s school, view detailed nutritional information, and filter options based on specific dietary needs and preferences, such as allergies or vegetarian choices. The app also supports multiple languages, making it accessible for all families.

The Safe Oregon hotline is a confidential and anonymous service designed to help students, parents, school staff, and community members report safety concerns, including bullying, threats of violence, drugs, and self-harm. Available 24/7, the hotline allows users to submit tips via phone, text, email, web form, or mobile app. By providing a secure way to report issues, Safe Oregon aims to create a safer school environment and empower individuals to speak out and prevent potential harm.

The Coos Bay School District is addressing concerns about fentanyl and opioid use within the community by providing important information to students and families. The letter highlights the risks of opioid use, particularly with the rise in fentanyl-related overdoses, and emphasizes the need for education on the subject. It explains what opioids and opioid antagonists like naloxone are, and how naloxone can reverse overdoses. The district encourages families to discuss these dangers and consider keeping naloxone at home. The district is also ensuring that all schools are equipped with naloxone and that staff are trained to administer it in case of an overdose.

For more details, including how to obtain and use naloxone, you can refer to the full letter here.

The FirstView bus tracking app, developed by First Student, provides parents with real-time updates on their child’s school bus location and estimated arrival times. Parents can view the live location of the bus, receive notifications when the bus is approaching the stop, and get alerts about delays or changes in the schedule. The app also allows for multiple students to be tracked simultaneously, making it convenient for families with more than one child. Please keep in mind that the service won’t be available until the start of the school year.

Start and Stop Times for CBSD schools.