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HOA Happenings
April 1st, 2024
News for all K-12 families at Hillsboro Online Academy
Administrator Message
Dear Parents,
I hope this message finds you and your families refreshed and rejuvenated after a well-deserved spring break. I want to take a moment to extend a warm welcome back to each and every one of you.
With the final stretch of the school year ahead of us, it's crucial that we all come together to finish strong. Our students have shown remarkable resilience and dedication throughout the year, and I have no doubt that they will continue to excel in their academic pursuits.
As partners in your child's education, your support and encouragement play a vital role in their success. Please continue to check your Canvas Parent Observer Account to help keep your student on track as “Spring Fever” hits. This account will show you how many missing assignments there may be, grades on each assignment or test, messages to/from teachers and how much time in the computer they are working.
Spring is also a time for district and state testing. This information from the tests is very important so we can continue planning our educational strategies to help students succeed. Please see this letter that I wrote explaining why it is crucial the students take these tests. We need your support by encouraging your students and also letting them know that there is no pressure, it just helps us see where they are currently in their educational journey.
If you have any questions or concerns as we navigate the remainder of the school year, please don't hesitate to reach out to our dedicated staff. Together, we can ensure that our students finish the year on a high note.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and here's to a fantastic conclusion to the school year!
Warm regards,
Shannon Freudenthal
HOA K-12 Administrator
Student Showcase & Science Night
Come celebrate accomplishments of our Kindergarten-8th grade students! We will be displaying science experiments, art work, and other creations at Tamarack on April 10 6:00-7:00 PM! Come a little early & eat dinner at one of the great food trucks that will be on-site!
Teachers have sent out details about set-up!
Congratulations Mrs. Maher!
Congratulations to Mrs. Maher who has been nominated for the coveted Crystal Apple Award, sponsored by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Promoting excellence in education, the Crystal Apple Awards are now in their 19th year of recognizing outstanding staff members in the categories of licensed, classified, and administrative and supervisory/technical.
Mrs. Maher was surprised with her nomination reveal during Wonderful Wednesday in front of her Kindergarten & 1st grade students!
K-6 Updates
Starting April 1, the Monday PE time for K-6 will be 11:00-12:00.
In addition, they can stay for free school lunch and club time after, with pick-up at 1:30. They can stay for the entire chunk, or for just a portion of it.
11:00-12:00 K-6 PE
12:05-12:20 Free Lunch in the School Cafeteria
12:20-1:30 Club Options with Mrs. Kellar and Mr. Hehn!
Join Mrs. Maher for our in-person Kindergarten Open House and Parent Q&A Session on Thursday, May 30 at 6:00 PM.
Learn about our curriculum, activities, special projects and our plans for the upcoming school year! We are so excited about meeting our newest Chargers!
More information: https://www.hsd.k12.or.us/Page/6705
7th-12th grade Updates
April 11th is the end of the 3rd quarter of the school year!
Be sure all work has been turned in to be considered for the grading period. If you have specific questions about course assignments, please contact the teacher directly.
Middle & high school students' grade reports will go out the week of April 15.
Current 8th - 11th grade students should have turned in their information to Mrs. Snyder. If you have any questions, please contact her directly.
More information: https://www.hsd.k12.or.us/Page/6624
If you'd like your student to stay with us in the 2024-2025 school year, please fill out the Transfer Renewal Request as soon as possible!
If you have any questions, please call our office (503-844-1050) or the Transfer Department (503-844-1771).
* Students in Inter-District Transfers (from BSD, PPS, etc.) do not need to submit yearly transfers.
State Testing starts soon
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As we approach this year's state testing period, we want to emphasize the crucial role these assessments play in shaping your child's educational journey. Our school, Hillsboro Online Academy, is committed to providing a high-quality education, and these tests offer valuable insights into your child's academic progress and our curriculum's effectiveness.
State testing includes the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC) for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11, which adhere to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). For Science, students in grades 5, 8, and 11 will take the Oregon State Assessment System (OSAS) Science Assessment, aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These standards help ensure that our students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills.
The importance of these assessments extends beyond measuring individual student progress. They aid in educational planning, allowing educators to tailor teaching strategies to meet each student's needs. Additionally, they help evaluate our curriculum's effectiveness and inform school and teacher accountability. Importantly, the results guide resource allocation to support our students' diverse needs effectively.
We understand the challenges faced during the pandemic and the resulting gap in student data. These upcoming assessments are an opportunity to fill those gaps and enhance our educational strategies. Please note, students do not "pass" or "fail" these assessments; instead, they provide data to help improve educational outcomes.
We urge you to support and encourage your child during this testing period. Emphasize the importance of doing their best while reassuring them that these tests are tools designed to help them succeed. The tests are not graded but are meant to showcase their knowledge and help us support their learning journey.
You'll find the state testing schedule for grades 3-8, and 11 posted on our school website. If you have any questions or concerns about state testing, please do not hesitate to reach out. Additionally, for more information, visit the Hillsboro School District website: https://www.hsd.k12.or.us/Page/2291
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in your child's education. Together, we can ensure that they receive the best possible learning experience.
Sincerely,
Shannon Freudenthal
K-12 Administrator
Hillsboro Online Academy
Casy L. Burnsed
State Testing Coordinator
Hillsboro Online Academy
Attendance Reminder
Please help your student remember to answer their daily attendance question each and every day school is in session. If the questions isn't answered, your student is marked absent!
In March alone, we had a over 1,000 absences recorded for our school!
Senior News & Information
Graduation is 2 months & 3 days away! Details are posted on our website (www.hillonlineacademy.org) – just look for the big Graduation News & Information graphic in the rotating billboard & lower on the site in our Announcements area.
Graduation is Tuesday, June 4th at Hare Field at 6:00 PM. Graduates will need to be at the stadium at 4:30 PM for practice & ceremony run-through.
Let's talk about caps, gowns & other stuff…
Seniors have been asked to fill out a Graduation Planning form and 35 or our 54 students have completed it!
I do need the other students to get this done by FRIDAY (4/5) so I can get specific information to the other high schools and to the District as well as order caps & gowns. Students can see if it has been filled out by looking at their Grades in their Advisory 12 class - a ✓ means it's been turned in, a - means it's missing.
Tassels & yard signs will be here soon! Cap & gown orders will be here in mid-May! I'll email when they're available for pick up!
-Kristina