February 23, 2015

Keeping you up to date
on the latest news and
events in the Hillsboro
School District

STAFF
FEATURED SCHOOL: Jackson Elementary School
Jackson Elementary School Students Celebrate the Year of the Goat
Students at Jackson and Ladd Acres Elementary Schools are enjoying their participation in the Confucius Classrooms program of Portland State University this year. Under the program, each school is hosting a visiting teacher from China - Wanda Chen at Jackson and Luo Hong at Ladd Acres - for the school year. The teachers spend 25 minutes per week with each classroom, and then spend additional time with certain grade levels on a rotating basis to integrate appropriate and authentic real-world connections to topics already being studied in the classroom. Last week, the schools were abuzz with preparations for the Chinese Lunar New Year on Thursday, February 19. At Jackson, Ms. Chen taught students the song "Xin Nian Hao," which means "Happy New Year, the Lunar New Year is Coming." Students also hung lanterns, made masks, learned calligraphy, wore red on February 18 (New Year's Eve), and were each given a traditional red envelope with a penny inside to represent health and happiness in the new year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday
Feb. 23
Discussion Group for TAG Parents
6:30 p.m. - 8  p.m. Mondays - March 2
(see flyer for more information)

Tuesday
Feb. 24
School Board Meetings
Sessions: 
Work 5:15 p.m.  
Regular 7:30 p.m. 
District Administration Center Board Room

Wednesday
Feb. 25
Dialogue with the Orenco Principal
8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. by appointment

Hillsboro Trail System Master Plan Open House
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Hillsboro Main Library
(see flyer for more information)

Thursday
Feb. 26
Lincoln Street Grade 3-6 Testing Information Night
5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

PERS & Retirement Planning Seminar
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Administration Center Board Room
(see related article)

Active Parenting Workshop
5:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Reedville Elementary
(click here for more information)

Hilhi Band Concert
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Glencoe Theatre Presents "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday
Feb. 27
Brookwood Spirit Day Assembly

South Meadows Merit Badge Reward Assembly

Imlay PBIS Assembly

Minter Bridge PBIS Assembly

West Union Annual Carnival
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Brookwood Family Movie Night
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Liberty Musical "The Addams Family"
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Glencoe Theatre Presents "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday
Feb. 28
Liberty Musical "The Addams Family"
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Glencoe Theatre Presents "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Monday
March 2
Kindergarten Registration Opens

Read Across America Events

Discussion Group for TAG Parents
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Mondays - March 2
(see flyer  for more information)


Click here for upcoming career days open to students in grades 10-12; advance registration is required.

Have your own story to tell?
QUICK LINKS
Hot News: previous issues

  
Join the 1600+ Hillsboro neighbors who already receive the City of Hillsboro's e-newsletter, Stay Connected. Every two weeks, you will find out about the latest news, events, family activities and other information about City of Hillsboro libraries, parks, streets and public safety services. Click here to receive Stay Connected or e-mail:
stayconnected@hillsboro-oregon.gov
BUDGET INFORMATION AND FIVE-STEP REINVESTMENT PLAN

Hillsboro would require a statewide K-12 allocation of $7.5 billion to maintain current service level

Hillsboro School District has been working on its budget projections for the 2015-17 biennium and beyond for quite some time. To maintain "current service level" - doing the same things next year as we do this year, taking into account expected increases to the cost of doing business - would require a state-level biennial allocation of $7.5 billion. That amount is $265 million higher than the Co-Chairs' current proposal of $7.235 billion. In addition, we have created a comprehensive five-step reinvestment plan to act as a roadmap for where we need to go in the future to effect consistent, high achievement levels for all students. Click here to read more.
HSD TO HOST SMARTER BALANCED ASSESSMENTS INFORMATIONAL FORUM

Washington County schools will join Oregon's Deputy Superintendent, Rob Saxton, to learn more about the new state tests

Join Deputy Superintendent Rob Saxton on Monday, March 9, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Hillsboro High School, 3285 SE Rood Bridge Road, to learn more about the Smarter Balanced Assessments students in grades 3-8 and 11 will be taking in English language arts and math this spring. These tests will replace the OAKS multiple-choice-only assessments of previous years, are more challenging, and measure the real-world skills students need to be successful in the 21st century. Click here to read more and click here to see a flyer about the event.  
CONGRATULATIONS, CRYSTAL APPLE NOMINEES!

Congratulations are in order for the 36 staff members who received nominations for the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce's coveted Crystal Apple Excellence in Education Awards! The Crystal Apple Awards seek to recognize staff members who go above and beyond to connect with students and enhance the quality of the educational experience in Hillsboro. On Thursday, February 26, three winners in each category (support staff, licensed staff and administration) will be announced at the sold-out Crystal Apple Awards Dinner at the Tuality Health Education Center. Stay tuned to our website for an announcement about the winners on Friday, February 27. Meanwhile, to see a list and pictures of the nominees, visit the Staff News page of our website.
PERS AND RETIREMENT PLANNING SEMINAR IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26
A free PERS and Retirement Planning Seminar is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Center Board Room. Topics include PERS retirement options and how those choices can affect taxes, understanding how the paperwork process works, the IAP account, and more. Please RSVP to Skylar Koon (503-296-7676 x322) of First Investors, a District-approved 403(b) vendor, if you'd like to attend.  
WASHINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM OFFERING FIELD TRIP SCHOLARSHIPS

If you would like to take your class to the Washington County Museum for a field trip but don't have the funds for transportation, you're in luck!  Through a generous donation by the Reser Family Foundation, the Museum is able to offer a limited number of grants for free bus transportation. Click here to learn more about field trips at the Museum and to access a transportation scholarship form.
2015-16 CALENDAR INPUT REMINDER

If you have not yet weighed in on the calendar options for the 2015-16 school year, please do so by this Friday, February 27. The two options currently before the Board are: (1) Starting before Labor Day, on Monday, August 31; and (2) Starting after Labor Day, on Tuesday, September 8. To see a full explanation of the features and differences between the two calendars, look at the February 10 Board Packet on our website (pages 4-7). To see the draft calendars, please click here for the before Labor Day option and here for the after Labor Day option. Then, please register your vote for one of the calendars. We truly appreciate your input!
REMINDER: READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY IS MONDAY, MARCH 2

Grab your hat and read with a cat on Read Across America Day - an annual reading motivation and awareness program celebrated on or around the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. Several HSD schools are planning reading events, and interested community members are encouraged to contact their local elementary school to participate.  
LEND YOUR VOICE TO HILLSBORO'S WAYFINDING PROJECT

The City of Hillsboro is currently working to create a strategic, long-term plan for a consistent and unique-to-Hillsboro set of directional signage, information kiosks, city gateways, and more as part of its Wayfinding Project.  How can we most authentically reflect our town, provide a warm welcome, and highlight the distinct areas of the city while identifying all as Hillsboro? Take a few moments to review the initial design options on the City's website and provide your feedback through a brief survey by Friday, March 6.
HSD NOW HIRING DUAL LANGUAGE TEACHERS
Applicants are invited to attend a job fair on Saturday, March 14

If you are interested in teaching in a bilingual classroom, please plan to attend the District's job fair on Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at South Meadows Middle School, 4690 SE Davis Road. Click here to see a flyer about the event and click here to apply  for an open position.
A publication of the
Hillsboro School District
Communications Department
503.844.1500
Engage and challenge all learners to ensure academic excellence