Mr. Scott reminds parents about the end of the quarter on Friday, November 7, grade preparation (no school) on Monday, November 10, and upcoming parent conferences the week of Thanksgiving. Hilhi principal Arturo Lomeli stresses the importance of regular attendance, asking parents to schedule appointments and vacations around school days - a missed day of school could equal two days of catching up! Quatama principal Christy Walters discusses the new elementary report cards, now several pages long and organized by subject area. "I can" statements on the report card indicate which standards the students have mastered. Click here to view the video.

For several years now, Hillsboro School District has been administering tests from the American College Testing (ACT) organization to assist students in their career and college planning efforts: ACT Explore� for 8th graders and ACT Plan� for 10th graders. This year, ACT has discontinued the ACT Explore� and ACT Plan� tests in favor of the ACT Aspire� test. All eighth- and 10th-graders will be taking the ACT Aspire� test this fall, starting next week. Click here to read more.

Throughout the school year, the District will conduct vision and hearing screenings for elementary students in partnership with the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. Vision screenings are currently under way for students in grades K, 1, 3 and 5. Hearing screenings will take place beginning in January and continuing through March for students in grades 1, 3 and 5.

New this year is the use of a Spot Vision Screener that takes a measurement of the refractive power of the eyes to detect possible vision issues. The Snellen vision charts of the past will only be used on absentee make-up days or by request from a parent. Please note that Oregon House Bill 3000 (effective July 1, 2014) requires that all students ages 7 and younger who are beginning an educational program have a vision screening or provide proof of both a screening/eye examination and the receipt of recommended follow-up care/treatment (if necessary) unless the family has claimed a religious exemption.

For more information, please talk to your child's office manager or call the District's Vision and Hearing Screening Coordinator Kimberly McLaury at 503-844-1553.

The Hillsboro Family Resource Center (HFRC) began in 2002 as a collaborative effort between non-profit organization Youth Contact, Hillsboro School District, and the Washington County Commission on Children and Families. Its mission has been to provide services and support to local families and children in need by offering emergency food boxes, clothing, school supplies, and more. With the change at the state level to emphasize school readiness and shift funding from Commissions to Early Learning Hubs, however, the HFRC will now place most of its focus on reaching out to families with children ages 6 and younger. Click here to read more.

If you or a family member still needs a flu shot, you can get one free of charge on Veterans Day, November 11, at Legacy Hospital locations in the greater Portland area. People age 12 and older may also receive a free tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccination. Click here to see a flyer with the locations and times.