February is Black History Month

The following is an excerpt from the February newsletter put out by ODE’s Social Sciences staff. There are plenty more resources in the full newsletter and if you like what you read, scroll to the bottom of it to subscribe!

It is always the right month to include Black history into the social science classroom. This month is a great time to highlight a few new resources for teachers and students to go deeper into the history and culture of Black Americans celebrated every February. 

Facing History is hosting a lesson inspired by Amanda Gorman's moving inauguration day poem. The 2018 social science standards created a significant shift in creating a more inclusive examination of history. The new changes brought about by Tribal History/Shared History, Holocaust and other genocides, and Ethnic Studies, continue to expand the narratives and perspectives on Oregon, U.S. and World History. The resources and standards in support of the new changes remind me of one of the beautiful phrases from Gorman's poem:

It's because being American is more than a pride we inherit,

it's the past we step into and how we repair it.

Check out the resources...

A Call to Action for Schools from the Oregon Health Authority

Bolster your suicide prevention efforts as you prepare to return to in-person learning: Equip your staff to recognize suicide warning signs All school staff should be trained to recognize suicide warning signs, to ask about suicide and to connect students to help. All staff should clearly know the referral process for a student exhibiting signs of mental distress. If you haven’t taken a training this year, consider taking Question, Persuade, Refer (1.5 hour online training). Contact qpr@linesforlife.org to access free online training opportunities sponsored by Oregon Health Authority. Consultation, mini-grants, and a guide are available on the Oregon YouthLine website. School-Based Mental Health professionals should be equipped to assess for level of risk, to safety plan, and to link students to appropriate services. If your school lacks staff to provide suicide safety assessments and safety planning, please access the School Suicide Assessment Line (503-575-3760, open Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-4:30PM) or call your local crisis hotline. More strategies to consider...

Nurse Hotline Available to Assist Oregon Child Care Providers During COVID-19

The Early Learning Division is partnering with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to support child care providers in Oregon with a COVID-19 nurse hotline. The number, 1-833-647-8222, will be available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Child care providers can access the toll-free hotline for assistance with:

• Symptoms or health issues that are concerning to them or staff
• Questions about excluding children and staff
• Steps to take if someone is positive for COVID-19

“Since the start of the pandemic, child care providers have been navigating uncertainty about the virus,” said Oregon Early Learning System Director Miriam Calderon. “Our collaboration with OHSU will allow providers to have a more personalized response in their efforts to adapt and ensure child care remains safe for children and families during this emergency.”

More about the hotline...

People Behind the Partnership

ODE partners with school districts to foster equity and excellence for every learner. In these videos ODE staff share their perspective on their work and let Oregonians see the people behind the partnership. Here is Government Relations Director Jessica Ventura talking about: Working with Oregon lawmakers. Bringing an Equity Lens to the proposed legislation ODE reviews during session. Using data to identify achievement gaps. Letting lawmakers know the impact of bills on all students, especially historically underserved student populations.

Be sure to check out our Twitter page and follow us to stay up-to-date on everything that's happening in education in Oregon!

Youth Development Division Reengagement System Grant Awards

In December of 2020, the Youth Development Council (YDC) approved 33 contingent awards to grantees for a total of $4 million in grant funds as part of the Oregon Youth Reengagement Fund. Four grants of $290,000 each, focus on creating Regional Reengagement Systems in the counties encompassing the areas and tribal nations of East Portland/East Multnomah, The North Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, and the Klamath Basin.

The remaining grants focus on building and/or expanding specific community-based reengagement programs in communities across Oregon. These grants offer a wide range of services for youth focused on helping youth complete high school or their GED.  Grants have reached areas across Oregon that were prioritized for reengagement resources, due to higher rates of high-school non-completers and limited existing reengagement resources. 

More about the grants...

ODE In the News

ODE Director Colt Gill talked about school reopening plans with KGW News in Portland and on a Facebook Live event hosted by the Oregon Health Authority.

ODE’s first ever Director of the office of Indian Education, April Campbell, talked with The Register-Guard and KLCC Radio.

The Klamath Falls News wrote about a grant from ODE that will help grow and retain educators in the community.

Student Spotlight

Two students from the newly renamed Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School in Portland appeared on OPB’s Think Out Loud program to talk about the recent community conversation on race.

The Malheur Enterprise covered the Nyssa School District FFA team’s success in statewide competitions that had to be held virtually.

The Salem Reporter has the story behind the video of the West Salem Choir of the Titans singing “Flight Song.”