June 13, 2024 

Dear Colleagues,

June offers the opportunity to honor and celebrate Pride Month by fostering inclusivity and support for LGBTQ2SIA+ students, families and staff. Research shows that inclusive sexuality education benefits all students by reducing homophobic bullying, adverse mental health, and identity-based violence. However, according to the Oregon Student Health Survey, only 29.5% of Oregon students reported receiving education on healthy relationships inclusive of LGBTQ2SIA+ identities. To support LGBTQ2SIA+ students, OHA  compiled  resources to ensure youth in Oregon have access to inclusive services.

As schools plan for aligning to the 2023 Health Education Standards, it’s a good time to examine the sexuality education materials used and practices they use. Educators can consider the following questions: Do materials cover human reproduction in a way that is inclusive and affirming? Do conversations with students analyze how gender norms influence healthy relationships? Is content on puberty and anatomy inclusive of a variety of bodies and identities? For more resources, please see the “Inclusive Materials and Practices for Educators” dropdown menu on the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Resources webpage.

This month’s newsletter includes opportunities to become involved in several ODE statewide initiatives and resources to strengthen health and sexuality education in local classrooms. 

Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR

Section photo by Misha Martin on Unsplash    

Closing Soon: 2023-24 Menstrual Dignity for Students Reimbursements

The 2023-24 purchasing period for the Menstrual Dignity for Students grant funds ends on June 30, 2024. Eligible expenses (including tampons, pads, dispensers, and installation costs) incurred between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 are eligible for reimbursement. This calculator shows the total amounts districts, charter schools, and ESDs can reimburse for, distributed by annual daily membership (ADM).  

To claim grant funds in EGMS: 

Step 1: Ensure that the grant manager has signed and returned your district, school, or ESD’s grant agreement 

Step 2: Fill out the reimbursement form, attaching all required documentation by August 14th. 

Step 3: Claim the same exact amount in EGMS by August 14th. 

Claims will be approved in EGMS on a rolling basis, no later than August 14th. Please reach out to ode.menstrual-dignity@ode.oregon.gov with any questions.

Just Released: The Transformative Social Emotional Learning Implementation Guidance

The Oregon Department of Education is excited to share the Transformative Social Emotional Learning Framework and Standards Implementation Guidance. The intention of the guidance is to provide resources and recommendations to implement the new standards and framework, with an understanding that every district, school, and community across Oregon is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to implementing schoolwide and community-wide Transformative SEL. For more information, please see ODE’s bulletin.

Apply Now: State Board of Education and Rules Advisory Committee Student Advisor

The Oregon State Board of Education and the Oregon Department of Education encourage incoming high school seniors to apply for a one-year appointment as either a Student Advisor to the Board or a Student Rule Advisor. These appointments begin August 2024 and end July 2025. To qualify, students must be current high school juniors (seniors during the 2024-25 school year) with strong leadership qualities and the ability to deliberate policy issues.