Teaching language arts is as much about discovery as it is about instruction. Each day brings new opportunities to connect with students, spark curiosity, and help develop their voices through reading and writing. Along the way, educators grow too—refining their craft, learning from each other, and finding fresh inspiration in shared experiences. This newsletter offers the opportunity tto reflect, engage with ideas and opportunities, and celebrate the meaningful (and often messy) work that teachers do. Here’s to continuing the journey together—thoughtfully, creatively, and with a whole lot of heart. 

April is National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate the art of poetry and its vital role in our culture and education. This month-long celebration encourages educators to introduce diverse poetic voices, engage students in creative expression, and explore the rhythm and beauty of language. By incorporating poetry into their classrooms, educators can inspire students to appreciate literature, enhance their critical thinking skills, and foster a love for reading and writing. Educators can harness the power of poetry to enrich their students' learning experiences and encourage them to find their own voices through this expressive medium. In honor of National Poetry Month, here’s a poem by Elizabeth Alexander about teaching poetry to students.

Ars Poetica #100: I Believe

By Elizabeth Alexander

Poetry, I tell my students,

is idiosyncratic. Poetry

is where we are ourselves

(though Sterling Brown said

“Every ‘I’ is a dramatic ‘I’”),

digging in the clam flats

for the shell that snaps,

emptying the proverbial pocketbook.

Poetry is what you find

in the dirt in the corner,

overhear on the bus, God

in the details, the only way

to get from here to there.

Poetry (and now my voice is rising)

is not all love, love, love,

and I’m sorry the dog died.

Poetry (here I hear myself loudest)

is the human voice,

and are we not of interest to each other?

New and Noteworthy

NEW Early Literacy Success School District Grant Resources 

The Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Literacy Team is excited to share the following resources to support districts in applying for and implementing the Early Literacy Success School District Grant!

Grant Requirement Overview Document: This document is a brief, visual overview of the grant’s five allowable uses and requirements. The overview includes links to early literacy resources, examples of allowable and not allowable uses, and information about the inventory requirements. 

Early Literacy Success School District Grant Allowable Use Guide: This guide serves as a key resource designed to help school districts and charter schools maximize the impact of Early Literacy Success School District Grant funding. This guide supports districts and schools in planning and leveraging funds in order to strengthen literacy outcomes statewide. 

Exploring the Early Literacy Success School District Allowable Use Guide Webinar: In this webinar, ODE and WestED partnered to orient grantees across Oregon to the new Allowable Use Guide. You can now watch the recording of the webinar and use the facilitator slidedeck to introduce the Allowable Use Guide within your district.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Together We Transform Learning

The Oregon Digital Learning Cadre invites instructional leaders to join a collaborative community dedicated to solving local digital learning challenges. Launching Fall 2025, this evolution of the Oregon Edtech Cadre will bring together educators from across the state to harness the power of technology for enhanced learning experiences, using the "Three Digital Divides" framework to guide our shared work and create meaningful solutions for Oregon's students. Join us for a listening session on May 7th at 9am to learn more about this  initiative and share how the Cadre can best serve your organization's digital learning needs. For more information, click here, and register here.

Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) Item Development Recruitment: English Language Arts (ELA) Grades 3 - 8 and High School

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has partnered with Smarter Balanced for the development of new ELA Summative Test items. Item writing development will be held online July 21 - 24, 2025. 

When applying for this ELA item writing opportunity, please make sure to complete only the Application for ELA Educator Events information on the Smarter Balanced Educator Recruitment website. 

Information on the Smarter Balanced Educator Recruitment website also includes an FAQ page. Educators who might have additional questions about the recruitment process can complete the Smarter Balanced Contact Us Form. 

After selecting and confirming the participants, Smarter Balanced will work with participants to coordinate virtual attendance. Participants will receive training and all relevant digital materials to support item development. The meetings are expected to occur on Zoom, and accessibility accommodations will be available for participants. 

For support navigating the online application, please contact Tony Bertrand, ELA and Social Sciences Assessment Specialist with the Oregon Department of Education.

ODE Announcements

Spring 2025 NHPI Town Hall Events The Oregon Department of Education’s Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Student Success Plan Program will host several Town Hall meetings across Oregon this Spring. These events will share information and gather community input to enhance the current student success plan.  They are also open to all age groups (children welcome) and we kindly ask that you register using the link below or the QR code on the flyer to assist with event planning. Town Hall Registration Form     Portland State University's PIAAA Student Center, April 17 from 3:30-4:30p Pacific University's Multi Purpose Room, April 24 from 11:30-12:50p Oregon State University, TBD, April 25 from 5-6:30p Southern Oregon University, TBD, May 2 from 12-2p Online on Zoom, May 13 from 12-1p Online on Zoom, May 13 from 5-6p, (For both online sessions) Meeting ID: 160 624 3523, Password: NHPI2025 Your participation is valuable, and we appreciate your help in sharing this information widely. For any questions, please contact Carol K. Matsuzaki, Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander Student Success Coordinator at ode.nhpi@ode.oregon.gov.

Literacy Leaders’ Network Meeting: May 9 – Save the Date!

Our Mission: To build a literate society of readers, writers, thinkers, and listeners

Purpose:  The goal of the Oregon Literacy Leaders’ Network (LLN) is to build a diverse community of language arts and literacy practitioners working together to share inclusive literacy practices–reading, writing, speaking, and listening–that align with the needs of all students (i.e. multilingual learners, students experiencing disabilities, etc.).

Who we are: Collectively, we are individuals who support literacy development for students.

When do we meet?

• Meet virtually every Second Thursday on Zoom, from 3:30-5:00 p.m.

What to Expect in Monthly Meetings:

• Meet and connect with other literacy practitioners from across Oregon 
• Share a “Bulletin Board” of opportunities
• Collaborate through self-selected breakout rooms to go deeper on topics of interest
• Read, write, and think about language arts and literacy together, occasional featured speakers
• Highlight high-leverage instructional practices

Link to Professional Learning Goals:

• Tie your attendance and participation in the LLN to your professional learning goals, particularly for goals 9 & 10, with local administrator approval. 
• Receive professional learning and build a professional network during LLN meetings.
• Earn PDUs for your attendance and participation in the LLN.

Meeting Facilitation: Co-hosted by Oregon Council of Teachers of English (OCTE), Oregon State Literacy Association (OSLA), Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) and the Oregon Department of Education Language Arts,  Literacy, Assessment, and Multilingual and Migrant Education teams, Office of Indian Education, and WestEd.

K-5 Newsletter

The Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Office of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment is launching a new quarterly newsletter for K-5 educators. This newsletter provides resources, opportunities, guidance, and ODE updates tailored specifically to support the integrated and well-rounded instruction that elementary education entails. It aims to streamline information related to K-5 academic standards and instruction into one convenient communication. 

To sign up for the newsletter, click here

Research and Resources for Your Classroom

The Science of Reading Comprehension

Dr. Sharon Vaughn created in partnership with International Dyslexia Association Georgia and The Reading League Georgia an annual webinar series titled, Spotlight on Structured Literacy. Click here to view the 2025 webinar offerings. Dr. Vaughn’s presentation focuses on effective reading comprehension instruction for students with dyslexia, highlighting strategies beyond foundational skills. She emphasizes building background knowledge, vocabulary, fluency, and using research-backed methods like Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR), which teaches students to preview texts, monitor understanding, identify key ideas, and summarize content, helping readers strengthen their comprehension skills.

Oregon Department of Education Has Published the Adolescent Literacy Framework The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with WestEd, released the Adolescent Literacy Framework on February 25, 2025. This document serves as a guide to support literacy instruction across the disciplines in grades 6-12. The new framework is housed on the Adolescent Literacy Framework page on ODE’s website.

Library Corner

Ready to Read Grant Program Annual Report

The State Library of Oregon has released its 2024 Annual Report on the Ready to Read Grant Program, highlighting the significant impact of state funding on early literacy and summer reading initiatives in public libraries. In 2024, a total of $818,463 was distributed to 139 libraries, benefiting over 195,000 youth and 34,000 adults through various literacy projects. Libraries utilized these funds to enhance early literacy skills for children from birth to age 14, offering training for caregivers, outreach to underserved communities, and engaging summer reading programs. Notable outcomes include increased literacy skills among young children, community partnerships, and successful family engagement initiatives. The report showcases inspiring stories from libraries across the state, illustrating the transformative power of literacy programs in fostering a love of reading and lifelong learning. For further details, visit the State Library of Oregon's website.

April is School Library Month

Join PBS Books on April 23, at 5 p.m. Pacific, for an enlightening conversation exploring the transformative power of public libraries in America. This special event, created to support the upcoming Independent Lens film Free for All: The Public Library, features an in-depth discussion with filmmakers Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor, as well as a thought-provoking conversation with Cindy Hohl, President of the American Library Association.

Filmmakers Logsdon and Faulknor offer a behind-the-scenes look at their documentary, which traces the evolution of public libraries from their revolutionary beginnings to their role today as essential pillars of democracy, education, and community support. Inspired by the heroic efforts of librarians during Hurricane Katrina, the film examines the historic and ongoing challenges facing libraries, from budget cuts to book bans, while celebrating their resilience and continued relevance.

Additionally, Cindy Hohl provides expert insight into the current state of America’s libraries, the fight for the Freedom to Read, and the critical role libraries play in fostering inclusion, knowledge, and civic engagement.

Hosted by Heather-Marie Montilla, this PBS Books event will also feature the official film trailer for Free for All: The Public Library, offering viewers an exclusive preview of this inspiring documentary.

Where to Watch: Tune in live on Facebook, YouTube, the PBS App, and PBSBooks.org.

Don’t miss this engaging conversation about the past, present, and future of America’s public libraries.

Elementary Authors for School Library Month

Celebrate School Library Month with five notable authors! Join the American Library Association (ALA) on April 23, from 8-9 a.m. Pacific, for an engaging hour-long discussion of storytelling. The panel of talented authors will discuss their latest works, the creative process, and the role school libraries play in supporting all forms of literacy. This special virtual event, which will be recorded, is for all school librarians and their students.

Featuring:

• Sandra Nickel - Seven, A Most Remarkable Pigeon, Nacho's Nachos, Bear's Big Idea
• Mae Respicio - Any Day with You, The House That Lou Built, Isabel in Bloom
• Saadia Faruqi - Meet Yasmin!, Saving Sunshine, Marya Khan
• Vicky Fang - Ava Lin, Friend Bots, Best Buddies
• Varsha Bajaj - A Garland of Henna, Count Me In, Thirst

Middle Grade Authors for School Library Month

Celebrate School Library Month with five notable authors! Join the American Library Association on April 23, from 10-11 a.m. Pacific, for an engaging hour-long discussion of storytelling. Our panel of talented authors will discuss their latest works, the creative process, and the role school libraries play in supporting all forms of literacy. This special virtual event, which will be recorded, is for all school librarians and their students.

Featuring:

• Daniel Nayeri - Everything Sad is Untrue, The Many Assassinations of Samir, Seller of Dreams
• Chris Baron - The Gray, All of Me
• Elizabeth Uhrig - Mind Over Monsters, Welcome to Dweeb Club
• Reem Faruqi - Do You Even Know Me?, Golden Girl
• Cathy Carr - 365 Days To Alaska, Lost Kites and Other Treasures

Oregon School Library Information System Professional Learning Available

Members of the Oregon School Library Information System (OSLIS) Committee presented a helpful webinar on Wednesday, April 2nd. The recording is now available on YouTube and on the State Library’s hub of Niche Academy*. The OSLIS Committee hopes that you will be able to watch it and help spread the word. Please provide feedback about the webinar via a 3-minute survey for library staff or non-library staff. 

OSLIS 101: Introduction & Overview

Description

Is OSLIS new to you? Need a refresher? Then this webinar is for you! Learn the basics from OSLIS Committee members, and walk away being able to explain what OSLIS is, how to navigate the site, and how to access the resources – including the popular video tutorials, ready-to-use worksheets, statewide Gale databases, and the nationally-known Citation Maker. OSLIS is a project of the Oregon Association of School Libraries in partnership with the State Library of Oregon. Please share this opportunity with library staff and classroom teachers.

*To watch the recording on Niche Academy, you will need a free account, which is simple to set up – enter an email address and password, and then click on the confirmation link that you will receive via email. You can start that process from the link above or via this form. It can take a day or so for the account process to be completed. (If you already have a Niche account, you are all set.)

OASL Fall Conference: Session Proposals Being Accepted

The Oregon Association of School Libraries’ (OASL) annual fall conference will be at North Eugene High School on Saturday, October 4, 2025. It’s always a powerful professional learning experience and networking opportunity. The conference committee is currently accepting session proposals through at least early May. They would love to have you be part of the conference and share your ideas with other library staff. Please direct questions to Jessica Lorentz Smith (jessica.lorentzsmith@bend.k12.or.us) or Amy Page (page_a@4j.lane.edu).

OLA Conference April 23-25: Registration Is Open

The Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) is a division of the Oregon Library Association (OLA), and each has an annual conference. While sessions at the OASL fall conference are very specific to school libraries, some school library staff also choose to attend the OLA conference. This year’s OLA conference will be at the Lane Events Center in Eugene from April 23 – 25, and registration is open.

Opportunities for Educators

Boosting Reading Comprehension by Building and Using Prior Knowledge

Author Kelly Gallagher is considered one of the leading voices in adolescent literacy education, an author of nine books, and a veteran high school teacher in California.

The Multnomah ESD is proud to host Kelly for the following complimentary virtual event: 

Boosting Reading Comprehension by Building and Using Prior Knowledge.

In the age of click-and-go reading, why do students need to know information when they can just look things up?  

Bestselling author Kelly Gallagher argues that to think critically, it's imperative that we teach kids stuff. Lots of it. Why? Because students who know more are able to read more, and read better. Building readers starts with building their knowledge.  

Wednesday, April 23, 2025      4:15 - 5:30 pm via Zoom

Audience: All grades 6-12 educators in Oregon and Washington

REGISTER via PD Networks 

* This session will be recorded and sent to all who register

Oregon Council of Teachers of English Scholarship Opportunity Oregon Council of Teachers of English (OCTE) is excited to announce that they have established the Oregon Teachers for the Dream $1000 Scholarship in recognition of the importance of having teachers of color and other historically underrepresented educators in the classroom, and as a response to the shortage in Oregon's K-12 institutions. Applications are due by April 30th. Pre-service teachers of grades K-12 who are accepted and enrolled in an accredited Oregon University Teacher Education Program are encouraged to apply the year before their student teaching.

Civics Law Project Seeks Educators for Educator Advisory Council

Educator Advisory Council - Civics Law Project (CLP) is seeking educators to join our Educator Advisory Council (EAC). EAC members serve as valuable liaisons between CLP and school communities, collaborating with CLP's Programs Team to ensure that we develop relevant and meaningful educational resources and learning experiences. The EAC meets in-person during the summer for an orientation and then virtually five times during the school year. Members serve two-year terms and receive a $350 annual stipend. 

We welcome and encourage applications from pre-service, novice, and veteran educators, instructional coaches, and administrators of grades 6 - 12 from across Oregon. Applications must be received by May 8, 2025.

Three-year, $30,000 Grants Available to Support Districts to Teach News Literacy

Applications now open for News Literacy Project’s District Fellowship program

Applications are now open for the News Literacy Project’s District Fellowship program, a three-year initiative that includes a $30,000 grant to help school districts develop and implement news literacy instruction.

The fellowship aims to provide the expertise and guidance districts need to develop and implement plans to teach all students news literacy. Fellows benefit from curriculum guidance and professional learning from the News Literacy Project, and join a network of supportive, like-minded peers from across the country.

Applications are due May 16. Public school district leaders, administrators and curriculum directors are encouraged to apply. The district’s lead administrator must sign the application.

An online information session is April 16. Click here to sign up, to access the application and to learn more.

Opportunities for Students

40th Annual Oregon Writing Festival

Hosted by the Oregon Council of Teachers of English (OCTE) on May 3, 2025, at Woodburn High School for students grades 4 through 12.

Students bring a sample of their best writing to share in small groups of ten, participate in two writing workshops, listen to a keynote author, and have a chance to purchase books for autographing by the following:

Former elementary school teacher Aron Nels Steinke is the creator of the wildly popular award-winning Mr. Wolf’s Class graphic novel series. His honors include the Eisner Comic Industry Award, finalist of the Oregon Book Award, and winner of OCTE's Oregon Spirit Book Award. He will speak to grades 4-5.

2.      Back by popular demand, this will be the fourth appearance of longtime teacher and award-winning writer and editor Bart King, who will share his writing skills and irresistible sense of humor with students of grades 6 – 7. He has a slew of books, of which he has sold more than a million.

3.      Born and raised in Australia, Emily Suvada is the award-winning author of a science fiction thriller series for Young Adults, This Mortal Coil, in which the daughter of the world’s leading geneticist must solve the mystery he left behind. Emily will share her love of Star Trek, reading, and writing with students in grades 8-12.

Click here for more information.

Civics Learning Project’s Law Day Conference for Students

Civics Learning Project's (CLP) annual Law Days are conference-style events focused on legal, social, and political issues relevant to high school students. Panels, presentations, and workshops are given by experts, offering students an engaging experience. This year, CLP Law Days will be in: 

• Bend on May 6 at Central Oregon Community College - Registration form 
• Ashland on May 12 at Southern Oregon University - Registration form
• Eugene on May 16 at University of Oregon - Registration form

Community Action Project Statewide Showcase

Community Action Projects (CAPs) is an inquiry-based program where students research and collaborate together to develop new policies around issues that are important to them in their communities. Using proven student engagement methods, Community Action Projects can transform civic engagement for all types of learners. Teachers may submit their students' projects to Civics Law Project between May 1 and June 5th to be highlighted in the Statewide Showcase. Two projects (1 Middle School and 1 High School) will then be submitted to the Center for Civic Education's National Showcase. Completed CAPs can be submitted via email to Abby Laufman at alaufman@civicslearning.org.

Scholarship Opportunity

The American Lawyers Alliance is awarding the Jurgemeyer Scholarship ($10,000) to a high school senior who has overachieved in law-related activities. Applications must be received by May 31, 2025. 

The Oregon Department of Education is Seeking Students for their Youth Advisory Council

The Oregon Department of Education is seeking 14-18 year olds to serve on their Youth Advisory Council. Members attend virtual monthly meetings and commit to a one year term. Applications are due by May 9, 2025. 

Oregon’s Kitchen Table and Oregon’s Department of Environment Quality Seeking Feedback

Oregon's Kitchen Table (OKT) organizes opportunities that allow Oregonians to influence the decisions that impact their lives. Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is working to create a statewide plan to manage nutrients in our water. They have partnered with OKT to solicit feedback. Educators and students can share their thoughts by completing this survey or by hosting a classroom conversation and sharing a summary with OKT!

Next Up Action Fund

Oregon House Bill HB 3012, also known as the Student Voice and Democracy Act, would allow registered 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local school board elections. Advocates say this gives students a voice in their education and strengthens democracy. Young people can share their views on this issue through Monthly Lobbying Days, Monthly Advocacy Nights, and the Contact Your Lawmakers Form.

Write the World Writing Competitions for Students

Write the World helps “students develop the writing skills they need to succeed and make an impact” on their world.” There are seven writing competitions currently available.

Click Here for Recurring Features

Contact Us

If you have ideas for the newsletter or want to contact the ODE Language Arts and Literacy specialists, please reach out:

Tina Roberts -- Language Arts Education Specialist

Tony Bertrand -- English Language Arts / Social Sciences Assessment Specialist

Sody Fearn -- K-2 Balanced Assessment Specialist

Sarah Thorud -- Early Language and Literacy Intervention Specialist

Mindi Helmandollar-Armatas -- PreK-3rd Grade Coordinator

Jennifer Fontana -- Multilingual and Migrant Education Specialist

Katie Trader -- Literacy Specialist