As a new school year begins, it's a perfect time to reconnect with the power of language, literature, and learning. The return to classrooms marks not only a fresh start for students, but also an opportunity for educators to inspire, challenge, and support growing minds through the written and spoken word.

This year holds promise for meaningful learning, creative expression, and continued professional growth. Whether exploring diverse texts or guiding students through their own writing journeys, Language Arts educators remain at the heart of building critical thinking and communication skills that last a lifetime.

Wishing all a successful, engaging, and rewarding school year ahead.

ODE Announcements

Literacy Advisory Roundtable

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is excited to announce the launch of a Literacy Advisory Roundtable, a new opportunity for educators, advocates, students and partners to help shape the future of literacy in Oregon. As the Early Literacy Success Initiative enters its second biennium and new efforts begin, ODE invites literacy leaders to continue shaping this important work by applying to join the Roundtable. On August 20, an invitation was sent out to the community to apply to Oregon's Literacy Advisory Roundtable. We hope you will consider applying! See the full message here.

Early Literacy Approved Provider Meet and Greet

Attention School and District Literacy Leaders! 

ODE will host two 90-minute Early Literacy Grantee Meet & Greets with ODE-Approved Providers via Zoom. (Both session options below will provide the same content – you only need to register for one.) 

Monday, September 29th at 3:30 – 5:00pm (PST) 

Tuesday, September 30th at 10:00 – 11:30pm (PST)

Learn more about the Meet & Greets here!

Join our High-Dosage Tutoring Community of Practice

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is launching a new Community of Practice in October to support school and district leaders in strengthening literacy high-dosage tutoring (HDT) across the state. Together, participants will build a shared understanding of research-based practices of high-dosage tutoring and explore strategies for planning effective programs or selecting approved-provider partners. This is a chance to collaborate, learn and consider impactful practices with literacy leaders across the state. Learn more about the Community of Practice and register here!

Literacy Leaders’ Network Meeting: October 2 – Save the Date!

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.).

When do we meet?

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

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

Library Corner

Fall Workshop Series: Facilitating Creative STEAM Learning

PLIX just launched their fall 2025 workshop series on Facilitating Creative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Learning! This workshop series is especially perfect for libraries interested in strengthening their library programs with STEAM concepts while maintaining fun, hands-on open-exploration. It’s free, open to public, school, and academic libraries. 

 Please share and consider applying:

• More info about the workshop series
• More info about PLIX
• Application deadline: Thursday, September 25th

Project Look Sharp Online PD Course

How do educators give students the habits of critical thinking about all media messages that will prepare them for life in an infodemic?

Watch this short video or see the brochure for the National Constructivist Media Decoding (CMD) course that runs October 7, to December 9, 2025. For more information and to register, email looksharp@ithaca.edu

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. 

Early bird registration lasts through September 14th. Registration includes conference sessions, breakfast bites and coffee, awards lunch, and authors. Registration will remain open up to the day of the conference, but OASL cannot guarantee meals for attendees after September 19th. 

Register Here

Opportunities for Educators

Oregon Response to Instruction and Intervention Free Training

The Oregon Response to Instruction and Intervention project will be holding a 2 day training on Early Literacy-Tier 1 Foundations, September 23rd and 24th at The Riverhouse Lodge in Bend.  The Tier 2 Foundations training will take place October 22nd, at the same location.  We still have space available.  It is FREE, and lunch will be provided.

Purpose

The purpose of these trainings is to provide Oregon school districts with an overview of the essential components of Tier 1 and Tier 2 literacy instruction. These trainings will give district teams an opportunity to reflect on and update their current Tier 1 and Tier 2 literacy plans in order to improve outcomes for ALL students. These trainings are intended for literacy leaders (i.e.; Literacy Specialists, building administrators, district leaders, instructional coaches, etc.) and we strongly recommend bringing a team of at least 3 people.

 During these trainings we will:

• Review the essential components of Tiers 1 and 2 (materials and instruction, assessment, and data-based teaming)
• Begin building or updating district resources such as standards of practice, MTSS-R handbook, standard reading protocol, and Core Review (Tier 1) or Intervention Review (Tier 2) meeting agendas
• Become more familiar with the ORTII project

Sign Up HERE for the Tier 1 training in September and Sign Up HERE for the Tier 2 training in October.  If you have any questions about the event or hotel accommodations, please reach out to Matt Kishlock at mkishlock@nwresd.k12.or.us

From Oregon State University Libraries and Center for Teaching and Learning: Making Savvy Decisions about Artificial Intelligence in Education

Join this professional development opportunity designed for middle and high school educators in Oregon delivered by Dr. Kiri Wagstaff, from Oregon State University, on October 10. This event will be recorded and shared widely. Find more information and register on the OSU event page.

Opportunities for Students

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:

Language Arts Education Specialist -- k12.literacy@ode.oregon.gov