November 18, 2025 

Dear Colleagues,

As Oregon reaches the midpoint of the fall season—with shorter days, colder mornings, and classrooms settling into steady routines—educators continue to create welcoming, engaging learning environments for students across the state. November also includes important observances to support safe, healthy, and inclusive schools, such as Transgender Awareness Week and Men’s Health Awareness Month. This month’s focus on boys’ and men’s mental and physical well-being is an opportunity to elevate the growing importance of supporting students as they navigate online spaces, AI tools, and digital content—areas that increasingly shape young people’s mental, emotional, and social health.

New research by Commonsense Media highlights how boys’ experiences with online masculinity content, AI companions, and algorithm-driven social media can influence mental health, peer relationships, and help-seeking behaviors. Oregon’s Health Education Standards speak directly to many of these concerns, including the expectation that students “Explain the impact media, including sexually explicit media, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) can have on one's perceptions of, and expectations for, a healthy relationship” (p.42).  As educators work to equip students with media literacy skills, digital citizenship tools, and space to discuss online influences, these efforts become essential components of supporting overall well-being.

This newsletter includes important information related to budget planning and the Menstrual Dignity Program, and a curated selection of resources, research, and professional learning opportunities for K–12 educators.

Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR

Section photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Menstrual Dignity Program Update

OAR 581-021-0596 now allows the Menstrual Dignity Grant Program to be released in its entirety every biennium (100%), rather than every year (49%/51% split). The grant is changing to a two-year grant, corresponding with the legislative budget biennium, where districts, charter schools, and ESDs have two years to spend down the total amount of funds legislatively approved for the biennium. This change aims to reduce the administrative burden on districts, public charter schools, and ESDs.

Funding Calculator and Reimbursement Form Released

• The 2025-2027 funding calculator has been released and reflects the maximum funding ceiling designated for districts, public charter schools, or ESDs for the legislative biennium. The calculator can be used for planning program expenses.
• If you would like to inquire about or change how your charter school, ESD, or school district grant is distributed, please review this document or reach out to ode.menstrual-dignity@ode.oregon.gov. 
• Grant funds can be used from July 1, 2025- June 30, 2027.
• Grant agreements will be emailed to district, charter school, and ESD leaders in the coming months.
• The 2025-27 reimbursement form can be submitted at any time until August 14, 2027. The program strongly recommends submitting for quarterly reimbursements.

Click here to review the 2025-27 funding calculator

To stay connected, please sign up for the Menstrual Dignity Listserv.

Registration open: K-12 Substance Use Prevention and Comprehensive Sexuality Education Two Day In-Person Workshop

Register now for the December 2nd and 9th Workshop in Portland

The free course will cover best instructional practices for teaching substance use prevention education and comprehensive and inclusive K-12 sexuality education, aligned with Oregon laws, rules, and Health Education Standards. The workshop is delivered in partnership with ODE, ODHS, OHA, Multnomah County Health Department, and other local partners. This event is reserved for classroom educators and school administrators only. 

Please note that this opportunity is hosted by Multnomah ESD (MESD) in Portland, Oregon. Sub cost reimbursements may be available for school staff to attend. Priority will be given to registrants from MESD member school districts.

Register here for the two day in-person professional learning