Happy Lunar New Year! This year we are welcoming in the Year of the Tiger. Lunar New Year is the beginning of a calendar year whose months are Moon cycles, based on the lunar calendar. The Chinese zodiac sign of the Tiger is a symbol of strength, exorcising evils, and braveness. What a way to start the 2022 Short Session!

Over the next 5 weeks, I will be highlighting important Legislation that I will have the opportunity to consider during the 2022 Short Session.  I'll do my best to keep you up-to-date on where the bills are at in the process (committee hearings, committee votes, House/Senate floor), will always hyperlink to the bill so that you may read it yourself, and will include video clips from Committee Hearings or Floor Sessions when available. 

Superintendent Parker's Message -- January 28, 2022:

The district is in the early stages of planning for a possible school construction bond and wants to hear from you. In the past, the district has worked closely with the community to pass bond measures in 2010 and in 2000. These measures have allowed the district to build Joseph Gale, Fern Hill, Tom McCall East, the FGHS science wing, the FGHS baseball/softball complex, security updates and more. 

It is the district's desire to partner with the community in this process once again. In the coming weeks there will be several opportunities for families, students and community members to share how they experience district school buildings. We hope you can find the time to join us and share your experiences. 

A construction bond is a complex process. As such, the following is a summary of what has been done in the process up to this point. We feel that this information will help you understand the process and help you form questions you might want to ask during the upcoming meetings. 

First, this process is called the Long Range Facilities Plan. This plan studies the district’s ability to accommodate educational programs, tracks the capacity to handle projected enrollment and looks at the condition of district buildings. A committee of district staff, students and community members were tasked with looking at this information and establishing possible high priority projects.

From data on population growth, building age/condition, program priorities and much, much more, the committee formed several draft plans. These plans were presented to the community in 2017 and feedback was collected. In the spring of 2021 the committee revised the plans and again presented them to the community and the School Board. 

That brings us to today. Over the next few weeks, there will be opportunities for families, students and community members to attend various sessions where they feel most comfortable. Each of these sessions will cover the same general topics. The schedule of sessions, registration and Zoom meeting information is provided below. We look forward to you joining the conversation. 

Session Schedule

• BIPOC Students & Families Mon, Jan 31st 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• ELL / Migrant Students & Families Tues, Feb 1st 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• LGBTQ+ Families Weds, Feb 2nd 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• Latinx Students & Families Mon, Feb 7th 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• Open Session for Students Tues, Feb 8th 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
• Open Session for all Families Tues, Feb 8th 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• SPED Students & Families Thurs, Feb 10th 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Please register for the session you plan to attend by filling out the registration form. To join a session please use this Zoom link and enter the code 498052. Each session will use the same Zoom link. 

We will have additional opportunities in the coming months to provide more feedback on this process. We’re excited to get started and partner with you to improve our district buildings and better serve our students and community. 

Respectfully,

Dave Parker

Superintendent

En español.

Hillsboro School District Update -- Black History Month:

February is Black History Month, and while we do study and celebrate the diversity and contributions of Black/African/African Americans during this time, these conversations and lessons are not limited to the month of February - they take place throughout the entire year. “African American history is American history, and when kids understand the fuller picture of history, it will also help them understand the fuller picture of today.” Parents.com When our students’ diversity is appreciated and visible, they all thrive from learning about one another. 

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by Black/African/African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. History.com 

It’s never too early to begin celebrating and teaching your child about Black leaders. Start by watching videos and reading books. Encourage your child to be curious about the contributions and accomplishments of Black people. Together you can explore, discuss, and make connections. Celebrate Black history and cultural diversity all year long!

First Semester Report Cards
Second semester begins on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Students and families should be able to see first quarter grades in StudentVUE/ParentVUE by the end of the week, and will receive report cards in the mail by February 9th.

Free Dental Care for Kids (5-18 yrs old):

Pacific University, with the support of Washington County Dental Society, is hosting an event on Saturday February 19. The goal is to provide preventative, palliative and restorative dental care for children. 

• Saturday, Feb. 19 (8 am to 3 pm)
• Pacific University Dental Hygiene Clinic, 2nd floor Creighton Hall (222 SE 8th Ave, Hillsboro)
• The Health Professions Campus is located directly on the MAX light rail line at the Tuality Hospital/SE 8th Ave. stop.
• To make an appointment please contact call 503-352-7373
• A parent or guardian must remain on site while their child receives dental services.
• No insurance or proof of identification required for this event

Free Eye Exam and Glasses:

A full eye exam and glasses are covered for ALL children with CareOregon! No CareOregon or insurance? No problem! Pacific University, College of Optometry is currently offering FREE exams and glasses to children without coverage! So either way, your child can get the help they need! Schedule an appointment at one of our five clinic locations today! Get more information on their website.

Crystal Apple Award Nomination Deadline Approaching:

It was one of my most cherished honors to receive the Crystal Apple Award, so please join me in celebrating our teachers for this year's nomination process! The deadline for nominating outstanding staff members for the Award is Monday, February 7th. Sponsored by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Crystal Apple Awards celebrate excellence in education and are awarded to Hillsboro School District staff in the categories of licensed, classified, and administrator. 

Update about SAT testing:

On Tuesday, January 25th, the U.S College Board announced that the SAT, formally known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, will be taken digitally starting in 2023 for international students and 2024 for U.S.-based students.

You can read more about this change in the article, authored by Mia Ryder-Marks, in the Hillsboro News Times, linked here.

Oregon Housing and Community Services has started accepting new applications again for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

This will be a limited reopening for three to five weeks, depending on the availability of funds. Households with the most need will have priority in accessing resources, not a first-come, first-served basis. 

New applications will be processed after applications received before December 1st. Tenants who apply on or after January 26th may receive safe harbor protections that prevent landlords from evicting tenants until their application is processed. However, those tenants should expect a delay prior to processing and payment.

More information is linked here.

Oregon House of Representatives elects Dan Rayfield as Speaker:

The following message is a Press Release from the House Democratic Caucus, published on February 1st, 2022.

SALEM – Today, on the opening day of the 2022 legislative session, the Oregon House of Representatives elected Rep. Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) to serve as Speaker of the House.

In his first remarks as Speaker of the House, Rayfield shared how a chaotic childhood made him the person he is today, and highlighted priorities for the 2022 session.

“Like the rest of the country, Oregonians have faced immense challenges these last two years,” Rayfield said. “We can give them hope that stability, safety, and a better tomorrow are possible.

“We know our kids learn best when they’re in a safe school environment five days a week, which is why we will work to support our teachers and schools to make that happen. We’ll bring support to working families and the small businesses that make up the backbone of our economy. We’re going to work to bring down the cost of living by making investments in key areas like housing and health care, and we’ll work to address the homelessness crisis in every community in the state. And we’re going to prioritize keeping our communities safe, while we invest in mental and behavioral health services to help some of our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Rayfield was formally nominated on the floor by Rep. Wlnsvey Campos (D-Aloha).

“I know that many of our colleagues can attest that he has spent time listening and learning about the priorities of the different communities we represent and has demonstrated that he is someone who values all voices in this chamber, and that he demonstrates authenticity and integrity in this work,” Campos said.

The video of Rayfield’s remarks can be found here.

Nathan Sosa appointed to serve Oregon House District 30:

Congratulations to Representative Sosa! I look forward to working with him through the Short Session and into the future! Read more below:

The Washington County Board of Commissioners appointed Nathan Sosa to House District 30 on Monday evening, January 31st. His appointment fills the vacancy left by former state Representative Janeen Sollman, who was appointed last month to fill the vacant Oregon Senate seat left by the resignation of Chuck Riley in late 2021. Representative Sosa was sworn in Tuesday morning, February 1st, as the Legislature gaveled in for a 35-day short session.

You can read the full article, authored by Troy Shinn, in the Hillsboro News Times, linked here.

Travis Nelson appointed to serve Oregon House District 44:

Congratulations to Representative Nelson! I appreciate the ground breaking progress Representative Nelson's nomination represents, and I look forward to working closely with him. You can read more below:

You can read the full article, authored by Peter Wong, in the Bend Bulletin, linked here. 

New city park coming to east side of Forest Grove:

The Forest Grove City Council approved spending $500,000 to buy a one-story house and the surrounding nearly half-acre lot at 3705 19th Avenue, to be converted into the first city park east of Highway 47. They plan to work with local nonprofits to salvage material from the house for reuse. 

You can read the full article, authored by Dillon Mullan, in the Forest Grove News Times, linked here.

Oregon Department of Transportation updates stretch of Highway 6 with new signage:

To improve safety conditions on Highway 6, the Oregon Department of Transportation has installed new speed limit and warning signage. Specifically, the update includes 45 mph speed signs west of South Fork Gales Creek Road and signs at some curves with poor visibility before school bus stops. New signs also post the radio channel used by school bus operators to facilitate communication with truckers. 

You can read the full article, authored by Dillon Mullan, in the Forest Grove News Times, linked here.

Habitat for Humanity opens a "ReStore" in Forest Grove:

The Forest Grove ReStore sells second-hand and gently used furniture, home goods, and building materials. The nonprofit began renting space in 2010 before buying the facility, previously a car dealership, in 2014 and completed renovations this month.

Habitat for Humanity is hosting an open house at the store from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, February 12th.

The store, which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, is located at 3731 Pacific Avenue in Forest Grove. They can also be reached at 503-357-1201. The store also has a truck for delivery of larger items.

You can read the full article, authored by Dillon Mullan, in the Forest Grove News Times, linked here.