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Limited in-person instruction: What is it? How does it apply to us?
This school year has brought with it a variety of new terms and acronyms for school districts to learn. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has made popular phrases like Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL), synchronous learning (happens in real-time) and asynchronous learning (instruction that learners access on their own time).
Another new term you will start to hear more often is limited in-person instruction. Under the CDL instructional model—in which all NWRESD schools and programs are operating through at least the first quarter—schools are able to bring a limited number of students for no more than two hours at a time and as long as they meet specific conditions that have been outlined by ODE. Read more about ODE’s requirements for limited in-person instruction.
NWRESD is not currently offering limited in-person instruction to those in our programs because our philosophy is that we first need to develop a rigorous CDL program. This includes robust online instruction, teletherapy and tele-evaluation services. Only then will we evaluate whether or not certain students are unable to make progress in CDL.
The Executive Reopening Schools Planning team—a team made up of service center coordinators, operational administrators, union representatives and instructional leadership—is also planning for what school could look like in the weeks and months ahead. Starting in early October, after three weeks of CDL programming, we will begin evaluating the need and feasibility to offer limited in-person instruction.
While we are still a couple weeks out from this timestamp, we thought you might want to know more about the term.
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My best-
Sarah Pope
Deputy Superintendent and Reopening Schools Lead
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Katelyn Beeler
Early Childhood Education Specialist
Tillamook Service Center |
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Amanda Casian
Migrant Recruiter/Family Engagement Specialist
Washington Service Center |
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Andrea Gonzalez
Migrant Recruiter/Family Engagement Specialist
Washington Service Center |
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Luisa Hernandez is now an Early Childhood Education Specialist
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Luisa Hernandez is the new early intervention specialist at the Tillamook Service Center. She previously worked as a translator/interpreter for the early intervention and early childhood special education program in Tillamook for four years.
After studying for two years at Tillamook Bay Community College, Luisa transferred to Western Oregon University and earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on education and psychology. |
She is currently working toward her master’s degree in special education also at Western. She says attending school, working full time and raising children has not been easy.
“I sacrificed a lot of quality time in order to achieve my objective,” she says. But her husband, children, parents and NWRESD supervisor have been a fantastic support system. She hopes her story serves as an inspiration for others. “My journey is not over,” she says.
Mary Jo Robertson is now the Clatsop Service Center administrative assistant
Mary Jo Robertson is now the service center administrative assistant for the Clatsop Service Center. She has worked as an instructional assistant for the early childhood special education program in both the Clatsop Service Center and Seaside ECSE classrooms since 2018.
Mary Jo has a bachelor’s degree from Linfield College in electronic art (computer science, mass communications and studio art). “She is creative and has strong technology skills,” says Elizabeth Friedman, the Clatsop Service Center administrator. |
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“We are delighted to have this chance to work with Mary Jo in her new position in Clatsop County!”
Congratulations to Luisa and Mary Jo!
Farewell to DeMarcus Mitchell
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DeMarcus Mitchell, our talent acquisition and retention manager, has taken a new position in the Beaverton School District. He will be working as an administrator for talent acquisition.
DeMarcus says he has learned a lot during his time at NWRESD, especially by simply walking around and talking with people at the Washington Service Center. His proudest moments have come when he sees candidates succeed in their new roles and then later receive promotions within the organization. |
"That is a very rewarding experience for me and is the reason I love my job," he says.
DeMarcus’ last day will be this Friday, Sept. 25.
Congratulations to our Wellness Council and to Crystal Greene, our grants manager, on receiving a five-year, $100,000 grant from OEA Choice Trust to launch an equity-driven staff wellness program. The goal of the program is to improve and support every staff member’s physical, mental/emotional and relational health. The program will be driven by the needs and interests of our staff members with an intentional focus on our staff of color. Learn more about OEA Choice Trust >>
We are beginning the search for a .2 FTE wellness coordinator to support this work. If you or someone you know might be interested in this part-time role, please email Joseph Hernandez, chief human resources officer. |
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Our board of directors voted to adopt a new Board Equity Policy Advisory Committee. This committee will:
- gather promising practices and tools from across the country.
- establish clear, consensus-based recommendations on best policy and practices to advance the equity and inclusion efforts across the organization.
- audit district policies with an equity lens and antiracism focus.
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- assess and recommend consistent policies regarding antiracism, diversity, equity, inclusion and sovereignty.
- support strategies for staff recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention and promotion through an equity lens.
Board members on this committee include Renée Bruce, Karen Cunningham and DaWayne Judd. Lead staff include Sharif Liwaru, director of equity and family partnerships, and Joseph Hernandez, chief human resources officer.
All staff need to meet with their supervisors between now and mid-October for annual goal-setting sessions. You must enter your goals into your Frontline Professional Growth account by Oct. 15.
Remember, goals are more achievable when they are realistic. Make sure to create specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals. This template can serve as a guide as you draft your goals >>
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Chief Human Resources Officer
Joseph J. Hernandez: 503-614-1407
Focus areas: strategic human resources support in all areas
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Human Resources Specialist
Kathy Fernandez: 503-614-1445
Focus areas: Americans with Disabilities Act requests; benefits; classified employees; FMLA/OFLA - all employees; COVID-19/FFCRA - all employees
Technical Support: Frontline/Recruiting & Hiring; Public School Works; workers' compensation
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Human Resources Specialist
Tammie Wing: 503-614-1482
Focus areas: administrative and licensed employees; license renewal/peer forms; public/federal student loan forgiveness
Technical support: Frontline/Professional Growth; IVEE web portal; Public School Works
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Human Resources Support Specialist
Grace Fasching: 503-614-1425
Focus areas: employment verification
Technical support: Frontline/Recruiting & Hiring
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Service Center Administrative Assistant
Carolyn Quinn: 503-614-1447
Focus areas: conferences/tuition; ID badges
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Washington Service Center Receptionist
Maria Tellez: 503-614-1428
Focus areas: Front desk reception; mail; special projects
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Open human resources positions
Assistant Director of Human Resources
We’re hiring! Please share this opening with your networks >>
Talent Acquisition and Retention Manager
We’re hiring! Please share this opening with your networks >>
Have a question about copyright, fundraising, guest speakers, political activities or ethics? Our staff handbook has an answer. This digital handbook is available on the Human Resources page of myNWRESD.org and in our Staff Resources Google Drive.
Questions? Email Joseph Hernandez, our chief human resources officer.
See the staff handbook >>
Leading antiracist scholar Dr. Ibram X. Kendi will join Portland City Commissioner and Human Solutions Board VP Jo Ann Hardesty for an evening of art and conversation on Thursday, Oct. 1.
This free, virtual event will run from 6:30-8 p.m. and will feature a 20-minute presentation from Dr. Kendi and a 20-minute conversation with Dr. Kendi and Commissioner Hardesty. The focus of the evening will be on the urgent need for all of us to become antiracists—for the sake of our nation and every one of us who calls it home.
See the details and register >> |
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Your suggestions make NWRESD a better place to work. Thank you for sharing your ideas, thoughts and suggestions with us.
Read our recent staff suggestions or make a suggestion of your own >>
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