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Monthly Messenger |
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Colleagues -
On Monday, we pause in honor of the profound legacy and unfinished work left for us by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: the nonviolent and unrelenting pursuit toward peace, social justice and the end to racial discrimination.
As those responsible for educating the next generation, we occupy one of the most important positions in this mission. Woven throughout Dr. King's speeches and actions, is affirmation of the centrality of education as a powerful and necessary pathway toward achieving racial and economic equality. Absolutely, the work of public educators remains as critical as ever toward fulfilling Dr. King's vision.
Each year, we have this dedicated opportunity to reflect and take action on our responsibility to advance Dr. King’s vision in our homes, classrooms, communities and beyond. In this vein, I offer some tangible resources for reflection and action this week. I look forward to hearing more ideas from you too!
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In partnership and growth –
 Dan Goldman
Superintendent
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Thank You to Our Phenomenal Board of Directors
January is School Board Recognition Month. Our board represents the views of the communities and constituents in their zone or position area. They are steadfast advocates for educational access, student achievement, educator professional growth, equity, transparency and innovative service on behalf of our 20 component school districts and their communities.
“Our board members have ethically and effectively led our organization through truly unprecedented times,” says Dan Goldman, superintendent. “Together, we have faced difficult decisions and new opportunities and have been able to find success in the face of significant challenges. I know I can speak for all of our students, staff and families when I say thank you for your guidance, dedication and stewardship.”
Thank you to the following nine board members for your dedication to students:
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 Ross Tomlin - Chair, higher education position
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 Doug Dougherty - Vice Chair, Zone 2 - Astoria, Banks, Forest Grove, Jewell, Knappa, Neah-Kah-Nie, Nestucca Valley, Seaside, Tillamook and Warrenton-Hammond
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 Christine Riley - Zone 1 - Gaston, Sherwood and Tigard-Tualatin
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 Yadira Martinez - Zone 3 - Hillsboro
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 Tony Erickson - Zone 4 - Beaverton (Beaverton and Sunset high school attendance areas), Clatskanie, Rainier, Scappoose, St. Helens and Vernonia
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 Karen Cunningham - Zone 5 - Beaverton (Aloha, Southridge and Westview attendance areas)
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 Maureen Wolf - Board member at-large
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 Ernest Stephens - Business position
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 Diane Wilkinson - Social service position
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If you visit our Washington Service Center in Hillsboro, stop by the display in the lobby to read more about their latest work and write a note of thanks.
 Caption: The display case at the Washington Service Center includes a framed photo of each of our nine board members, information about resolutions they have passed, a light-up thank you sign and blue balloons. In addition to proclaiming February Black History Month, other recent work includes proclaiming November as National Native American Heritage Month and Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. In the fall of 2020, our board also established an Equity Policy Advisory Committee.
NWRESD Board Proclaims February Black History Month
Earlier this week, our board proclaimed February as Black History Month. Next month, as we celebrate more than 400 years of Black history in our country, our equity and family partnerships team reminds us that the primary solution to inequality is not simply through time-bound celebrations of cultures or including a token ritual into an otherwise white, Eurocentric calendar of events.
Celebration months are one of many opportunities to immerse yourself in new learning as you discuss the achievements of Black Americans throughout Oregon history and U.S. history with students and colleagues. Be sure to check out the more than 20 links and resources included in the resolution.
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“During this month, we are all called upon to listen to Black and African American voices; to learn about experiences of Black and African Americans throughout history and also contemporarily; to shed light upon and condemn the inhumanity of injustices and inequities that Black and African Americans experience and endure; to take ownership for each of our roles in perpetuating these; to confront and end biases and racism stoked by white supremacy; and to take action to realize true reforms in ourselves, our community, our culture, and our institutions to abolish injustice and inequities that Black and African Americans still experience and endure today; and to actively observe this month with appropriate activities, programs, ceremonies, and action.”
-Read the full Black History Month resolution.
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Spread the Word: Nominations Are Open for Oregon Teacher of the Year
Caption: Find out what makes an Oregon Teacher of the Year by watching this video.
The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, is accepting nominations for the next Oregon Teacher of the Year. Nominations are open statewide through Feb. 28, 2023. Anyone can nominate a teacher. All Oregonians are encouraged to nominate their favorite teacher today at: oregonteacheroftheyear.org.
Oregon's education service districts will select a winner from their region. Regional Teachers of the Year will be honored across the state in September 2023. In October 2023 one of the Regional Teachers of the Year will be named the 2023-24 Oregon Teacher of the Year and will be eligible to apply for the honor of the National Teacher of the Year.
Regional Teachers of the Year will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and will be celebrated across the state. The 2023-24 Oregon Teacher of the Year will receive a $10,000 cash prize (with a matching $5,000 going to their school) and serve as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers.
Promote the Oregon Teacher of the Year nomination form in your school community using the nomination toolkit.
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Regional Schools Receive Nearly $900,000 in Medicaid Reimbursements |
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Every year, more than a dozen school districts in our region receive money through a federal program called Medicaid Administrative Claiming. The program is essentially an incentive for educators and other school staff to report back to the government on the work they do to connect students to the Oregon Health Plan and other health-related services.
Of the 20 districts in our region, 14 participate in the program. During the 2021-22 school year, reimbursements ranged from $7,000 for the Knappa School District to $136,000 for Scappoose schools.
We reached out to Heather Hummell Martin, an assistant principal at Astoria Middle School who coordinates Medicaid Administrative Claiming for the Astoria School District, to ask her about her experience and to share tips for educators who are considering signing up. |
 Caption: “I am proud of the work our district is doing to support our students' health and well-being,” says Heather Hummell Martin (pictured at left with a student), an assistant principal at Astoria Middle School who coordinates Medicaid Administrative Claiming for Astoria School District.
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 Image description: Navy background with a multicolored bar at the bottom with text that says join our team as a chief financial officer. Visit nwresd.org/careers.
Northwest Regional ESD is hiring a chief financial officer to lead our fiscal operations. We are looking for a strong business leader who enjoys developing budgets, preparing financial reports, administering contracts, overseeing accounting and other internal controls and leading long-range planning efforts.
As a member of the superintendent’s cabinet, the chief financial officer will advise the superintendent on the financial status of the ESD and help set a vision for the agency. The chief financial officer will also represent NWRESD on statewide and regional business officers’ associations and collaborate with various groups within NWRESD and with the 20 component school districts in our region.
Northwest Regional Education Service District is proud to be an antiracist, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment, selection, and employment without regard to race, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, religion, veteran or military status, or any other category protected under the law.
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Join Our Budget Committee
 Our Board of Directors is seeking applicants for a three-year term on our budget committee. Members of the committee are responsible for attending meetings and approving an estimated budget document that will be submitted to the NWRESD board of directors.
The committee currently has four open positions:
- Position 2: Applicants must live in the Banks, Forest Grove, Gaston or Sherwood school district boundary area.
- Position 5: Applicants must live in the Clatskanie, Jewell or Rainier school district boundary area.
- At-Large Position (two positions available): Applicants must live in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook or Washington County.
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Northwest Regional Educator Network
Winter Application Deadline: Jan. 13
Statewide, there are far fewer teachers of color than students of color. In order to expand the number of educators of color in our region, the Northwest Regional Educator Network works to improve school environments so they include and center people of color.
The network is designed to support any educator who is interested in learning, creating, advancing and/or sustaining systems of support for Black, Indigenous or other educators of color. Any educator can apply as an individual, team lead or student group adviser. Network staff are available to assist with the application process.
Depending on the tier of support, participants will receive individualized coaching sessions, access to a networking community and resources, and/or access to flexible funds using the budget proposal application.
LGBTQ2SIA+ Equity Learning Collaborative
Thursday, Jan. 19 - Half-Day
Virtual
Attend a half-day learning collaborative on creating welcoming and inclusive environments for LGBTQ2SIA+ students. Using a blend of professional learning and community conversations, the learning collaboratives aim to help individuals more deeply understand LGBTQ2SIA+ equity, restorative practices, tribal history/shared history (SB 13) and Oregon Department of Education Student Success Plans and have conversations with colleagues about how to implement the learning in their own spaces.
Ion Office Hours
Every Friday from 10-11 a.m.
Virtual
Join our research, assessment and evaluation team on Friday from 10-11 a.m. for virtual office hours. We are available to help you work through any ion-related data question.
School Attendance Practices Using an Equity Lens
Wednesday, Jan. 25 - 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Virtual
We know when students feel a sense of belonging, it can be reflected in school attendance rates. How we talk about attendance with students, their families and other educators also matters. Are your attendance practices only meeting the needs of one group of students? It is time to reflect on what blind spots we might have when connecting with families. Come learn about the best ways to foster relationships with students and families to ensure your efforts are helping motivate students to come to school. This free, one-hour virtual training session is open to educators leading attendance initiatives in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties.
Protecting Your Privacy Online
Wednesday, Jan. 25 - 3:30-4 p.m.
Virtual
As part of the National Cybersecurity Alliance's Data Privacy Week, we will share techniques and approaches that you can use to protect your privacy online.
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The Monthly Messenger is a monthly update for Northwest Regional Education Service District partners. Would you like to see your team's work featured? Email communications. |
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