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May 5, 2023

In this Issue:

• May Message from Superintendent Goldman
• School and Program Highlights
• Upcoming Events and Training Opportunities

May Message from Superintendent Goldman

Colleagues -

This month, I am proud to pass along a few concrete examples of how our educators push the boundaries for how we traditionally serve kids – after all, we know our public education system needs to address each child’s needs.

We recently celebrated the conclusion of a concerted monthslong effort by our region’s school districts to partner with students, families and school staff in the planning and decision making for six significant programs named in the Oregon Department of Education’s Integrated Guidance. 

We spoke with students in Seaside and Vernonia who were involved in this planning to hear about their experience and get their advice for future partnership efforts. I encourage you to take some time to listen to these interviews. We have lots to learn from these insightful young minds!

WATCH: Seaside and Vernonia students share their advice for how to work with students in school planning efforts.

Next week is teacher appreciation week. Not only should we honor our teachers for the work they do with our precious little ones, but we can be inspired by their leadership. In this month's feature story, we showcase our teachers’ efforts to disrupt patterns that have traditionally excluded certain children — like those who are neurodivergent — from the same opportunities as their peers.

Bathscheba, Mallory and Nanci: we’re proud of you! NWRESD’s licensed staff are disruptors and advocates and we love that about them…an anticipatory happy Licensed Appreciation Week to all the amazing educators out there!

In partnership –

Dan Goldman

Superintendent

School and Program Highlights

Northwest Regional ESD Pilots Friends and Me Playgroup for Preschoolers

A preschooler enjoys the bubble machine during free play time. NWRESD’s Beaverton Early Childhood Center has about 60 students participating in the Friends and Me playgroups this school year. Photo by Tracey Goldner.

This past fall, we launched a new playgroup at our early childhood centers in Washington County. 

There are currently 160 preschoolers participating. About 80% of the kids are receiving services from NWRESD for various developmental delays or disabilities and the others are called PALs, which is short for promoting acceptance and learning. 

The idea for the playgroup was born during the pandemic when children were isolated and were not getting the chance to interact with other children. Research also shows that every child benefits when classrooms are inclusive of children with and without disabilities.

During this pilot year, the focus is on growing the children’s social emotional skills, so children become more aware of their own emotions and begin to understand how to name and understand them. They learn problem-solving as they play together and learn that having friends is fun. 

Become Part of Oregon’s Largest, Most Successful and Longest Running Early Literacy Initiative

A teacher reads to students in a library.

We are now accepting applications from districts to participate in our Oregon Response to Instruction and Intervention (ORTli) program for the 2023-24 school year and beyond. Now is the time to sign up and ensure more students in your district become proficient at reading. 

The ORTli project is a statewide initiative focused on improving elementary reading. Our coaches use evidence-based instructional practices and culturally responsive multi-tiered systems of support. The initiative is funded by the Oregon Department of Education and administered by NWRESD. Support is free to any district in Oregon, and funding is also available.

We offer support for 1-2 years or 2-4 years depending on your district’s needs. View our online application to read more about the type of support we offer. 

More about ORTli:

Since 2005, the ORTli project has provided training and technical assistance to more than 110 Oregon school districts. Districts across the state have seen some incredible outcomes, including:

• 79% of participating districts increased the percentage of students who were at or exceeding grade level reading benchmarks.
• 82% of participating districts decreased the percentage of students who were well below reading benchmarks or at risk.
• A decrease in the percentage of students identified with a specific learning disability — both in the overall and Latino populations. 

If you have any questions or need help in completing your application, please email Matthew Kishlock, ORTli support specialist.

Jordan Ely Named Chief Financial Officer at NWRESD

Jordan Ely

Jordan Ely has been named chief financial officer of Northwest Regional Education Service District effective July 1. Jordan currently serves as the CFO for the Gresham-Barlow School District.

Jordan replaces interim CFO Sherry Ely, who has been working in the role since August of 2022.

Jordan has served as the CFO for Gresham-Barlow since 2020 where he oversees an annual operating budget of more than $165 million and an overall budget of $260 million. Gresham-Barlow employs more than 1,200 people and serves more than 11,000 students.

“Jordan was unanimously recommended for hire by our interdepartmental and interdistrict hiring team,” says NWRESD Superintendent Dan Goldman. “We are all impressed with his focus on strategic budget alignment, relationships, teaming, and centering principles of equity in resource allocation decisions and process improvements. Jordan also comes highly recommended by a number of school district CFOs in our region.”

Upcoming Events and Training Opportunities

North Coast Inclusion Seminar

May 6 - Clatsop Community College

9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

We hope you can join us for a day of learning that will bring together people from a variety of academic disciplines and communities. The goal of this year’s event is to help educators shake up our current educational system to make it more welcoming and accessible for everyone — especially those furthest from power and privilege.

Keith Jones, president and CEO of Soul Touchin’ Experiences, will provide a keynote address about the importance of inclusion and disability awareness.

Session topics include: 

• Building a Resilient Community
• Decolonization and Education
• Disability Accessibility
• Hidden Heroes: Lewis and Clark - Who is That Black Man Standing Next to Clark?
• Inclusive Pedagogy
• Indigenous Leadership

This event is free and open to educators working in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. 

Come Learn About Working for Northwest Regional ESD

May 16 and June 6 - Hillsboro

4-7 p.m.

NWRESD is hosting recruiting events this spring. The events will take place from 4-7 p.m. at our Washington Service Center in Hillsboro.

We will offer on-the-spot job interviews for classified and licensed positions. We’re also offering on-site child care with fun events for the kids. For additional accommodations, including language interpretation, please email humanresources@nwresd.k12.or.us.

We are currently hiring administrative assistants, early childhood educators, instructional assistants, occupational therapists, school psychologists, special education teachers and speech-language pathologists.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Symposium

May 20 - Vancouver, Washington

8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join regional K-12 educators and administrators for a STEM Symposium on May 20 in Vancouver, Washington. This free, in-person event will provide hands-on sessions about teaching computer science, coding, robotics and other STEM topics. 

Attendees will receive a certificate from Sphero, a technology company that provides curriculum, training and tools for STEM education. NWRESD is offering 5 PDUs to Oregon educators. A light breakfast and lunch will also be provided. 

Native Youth Wellness Warrior Conference & Pow Wow

June 3 - Wingspan Event Center in Hillsboro, Oregon

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Native Youth and Parenting Workshops 

5 - 10 p.m. - Community Pow Wow

Help us spread the word about an upcoming conference and community dinner especially for Native youth and their families. We are also hosting a social pow wow for community members afterward. 

The Native Wellness Institute (NWI) will offer youth and parenting workshops from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m for Native children, students and their families. NWI's mission is to promote the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of North America's Indigenous people in our labor of love.

Workshop topics will include:

• Living in Balance
• Native Leadership for Youth
• Self-Care Tips
• Being Trauma- and Healing-Informed for Parents

If you work with Native families or would like more information about this portion of the event, email communications@nwresd.k12.or.us.

A social pow wow will follow the conference and dinner. All educators, students, families and community members are invited to participate in the pow wow.

We also need volunteers to help support the conference and pow wow. Sign up to volunteer.

Take Your CTE Knowledge to the Next Level With a Summer Externship

July 24-27 - Various Locations

Are you a career technical education (CTE) teacher, principal, instructional assistant, counselor or career coach looking to expand your expertise in natural resources, construction, health occupations, agriculture or related fields? NWRESD is offering paid summer externships to educators who work in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. 

The externships will take place at the following dates and locations:

• July 24 - Health Occupations at Clatsop Community College
• July 25 - Natural Resources at Hampton Lumber and Astoria High School Fishery
• July 26 - Agriculture at Dairy Specialists, LLC
• July 27 - Construction at O’Brien Construction 

Participants will receive a stipend, lunch and reimbursement for travel. 

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