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Monthly Messenger |
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Colleagues -Â
What a difference one year makes!?! As a reflection of our students, their amazing educators, and our many meaningful community partnerships, I am re-sharing our 10 most popular stories from the year.Â
In my four years here at Northwest Regional ESD, it’s been crystal clear that our staff always fights hard to make sure the kids in our programs have all they need to be successful, but this couldn’t have been more true throughout our resurgence from the COVID-19 pandemic. What I notice in these headlines – and in my memories of the 2022-23 school year – is that we are a uniquely supportive, inclusive and dedicated community of educators.
There is always more to learn and more to be done in support of our youth – as we wrap up the school year, I am incredibly proud of what our NWRESD colleagues have accomplished together. I hope everyone finds time to rest and restore this summer! |
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In partnership –
 Dan Goldman
Superintendent
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The $15 million investment and additional early learning expansions will tackle shortages in early care, especially for children needing special education
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 The latest addition to NWRESD’s facilities is a two-story, 51,140-square-foot building located at 3030 NE Aloclek Drive in Hillsboro. It is located near the intersection of Cornell and Cornelius Pass roads. Photo courtesy of LoopNet.
NWRESD will close on a new building located near the intersection of NE Cornell Road and NE Aloclek Drive in Hillsboro this month.
The two-story, 51,140 square foot space – the size of three NHL hockey rinks – will house approximately eight preschool classrooms in addition to special education evaluation, parenting education and administrative spaces for early childhood programming.
“Northwest Oregon families desperately need a robust early learning and care system and we couldn’t be more thrilled for the opportunity to make significant strides toward this vision” says Dan Goldman, superintendent. “This didn’t happen by accident – I am grateful to our dedicated board of directors, our NWRESD early childhood education colleagues, and our skilled fiscal team who facilitated a successful bond sale and secured $15 million for the project.”
In addition to facility expansion, NWRESD will add an additional evaluation team. Children under five who may need special education services, such as speech-language services, autism services or occupational therapy, are first referred for an evaluation to determine their eligibility to receive services through the free Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education program. The faster and earlier a child and their family start receiving services, the better prepared they will be for their K-12 school experience. The addition of an evaluation team will speed up the process for families and add to expertise in autism and second-language evaluations.
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 Lucas beams after pressing an adaptive switch, essentially a much larger version of the button on the bubble machine. Adapting a game like a bubble machine only takes a little extra effort and enables children like Lucas to participate. Photo by Tracey Goldner.
On a recent sunny Saturday, more than 100 families arrived at South Meadows Middle School in Hillsboro for a day of fun, games and connection. Community booths lined the halls, a mariachi band from Forest Grove High School performed on the stage and more than 20 tables offering various activities filled the courtyard.Â
“There’s lots of fun to be had,” said Elwin, a sophomore from Tualatin High School. Elwin arrived around 11 a.m. with his mom and little sister. They had already stopped by several community booths including the State Library of Oregon, which provides talking books and braille readers. He participated in one round of the treat trot, enjoyed a doughnut and took in the live music.
Sean, a fourth grader from Forest Hills Elementary School in Lake Oswego, had already participated in 18 activities — as evidenced by the stamps he collected from each booth he visited.
He was excited to report that he’d just learned how to use a fishing pole. He said casting the line and then cranking it back in was satisfying, especially since he netted two fidgets for his efforts.
When asked what would make life better, Sean shared that he’d like to have beeper baseball closer to his house. He participates with the Miracle League but has to travel 3 hours to play a game.
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 Pebbles Stone, far right, poses for a photo with parent navigators Anastasia Rigby, fourth from right, Cedar Horton, third from right, and Claire Catt, third from left. Members of the NWRESD board and Dan Goldman, NWRESD superintendent, join them.
You don’t need to tell Anastasia Rigby how tough it is to raise young children and make a living without relatives nearby. She’s done it.Â
That’s why when she heard about the opportunity to become a parent navigator, she jumped at the chance. As a navigator, Anastasia helps connect families to child care providers and programs such as Head Start or Preschool Promise and perhaps most importantly, she provides details about what applying for and participating in these types of programs is like.
It’s information you just can’t get from Google or Facebook.Â
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Congratulations to Jemma Bosotina on being selected as an Amazing Kid by Pamplin Media Group. Jemma, who attends Harvey Clarke Elementary School in Forest Grove, was born partially Deaf and has worked with Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher Carissa Martos since she was five years old.
At just 10, Jemma has already shared her story with Oregon legislators.
 Carissa Martos, left, with Jemma Bosotina on the stairs of the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem. Carissa traveled to Salem with Jemma during the 2023 legislative session so Jemma could testify about the importance of adequately funding regional inclusive services programs. Photo courtesy of Carissa Martos.
On March 16, Jemma traveled with Carissa and her classroom teacher to meet with legislators and share why regional inclusive services programs are important. Regional inclusive services programs provide training, technical tools and essential support to students and their teachers so that all schools, regardless of size or location, can instruct students in their home school, no matter how complex their disability.
NWRESD facilitated this regional inclusive services lobby day in collaboration with regional inclusive services partners from across the state.
Carissa says part of Jemma’s journey has been learning how to advocate for what she needs.
“She’s insistent that she gets to participate in things — without being disrespectful — but also wants to make sure everyone gets a chance to participate. She has an interest in improving other people’s lives and realities,” Carissa says.
This year, NWRESD’s 13 retiring staff members have contributed a collective 225 years of service to our organization. Whether they were here for 5 years or 28, each person listed below made a lasting impact on our organization. They collectively helped thousands of children and families over the years.
We wish Susan Dorofey, Peggy Freund, Shannon Henry, Andrea Keifer, Terry Larkin, Sandi Luth, Marjorie Neilson, Julia Pitcher, Carolyn Quinn, Murray Rau, Janet Robertson, Vicky Schroeder and Michelle Shahtout a fulfilling retirement.
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 Becky Tymchuk
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 Miriam Meneses-Rios
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 Doug Dougherty
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 Ernest Stephens
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There are two new faces and two returning faces on NWRESD’s nine-member board after four board openings closed this past spring.Â
At its May 9 board meeting, the NWRESD board reappointed Ernest Stephens to the business position and appointed Miriam Meneses-Rios to the social services position. Ernest previously completed two years on a four-year term that was vacated by his predecessor. Miriam will complete two years on a four-year term that opened up after the sitting member, Diane Wilkinson, took a job outside the region.Â
The Beaverton School District board of directors elected Becky Tymchuk to the Zone 5 position after Karen Cunningham announced she would retire after 8 years. Zone 5 represents the Aloha, Beaverton, Mountainside and Southridge high school attendance areas.Â
Doug Dougherty was re-elected to the Zone 2 position for a full four-year term after completing two years on a term that was vacated after a previous member retired. That zone represents the Astoria, Banks, Forest Grove, Jewell, Knappa, Neah-Kah-Nie, Nestucca Valley, Seaside, Tillamook and Warrenton-Hammond school districts.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Miriam and Becky to the board and to welcome Ernest and Doug back,” says Dan Goldman, superintendent. “All four of these people think about students and families first and their unique experiences in education, juvenile justice, consulting and business and nonprofit management will help them guide our organization. I’d also like to thank Karen and Diane for their steadfast service to our board, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
All four will be sworn in at a board work session scheduled to take place on July 18 at Seaside High School.
Applications to join our Oregon Response to Instruction and Intervention program are due this Friday, June 9. 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.
If you have any questions or need help in completing your application, please email Matthew Kishlock, ORTli support specialist.
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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.Â
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 ConstructionÂ
Participants will receive a $250 stipend and reimbursement for travel.
August Educator Externships
Aug. 3, 7-10, 14, 15, 17, TBD - Various locations
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We’re also offering educators in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties the opportunity to participate in up to three externships in various locations in our region this August. These externships will take place in person from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. each day. Lunch will be provided. There will also be time for collaboration with other educators. View this site descriptions document for more information.
Externships will:
- Focus on high-wage, in-demand careers
- Include tours of local industry facilities and/or post-secondary programs
- Include panel discussions with current employees
- Provide human resources-related information on workforce trends, hiring/recruiting practices and in-demand skills
These events are sponsored by our career and college readiness team, Portland Community College’s Portland Area Career Technical Education Consortium and the Portland Metro STEM Partnership.Â
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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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