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 🙌 Educators play the uncontested-single-most-critical role in shaping the future of this planet. 🙌
This teacher appreciation week, I am asking you to elevate profound gratitude for the many ways educators in our communities and here at NWRESD are positively impacting the lives of students and families while undeniably making the world better. At Northwest Regional, that looks like…
- Creating a more welcoming Outdoor School experience by sourcing adaptive equipment for students with mobility challenges, enacting thoughtful gender inclusive practices, and translating curriculum materials.
- Standing up a region-wide mentoring program so new educators in our school districts are equipped and supported to succeed.
- Connecting with students who struggle in general education settings due to social emotional barriers and finding personalized ways to help them succeed.
- Partnering with parents, a child’s first and most important teacher, to give babies the strongest start possible.
- Visiting child care and preschool settings to work with providers towards creating caring, inclusive, supportive early learning environments.
- Convening educators with similar goals, like improving attendance or literacy rates, to support each other in defining problems and testing solutions.
- Coaching classroom teachers to successfully include students with disabilities and teaching their students to self-advocate so they never get less than they deserve.
- and so.much.more…
Please enjoy reading about many more innovative ways educators across northwest Oregon are ensuring every student is educated, equipped and inspired to achieve their full potential and enrich their communities in the articles below.
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In partnership –
 Dan Goldman
Superintendent
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 Girls and their families participate in a STEM Like a Girl event. Photo courtesy of Sarah Foster.
Sadako Hattori, a technical engineer with the Cascade Technology Alliance, has volunteered with STEM Like a Girl for a little more than a year.
Acknowledging the importance of early exposure, support and parent partnership, STEM Like a Girl hosts workshops for elementary-aged girls and their parents. The goal of the events is to get girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math and create the conditions for them to become future problem-solvers and STEM leaders. The Oregon-based, volunteer-led nonprofit, seized the refrain “like a girl” to empower and motivate.
“The workshops are so well run and the kids have so much fun,” Sadako says. “I fell in love with this program and its mission, and I want to do what I can to help them reach as many girls as possible to ignite the same fire for STEM that I have.”
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 Annie Palumbo (center) presents about SchooLinks to teachers from districts around the region. Photo by Tracey Goldner.
The sound of keyboard keys clicking filled teacher Annie Palumbo’s classroom. About two dozen ninth-graders were answering a series of would-you-rather questions about their likes and dislikes.
Would you rather shadow a software engineer or help a friend repair a bike?
Would you rather help a teammate learn a soccer move or do a science experiment?
Would you rather learn how to use a new type of power tool or help out at a community garden?
One student clicked quickly after reading the choices. Another paused to think.
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 Educators participate in a creative construction activity at Portland Community College’s Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center in Scappoose on March 7. This hands-on event gave educators the opportunity to learn about makerspace classroom tools. Photo by James Hill.
In early March, 31 elementary and middle school teachers from around the region gathered at the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center in Scappoose to attend a hands-on workshop all about the current technologies available to them. Afterward, every teacher received supplies and equipment, including a 3D printer, to use in their classrooms.
“I’ve been setting things up in my classroom, playing around with all the new gadgets and am just beyond excited to share these new wonderful tools with my students,” says Rachel Kujala, a fifth grade teacher at Clatskanie Elementary School. “You have given students in my school an opportunity that they would’ve never had without your generous support.”
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Paul Jarrell, the current president of Tillamook Bay Community College, has joined Northwest Regional Education Service District’s board of directors. Paul was sworn into the higher education position on March 12.
He replaces Ross Tomlin, who served on the board for six years and recently retired as president from Tillamook Bay Community College.
Paul has worked in higher education — mostly for community colleges — for three decades. |
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“I’m excited about Paul’s teaching and educational leadership experiences for our board,” says Dan Goldman, NWRESD superintendent. “He’s a respected educator with experience in publicly funded capital projects, accreditation, collective bargaining, planning and budgeting. Paul is committed to strengthening K-12 and higher education partnerships as a fundamental pathway to student success.”
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Budget development for the 2024-25 school year is upon us and school district and education service district budget committees are beginning to meet. Despite education funding turmoil across the state and program and staff reductions in many districts (as federal COVID-19 relief funds dry up and operating costs accelerate), Northwest Regional ESD is projecting relatively stable revenue from purchased services, the state school fund and most state grants. However, one critical program remains woefully underfunded: Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE).
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Image description: An illustration of three kids holding hands with colored pencils and pens next to the paper.
Parents, board members, superintendents, special educators and teachers in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties: Join our Regional Inclusive Services Advisory Council and help us set the priorities for our Regional Inclusive Services program.
The program provides services to about 3,000 students who experience complex disabilities such as blindness, deafness, autism or orthopedic impairment. The advisory group will meet once a month during the school year.
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FEATURED EVENT
Wake Up Everybody: Cascade Alliance for Equity (CAFE) Summit
Wednesday, May 29 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Wingspan Conference Center in Hillsboro)
 We're teaming up with K-12 students to change the game of educational equity in northwest Oregon. Come spend the day engaging with student equity leaders. Together, we’ll flex some mental muscle and bring the heat to tackle challenges and create solutions.
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North Coast Inclusion Seminar
Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Astoria High School)
Join us for an opportunity to shake up our current educational system and make it welcoming and accessible for all — especially those furthest from power and privilege.
This event brings together voices from a variety of academic disciplines and communities. Rachel Cushman of the Chinook Nation and Harvest Moon from the Quinault Tribe are the featured speakers. Breakout sessions include the art of storytelling, disability and access, connecting the Latinx community with nature and using story circles.
Register.
AIEmpowered Edu Conference: School District Leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Tuesday, May 14 from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (University of Portland)
Come learn from industry leaders about how to navigate the opportunities and pitfalls of using artificial intelligence in schools. Sessions will cover ethical considerations, practical tools and strategies and the latest AI technologies.
Add yourself to the waitlist.
Creating an Affirming School Community for Gender Expansive Youth
Wednesday, May 15 from 4-6 p.m. (Virtual)
Transgender and gender-nonconforming youth often feel unsafe in school. They experience rejection and exclusion and struggle to find a sense of belonging. We all experience gender. Understanding this concept, as well as understanding gender identity development in children and how gender roles and identity impact us all is foundational for every educator.
Register.
ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
Thursday and Friday, May 30-31 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Hillsboro)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is an in-depth, two-day workshop that prepares individuals to provide suicide first aid intervention using an evidence-based approach called the Pathway for Assisting Life (PAL).
Participants will learn how to recognize when someone may be having thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. The state recommends at least two staff members in every school are trained in ASIST techniques.
Register.
NWRESD Foundation Fundraising Gala
Thursday, May 30 from 5-7 p.m. (Downtown Portland - Miller Nash)
Join us for a night of camaraderie and fundraising to benefit the special needs children served by Northwest Regional Education Service District. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served starting at 5 p.m. Later on we'll introduce you to some of the students, families and educators.
Learn more and register.
Native Youth Wellness Warrior PowWow
Saturday, June 1 from 5-10 p.m. (Wingspan Conference Center in Hillsboro)
Come support the accomplishments of Native youth from northwest Oregon. The event will include a community meal, grand entry and student honoring for high school graduates. Carlos Calica will emcee and drummers from around the region will participate.
This event is open to the public.
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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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