BSD Briefs
October 16, 2017
District Goal: WE empower all students to achieve post-high school success.
Local Option Levy – Did you know?
Beaverton School District’s 5-year Local Option Levy is set to expire in June 2018. The levy generates $30 million per year and provides more than 300 teachers to reduce class sizes across the District.
The School Board is considering two options, asking voters to renew the current levy for another five years or for an increase in the tax rate which could generate additional resources.
The School Board will poll likely voters on the options later this fall.
Early Release in Action: West TV Elementary
The entire staff of West Tualatin View (West T.V.) Elementary School, from the principal to the front office secretaries, gathered around tables in the school’s cafeteria to learn and collaborate on International Mindedness on Wednesday, October 4.
The school has been working to become a Primary Years Program (PYP) school for several years, and on September 29, 2017, applied to become authorized. With applying for authorization comes the requirement for all of the school’s staff to be trained in the International Baccalaureate (IB) standards and practices. This year’s administratively directed Early Release/Teacher Collaboration will be focused on just that.
“The advantage of having Early Release/Teacher Collaboration on Wednesdays is that I don’t have to give up my staff meeting time. We can use staff meeting time for other important learning and professional development staff should have this school year, like readers workshop, math workshop, restorative practices, PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports), etc.,” says principal Kalay McNamee. “Having the time to focus directly on our IB requirements is invaluable.”
The lesson focused on International Mindedness, one of the IB learner profiles. The staff discussed the meaning of their names, how to act locally and think globally and how to incorporate these important lessons in their classrooms and their daily work.
Aloha-Huber Park K-8 Celebrates Academic Success
On a Wednesday afternoon, staff gathered in the library at Aloha-Huber Park (AHP) K-8 to celebrate the success in increasing student achievement. On hand for the recognition, were Superintendent Don Grotting, Deputy Superintendent Steve Phillips and Executive Administrator Brenda Lewis.
According to the 2016-2017 Oregon Department of Education State Report Card, all AHP students are making significant gains at a faster rate when compared to other “like-schools” across Oregon. That is definitely something to celebrate at AHP, where 85% of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch. AHP is the top-performing Title I school in the Beaverton School District. “The AHP team has done an amazing job of serving our most at-risk students,” says Deputy Superintendent Steve Phillips.
AHP’s nearly one thousand students come from very diverse backgrounds, speaking more than 30 different languages. This is the ninth consecutive year that all English Language Learners at the school have exited ESL services before high school, giving them universal access to college preparatory classes.
- Excellent recruitment, hiring, and sustaining staff
- Shared leadership with advanced teacher leadership structure
- Focus on key high leverage, systemic practices that are evidence-based
- Monitoring by a core team of administrators and teaching staff with focus on core instruction
- Fidelity to an assessment system that responds to students' learning needs and alignment to state standards
- Strong staff collaboration
Says Superintendent Grotting, “Their laser focus on quality instruction and providing timely feedback to their students and parents are instrumental to their success.”
The Great ShakeOut
Are you prepared for an earthquake? On October 18, every school in the District will participate in an earthquake drill, as part of the Great ShakeOut. The event is an opportunity to practice how to be safe during earthquakes. But what happens after the ground stops shaking? Is your family prepared to recover quickly? The Oregon Office of Emergency Management wants to make sure we are all two weeks ready. What does that mean? Visit the Two Weeks Ready Facebook page and watch their very informative videos to find out!
FAFSA Application Now Open
Students can now apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
If you are considering attending college, completing the FAFSA is an essential first step in seeking financial assistance such as loans, grants, or scholarships. Oregon’s Office for Student Access and Completion (OASC) website has helpful information about financial aid activities.
Nike Active Schools Innovation Exchange
Nike hosted a group of award-winning physical education teachers from across China at Raleigh Park Elementary School on October 5, 2017, as part of a unique innovation exchange designed to bring together leaders in sport and play in schools from China and the United States.
The exchange is the culmination of the recent Active Schools Innovation Awards, a partnership between Nike and China’s Ministry of Education recognizing innovation in sport and play in China’s schools. A group of teachers from China were selected to visit Los Angeles and Oregon to share best practices with leading schools and programs that are also promoting innovation in schools.
Beaverton School District is among the leading school districts in the US in physical education, and last year received a grant from the US Department of Education to support the District’s innovative approach to physical activity in schools. Beaverton’s innovation in this space includes the Brain Boost program, which brings yoga, dance and movement into the classroom as a way of increasing students’ ability to focus during lessons, as well as improving behavior and class management.
Nike, in partnership with the Beaverton School District, hosted the innovation exchange at Raleigh Park Elementary School, where some of the most innovative PE teachers from the District and China experienced a collaborative exchange of cultures and best practices, sharing how they inspire kids to move and play.
National School Bus Safety Week: October 16-20
The Beaverton School District has the largest publically owned fleet in the state of Oregon, consisting of 309 buses. Approximately 30,000 students ride our school buses each day. Roughly 270 drivers travel more than 3,000,000 miles each year.
Our safety team evaluates the safety of bus routes and student bus stops. They respond to student and traffic incidents and work closely with schools and drivers to resolve traffic and student issues.
Our training team ensures that each driver has the proper skills to operate a school bus and safely transport students. They provide the initial behind-the-wheel instruction and testing that all Beaverton drivers must pass before they may transport students, as well as ongoing training and instruction for our experienced drivers.
Our maintenance team is responsible for keeping our fleet of vehicles on the road each day. Our staff of mechanics and technicians perform repairs, preventative maintenance and state-mandated inspections to ensure our buses operate safely each day.
Thank you to all of our dedicated transportation staff!
Early Release
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
(students will be dismissed 90 minutes early)
Bond Accountability Committee Meeting
Monday, October 23, 2017
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Administration Office
16550 SW Merlo Rd.
Early Release
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
(students will be dismissed 90 minutes early)
School Board Business Meeting
Monday, October 30, 2017
6:30 p.m.
Administration Office
16550 SW Merlo Rd.
Beaverton School District
Read past issues of the BSD Briefs.
The Beaverton School District recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of the Beaverton School District that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veteran status, genetic information or disability in any education programs, activities or employment.
Email: community_involvement@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: beaverton.k12.or.us
Location: 16550 SW Merlo Rd, Beaverton, OR, United States
Phone: (503)356-4360
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeavertonSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @beavertonsd