Canby School District News
September 25, 2019
We are off to a strong start for this school year! Students have been very engaged in their learning and our staff has been working hard on creating a culture of care in each of our schools.
As we work toward our districtwide goal of developing a positive climate in each school, every teacher has submitted a classroom management plan. These plans are designed to outline behavioral and academic expectations for our students. The plans also help our teachers identify the best strategies to support students when they’re off task. Creating a cooperative, safe, and positive learning environment helps ensure classroom time is used efficiently and every student has an opportunity to do their best work.
In the coming weeks, you’ll have an opportunity to share your feedback about our district. We are finalizing our Continuous Improvement Plan that outlines our goals for the next two years. We have conducted a needs assessment and identified three areas of focus: creating a positive school climate, improving core literacy instruction, and ensuring strong partnerships and communication with our community. This plan will help inform our application for funds from the Student Success Act. Your input will help identify programs and needs that these dollars can help fund. We will provide several opportunities for input, both in-person and online. Look for an email invitation in the coming days.
Finally, the Canby School District Board of Directors is exploring the possibility of a bond to fund facilities improvements in 2020. The district will be seeking input what you think needs improvement. Currently, a research firm is conducting a poll in the community for feedback. After needs are identified, the Board will determine whether to pursue the bond. The district does not anticipate any increases to the current tax rate to fund any projects.
As always, I appreciate your support of the Canby School District. A positive parent/school district partnership helps to support positive school climates across our district. Together, when we reinforce behavioral expectations, we are helping our children navigate a complex world.
Best,
Trip Goodall
SuperintendentCanby School District
State Assessment Results
The Oregon Department of Education recently released the results for our state assessments during the 2018-19 school year. This data helps inform our instruction.
Once again, the results for our district show that historically underserved groups of students are not performing as well as their peers. As we focus on equity in education, it’s clear that we need to provide additional support for these students to ensure they have the same educational opportunities as other students.
We are targeting additional support for these students through several district programs. Most importantly, we know we need to strengthen our core instruction, particularly in literacy for all grade levels. One of our district goals is focused on literacy. We are working to align this work across the entire district.
Some of the best support you can give your student is to encourage reading at least 20 minutes a day. Research shows students who read 20 minutes a day are exposed to 1.8 million words a year. They develop strong vocabularies and comprehension skills.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The district has been sharing information and resources about suicide prevention through a social media campaign this month.
Our district has a suicide prevention plan and protocols in place to identify those at risk. You can learn more about the warning signs here.
The Oregonian recently published an article about what’s contributing to the rising rates of suicidal thoughts and mental health issues. Click to read how academic pressure and existential fears are affecting our students.
Teaching Empathy & Compassion
A federal report from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that 20% of students in grades 9 through 12 reported that they were bullied during the 2016-2017 school year, with 15% bullied online or by text.
But, you might be able to use your child’s attachment to their cell phone to teach an important lesson about empathy and compassion.
Become a Volunteer
Our new visitor and volunteer management system is up and running. That means some changes to the process of volunteering in our schools.
1. All new and existing school volunteers in each school are required to apply via an online form available here: www.helpcounter.net/canby. You can even complete this application from a mobile device.
2. Once you apply, your information will be submitted for a background check. Please anticipate that it may take 2-3 business days before you will be approved as a volunteer. Once approved, you'll be notified via email and automatically entered into our new visitor/volunteer computer system located in each school office.
3. The new system streamlines how we manage both visitors to our schools and volunteers in our classrooms. We take security seriously, and want you to know that each school visitor and volunteer will be required to wear a temporary badge with their picture when they're in our buildings.
Free & Reduced Price Meals
A new application for free and reduced meals must be completed every school year. If your student received free/reduced meals last school year, eligibility will expire on October 14th, if a new application is not completed.
If your student did not receive free/reduced meals last year but you will be applying this year, please note that you will be responsible for any meals purchased before the application is approved.
Culture of Care
CARE Award
Congratulations to CHS’ Anne Bangs for winning this year’s first CARE Award. The award is given out monthly to a staff member who makes a difference in the lives of students.
Anne Bangs was recognized for creating an environment that encourages students to be successful in science. She tutors and supports students and advises the science club. Congratulations, Anne!
Principal Appreciation Month
Back to CSD
We appreciate all those photos you shared with us from the first day of school. In case you missed it, here’s what it looked like across our district as students returned to class earlier this month.
All students. All abilities. All opportunities.
Email: fostera@canby.k12.or.us
Website: www.canby.k12.or.us
Location: 1130 South Ivy Street, Canby, OR, USA
Phone: 503-266-7861
Facebook: facebook.com/canbyschooldistrict
Twitter: @canbyschools