Staff Talk
A Newsletter for Beaverton School District Employees
February 2018 Issue
National School Counseling Week - Feb. 5-9, 2018
The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Beaverton School District counselors are incredible and continue to go above and beyond to meet the individual and complex needs of students and families. Thank you, Beaverton counselors, for all your time and commitment to the overall well-being of our students and families,” says Danielle Hudson, Executive Administrator for Student Services.
Please take a moment to thank your school counselor.
School Board Passes Resolution Authorizing Local Option Levy Renewal
If approved, the Local Option Levy Renewal would allow Beaverton schools to preserve 300 teaching positions, maintain class sizes, and help ensure students are prepared for post-high school success. The levy renewal costs $1.25 per $1,000 assessed property value. Homes with the median assessed value of $238,000 would continue to pay less than $25 per month. The levy could raise approximately $31-$35 million a year.
In 2013, voters approved a five-year local option levy to restore teaching positions that had been cut due to repeated state funding shortfalls. The levy has raised $128 million, and 100% has remained in Beaverton schools to fund approximately 300 teaching positions and reduce class sizes. In the 2017-2018 school year, 158 of these positions were allocated to Beaverton's elementary schools, 53 to middle schools, 70 to high schools, and 18 to options schools.
English Language Development (ELD) Adoption Survey Closes Soon!
This optional, anonymous survey will help to inform long-term plans to meet the needs of our linguistically diverse students. The link to the survey can be found here.
The survey will close at the end of day on Friday, February 2, 2018.
Beaverton School District Graduation Rates Increase
However, there is more work to be done to ensure all students graduate ready for post-high school success. Beaverton Superintendent Don Grotting is focused on ensuring all students succeed. “I am committed to making sure resources and programs are directed to students who are struggling to find success in their education, as well as challenging all students to reach their potential. We are increasing career and technical education opportunities in addition to expanding advanced and college-level coursework. We are also investing in early childhood education to provide all children the opportunity to be prepared to enter kindergarten. Additionally, we are focusing on the social-emotional needs of our students and ensuring our schools are safe and welcoming to all students and parents.”
For more information, please contact the Communications & Community Involvement Department at 503-356-4360.
Immunization Exclusion Day - February 21, 2018
State law requires that all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities have up-to-date immunizations, or have a religious or medical exemption.
Parents or guardians will receive a letter in early February if their child’s immunization record shows that he or she has not received the required vaccinations. Children will not be able to attend school or childcare starting February 21, 2018, if their records on file show missing immunizations.
Beaverton Immunization Clinic
The Beaverton School Based Health Center will host an Immunization Clinic on Monday, February 12, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Students that DO NOT have the required vaccines by February 21, 2018 will be EXCLUDED from school until they have received the appropriate vaccines.
- Students under the age of 14 need to have an adult present.
- Students over the age of 15 can come in on their own, but ID and insurance information is required.
- Patients will be billed according to their ability to pay. Proof of income is required to be eligible for discount.
- The BSBHC takes most major insurances but does not accept Kaiser.
- No patient will be turned away for their inability to pay. Please ask front desk for more information.
The Beaverton School Based Health Center (SBHC) specializes in pediatric primary care, child and adolescent counseling, as well as preventative pediatric dentistry. The Center serves all students and employees in the Beaverton School District.
The SBHC can bill most private health insurance plans and may collect a co-pay at the time of your visit. Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is also accepted, which does not require a co-pay.
In primary care the SBHC an excellent resource for well child checks, sports physicals, immunizations, and flu shots. The SBHC also offers general counseling on an ongoing basis available for individuals and families. Dentistry provides sealants, cleanings and referrals. Your school based health center is an excellent place to begin to address your students medical, mental health and dental needs.
Located on the Beaverton High School Campus, 13000 SW 2nd Street, Beaverton, 97005. Open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Closed 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. for lunch).
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 503-356-3985.
Washington County Immunization Resources
Turn Your Key - Be Idle Free
The District has launched a campaign to reduce unnecessary idling in all vehicles on District property. (Board Policy EBAD).
The “Turn Your Key, Be Idle Free” campaign launched on Monday, January 22, 2018. Click here for a toolkit to help spread the word in your schools.
This toolkit includes the following:
Video featuring BSD students
Newsletter article
Infographic
Logo/Icon
- Poster contest for students
Turn your key, be idle free!
LGBTQ+ Staff Affinity Group
If you are a staff member who identifies as LGBTQ+, consider joining the District’s LGBTQ+ Staff Affinity Group. We:
- Create an inclusive and affirming environment for BSD students, staff, and families
- Inform each other about the challenges and successes of supporting LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families
- Support one another through sharing resources and strategies
The next meeting is Thursday, February 8th from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. at Beaverton High School. If you’re interested, please email Gretchen Mollers (gretchen_mollers@beaverton.k12.or.us).
Actions for Allies: if you are a staff member interested in supporting LGBTQ+ students, read this article surrounding the controversy when an LGBTQ+ student advocated for greater representation.
Safe Work Environment - A Joint Statement (BEA, OSEA, ABSA)
Sexual harassment is clearly defined in the Code of Professional Conduct and Board policy GBN/JBA. Board policy states sexual harassment is “strictly prohibited and shall not be tolerated,” nor shall the district retaliate against anyone who, in good faith, reports a complaint or participates in an investigation.
If you experience or observe sexual harassment in the workplace, please report immediately, per the procedures outlined below. We appreciate your help in keeping the Beaverton School District a great place to work.
Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure
Complaint Form
Monthly Tech Tip
Remember to backup your data before it's too late! Hard drives go bad, computers get damaged, and accidents happen. It's critical that you have your important documents, files, music, movies, and pictures backed up so that you're prepared when this happens. It is your responsibility to backup everything on your computer periodically.
All items in Google Drive and Outlook Web App are safe because they are on cloud-based storage. One way that you can backup your data is by using Google Drive. You can work with your school or department Technology Support Specialist (TSS) to look into automated ways of backing up your data using Time Machine as well. We strongly encourage you to backup your data regularly to avoid the nightmare of losing important work!
What do I do if liquid is spilled on my laptop? First, to prevent this from happening, please do not keep open containers of liquid near computers. In an event where any liquid is spilled on your laptop, do this immediately:
- Turn the computer off, unplug from any power source
- Fold into a V and set it on the end opposite the power port.
- DO NOT TRY TO TURN IT ON.
- Report this to your school/department TSS who will provide a replacement while your laptop dries out and it can be checked for damage.
ACMA Construction Schedule Extension
The construction schedule for the new Arts & Communication Magnet Academy (ACMA) rebuild has been extended from one to two years. ACMA students will attend school in the “swing” school in the Timberland school during the 2019-2020 and 2020-20201 school years. The new school will open September 2021.
There are several factors that influenced the decision to extend the construction schedule:
- Current market conditions and local labor shortages with the recent passage of neighboring district construction bond measures and continued high demand for commercial construction in the region are challenging the District’s ability to attract bidders, maintain subcontractors to provide this pace of work, and get the best value for bond dollars.
- Time requirements for various jurisdictions to complete design review, permitting and inspections will continue to be significant in this construction market. Preliminary City of Beaverton review indicates more extensive road work will be required at this site introducing a significant time factor.
- Limited access and work area on the campus will restrict the size of crews and activities that can be worked on simultaneously. The close proximity of the grounds to surrounding houses will limit work hours hampering the ability to extend work days if needed.
What will be gained by extending the construction schedule:
- A better quality, complete facility fully ready and given to staff well in advance of the new school opening. In previous bond construction projects, time for staff move in was compressed and not all site work was complete in time for welcoming students.
- More time for quality control and flexibility. For example, there will be more time to test and tune HVAC and other mechanical systems that ensure the comfort for ACMA staff and students.
Signal To Noise 2018 Call For Entries
- Animation
- Comedy
- Drama
- Documentary (PSA and News Reporting included)
- Experimental (High School Only)
- Music Videos
The theme of this year's Festival is Diversity and Social Justice, a special award will be given to the best film that addresses this issue.
To submit a project students must:
- Complete a Parent Permission Form (one per student)
- Upload film to sponsor's YouTube Channel.
- Choose UNLISTED setting
- Choose high definition
- YouTube help for uploading videos
- How to upload to YouTube from iMovie
- Complete an Online Entry Form (one per project), this includes:
- Link to your film on YouTube
- Project Details
- Staff Sponsor
- Student Information
- Click here for an example.
For more information, visit the Signal To Noise webpage.
City of Beaverton Human Rights Advisory Commission Creative Expression Contest
Entries may be in the form of essay, poem, spoken word, song, music, poster, drawing, collage, any art or craft medium, film, dance, or any combination of these.
The deadline for entries is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2018:
Email submission to HRAC@beavertonoregon.gov
or mail to
HRAC
P.O. Box 4755
Beaverton OR 97076-4755
or drop off entry at the Mayor's Office, Attn: Paolo Esteban, 12725 SW Millikan Way, 5th floor.
To complete your entry submission, fill out the required online entry form.
This contest is open to all Beaverton residents from Kindergarten through twelfth (K-12) grade who attend school (public or private) or who are home-schooled in the Beaverton area. Students may work individually, in teams or small groups, or as an entire class to submit an entry or entries, but only one prize will be awarded per entry.
For more information, visit the Creative Expressions Contest webpage.
Hazeldale Construction Update - January 2018
2017-2018 Beaverton's Choice Grants
Beaverton's Choice is a site like Donors Choose that helps individuals and businesses match up their time, resources or a tax donation with specific classroom projects in our Beaverton public schools.
Teachers list their needs online; donors choose which ones are of interest. It’s as simple as that! Now Beaverton Education Foundation can help make your fabulous classroom project go viral through Beaverton’s Choice!
Creating a classroom project, or campaign, using Beaverton’s Choice is a simple online process. Go to the Beaverton’s Choice application site. You will need to enter five pieces of information, click submit, and BEF will do the rest to get your project online and the fundraising started!
You will need the following to submit a project:
- Title | A good title can make your request stand out. Identify your classroom problem or opportunity, and use a personal tone.
- Intro | This will be the introduction to your project and the default message shared on social media.
- Goal | Enter the goal for the project – the amount of money you are trying to raise
- Picture | Use a horizontal photo that helps donors connect emotionally with the project maximum benefit.
- Story | This is where you can go into more detail on your classroom or school project. Include your school name and grade level(s) served. At the end of the story include the budget details for the project.
That is all you need to submit a project. If you have questions, refer to details of creating a project for step by step instructions.
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be posted to Beaverton’s Choice for funding by the public. You will be notified via email when to begin promoting and sharing your project. The BEF Grant Review committee reviews your project and considers your active sharing in their funding decision.
BEF Kids Count Grants
Applications must be for extended day or year programs. Summer programs must serve the same students for a minimum of four weeks, and a minimum of 45 hours instruction time. Programs must provide tutoring and/or enrichment opportunities for students that enhance and improve student learning.
BEF Kids Count Grants fund the upcoming summer and the following fall extended day programs. Middle schools are not eligible to apply as they receive funding through the BEF Middle School Extended Day program.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Please submit an Intent to File Form. Deadline is January 12, 2018. A BEF Intent to File form must be submitted by the Intent to File deadline to be eligible to apply for a BEF Kids Count Grant.
- Consult with a BEF staff member (optional) and review all resources materials – scoring guide, sample grants.
- Please submit a full application. Application Deadline February 9, 2018.
Applications received after the deadline date will not be accepted. Submit applications to the Beaverton Education Foundation via email BEF.
Questions? Please contact the BEF office: 503.643.7453 or email: BEF.
Are you the recipient of a Kids Counts Grant? Have you turned in your completion form?
Upcoming School Board Meetings
School Board Winter Work Session - Tuesday, February 6, 2018
View meeting materials.
School Board Business Meeting - Monday, February 26, 2018
View meeting materials.
Beaverton School District
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 educational programs, activities or employment.
Email: melissa_larson@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: www.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