Board Briefs May
Meeting Highlights - May 2018
Bond Update
The team presented an estimate on adding additional security projects to the Bond Program, in light of recent school safety issues across the country. The Board briefly discussed how that would affect the program reserve. Several Board members said they had concerns about using a significant portion of the program reserve with four years left in the Bond Program.
Review of Resolution in Support of Immigrant Students
Board Chair Anne Bryan suggested the Board look into supporting Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici's proposed "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act." The legislation would prohibit immigration enforcement at sensitive locations including medical or health care facilities, public and private schools, places of worship, courthouses, DMV offices and locations that provide emergency services. The Board will also look into designating undocumented immigrants as a protected class in policies.
Public Comment
- How teachers are spending their early release/collaboration time
- Safe Routes to Schools
- Support for creating a Sanctuary School District
Chehalem Elementary School
Chehalem Elementary School Principal Angee Silliman and Assistant Principal Erika Hansen-Rudishauser highlighted the successes and challenges at their school. Angee said several programs have helped ensure students are coming better prepared to kindergarten.
Erika noted that Chehalem is a STEM-focused school. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. There are 40 STEM partners who work with teachers and the school, supporting planning and implementation of lessons. Chehalem will also be part of a computer science pilot program next year, bridging the technology classroom to the regular classroom. The school is also developing a learning garden to help with the implementation of Next Generation Science Standards.
Both administrators noted that social and emotional needs of students are one of their challenges. The school has two emotional growth center classrooms. Erika noted that they are seeing students come to school with greater mental health needs.
To help address this challenge, Angee said the school is refining a "kid chat" process. Parents, teachers, psychologists, the student success coach and the classroom teacher come together with the student to individualize plans to help them be more successful in school.
Findley Elementary School
Assistant Principal Jennifer Whitten said the implementation of early release/collaboration time has allowed teachers to focus their attention on growth rates and how they correlate to proficiency. Both administrators say they've seen a decline in their growth metrics for all students in English Language Arts and Math.
Jennifer said the collaboration time has also allowed staff to evaluate what they're doing in classrooms and at grade levels, strengthening their teaming.
Individual School Board Member Comments
- Board Member Donna Tyner attended several school PTO meetings, as well as her first Color Caucus Board Meeting.
- Board Vice Chair Becky Tymchuk attended the Terra Nova plant sale and the Southridge Living History event involving local veterans.
- Board Member Susan Greenberg thanked Becky for her hard work on the Local Option Levy. She also attended a PTO meeting at McKay Elementary School and was very impressed with the level of parent engagement.
The full packet with meeting materials can be found on BoardBook.
Directors: Anne Bryan (Chair), Becky Tymchuk (Vice Chair), Tom Colett,
Susan Greenberg, LeeAnn Larsen, Eric Simpson, Donna Tyner
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 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
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Twitter: @beavertonsd