BSD Briefs
May 8, 2017
District Goal: WE empower all students to achieve post-high school success.
Budget Committee Meeting Tonight
The Budget Committee will hold a meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Office, 16550 SW Merlo Road, Beaverton.
At the meeting there will be an opportunity for public comment, the Superintendent will discuss the $7.8 billion State School Fund, and the Budget Committee will discuss and ask questions about the proposed budget.
In Beaverton, we are budgeting at a $8.1 billion state school funding level. We will not know the actual funding level until the Legislature finishes their work. Unfortunately, at this funding level, we are planning for a $15 million reduction in our district budget coming from staff, programs and non-salary areas.
Remember to Vote!
Five School Board positions are up for election on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Please remember to vote!
You can view Candidate biographical information, or listen to the audio from the Candidates Forum on the School Board Elections webpage.
National School Nurse Day - May 10
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 is National School Nurse Day. The theme this year, Healthy Nurse, Healthy Students, is reflective of the significant roles school nurses have in the healthcare in their school communities, as well as in modeling health and resiliency. That healthy children learn better is a simple truth, and school nurses work to remove barriers to learning.
Since 1972, National School Nurse Day has been set aside to recognize school nurses. National School Nurse Day was established to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting.
Beaverton School District’s own Nina Fekaris is the President-Elect of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). The National Association of School Nurses is a non-profit specialty nursing organization, first organized in 1968 and incorporated in 1977, representing school nurses exclusively. NASN has more than 15,000 members and 50 affiliates, including the District of Columbia and overseas school nurses. The NASN mission is to advance school nurse practice to keep students healthy, safe and ready to learn.
Please take this opportunity to recognize our amazing school nurses in the Beaverton School District.
BSD Graduation Rates on the Rise: Beaverton High School Spotlight
Graduation season is approaching and students, staff and families in the Beaverton School District have a lot to celebrate. Graduation rates in the District are at a 12-year-high at 83.1%. While most schools saw an increase in their four-year cohort graduation rates, there’s one school in particular that stands out.
There’s something in the air at Beaverton High School. A shift in mindset and a focus on the future. A deliberate effort to move the dial on graduation rates and lower dropout rates. An effort that appears to be paying off.
The BHS graduating class of 2015-2016 had a graduation rate of 79.5%, up from 73.9% the previous year. That nearly 6% increase equals 35 more students. Thirty-five more students who now have a much brighter future, whatever college or career path they choose. “Our graduation rate had been flat for a long time. I believe this has to represent a cumulative effect,” says Principal Anne Erwin.
The numbers are even more dramatic when you look at Beaverton High School’s dropout rate. Down from 4.1% or 71 students in 2014-2015, to 1.9% or 34 students in 2015-2016.
Erwin asked staff to try to identify what they think is behind the changes. While there was not one clear answer across the board, a few rose to the top. Read more…
District Seeks Applicants for Capital Construction Bond Citizen Accountability Committee
The Beaverton School Board is seeking five community members to serve on the volunteer Capital Construction Bond Citizen Accountability Committee. The Committee actively monitors and regularly reports to the School Board on the progress of the bond program including:
- Ensure bond revenues are used only for the purposes consistent with the voter-approved 2014 bond program and consistent with state law.
- Reduce long-term maintenance, construction costs and improving efficiency and longevity, and innovative practices.
- Communicate key information related to the bond to all stakeholders.
- Review bond program performance and financial audits; and may inspect school facilities and grounds related to bond activities accompanied by District staff.
- Review quarterly reports produced by the District each year the bond proceeds are being spent in order to assess general compliance with the bond program approved by voters.
- Ensure alignment with the Bond Program Goals approved by the School Board and Board Policies.
The Committee will consist of seven to nine members selected by the School Board and include a School Board member. Members will serve 3 year terms and may reapply for consideration to serve additional terms. A member may not serve more than eight consecutive years.
The Committee will meet monthly or as requested by the School Board, Superintendent, or District staff. Committee meetings are advisory. Committee meetings shall be open to the public and include an opportunity for public comment. Read more…
The 4th Annual WE Celebration & Recognition Awards took place on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at Sunset Presbyterian Church. More than 225 school and District employees along with community members, business leaders, faith partners and parents gathered to celebrate the wonderful partnerships throughout the Beaverton School District. Congratulations to all of the winners! WE Awards webpage
Upcoming District Events
Budget Committee Meeting
Monday, May 8, 2017
6:30 p.m.
Administration Office
16550 SW Merlo Rd.
Beaverton
View meeting materials
Signal-to-Noise Moving Image Media Festival
Thursday, May 11, 2017
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. (Exhibition)
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Awards Ceremony)
Aloha High School
18550 SW Kinnaman Rd.
Beaverton
School Board Business Meeting
Monday, May 15, 2017
6:30 p.m.
Administration Office
16550 SW Merlo. Rd.
Beaverton
(posted after 5/10/2017)
Budget Committee Meeting
Monday, May 22, 2017
6:30 p.m.
Administration Office
16550 SW Merlo Rd.
Beaverton
View meeting materials
Aloha High School to host 12th annual Signal-To-Noise Festival
Beaverton School District and the Future Ready team are proud to present the 12th annual Signal to Noise Festival on Thursday May 11, 2017 from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Aloha High School, 18550 SW Kinnaman Rd, Aloha, OR 97078.
With a focus on #KidMadeThings, Signal-To-Noise is a celebration and exhibition of films, video games, and interactive exhibits created by students in grades K - 12.
The exhibition, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. will include student-led demos and activities including the BSD Future Bus, Lego Robotics, and programming in Scratch. Kids will demonstrate how to get started coding using Scratch: https://day.scratch.mit.edu/events/3965/
The 7:00 p.m. awards ceremony will recognize winners in 22 film categories. This year, 156 film entries came from 30 elementary, middle school, and high schools around the district.
Finalists in all categories can be viewed at the festival website before the awards:
http://www.signaltonoisefestival.com/
The always popular “Director’s Notes” returns, where host Kevin Bennett, film teacher at the Arts and Communication Magnet Academy (ACMA), will moderate conversations with students about their experience making films.
Previous Signal-To-Noise winners include Jordan Thierry, award winning director of The Black Fatherhood Project (www.blackfatherhoodproject.com) and Tyler St. Pierre, producer of “God Save The Mob” a film which earned him a prestigious internship in the American Student Pavilion at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
For more information, please contact Dawn Guildner, Festival Director at dawn_guildner@beaverton.k12.or.us or Jon Samuelson, Exhibition Director at charles_samuelson@beaverton.k12.or.us
WE Embrace Equity: Building Culturally Relevant Learning Communities Through Relationships
Culturally Relevant Teaching (CRT) is both a mindset and a set of actions necessary to break the predictive link between student demographics and student success. Culturally relevant educators constantly engage in reflection and refinement around knowing themselves, knowing their students, and adapting their practices to meet the needs of all students.
One strategy being implemented in classrooms throughout the District is restorative practices. "Restorative practices is a range of practices that work along a continuum that give teachers tools to build community, be empathetic with their students, and communicate in a way that really builds relationships," says Vilay Greene, Teacher on Special Assignment and Restorative Practices Trainer. "It's not a new thing. It's what every great teacher knows is the magic tool – that good communication builds relationships." Read more…
The featured Pillar Stories are shared on the District’s main webpage in a rotating slide show. Each Pillar has a photo with an accompanying story.
Safe Routes to School Survey
As you may know, Beaverton School District received a Safe Routes to School Grant through Metro’s Regional Transportation Options Program. The purpose of our program is to make walking and biking to school safe, convenient and fun.
All parents and guardians should have received a letter from your school asking you to complete a Parent Survey asking for your thoughts and concerns about your student’s travel routes to school. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey. Your answers will help us as we develop and deliver education programs and advocate for enforcement on, and improvements to the roads and routes throughout the district.
If you haven’t received the letter, please let Lynne Mutrie know or go to this page, find your school and fill it out.
Merlo Station HS Community Blood Drive
Merlo Station High School will host a community Blood Drive sponsored by Bloodworks NW on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (closed 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.) at Merlo Station High School, 1841 SW Merlo Dr., Beaverton.
Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Please remember to bring a photo I.D. If 75 or more people register to donate, Bloodworks NW will donate $750 toward a Community Education for Young Parents (CEYP) scholarship.
Bloodworks NW is a local, non-profit organization that differs from other services because they exclusively collect blood in the communities we serve. They are the sole supplier of blood to all Providence and Legacy hospitals in Oregon, as well as to all Clark, Cowlitz, and Lewis County hospitals in Washington. Bloodworks NW has been serving the Northwest for over 70 years, including over 22 years in the Portland/Vancouver area. Bloodworks is a world renowned international leader in the field of blood research.
For a donation appointment, please call 1-800-398-7888 or register online.
For questions, please call Morgan Quimby at 503-356-3650.
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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