From the Superintendent

A Look Inside Winter 2014 A publication of the Hillsboro School District Communications Department The 75 juniors in Century High School’s Anatomy & working on pulling together a cross- HILLSBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADUA- Physiology/Health Services I class recently had an TION RATES CONTINUE TO CLIMB agency team of District staff, students, opportunity to shape and sculpt muscles, the diges- community, business, and higher edu- tive system and hearts while using Anatomy in Clay® The Oregon Department of Education re- cation partners to get really clear about Manikens® on loan from Portland Community Col- cently released graduation data for the 2012- this work and ensure that there is pre- lege. There are currently 125 juniors and seniors in 13 school year and Hillsboro’s numbers show dictability and reliability for students Century’s Health Services focused program of study, positive growth in nearly all categories. and their families about what to expect and there is also a very active after-school Health Ser- Some highlights are as follows: as they move through our system—from vices club, in which all students can participate. The • The four-year cohort graduation rate kindergarten through 12th grade and be- learning and real-world experiences that take place in increased at each high school. yond. these and many other classes and clubs across the • The District’s four-year cohort grad- We describe that effort as making sure District are uation rate increased from 75.45% to students are college and career AWARE, critical and 79.84% and outpaced the state aver- ELIGIBLE and PREPARED. Awareness engaging age by 11.18% (79.84% vs. 68.66%). involves early exposure to college and ways to get • The drop-out rate decreased at three careers and interest mapping; eligibil- students out of four high schools; the excep- ity involves students completing the prepared tion was Century, whose drop-out necessary steps to engage in the post- for life after rate is still less than one half of one secondary option of their choosing; and high school. percent. preparedness involves the acquisition Learn more about our Completion rates count students who of content knowledge and development College graduated with a regular diploma as well as of ‘habits of mind’ that lead to success in and Career students who earned a modified diploma, post-secondary learning or employment. Pathways adult diploma, or who completed their GED. Please see Program Highlights Project on These results are a testament to the hard on page 6 page 6. work going on in our schools each day, and are something our students, staff and entire community should be very proud of. CREATING UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNI- TIES FOR HILLSBORO STUDENTS: HILLS- BORo’s COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS PROJECT Preparing our students for college and careers is nothing new, but our approach to it is changing drastically. Over the past year and a half, we’ve been we will face. When the Legislature allocated funds for Enhanced Classroom Plan. From the This year, however, I am happy to say the 2013-15 biennium, we realized that we Over the summer, we learned that the that due to a confluence of factors, it ap- would be approximately $8.2 million shy of City of Hillsboro and Washington County Superintendent pears that we will not be looking at ways to what we would need to hold a full school were interested in gifting $10 million of Our winter newslet- further reduce our budget for the 2014-15 year and maintain the staffing ratio (class their Gain Share* money to Washington ter is typically the one school year, but rather how to increase it. size). To deal with the shortfall, several re- County school districts in the 2013-15 bien- in which I talk about the Granted, the increase we anticipate will ductions were put in place, including the nium. Based on Hillsboro’s student count, budgeting process for the not be enough to offset the nearly $70 mil- identification of five furlough days for all our portion of that money equated to just following year and begin lion in reductions we’ve made over the past staff and the transfer of $3.5 million from our over $1.2 million in each of the 2013-14 and preparing our staff, stu- six years, however it does give us an oppor- bond interest account—$2 million to support dents and community for tunity to consider how best to target dollars our General Fund and $1.5 million to sup- Please see SUPERINTENDENT Mike Scott the necessary reductions to enhance student achievement. port an initial investment in our Technology on page 12 INSIDE FEEDER AREA NEWS: Century | 2 Glencoe | 4 Hillsboro | 8 Liberty | 10 MILLER ED | 12 DISTRICT UPDATES | 6 COMMUNITY PARTNERS | 7 HILLSBORO ONLINE | 12 2 F EEDER G ROUP Third graders were recently tions about the Wednesday them to make crucial connections between treated to a guest presenter from afternoon Academic Semi- their own personal experiences and knowl- the Port of Portland under the title “Where in nars. Parents wonder what edge, and the new information being taught. the World?” As a tie-in to their unit on Geog- they are, why the school has early release Bringing “realia” (real life) into the class- raphy, students learned about the importance each Wednesday (at 2:05 p.m. rather than room adds depth to learning. First graders BUTTERNUT CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and process of importing and exporting prod- our usual 2:35 p.m.), how that time is used, are excited to be learning about clouds and Principal: Enedelia Schofield ucts into and out of Portland. and, maybe most importantly, what the val- weather systems from TV meteorologist At Butternut we strive to teach the whole ue is of the seminars. Mark Nelsen this month. Second graders are Each Butternut Creek student strives to child and celebrate successes, knowing what Academic Seminars were developed years taking a field trip to the Portland Art Mu- make the school pledge their own: we do today, truly, will affect our tomorrow. ago in Hillsboro as a way for a school’s full seum and to the stage production of "Char- “I believe in myself and I am here to suc- teaching staff to engage in school improve- lotte’s Web." Fourth graders are visualizing ceed. I am responsible, respectful, and safe. IMLAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ment for at least an hour each week. themselves on the Oregon Trail as they con- I will do all I can to help myself and others Principal: Molly Siebert On other afternoons, teachers plan indi- struct their wagon and homestead projects. learn. I will do my best because everything I vidual lessons, review student work, attend Fifth and sixth graders are studying outer do today will affect my tomorrow.” A walk through Imlay hallways and class- meetings, consult with parents, help children space. Student success is celebrated monthly in rooms reveals students presenting well- with schoolwork, direct students in various The PTA continues to support Art Literacy spirit assemblies, which highlight academic, planned and articulate speeches to class- clubs such as Homework Club, Drama Club, at all grade levels. This year’s program focus- musical, athletic, and behavioral accomplish- mates, constructing charts and graphs with and Japanese Club, or work with their grade es on the life and art of Georgia O’Keefe. Stu- ments. data collected from scientific observations, level teammates to coordinate their lessons. dents will create their own O’Keefe-inspired In December, Butternut Creek celebrated writing both fiction and nonfiction stories The educational literature is full of docu- flower using a variety of media tools, such as the compassion of students and their families and reports, and using art to create images mentation on the value of teacher collabora- water colors, pastels and paper. recognizing the 1,500 cans of food donated to and explore processes. tion and teacher leadership as they relate to The PTA is also funding three major as- the Hillsboro Elks Food Drive. In February, With the ongoing support of the active professional development (improvement of semblies. In January, an Asian storyteller Butternut Creek held the annual Butternut PTA, teachers are increasing the integration an individual teacher’s skill), as well as staff from Eth-Noh-Tec Creations performed Idol Talent Show, which is the highlight of the of science, technology, engineering, art, and development (improvement of the skills of “Asia FantAsia;" in February, Milagro The- year for many students. Under the leadership math with resources from the Museum of the school staff as a whole). atre of Portland will present the bilingual of Mrs. Carmen Stuve, and in front of student Science, Boston. During these seminars, staff members col- play “Aventuras de Don Quixote;” and in council and parents, students must try out for Imlay’s partnership with the Right Brain laborate to gain knowledge of teaching and April, Grupo Condor will perform tradi- the talent show prior to the event. Initiative continues to grow. This year, three learning, build skills, plan for school-wide tional Latin American music in the program "Take a Veteran to School" day is a national primary classes will benefit from an Or- improvement, and to discuss the progress “Somos Los Musica.” program developed by the HISTORY chan- egon Ballet Theater artist’s residency. This and needs of children. Technology sparks learning. A technology nel to link veterans with students nationwide. residency will incorporate learning with Closely related to teacher collaboration grant written by fifth and sixth grade teach- Butternut, under the leadership of first grade nonverbal communication and expression is teacher leadership, which is also a part of ers was recently funded for nearly $5,000.

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