A Look Inside Spring 2013 A publication of the Hillsboro School District Communications Department HILLSBORo’s Plan to ENHANCE TEACH- five years, we built a culture where tech- ING AND LEARNING WITH CLASSROOM nology is viewed as a tool for learning? TECHNOLOGY What if we equipped our students and teachers with devices that could unlock Teachers in Hillsboro are among the fin- the world? What if curriculum could be est in the country. Long work weeks, de- designed to meet every child where they tailed lesson planning, and an unwavering are? What if that curriculum created op- commitment to every child’s growth de- portunities for children to interact on a scribe a promise that is made every day to global landscape, bringing the real world do right by our children. This constant re- into the classroom, or even extending the minder of our potential as a school district to opportunity to learn far beyond the six ensure that each and every child graduates hours they are in our schools each day? career- and/or college-ready moves us to ad- What if students could access the Inter- dress some very important issues. net, their files, and their teachers from Teachers monitor student data and con- anywhere? What if we used technology duct daily assessments to inform instruction to reduce the time teachers must spend in a very real way. They are also developing calculating grades, lesson planning, and strategies to personalize learning environ- on paperwork, and simultaneously in- ments to ensure every child both accelerates creased the time they could spend face-to- when possible and catches up where neces- face with our children? sary. Teachers are eager to begin integrating All of this is possible. But in order to technology into their day-to-day instruction, reach the vision, we have to start now. however many of the current structures of Maisie Davis, first grader at Ladd Acres Elementary, is Oregon's 2013 Doodle 4 Google winner. Members of Our Board is currently considering a year our network, our decision-making process- one investment of $1.5 million to begin Google's Doodle 4 Google team made the public announcement at an assembly at Ladd Acres on May 1. Over es, as well as financial limitations put us at placing tools in students’ and teachers’ 130,000 students submitted designs for this year's contest. Maisie will travel to the awards ceremony on May a veritable standstill that we must address. hands. Indeed, a great start. However, Our teachers and students are waiting 22 in New York City, where the Doodle 4 Google winner will be revealed and will receive a $30,000 college doing this right means we need to have a for the tools necessary to accomplish the scholarship along with a $50,000 technology grant for their school. plan that includes all stakeholders. Over goals at hand. Nearly 85% of the comput- top computer takes more than eight minutes own devices to school, simply to avoid the the next few months, we will be reaching out ers in our schools are at or approaching their of instructional time to boot up. More and frustration they feel using ours. to you to get this project moving. Here is functional “end of life.” The average desk- more of our students are opting to bring their Enter our technology plan. While re- how we intend to start: sources may always challenge our thinking Teacher training. We must provide on how to move forward quickly, Hillsboro teachers with the supplies they need to begin their responsibilities, and their hopes and has placed a priority on addressing our cur- using technology in new, innovative ways. From the aspirations changes. A first grader may rent reality. Of course, our work around im- Engage our students and parents. Our strive to read a book out loud without plementing Common Core State Standards work is constantly strengthened when we Superintendent stumbling over any words, whereas a high (CCSS), better assessment systems, our Bi- get more voices in the room. This couldn’t school senior may be anxiously awaiting lingual Program Model, and Professional be more true than in the area of technology. Perspective is a very in- news about college acceptance. Learning Communities (PLCs) remain at Build strong alliances. “Going digital” teresting thing. It often When I started this job in the summer the forefront. However, we believe our out- means learning new ways to do business. changes dramatically over Mike Scott of 2009, I could never have predicted that comes will more closely align with our goals We are in a great location to directly benefit time, given different circum- one of my biggest hopes would be experi- if we can implement a sustainable plan to from our business partnerships. stances, and as a result of new information. encing a year where I didn’t have to deliver make our instructional context more digital. Start with success in mind. We’ll devel- I think about this now as some parents and the news that our District would once again This will undoubtedly take time, and must op metrics for monitoring progress, and cre- students in our community are preparing to be forced to reduce its budget. Unfortunate- be done with the utmost care and respect for ate a continuous improvement structure to enter our schools for the first time, others are ly, my hope will not be realized this year. those of us for whom technology can be a ensure we are focusing on the areas leading making the transition from elementary to 2013-14 is shaping up to be our sixth year in little scary. While we always have a choice to the biggest gains in student achievement. middle, or middle to high school, and still a row of consecutive budget reductions at a to adapt and change, the needs of our ‘digital Build a sustainability plan. We want to others are preparing to graduate and take cumulative total of nearly $70 million. natives’ suggest a call to action that we sim- ensure our investments will continue well the next step in life’s journey. At each phase ply cannot ignore. SUPERINTENDENT CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY along the way, how they view themselves, Please see The vision is this: what if, over the next Please see on page 12 on page 12 INSIDE FEEDER AREA NEWS: Century | 2 Glencoe | 4 Hillsboro | 8 Liberty | 10 HILLSBORO ONLINE | 5 DISTRICT UPDATES | 6 COMMUNITY PARTNERS | 7 MILLER ED | 9 2 Google contest. As Oregon’s winner, she will for volunteer projects and for STEM will lead in the Junior Rose Parade. perience of running a software startup. 3 be attending the awards ceremony in New Reedville students to success. Clearly, all of Tobias is on the march to ex- It has filed as a non-profit, so they own York City on May 22. cellence! the apps they create. Then, in a school presentation May 7, the TOBIAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL This year, with the remaining funds from Hillsboro Elks Lodge presented fourth grader Principal: Steve Callaway BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL the Intel grant, and an additional $10,000 F EEDER G ROUP Lisa Truong with a trophy and prize money Principal: Don Brown from Microsoft, the club members have com- for her entry in the Elks Eye Injury Poster Con- This has been the planning year, as Tobias pleted their first Windows 8 application, test. moves to become a fully integrated STEM Constructive school/community relation- titled, “Our Finest Hour.” The interactive Her poster earned First Place in the Hills- (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) ships help foster healthy schools. Synopsys, app allows community members to browse as well. Lindsey Akers, Denise ative activity provides a unique opportunity boro Lodge’s contest and Third Place in state school. a company that provides products and ser- for volunteering and donating opportunities Olsen, Ely Teragli and Sharon Creek are the INDIAN HILLS for student expression. It builds students’ con- competition. Her artwork will be on display But with all the planning has come some vices that accelerate innovation in the global at the school. coaches. This group has appreciated receiv- ELEMENTARY SCHOOL fidence and pride in their abilities. for a year at the Casey Eye Institute at OHSU. amazing results already! Thanks to partners at electronics market, and Brown Middle School The club has entered the Microsoft Apps ing support from the Hillsboro Optimist Club. Principal: Bruce Bourget Other teachers at Indian Hills provide ad- Intel, the school was able to update the com- have established a long term partnership that for Social Good contest this year. Christo- BUTTERNUT CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL They recently completed their three-mile ditional support for their students through tu- REEDVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL puter lab and replace old desktops with newer has helped both organizations in positive pher Hoskins notes, “It’s going very well. It Principal: Enedelia Schofield practice run at Gabriel Park in Portland. The Many schools have after-school programs toring during breaks, before and after school, Principal: Robin Romero laptops. A mobile computer lab was created so ways. was a BIG opportunity for the club to go to group’s crowning activity will be participat- in the form of clubs or activities. Indian Hills' or through homework support via e-mail and that teachers can bring laptops into their class- In the fall, for example, Brown Middle the NCCE conference, and talk to people from Students at Butternut Creek Elementary ing in Portland’s Starlight Run. after-school programs could be classified as phone conversations in the evenings. Sasquatch was last sighted at Reedville rooms to assist students with research, proj- School students volunteered at Synopsys dur- Lenovo, Dell and others, to see what is hap- School continue to focus on academics, stu- A new group established this fall is spon- extended-day activities.