A Message from Dr. Coakley

Dear MESD Community,

As I write this month's message, I continue to hold the Bend community in my thoughts. The tragic events at Silver Rail Elementary School have reminded us how precious and important our schools are as places of learning, belonging, and hope. In moments like these, we are reminded that education is not only about academic growth. It is also about creating communities where every student feels safe, supported, and cared for.

I am deeply grateful for the compassion, professionalism, and dedication shown every day by educators, support staff, first responders, and families. When challenges arise, we see the very best of our communities: people coming together to support one another, extending kindness, and helping each other move forward.

As schools continue to navigate the emotional impact of this tragedy, I also want to reshare several trusted resources that may help families, educators, and school staff support children who are processing difficult emotions, questions, or concerns. Whether through conversation, reassurance, or access to additional support, the guidance available from child trauma and school psychology experts can be a valuable tool during times of uncertainty.

• 15 Tips for Talking with Children About Violence

• School Shootings Resources developed by the NCTSN

• Coping with Violence

This month's newsletter reflects the same spirit of resilience and community. Inside, you'll find stories of partnership, innovation, and service that demonstrate the collective commitment of educators, students, families, and community leaders across our region. Even in difficult moments, these examples remind us of the strength we find in working together and the shared purpose that unites us in support of every learner.

Thank you for all you do on behalf of the children, families, and communities we serve. Together, we will continue to create schools that are safe, welcoming, and filled with hope.

At MESD, we are committed to building a true sense of belonging for ALL students, staff members, and the families we serve by honoring monthly celebrations. These observances remind us of our shared responsibility to foster belonging, support wellness, and uplift the diverse identities across our programs.

Honoring Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and American Samoan communities. I invite you to use this opportunity to reflect on the resilience, knowledge, and leadership demonstrated by Tribal Nations across generations. Their commitment to preserving language, culture, and community offers powerful lessons for all of us about identity, belonging, and stewardship.

At Multnomah Education Service District, we are grateful to serve communities on the traditional lands of many Indigenous peoples, including the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and other Tribes who have cared for this region since time immemorial.

I encourage our MESD community to take time this month to learn more about the histories and cultures of Oregon's Tribal Nations, engage with Native-authored resources, and seek opportunities to listen, learn, and build meaningful relationships. Together, we can honor the past, celebrate the present, and help create a future where every student's story is recognized and valued.

You can learn more about this celebration by visiting:

• Oregon Historical Society - Oregon is Indian Country

• National Native American Veterans Memorial - Why We Serve

• National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) - Transforming Teaching and Learning

• NMAI - Harvest Ceremony: Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth

• Social Justice Books - Native American Booklist

• ODE - New Tribal History Shared History Lessons

• ODE - New Tribal Curriculum

• Confluence Project - Stories & Learning

Continue the Learning: Tribal Histories & Place-Based Education

As we recognize Native American Heritage Month, I encourage educators to seek opportunities to deepen their understanding of the histories, cultures, and contributions of Tribal Nations throughout the year. One upcoming opportunity is the Social Science for a Better World: Tribal Histories & Place-Based Education professional learning event taking place on March 1, 2027, at Clackamas ESD.

Designed for K-12 social science educators, this special regional event will feature a keynote by Stacy Parrish, a member of the Klamath Tribes, along with workshops and lesson overviews led by Tribal educators and curriculum experts. Participants will explore strategies for integrating Tribal histories and place-based education into classroom instruction while connecting with colleagues from across the region.

This event aligns closely with our commitment to providing students with learning experiences that are accurate, inclusive, and reflective of the communities and histories that shape Oregon. While March may seem a long way off, Native American Heritage Month is the perfect time to consider how we can continue learning and growing in support of Native students, families, and communities.

Space is limited, and interested educators are encouraged to apply early.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Pooja Bhatt, founder of the Oregon Network for Education Excellence, for a thoughtful conversation on the future of education in Oregon. In this episode of Leaders Build Leaders, we explore both the challenges facing our education system and the opportunities before us to create meaningful, lasting change.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience working alongside educators, communities, policymakers, and state leaders, Pooja shares valuable insights on leadership, systems thinking, and the importance of building strong coalitions. Our discussion highlights how collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to student success can help strengthen educational outcomes for learners across Oregon.

I believe this conversation offers important perspectives for anyone invested in the future of public education and the collective work required to help every student thrive.

Listen and subscribe to “Leaders Build Leaders with Dr. Coakley” on the following platforms:

· Spotify

· Apple

· Amazon Music

· I Heart Radio

· Pandora

· Blubrry

· Subscribe by email

These updates share how MESD Blueprint ’28 is shaping our work and strengthening support for districts, students, and families. As part of our ongoing commitment to equity, we are embedding equity principles across all services, programs, and departments—ensuring it is integral to everything we do, rather than housed in a single department. This approach allows us to better serve our communities and advance equitable outcomes for all students.

MESD Division 22 Report

This work signals our commitment to providing a high-quality educational experience and equitable opportunities for all students. Division 22 standards articulate the floor of the education to be provided to students, not the ceiling. It offers an opportunity for districts not in compliance to reflect on areas in need of attention and receive technical assistance.
View the MESD Division 22 Report

Hospital Schools Program

The MESD Hospital School Program (HSP) provides trauma-informed, equity-centered instruction to students hospitalized across multiple metro area hospitals, ensuring academic continuity during medical and mental health crises.

Teaching staff collaborate closely with families, medical providers, community services and partner districts to address barriers, while supporting diverse learners with individualized plans. The program also prioritizes smooth transitions back to home schools by coordinating services, updating supports, and communicating with school teams statewide.

View the Hospital Schools Program Report

One of the things I value most about MESD is our shared commitment to serving others with care, respect, and equity. Digital accessibility is a natural extension of that commitment. When we create content that everyone can access and use, we help ensure that all students, families, educators, partners, and community members can fully engage with the information and services we provide.

I know that digital accessibility can sometimes feel like one more item on an already full to-do list. But creating accessible materials is not the responsibility of a single department or a handful of staff members. It is something each of us contributes to through the documents we write, the presentations we create, the images we share, the websites we update, and the information we present to our students every day.

The good news is that you do not have to navigate this work alone. MESD has developed tools, guidance, templates, and training resources to help make accessibility part of your regular workflow. I encourage every staff member to take advantage of these resources and incorporate them into their work. Doing so not only helps us meet legal requirements, but more importantly, it reflects who we are as an organization and our belief that everyone deserves equitable access to information.

Thank you for all you do to support this important work. By making digital accessibility a shared responsibility, we continue building an MESD where inclusion is not an aspiration, but a practice reflected in everything we create and share.

Accessibility Knowledge Base

Access these resources and templates to ensure your digital materials meet state and federal compliance standards. This knowledge base provides essential guidance on ADA laws, prioritization strategies, and practical tools for inventorying and improving the accessibility of your content:

• MESD Digital Accessibility: What You Need to Know

• MESD Summary of ADA Web Accessibility Laws

• ODE Information on Web Accessibility & Compliance Dates

• Template - Inventory Your Digital Materials

• How to Prioritize Digital Accessibility Work
  

Writing Alt Text

Alt text (alternative text) is a short text description added to images in digital content like websites, newsletters, and social media posts. Alt text helps users who rely on screen readers to understand the content and context of images. It also enhances search engine optimization (SEO) by providing more context to search engines. For more information:

• Writing Alt Text for Images

• Generating Alt Text with MESD AI Gem
  (View a tutorial on how to use this Alt Text Gem)

Using Grackle to Make Accessible Documents

MESD staff have access to Grackle accessibility software. To install, please visit the Google Marketplace pages for Grackle Docs, Slides, and Sheets.

• Grackle Accessibility in Communications Training Webinar

• FAQ – Digital Accessibility: Grackle Workspace

• MESD Grackle Accessibility Toolkit

Learning Opportunity From Grackle

Accessibility Training: Alt Text & Metadata

Tuesday, 10th of November, 9:30 AM EST

Access registration for Session 4

Learn about alt text and metadata, plus a look back at everything the series has covered.