News from the District Office
Winter 2026
From the Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Oregon Department of Education (ODE) requires all public school districts to update their curriculum every seven years to make sure they adopt high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) that ensure student engagement, reflect Oregon’s diverse population, align with state standards, and meet graduation requirements.
This year, we're choosing new Social Studies textbooks, software and resources. All six middle and high school Social Studies teachers, as well as a selection of elementary teachers participate by watching presentations, looking at textbooks, digital platforms and engaging directly with ODE-approved instructional materials from several vetted curriculum companies. After careful review, the team picks two top choices to test with their students for four weeks in February and four weeks in March to see how well they work. While teachers are testing the materials, we also share information with families, our Equity Committee, and School Board members.
The teachers score both programs using state guidelines and our Curriculum Director considers all feedback before recommending one program to the School Board for final approval.
Please remember to thank your student’s Social Studies teacher! They volunteer extra time during the already busy school year to test new materials and make sure your student gets the best possible instructional materials that will encourage deeper learning and readiness for democratic life.
From the District Office Support Specialist
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Fall 2025 Family Survey. We had our highest turn out with 170 families participating!
What We Learned:
Here are the key results from our district-wide survey:
Family Efficacy (64%): About 2 out of 3 families feel confident they can help their child succeed in school
Barriers to Engagement (60%): 3 out of 5 families report obstacles that make it challenging to be involved in their child's education
Readiness for Learning (54%): Just over half of families feel their child is well-prepared and supported for learning
School Safety (52%): About half of families feel completely confident in their child's safety at school
What This Means:
These percentages show both strengths and opportunities. While many families feel capable of supporting their children, we have room to improve in removing barriers, enhancing learning readiness, and strengthening safety confidence.
Moving Forward:
Our leadership team is reviewing these results to identify areas where we can focus our efforts. We are examining the feedback around school safety and readiness for learning, as these areas show opportunities for growth.
We will continue to use this data as we make decisions about programs, policies, and resource allocation throughout the school year.
Thank you for taking the time to share your voice. Your ongoing partnership is essential to our students' success.