MSD Family Update
October 2025
Dear McMinnville and Lafayette families,
Thank you to all of you who were able to participate in parent-teacher conferences in October. These conversations are such an important part of the work we do together to ensure that we have a strong partnership between home and school. Parent involvement is critical at every step along your child’s path, not just at elementary school, where it may feel more traditional. For our students in middle and high school, parent support is even more critical as together we support our kids in navigating independence, developing strong habits, and making decisions that shape their future. As parents, you are not only your child’s first teacher but also the most critical support to them as they launch into life beyond high school. We are grateful for you and here to support you throughout the journey,
This week, we launched our annual YouthTruth Family Survey (see more info and link below). This is one of the most valuable tools we have for listening and learning from your experience and perspectives. Your honest feedback on what is working —and, frankly, what is getting in the way —will help us grow as a district. This survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. We will share a summary of our results in January when they are available.
This month, the results were published on the state assessments that were given last spring. We are happy to report that McMinnville School District continues to be above state average in ELA, math, and science for all of our testing grades (3rd-8th & 11th). This achievement is meaningful to us not simply because of the test itself, but because it reflects something much deeper, our students are learning, growing, and building the skills they need to pursue futures filled with opportunity. Each data point represents that student’s effort, a teacher’s dedication, and a community’s commitment to learning. These results remind us that when we work together we create the conditions where every learner can thrive.
Join me in celebrating American Education Week from November 17-21. It’s an opportunity to recognize the collective effort that goes into helping every child reach their potential, from the classroom to the bus stop, the cafeteria to the front office. In McMinnville, we know that education is a community endeavor, built on relationships, care, and high expectations. We extend our gratitude to every single one of our staff members who make great things happen every day.
Welcome New Board Member
I’m excited to welcome Jasmin Juarez as our new School Board member. She will complete Doris Towery’s term, which ends June 2027. Director Juarez has students in our schools and has served on the board of the Hispanic PTA for several years.
Patton Cares Week
This month Patton students in Leadership, Art and Health classes banded together to create a “wall of caring” that spelled out “Hope” with 700 ideas for self-care and care for peers. They also wrote welcoming and loving messages around the school grounds for the student body to see.
MHS Sources of Strength
Mac High’s Sources of Strength (SOS), the student-driven suicide prevention program, also reached out to the student body with bracelets with messages of positivity and messages written on the windows of the food court and on the mirrors of bathrooms. SOS is both a class and an afterschool club.
Newby Conflict Managers
Newby’s Leadership students, the Tiger Troopers, have been learning how to help with minor problems on the playground using conflict resolution techniques based on “Kelso’s Wheel,” which offers eight options that students can use to lower tensions among peers.