FOES Family Update

Happy New Year, Families! We hope you had a wonderful Winter Break and are ready for an exciting 2025. Thank you for your continued support and for being such an important part of our school family. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, learning, and community! Here’s what’s happening in January at our school and community:

This Week’s Events

• District Assessment Window Opens: Students will begin taking district assessments this week. The assessment window closes January 31st. Please encourage your child to try their best and get plenty of rest each night. A well-rested mind is key to doing their best!

Important Dates

• Thursday, January 9: Chat with the Community and Parent Committee (5 to 6 PM)

• Wednesday, January 15: Spirit Day

• Monday, January 20: No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Friday, January 31: No School – Teacher Grade Prep Day

HSD Calendar

Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

The well-being of our students, staff, and families remains our highest priority. Here are the steps we’re taking to maintain a healthy school environment:

• We have shared the "Too Sick for School" guidelines (Spanish) with all families, highlighting the importance of keeping children home when they are unwell to help curb the spread of illness.

• A schoolwide effort is underway to teach and reinforce proper handwashing techniques, a simple yet powerful tool for preventing the spread of viruses.

• Our teachers and custodial team are increasing the cleaning and sanitizing of frequently touched surfaces throughout the day.

• For students who feel unwell during school hours, our office staff follows established procedures to assess their condition and determine if they should be sent home.

Thank you for your continued support in helping to keep our school community healthy. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school office.

Library (Mrs. Cole)

Please view the newsletter here: Library Newsletter

After School Clubs

Chess Club: (Mrs. Wilkerson & Mrs. Cole)

We are in our 8th week of chess club and all 39 students are doing a wonderful job of learning the rules of chess, how to be mindful when playing, and gaining new techniques. Their first practice tournament will be on January 18th from 8:30 - noon at WL Henry Elementary. If any parents of chess club students would like to join us for any of our Monday after school club days, please feel free to email me(Sandra Cole) at: coles@hsd.k12.or.us

• 1/8 Black Village Family Advisory Committee (BVFAC). 6:00-7:30 pm. AC 100 - HSD Office. Reach out to Dajah Pickering pickerid@hsd.k12.or.us or Jelana Canfield canfielj@hsd.k12.or.us. Black/African/African American Identifying Families
• 1/9 Latino Parent Advisory Committee 6:30-8:00 pm Virtual. Reach out to Jennifer Perez perezje@hsd.k12.or.us for Latina/o/x Identifying Families
• 1/15 Native American/Alaskan Native Parent Advisory Committee (NA/AN) 5:30-7:00 pm at Brookwood Elementary. Reach out to Barb Francom francomb@hsd.k12.or.us for Native American/Alaskan Native Identifying Families

• 1/18 Black Girl in Suburbia Screening - January 18, 2025 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Vault with Bag & Baggage. Black Village Family Advisory Committee invites the Hillsboro community to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Melissa Lowery’s film Black Girl in Suburbia. Link to Get Free Tickets

• 1/30 Asian Pacific Islander (API) Family Engagement: Lunar New Year Event Flyer

  5:30-7:00 pm at R.A. Brown Middle School Open to All

• 1/30 Lunar New Year - Celebrate the Year of the Dragon! All are welcome to join us for our Lunar New Year celebration at RA Brown Middle School on January 30, 2025 from 5:30-7:00 PM. Enjoy delicious cultural food, exciting entertainment, and festive fun for all ages. Let's ring in the new year together! Flyer

• 2/20 Black History Month Celebration - February 20, 2025 from 6-7:30PM at South Meadows Middle School. Black Village Family Advisory Committee invites the Hillsboro community to celebrate Black History Month and explore culture across the diaspora. Come enjoy delicious food, performances, local vendors, and more.

Over Winter Break, PK, Kindergarten, and newly enrolled students will be receiving their Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) Student Library Cards in the mail. All other students in HSD already have their library account from the previous year.

• The return address on the envelope is the HSD’s district office with “Library Media Services” as the department.

• The welcome letter explains the program, and is in multiple languages

• Inside the envelope is a physical library card with their student ID number on it

• Students who go to the physical library with their card will receive a free welcome gift

If you have questions, please contact: Vanessa Ceccarelli and Kate Whitman (Hillsboro Public Library’s Student Success Librarian) - Kate.Whitman@hillsboro-oregon.gov