Superintendent's Update

Back to School Webpage

To help families have a smooth start, the District has created a Back to School Webpage with key dates, school supply lists, transportation and school meal information, and other important resources. Whether you are a returning family or new to Centennial, this is your one-stop hub for everything you need as the first day approaches. Click the link below for more details:

With buildings largely vacant, summer is a prime window for completing major infrastructure work. While these projects bring some short-term disruption, they are critical long-term investments in safe, welcoming, and functional learning environments.

This summer's projects include:

• Seismic Improvements at Oliver Middle School - Focused on the center of the building, including the middle wing of classrooms, media center, entry, cafeteria, and front office. Work included new structural supports, roof connections, large concrete footings, and rebuilding portions of exterior walls.
• Renovation of Five Learning Spaces at Parklane Elementary - Upgrades to the music room, three general education classrooms, and one English Language Development classroom.
• Playground Replacement at Powell Butte Elementary.
• New Covered Play Shelter at Parklane Elementary.
• Painting of Large Common Spaces Across the District - Libraries, gyms, cafeterias, and other shared spaces received a fresh coat of paint.
• Parking Lot Sealcoating and Striping - Parking lots were provided with sealcoating and freshly painted stripes at a variety of locations, including Centennial High School, Centennial Middle School, Meadows Elementary, and the District Office.

We are entering Year 3 of Roadmap '27, our four-year strategic plan guiding our collective work to strengthen teaching and learning, foster student belonging, and expand equitable opportunities for every learner. This year, we continue to build on the progress we've made together. We plan to share more details in an upcoming newsletter, including how this year's priorities connect to our long-term goals.

As we approach the first day of school, I'm grateful for the partnership of our families and the enthusiasm of our students. Together, we are ready to make 2025-26 a year of growth, connection, and achievement.

We are pleased to welcome Michael Newman as the newest Board Director of the Centennial School District, who will fill Position 6 At-Large. Director Newman was officially sworn-in during the regularly scheduled Board meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

During the meeting, we also had the pleasure to welcome back current Directors David Linn to Position 1 - Zone 1 and Pam Shields to Position 7 - At-Large, who were re-elected this past May, as well as Will Mohring, who was appointed last year and officially elected in May to Position 3 - Zone 3.

Directors Shields and Mohring were subsequently selected as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, at the July 30, 2025 Board Retreat.

Centennial School District is excited to welcome Ali Marks as the next principal of Centennial Middle School. Ali brings nearly 20 years of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator, along with a strong track record of student-centered leadership, restorative practices, and a commitment to equitable outcomes for all learners.

Ali joins Centennial from Gordon Russell Middle School in the Gresham-Barlow School District, where she served as Assistant Principal. In that role, she led work on inclusive Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), refined behavior support systems that balance accountability with healing, and facilitated professional learning focused on culturally responsive practices and belonging. Her leadership is known for building strong relationships with students, families, and staff, and for combining high expectations with care and compassion.

Before becoming an administrator, Ali worked as a secondary instructional coach in the Parkrose School District, coordinating AVID implementation and supporting districtwide improvement in assessment, grading, and instructional systems. She began her career in Forest Grove School District as an English and AVID teacher, where she also led Professional Learning Communities and supported curriculum and professional development efforts. In addition, she is a certified Constructing Meaning presenter, providing training that supports academic language development, skills-based teaching and learning, and equitable instruction.

Please join us in welcoming Principal Marks to Centennial Middle School.

August is a time when Centennial staff come together for professional learning, collaboration, and planning, laying the foundation for a strong start to the school year.

This year's Administrative Preservice focused on building connections, strengthening leadership skills, and collaborating on priorities for the new school year. Leaders worked together on school improvement planning, professional learning, and strategies to support student success. The time together set a strong foundation for the year ahead and reinforced our shared commitment to ensuring every Centennial student is known, valued, and supported to thrive.

The District's Office Team Kick Off Meeting also brought staff together to welcome new members, connect with colleagues, and continue the important work that keeps our schools running smoothly. In the meeting, orientation and collaborative sessions emphasized how strong systems, clear communication, and effective support structures contribute to inclusion and belonging for students and families.

Finally, the District's Campus Safety Liaison Team met to review critical safety and security protocols that keep our schools safe all year long. Participating in team building and professional development prior to the start of the school year ensures that safety protocols are used consistently across sites, while also preparing our Campus Safety Liaisons to be active and engaged members of their individual school communities.

Together, the variety of staff and team gatherings that are held throughout the month of August reflect the Roadmap '27 pillar of Professional Learning, Growth, and Wellness. They provide time and space to collaborate, build skills, and strengthen the systems that support teaching and learning. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it is a vital part of creating safe, welcoming, and thriving schools for each Centennial student.

Earlier this summer, copies of the most recent Report to Our Community were mailed to all residents of the Centennial School District boundary area. You can also view a digital version of this latest edition in English, Spanish, and Russian at https://www.csd28j.org/communityreport.

In this latest edition, you will find information about last year's focus areas related to our Roadmap ‘27 Strategic Plan, as well as highlights of work happening around the District related to those focus areas. We are excited to continue our work in these focus areas in the 2025-26 school year, and bring you more updates in the next Report.

We are proud to announce that our Dining Services department has received a Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in partnership with Action for Healthy Kids, for their use of innovative strategies that provide nutritious school meals. The award category, Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals, recognizes the work of our Dining Services team to incorporate new menu items that are prepared from scratch and use local agricultural products or USDA food, while elevating student engagement and feedback.

This award highlights the efforts of our Dining Services team to improve the nutritional quality of the District’s school meals. This includes expanding the Farm-to-School ingredients offered by our cafeterias, as well as adding menu items that represent the cultural diversity of our students and families.

Kim Burns, Director of Dining Services, shared, “I’ve always believed that great food starts with great ideas, and this team proves it every day. Winning the USDA Innovation Award is proof that when you mix creativity, teamwork, and a love for feeding kids, amazing things happen.”

Nutrition & Wellness Coordinator Pia Watzig added, “I’m so proud of our team for the hard work, creativity, and heart we’ve put into implementing new recipes. The changes we’ve made have been positively received by our students, and we’re excited to continue our journey of providing creative, nutritious meals to the students of Centennial.”

Recently, members of our Transportation department participated in the 47th Annual Oregon State School Bus Safety Exercise, hosted by the Oregon Pupil Transportation Association (OPTA). This safety competition promotes the learning and implementation of good practices necessary to be an exemplary school bus driver, while also providing drivers the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in operating school buses.

After months of hard work and practice, we're pleased to announce that several of our bus drivers were recognized in their categories for their exceptional safe driving skills:

• Julia Ellis - 4th Place in the General Conventional category
• Roxana Mandujano Resendiz - 3rd Place in the Novice Conventional category
• Roxana Mandujano Resendiz / Stormi McCartt - 3rd Place in the Special Needs category

Drivers Charlie Willison, Liliana Escobedo, and Stefanie Allen also did a great job as part of the Centennial team at this event. Congratulations to all of our participating drivers, and thank you for your commitment to the safety of our Centennial students!

There's still time to complete an application for the Summer EBT program. This program provides families with a $120 per child grocery benefit to help with food costs during times when school meals are not available. The application deadline for eligible families is September 3, 2025.

Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on May 22, 2025, if their households:

• Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level
• Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT

However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children in Head Start programs that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.

Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center at 833-673-7328 to verify their eligibility and apply.