April Newsletter

Spring offers a unique moment when optimism feels natural and progress feels within reach. With longer days and a renewed energy in the air, our schools, programs, and teams continue their work with clarity, focus, and purpose. This month, we’re celebrating the creativity, resilience, and collaboration that define our community. April offers countless reminders of why our work matters. It’s a time to acknowledge progress, embrace fresh ideas, and continue building the supportive, inclusive environments our students and families deserve.

Thank you for the dedication you bring to each day. Your commitment shapes the experiences of the students we serve, and it’s what makes MESD a place where growth truly thrives.

Let’s step into this new season with curiosity, optimism, and momentum.

As we honor Arab American Heritage Month and Autism Awareness Month this April, we take time to recognize the rich diversity, resilience, and contributions within our community. Arab American Heritage Month invites us to deepen our understanding of the histories, cultures, and achievements of Arab Americans and to challenge stereotypes by centering their stories and voices. April also brings Autism Awareness Month, a time to learn about autism spectrum disorder, celebrate neurodiversity, and reaffirm our commitment to inclusion, empathy, and support for all learners. Both observances encourage us to foster belonging and respect in our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods, not only this month, but year‑round.

Arab American Heritage Month Resources

1. Arab American National Museum – Resources for Educators including virtual galleries, lesson plans, and professional development.

2. PBS – Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with articles, documentaries, and programming highlighting Arab American stories and contributions.

3. Smithsonian Institution – Arab American Heritage Month featuring oral histories, archival materials, and artifacts.

Autism Awareness Month Resources

1. Autistic Self Advocacy Network – Resources.

2. CDC – Autism Partner Toolkit includes free downloadable materials and messaging to help celebrate Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month and promote inclusion.

3. Learning A-Z – From Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance.

4. OrPATS Virtual Resources includes webinars and multimedia for general educators serving students with high functioning autism.

This month on Leaders Build Leaders with Dr. Coakley, we are excited to welcome Natasha Jackson, Senior Climate & Culture Administrator at MESD. This episode focuses on how MESD’s Climate & Culture work advances Blueprint’28 by helping schools create environments where every student feels safe, valued, and supported. Through leadership coaching, professional learning, and equity-centered systems improvement, Natasha shares how districts can strengthen belonging, student well-being, and culturally responsive practices. This episode highlights the power of school culture as a foundation for learning, connection, and long-term equity.

Join us on April 9 as we unveil a district-wide exhibition of student creativity!

MESD is thrilled to welcome families, staff, partners, and community members to the launch of Connecting MESD Communities Through Art — a districtwide exhibition showcasing the creativity, identity, and voices of students across all MESD schools and programs. Opening on April 9, 2026, this collaborative display brings together 4x4 student‑created canvases, forming a vibrant visual tapestry that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We invite you to celebrate with us as we honor student expression and the power of art to build connection.

Throughout February and March, we invited students from all MESD schools and programs to create original artwork using pastels, crayons, natural materials, and mixed‑media elements provided to each site. Completed tiles will be collected during the first week of April and assembled into a unified exhibition that highlights the unique character of each school while celebrating the collective creativity of MESD students.

Participating schools and programs include Three Lakes, Wheatley, Burlingame, Walden Crossing, Donald E. Long School, FLS classrooms. These learning environments span a wide range of ages, abilities, and educational needs, making this shared artistic experience a rare opportunity for students to see themselves as part of a larger, interconnected community.

Arts education is a powerful catalyst for engagement, identity development, and cultural exploration. Through this project, students can express their experiences, explore new artistic mediums, build empathy, and contribute to a shared work that honors both individuality and community. By providing all materials at no cost, MESD ensures that every student, regardless of background or circumstance, can participate fully.

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.

The TRIO program aligns closely with Blueprint ’28 by expanding access to high‑quality learning experiences and strengthening student voice across our region. Its focus on academic support, college and career readiness, and removing barriers to student success directly advances Goal 1: Create a High‑Quality Learning Experience for All, especially the strategy of increasing student access to future‑ready pathways. TRIO also reinforces Goal 2: Operationalize Systems That Engage & Empower Communities by partnering with families, schools, and community organizations to elevate student aspirations and build strong support networks.

Together, this work reflects MESD’s commitment to equitable opportunity and empowered learners.

As part of our commitment under Blueprint ’28 to ensure every student has access to high-quality learning opportunities, Title I-C continues to provide ongoing math and literacy tutoring services. This initiative, running from January 12, 2026, through May 1, 2026, connects students with personalized, online instruction through the Tutored by Teachers program, helping to strengthen foundational skills and support academic growth.

All currently enrolled students have been provided with the tools they need to succeed, including an iPad, headphones, and a hotspot when needed, ensuring that technology is not a barrier to learning. In alignment with our Blueprint ’28 goals of equity and access, Title I-C has also partnered with the Multnomah County Library to expand math and literacy tutoring opportunities. Students participating in library-based tutoring receive the same technology supports, helping to provide equitable access to high-quality instruction regardless of their home resources.

Through these combined efforts, we are proud to offer students the support they need to strengthen skills, build confidence, and achieve their academic goals — advancing the vision of Blueprint ’28 to ensure all students thrive in both literacy and numeracy.

The Equity Film Series was a great success, bringing our community together in a welcoming and engaging space at the Clinton Street Theater. The venue was easy to access and provided a great experience, complete with fresh popcorn and refreshments.

The screening of “Stand and Deliver” highlighted the journeys of Latino students in Los Angeles as they overcame stereotypes and systemic barriers to achieve excellence in mathematics. The event created a meaningful opportunity for reflection, connection, and conversation around equity in education.

This initiative creates intentional spaces for community, elevates diverse stories, and challenges us to rethink how we support and empower all students to succeed.

As part of our ongoing commitment to equity and access, we’re sharing a new collection of accessibility resources to support staff in creating digital content that works for everyone in our community. These materials provide practical guidance on creating accessible documents, understanding legal requirements, and applying best practices across your daily communications. We encourage all staff to explore these tools and integrate them into their workflow.

Resources from MESD, Grackle, and ODE

• Using Grackle to Create Accessible Communications – Training Webinar

• FAQ – Digital Accessibility Using Grackle Workspace from the “Using Grackle to Create Accessible Communications – Training Webinar”

• Writing Alt Text for Images

• Check a Document for Accessibility with Grackle

• ODE’s New Rules on Web Accessibility & Compliance Dates

• What You Need to Know About Web Accessibility from Grackle

We also want to thank everyone who attended our recent accessibility training on March 20th. Your engagement and willingness to strengthen inclusive practices across MESD truly make an impact.

The MESD AI Leadership Team has created a clear, easy‑to‑use guide to help staff decide when AI notetaker tools — such as Google Meet AI or Zoom’s AI Companion — are appropriate. This work supports the Blueprint ‘28 Goal 2: Operationalize Systems That Engage & Empower Communities, by promoting transparency, consent, and inclusive participation whenever technology is used.

This guidance outlines best practices, approved tools, and situations where AI note-taking can strengthen our work, and where it should not be used. Before turning on an AI notetaker, remember to get consent, confirm the tool is approved, and review notes for accuracy.

Thank you for helping MESD use technology ethically and in service of people. This resource keeps our AI practices aligned with our values of equity, transparency, and inclusion.

We continue with this video series, highlighting the perspectives and experiences of MESD students. Their voices bring insight, inspiration, and authenticity to the work we do together. Each month, students will share their stories in their own words — offering a unique window into school life, learning, and community.

Rivercrest Academy

Discover how an MESD nurse brought care and compassion to communities in Ghana — read Monique Norwood's inspiring story.

This spring, the MESD School Improvement Team deepened its partnership with Parkrose School District through the second session of a two-part professional learning series. Aligned with district priorities, the inservice moved beyond a traditional workshop by bringing MESD’s cross-disciplinary expertise directly into schools through coordinated, on-site support. Co-developed with district and school leaders and facilitated by MESD specialists, the day reflected a shared commitment to turning plans into practice and building lasting capacity across the system.

Tools for Managing Stress | The Teaching Well

There is a particular kind of tired that comes from caring deeply — and if you've felt it, this session is for you. This is a free virtual session designed specifically for MESD educators navigating the stress that builds in high-demand school environments. You'll walk away with practical, in-the-moment tools for restoring steadiness — no extra work, no fixing yourself, just real skills you can use right away at school and at home.

What: When the Work Is Heavy

When: April 10, 2026, 3:30–5:15 PM,

Where: This is a free virtual session from The Teaching Well

Register for When the Work is Heavy — Tools for Managing Stress!