October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and we want to remind all students and families to get to know your local and state resources.
The value of all kids feeling safe in their schools and in their communities is one shared across the country. And no matter where the learning is taking place, creating safe and welcoming educational environments is a top priority in the Hillsboro School District.
In the state of Oregon, SafeOregon is an online platform that gives students, parents, staff, and community members a way to report safety threats or potential acts of violence. It’s free for Oregon public and private schools PK-12. Tips can be sent via email to tip@safeoregon.com, by calling or texting 844-472-3367, using the free mobile app, or accessing the SafeOregon web portal. All tips go immediately to a tip line operator 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Tips are promptly analyzed and forwarded to designated personnel who can provide further assistance in resolving reported incidents.
HSD also has a tip line on our mobile app. Download the free Hillsboro School District app from the App Store or Google Play and select the Tip Line icon to start a message. You can indicate which school the tip is related to and add images, if appropriate. Tips can be sent either anonymously or with contact information so a staff member can follow up with you. And there is a bias incident reporting form on our website that can be completed if it is believed a bias incident has occurred. Learn more on our website.
Our featured activity is Ladd Acres Elementary School’s Astro Apprenticeship program! Since the 2021-22 school year, Ladd Acres has been offering students the unique and enriching opportunity of participating in an apprenticeship program. The program has students apply for positions that interest them - such as student store managers, library assistants, assembly crew, event planners, etc. - and then interview before being assigned their role. The students hold their job for a semester, at which time they have the option of applying for a different position or keeping their current one. Students are “paid” for their work with student store dollars. “I had been thinking about how to best support my students with building the soft skills necessary to be successful both in the classroom and in the real world, as employees,” explains Principal Jennifer Robbins. “I wanted to find a way for them to start building those skills now, and that idea sparked what is now our Astro Apprenticeship program.” Read more about this program in an article Ms. Robbins wrote for the online platform Edutopia, which showcases innovative strategies for K-12 learning, on our website. Hot News is produced and emailed to HSD families and staff each week school is in session. Please add the address to your “safe sender” list to make sure you always receive the latest issue. Please also bookmark our district website: hsd.k12.or.us to stay informed about what’s happening in our district and schools.