Did you know that the tip of a fire hose glows in the dark?  The children from the Redmond Early Childhood program learned this and more when the Redmond Fire Department stopped by for a visit.  They also learned that the shoes they wear have steel toes and a metal plate built into the sole of their shoes to protect them from the heat.  After learning about the gear they wear, all were invited to check out the fire engine. Thank you Redmond Fire Department for teaching our youngsters about fire safety.

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the High Desert ESD and Oregon PTA, will hold an informational forum about Oregon’s new state tests.

Thursday, March 5, 6:00 p.m.
(Light refreshments will be provided by The Oregon PTA)

COCC Redmond, Technology Center
2030 SE College Loop, Redmond, Oregon

Oregon and more than 40 other states have developed and adopted shared academic expectations, called the Common Core State Standards. ODE calls the standards clear, consistent guidelines for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level in math and English language arts in order to graduate high school ready for college, careers, and life.

This spring the new Smarter Balanced assessments will replace the old OAKS state tests for reading, writing, and math. The Smarter Balanced assessments, aligned to Oregon’s updated learning standards, are more challenging than Oregon’s previous, multiple-choice only tests and will tell us where students are on their path to college- and career-readiness.

Learn more about Oregon’s new test: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=4302

Better Together releases baseline report on student success

indicators in Central Oregon

“Find your role” is the community call to action

This week, a local movement called Better Together released the first and most comprehensive collection of Central Oregon data on student success indicators. As Central Oregon’s most collaborative effort to support and advocate for children and young adults, Better Together partners are asking community members to find a role in helping youth excel from cradle to career. The Baseline Report features data on 25 community-identified measures that research has shown to significantly impact high school graduation rates and overall school success.

“There has never been a more inclusive or expansive effort to address the needs of youth in Central Oregon,” said John Rexford, Superintendent for the High Desert Education Service District that oversees the Better Together initiative. “Better Together includes a broad reach of educators, service agencies, government agencies, business leaders and community members who are taking this data and creating a systematic approach to helping our children be successful in school and life.”

According to Rexford, the Baseline Report data is intended to guide and inspire collective community action and to engage community members beyond just the education system to get involved.

Click here to view Better Together Baseline Report.

For more information, contact Anna Higgins via phone: 541.693.5773 or email: anna.higgins@hdesd.org

Central Oregon Regional Program provides support to students with low incidence disabilities in the following seven counties (Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Harney, Gilliam, Wheeler and Sherman).  In collaboration with local school districts, Early Intervention (EI), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), families and community agencies, support is provided to students with visual impairments, hearing impairments, orthopedic impairments, deaf-blindness, autism, and traumatic brain injury. The services provided may include evaluation, consultation/coaching, direct instruction, as well as adaptive equipment to ensure access and safety.

A big shout out and thank you to all of our partners in law enforcement, fire safety, public and mental heath, juvenile justice, and law who work to make Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson county public and private schools safer!

Today, they joined HDESD Superintendent John Rexford and other regional school leaders to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the Safe Schools Alliance.

“Our partnership is growing stronger each year as we continue working together to enhance the safety of our students, staff, schools and communities,” said Rexford. “Through the Safe School Alliance, we are more equipped as a community to reduce crime, prevent bullying and create a better environment for students and educators.”

The children at the Early Childhood program in Redmond were busy making cookies and coloring hearts to celebrate ‘Friendship Day.’ I think we have a budding artist on our hands showing her lovely, colored heart.

The High Desert Education Service District provides early childhood developmental support for children birth to 5 years of age (prior to kindergarten). Services include screening, evaluation, and specially designed instruction for young children with special needs in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties.

The Student Information System (SIS) is a software application for managing student information including grades, schedules, attendance, health, discipline, and other student-related needs. This data is used to improve student outcomes and meet State reporting requirements.

The SIS support team helps the Redmond School District and High Desert ESD provide the best possible services for students and staff while keeping student data accurate, current and secure. This is accomplished by collaborating with departments and end-users, training staff, testing and implementing software releases, and maintaining the system’s configuration and security.

This past June, Shane Limbeck joined to the support team as a programmer analyst. This addition to the team has filled the need of integrating SIS data with other software applications throughout the district, including nutrition, transportation, online payments and the communication system.

Pictured L to R: Victoria Glass, Shane Limbeck and Rose Salomone

“This past Friday, 1/30/15, it was my great honor and pleasure to present the 2015 OACOA Achievement of Excellence Award to Sue Hayes.  The Oregon Association of Central Office Administrators (OACOA) is an affiliate of the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA).  The award, granted to one person a year, is intended to publicly honor an OACOA member who represents the commitment to excellence in education that exemplifies the OACOA membership.  Sue was selected from a large pool of well-qualified nominees.” – John Rexford, HDESD Superintendent.  Pictured with Sue Hayes, to her left is Paul Andrews, HDESD Deputy Superintendent and John Rexford, HDESD Superintendent