Dear HDESD families, partners and neighbors,

We are excited to announce that the High Desert Education School District expects to fully reopen programs to in-person learning starting this fall. We are working closely with our team, our board of directors and our partner school districts to plan for a successful school year which includes COVID-19 safety and mitigation measures. We will also continue our ongoing partnerships with local public health officials to help ensure the safety of our students, staff, families and communities.

For more information about health and safety, equity, and mental health supports, please visit the Oregon Department of Education’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework for the 2021-22 School Year.

Culture of CARE Coaches had their first in-person training on Wednesday at Tom McCall Elementary school in Redmond. They provided professional development on trauma-informed and restorative classroom strategies. They demonstrated proactive circles that staff could use to build belonging and community for both colleagues and students. Approximately 40 staff attended with highly positive feedback. 

Culture of CARE Coach team, left to right:  Sierra Jackson (from Jefferson County SD), and Amber McGill, Amy Yillik, Erin Taylor from HDESD

We are working to change education for children in central Oregon. We help students thrive in school and life by providing specialized programs and services that might not be available through their school districts. We engage with families and community members to bridge the gaps in our education system. Because we know if we can do that from cradle to career, we’ll be on the road to be a better future for all of us.

2021:

Let’s unify.

Let’s love.

Let’s respect.

Let’s forgive.

Let’s learn.

Let’s grow.

You are the backbone of our public education system. We could not do this work without your skilled administrative support, your work to ensure the safety and maintenance of our buildings and property, the safe transportation you provide, and the healthy nutrition and direct instruction of students you make possible. Happy Classified Employee Appreciation Week!

HDESD’s Early Childhood speech and language team gathered for a quick photo while preparing for their virtual pirate theme zoom circle.

“We have found that having a theme each week helps the 3-5 year-olds stay engaged during our group circle time here in Redmond. Since it was pirate week, we dressed up like pirates and the kids dressed up too! We read a pirate book, sang songs, and dressed our pirate in pirate clothing. During their speech sessions, they all had pirate themed activities to focus on their individual speech or language goal. Each child was mailed pirate themed activities for each day of the week and the supplies to complete the activities. We believe that distance learning can be fun and engaging even for our littlest friends!”  – Kris Courtwright-Waldron, speech-language pathologist

Left to right: Kris Courtwright-Waldron, (SLP), Marie Pesek (SLP-A), and Shelley Laya (SLP intern)

In a rapid response to support local families, a team of educators, service providers and business and civic leaders came together in August under the leadership of Better Together to respond to the region’s evolving child care crisis created by the pandemic. In only four weeks, they have identified a short-term solution and secured $750,000 to launch work in Deschutes County. As most schools in Central Oregon kick off the year with Comprehensive Distance Learning, many families are struggling to balance work and child care while also supporting their kids who are attending school at home.

By the end of September, some of the region’s most experienced out-of-school child care organizations will be expanding their hours, calendars, service locations and expertise to accommodate the needs of local families while schools are operating under Comprehensive Distance Learning. This expanded capacity will provide 5 days of full-day school age child care each week for nearly 1,000 children ages 5-10 at 26 sites in Deschutes County.

Full article can be found here!

A graduation ceremony signifies school is special! Ceremonies provide a platform for praise. Praise is pivotal for a young child. Praise for effort in their learning journey can begin a lifelong, positive association with school. This is a valuable moment of positive self-definition that can have enormous value in the social-emotional development of children. — Alyssa Van Syckel, HDESD ABA Teacher

Photo: Drive-by celebrations for children transitioning to Kindergarten

Just look at the amazing work the Migrant Education program is doing to serve Central Oregon families in need. These fine folks reached out to several churches and received enough donations to fill 300 boxes of non-perishable items. Thank you for taking care of others.

We are honored and excited to announce that HDESD has recognized two outstanding therapists for the Judy Rowe Therapist of the Year Award.  This is a tremendous accomplishment for Katie-Ann Kailey and Steve Maddox.  

Steve- many letters of support from colleagues highlighted his years of service and dedication to students, families, and educators.

Katie-Ann- Nominated by Crook County School district staff for her innovation, creativity, and vibrant personality. 

Thank you both for your exceptional work!  

HDESD’s Vision Team paired with Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) for a sunny, fun-filled day at Mt. Bachelor.  Beginners got to enjoy the new Woodward Start Park and a couple of students tried the chair lift for the very first time. One student, a snowboarder, was speeding down the slopes and the teachers of the visually impaired had a hard time keeping up with her and her OAS guide.  The group was very thankful the storm held off until the end of the day.  

First Interstate Bank is an early investor in, i4Education, the innovation arm of the High Desert ESD! With their support, we’re taking the ThinkUp innovation process to Silver Rail Elementary to unlock the great ideas of educators and systematically connect them with local entrepreneurs to workshop, prototype and test their ideas.