Staff News and Announcements

#Giving Tuesday
November 27, 2023 - Now in its eleventh year, GivingTuesday is a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity amid the traditional post-Thanksgiving frenzy of consumer deals and sales. 

Many nonprofit organizations have lined up matching funds for donations that come in on Tuesday, Nov. 28, so it’s an ideal time to support the causes that are important to you. Local organizations like the Hillsboro Schools Foundation, Centro Cultural, Adelante Mujeres, Bienestar, the Oregon Food Bank, Community Action Organization, Latino Network, Boys & Girls Club, Assistance League, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, Hillsboro Elks, Hillsboro Optimists, and many others work tirelessly to support HSD students and families, as well as others in need in our community. Please consider a donation to one or more of them this Tuesday and beyond.

Are you giving your time rather than your money? Don’t forget to submit those hours if your employer has a program for contributing to the nonprofit organizations where you volunteer. Intel employees are reminded to log their 2023 volunteer hours into Benevity by Friday, Dec. 15 to double the impact. Thank you!

If you are an HSD staff member, you can also set up recurring donations through payroll deduction for the Hillsboro Schools Foundation and United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. Simply complete the forms linked above and return to the Payroll department. 

HR High Five Podcast
November 27, 2023 - Episode 9 of HR’s High Five Podcast series features staff members David Nieslanik, Megan Nace, and Juliet Hong talking about ways they like to show and receive appreciation. Listen here.

Inclement Weather Reporting Memos
November 27, 2023 - All staff are encouraged to review the inclement weather reporting memo for their classification type (licensed, classified, admin and super/tech) before bad weather hits so they know what is expected of them during weather-related delays and closures. Memos can be found on the Staff Links page of our website. 

2022-23 Health Reimbursement Account Claims
November 13, 2023 -  If you were enrolled in Moda Plan 5, Kaiser 2B, or were a licensed or classified employee enrolled in Kaiser 3 for the 2022-23 plan year, you may have money waiting for you! These are the health plans that include a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) benefit, meaning you can get reimbursed for certain deductibles and copays - but you must submit all claims by Dec. 31, 2023. 

Please plan to stop by one of the upcoming drop-in Q&A sessions to speak with someone who can help you understand this benefit:

• Tuesday, Nov. 14 - 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Jacobson St. Transportation Center

• Tuesday, Nov. 14 - noon to 5:30 p.m. at the District Administration Center

• Wednesday, Dec. 6 - 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Walnut St. Transportation Center

• Wednesday, Dec. 6 - noon to 5:30 p.m. at the District Administration Center

• Thursday, Dec. 7 - 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Virtual session on Zoom

Learn more in this flyer.

Lifetouch Photos
October 30, 2023 - Staff who are based out of the Administration Center, or staff at other locations who may have missed their picture day, are invited to stop by the AC from 8 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 3 to get their photo taken. These images will be used for the staff directory on our district and school websites, so please dress professionally.

Staff Flu Shot Clinics
October 23, 2023 - HSD will once again be partnering with Get a Flu Shot to hold a series of Flu Shot Clinics for staff members and their covered dependents ages 9 and older:

• Friday, Sept. 29 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Administration Center

• Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Glencoe High School library

• Monday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Walnut St. Transportation Center

• Monday, Oct. 16 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Liberty High School staff lounge (room 121)

• Thursday, Oct. 19 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the South Meadows Middle School library

• Friday, Oct. 20 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Century High School commons

• Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Jacobson St. Transportation Center

Kaiser members are welcome! Please remember to bring your insurance card.

Forms and other important information

• Flu Shot flyer

• Claim form for Moda and Kaiser OEBB - fill out in advance or on-site

• Additional insurance companies vendor will accept

• General consent form - if you have an accepted insurance carrier outside of the OEBB system

• Flu Vaccine Statement

PERS Retirement Seminar
October 2, 2023 - A free PERS/403(b) retirement planning seminar will take place at 6 p.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the District Office. The seminar will be presented by Skylar Koon with Cetera Investors, who has been conducting similar seminars for HSD employees for over a decade. 

The workshop is open to all employees and their partners, whether they are planning to retire in the near future or are simply looking to get some questions answered. Topics will include explaining the PERS system, its changes over time, and what they will mean to you. Different payout options will also be discussed to help you start thinking about what may be best for you and your family. Skylar will review the steps necessary to acquire an estimate for your retirement as well as the paperwork process for someone who decides to retire. Other topics will include taxes, health insurance, long-term care, and how PERS fits into other retirement tools to create a cohesive financial strategy for retirement, in addition to pitfalls to avoid when utilizing PERS in combination with other retirement accounts as well as Social Security. 

Please note the seminar will not be recorded.

Register in advance at this link. Once you have registered, you will receive a follow-up email confirming your registration. If you do not receive a confirmation email, make sure to check your spam folder or reach out to Skylar at skylar.koon@ceterainvestors.com. 

If you cannot attend the seminar but still have questions you would like answered, you can schedule a one-on-one appointment with Skylar.

HR High Five Podcast
September 25, 2023 - Season two of HR’s High Five Podcast series kicks off with staff members Miguel Garcia, Kevin Hertel, and Teresa Portinga talking about how they ensure a strong start to the school year for our students and families. Listen here.

Community Care Demonstration Project
September 11, 2023 - In 2022-23, Lenox, Tobias, and Witch Hazel Elementary Schools completed year one of the State of Oregon’s Community Care Demonstration Project, a program whose aim is to improve the mental health, education, and overall health and wellbeing of Oregon’s students and families. 

Through targeted grants, the program provides funding for a Community Care Specialist at each participating site. These specialists are education liaisons who leverage student, family, and community engagement as a mechanism for cultural brokering and strengthening mental health. 

In this video, you will see Executive Director of Federal Programs Dr. Olga Acuña, HSD Health Navigator Katherine Salas, and Witch Hazel Community Care Specialist Brianna Zacarias among those discussing the program and its positive impacts at the demonstration sites.

Benefits Open Enrollment
September 4, 2023 - All eligible HSD employees are required to complete benefits enrollment by Tuesday, Sept. 5. This applies to those wishing to make changes to their benefits AND to those who are keeping their coverages the same, opting out, or waiving benefits. Learn more at hsd.k12.or.us/benefits.

HR High Five Podcast
September 4, 2023 - Our Human Resources department’s HR High Five Podcast series features achievements, ideas, and connections within our HSD community. Each episode has about ten minutes of content and focuses on a theme or key word. The goal of this podcast is to share ways our employees work together and highlight their contributions to our district. This month, enjoy a special episode where Superintendent Reiman shares information about his background, thoughts about HSD, and more.

Arts Resource Happy Hour
September 4, 2023 - Join Arts for Learning NW and The Reser for snacks and drinks and to learn about art resources available to schools. The event takes place from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton. Learn more in this flyer and RSVP here. 

Benefits Open Enrollment
August 28, 2023 - All eligible HSD employees are required to complete benefits enrollment by Tuesday, Sept. 5. This applies to those wishing to make changes to their benefits AND to those who are keeping their coverages the same, opting out, or waiving benefits. Learn more at hsd.k12.or.us/benefits.

HR High Five Podcast
June 12, 2023 - Our Human Resources department’s HR High Five Podcast series features achievements, ideas, and connections within our HSD community. To round out this inaugural year of the series, the team invited Superintendent Mike Scott to talk about leadership, reflect on his thirty-six years in education, and share insights from his last fourteen years as superintendent of the Hillsboro School District.

HR High Five Podcast
May 29, 2022 - Our Human Resources department’s HR High Five Podcast series features achievements, ideas, and connections within our HSD community. Each episode has about ten minutes of content and focuses on a theme or key word. The goal of this podcast is to share ways our employees work together and highlight their contributions to our district. This month, enjoy listening to staff members Courtney Gibb, Kelsey Wright, and Jahmai Cherri discuss the topic of Serving our Community.

Oregon Savings Growth Plan Workshop
May 22, 2023 - The Oregon Savings Growth Plan offers another retirement savings option for HSD staff. Learn more at a virtual workshop hosted by Tim Ertz of Voya Financial Advisors at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23.

PERS Retirement Seminar and Workshop
May 8, 2023 - A free PERS/403(b) retirement planning seminar will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 11 in the Administration Center Board room. 

The webinar will be presented by Skylar Koon with Cetera Investors, who has been conducting similar seminars for the HSD employees for over a decade.

The workshop is open to all employees and their partners, whether they are planning to retire in the near future or are simply looking to get some questions answered. Topics will include explaining the PERS system, its changes over time, and what they will mean to you. Different payout options will also be discussed to help you start thinking about what may be best for you and your family. Sylar will review the steps necessary to acquire an estimate for your retirement as well as the paperwork process for someone who decides to retire. Other topics will include taxes, health insurance, long-term care, and how PERS fits into other retirement tools to create a cohesive financial strategy for retirement, in addition to pitfalls to avoid when utilizing PERS in combination with other retirement accounts as well as Social Security. 

Register in advance at this link. 

If you cannot attend the seminar but still have questions, you can schedule a one-on-one appointment with Skylar at this link. 

Questions can also be posed to Skylar via email at skylar.koon@ceterainvestors.com.

Thanks a Million! Teacher Appreciation Celebration
May 1, 2023 - Local nonprofit Schoolhouse Supplies is hosting its Thanks a Million! teacher appreciation celebration on Saturday, May 6. This free event will provide teachers at schools where more than 50 percent of the students qualified for free or reduced-price meals with over $1 million in supplies and gifts to kick off National Teacher Appreciation Week. There will be booths for teachers to visit to fill their bags, as well as food and entertainment. 

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon (and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. by reservation) in the Parkrose High School gymnasium, 12003 NE Shaver St., Portland 97220.  

Check your eligibility and learn more here.

HR High Five Podcast
May 1, 2023 - Our Human Resources department’s HR High Five Podcast series features achievements, ideas, and connections within our HSD community. Each episode has about ten minutes of content and focuses on a theme or key word. The goal of this podcast is to share ways our employees work together and highlight their contributions to our district. This month, enjoy listening to staff members Christy Walters, Eli Andrade, and Rose Roman discuss the topic of Organization.

Free Virtual Meal Prep Classes
April 24, 2023 - Through a grant from the Oregon Education Association, acquired by Evergreen Middle School Wellness Counselor Ellis Russell, all staff are invited to participate in free online meal prep classes starting at 4:45 p.m. on the following dates:

• Tuesday, Apr. 25 - Meal Prep Basics (90-min. Cooking class)

• Tuesday, May 9 - Meal Prep Freezer Meals (90-min. Cooking class)

• Tuesday, May 23 - Good Mood Food (60-min nutrition education class)

Learn more and sign up on this form.

JA Biztown Information Sessions
Calling all 5th grade teachers!  The registration dates for your students to attend JA BIZTOWN in the 2023-24 school year will be open soon. Please be thinking about the time of year you may want to deliver the twelve preparatory lessons and attend the simulation event. As a district, we are funding the cost of student participation. Each school will manage their bussing to the new BIZTOWN site located in downtown Hillsboro, and 5th grade teams can work together to all attend the same day!  

If you have not participated in Biztown before, you can check out this Biztown video and get general information at the JA Biztown Website. 

The new site in the Hillsboro Civic Center will open this fall. Check out this computer simulation of what it will look like. 

If you would like more information about Biztown before the registration links go live, please join us at one of the upcoming virtual Q&A sessions hosted by NWRESD.  

• May 1st 11:30am Registration Link

• May 2nd 3:30pm Registration Link

• May 3rd 2pm Registration Link

If you have other questions, feel free to reach out to Raya Cadiz at cadizr@hsd.k12.or.us.

Yoga and Fitness at Evergreen Middle School
April 24, 2023 - Free yoga and fitness classes for HSD staff members are still happening twice a week at Evergreen Middle School. Drop in at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and bring your own yoga mat.

Section 125 Plan Enrollment
April 24, 2023 - Section 125 plan enrollment for 2023-24 opens on Monday, Apr. 24. Schedule time with an American Fidelity representative to review your coverage including FSA, HSA, Dependent Care, Disability, and other optional plans ahead of the fall rush.

HSF Innovative Grants
April 10, 2023 - The Hillsboro Schools Foundation (HSF) will award grants of up to $7,500 to fund innovative educational projects during the 2023-24 school year. A total of $50,000 will be distributed this May. 

Through their Innovative Education Grants, HSF supports projects that put the tools of exploration, imagination, and self-expression directly into students’ hands, providing them with opportunities they would otherwise not have under normal school funding. The process is simple, fair, and open to all HSD teachers, administrators, staff, and volunteer family groups for programs that enhance student achievement both inside and outside the classroom. Proposals are evaluated and selected based on student engagement and achievement; innovative instructional methods and tools; and sustainable, measurable results. 

The grant application is now open and available at hsfonline.org/apply-for-grants. Submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 11. 

Participation in a grant training webinar at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 2 is strongly encouraged. Please RSVP to Aron Carleson at aronc@wcchamber.org for the link. You may also reach out to Aron with any questions.

Ethnic Studies Youth Conference
April 10, 2023 - Portland Community College, in partnership with Pacific and Portland State, will offer its 4th Ethnic Studies Youth Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 26 at the PCC Rock Creek Campus. It is a platform that centers middle and high school student art, testimonies, and research on the pressing issues of the day. The conference is free and open to the public.

There is an opportunity for groups of students to make presentations of up to 15 minutes on a topic of their choice. Brief descriptions of arts and presentation topics are due by Saturday, Apr. 15. Learn more in this flyer and on the Critical Educators of Color Pathway website.