Superintendent's Update

Dear Centennial Colleagues, Students, Families, and Community,

Two months into the school year, we are in full swing. I have the opportunity to visit schools regularly and am pleased with the engagement I see between students and staff in classrooms, the positive culture being developed in our schools, and the updates to our physical spaces made possible through the voter-approved 2020 Bond.

Next week, at the Elementary and Middle School level, you’ll notice two staff development days in the school year calendar, on Wednesday, November 8 and Thursday, November 9, 2023, which are no school days for Kindergarten through 8th grade students. These days are scheduled for staff to engage in Days 3 & 4 of four-day Responsive Classroom training.

Responsive Classroom is a student-centered, social, and emotional learning approach to teaching and discipline. It is a set of research- and evidence-based practices designed to create safe, joyful, and engaging classroom and school communities for both students and staff. The Responsive Classroom approach focuses on creating optimal learning conditions for students to develop the academic, social, and emotional skills needed for success in and out of school, and building positive school and classroom communities where students learn, behave, hope, and set and achieve goals.

Veterans Day is Saturday, November 11, 2023. It will be observed Friday, November 10, 2023, which is a no school day for students. I want to take this opportunity to thank our Veterans for their service.

This month, we’re recognizing American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and the contributions of our Native community. Additionally, we continue to celebrate our staff and this month we are honoring our school psychologists, educational support professionals, and substitute educators.

As we are approaching the holiday season, it’s a valuable time for reflection and gratitude, and a fitting time to share our gratitude for others. As your Superintendent, I am honored to serve our community and grateful for our dedicated staff, leaders, and supportive School Board members. I appreciate working with individuals – staff, families, and community - who are committed to our students’ learning.

Centennial School District is in the process of updating our Comprehensive Sexuality Education Plan (CSEP), which is required by Oregon law. The CSEP is approved by each school district's local school board. OAR 581-022-1440 requires that each school teach comprehensive, age appropriate, medically accurate sexuality education.

We intentionally implement rigorous, culturally relevant, and evidence-based practices in every content area, to cultivate academic excellence for each student.

EVERY learner will receive the resources they need to thrive in our schools, no matter what. As each student shapes their own values and beliefs about healthy behaviors, the role of public schools in Oregon is to provide medically accurate and balanced information that is age-appropriate, and inclusive. Each school district in Oregon is responsible for developing a Comprehensive Sexual Education Plan (CSEP) as a part of the Kindergarten through 12th grade Health Instructional Program.

The following summarizes essential information in the plan and includes access to additional information you may find helpful.

• What is a Comprehensive Sexuality Education Plan?

• The plan shows how the district is meeting the state requirements including: what instructional materials are used, how schools communicate with families, and the opt out process.

• The requirement of content includes these essential elements:

• OAR 581-022-2050 Human Sexuality Education to include:

• Growth and development

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (including HIV)

• Protection methods

• Boundaries and consent

• Sexual orientation and gender identity

• SB 856 Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Instruction (Referred to as Erin's Law)

• Suicide Prevention, Intervention, Postvention (Referred to as Adi’s Act)

• Healthy Teen Relationship Act

• Why is this content required?

• Health education develops knowledge and skills that students will use throughout their lifetime. Examples include analyzing influences, decision making, interpersonal communication.

• Teachers are providing medically accurate and age appropriate content in order for students to develop and understand their own values, attitudes, and beliefs about sexuality. This helps young people exercise responsibility regarding sexual relationships and sexual health decisions.

• What are the resources used for instruction?

• K-12 Health Teachers focus on addressing the 2023 Health Education Standards

• Elementary School Instructional Materials: The Great Body Shop

• Middle School Instructional Materials: Get Real Education

• High School Instructional Materials: Positive Prevention Plus

• Where can I get more detailed information?

• The Centennial School District Comprehensive Sexuality Education Plan

• Contact your student’s health teacher for questions and to view the curriculum

• Look for communication prior to human sexuality units being taught, including a form to opt your student out of any lessons you don’t want them to receive.

• ODE Sexuality Education Frequently Asked Questions