Superintendent's Update

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. As we finish our first full week of school, it has been enjoyable to see students back in the school routine, learning and building community in our classrooms. And I hope you have been able to appreciate the amazing bond construction happening across our District throughout the summer and this new school year.

Centennial Schools are continually growing and innovating! As a result of work that was accomplished during the 2021-2022 school year, there have been many changes this fall. I want to take this opportunity to highlight a few of them.

6th Grade at the Middle School Level, Oliver Middle School, and Comprehensive Boundary Adjustment

Last week, our middle schools welcomed sixth grade students to their campuses for their first day of school and Oliver opened its doors as a Middle School. As a part of the voter-approved 2020 Bond, starting this school year, 6th grade has transitioned from an elementary school grade to a middle school grade and Oliver has been converted from an elementary school to a second middle school. Now nearly 1,300 students will be served in our two comprehensive sixth through eighth-grade middle schools.

Also, our District has now implemented boundary adjustments across all District K-8 schools. This past week, schools throughout Centennial welcomed students who previously attended other elementary or middle schools. If your family was affected by this adjustment, my hope is that your student has felt welcomed and supported in their new school.

District Strategic Planning

This school year also marks the fifth year of our 5-year strategic plan, which provides us the opportunity to reconsider our District’s priorities, strategies, and actions. We will be looking at the work that was done collaboratively in the past, and using that as a framework as we move forward.

This process will provide various opportunities for stakeholder engagement. Everyone’s voice is important and we want to get as many people as possible involved in the process in the months ahead. Look forward to updates and engagement opportunities as this process takes shape this fall.

As you can see, there’s much happening in our district, and we continue to keep our community updated about our District’s progress in our Superintendent’s Update Newsletter, website, and social media. We look forward to our continued engagement with you!

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to our staff, our partnerships with families, and the commitment of our community that makes Centennial School District a great place for our students to learn and grow.

I invite you to join us in providing additional possibilities for our students and supporting them in their academic success.

Together we can work to foster a welcoming school community and serve the potential of our students to become successful and productive.

Sincerely,

James Owens, Superintendent

Centennial School District is proud of the voices and visibility of all our students. From September 15-October 15, Centennial Schools proudly join together to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. The celebration is a way to recognize the cultural experiences and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx individuals who represent 600+ languages and dialects.

Centennial School District has 28% of students who identify as Hispanic. Schools across the district will celebrate in various ways through displays, art and classroom activities. Learn more about Hispanic Heritage month click here.

Welcome Roger Gregory to the Centennial School Board as representative for Position 7 – At-Large.

Director Gregory is a long-time resident of the Centennial district, and has an extensive background in journalism and customer service.

Prior to his time at Centennial, Director Gregory was involved in the Academic Achievers for Clark County and in Washington County. He also worked in the All-State balloting selection for many years. He prides himself in working and interacting with diverse populations and looks forward to serving our district.

Director Gregory’s term will run until June 2023.

Welcome Dianne Reyes as the new Assistant Principal of Powell Butte Elementary School. Dianne succeeds Jared Austin, who took on the principalship position at Powell Butte. Dianne is a life-long Centennial community member, alumni, and employee who has served her community for many years in varying capacities.

Dianne most recently served in the role of Student Success/ Behavior Systems Coach, providing facilitation of and support for the implementation of our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), including professional development, analysis of student data to support strategic interventions, and collaboration with specialists, teachers, students, parents, community partners, and administrators.

Before her role as a coach, Dianne served as Powell Butte’s previous Assistant Principal, a Summer School Administrator, and was an elementary school teacher in the district for 16 years. Through those experiences, she brings with her a strong understanding of the job, our district and the Powell Butte Community.

As elementary assistant principal at Powell Butte, Dianne spearheaded, defined and implemented student academic achievement standards in line with district goals for culturally and linguistically diverse student populations. She also partnered with the campus principal to administer school programs that aligned with the district vision and goals to provide positive, high-expectation academic student environments. Dianne also led the Implementation of the Shadow Project Sensory Room at Powell Butte and helped facilitate and lead the Tier 1, 2 and 3 teams at Powell Butte.

Dianne prides herself in being part of Centennial’s Educator Effectiveness and Math Leadership teams, the COSA Equity Advisory Board and Administrators of Color, and for her work in the State Deputy Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

Dianne obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies, a Master’s degree in Education and her Administrative credentials all from Portland State University.

Dianne brings the skills, experience, and leadership necessary to collaboratively lead Powell Butte forward in service to students, staff, families, and the community.

Congratulations, Dianne!

I am pleased to welcome Cuong Hoang as the new Assistant Principal of Centennial Middle School (CMS). Cuong succeeds Nathan Buck, who has become the Interim Principal for CMS.

Cuong comes to Centennial School District from Portland Public Schools (PPS) where he served as school psychologist and administrator for the 9th Grade Leap Program at McDaniel High School. His duties included charge of student enrollment, family and community engagement, school discipline, and student conduct. He also led student credit recovery, instructional planning, and oversaw and implemented the Student Intervention Team to support students with academic difficulties by aligning tiered interventions.

Prior to working at PPS, Cuong worked at Ridgefield High School at the Education Service District 112 (ESD 112) in Ridgefield, Washington. While at Ridgefield, Cuong managed student assessment and interpretation for students in life skills classrooms. He also collaborated with staff to support the medical and behavioral needs of students in life skills to determine their emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Previously, Cuong worked at Union Ridge Elementary School, a kindergarten to sixth grade school, at ESD 112, where he assisted students with behavior difficulties and provided support for their adjustment needs. Cuong was also key to maintaining student reports, records and files to document their psychological and developmental histories.

Cuong earned his Baccalaureate of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach, a Master of Arts in Education and an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology from San Diego State University, San Diego. He most recently earned his Administrative credentials from Portland State University.

Cuong comes to Centennial with a wide range of skills, leadership, and expertise to serve all the students of Centennial Middle School as the new Assistant Principal. Please join me in welcoming him to his new position.

It is my pleasure to share the selection of Carl Reinhold as our newest assistant principal of Centennial High School (CHS). Carl was introduced at the School Board Meeting on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 and succeeds Zachary Ramberg, who is the new Centennial Virtual Academy Principal.

With over 22 years in education and 13 years serving as a school administrator, Carl has extensive experience in public education at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in various settings. Carl served as the Principal of Rosemary Anderson High School (RAHS) East where he managed all aspects of guiding instructional practices, school improvement programming and managing staff. During his tenure, he grew strong community partnerships, implemented collaborative instructional systems to increase student outcomes, and fostered a robust restorative school culture. Under his leadership, the RAHS East doubled the student graduation rate to 95%.

Most recently, Carl was the principal of Rosemary Anderson High School at New Columbia. He worked to facilitate equitable/inclusive practices in the school and oversaw the development of a new Career and Technical Education Center supporting new music and sound design, computer programming, and graphic design programs. During his time as the Principal of RAHS at New Columbia, the graduation rate tripled.

Prior to working at RAHS at New Columbia, he served as Head of School at East County Open School, Dean of Students, Vice Principal and Principal of Leadership & Entrepreneurship at LEP Public Charter High School, Humanities Teacher at LEP High School, Principal and Assistant Principal of Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) Academy, Social Studies Teacher at SEI, Assistant Education Director of Sylvan Learning, 4th grade teacher at Mckinley Elementary and 5th grade teacher at Findley Elementary in the Beaverton School District.

Carl obtained his administrative certification through Lewis and Clark College, where he also received his Masters of Arts in Elementary Education. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History from San Francisco State University and also attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. Carl is known among his peers as a dedicated professional who uses a positive growth mindset to build trust with students, staff, families, and community partners in a systemic approach to equity and collaborative decision-making. A meet and greet with Centennial High School staff is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, 2022 where Carl looks forward to meeting the CHS community.

We are confident Carl will bring the skills, experience, and leadership necessary to continue supporting Centennial High School in partnership with students, staff, families, and the community. Please join me in congratulating Carl on his new leadership role!

Parents, guardians, and community members: Learn about what makes Centennial School District a great place to work! We offer rewarding career opportunities such as a Teacher, Education Assistant, School Secretary, School Bus Driver, Dining Services Technician, and more!

Visit our careers page to see our position openings: www.csd28j.org/careers!

In alignment with Multnomah County Public Health (MCPH), Centennial utilizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Community Level tool to determine indoor mask recommendations and requirements. The tool places communities into three levels — low, medium and high — based on three key weekly indicators. Only CDC’s “high” risk level includes a recommendation for universal indoor masking.

Based on the current ‘low’ risk level, masks are currently optional.

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. If you are immunocompromised, learn more about how to protect yourself.

It’s imperative that we create and maintain a culture of acceptance and respect as individuals make the choice whether to wear a mask. There are various reasons why individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask including: being immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, someone in their household is immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, personal choice, etc. We should not assume that we know the reason; it’s important that we respect each other’s decision.

The best protection against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Stay up-to-date by getting boosted. For more information on how to get a free vaccine, visit: https://www.multco.us/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/upcoming-covid-19-vaccination-clinics.

Additionally, other precautions individuals can take when the Community Level is at the ‘low’ risk level can be found here.

The CDC updates the county CDC Community Level on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. PST. Once the CDC Community Level changes again, we will provide you an update about mask guidance in Centennial. As a reminder, masking in Centennial School District is as follows:

• Low – Masks Optional

• Medium – Masks Recommended

• High – Masks Required

Thank you for doing your part to help keep students, staff, families, and the community healthy through this COVID-19 mitigation effort.

Centennial School District introduces the Communicable Diseases Dashboard to offer additional information including reports of COVID-19.

The Centennial Communicable Diseases Dashboard shows information the District collects from students, staff, volunteers, and contractors about the following communicable diseases: COVID-19, hMPXV (‘monkeypox’), measles, meningitis, pertussis (‘whooping cough’), and varicella (‘chickenpox’). The information contained reflects confirmed cases* of communicable diseases in each school.

*MESD, in collaboration with Multnomah Public Health and our school buildings, investigates ALL reports and adjusts the information to replicate confirmed cases of the communicable diseases listed.

The purpose of the dashboard is to offer Centennial School District staff and families information when making a personal risk assessment for potential exposure to infectious diseases and to adjust their personal mitigation activities accordingly.

Individuals may choose to take preventative measures like wearing a mask, increasing hand washing at school and at home, and monitoring and reporting symptoms of illness to school or work if there appears to be an increased number of cases.

We also invite you to visit the following links for additional information and resources about COVID-19.

• Regional COVID-19 Data Dashboard
• OHA Daily COVID-19 Information for Multnomah County
• CDC Weekly COVID-19 Data Tracker for Multnomah County

Centennial families and community at-large, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently announced the access and availability of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters in Oregon. For more details about how these boosters can protect you and your family visit the OHA’s COVID-19 blog.

These COVID-19 boosters are recommended for anyone 12 years of age and older who has already completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to protect our school communities and keep schools open. The Oregon Department of Education and the OHA recommend everyone interested in receiving the new booster plan and get vaccinated. OHA’s COVID-19 blog and the Get Vaccinated Oregon site have information to help. Sharing vaccination information with your staff and school communities is another way to protect their health and keep every student learning in-person, every school day.

If you have any questions about this update, please contact the ODE COVID-19 inbox at ODECOVID19@ode.oregon.gov.

Numerous construction projects continue across several Centennial School District campuses that are part of the 2020 voter-approved $65 million bond. Throughout the summer, several local-area contracted construction crews worked to improve, build, and repair facilities, buildings, and equipment across Centennial schools. And while several projects were completed just in time to welcome students on the first day, other projects continue throughout, as Centennial works to improve campuses so our students can have safe and secure learning environments.

The bond included converting and repurposing Oliver Elementary School into our second district middle school, which officially opened its doors this school year welcoming nearly 500 students. Principal Jeb Hubbs and his middle school team were excited to provide students with a new school with various new updates and amenities including a new media center, main entrance vestibule for student and staff safety, as well as new LED lighting across the campus.

Meanwhile, Meadows Elementary School is also seeing updates and construction. The new gymnasium is well underway and has had visible construction progress throughout the summer. At Patrick Lynch Elementary School, night crews continue their work to improve and repair lighting, floors, the gymnasium, and the parking lot.

Thus, as construction continues, the Centennial Bond Oversight Committee members continue their review progress meetings of the 2020 Bond. They most recently met on Thursday, Sept. 15, to review the construction progress of the Centennial High School swimming pool and tennis courts, where Owner’s Representative Scott Rose and Director of Business & Operations, Paul Southerton, provided the committee with the most recent updates. The committee also visited Centennial Middle School and Patrick Lynch Elementary school, where they were able to view and learn more about campus improvements at each school. The team visited the new school media center and a science classroom at Centennial Middle School, learning about the in-and-outs of the construction process and timelines. While at Patrick Lynch, they were able to view learn about the continued progress of the school gymnasium, flooring, and parking lot improvements, as well as additional updates.

To learn more about the Centennial 2020 Bond and process, visit the 2020 Bond Page. You can also view the Bond Project Updates page to view additional photos and details here. To read more about the Bond Oversight Committee click here.