District Site News
Thank You David Douglas Community
To the David Douglas Community:
I want to express my deepest appreciation to our residents for rallying around the District in support of our bond measure. The overwhelming show of support in passing the bond clearly demonstrates how strongly David Douglas citizens believe in our schools and in providing support for our children.
This show of support for local schools and education will resonate with our students. They know without question that their community is behind them and wants them to succeed. You have told our students very clearly that education is critically important. Your message to our students can only motivate them to take advantage of the education you are helping provide.
Categories: District News Items
Opening Night of Art Show
Please join the High School Art Department and our wonderful students for opening night of the David Douglas High School Art Show on Thursday, May 17th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm in the District Office breezeway. The show will hang from May 14th through May 25th, so please stop by and see all the hard work our students have put into their projects. This year's student work will include winners from the Scholastic Arts Competition and the Mount Hood Art Show.
Categories: District News Items
Teacher Appreciation Week
There is an anonymous quote about teachers that goes, “A good teacher is like a candle: it consumes itself to light the way for others.”
This may never have been truer than it is today. Among our most noble professions, teachers have always been tasked with doing the seemingly miraculous: welcoming a class full of young, thirsty minds, satisfying that thirst throughout the year, yet somehow instilling in students a thirst for even more.
May Happenings
Read the latest edition of Happenings - your guide to what's happening in the District!
Categories: District News Items
2012-13 budget approved
The David Douglas School District Budget Committee has approved a 2012-13 budget that includes a $93.5 million operating fund (click here to view). That represents a $1 million decline from last year, and is more than $7 million less than in 2009-10.
Categories: District News Items
Reserve your seat now!
Beverly Fischer, president of DDEF with just a few of our auction itemsThe annual dinner/auction for the David Douglas Educational Foundation is coming up in less than a week, but it's not too late to order your tickets. Read more about it, along with how to order your tickets or contribute to the cause, here.
In addition to this being a fundraiser for the Foundation, a portion of the proceeds from this year's event will go to David Douglas Outdoor School.
Here is a sampling of what great auction items await those attending. . .
Get-a-ways/Adventures:
Inn at Spanish Head, McMenamins' Hotel Oregon Aviation Museum Package, Cooper Spur Mountain Cabin, Widgi Creek Luxury Home, Black Butte Vacation Home, North Woods Cabin Retreat, Whispering Woods Resort, guided Steelhead trip for two on the Sandy River . . .
Golf:
Persimmon Country Club, Chehalem Glenn Golf Course, Sah-Hah-Lee Golf Course, Oregon City Golf Club, Glendoveer Golf Course, Nike golf bag . . .
Spring Tips!
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Whether your student is in elementary, middle, or high school, parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity to discuss how your child is doing in school. It is also an opportunity to strengthen the partnership with your child’s teacher.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your conference:
- Look over recent assignments and test grades so that you know how your child has been performing in class.
- Ask your child questions, such as - What is your favorite subject? What are you having a difficult time with? What subject do you find easiest? Who are your friends at school? Ask if he or she has any concerns or questions for you to discuss at school.
Categories: District News Items
May 15th Election: Ballot Measure 26-135
The David Douglas School Board has placed a $49.5 million bond measure on the May 15 ballot. Ballots have been mailed out and must be returned by 8 p.m. May 15.
Since 2008-09, the David Douglas School District has reduced its operating budget by nearly $14 million, or 13 percent. In addition to the elimination of more than 100 positions, the District has deferred most major facility repair, renovation and replacement projects, as well as the purchase of new textbooks and classroom technology.
This bond measure would allow the District to pay for:
- Building maintenance and repairs, including replacing old plumbing, roofs, HVAC systems, flooring that contains asbestos tiles, windows, siding and making energy efficiency improvements.
Parent Teacher Conferences
March is the time of year for conferences at our elementary schools and middle schools, March 21-23 and David Douglas High School, March 22. Fir Ridge Campus conferences will be held May 24-25.
Whether your student is in elementary, middle, or high school, parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity to discuss how your child is doing in school. It is also an opportunity to strengthen the partnership with your child’s teacher.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your conference:
- Look over recent assignments and test grades so that you know how your child has been performing in class.
- Ask your child questions, such as - What is your favorite subject? What are you having a difficult time with? What subject do you find easiest? Who are your friends at school? Ask if he or she has any concerns or questions for you to discuss at school.
Kindergarten Roundup
Your neighborhood elementary school will be hosting a spring Kindergarten Roundup for all upcoming 2012-2013 Kindergarten students. This fun event will be held on Wednesday, April 18th from 6:00-7:30pm at your neighborhood school. If you do not know your neighborhood school, please call 503-256-6526. Parents and children will be able to:
- Meet the kindergarten teachers and principal
- Tour the school
- View the kindergarten classrooms
- Take a bus ride to learn about the school transportation system
You are invited. . .
The David Douglas Educational Foundation
would like to invite you to the Foundation's annual upcoming fundraising event - LEARN. GROW. SUCCEED. - an adult Outdoor School experience! All proceeds will benefit David Douglas Educational Foundation* and Outdoor School for David Douglas.
This year's dinner/auction will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, April 21st at Camp Angelos Conference & Retreat Center (32149 SE Stevens Road, Corbett, Oregon 97019 - click here for driving instructions). Ticket price is $25 and includes a barbecue buffet (catered by High Rocks Restaurant), silent/oral auctions and fun Outdoor School activities!
Classified Employees Week
Each year at this time, the David Douglas School District joins school districts from throughout Oregon to honor our staff members who do the heavy lifting and behind-the-scenes work to make our schools great places to teach and learn.
March 5-9 is Classified Employees Week. While our students and teachers benefit year-round from the work of classified employees, this is our annual opportunity to say “Thank You” to:
- Our bus drivers, who safely transport our kids to and from school each day;
Open Enrollment slots available
Click here to view a brief video about David Douglas.
A new law in Oregon allows school districts to open enrollment slots for transfer students during the month of March. The new Open Enrollment law provides students an opportunity to transfer into a new school or district where enrollment slots have been created. Transferring students cannot be declined by their home district. Though applications are being accepted now, the transfers will take affect next school year.
Every school district in Oregon was required to decide by March 1 whether to participate, and if so to say how many slots they will make available. Students and families must apply for available slots by April 1.
David Douglas Values, a Video
What does the David Douglas School District value?
We value community, diversity and a comprehensive academic environment that allows our students to embrace our motto: Learning Today for Living Tomorrow.
Full-day, free kindergarten for all, music and PE at every grade level, opportunities to pursue diverse interests, dedicated and highly qualified teachers and counselors offering rigorous academics and guidance. These are just a few of the offerings available in David Douglas that reflect our values.
Enjoy this brief video that highlights those values, explore our website for more information, and contact us with any questions. You can always send emails to david_douglas@ddouglas.k12.or.us
Categories: District News Items
Buy your tickets to Thieves' Carnival!
Click here to order your tickets online!
Click here to view a NEW East PDX News article!
Click here to view East PDX News article!
The David Douglas High School Theater Department is proud to present . . . Thieves' Carnival, a hilarious farce comedy!
This production show cases our excellent student actors, over 40 David Douglas students! Come and see students from your community SHINE!!!
Show dates are March 2nd-3rd and March 8th-10th at 7:30pm at the Howard F. Horner Performing Arts Center (1400 SE 130th Ave, between Stark and Division). Ticket prices are $5 for students and seniors, $7 for adults. Box office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday on school days from 3:00-5:30pm, and an hour before show times.
2011–2012 TAG Nomination and Identification
The procedure for identifying David Douglas Talented and Gifted (TAG) students (K-12) will begin in March 2012. The TAG identification procedure identifies students who are Intellectually Gifted (those who score 97% or above on a test of mental abilities, CogAT) and/or Academically Talented (those who score 97% or above on a test of academic achievement, (Oregon State testing).
Students identified as Talented and Gifted have certain unique characteristics and educational needs that distinguish them from other students. These characteristics include:
- An intense intellectual curiosity
- Ability to conceptualize broad issues, themes and concepts
- Demonstration of higher level thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation)
Categories: District News Items
Annie Harrell named Outstanding Teacher of the Year
Annie Harrell - 2012 Outstanding Teacher of the YearDavid Douglas special education teacher Annie Harrell has been named the 2012 Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Oregon Association for Vocational Special Needs Personnel (OAVSNP). Harrell teaches in the David Douglas Community Transition Program for 18-21 year old special education students.
She will be presented her statewide award at an awards banquet during the annual OAVSNP state conference.
In nominating Harrell for the award, Vocational Transition Coordinator Ron Hall cited her creation of an innovative program that allows students to acquire skills for daily living, as well as develop a range of vocational, recreation and leisure skills. "Her main goal has been to help students reach their potential and achieve their highest level of independence," Hall wrote in his nomination letter.
Music in our Schools Month
Once again it is the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM®). MIOSM began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has grown over the decades to encompass a day, then a week, and then in 1985 to become a month long celebration of school music. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community and to display the benefits school music brings to students of all ages.
