Kindergarten Transition Survey: We want your feedback!

Dear kindergarten families, We are excited to welcome your child into our school community this year. As students settle into new routines, we would appreciate hearing about your family's experience transitioning to kindergarten. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey about your experience with our transition programs, including Jump Start Kindergarten, family conversations, and the staggered start. Your feedback is essential as we evaluate and improve these services for future families. Click here to complete the Kindergarten Transition Survey If you have more than one child who started kindergarten this year, please complete a separate survey for each child. Thank you for sharing your perspective and partnering with us to make kindergarten a great experience for all students. Sincerely,  Bill Newton, Superintendent

Tuesday, Sep 08 2026

Community News: Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year...

Community News Excellence. Every student. Every day. Greetings from Superintendent Newton Dear Hood River County School District families, Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I hope your summer was filled with rest, joy, and memorable moments with loved ones. It has been wonderful seeing our classrooms and hallways come back to life this week as we officially welcomed your children back for another great year. Every new school year brings a fresh start, new friendships, and inspiring learning opportunities. Your student brings a unique voice, passion, and perspective to our school community. Quite simply, our classrooms are better, richer, and more complete when your student is here. As we kick off September, National Attendance Awareness Month, we want to partner with you to ensure every student has a strong, consistent start to the year. You will find more details below about our attendance updates, how to track your student's progress, and how we can support your family this year. Thank you for trusting us with your children’s education. Together, let’s make the 2026–2027 school year exceptional. Warmly, Bill Newton, Superintendent Photo: Parkdale Elementary students arriving at school for their first day.   News and Updates Important dates A generous gift for our readers: Thank you, Lions Club Help us improve back-to-school activities Attendance focus: Why every day matters Understanding attendance: Present versus absent updates How to report an absence What to expect and parent resources Regular reminders ODE instructional time survey School meals offered at no cost Symptom and exclusion guidelines: When to stay home Annual school fees and contributions Choose your ParentSquare notification settings News and Updates Important dates Monday, Sept. 7: No school (observance of Labor Day) Wednesday, Sept. 9: HRCSD school board meeting at 6:30pm at Nathaniel Coe Administrative Center Thursday, Sept. 17: Hood River Valley High School Open House and Club Fair from 4:30pm to 7pm Wednesdsay, Sept. 23: HRCSD school board meeting at 6:30pm at Nathaniel Coe Administrative Center Monday, Sept. 28: No school for students (staff inservice) You can find the school year calendar on this webpage. You can find the daily schedule information on this webpage. A generous gift for our readers: Thank you, Lions Club Our elementary school libraries are starting the school year with a major boost, thanks to a generous $5,000 donation from the Hood River Lions Club. To ensure students across our entire community benefit, the Lions Club donated $1,000 to each of our five district elementary schools. These funds will go directly toward purchasing new books, updating school library collections, and expanding reading opportunities for our young learners.  School libraries are the heart of our elementary schools, fostering a lifelong love of reading and discovery. We are grateful to the Hood River Lions Club for their ongoing partnership and dedication to supporting our students’ literacy and success. Help us improve back-to-school activities Your partnership is essential of our school district community, and we are committed to making sure every family feels supported and connected. As we reflect on our recent back-to-school activities, we want your help to make next year even better. Your feedback is important and will help us improve our events to better meet your needs. Please take a few moments to share your thoughts by completing our feedback form. Thank you for your input! Attendance focus: Why every day matters Research and our own experience show that attending school regularly (missing fewer than two days a month, or maintaining at least a 90% attendance rate) gives students the best foundation for academic success, social connection, and overall well-being. Keeping learning time consistent is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s growth this year. Understanding attendance: Present versus absent updates While our school district will continue to follow state guidelines to track and categorize absences as excused or unexcused, our regular family updates this year will focus simply on present versus absent. Because missing class affects learning and connection regardless of the reason, tracking overall time present gives us the clearest picture of your child’s total instructional time and allows us to offer support when needed. Please remember that notifying the school when your child is away remains essential so we can accurately record the reason for their absence. How to report an absence If your student must miss school due to illness, appointments, or family needs, notifying us promptly keeps our records accurate and helps us support your child. Please notify your school within 24 hours using one of these options: ParentVUE App (Fastest): Log in to the ParentVUE app, tap Report Absence, select the timeframe and reason (Illness, Family Emergency, Religious, or Other), add a brief note explaining the absence, and tap Save.  ParentSquare: Message your school's attendance office directly through ParentSquare. Phone: Call your school’s main office directly.  Note: Please always include your student’s full name, the date(s) of the absence, and the specific reason when reporting. What to expect and parent resources To keep you informed and supported throughout the school year, our school district is committing to ongoing communication and easy access to attendance tools: Monthly progress updates: Starting in late September, you will receive a regular email update sharing your student’s year-to-date attendance rate based on total days present. ParentVUE (Synergy): Beyond reporting absences, you can log into ParentVUE anytime via our district website or mobile app to view your student’s detailed, real-time attendance calendar and course marks. Open lines of support: We know life happens. If your family faces challenges getting to school, whether due to health, transportation, or other barriers, please reach out to your child’s teacher, counselor, or principal. We are here to partner with you and find solutions together. Regular Reminders Oregon Department of Education instruction time survey The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) wants to hear from you as it prepares to establish permanent rules surrounding student instructional time. Following Executive Order 26-06, ODE is working with a third-party partner to gather community feedback on how to define and measure instructional time, how schools should navigate unforeseen disruptions, and what support districts will need during implementation.  Whether you are an educator, school leader, parent, student, or community member, your voice matters in shaping these critical education policies. Please take a moment to complete the confidential 15-minute survey by Friday, September 11, 2026, to help preserve and protect learning time across Oregon schools. Take the Oregon Instructional Time Survey Here School meals offered at no cost All Hood River County School District students receive school meals through a federal program at no cost. For more information about Nutrition Services, please visit this HRCSD webpage. Symptom and exclusion guidelines: When to stay home While consistent attendance is our goal, your child’s health and the well-being of our school community always come first. To help you decide when your student should rest at home versus when they are ready for school, please refer to the Oregon Health Authority School Exclusion Chart (PDF).  Annual school fees and contributions You can make a voluntary contribution and/or pay for other student fees, including athletics, clubs, and yearbooks, in two ways: Online: Visit our secure InTouch webpage to make a payment. In-Person: You can also bring cash or a check (made out to HRCSD) to the front office at your student's school. For more information, including a complete fee schedule for the 2026-27 school year, please visit this HRCSD webpage. Choose your ParentSquare notification settings Instant email and text notifications are enabled through our new communication platform, ParentSquare. We encourage you to download the ParentSquare app to maximize your use of our new system. You can also customize your notification settings to get an instant alert for every message or a single daily summary. For more information and to view a helpful video on managing your settings, please visit the ParentSquare resource webpage. Community Resources Columbia Gorge News New league may lead to new opportunities for HRV volleyball team | Sports | columbiagorgenews.com Eagles shake out legs at Good Evening meet | Sports | columbiagorgenews.com Eagles ready to tackle NWOC girls soccer challenge Head | Sports | columbiagorgenews.com HRV boys soccer program eyes return to 5A state playoffs | Sports | columbiagorgenews.com Quick Links Attendance Calendar Daily Schedule School Meals Bus Routes Volunteer Pay Fees and Contribute (InTouch Sports Registration (FinalForms) Contact Us Hood River County School District Mailing Address: 1011 Eugene Street Hood River, OR 97031 Phone: 541-386-2511 Fax: 541-387-5099 Website: www.hoodriver.k12.or.us

Friday, Sep 04 2026

Updated bus routes for 2026-27 school year

Dear Hood River County School District families, Please review this important student transportation information for the 2026-27 school year. Based on recent transportation requests submitted during registration, we have adjusted several bus routes to better serve our students. Please review the updated route schedules to verify your child’s morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off details. View updated bus routes:  Hood River County School District Bus Routes If you have any questions or need help finding your route, please reach out to us at hrcsd.transportation@hoodriver.k12.or.us. Our team will be actively monitoring this email address over the weekend to assist you before school starts on Monday. Thank you for your partnership!

Saturday, Aug 29 2026

Community News: School starts Monday (Aug. 31), heal...

Community News Excellence. Every student. Every day. Greetings from Superintendent Newton Dear Hood River County community, We are just days away from the new school year, and our entire staff is excited to welcome your children back into our classrooms. A successful school year starts with a safe and healthy environment. In this week’s newsletter, you will find key health updates, including guidelines on common illnesses and our state exclusion standards to help you know when a child should stay home sick. As a quick reminder, the first day of school for most students is this coming Monday, Aug. 31. We will be following a regular daily schedule (this is NOT a late-start Monday). Please watch for recent communications from your school principal for specific schedule details and building updates for your student. Enjoy these final days of summer, and we will see you Monday! Sincerely, Bill Newton, Superintendent Photo: Wy'east Middle School hosted its back-to-school night on Wednesday, welcoming students and families to campus to meet teachers, see friends, and tour the campus.   News and Updates Important dates Symptom and exclusion guidelines: When to stay home National Immunization Awareness Month: Keeping Oregon families healthy Measles information and prevention Regular reminders School-Based Health Center information Columbia Area Transit information New student enrollment and returning student registration Activate ParentSquare account Activate ParentVUE account News and Updates Important dates Thursday, Aug. 27: Back-to-school nights at elementary schools from 5pm to 6:30pm (May Street 5:30pm to 7pm) Monday, Aug. 31: First day of school for most students (regular start time) Monday, Sept. 7: No school (observance of Labor Day) Wednesday, Sept. 9: HRCSD school board meeting at 6:30pm at Nathaniel Coe Administrative Center Thursday, Sept. 17: Hood River Valley High School Open House and Club Fair from 4:30pm to 7pm You can find the school year calendar on this webpage. You can find the daily schedule information on this webpage. Symptom and exclusion guidelines: When to stay home To help keep our classrooms safe and healthy, we ask all families to monitor their children for signs of illness before sending them to school. Please view and print the Oregon Health Authority School Exclusion Chart (PDF). This reference guide outlines specific symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual rashes, and details exactly when a student must stay home and when it is safe for them to return. Symptom and Exclusion Guidelines National Immunization Awareness Month: Keeping Oregon families healthy August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a great time to learn how vaccines help protect Oregon families. Vaccines help keep everyone safe from serious diseases. They’ve been used for decades and are still one of the best tools we have to prevent illness and save lives. Oregon Health Authority (OHA)'s Immunizations Program works statewide to reduce preventable diseases through education, quality improvement, and access to vaccines. Vaccines help protect everyone from diseases that can still spread today. They reduce hospital visits, prevent outbreaks, and keep schools and workplaces healthier.  Read more on the Oregon Health News blog. Measles information and prevention With measles cases remaining a public health concern, we want to ensure our school community stays informed and protected. Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus, but fully vaccinated individuals have strong protection against infection and spread. Please review your child's immunization status with your healthcare provider to ensure standard MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccinations are up to date. Refer to the flyer below for localized details, and consult the CDC Measles Signs & Symptoms Guide for key symptom warnings and guidance on when to keep a student home. Regular Reminders Accessible healthcare for all students: School-Based Health Center The School-Based Health Center (SBHC) makes it easy for students and parents to see the team for illnesses, injuries, vaccines, well visits, mental health support, and sports physicals. The SBHC is open to all children in the school district, including elementary and middle school students. Right now, it is offering sports physicals for student-athletes. Call or text 541-308-8345 to schedule an appointment. The SBHC will be open Monday through Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday 8am to 2pm, starting August 31. Learn more on its website. Free dental care is also offered throughout the school year at your child's school. The dental hygienist can provide dental screenings, fluoride coatings, dental sealants, silver fluoride, and protective restorations. To learn more and fill out a permission slip, visit the One Community Health website. Free student transit passes with Columbia Area Transit (CAT) All kindergarten through 12th grade students in Hood River County can ride Columbia Area Transit (CAT) buses for free. Public transit is a convenient, safe option for getting to and from school or after-school activities. Student passes are valid across local routes as well as regional partner transit services. Visit ridecatbus.org to view local bus routes and schedule details. New student enrollment and returning student registration Enrollment for new students is open for the 2026-27 school year. In addition, returning student registration (i.e., verifying student information) for the 2026-27 school year is open. For more information about the online enrollment and registration processes, please visit this HRCSD webpage. You may also call 541-386-2511 or email hrcsd.enrollment@hoodriver.k12.or.us. Activate ParentSquare account ParentSquare remains our tool for school announcements, newsletters, and direct messaging with teachers. Accept our email invitation to activate your ParentSquare account and fully engage with our school-to-home communication system. Once activated, set your preferred notification settings and consider downloading the free app for iPhone and Android phones. Activate ParentVUE account ParentVUE is our official system for viewing grades, checking attendance, and completing annual student registration (replacing PowerSchool). Finding Your Activation Code: Search your inbox for an email with "ParentVUE Activation for Synergy" sent recently. Shortcut: If you can't find your activation code right away, don't worry about searching through your inbox. Send us a quick email at hrcsd.enrollment@hoodriver.k12.or.us or call 541-386-2511, and we will give it to you directly. Community Resources Columbia Gorge News HRVHS Solar Car Team wins 3rd place in Texas | News | columbiagorgenews.com "Ready, Set, Learn!" Back-to-School Resource Fair on Aug. 13 | Free News | columbiagorgenews.com Hood River Valley Athletic Hall of Fame announces 2026 inductee class | Sports | columbiagorgenews.com Fall sport practices begin this week, leagues changed | Sports | columbiagorgenews.com Quick Links Calendar Daily Schedule School Meals Bus Routes Volunteer Pay Fees and Contribute (InTouch Sports Registration (FinalForms) Contact Us Hood River County School District Mailing Address: 1011 Eugene Street Hood River, OR 97031 Phone: 541-386-2511 Fax: 541-387-5099 Website: www.hoodriver.k12.or.us

Friday, Aug 28 2026

Community News: Air quality protocols, Jump Start Ki...

Community News Excellence. Every student. Every day. Greetings from Superintendent Newton Dear Hood River County community, This week, we are excited to host Jump Start Kindergarten. Thanks to a grant from the Oregon Department of Education, our incoming kindergarteners have a full week to meet their teachers and support staff, build new friendships, and get comfortable with school routines before the rest of the student body returns. As we prepare to welcome our students and staff back for the start of the school year, keeping our school community safe and healthy remains our top priority. Given the recent smoke from the Grasshopper Fire, I want to reassure you that we closely monitor air quality at every school site. Please take a moment to read the short update below on our air quality protocols, monitoring systems, and local community partnerships, or visit our HRCSD Air Quality webpage for complete details. Sincerely, Bill Newton, Superintendent Photo: Cascade Locks Elementary kindergarteners learn how to safely and effectively use pencils, scissors, and glue sticks during a guided Jump Start activity.   News and Updates Upcoming activities Air quality protocols Community members featured in "Gorge Woman" publication Regular reminders School-Based Health Center information Columbia Area Transit information New student enrollment and returning student registration Activate ParentSquare account Activate ParentVUE account News and Updates Important dates Wednesday, Aug. 26: HRCSD school board meeting at noon (virtual) Wednesday, Aug. 26: Back-to-school nights at middle schools (Wy'east 5pm to 6:30pm; Hood River 6pm to 7:30pm) Thursday, Aug. 27: Back-to-school nights at elementary schools from 5pm to 6:30pm (May Street 5:30pm to 7pm) Monday, Aug. 31: First day of school for most students (regular start time) Monday, Sept. 7: No school (observance of Labor Day) Wednesday, Sept. 9: HRCSD school board meeting at 6:30pm at Nathaniel Coe Administrative Center Thursday, Sept. 17: Hood River Valley High School Open House and Club Fair from 4:30pm to 7pm   How HRCSD monitors and responds to air quality With the school year starting soon and smoke from the Grasshopper Fire affecting our region, Hood River County School District is taking proactive steps to protect the health of our students and staff. Real-time monitoring at every school We have installed both indoor and outdoor PurpleAir monitors across all school sites. Thanks to grant funding secured through the Oregon State University Extension Office, these sensors allow our school district to track localized air quality data continuously. We extend a special thank you to our facilities and technology teams for their hard work in getting these monitors fully set up and running across all campuses. Data from the monitors can be found at SmokeReadyGorge.org or map.purpleair.com. Clear action protocols HRCSD follows established public health protocols to determine when to adjust outdoor activities. When air quality reaches unhealthy levels, we take quick action to limit outdoor exposure by modifying recess, moving physical education classes and athletic practices indoors, or adjusting activity intensity. Community partnerships and resources We work closely with the Hood River County Health Department to align our decisions with the latest public health guidance. We also extend a special thank you to the Oregon State University Extension Office for its critical work in community education, especially through the SmokeReady Gorge initiative, which provides invaluable tools and information for our region. For complete details on our air quality guidelines, monitoring tools, and health protocols, please visit the HRCSD Air Quality webpage. HRCSD community members featured in "Gorge Woman" publication Hood River County School District is celebrating two outstanding members of our school community featured in the latest edition of Gorge Woman by Columbia Gorge News. Rowan McKenna, 2026 high school graduate, and Kim Yasui, HRCSD alumna and current Mid Valley Elementary principal, were recognized alongside 13 other extraordinary local women who inspire, give back, and make a lasting difference throughout the Columbia River Gorge. Formerly known as Women in Business, the updated publication celebrates leaders, innovators, and changemakers across our region. We are incredibly proud to see Rowan and Principal Yasui highlighted for their dedication, leadership, and positive impact on our students and community. To read their stories and explore the full issue, visit the Columbia Gorge News website (McKenna article and Yasui article). Regular Reminders Accessible healthcare for all students: School-Based Health Center The School-Based Health Center (SBHC) makes it easy for students and parents to see the team for illnesses, injuries, vaccines, well visits, mental health support, and sports physicals. The SBHC is open to all children in the school district, including elementary and middle school students. Right now, it is offering sports physicals for student-athletes. Call or text 541-308-8345 to schedule an appointment. The SBHC will be open Monday through Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday 8am to 2pm, starting August 31. Learn more on its website. Free dental care is also offered throughout the school year at your child's school. The dental hygienist can provide dental screenings, fluoride coatings, dental sealants, silver fluoride, and protective restorations. To learn more and fill out a permission slip, visit the One Community Health website. Free student transit passes with Columbia Area Transit (CAT) All kindergarten through 12th grade students in Hood River County can ride Columbia Area Transit (CAT) buses for free. Public transit is a convenient, safe option for getting to and from school or after-school activities. Student passes are valid across local routes as well as regional partner transit services. Visit ridecatbus.org to view local bus routes and schedule details. New student enrollment and returning student registration Enrollment for new students is open for the 2026-27 school year. In addition, returning student registration (i.e., verifying student information) for the 2026-27 school year is open. For more information about the online enrollment and registration processes, please visit this HRCSD webpage. You may also call 541-386-2511 or email hrcsd.enrollment@hoodriver.k12.or.us. Activate ParentSquare account ParentSquare remains our tool for school announcements, newsletters, and direct messaging with teachers. Accept our email invitation to activate your ParentSquare account and fully engage with our school-to-home communication system. Once activated, set your preferred notification settings and consider downloading the free app for iPhone and Android phones. Activate ParentVUE account ParentVUE is our official system for viewing grades, checking attendance, and completing annual student registration (replacing PowerSchool). Finding Your Activation Code: Search your inbox for an email with "ParentVUE Activation for Synergy" sent recently. Shortcut: If you can't find your activation code right away, don't worry about searching through your inbox. Send us a quick email at hrcsd.enrollment@hoodriver.k12.or.us or call 541-386-2511, and we will give it to you directly. Community Resources Quick Links Calendar Daily Schedule School Meals Bus Routes Volunteer Pay Fees and Contribute (InTouch Sports Registration (FinalForms) Contact Us Hood River County School District Mailing Address: 1011 Eugene Street Hood River, OR 97031 Phone: 541-386-2511 Fax: 541-387-5099 Website: www.hoodriver.k12.or.us

Friday, Aug 21 2026