Hillsboro School District Weekly Hot News Podcast Hillsboro School District

As you know, HSD is now offering free meals to all students, regardless of income, thanks to a change in certification requirements for the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. This certification will remain in effect through at least the 2026-27 school year. 

During this time, starting in the 2024-25 school year, we will be instituting a new process to qualify families for a partial or full reduction of various district fees. These include OSAA-sponsored athletics and activities, Marching Band and Colorguard, as well as AP and IB exams at the high school level; access to the Athletic/Activities Scholarship at elementary and middle schools; and low-cost internet access and/or hotspots at all levels. 

As part of the annual online verification of student information process in the late summer/early fall, all families will now have the option of completing a simple family income survey. 

Those who do not wish to participate, or whose household income would not qualify them for a reduction, would be responsible for paying the full amount of fees due. Those whose household income meets the federally-defined reduced-price level would qualify for a 50 percent reduction in fees, and those whose household income meets the federally-defined free level would qualify for a full reduction in fees. 

We are pleased to be able to offer an equitable way for families to access partial and full fee reductions, as needed. This is a new process for us, and we will likely make adjustments and enhancements along the way. Learn more on our website. 

Our featured student is Liberty High School sophomore Matthew Hui! He took first place in the State Chess for Success tournament on Sunday, April 14th. Mathew has been playing chess since 1st grade, and is fascinated by the uniqueness of the game. “For the week leading up to State, I practiced as much chess as possible to prepare for the tournament,” he explains.  “I studied new openings, new tactics, new traps, sharpened my calculation speed and accuracy, and increased my mental stamina. Even at the tournament, I would continue to learn more in between games in order to prepare myself for upcoming rounds.” Aside from chess, Matthew loves swimming, playing the piano, solving the Rubik’s Cube, and playing video games and strategy board games. Learn more about Matthew in his own words on our website. Way to go, Matthew! You make us Proud to be HSD!

Hot News is produced and emailed to HSD families and staff each week school is in session. Please add the address to your “safe sender” list to make sure you always receive the latest issue. Please also bookmark our district website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hsd.k12.or.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay informed about what’s happening in our district and schools.

Mayo es el mes de la Herencia Asiática-Estadounidense y de las islas del Pacífico (AAPI, por sus siglas en inglés) dedicado a celebrar los logros y las contribuciones de los asiáticos y los isleños del Pacífico que residen en Estados Unidos. Esta conmemoración, que se originó después de la acción del Congreso de EE. UU. en 1997, sirve para resaltar la magnitud de las comunidades asiáticas y de las islas del Pacífico, la cual abarca más de 30 países donde se hablan más de 100 idiomas diferentes y donde las experiencias son igualmente variadas. Desde las historias de migración hasta sus historias de resistencia durante la época colonial, el trabajo de figuras prominentes como la Dra. Haunani Kay Trask, Carlos Bulosan, Yuri Kochiyama, Grace Lee Boggs, Pauline Park y Justice Mary I. Yu refleja la resiliencia continua de estas comunidades e identidades. 

It is officially the spring season, so for today’s episode, in the spirit of spring cleaning, we want to focus on the great work being done to take care of our school facilities and environments. We are excited to talk with our three guests about how they support our schools in this unique way!

Featured staff:


Shelley Grimsrud — Imlay Custodian
Ray Lara — Custodial Services Supervisor
Darrell Fields — Groundskeeper 3

Have any Facilities staff you would like to recognize? 

Share your thoughts here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HR High Five Podcast Feedback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders of the United States. Originating after U.S. Congress action in 1997, this commemoration serves to highlight the vastness of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, which spans more than 30 countries where over 100 different languages are spoken, and where the experiences are equally as varied. From the migration stories to their stories of colonial resistance, the work of prominent figures such as Dr. Haunani Kay Trask, Carols Bulosan, Yuri Kochiyama, Grace Lee Boggs, Pauline Park and Justice Mary I. Yu reflects the continued resilience of these communities and identities. 

More at www.hsd.k12.or.us

Nuestra 9.a edición anual del Festival Orgullosos de Ser HSD se llevará a cabo el sábado, 11 de mayo de 9:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m. en conjunto con el Mercado Agrícola de Hillsboro.

Esta colaboración única y especial resalta los talentos y logros estudiantiles de HSD y siempre está llena de energía e inspiración.

Estas son algunas de las principales actividades:


Presentaciones en el escenario ubicado en el jardín del Tribunal de Justicia del Condado de Washington — Vea las presentaciones de nuestras bandas y coros de las escuelas secundarias y preparatorias.




Pabellón STEAM en la Plaza del Centro Cívico — Los grupos estudiantiles de varias escuelas demostrarán sus proyectos innovadores de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería, arte y matemáticas, muchos de los cuales tienen elementos interactivos.




Área para el programa Caminos a la Profesión y a la Universidad en la Plaza del Centro Cívico — Los estudiantes de las escuelas preparatorias que participan en varios de los caminos profesionales compartirán lo que están aprendiendo en las clases prácticas que los preparan para la vida después de la graduación.




Mascotas escolares — Tendrá la oportunidad de observar a su mascota escolar favorita caminando por el festival. Podrá saludarlas con la mano, tomar una foto y ¡tal vez podrían bailar juntos!




5K Fun Run — Por  tercer año consecutivo, incluiremos una carrera de 5 km gratuita llamada 5K Fun Run para comenzar el día. Cualquier persona que esté interesada en participar debe dirigirse al estacionamiento de la Escuela Primaria Lincoln Street a las 8:15 a.m. para inscribirse y prepararse para la carrera que comenzará a las 8:30 a.m.




NUEVA Batalla de Grupos Musicales — ­¡Se invita a los grupos musicales estudiantiles de «garaje» a inscribirse para participar en nuestra Batalla de Grupos Musicales inaugural! No es tanto una «batalla» si no más bien una exhibición divertida, esta es una oportunidad para que los grupos musicales estudiantiles tengan una experiencia similar a un concierto tocando un par de canciones desde su propio escenario y frente a una multitud que los anima.



¡Además de muchas cosas más! ¡Por favor, marque su calendario, venga a celebrar con nosotros y descubra por qué estamos orgullosos de ser HSD!

¡Nuestro miembro destacado del personal es el maestro de Biología y AVID de la Escuela Preparatoria Century, Jason Baca! Recientemente apareció en la publicación especial Amazing Educators o educadores increíbles de Pamplin Media. El Sr. Baca ha trabajado en Century durante los últimos veinticuatro años, impartiendo clases de Biología, Física, Química y AVID. Disfruta la interacción con los estudiantes tanto dentro como fuera del salón de clases, asegurándose de que tengan el currículo que necesitan para estar involucrados y tener éxito, y apoyando sus intereses como individuos. Lea el artículo completo pulsando en el enlace de nuestro sitio web. ¡Felicitaciones, Jason!

La publicación de Noticias de la Semana se elabora y se envía por correo electrónico a las familias y a los miembros del personal de HSD cada semana durante el año escolar. Por favor, agregue esta dirección de correo electrónico a su lista de «remitentes seguros» para asegurarse de recibir siempre la publicación más reciente. Además, por favor no deje de agregar a sus enlaces favoritos el sitio web de nuestro distrito (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hsd.k12.or.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) para mantenerse informado sobre lo que está sucediendo en nuestro distrito y en las escuelas.

Our 9th Annual Proud to be HSD Festival takes place on Saturday, May 11th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in conjunction with the Hillsboro Farmers Market. 

This unique and special collaboration highlights the talents and achievements of HSD students and is always filled with energy and inspiration. 

Here are some of the main activities:


Performance Stage on the Washington County Courthouse Lawn - See performances from our middle and high school bands and choirs.


STEAM Pavilion on the Civic Center Plaza - Student groups from several schools will demonstrate their innovative science, technology, engineering, art, and math projects - many of which have interactive elements.


Career and College Pathways area on the Civic Center Plaza - High school students in various career pathways will share what they are learning in the hands-on classes that prepare them for life after graduation.


School Mascots - Watch for your favorite school mascot walking through the Festival. Give them a wave, take a picture, and maybe even start a little dance-off!


5K Fun Run - For the third year, we are including a free 5K Fun Run to kick off the day. Anyone who is interested in participating should meet in the Lincoln Street Elementary School Parking lot by 8:15 a.m. to sign in and get ready for the run/walk to begin at 8:30 a.m.


NEW Battle of the Bands - Student “garage” bands are invited to sign up for our inaugural Battle of the Bands! Less of a “battle” and more of a fun showcase, this is an opportunity for student bands to have a concert-like experience playing a couple of songs in front of a cheering crowd from their own stage.  



And much more! 

Please mark your calendars, come celebrate with us, and see why we’re Proud to be HSD!

Our Featured Staff Member is Century High School Biology and AVID teacher, Jason Baca! He was recently featured in a special Pamplin Media publication recognizing Amazing Educators. Jason has worked at Century for the past twenty-four years, teaching Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and AVID. He enjoys connecting with students both inside and outside of the classroom - making sure they have the curriculum they need to be engaged and successful, and supporting their interests as individuals. Read the full article from the link on our website. Congratulations, Jason!

Hot News is produced and emailed to HSD families and staff each week school is in session. Please add the address to your “safe sender” list to make sure you always receive the latest issue. Please also bookmark our district website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hsd.k12.or.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay informed about what’s happening in our district and schools.