Along The Trail
August 29, 2016

Children Thrive Here!
Superintendent Aaron Bayer

The mission of the Oregon Trail School District is to provide students with access to rigorous, relevant, robust and reliable educational experiences. We work continuously to enhance and improve course offerings, curriculum, and teacher effectiveness. Your children are in good hands.

Advancing student opportunities:
We are excited this year to offer a new middle college program in partnership with Mount Hood Community College. This program is for highly-motivated students age 16 and older who are ready to advance toward earning a college degree.

We're also happy to announce that renovations have begun for converting the Pioneer Campus to a middle school campus, providing Cedar Ridge students and educators with a more functional learning environment. Our goal is to complete the site renovations before fall 2017.

Other highlights:
  • Oregon Trail students continue to beat state averages on state assessments and the PSAT.
  • The Oregon Trail Education Foundation has supported our efforts to prepare children for kindergarten through their Imagination Library program. More than 400 children ages 0-5 have participated and received free books for their home libraries.
  • With support from the Oregon Promise program, a new preschool class will be implemented this year at Sandy Grade School.
  • The district has collaborated with local emergency response agencies to ensure our employees are prepared to respond in any emergency to keep our students safe and secure.
  • Our school board recently approved a 4-year teachers' contract that provides a modest salary increase while maintaining adequate funds for academic achievement. District administrators and teacher association members have a respectful, collaborative working relationship that puts students at the forefront of every decision.
Oregon Trail educators are highly-qualified and motivated to ensure our students arrive at the future they deserve.

I want to encourage you to be involved in your child's education and to model the importance of life-long learning. Communicate regularly with your child's teachers, become informed on school and district issues, volunteer at school when you can, and most importantly - reinforce academics at home.  Check our website at oregontrailschools.com for resources.
 
Have a great year, and please feel free to contact me anytime with questions, comments or suggestions.
 
Sincerely,
Aaron Bayer, Superintendent
aaron.bayer@ortrail.k12.or.us

Student Conduct and Parent Rights
Policies parents should be aware of

Check our website for important policy information regarding Education Records, Personal Communication Devices, Directory Information, Student Absences and more. Also access the student Code of Conduct.

Student Conduct & Parent Rights webpage


Oregon Trail superintendent announces administrative changes

Sandy High School's leadership team is undergoing a transition, but with experienced administrators stepping up, Superintendent Aaron Bayer expects the school year to start without a hitch. 

On Monday, August 22, Sandy High Athletics Director Wade Lockett announced that he has accepted a position at Silverton High School. Principal Kim Ball said, "We are very sad to lose Wade. He has served Sandy High students with integrity for 11 years." 

Wade has served Sandy High students since 2005 - as a teacher for eight years, and Athletics Director for the past three years. In April 2016, Wade was deservedly honored as the Oregon Athletic Directors Association 5A Athletic Director of the Year. 

In a statement to Sandy High families, Lockett said, "I cannot begin to express my love and appreciation for everyone in this district and at Sandy High School that has been so wonderful and welcoming to me and my family. The past 11 years have been the best of our lives and we can't thank you enough for making that happen." He added, "We will love this community forever and will always consider ourselves Pioneers."

Principal Ball is thankful to have Matt Newell move into the Athletics Director position. "We are fortunate that Assistant Principal Newell has prior experience as Sandy High School's Athletics Director and is well prepared to jump in and support Pioneer athletics and keep the program running smoothly." 

Ladine Marquardt requested to return to Sandy High as Assistant Principal in charge of curriculum and professional development. Ladine served in that position prior to being promoted to the role of OTSD Student Services Director in 2014 after Paula Epp retired from the position. Marquardt has been with OTSD since 2001 and has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and director. 

Marquardt said, "While I have been honored as Student Services Director to serve the needs of students with disabilities across the district, I am thrilled at the opportunity to once again work more closely with students and teachers in building curricular supports for all students at a critical time in their growth and development." Principal Ball added, "Ladine has vast experience supporting special education students around the district and brings those skills to support all Sandy High students as they earn their diplomas."

Superintendent Bayer said, "Ladine is a tremendous asset to the OTSD family. She has proven to be highly successful in each role she has played over her career and we are proud to have her continue her work as an assistant principal at Sandy High." 

The District will immediately begin the process of recruiting a new Student Services Director. Paula Epp will temporarily fill in while we go through the process of recruiting and hiring. Superintendent Bayer said, "Paula was OTSD's Student Services Director for 16 years and has been an outstanding ambassador for our district and our students."