Forest Grove superintendent highlights new Cornelius Elementary opening, dual-language programming and bond work

Superintendent Dr. West told the Forest Grove School District board that the district opened Cornelius Elementary School this fall and said the new facility is "fantastic." Dr. West thanked the principal, Angela Graves, and staff as well as Director Adrienne Klute and construction partners for the opening.

Dr. West said there has been a school at the Cornelius site for roughly 175 years and described Cornelius as one of the district's larger elementary schools. "It is a 100% dual language school," Dr. West said, and added that the school serves a majority Latino population.

The superintendent also reported that the district continues to finish bond projects and asked the community for patience while construction dust is cleared. "We are rapidly working to do that," Dr. West said, and noted the first bond oversight committee meeting of the school year will be held at Echo Shaw at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Dr. West said classroom observations from opening week indicate many students settled quickly and educators reported the opening felt "more normal than it has been for years" following pandemic disruptions.

The superintendent outlined an instructional focus for the year organized around four domains: environment and culture; intentional lesson planning; teaching and delivery; and assessment, reflection and adjusting. Dr. West said the board would receive updates on the district's progress against these frameworks throughout the school year.

The board also heard brief items about athletics and upcoming school events including back-to-school nights and a Harvey Clark book fair scheduled for the week of Sept. 22-26.