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Rainier SD reports slight enrollment decline, expands literacy efforts and outdoor school plans
Summary
District staff reported enrollment at 413 students (down two), described professional development and instructional rounds, previewed outdoor school plans for sixth graders, and reviewed assessment data and curriculum resources including iReady and supplemental phonics programs.
District staff and administrators presented student‑centered updates to the Rainier School District board, including enrollment figures, curriculum work and plans for outdoor school.
An administrative report stated enrollment as of Jan. 1 at 413 students, a decrease of two since last month, and noted modest attendance improvements tied to teacher outreach and targeted interventions. Mr. Pickett, presenting the junior/senior high report, emphasized efforts to increase on‑time graduation by keeping students on track for the 25 credits required to graduate and described scheduling adjustments to avoid conflicts between semester finals and midyear iReady testing.
The district described partnerships with the Northwest Regional Outdoor Science School (NOS or NOSS) for a three‑night, four‑day outdoor‑school program for sixth graders in March, with district sixth‑grade teachers accompanying students while the ESD manages program curriculum and logistics. Staff also outlined professional development plans that include instructional rounds and visits to higher‑performing schools to observe teaching practices.
On curriculum, presenters discussed recently adopted literacy materials funded largely through grants and supplemental programs (phonics supports such as Hegarty, decodable readers and iReady progress monitoring). The district said most new literacy resources were grant‑funded rather than drawn from the general fund.
During public comment, Doris Hale donated quilts and an afghan for distribution to students in need and asked whether district land could be used to generate revenue (tree planting, gardening or parcel sales); the board committed to follow up on those questions.
The board was invited to participate in instructional and curriculum discussions and was told additional updates will be supplied as the district completes its high‑school evaluation work with the Oregon Department of Education.
