Northwest Regional Education Service District: Enhancing Education and Supporting Communities
The Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) plays a vital role in supporting education and fostering community growth in its region. As the largest of Oregon's 19 education service districts, NWRESD provides essential services, resources, and programs that benefit students, educators, and families. Through collaborative partnerships and a commitment to equitable outcomes, NWRESD strives to create a brighter future for all learners.
NWRESD Foundation: Investing in Students with Special Needs
The NWRESD Foundation actively supports educators and students in the region. Recently, the Foundation awarded nearly $36,000 to educators who are dedicated to supporting children with special needs. This funding helps ensure that every child feels included, supported, and ready to learn. The Foundation also partners with organizations like the Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store to host community cares events, further demonstrating its commitment to supporting the community.
Transition Support: Guiding Students from Middle School to High School
Recognizing the challenges students face when transitioning from middle school to high school, NWRESD supports programs that ease this transition. In the NEAH-KAH-NIE SD 56, the #LinkCrew program pairs upperclassmen with freshmen to provide guidance and support. Upperclassmen take freshmen on school tours, host orientations, demonstrate how to use lockers, introduce them to school clubs, and offer ongoing support. This program helps freshmen feel more comfortable and confident in their new environment. As freshman Brieah notes, the transition from middle school to high school can be daunting, but programs like #LinkCrew help students feel more at ease and excited about their high school experience.
Leadership in Instructional Services: Ryan Blasquez's Expanded Role
Ryan Blasquez is now the Executive Director of Instructional Services. He has a proven track record of building trust with educators and driving measurable results for students. One program he oversees, the Oregon Response to Instruction and Intervention, helps school districts improve students' reading proficiency. His expertise in MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) and literacy, combined with his ability to close gaps for children furthest from opportunity, makes him a valuable asset to NWRESD.
Professional Development and Mentoring: Supporting Child Care Providers
NWRESD's Northwest Regional Child Care Resource & Referral team provides professional learning and mentoring to child care providers in Clatsop County, Columbia County, and Tillamook County. This support helps providers expand their businesses, gain new skills, and provide high-quality care to young children. Olyvia, a child care provider, has benefited from this program, which lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success for the children in her care.
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Experiential Learning: Exploring Career Pathways in Hospitality
NWRESD facilitates experiential learning opportunities for students to explore different career paths. Students from Cascade and Pacific academies participated in a program where they rotated through various hospitality roles, including kitchen, dining room, bar service, pool maintenance, and front desk duties. This hands-on experience allowed them to learn practical skills, explore career options, and see the diverse pathways available to them after graduation.
Collaboration and Interagency Partnerships: Enhancing Educational Outcomes
NWRESD actively collaborates with schools and other agencies to improve educational outcomes. The district was selected as a 2019 Spotlight honoree for its efforts to enhance interagency collaboration to make measurable improvements on state-level education policy priorities. By working with schools to establish common improvement aims, analyze the underlying causes of low success rates, and devise effective interventions, NWRESD advances more equitable 9th-grade classroom performance and high school graduation rates.
Educational Service Districts in Washington State: A Regional Support Network
Washington’s nine Educational Service Districts (ESDs) provide essential local services that are responsive to the needs of their regions. ESDs connect local public and private schools with state and national resources, offering shared services and programs that save costs and expand access. This support puts more dollars into classrooms and enables specialized support for students and educators. In the 2023/24 school year, ESDs leveraged almost $7.8 million of state-allocated core funding into $376.1 million of needed services for Washington’s students and schools. State and federal agencies recognize the importance of funding ESDs and the AESD (Association of Educational Service Districts).
Community Engagement: Fun Activities for Young Children
NWRESD supports community engagement initiatives that benefit young children and families. For example, free playgroups are offered for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in Hillsboro, Oregon. These activities provide opportunities for young children to socialize, learn, and have fun in a supportive environment.
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