Handbook

At May Street Elementary, our goals are centered on building intentional relationships, valuing all learners, honoring students, and holding students to high standards. To accomplish our goals, educators collaborate in grade-level teams to examine student achievement data, strengthen and calibrate instructional practices, and improve student learning. Core instruction in math and reading uses researched-based curriculums. Multi-tiered interventions are provided for students who need additional support. We partner with our parents to find ways to boost school attendance.

Academic Experience Students receive at least 75 minutes of daily literacy instruction and at least 60 minutes of daily math instruction. Students receive a 40 minute block of either Physical Education, Music, or Library & Technology/STEM each day. Art experiences are built into the core curriculum and our students participate in a one-week art residency each school year.

Social Emotional Behavioral Learning Our school strives to ensure all students and their families feel safe and welcome. We use Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a research-backed approach for developing students’ academic, social, emotional and behavioral competence. We frequently teach expectations and recognize positive behavior. Our students participate in Morning Meeting each day along with additional SEL learning units throughout the school year. Please refer to this introductory letter from our Student Support Specialists, Natalie Thayer and Jess Temus, for more information.

A.V.I.D. stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination and is a district-wide initiative in Hood River County School District.  AVID focuses on teaching and reinforcing academic behaviors and higher-level thinking at a young age. Students develop the academic habits they will need to be successful in middle school, high school, college, careers, military, and trade schools. Students learn about organization, study skills, communication, and self-advocacy in an age-appropriate way, which helps to ensure our school district's vision of excellence for every student, every day.

Celebrating birthdays is a common practice, especially during childhood. In order to model healthy habits, ensure the safety of all students, and provide an equitable learning environment for all students and families, birthday treats are not permitted. This approach helps us adhere to strict nutritional guidelines and manage classroom environments effectively. Classroom teachers develop alternative methods of honoring a student on their birthday. This decision was made collaboratively amongst the staff after thoughtful and constructive discourse.

Please note the following dates:

• Monday, Aug. 25, 2025: First day of in-person learning for grades 1-5. Kindergarten will have different start dates.

Five emergency closure make-up days are embedded into the school calendar to help prevent rescheduling the last day of school. If there is an emergency closure, the following emergency closure make-up days will be used for in-person learning. If there is not an emergency closure prior to one of these days, there will not be in-person learning on that day. The school district will send official notification to the community if an emergency closure make-up day will be a school day.

• Friday, January 16, 2026
• Monday, April 20, 2026
• Monday, June 11, 2026
• Friday, June 12, 2026, if there are four or more full-day school closures
• Monday, June 15, 2026, if there are five or more full-day school closures 

We work hard to form well-balanced classes in which all students will have the best opportunity to learn and to grow academically and socially. When classes are created, we follow clear, set guidelines. While we welcome parent input about the child’s learning needs, we trust that you understand that your comments constitute just one of many factors that are considered in forming classes. You may choose to complete our Student Placement Questionnaire which will give you an opportunity to tell us about your child’s learning. Student Placement Questionnaire will be shared in early April. Class assignments are announced through an automated phone message sent to families within two weeks before the beginning of the school year.

May Street Elementary uses the following forms of communication:

• Weekly Family Update is published on Sundays at 5 PM. Notification is sent to families via their preferred methods of communication using ParentSquare

• Family Updates are not published on the Sunday after Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break

• ParentSquare: New to the 25/26 school year is the software platform ParentSquare. You can message staff members directly on ParentSquare, read newsletters and posts, and see social media posts.
• School Website and District Website 

• Calendar
• Other School Information
• Staff Biographies
• Academic Program Info