As we come to the close of November, our district has much to be thankful for. We are grateful for our students, families, and staff who bring strength, heart, and dedication to our school community every day. This season reminds us of the importance of connection and shared purpose, and we are proud of the way our schools continue to unite around what matters most, creating welcoming, supportive learning environments where every student can grow and thrive.

We are deeply thankful for the remarkable academic, athletic, and artistic accomplishments across the district. Our youngest learners are showing impressive gains in early literacy, with elementary DIBELS and Savvas scores reaching new highs. Our third-grade cohort, who have received Amplify instruction since kindergarten, has shown especially noteworthy growth. When they first entered kindergarten in 2022, only 12% of students were at grade level and 11% were approaching benchmark on their beginning-of-year reading assessment. By fall of 2023, that number rose to 31% at grade level, and this fall, as third graders, 50% are now at grade level with an additional 20% approaching. Beyond the classroom, our programs are thriving: band and choir participation continues to rise districtwide, with concert band growing from just 9 students in 2020 to over 60 in 2025, reflecting renewed energy in our arts programs. Fall athletics had an outstanding season as well. Volleyball placed 4th at state, football reached the state semifinals, boys cross country qualified for state with Jaxson Stovall placing 2nd individually, boys soccer finished 2nd in league, and our girls teams showed meaningful improvement, including stronger outcomes in cross country and a five-game improvement in girls soccer. These successes demonstrate the breadth of student engagement and the strength of our co-curricular programs.

As we reflect during this month of gratitude, we are reminded that these achievements come from a shared belief in our students and a districtwide commitment to working together. Staff across all schools are collaborating more deeply, aligning instruction, strengthening systems, supporting student transitions, and tackling challenges as a unified team. While we continue to refine behavior supports, expand PLC and advisory time, and strengthen instructional practices, we do so with a collective determination that is stronger than ever. Together, we celebrate not only how far we’ve come, but the shared commitment that will carry us forward, ensuring every student in Coos Bay has the opportunity to learn, achieve, and belong.

~The revision to the Student Calendar is to add noon dismissal for MHS and MJHS on March 5th to accommodate the 3A Basketball Tournament. ~

The Oregon Department of Education released the 2024–2025 At-A-Glance Profiles, and we are proud to share some encouraging news about the progress happening across our district. These profiles highlight important data on student learning, growth, and readiness, and this year’s results show clear, meaningful improvement in many areas.

See "Moving Forward Together" below for more information.

Across Coos Bay School District, students are showing strong academic gains:

We also saw important growth for students experiencing poverty and students with disabilities in our K–6 schools, an encouraging sign that our inclusion model and targeted supports are helping more students succeed.

Despite challenges, the message is clear: Coos Bay School District is making meaningful progress. These gains reflect the hard work of our staff and the support of our families. Together, we are creating the conditions for students to thrive.

If you would like to view the At-A-Glance Profiles for our district and each school, please visit the Oregon Department of Education link provided and search for Coos Bay. We have also provided a link for the At-A-Glance Manual. 

ODE At-A-Glance: At-A-Glance School and District Profiles and Accountability Details - Oregon Department of Education

Technical Manual: At-A-Glance School and District Profiles Technical Manual

If you have not taken the opportunity to provide your feedback on Family Conferences we encourage you to do so. Your feedback helps us provide the best experience for all.

The District will be having a surplus sale at Blossom Gulch on December 12th from 8:00am-4:00pm. See flyer below for details.

You may have recently seen news about Oregon’s statewide budget challenges. With the release of the December Economic and Revenue Forecast last week, we want to share an update on what this means for our district and for K–12 education across the state.

The latest forecast shows some improvement. State General Fund and Lottery revenues are now projected to be $318.8 million higher than expected in September. While this is a positive step, overall state resources are still $635.9 million below what was anticipated when the Legislature approved the budget in June.

Because of this modest revenue improvement, the previously expected statewide shortfall for already-approved budgets has been reduced—from about $400 million to roughly $80 million. However, once additional statewide budget pressures are factored in, Oregon is still looking at a total projected budget gap of about $600 million.

While the improved forecast is helpful, Oregon is still facing a significant budget gap. This means districts across the state—including ours—may continue to feel pressure as the Legislature works to balance the budget in the months ahead. 

As always, we are committed to transparency and will continue to keep families informed as more information becomes available. Thank you for your partnership and support.