Breaks and transitions in the academic year can be welcome and wonderful, and they can also be challenging. It is important to understand that not everyone experiences these times in the same way - and that people may feel differently from one day to the next. Making time and space for care, connection, grace, and patience are vitally important to nurturing health and well-being now and throughout the school year. 
Children, adolescents, and adults often find comfort in predictable routines. So interruptions to regular activities during the holidays and breaks can be anxiety-provoking. If there are financial constraints, food insecurity, or other areas of strain in the household, the anxiety can be felt on many fronts. 
The most important thing we can do to support ourselves and each other is to be mindful that breaks and holidays can be difficult, and hold space for all experiences and reactions. There are also some concrete steps we can take to prioritize self-care:

Know and respect your limits

Set reasonable expectations 

Avoid known triggers

Find ways to give back

Feel and express joy in receiving

Move your body


If you or someone you know needs support, please refer to our Community Resources guide for a list of organizations that can help. 
Take good care and we will see you in 2024!
Our featured event is a surprise donation from Intel and the Hillsboro Schools Foundation in support of career-technical education expansion in HSD high schools. Glencoe construction and trades teacher Todd Patterson received $23,670, Hilhi engineering teacher Wayne Clift received $6,499.51, and Hilhi vet tech teacher Meg Marchand received $7,045.59 - including a CPR dog! The money will be used to purchase career-technical education modules from Paxton Patterson. We are incredibly grateful and excited for these donations and know that the teachers will use them to provide students with hands-on, engaging learning opportunities in their areas of study.
There will be no school for all students from December 18th through January 1st for winter break. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024. Hot News will also be on hiatus and will return after the New Year. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season!
Hot News is produced and emailed to HSD families and staff each week school is in session. Please add the address to your “safe sender” list to make sure you always receive the latest issue. Please also bookmark our district website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hsd.k12.or.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay informed about what’s happening in our district and schools.