Hillsboro School District Weekly Hot News October 19, 2026 - Safe Schools Week

October 19 through 23, 2026, is America’s Safe Schools Week - a time to recognize the ongoing commitment of our students, staff, and community partners to maintaining safe, supportive learning environments across the Hillsboro School District. The timing is both appropriate and heartbreaking as we are all reeling from the news of a school shooting in Bend last Thursday. It reminds us how important it is to build safety, security, preparedness, and vigilance into our surroundings and practices as we care for our precious students and staff.  The foundation for our physical safety efforts was built through the 2017 Bond, which invested approximately $21.6 million in critical security infrastructure districtwide. That investment established consistent levels of protection across all campuses through secure entry vestibules, upgraded fencing, window security film, and the district’s integrated “security trio” of access control, intrusion detection, and video monitoring systems.  Our proposed November 2026 Bond would expand these efforts by replacing doors, locks, and fire panels; adding cameras, badge readers, fencing, window security film, automated external defibrillators, and much more.  HSD continues to evolve its approach to school safety by reassessing systems, training, and partnerships to stay ahead of emerging challenges. Our focus is on being proactive rather than reactive - strengthening collaboration with public safety agencies, enhancing staff preparedness, and ensuring that physical and behavioral safety measures work hand-in-hand to support a secure learning environment. Together, these layers of prevention, preparedness, and response help ensure that every HSD school remains a place where students and staff feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. Learn more about HSD’s comprehensive approach to safety on the Keeping Students Safe and Safe and Welcoming pages of our website. Our featured event is Salsa Week at the Free Orchards Elementary School Fox Farm! Fox Farm is a shining example of what can be accomplished when you combine passionate volunteers, a supportive principal and staff, cross-school partnerships, and enthusiastic students! Now in its fifth year, the Farm is not only lush and productive, but is also a space where students spend 30 minutes per week learning about plants, foods, gardening, pollinators, and more. Recently, Fox Farm Coordinator Sarah Newton and other parent volunteers, Ms. Ellen and Ms. Spahn, celebrated Salsa Week with the students. They combined produce grown on the Falcon Farm at Liberty High School with items from their own Fox Farm and served it with tortilla chips for a tasty treat.