Southern Oregon Education Service District - SOESD

The SOREN Dignity Summit is less than two weeks away! Whether you're an educator, administrator, or simply someone passionate about creating more human-centered schools, workplaces, and communities, this summit is for you.

Join us for two days of learning, connection, and inspiration as we explore how dignity can transform the way we lead, teach, and support one another.

We can't wait to see you there!

The SOREN Dignity Summit is less than two weeks away, and registration is open now!

Two days. Nationally recognized presenters. Practical tools for building school cultures where every person, student and adult, experiences genuine dignity and belonging.

Featuring John Krownapple, Summer Snyder, Belong Partners, and the SOREN team. | August 11–12, 2026 | Phoenix, OR

Open to all educators across Southern Oregon. Registration link in the first comment below. 👇

Check it out!

✨ A fun event from our friends at Autism Society of Oregon and The Arc Jackson County

💜 Neon Glow Dance Party 💜

Light up the night with music, dancing, friends, and glowing fun! Join us for an inclusive evening at Rockafairy where young adults can connect, dance, and celebrate together in a welcoming environment.

🌟 Wear your favorite neon or white outfit to glow under the black lights!

🥤 Light snacks, drinks, and glow sticks provided.

🤝 Participants are welcome to attend with a support person.

📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Rockafairy
1600 N Riverside Ave
Rogue Valley Mall – Lower Level

🎟️ Registration is required. Register here:
https://autismsocietyoregon.org/event/neon-glow-dance-party-medford/

📢Families and community members in Jackson and Josephine County, check out the Southern Oregon Early Learning Services Hub Quarterly newsletter! They are collaborating with community members and partners to do incredible things!

Quarterly Newsletter Quarterly Newsletter

August is closer than it feels, and SOREN Summer still has three standout sessions ahead!

☀️ Rooted Relationships for School Leaders — August 10
For principals, administrators, counselors, and instructional coaches. Practical tools for building school cultures rooted in belonging. Free | 6 PDUs

☀️ Dignity Summit — August 11–12
Two days exploring dignity as the foundation for educator well-being and student success. Featuring John Krownapple, Summer Snyder, and Belong Partners. Free | 14 PDUs

☀️ Connect Prepare Launch — August 17–19
Built for novice teachers heading into their first or second year. Connections, tools, and confidence before day one. Free | 21 PDUs

Registration links in the first comment below. 👇

At SOESD, we know that supporting educators from day one strengthens classrooms, schools, and student success. That's why we're proud to offer opportunities like Connect • Prepare • Launch, where new teachers build confidence, connect with colleagues, and begin their careers with the support they deserve.

If you're starting your teaching journey this fall, we encourage you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. The details are below. 👇

The first year of teaching is unlike anything else.

There's so much nobody tells you until you're already in the middle of it — the classroom management curve, the paperwork, the weight of caring deeply about students while still figuring out your own practice.

Connect Prepare Launch is a three-day August experience designed specifically for novice teachers across Southern Oregon. Facilitated by Jenni Jones and team, it gives new educators the connections, practical tools, and confidence to walk into their first classroom ready, not just hopeful.

If you're heading into your first or second year of teaching this fall, this one was made with you in mind.

August 17–19, 2026 | Currently open to SOESD Mentors and 1st–2nd year mentees — additional spots may open if space allows

Registration link in the first comment below. 👇

Healthy Start Block Party! Check it out!

Looking for fun, enriching activities for kids in Southern Oregon? 🌞🎨⚽📚

We're excited to share that Southern Oregon Success is now partnering with The Southern Oregon Mom to make it easier for families to find children's camps and activities throughout the year! Check out this regularly updated resource with year-round opportunities across the Rogue Valley.

📅 Summer Camp Guide: https://www.thesomom.com/2026-summer-camp-guide

🌟 Year-Round Children's & Youth Activities: https://www.thesomom.com/

🌐 Need Spanish? Right-click anywhere on the website and select "Translate to Spanish."

Please help us spread the word by sharing this resource with families, caregivers, and community partners!

🍂Registration is now open for the ORBIT Behavioral Health Training Summit!

Join us September 28–October 2 in Ashland for a week of high-quality professional learning designed for behavioral health staff, school counselors, interventionists, administrators, and other student support professionals.

Choose from a variety of valuable trainings, including:
⭐ Oregon Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (OCALM) — FREE this year!
⭐ Foundations in Motivational Interviewing
⭐ And many other sessions to strengthen your skills and support students.

Attend one training or build your own schedule with multiple sessions.

👉🏼Event Website: https://app.glueup.com/event/2026-behavioral-health-training-summit-170119/home.html

📅 Explore the full schedule and register on the event website. If you have any questions, we're happy to help.

We hope to see you this fall!

2026 Behavioral Health Training Summit | Oregon Behavioral Health Innovation & Training Join us for our 4th Annual Behavioral Health Training Summit offering trainings for the behavioral health workforce and community members who want to strengthen their knowledge and skills in mental health topics, mobile crisis response, and su***de prevention.The Summit will also feature “Dancing ...

We could not be happier to share this exciting news from Southern Oregon Early Learning Services Hub!!!

2026 Coalition for Kids Grant Awards - JCEF The Coalition for Kids Fund was established in 2020 to support programs that strengthen protective factors in families and our community and increase health outcomes for children in their earliest years of life. Each year, local community-based organizations serving young children (ages birth throug...