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Helping families stay connected to Bend-La Pine Schools. |
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My Hopes and Visions for the School Year |
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What Matters Most
In this heart felt video, our students share how staff members can have a lasting positive impact on their lives. Superintendent Steven Cook connects their stories with his vision for our schools and what matters most. Below are just a few of the students you will hear from in the video.
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When we think back on our time in school, many of us have a teacher or staff member that stands out because they took the time to get to know us. They knew our names, they knew our tells when we were upset. That is what I want for every single one of our students. I want our students to know that the adults in our schools care about them, are interested in their well being and believe in their future success, however that looks.
Six weeks into this new school year, I think it’s important to share my hopes and vision for our schools and for our students. I believe in the power of warm relationships paired with high expectations. Together, these are unmatched in helping students achieve.
In our schools, this means creating an environment in which every kid feels welcome, starting with small steps that can make a huge difference: Every kid gets eye contact and every kid hears their name used in a positive way. I also believe in holding students to high expectations where we won’t accept anything less from them than their very best. When we have an anchor in great relationships, we can ask for great things.
I am grateful for all of these students who took the time to share their stories with us. I hope they continue to guide us in the weeks and months ahead as we work to keep at the forefront of our minds what matters most. Thank you, families, for your continued support.
-Dr. Steven Cook, Superintendent
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High School Families Invited to District-wide Financial Aid Nights
Bend-La Pine Schools is partnering with Central Oregon Community College and OSU-Cascades to host two Financial Aid Night Q&A sessions Oct. 21 and 28 at 6 p.m. Financial experts from both institutions will be
on hand to answer questions.
The sessions are designed to equip students and families with the information they need to make financial decisions regarding their higher education goals.
Families are encouraged to watch videos (watch here, bls.fyi/financialaidhelp) before the sessions and then join in a live, virtual presentation with a Q&A. The sessions are open to families throughout the district.
Meeting ID: 981 1706 7376
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You're Invited: Caldera Ribbon Cutting
Join us as we celebrate the opening of Bend’s newest high school with a chili feed and halftime ribbon cutting on Thursday, Oct. 21 at Caldera High School! Thanks to the support of our community, Caldera High School is now open, easing overcrowding at Bend-area high schools.
The school boasts nearly 60 classrooms, a large central library, a 600-seat auditorium, state-of-the art metals and woodworking classrooms, music rooms and much more.
The details:
Free Community Chili Feed (while supplies last) at Stadium Patio
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Caldera v Summit Football Game
5:30 p.m. Kickoff
Halftime Ribbon Cutting Celebration
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Keeping our schools safe: Learn updates for 2021-22 |
Safe schools are fundamental to students' school successes and achievements. Providing a safe and orderly school environment is an ever-present priority of Bend-La Pine Schools. Systems and programs are in place that create caring school communities where students and staff feel safe and supported.
Following the recent LockDOWN at Central Oregon Community College’s Bend campus, and the ensuing emergency responses called by law enforcement at several nearby K-12 schools, we thought it timely to share a brief overview of some of the many ways we work every day to keep your students safe at school.
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COVID-19 Communications Guidance |
Many of you may remember seeing this COVID-19 Communication booklet last year (when it was red.) We've updated the document with the newest protocols and information, so be sure to check out this version. Learn more about how COVID-19 is handled in Bend-La Pine Schools, including guidance about:
Student Screening Update: Coming Soon
Bend-La Pine Schools was notified by Oregon Health Authority Friday that the lab we will work with has changed, delaying roll out. Once operational, the program will offer optional weekly COVID-19 screening for students. The program will begin at a handful of local elementary schools, with goals of rolling out to additional schools during the year. Watch for details to come.
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Our Schools Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month |
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In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we wanted to catch up with some of our staff members who identify as Hispanic, so they could share a bit about their heritage and work to serve Bend-La Pine Schools' students and families. We are excited to honor these staffers and celebrate the ways they are making valuable contributions. |
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Joel Vargas
Interpreter and translator, Bend-La Pine Schools
Joel has only been a staff member for a few months, but already he is finding ways to make a meaningful contribution. He jokes that wife, Liz, who also works for Bend-La Pine Schools, will force him to put down his translation work at the end of the day, saying “You just enjoy this too much!”
Whether helping families with interpretation, meeting at a school or translating classroom letters, Joel wants to make sure he gets all the words right.
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Ximena Vega
Bilingual teaching assistant, Bear Creek Elementary School
Ximena loves working with children and has done so all of her life. She began as a teacher in her home country of Chile, where she taught elementary age students. When she moved to Bend with her husband, Ximena was 38 and didn’t speak any English. “It was so painful!” she said, of not knowing the language.
She was determined to learn as quickly as she could: taking classes, watching soap operas, reading books, anything she could do to learn.
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Luis Navez Dircio
Learning specialist, Caldera High School
Luis first knew he wanted to be a teacher in seventh grade at Pilot Butte Middle School. He was on an IEP and remembers struggling with reading and writing. He credits his special education teacher, Steve Wetherald, for turning his school experience around.
“He believed in me and I liked how he cared for all of his students,” said Luis. From then on, Luis knew he wanted to be a teacher.
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In a change of pace, Superintendent Cook goes back to school and gets a taste of what fifth grade at Amity Creek Magnet School is like thanks to tour guide Quinn. He learns about fruit math, the importance of four square and finds out when Quinn would advise “don’t bite yourself!” Listen now
You can also listen to and download the episode on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts:
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When it looked like the National Anthem couldn't be played during a recent away game, the La Pine High School Volleyball Team stepped up for the assist! 🎤 🇺🇸 🏐 |
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Support Staff of the Year Winner Kay Duncan
Superintendent Steven Cook recently named Kay Duncan, building engineer at Summit High School, Outstanding Support Person of the Year for the district.
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Administrator of the Year Winner Tami Pike
In a surprise ceremony Friday, October 8, Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook named Tami Pike, Assistant Director of Health Services, the Distinguished Administrator of the Year.
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Teacher of the Year Winner Brad Soto
In a surprise ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 13, Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook named Brad Soto, a math teacher with Bend-La Pine Schools Online, the Outstanding Educator of the Year for the district.
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Summit High senior Zoe Johnson named National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist |
Congratulations to Summit High School's Zoe Johnson on being named a National Merit Semi-Finalist!
Zoe, 17, plans to attend college next year and is interested in studying chemical engineering. She is a harpist, plays in Chamber Orchestra and also trains in aerial silks and swims for Summit’s swim team.
Zoe said she is excited for the opportunity to be considered for a National Merit Scholarship.
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Bend-La Pine Schools is hiring for a variety of positions |
We are always looking for great people who want to make a difference in the lives of our students.
Bend-La Pine Schools is a great place to work. We serve more than 17,500 students in 30 schools in a beautiful community. Our district offers competitive pay and excellent benefits.
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Save the Date! Caldera High Ribbon Cutting Set Thursday, Oct. 21 |
Join us as we celebrate the opening of Bend’s newest high school with a chili feed and halftime ribbon cutting on Thursday, Oct. 21 at Caldera High School!
The details:
Free Community Chili Feed (while supplies last) at Stadium Patio
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Caldera v Summit Football Game
5:30 p.m. Kickoff
Halftime Ribbon Cutting Celebration
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Upcoming key dates and days of recognition:
- Oct. 18-22 - National School Bus Safety Week
- Oct. 21 - Great Oregon Shakeout
- Oct. 26, 5: 30 p.m. - School Board Meeting (watch online: bls.fyi/boardmeeting)
- Oct. 27 - No school elementary
- Oct. 28 - No school elementary and middle
- Oct. 29 - No school elementary and middle
- Nov. 7 - Daylight Savings Ends
- Nov. 11 - Veterans Day, No School
- Nov. 13 - World Kindness Day
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Bend-La Pine Schools celebrates Farm to School Month |
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Kay Duncan named Outstanding Support Person of the Year |
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Tami Pike named Distinguished Administrator of the Year |
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Bend-La Pine Schools names its teacher of the year - KTVZ
Students and staff gathered at North Star Elementary School in Bend on Wednesday to surprise Bend-La Pine Schools Teacher of the Year Brad Soto. He is an online math teacher with Bend-La Pine and has worked in public education for 29 years.
Read more
ktvz.com
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