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Helping families stay connected to Bend-La Pine Schools. |
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Finding gratitude on our road ahead |
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With Thanksgiving mere days away, I know many of us will be spending time with family and thinking about what we have to be thankful for this year. “What are you thankful for?” may seem like a simple question, but I think it’s a critical one that helps build compassion and community.
When I think about what I’m grateful for, our dedicated staff members are at the top of my mind right now. In every school and building I visit, I see our teachers and staff members working their tails off to keep students safe and make their learning environments rich and engaging. This level of commitment to our students, especially under these challenging conditions, can truly empty their “buckets” as well. If you feel the desire to share gratitude with our staff, consider dropping them a note or card. I know it would be most appreciated.
I am proud that our schools are dedicated to sharing kindness and gratitude. For Veterans Day, we saw an outpouring of giving, from the Social Justice Club at Summit High School collecting donations and volunteering time to support the new Veterans Village, to the hundreds of students who wrote personal letters and cards offering thanks for service. I believe efforts like these are not only meaningful for the students involved and the recipients, but for our community at large. My goal is for our schools to continue to promote care and concern for one another, even when times are hard. Ultimately, what we are striving for is for all in our community to feel this care and concern.
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Schools find heartfelt ways to honor local veterans |
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Our schools found creative and heartfelt ways to honor the service of veterans last week in observance of Veterans Day, Nov. 11. 🇺🇸 From writing letters and cards of appreciation to collecting supplies for veterans, students and staff reached out out to honor and celebrate local veterans.
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Interview with Bend-La Pine Schools Nov. 18
On Thursday, Nov. 18, Bend-La Pine Schools is offering on-the-spot interviews for positions in Nutrition Services, Custodial, Transportation, Education Assistants and Maintenance. Available positions offer competitive wages, excellent benefits and the chance to make a positive difference in our community! View jobs at bls.fyi/jobs.
Interviews will be conducted at the WorkSource building, 1645 NE Forbes Road, #100 in Bend, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday.
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Hiring Substitute Teachers - $500 Bonus Available
Our teachers give students and families their all, but despite their dedication, they still get sick and have to miss work sometimes. The entire state is experiencing a substitute teacher shortage and we are feeling it here in Bend-La Pine Schools, too. If you've ever thought about helping out the district or trying your hand at teaching, now is a great time!
A $500 bonus is available to licensed substitutes who work 10+ days per month!
For more information and to learn how to get a substitute teaching license, please visit bls.fyi/nowhiring.
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Local Vaccine Opportunities for Ages 5-11 Announced
Interested families can find information about COVID-19 vaccination opportunities in Central Oregon for residents age 5-11 using a dashboard with local clinic dates and times. The information was shared thanks to efforts and coordination from Bend-La Pine Schools and local health care providers after the announcement from the CDC and FDA of the authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for those ages 5-11.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free and insurance is not required. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
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New interactive COVID-19 Dashboard gives up-to-date info |
On Nov. 8, Bend-La Pine Schools launched a new, interactive, more robust COVID-19 Dashboard offering up-to-date notifications about COVID-19 isolations and quarantines within the district.
Users can sort data by school site and time period to gain a better understanding of COVID-19 cases and related quarantines in their school community. Data auto-updates every 15 minutes with cases confirmed by Deschutes County Public Health. Families can now find school-wide notification of positive cases on the dashboard.
Families will continue to receive a notification letter when their student: is identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person, is identified as being COVID-19 positive, is part of an athletic or activities team, or is identified as low-risk exposure in an elementary classroom.
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COVID-19 Case Investigation During the Break
From Nov. 20- Nov. 28, Deschutes County Health Services will be providing COVID-19 case investigation for youth and adult community members who have an affiliation with Bend-La Pine Schools. Families and staff are reminded to pick up calls with ID originating from a Deschutes County phone line.
It is important to continue to be vigilant and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Should anyone in your household develop symptoms, it is recommended that you contact your healthcare provider for testing guidance.
For any questions or to report a positive case during this time, contact Deschutes County Health Services at 541.699.5109. The County hotline is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.
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News from the Superintendent's Office |
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Dig in with Superintendent Cook: Supe's On! Podcast and recap |
Supe's On! With cold, blustery weather on the horizon, it’s a good time to get prepared for inclement weather. On the Supe’s On! Podcast, Superintendent Cook talks with our Transportation Director Kim Crabtree about how we make decisions about when to call snow days and how our drivers prepare for inclement weather of all kinds. Learn what it’s like behind the wheel, the numerous ways Crabtree and the crew have adapted during the past two years and what’s making her hopeful for the future.
Listen to the podcast today:
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Nov. 9 Board Meeting Recap
Superintendent Cook offers a quick recap of all the business that took place during the Nov. 9 meeting, including policies under review, changing public comment practices, a review of data from Human Resources and more. Watch now.
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New: Public process for policies, regulations under review |
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NEW PROCESS: Every month, Bend-La Pine Schools' Board of Directors shares policies currently under review during a public board meeting. Following that meeting, the Board will allow time for and consider public feedback related to the proposed changes.
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The following policies/regulations are currently in review (click on title to view draft/changes). Public comment will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Nov. 23. Submit comment using this form: https://bls.fyi/policyfeedback
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Executive Limitation 12: Legally Required Policies: Proposed updated naming scheme and clarification of Board Policy (BP), Administrative Policy (AP) and Administrative Regulation (AR). Review and adoption process is also clarified in detail.
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GBJ-BP: Weapons in Schools (Staff) and JFCJ-BP: Weapons in Schools (Students): Updated to include provisions set forth in Senate Bill (SB) 554 (2021) and aligns with new board policy, KGBB-BP.
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KGBB-BP: Firearms Prohibited: (New Board Policy) Senate Bill (SB) 554 (2021) allows districts to prohibit even those with concealed carry licenses from carrying firearms by adopting a policy and posting notice at entry points. This policy prohibits concealed carry licenses from carrying firearms on school grounds and in school buildings.
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KL-BP: Public Complaints and KL-AR: Public Complaints: Policy and Regulation have been rewritten to identify a process and timeline for complaints made against a board member.
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Engaging activities and learning happening every day in our schools |
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What happens when you mix Diet Coke and Mentos?
You're never too young for some interactive science experiments!
In this fun video, North Star Elementary School kindergartners are learning about the scientific process of making a prediction, observing the outcome and developing an explanation .... all using Diet Coke and Mentos!
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Schools celebrate Dia de los Muertos with music, art
Many schools celebrated Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with decorated treats, dance demonostrations, and live student music (see video!). Several schools also created ofrendas for the day, which honor loved ones who have passed on.
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Three schools combine for All Together Now! Musical
Caldera, Mountain View and Summit high schools recently collaborated to join thousands of theatrical organizations around the world by producing their own local production of Music Theatre International’s All Together Now!: A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre.
Featuring songs from Disney's Beauty and the Best, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, Les Misérables and more, the production was about bringing people back to the theater after time away during the pandemic.
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Fall Athletes Shine in State Competitions |
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The Summit High School girls cross country team recently won the 6A state championship for their 13th straight team title! Absolutely amazing. Congrats on running your hearts out and making us all so proud!
In other cross-country state news, La Pine High School's Wyatt Montgomery (pictured) ran for second place in the 3A State Cross Country meet with an impressive time of 16:28!
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Summit High School boys soccer team are the 6A champions! Way to go Storm! |
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The Bend High volleyball team beat Central Catholic to place third in state! Congratulations on a
great season of well placed serves and spikes!
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Two football teams continue in the playoffs: Summit High School and La Pine High School (pictured). The Hawks play in the semi-finals on Nov. 20; the Storm play in the quarter finals Nov. 19.
Additionally, Summit's football team has already won a state championship, in the classroom. The team has the highest GPA of any football team in the state!
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Thank you to all of the athletes who competed this year! We loved cheering for you! |
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College & Career Day
Thousands of Bend-La Pine Schools students and staff will don the colors of their favorite college, university, trade school or military branch to celebrate College and Career Day Friday, Nov. 19. This year, students are also encouraged to wear gear that showcases their future career pathway.
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Additional Key Dates and Days of Recognition
- Nov. 17 - Education Support Professionals Day
- Nov. 19 - College & Career Day
- Nov. 22-26 - Thanksgiving Break, No School
- Nov. 25 - Thanksgiving
- Nov. 28 - Dec. 6 - Hanukkah
- Dec. 14 - School Board Meeting
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School to Career Coordinators discuss their roles, helping students |
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Board Chair Barnes Dholakia and Supt. Cook chat with Source Weekly |
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Bend-La Pine Schools launches new COVID-19 Dashboard |
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