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Helping families stay connected to Bend-La Pine Schools |
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District hits the road with kindergarten registration bus events |
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Spring is the right time to be thinking about our youngest incoming students next fall. If you or anyone you know has a child who will be ready for kindergarten in September, it’s time to get them registered!
This year we are taking kindergarten registration on the road with school bus stops in eight neighborhood locations on Saturday, April 22. They’ll only be at each stop for one hour, so be sure not to miss the bus! Families can learn what’s involved with registration, register on the spot, and find out when each elementary school will host a kindergarten information event in May. We also will give out swag bags for our new kindergarten families.
Catch up with our kindergarten bus at any of these locations:
9:00-10:00 a.m.
- Hollygrape Park, 19489 Hollygrape Street
- Sun Meadow Park, 61141 Dayspring Drive
- Pilot Butte Neighborhood Park, 1310 Northeast Highway 20
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Sunriver-Three Rivers: Oregon Water Wonderland 1 mailboxes (where South Century & Snow Goose meet)
10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Bend-La Pine School Education Center, 520 NW Wall Street
- Ponderosa Park, 225 Southeast 15th Street
- Canal Row Park, 1630 Northeast Butler Market Road
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La Pine-Rosland: Frontier Heritage Park, 16405 First Street
Families with new kindergarten students also may register online now. Everything you need to know is available at this link. When you’re ready to register, use this link to get started. Find your neighborhood school through our Attendance Area webpage. Those who are not sure about their child’s school of attendance or who have additional questions about kindergarten registration, can call 541-355-8750 to reach a staff member who can answer questions in English and Spanish.
In order to be eligible for kindergarten, students must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2023.
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How to talk with your student about hateful slurs |
We want to take a moment to ask for your partnership with an important issue: We are noticing an unacceptable amount of inappropriate language in our schools, in particular hateful slurs against groups of people. This is not a new trend, but we need your help as we continue to work on respectful and inclusive dialogue across our learning community.
As a clear reminder to our students and families: Hate has no place in our schools, and hate-based slurs (the n-word is one example) are unacceptable language on our school campuses and during all school activities. Slurs might show up as “slang” language, a “joke” between friends, or a direct insult toward an individual or group. In each of those circumstances, significant hurt and harm can result; therefore, all forms of this type of language are unacceptable in our schools, and consequences will be applied accordingly.
Please join us in this important conversation with our youth. We are asking each family to talk with your student, and we recommend the following approach:
Ask your child what they know and have heard regarding hate-based slurs.
Discuss your family values and your expectations for appropriate language at home, in school, and on social media.
Ensure your child clearly understands Bend-La Pine Schools’ stance that this type of language is unacceptable and our expectation that it shall not be used at school.
Thank you for engaging in this conversation with us as a learning community. These are difficult but worthwhile conversations for us all as we continue to improve our culture of safety and wellbeing for all students, families and staff.
Related policies:
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Mental Health Week brings Mountain View High School and community together |
Prior to Spring Break, Mountain View High School hosted its first Mental Health Week in partnership with To Write Love on Her Arms, a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.
Student leaders, school staff and community organizations came together to make the week’s events possible. The goal was to let students know they're not alone, they have strength, there’s hope and help in our community, and to keep the conversation going about mental health.
Through classroom lessons, student activities and school-wide communications, the message of Mental Health Week reached almost all students and staff at Mountain View. Every day students had the opportunity to have guided conversations about mental health in their classrooms, engage with various community partners and participate in fun activities during lunch.
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Summit High Public Health Specialist engages with parents |
More than 100 Summit High School parents in March attended a family engagement night that included a breakout session with the school’s new Public Health Specialist, Emily Wommack. This position is part of Bend-La-Pine Schools’ new Healthy Schools program, a partnership with Deschutes County that places Public Health Specialists in our high schools.
The family engagement session provided by Wommack focused on three goals:
- Increasing parent awareness of health programs and services.
- Sharing the parents’ hopes and dreams for their students.
- Identifying the parenting strategies they’d like to learn more about.
Parents learned more about school and district programs related to mental health, health curriculum, substance use, social-emotional climate and family engagement. They engaged with Wommack and other parents in small group discussion about the needs they face with their students. They also talked about their hopes and dreams for their students, and placed those hopes and dreams on a poster placed in a school stairwell for Summit students to see daily.
Wommack shared positive parenting strategies, and the parents discussed their needs with parenting strategies and school support. This feedback will be useful in guiding future programming.
The family engagement event, organized by the Summit Together parent group, also included sessions on executive functioning, college and career readiness, the student experience, and the Summit community
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Two new SROs join Bend-La Pine Schools safety team |
We are happy to introduce two new School Resource Officers for Bend-La Pine Schools.
Officer Dan Koehnke joined us this month and is the new SRO for Summit High School, Pacific Crest Middle School, Cascade Middle School, High Lakes Elementary School, W.E. Miller Elementary School, Westside Village Elementary School, and Highland Elementary School. Officer Koehnke has been a police officer for 10 years, including the past 5 years with Bend Police. He and his wife have two students attending school in the district.
“We love the community and the outdoor adventures. I am very happy to be working in the schools and look forward to building relationships with staff and students,” he told us.
Sgt. Joe Pacheco joined the district in early January and has been covering the schools now assigned to Koehnke. Sgt. Pacheco, who has served with Bend Police for 15 years, now supervises the SRO team and floats between all schools.
“Every day I am impressed with the professionalism and competence of staff within the school district,” he said. “Thank you for allowing the SRO team to work with you. We look forward to getting to know each of you throughout the year.”
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Rethink Your Drink: April is Alcohol Awareness Month |
Some people turn to alcohol to manage stress or peer pressure, and some people have a family history with problematic alcohol use. Whatever the reason, there is a way out. April is Alcohol Awareness Month and an opportunity to break the stigma that comes with asking for help with substance use.
If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol use, we’re here to help. Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Bend-La Pine Schools, can quickly find a mental health care or substance use treatment provider for you.
Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
Visit caresolace.com/bls and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
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2023-24 School Calendars available now |
The school calendars for 2023-24 school year are here!
Major dates include:
- First day of school: Sept. 6-7 (varies by grade level)
- Thanksgiving break: November 20-24
- Winter Break: Dec. 18 to Jan. 1, 2024
- Spring Break: March 25-29, 2024
- Last day of school: June 14, 2024
Download these printable calendars for details about the schedule for the coming school year:
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Design work underway for rebuild of Bend Senior High School |
Bend Senior High School students, parents, teachers, alumni and neighbors are contributing their ideas to the design for the new Bend Senior High School. This dynamic project is the main event of the school district’s current bond program and will rise on the school campus in phases over the next five years.
The district and Lava Bear community are working with BBT Architects Inc. on designing the new building, which will replace most of the old school on the same site. Last month, the design team presented a conceptual design to students, school staff and other key stakeholders, answered their questions and invited feedback.
“The Bend High story, pride and tradition are powerful. We are constantly reminded how to preserve that rich community and school culture in a new facility,” Principal Christopher Reese said. “The voices of current and former students and staff, as well as the community, are important to us in this redesign. I truly believe that we will not lose our rich history. The ‘Long-Blue Line’ is forever present.”
The rebuild of Bend High is part of the $249.7 million bond measure approved by voters in November 2022. The design work on the first phase of construction will continue this year, with construction set to start in June 2024. Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company is the general contractor.
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News from the Board of Directors |
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Board policies in review: learn what's up next at May 9 meeting
The Board of Directors will review policies and regulations focused on employee leave and student conduct at their May 9 board meeting. To view drafts of upcoming policies and regulations in review, please visit our Policies in Review webpage. Here, you will be able to review drafts of proposed changes and provide feedback.
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Stay up-to-date with Bend-La Pine Schools’ Board of Directors and Policies in Review
Individuals interested in receiving updates about the work of Bend-La Pine Schools’ Board of Directors can sign up to receive additional news. The information will include agendas and packets for upcoming board meetings, links to policies in review and other board-related news.
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Mountain View artist nominated for national award |
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We have truly talented painters, illustrators, photographers, sculptors and other student artists in our district. Many of them were honored in this year’s regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which were presented April 7 during the Youth Art Takeover in downtown Bend.
One student, Mountain View High School senior Sahalie Carnahan-Ramsey, won a Gold Key award for her senior portfolio, putting her in consideration for national-level recognition. Sahalie also was nominated for an American Visions award. She is only of just five student artists in the Oregon Region who were nominated for this national award.
“It’s pretty phenomenal to get one or the other, but both? Wow!” said her art teacher, Carrie Erickson. “Her work is amazing.”
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Champion for Students: Student Success Coordinator Lindsay Korstad
March’s Champion for Students Award shined a light on this vitally important role. We are pleased to recognize Lindsay Korstad, our Student Success Coordinator at Jewell Elementary School. Lindsay has been with Bend-La Pine Schools for six years, first as a school counselor and for the past two years as the Student Success Coordinator at Jewell.
In that role, she builds relationships with students and provides a safe space where they feel loved and accepted for who they are. She often works with students whose behavior may be disruptive to learning as they are experiencing crises or serious challenges. Lindsay coordinates their care, working with teachers, families and outside providers, with the focus always on what students are doing well.
Lindsay and our other Student Success Coordinators support students in learning social skills and self-regulation so they can more safely and effectively express their emotions. This helps students to make positive choices and learn in their general education classrooms alongside their peers. In her words, Lindsay says, “The goal for the students I work with is for them to be working, learning and thriving as a part of their classrooms and the greater school community.”
Her colleagues say Lindsay is an inspiration who is proactive in meeting students’s needs. She’s known for being compassionate, professional and respectful.
Principal Scott Edmondson said, “Lindsay is an integral member of the RE Jewell staff. She serves and supports our students, families, and staff in numerous ways, and her passion, commitment, and professionalism are an inspiration for others.”
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Do you know of someone who is a Champion for Students?
Let us know:
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Bend Senior High students win science awards
Congrats to Bend Senior High Students who recently competed in a regional science fair and won awards for their various projects!
Junior Curran Jacobus took first place for the entire fair and is headed to internationals on an all-expenses paid trip. He also won a $2,000 Oregon State University Scholarship, and the Science Champion Award!
Juniors Chase Hayden, Rebekah White and Matthew Williams represented the BSH Journal Club who entered and earned third in their category, moving them onto the regional competition. They also won the “Cultivating Empathy for the Earth” $100 National Geographic Award, Outstanding Geoscience Project and the US Regional Stockholm Junior Water Prize!
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Educator of the Year submits winning artwork for Sunriver Music Festival |
Maria Leistad’s “Sunriver’s Trumpeter” has been selected as Sunriver Music Festival’s poster artwork for 2023. Leistad, who teaches second grade at Three Rivers School, was named our Educator of the Year last fall. Her painting will grace the cover of all materials for the 46th season of the classical music Summer Festival, Aug. 4-17 in Bend and Sunriver.
“I am awed by the beauty and interconnectedness of the natural world. A walk or run through the woods never fails to evoke an urgency to capture on canvas that which I saw along the river, on the horizon, in the branches of a tree,” Leistad said. “The natural music of this landscape that many of us call home is the perfect backdrop for the festival’s immensely talented musicians. I hope that ‘Sunriver’s Trumpeter’ conveys the same feelings of tranquility, magnificence and possibility that Sunriver Music Festival has come to represent for so many of us.”
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Student-Athletes earn honors |
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Nordic skiers ski take 1st, 2nd, 3rd places on the mountain |
Congrats to our Nordic skiers who recently competed in the Nordic Championships, taking home first, second and third place finishes!
The Girls team at Bend High won first place and the Girls team at Summit High took second.
Summit High Boys won first place and the Boys team at Mountain View High took second, with Bend High Boys taking third.
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Summit High Alpine Team wins state championship |
Congratulations to the Summit High School Alpine Team on becoming Oregon State Alpine Champions at the recent OISRA State Championship Races!
Girls Team: Anja Bond-Welch, Quincy Doden, Ellie Heron, Anika Hornbeck, Matalyn Hornbeck, Grace Misischia, and Pippa Souza - placed 1st in Giant Slalom, 4th in Slalom, and 2nd in Combined.
Boys Team: Alex Fagen, Jake Heron, Cooper Kirchmeier, Dylan OLeary, Drake Palle, Wally Petkun, and Preston Schock - placed 2nd in Slalom, 4th in Giant Slalom, and 2nd in Combined.
Top Individual awards: Preston Schock, 3rd in slalom & 3rd in combined; Matalyn Hornbeck 5th and Anja Bond-Welch 9th in Giant Slalom; Cooper Kirchmeier 2nd in Giant Slalom, and Quincy Doden 11th in combined.
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Bend Youth Bowling team places second at state championship |
Congrats to the Bend youth bowling team (with students from across our high schools) on taking home second place during the 2023 State High School Championship!
Players include: Llyr Clembury - Bend High, Jordan Zitek - Bend High, Matthew Burkhart - Caldera High, Cooper Pardo - Caldera High, Seth Klos - Bend High, Teegan Lindsey - Bend High, Roman, Johnson - Mountain View High, Evan Gordon - Summit High
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Summit High Boys Basketball team advances to state title game |
Congrats to the Summit High boys basketball team on making it to the 5A state title game for the second year in a row! Despite coming up short to Wilsonville High last month, the team put forth a tremendous effort and had a phenomenal season |
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Pilot Butte’s Leif Larwin named most outstanding Oregon wrestler |
This season Leif Larwin, an eighth grade student at Pilot Butte Middle School, won his second consecutive middle school state championship and was named Oregon's most outstanding middle school wrestler by the Oregon Wrestling Association National Team Coaching Staff. Larwin pinned all opponents in the state tournament March 11 at Woodburn High School and helped lead the Pilot Butte Giants to a second place team trophy.
While competing in Oregon, no opponent has scored an offensive point on Larwin in middle school or OWA-sanctioned events.
Larwin was also chosen to represent Team Oregon at the Middle School National Duals in Council Bluffs, Iowa, March 24-26. He went 6-2 at this national championship event, helping lead Team Oregon to an eighth place finish at the National Duals.
This Pilot Butte Giant wrestler has achieved these athletic accomplishments while maintaining a 3.8 GPA.
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Upcoming key dates and days of recognition:
April
- School Library Month
- April 22 – Earth Day
- April 25 – School Board Meeting
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April 26 – Administrative Professionals Day
- May 9 – School Board Meeting
- May 11 – Hope, Help & Heal - Youth Mental Health Virtual Event
- May 23 – School Board Meeting
- May 29 – Memorial Day Holiday
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