All you need to know for back to school

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SPOTLIGHT

August 27, 2021

Helping families stay connected to Bend-La Pine Schools.

Welcome to the Start of the 2021-22 School Year

We are excited to see your students when doors open in just a few days. School will have all of the buzz of a typical school year and we can’t wait to get back to what we do best, teaching and learning!

We are continuing to apply a layered mitigation approach to keeping COVID-19 at bay in our schools. Lunches will be eaten outdoors, to the extent possible; masks are required indoors, except when students are playing an instrument with their mouth; staff, volunteers, and contractors are required to be vaccinated; and field trips are on hold at the elementary level and more.

To learn more about the layered approach we are taking to provide your students with healthy learning environments, check out our Return to School Operational Plan. And read more about the many ways we are supporting you and your students this year, in the newsletter below. Additionally, lookout for details about the upcoming school year from your students' schools – including meal plans and more.

Welcome back to school!

Frequently Asked Questions about returning to school

For families returning this year, you’ll notice that many of the practices our students used in the spring are the same as they are this fall, with a few key changes. We hope you’ll take a moment to review our Frequently Asked Questions, which address masks, vaccines, quarantines and more.

Top Questions

Are staff and students required to wear masks?

On July 29, Gov. Kate Brown directed directed the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education to create a rule to require masks indoors for K-12 schools statewide for the 2021-22 school year, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recently updated guidance, and based on the latest science on the spread of the Delta variant.

Are masks required for athletics or activities taking place outside of school hours?

Masks are recommended but not required for athletics or activities taking place outside of school hours.

Bend-La Pine Schools indoor and outdoor athletics and activities will continue to follow all OSAA guidance. Schools and athletic programs will adhere to facility capacity requirements, per state and local fire marshal regulations.

Per OHA guidance, face coverings are recommended but are not required for indoor sports

See the complete list of FAQs here

Take a deep dive into reopening plans: Return to School Webpage

Those wanting a deeper dive can learn more about quarantines, cleaning, testing and more on our Return to School webpage.

Ready for School Checklist:

Every day, be sure to:

Wear a mask indoors: All students are required to wear a mask while at school.

Check for wellness: Students and staff feeling experiencing primary COVID-19 symptoms may not report to school or work and should isolate. Learn more

Updated Quarantine Guidance

Bend-La Pine Schools, in coordination with the local health authority, has adopted a tiered option for those quarantined, due to COVID-19 exposure. The safest is a 14 day quarantine at home. Additionally, a 10-day option and seven day option are also offered. To learn more about these options, please review Deschutes County’s Quarantine Guidance.

Check your text alert settings

Families, take a moment to visit BLConnect to check your text alert settings are selected to the correct schools. If you’ve moved or your children have moved from middle or high school, for instance, you may not be signed up to receive alerts for the correct school.

This text alert system is used as an urgent notification for events such as weather delays.

Got a school bus rider? Routes are available now

Families with bus riders can now find their students’ bus stops and times online.

Make sure to take a moment to look up your student’s stop before the start of school, as many have changed from last year.

Find your stop: school bus routes

This year, only students who are registered will be able to ride the bus (this includes current bus riders as well as new riders).

Registering allows us to create more efficient bus routes and student rosters for safety.

Bend-La Pine Schools Online offers expanded options

Bend-La Pine Schools Online has new programs and additional staff for the 2021-22 school year.

Families are invited to learn more about exciting changes for the Bend-La Pine Schools Online program — including details about new supports, staffing and instruction options to improve the learning experience for online learners.

Webex meeting details: Aug. 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Join: bls.webex.com/meet/amy.tarnow\

Website: bendlapineonline.com

News & Updates

First Days of School & Start/Stop Times

First Days of School

Wednesday, September 8: First day of school for grades 1-9 and some kindergarten students.

Thursday, September 9: First day of school for grades 10-12 and some kindergarten students.

Start/Stop Times

Please find your schools’ start and stop times at bls.fyi/startstoptimes.

Wondering about school supplies? We've got you covered!

We're pleased to be able to provide all of the materials students need for instruction this year! That's right, no school supply lists are needed.

Families are welcome to provide personal items for students (backpacks, water bottles, headphones, lunch boxes, etc.). If you know of a family needing help securing a personal item, please have them reach out to their school’s FAN advocate for support.

For specific questions, reach out to your school’s main office.

2021-22 Family Handbook and Calendar

Watch your mailbox for a copy of our annual calendar and handbook. You can also download a copy today! Inside you'll find key dates for the year and all you need to know for back to school, plus some stories of Bend-La Pine Schools students.

Download a copy here: 2021-22 Family Handbook and Calendar

Resources for Families

Student Mental Health

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