Family Spotlight

Students and families are invited to Life & Career Readiness Night March 12 to explore options!

Our second annual Life & Career Readiness Night will be Wednesday, March 12, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Caldera High School. Plan to stop by Caldera to visit with higher education representatives and regional employers in the private and public sectors.

Organized by high school students with assistance from district staff, this event aims to inform students and their families about the array of professional and educational opportunities available in Central Oregon – both before and after graduation.

The first Life & Career Readiness Night last year drew a crowd of 400, and we expect a bigger turnout this year. Students can explore college and trade school options, regional employers, educational travel, internships, volunteer opportunities and much more.

PRESENTERS WANTED: If you run a business, direct a trade school or are hiring, consider being part of our Life & Career Readiness Night. Contact us at lifecareerreadiness@gmail.com to secure your spot!

This week, we celebrate the incredible contributions of our 52 school counselors who make a lasting difference in the lives of students every day.

School counselors are at the heart of our schools, offering vital social-emotional and academic support. They embrace each student's unique strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, using these assets to empower learning and growth.

As part of our mental health team, counselors work closely with students, fostering a positive school environment where healthy learning, living, and growing thrive.

"A huge shoutout to our amazing school counselors during National School Counseling Week! They play a vital role in shaping student success by empowering them to find their unique strengths, supporting their growth, and building strong family partnerships. Our counselors break down barriers and guide students toward bright futures, helping them thrive and achieve their dreams!" - Jennifer Hauth, Director of Student Well-being.

Join us in shouting a big THANK YOU to our school counselors today and every day!

It's not too late to explore our dual immersion and other programs at choice option schools. Dive deeper and find out if these schools are a good fit at the following info nights.

• Monday, February 10, 6:00 - 7:00 pm: Dual Immersion at Bear Creek Elementary
  
• Monday, March 3, 6:00 - 7:00 pm: Dual Immersion at R.E. Jewell Elementary School
  
• Wednesday, March 5, 5:00 - 6:00 pm: Amity Creek Magnet School
  
• Thursday, March 6, 5:15 - 6:30 pm: Westside Village Magnet School
  
• Wednesday, March 19, 1:30 - 2:30 pm: Juniper Tech Magnet
  

Learn more at bls.fyi/options2025.

The move to high school in the fall makes it a big year for students and families! Join your new high school community at Incoming 9th Grade Orientation Night on Monday, March 10 at 6:00 pm.

• Meet student leaders and staff.

• Explore co-curricular programs and clubs.

• Learn about high school forecasting.

• Have some fun with your new community!

The event takes place at the following schools:

Bend Senior High Main Gym - 230 NE 6th Street, Bend

Caldera High Gym - 60925 SE 15th Street, Bend

La Pine High Auditorium - 51633 Coach Road, La Pine

Mountain View High Auditorium - 2755 NE 27th Street, Bend

Summit High Main Gym - 2855 NW Clearwater Drive, Bend

Get familiar with your new school’s environment, culture and values. Incoming 9th Grade Orientation Night is an essential part of preparing students for a successful high school experience. We look forward to seeing you!

The annual CTE and Elective Exploration Fly-Up Day is just around the corner on Monday, March 3! This exciting event gives 8th-grade students a firsthand look at high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and electives through ~20-minute rotations featuring fun hands-on activities.

Students will be bussed to the high school to which they are pointed to attend for the 2025-26 school year. CTE and Elective Exploration Fly-Up Day is a great opportunity for students to learn about the CTE pathways and rich elective options offered in their high schools by exploring technical skills, creative pursuits, and other options to spark their curiosity and excitement prior to forecasting.

ACR approval is required prior to attending the designated high school.

Saturday, February 15, is SRO Appreciation Day, and next week our school communities are coming together to celebrate these stellar individuals. Schools will be sharing gifts, treats, thank-you cards, and more to show their gratitude.

School Resource Officers (SROs) play a vital role in our schools. They not only ensure the safety and security of students and staff but also serve as mentors and positive role models. By building meaningful relationships, they help create a welcoming and secure learning environment.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our amazing team from the Bend Police Department and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. These dedicated professionals keep our schools safe while fostering trust and understanding with students and staff.

Thanks to our SROs, our schools are safer and stronger. We appreciate you!

Community members are invited to learn what it’s like to serve on the Board of Directors for Bend-La Pine Schools at a public presentation on Thursday, February 13, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. This informational meeting will be in the Board Room of the Education Center, 520 NW Wall St., Bend.

Five School Board seats will be on the ballot in the May 20, 2025 primary election: Zones 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7. The candidate filing period opens February 8, with the last day for candidate filing on March 20.

Candidates must reside within a Deschutes County voting precinct, have resided within a Deschutes County voting precinct for at least one year, reside within Bend-La Pine Schools’ attendance area, and be registered to vote in Deschutes County.

Learn more at bls.fyi/boardinfo.

Two weeks ago, we received word from The White House that one of our teachers, Stephanie Johnson at Pine Ridge Elementary School, has received the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. We are so proud of you, Stephanie. Congratulations!

The award, administered by the National Science Foundation, recognizes outstanding teachers for their contributions to the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Stephanie will receive a certificate signed by the President and a $10,000 award, and is invited to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony.

Stephanie has taught at Pine Ridge for 16 years. Her first six years were spent as a special education teacher, followed by 10 years as a first-grade teacher. In math her goal is to create lifelong mathematical thinkers and foster the development of foundational skills for young mathematicians.

“This award represents the undivided efforts of educators who work tirelessly to provide high-quality education for all students in mathematics,” Stephanie said. “This process has offered me the opportunity to refine my practice, share my experiences with colleagues, and continue to grow as an educator. I hope to continue to inspire the mathematician inside of each of my students, so they see themselves as the problem solvers of the future.”

The Bend-La Pine Schools Transportation Department has openings for substitute bus drivers in Bend. Starting pay for sub drivers is $28.26 per hour.

If you love working with kids, these are great positions, with time off in the middle of the day to run errands, work on projects, or relax. We provide paid training for drivers to receive their commercial driver’s license.

We also have openings for substitute bus monitors, who assist Special Programs drivers in observing and monitoring behavior of student riders. Starting pay for sub monitors is $19.37 per hour.

To learn more and start the application process, visit BLS.FYI/JOBS.

Top row from left: Board Chair Marcus LeGrand, Board Vice Chair Carrie McPherson Douglass,

Kina Chadwick

Bottom row from left: Amy Tatom, Cameron Fischer, Shirley Olson, Ross Tomlin

The Board of Directors for Bend-La Pine Schools will hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday, February 11 at 5:30 pm at the Education Center, 520 NW Wall Street in Bend.

For information about board members, meetings and agendas, please visit our School Board page.

Are you curious which district policies and regulations are currently under review? To see proposed changes and give feedback on new language, click here.