Family Spotlight

• Wednesday, September 4 – 1st Day for grades 1-6, 9
  
• Thursday, September 5 – 1st Day for grades 7-8, 10-12
  
• Friday, September 6 – 1st Day for all kinders*
  

*Families of kinders should watch for communication from their schools about their start date, which may be earlier than September 6.

New to Bend-La Pine Schools? We can’t wait to meet you! Go to bls.fyi/enrollment2024 to begin your enrollment process.

It’s almost time to set the alarms!

• Elementary: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
  
• Middle: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
  
• High: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
  
• Three Rivers School: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  
• Westside Village: Times to be communicated by the school

Be ready for School Improvement Wednesdays!

Beginning September 11, students will be released 90 minutes early every Wednesday. This is an important time for your child’s teacher to improve student learning and achievement through collaboration, training, enrichment, and professional growth. When teachers have the weekly opportunity to discuss effective teaching methods, cooperatively design teaching materials, and coach one another, our schools make significant improvements.

Schools work with community partners to provide after-school opportunities for families on these days. Please contact your school for more information.

In Bend-La Pine Schools, all of the materials students need for instruction are provided. Families are welcome to provide personal items such as backpacks, water bottles, and headphones.

If your family needs help securing a personal item, reach out to your school’s FAN advocate for support. Not familiar with FAN? Your Family Access Network Advocate is here to assist all families with children, birth through graduation! If you have questions about Wi-Fi connectivity, Oregon Health Plan, food, rent, or utility help, reach out. Their goal is to make sure that your child has everything they need to be ready to learn. Call your school’s main office or go to bls.fyi/fan.

Is your student riding a bus this year? Bus routes will be ready to view soon at bls.fyi/bus. Both new and returning riders need to be registered to ride this year before the first week of school. Please log into your ParentVUE account and use the Online Registration tool to walk you through the registration process.

If you plan on visiting your child's school, don't forget your government-issued photo ID. You may be visiting for a concert, to enjoy lunch with your student, or to participate in an IEP meeting. Whatever the reason, safety procedures remain in place to keep our school community safe. All visitors must sign in at school during regular business hours using our Raptor kiosk, the digital sign-in roster. It is critical to know who is in our schools at all times, and no exceptions can be made in this process.

If you are interested in volunteering at your student’s school, learn more at bls.fyi/volunteer.

Did you hear the scrumptious news? All schools in the District qualify for the federal Community Eligibility Provision program. All students are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. No application is required.

Daily menus including nutritional information and allergens can be found on our website: bls.fyi/menu. Parents/guardians of students with special dietary needs may reach out to their school nurse.

Stay in the loop regarding all important information. Sign up for BLConnect, an emergency alert text messaging system. Register at bls.fyi/blconnect.

Signing up for the text message alerts through BLConnect allows families to hear news and updates directly from Bend-La Pine Schools, rather than from an alternate source. Stay connected!

As September approaches, keep your eye on your mailbox and grab the 2024-25 Family Handbook and Calendar! Along with all the important dates you need throughout the year, it includes all the information listed here and the BLS mission and beliefs, level instruction, safety information, codes of conduct, and so much more!

The Board of Directors for Bend-La Pine Schools will hold its next board meeting on Tuesday, September 10 at 5:30 p.m. 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.