Family Spotlight

Students not permitted to use their cell phones in class

In Bend-La Pine Schools, we believe the best way for students to engage in their learning is to limit distractions in the classroom. Restricting access to phones and personal electronics during the school day helps students focus on learning, engage with teachers and peers, and develop skills and habits for life beyond school.

Please be sure your student is aware of the following expectations for phones and other personal electronic devices:

High School

Students will silence their phones and place them in a classroom phone caddy at the beginning of each class period. Phones are to remain in the caddy until the class period is over. Students also must refrain from wearing or using wireless earbuds during class time. Students may use their phones and other devices during lunch and breaks between classes.

Middle School

Students are not permitted to have phones or wireless earbuds during the school day. Phones and other personal devices are to be turned off and stored in students’ lockers for the entire school day, from the morning bell to end-of-day dismissal.

Elementary School

Students are not permitted to have phones or wireless earbuds during the school day. Phones and other personal devices are to be turned off and stored in their backpacks for the entire school day, from the morning bell to end-of-day dismissal.

Smartwatches

Many students wear watches that can access apps on their phone. Students are not permitted to use a smartwatch to access mobile apps or the Internet, or to send and receive messages (text or call) during class periods. Elementary and middle school students are not permitted to use smartwatches for those purposes anytime during the school day.

Violations

Students who violate these rules are subject to disciplinary action, including surrendering their phone or device to the school office until the end of the day. After repeated violations, a student’s phone or device will be held until a parent or guardian picks it up at the office.

We recognize that it can be challenging to manage personal device expectations throughout the school year. We are committed to working with students, families, teachers and administrators to meet these expectations and provide the best learning environment we can.

As always, please call your school office if you have an urgent need to contact your student.

The weather may be cooling but we are still experiencing smoke from regional wildfires. The resulting air quality can affect outdoor activities for students, from sports practices to P.E. classes and recess. We monitor the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Index when smoke is present in the Bend, La Pine and Sunriver areas. If the air outside is listed as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy or Very Unhealthy/Hazardous, school administrators will take action.

We follow the Air Quality Guidelines of the Oregon School Activities Association to determine when outdoor activities should be canceled or moved indoors. Athletic and activities directors, coaches and support staff will communicate with families of students participating in OSAA regarding these health guidelines. Coaches will notify families if changes are made to games or practice times and schedules.

In addition, windows and doors in schools will remain closed and air handlers, with MERV-13 (medical grade) filters, will operate during notable smoke events.

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.

If you are already signed up, take a moment to confirm your text alert settings are selected for 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. Log in and click “Manage my subscriptions” at the top of the page to make updates.

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

Whether your student travels to and from school on a bike, scooter, on foot, or by school bus or car, safety is a primary concern. That begins with all of us doing our part.

Students and families may experience some congestion and confusion outside schools in the first days of school. It will get better! Here’s how DRIVERS can help:

• Slow down and watch for students making their way to buses, walking or rolling to school, and crossing streets and parking areas.

• If you are dropping off or picking up your student at school, please plan for some extra time and be patient with the line.

STUDENTS & FAMILIES, here’s what we’d like you to know about getting to school:

SAFE ROUTES: We have fun, safe and convenient walking/biking routes to many of our schools. See all 19 Safe Routes for Bend-La Pine Schools at commuteoptions.org/safe-routes-to-school

ABOUT E-BIKES: Students 16 and older legally may operate e-bikes in Oregon. Anyone under 16 may not, according to state law. The District rule prohibits e-bikes and e-scooters for students under age 16.

ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET if using a bike, scooter, skateboard or other wheeled device.

WATCH YOUR SPEED! The start of school brings more traffic around our schools and along key routes. Please slow down in high-traffic areas and around pedestrians.

DISMOUNT AND WALK your bike, scooter or skateboard when on school property. We ask that you not ride on school grounds, before or after school.

Electric bikes and e-scooters are prohibited on Bend-La Pine Schools property for persons under age 16. This district rule, in effect since last spring, is consistent with Oregon law stating e-bikes and e-scooters are illegal to operate for anyone younger than 16.

School administrators will contact students and parents/guardians about instances of violations of this rule.

1. For a first offense, the student and parent/guardian will be notified and reminded of the rule. We will ask the parent/guardian their wishes for arranging the student’s transportation home that day.

2. For a second offense, the student and parent/guardian will be notified, and the e-bike or e-scooter will be held at the school for the parent/guardian to pick up.

3. For subsequent offenses, the student and parent/guardian will be notified, the e-bike or e-scooter will be held at the school for the parent/guardian to pick up, and the parent/guardian will be asked to meet at school with an administrator and/or School Resource Officer.

4. Students who continue to violate this rule shall face additional consequences.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we emphasize student and public safety. We encourage families to seek alternative, safe and legal transportation options to and from our schools.

This school year, Bend-La Pine Schools has a new Student Code of Conduct Handbook available for families and staff use. This is a common document for responding to concerns about student conduct in any school. It is part of a proactive approach to addressing student behavior and ensuring safety and consistency in school communities.

The Student Code of Conduct replaces an existing patchwork of similar documents that have been in use in the district. It was developed at the recommendation and review of the district’s Climate and Culture Task Force and directly responds to concerns from staff about inconsistencies in responses when student behavior issues arise among educators and administrators.

The Student Code of Conduct provides clarity, transparency and accountability:

• It establishes a shared understanding among students, families, and school staff about what to expect when student conduct concerns occur.
  
• It consolidates relevant policies and district practices regarding behavior, conduct, and responses, including infraction levels, how investigations occur, and the roles of staff.
  
• It establishes what happens and who does what when student behavior issues occur.
  
• It establishes the responsibilities of staff and administrators to document incidents and responses.
  
• It outlines a consistent approach and response to student conduct across all school sites.
  

Visit our website at the following link for the full Student Code of Conduct Handbook: Bls.fyi/codeofconduct

Safe schools are fundamental to the success of students in Bend-La Pine Schools. Our District Safety Team takes a comprehensive approach to safety hazards that is modeled on the five phases of emergency management: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Systems and programs are in place to create an environment where students, families, and staff feel physically and psychologically safe. Throughout the year our team will highlight these safety programs and systems, along with emerging safety trends, to show how we are working to keep students safe.

Drills are an example of safety preparedness that families can expect to see starting in the first few weeks of the school year. Bend-La Pine Schools participates in the I Love U Guys Foundation, a research-based crisis response program, to train staff and students on how to respond to varying levels of emergencies. Our district works to comply with the state-mandated training requirements while ensuring students and staff feel safe and empowered to make decisions.

Bend-La Pine Schools views safety as a shared responsibility between our District Safety Team, staff members, families, and community partners. One of the most vital community partnerships is our School Resource Officer Program with the Bend Police Department and Deschutes County Sherriff’s Department. Please do not hesitate to say hello and meet our wonderful team of officers. We encourage open dialogue with families who have safety concerns or are looking for information on our district safety measures.

We look forward to a wonderful year continuing to build an environment where all students feel safe and can achieve their goals!

Three Oregon counties are having measles outbreaks right now. The viral disease is one of the world’s most contagious. If a case is confirmed in a school, staff and student vaccination records will be reviewed to determine the risk of further spread.

While keeping children in school is a priority, the risk of harm from this serious disease takes precedence. An unvaccinated child who is exposed to measles will not be allowed to attend school during the period when they could become sick, which is usually 21 days after exposure. This exclusion may be extended if there are more measles cases.

Now is the best time for families to review their children’s vaccine records and get their vaccines up to date. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing measles. One dose is 93 percent effective. First doses are given between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose is given between ages 4 and 6 years.

Keep your family healthy this school year. Learn about measles, its symptoms, and more here.

Our annual Family Handbook & Calendar is in the mail to families of all enrolled students. Keep an eye out for this essential resource noting key dates now through next August.

In addition to the 12-month calendar, it also serves as an information-packed handbook for families, including:

• Enrollment, attendance and absences

• School schedules, including holidays and breaks

• Safety and emergency protocols

• Student athletics and activities

• Volunteering and district news

• Support for family

• Student rights and responsibilities

• Positive school environment

Additional copies of the 2024-25 Family Handbook & Calendar, in English and Spanish, will be available through our schools and The Education Center, 520 NW Wall Street, for any households that do not receive a copy in the mail.

In Honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance will be supporting many events to promote connection and healing in the community. Please visit www.preventsuicideco.org or email bethany.kuschel@deschutes.org for more information about these events.

Did you miss our first Family Spotlight of the school year? The newsletter includes all of your back-to-school basics. From enrollment information to school supply news to the bell schedule, the August 15 Family Spotlight will get you ready.

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.