Family Spotlight
Helping families stay connected to Bend-La Pine Schools
College application season has begun!
Bend La Pine Schools’ (BLS) School Counselors would like to invite seniors and their parents/caregivers to a BLS College Application Kickoff Night where students and families can learn more about the admissions process and the resources available in our schools. This event will take place on Thursday, September 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Caldera High School and La Pine High School.
During this BLS College Application Kickoff Night, students and families will hear about the following topics:
- Brief overview of the College Application Process
- Introduction to SchooLinks and the college application manager
- Review BLS School Counseling and STC (school-to-career) resources to support students with college applications
- Connect with School Counselors and STC Professionals from each high school
We look forward to seeing you all there!
The first Supe’s On! podcast of the year is here
With the new school year comes a brand new episode of the Supe’s On! podcast with Dr. Steven Cook. In this episode, our Superintendent sits down with Deputy Superintendent Lisa Birk.
In their discussion, Dr. Cook and Dr. Birk explore the district’s mission of “educating thriving students” and what that looks like in our classrooms. They also address why Bend-La Pine Schools emphasizes thriving teachers and staff as an essential component of helping students to thrive in our schools.
Our theme for this new school year is “You bee-long,” and that means our students and employees should feel they are part of their school community. This episode also touches on some of the questions families have as the 2024-25 school year begins, from student transportation to the expansion of no-cost breakfast and lunch districtwide, as well as how parents and guardians can monitor and support their students’ academic progress, and our stance on student cell phone and personal technology.
Listen to the podcast today:
- Online – bls.fyi/podcast
- Apple Podcasts – bls.fyi/listenonapple
- Spotify – bls.fyi/listenonspotify
Walk + Roll with us!
How do you get to school every day? Walk + Roll to School with us!
✓ Gather a walking group.
✓ Ride your bike.
✓ Scoot on your scooter!
Join in International Walk + Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 9, with support from our friends at Commute Options. K-8 students are encouraged to walk or roll to school. Log your trip at commuteoptions.org/walkroll_day to qualify for prizes. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Shine a light on a staff member, student or community member who goes above and beyond to lift up others and improve our school communities!
Nominate that special person for our Champion for Students Award presented by Superintendent Cook and our Board of Directors. Go to bls.fyi/championforstudents, and share why they should be recognized.
Accidents happen, iPad insurance is here
If your student has a school-issued iPad, cover your family with insurance. Tablets come with covers, but accidents happen. Accidental damage, cracked screens, liquid submersion, fire, flood, theft, and vandalism in and out of school are covered.
Learn more here and don’t sweat it if the tablet hits the ground. (iPad insurance is not needed for grades K-5.)
The window for purchasing insurance online ends Monday, September 30. To purchase insurance after that date, the iPad will need to be inspected by the Media Manager/Tier 1 at your school.
How to report school safety concerns, and sign up for text alerts
Community vigilance and collaboration is one of the best ways to prevent incidents in our schools and to help students who are struggling. Bend-La Pine Schools encourages students, families and community members to feel comfortable sharing if they are informed of or witness unsafe or unhealthy behaviors. If you are told something by a student, observe abnormal behaviors, or see alarming social media posts, please say something.
SafeOregon is a reporting tool that can be used by anyone via phone call or website form to report a student safety concern. Examples of these student safety concerns could include: vandalism, cyberbullying, suicidal ideation, insufficient food or safety concerns at home, or anything that poses a risk to the safety of a student(s) or school facility. Reporters can share their information or remain anonymous.
Bend-La Pine Schools’ staff uses this reported information to coordinate with our law enforcement partners to keep the school community safe. If there is ever information needing to be shared with our students, families, and partners, we will send messages via BLConnect. These are text message alerts in English or Spanish that individuals can subscribe to in order to receive timely updates about school closures, lockdowns, or weather events. Please sign up on our district website here.
Nifty, nifty, look who’s 50!
Break out your party hats. R.E. Jewell Elementary School turns 50!
Since opening the doors in 1974, thousands of students, families, and community members have walked the halls of Jewell. We’re incredibly proud to share in their legacy. And in true Jewell Jaguar fashion, they're opening their doors again with a celebration for the decades.
To all past and present students and staff, the R.E. Jewell of 2024 invites you to join the party on Thursday, September 26, 5-7 p.m. We can’t wait to see you there!
Bond Program Updates
Photo by Dean Guernsey/The Bulletin
School improvements continue following busy summer
Bend-La Pine Schools made major progress on school building upgrades over the summer, and the work will continue through this school year. The safety, maintenance and other facility improvements are funded from a $250 million bond approved by voters in 2022.
BEND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL - Over the summer the contractor demolished the I Hall, D Hall and all but three classrooms of C Hall, and removed the baseball field. Work is beginning on construction of a three-story classroom building, new front entrance, administrative and counseling offices, commons, and outdoor courtyard. This phase of the project will span the next two years. See Image of Phase 1 - 3D overall view.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS - New fire alarm systems are being installed in 18 schools and the Education Center in 2024 and 2025.
CLASSROOM DOOR LOCKS - New door locks are being installed for learning spaces district-wide. This will improve school safety with up-to-date, easy-to-use classroom door locks for an estimated 3,200 doorways.
LA PINE MIDDLE SCHOOL ROOF - The entire roof was replaced.
PAVING AND CONCRETE REPAIRS - Projects completed at Highland Magnet School at Kenwood, Lava Ridge Elementary School, R.E. Jewell Elementary School.
ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS - At La Pine High School/La Pine Middle School, added accessible parking spaces, ramp and path from parking lot to athletic fields, path around bleachers.
AIR CIRCULATION - Fans installed in gymnasiums at High Lakes Elementary School, Pine Ridge Elementary School, North Star Elementary School.
For details on our bond projects, including which schools have new fire alarm systems and door locks, please visit our 2022 Bond information page at bend.k12.or.us/district/news-events/2022-bond
Resources for Families
Student Mental Health
Link to Resource Guide
Family Resources
Link to Resource Guide
Health & Wellness
Link to Resource Guide
School Meals
Link to Resource Guide
Accessing ParentVUE
Link to Resource Guide
Transportation
Link to Resource Guide
Next School Board work session is September 24
The Board of Directors for Bend-La Pine Schools will hold its next board work session on Tuesday, September 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 520 NW Wall Street in Bend. The school board retreat is Wednesday, September 25 at 12:00 p.m. at the Hanai Foundation, 62430 Eagle Road in Bend.
For information about board members, meetings and agendas, please visit our School Board page.
District policy review
Are you curious which district policies and regulations are currently under review? To see proposed changes and give feedback on new language, click here.