May Day (May 1st) celebrates the labor movement and workers’ rights, and is often recognized internationally with protests and rallies. This year, a national “Day Without Immigrants” is also being planned on the same date.
Locally, there are some community groups organizing strikes and community action on May 1st. They are hoping our educators and students will participate in their May Day Strike, and have asked the district to support by facilitating student/staff absences and allowing teams of community volunteers to do service projects on our campuses as a form of the protest on that day.
As you know, our neutrality here is important. If you get similar requests for your school to engage in this effort, here are a few tools:
Our response to their request—feel free to borrow any of this language;
We use the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Guidance for School Outdoor Activities to help support our decision on bringing outdoor activities inside (recess/PE).
Please only use the Watch Duty or EPA Fire and Smoke Mapmobile apps or websites to determine the AQI readings closest to your school, as these AQI sites have been vetted and approved by the district for consistency in AQI readings.
As school administrators you have the discretion to choose to bring students in at any time during normal outdoor activities. The OHA and district guidance suggests taking the following actions at these AQI levels:
AQI levels 101 – 150 – administrators discretion to move activities inside – “OK” to be outside but consider alternative indoor activities for students with sensitivity to air pollution.
AQI levels 151 – 200 – strongly consider moving students indoors – still administrators’ discretion
AQI levels 201 & above – move all activities indoors
* As school administrators you always have the discretion to bring students indoors at any point that the AQI is below 200.
Please reach out to the safety team or your level leader for questions on smoke concerns at your school.
There are only 8 Monday’s left in this school year. (excluding Memorial Day)
POLICY AND ADVOCACY
From Kinsey Martin
Day of Silence
2026’s Day of Silence is Friday, April 10. You will likely have students observing this day. Students have the right to express themselves (including through silence, in this case) as long as it is done in an orderly and non-disruptive manner—see related policy. Thank you for accommodating your participating students by:
1. Planning nonverbal or written options for class participation that day
2. Letting substitutes know to be prepared to accommodate students as well
3. Learning about the day and its significance to your students
4. Promptly interrupting and reporting any harassment or bias incidents
SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER INFO
Bend High School-Based Health Center Relocation Information
Stress is the natural reaction your body has when changes or challenges occur. It can result in many different physical, emotional and behavioral responses. Everyone experiences stress from time to time. You can’t avoid it. ~ The Cleveland Clinic
Stress Awareness Month is a timely reminder that: CARING FOR YOURSELF IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS CARING FOR OTHERS.
As school nurses, you show up each day ready to support students’ physical and emotional needs—often putting your own well-being on the back burner. The pace is fast, the needs are real, and the expectations are high. It’s meaningful work, but it can also be heavy.
This month, you are challenged to take a few intentional moments to check in with yourself. Whether it’s stepping away for a quick walk, taking a few deep breaths between students, connecting with a colleague, or simply acknowledging a challenging day—SMALL ACTS OF SELF-CARE MATTER.
Remember, supporting your own well-being strengthens your ability to continue supporting the students and communities who rely on you. You are doing important work, and taking care of yourself is part of that work.
CAMP TAMARACK MEDICATIONS
Reminder for elementary nurses:
For non-prescription medication that is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (melatonin, vitamins, supplements), a written order from the student’s prescriber must be provided that includes the name of the student, medication, dosage, method of administration, frequency of administration, a statement that the medication must be administered while the student is at camp, any other special instructions, and the signature of the prescriber.
COMMUNICATION CHANGE
Due to increasing security concerns, text messaging is no longer an approved method of communication for BLS employees. Until a secure alternative is identified, fax machines will be used as a temporary communication method. Please click here for more information on proper fax machine etiquette.
EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
Randall Children’s Educational Offerings, Updates, and Grand Rounds
As we enter wildfire season, it is the district’s responsibility to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and facilities. We will take both proactive and responsive actions when wildfires impact school grounds and operations.
At the district level, our Communications team will provide timely updates when wildfires impact school operations, including modifications to outdoor activities, changes to the school day, or other operational adjustments. Our goal is to ensure clear, consistent communication so that students, staff, and families can respond appropriately to changing wildfire conditions.
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For staff, it is equally important to have a personal preparedness plan in place. We strongly encourage all staff to sign up for emergency alerts through Deschutes County and/or download the Watch Duty app, enabling notifications for areas surrounding your home. These tools provide early warnings, including “Be Ready” (Level 1) and “Be Set” (Level 2) notices, which are critical for preparation.
If a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation is issued for your neighborhood during the workday, you should communicate directly with your supervisor or administrator. We are committed to supporting staff in these situations. As long as student safety and supervision are maintained, we will arrange coverage so you can return home as soon as possible. You may record leave on your timesheet in accordance with district procedures.
*Videos to be viewed before class. Skills demo is 1-2 hours.
Call Angelina with any questions.
SLEEP AWARENESS
Did you know that it it Sleep Awareness Week???
Did you know that according to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly half of U.S. children (44%) do not consistently get the recommended amount of sleep for their age?
Parents underestimate children’s sleep needs often by more than an hour per day.
A good night’s sleep can improve a child’s behavior and mood.
Consistency is key. Encourage parents to establish a consistent, calming 15-20 minute bedtime routine (e.g., bath, reading) at the same time every night, including weekends. Ensure that the bedroom is dark, quiet and cool (65-70°F). Limit blue-light screens at least one hour before bed, avoid caffeine, and encourage self-soothing. ~ Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Please bring any questions you have to the nurse meeting on 2/25/26.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Immunization Exclusion Day 2026
Wednesday, February 25th
Deschutes County Health Services Immunization Hours on Exclusion Day.
**In order to be available to parents seeking same day immunization of their children’s missing vaccines, we will allow walk-in/same day appointments, along with our regularly scheduled day’s appointments. We are not widely advertising this, though it will be shown on DCHS’s Immunization Calendar.
REDMOND: 236 NW Kingwood Ave., Redmond, OR 97756
9a-12p & 1p-4p
BEND: 2577 NE Courtney Dr., Bend, OR 97701
9a-12p & 1p-4p
2/26/2025 (Thursday): BEND: Courtney Open (By appointment only)
Need to get your teens out of the house (and off their phones)? The Boys and Girls Club of Bend is now offering FREE memberships to teens (ages 13-18) who are still in school. The club offers teen-only hours M-F from 5:30-7:30 PM where they can enjoy the open gym, jam on stage, or play a game of air hockey, foosball, or bumper pool.
EPI-PEN TRAINING
Did you know…..
An Epi-Pen Training Safety Checklist must be completed for each Epi-Pen training. Why? Many years ago, we had 2 staff inject themselves with live Epi-Pens during a training. We need to make sure that the trainers we use are in fact, trainers. Expired Epi-Pens should not be used during trainings (even if just demonstrated by the nurse). *Nurses keep this copy in their office for 2 years then shred.
FLU
COPA is seeing large amounts of severe FLU right now. They are seeing lots of hospitalizations and severe complications. COPA is changing their guidelines and recommending Tamiflu for all patients with the flu if they can get it in the first 72 hours of symptom onset. Please encourage patients to see their provider asap if they or their children think they have the flu.
Regular staff nurses: We are looking to send 2 (possibly 3) nurses to this conference if you are willing to carpool and share a room. Please let Tami know if you are interested. Priority will be given to nurses who are involved in the conference planning process and/or to those who haven’t been to a conference recently.
SRO
SRO Appreciation Week – week of February 17th.
STAFF LISTS
Ever wonder: Who is the OT at Bear Creek? Who is the SLP at MVHS? Who is the Family Liaison at Caldera HS? Who is the elementary school psychologist at Ponderosa?
Regular staff nurses: We are looking to send 2 (possibly 3) nurses to this conference if you are willing to carpool and share a room. Please let Tami know if you are interested. Priority will be given to nurses who are involved in the conference planning process and/or to those who haven’t been to a conference recently.
TIME SHEETS AND LEAVE RECORD REMINDERS
Time Sheets – These are used to document your time worked (or extra time worked beyond your FTE). Please do not write your time in and time out but rather just the total time worked. Feel free to include the school you worked out on that day as well.
Leave Records – Leave records are used to record any sick time, FMLA, or personal days. For FMLA, write the number of hours in the “other” column and write “FMLA” in the notes/comments column.
