Important Information
Conferences –
Teachers can schedule conferences for any day/time throughout the month of April.
- Recognizing the preparation needed to return all students to full time in person learning and hoping to give our staff as much flexibility as possible, we have scheduled parent conferences to begin as early as Thursday, April 1st, and to be completed by Friday, April 30th. At the HS level we have four hours that staff are expected to engage in conferences. Because of the limited hours available, teachers should prioritize conferences with families of students who are struggling the most and/or with families who, because of language barriers, have had limited interaction with the teacher(s) or school.
Conferences may be scheduled at any time outside of student contact time.
As a reminder, all conferences should be either virtual or over the phone.
- The district has traditionally included evening hours to accommodate families who cannot attend during normal school hours. It is the district’s expectation that staff schedule some conferences in the late afternoon, early evening, and before-school hours to work within families’ schedules. Teachers may adjust their schedules on April 16th or on any of the SIW work times listed above to compensate for after-hours conferences.
*** I would recommend using: myconferencetime.com to schedule your conferences. It’s free for the first 15 days!
Meet La Pine High Principal Candidates April 14
Community members, staff and students are invited to meet the candidates for La Pine High School during a virtual forum April 14 at 4:15 p.m. Participants will be able to learn about the candidates as they present to the community. Viewers will be given an opportunity to share feedback after the forum concludes.
How to join:
Community members interested in participating can join the WebEx event/ video access:
- Join online: https://bls.fyi/lphsforum (Note: If prompted, event number is 120 860 7670 and password is LPHS)
- Phone access: 408-418-9388 Access code: 120 860 7670
Attendees will have audio muted, but will be able to ask questions through the WebEx chat feature.
Those who need accommodations or translation services to participate in the forum, please call Bend-La Pine Schools’ Education Center at 541-355-1001 by 5 p.m. April 12.
State Testing
The United States Department of Education (ED) responded to Oregon’s strategic waiver request on Friday, March 26, 2021. ED did NOT approve Oregon’s request to suspend state testing for 2021. However, there are opportunities regarding what spring 2021 summative assessment expectations will look like in Oregon.
What we know right now:
- State testing (OSAS) is happening but the tests are shorter and not all grade levels are required to take all subjects (for HS only 11th graders are required to test)
- Opt-out procedures are the same as other years – Opt-out forms are below
- Testing window is April 13 – June 11.
- Testing data will be reported publicly but not used for accountability.
Supervision
Here is the supervision schedule for this week. If you need to make any changes to your supervision assignment day/time, please see Kathy Russell.
** It’s important that we have supervision areas covered each day now that we have all our students back.
News
The La Pine Performing Arts Program started rehearsals for The Lion King Jr. after Spring Break. It is the first time in over a year that music and theatre could both rehearse in person since the cancellation of last spring’s musical due to COVID. With limited rehearsal time, restrictions, and a variable of unknowns, the program chose to do a “junior” musical that is shorter but still has many of the fun elements a standard-length musical has! The production has 11 high school students and 4 middle school students participating. Currently, rehearsals are occurring in front of the school to maximize time and space to rehearse in a safe way according to guidelines. While there are added challenges this year with singing and audience restrictions, masks, and six-feet distancing, it is so good to be back singing, dancing, and acting together! The show will premiere in some capacity on May 20 and May 21, but may be seen virtually, outside, or limited inside depending on the current county guidelines on those dates! For now, students are busy working to “be prepared” with their Pride and embracing the “Hakuna Matata” lifestyle that the 2020-2021 school year has taught us!
Instructional Practices
Supporting Secondary Instruction
EdTech Bytes
This edition of the EdTech Bytes newsletter includes:
- 💁♀️ Tip of the Week: Save a screenshot to your clipboard instead of your desktop
- 🏫 Secondary Update: Canvas Plan for All-In Instruction, plus Best Practice for Syncing Canvas Grades
- 📕 Lesson Idea: Exciting news about Book Creator – Staff & Students can now collaborate & share!
- 💡 and WebEx update!
Advisory
First week back, Wednesday, April 14th:
- Team-building activity (see menu)
- Announcements (feel free to use our Family Newsletter)
- Who can leave campus for lunch (10-12th grades)
- Safety measures (see family newsletter)
- Email your teacher if you have questions, need help, credit recovery (we will go over this more on 4/21 in Advisory)
- Grade Level Specific Announcements (see below):
- 9th – Not allowed to leave campus at lunch. Take the opportunity to go outside!
- 10th/11th/12th – you can leave for lunch, but don’t be tardy – “to-go” app. Reminder that you can’t bring drinks inside the building. Also, no food in the classrooms.
- 11th – ACT information: Where: Bend High, When: June 12th, How to sign up: Sign up at https://www.act.org/
- 12th – Check your grades & make sure you’re on track to graduate; Scholarships – where to find & DUE soon; (Don’t forget you have until after May 28th to graduate – walking impact???)
Sped / 504 / LEAD & Equity /HU (historically underserved)
Equity lens:
This time of year brings lots of opportunities to make important decisions. Here is our district Equity Lens. We are using these questions during our district admin Equity PD sessions.
New sign:
On this document, see top of page 2 for a picture of a new sign that we are getting from the district (and why we are getting it). It should be delivered before the end of April! LEAD, Tommy Ochoa, will help our office team find a great spot for it in our front entry. Reach out to Kinsey Martin or Tommy Ochoa if you have questions about any of this info!
Mental Health / SEL
Stress, Trauma, and the Brain, Episode 5 Educator Strategies for the Classroom Research shows that traditional behavioral modification techniques and full reliance on rewards and consequences are often ineffective with the students who need it the most. Dr. Perry lays out several easy-to-implement strategies for teachers and their classrooms, resulting in a significant impact on the overall social, emotional, and academic functioning of the students. The video is 7-minutes long and will change how you think about your students.
Canvas
Safety
Rules that are still in place when we go All-In:
Masks required (no gaiters)
Seating charts required
Bathroom – one at a time from classrooms
Bathroom – sign out/in
No lockers
No vending machines
No food/drink in classrooms (other than personal water bottles)
Cleaning between classes
High Risk / Low Risk Symptom Checker:
As a reminder, please continue to use the symptom checker for students & staff.
Athletics / Activities
We are transitioning quickly to spring sports! HERE are our events this week, including dismissal times.
Calendar Items
April 12 – First Day All-In
April 14 – ASVAB, 9:30 AM
April 14 – Principal Interviews, 8AM – 4PM
April 14 – SIW: Member Directed
April 14 – Meet La Pine High Principal Candidates / Community Forum, 4:15 PM
April 16 – No School / Comp Day for Conferences
April 19 – Fire Drill, 11:30AM (end of 3rd period)