Happy Summer, Juneteenth, and Pride Month!
I can’t believe we have come to the end of the school year and the end of my first year here with Bend – La Pine Schools. It has been an eventful year and I appreciate each of you so much. I have felt so much kindness from you all as well as excitement for my new role and the work ahead of us. This year has not been without its challenges, and I know many of us are feeling depleted and ready for summer. I hope that you find moments of joy over the next few months and that you are able to reflect and find respite in the slowness that summer brings. I look forward to partnering with you all on August 30th at Caldera High School for our school counseling professional learning day. Take Care, Jennifer
Support Matters: LGBTQ+ Youth in Our Schools
Did you know nearly 20 percent of middle and high school students in Bend-La Pine Schools identify as LGBTQ? It’s true … and it’s also true that students who identify as LGBTQ+ reported having the most negative experiences out of any demographic group in our schools. So what can we do to change this? On today’s podcast, we are focusing on our LGBTQ+ youth and what life is like for them in our schools. Superintendent Steven Cook is joined by teacher and advisor Mark Koopman and three students who identify as LGBTQ+ to talk about their school experiences, how our schools offer support and ways our community can do better.
Join us for a great discussion about allies, belonging, pride and identity in Bend-La Pine Schools.
Note: Today’s podcast includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, connect with the teen-to-teen crisis and help line Oregon YouthLine at 1877-968-8491 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For additional resources, visit our student mental health webpage.
Student Threat Assessment System Feedback
The Central Oregon Student Threat Assessment Program is looking for feedback regarding their regional STAS program. The feedback will be kept anonymous and aggregated as a collective set of feedback that is used as one tool in the evaluation of the STAS program. Any input is very important. STAS Feedback form
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervision or Consultation Support
In an effort to support counselors in their efforts to become LPC’s, the district has hired Lynne Herbert, LPC to provide ongoing supervision for those in need. In addition, counselors that are not working towards licensure may have the opportunity to receive consultation regarding students. Please complete this form and Lynne will be in touch.
Book Study Community: Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity
Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity couples awareness and action for participants to learn to co-create healthy school and classroom cultures that honor dignity and nurture belonging through three structures: interpersonal, institutional, and instructional.
The book study will begin in September and will include 5 virtual sessions. Participants will learn how to shift mindsets and develop an understanding of what it takes to address educational disparities by creating the conditions that will help all students and staff members thrive. More information and registration link.
Summer FAN Advocate
The school FAN offices are closed in the summer, but advocate Perla Ruiz will be providing coverage for our families. All the FAN Advocates will have Perla’s contact information on their voicemail and auto email replies. Advocates refer any families of concern to Perla in June so she can connect and provide support over the summer. Perla does not have access to funds, but she will work with families on resources and referrals for food, clothing, dental, vision, medical/OHP, utilities, and housing support needs. Perla’s contact information: [email protected], phone 541-355-5683 and text 408-758-0472
Student Success Resources
Great resources for students and families. The Drop – A safe place for student to “just be” – and Summer FAN Advocates.
Free Summer Meals
Free summer meals will be available for kids 18 years and younger at the following locations: Boys & Girls Club Downtown (6/27-8/26), Ensworth Elementary (6/21-8/19), La Pine Elementary (6/21-8/19), Larkspur Park (6/21-8/19), and Silver Rail Elementary (6/21-8/19). Meals must be eaten on site, no grab and go or parent pick up. English flyer / Spanish flyer
2022-23 Changes to School Meals
All waivers extended during the pandemic emergency will end on the last day of the 2021-2022 school year. In 2022-23, school meals will be paid, free, or reduced price. Applications for free or reduced price meals are to be completed after Aug 1st. Students attending community eligibility provision (CEP) schools do not need to apply. The CEP schools for 2022-2023 are: Bear Creek Elementary, Ensworth Elementary, Pilot Butte Middle, Bend Tech Academy at Marshall High, Three Rivers, La Pine Elementary, La Pine Middle, La Pine High, and Rosland Elementary.
More people may qualify for the meals program due to the Student Success Act. The State of Oregon supports students who do not qualify for free and reduced meal benefits using federal income guidelines. It provides meal benefits to households with incomes above 185% but not exceeding 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. This means that a family of 4 with an annual income of $79,500 could qualify for meals at no cost. Families are encouraged to apply if they think they may qualify.
The Kids are Not All Right
Teenagers are experiencing the highest rates of hopelessness ever recorded. Local programs have been helpful, but barriers to mental health care remain. Read the full article in The Source Weekly.
GED Testing
We will continue GED test support/testing at our schools next year through our OSSM’s. Students will have the option to take only the subject area test(s) they need for credit versus taking the entire battery of tests. Students must be 16 and at least a year behind (7.5) in credits. This is NOT a speed boat option, but rather a life boat plan to be used in rare circumstances. Approval should be given by the principal and the student’s counselor. The expectation continues to be to serve GED students at our home schools and NOT to refer them to COIC unless there are extenuating circumstances. Amy Tarnow is our lead for GED, so please reach out to her with questions.
Summer Challenge Idea For Kids
From The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation: A fun challenge for kids to help keep them active, on task and away from technology so they can experience all the wonderful things summer has to offer! Download the 2022 Summer Challenge and get started right away!
New report from the Oregon Health Authority – Public Health Division
Increasing extreme weather events and climate-related disasters, climate stressors such as water and food insecurity, slow progress from leaders and increased awareness of the negative impacts of climate change are leading to feelings of hopelessness, despair, anxiety and frustration among young people, an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) report has found.
The report, Climate Change and Youth Mental Health in Oregon, also found that youth feel dismissed by adults and older generations in society, and are angry that not enough is being done to protect their future. They recognize that vulnerability to climate change is closely linked with systemic racism and structural oppression, and that both need to be simultaneously addressed.
Opportunities include:
Sharing power with youth in decision-making about climate and mental health policy and solutions to increase youth’s sense of hope, belonging and agency.
Educating themselves about the connection between climate change and youth mental health including healing centered approaches to engage with youth.
Increasing investments in school and community mental health services. These investments are needed to meet increasing demands to support youth, family, and community well-being.