Bronco Notes

Classified Appreciation Week- Next week is the official ‘Classified Appreciation Week’. We will celebrate all staff during teacher appreciation week in May, but wanted to take this time to single out our outstanding classified staff here at Buckingham. They are the glue and we could NOT operate without them. Thank you to all of our classified staff for everything they do, but more importantly, thanks to this particular group for doing all they do with a positive, optimistic, glass half full attitude. It is noticed and appreciated.

Conferences- Conferences will be held on Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13. There is no school April 12-14. April 12 from 7:30-3:30 is teacher prep time. April 5 SIW is conference prep time. Please refer to the conference guidelines and timeline for important dates/ actions. The ICCL team has reviewed the dates/ actions for accuracy. Please let us know if you do see a conflict. As you will see by reading the guidelines, Rebecca will be working on scheduling interpreters for conferences. The below interpreter info is for when needed outside of conference time.

ELPA Testing Week– From Rebecca- March 6-10- It’s time for our annual administration of the ELPA. ELL groups will be canceled for the week to accommodate the testing sessions. Rebecca Morales will connect with teachers of ELL students about the testing schedule. Please keep your students in class and wait for them to be picked up for their test. 

March Character Trait- March’s character trait is fairness. We will have a character trait assembly on March 23, time TBA. Please submit your February ‘self control’ award recipients on the google doc if you haven’t already. March fairness award winners should be on the google doc by March 17.

April 5 SIW- The April 5 SIW is set aside for your work time to prepare for conferences. ICCL’s suggested that this might be a good time to remind your families of their conference time since they will have received it before spring break.

From Tami Pike re: Notifying Nurses of Field Trips – There have been instances this school year where nurses have not been notified of field trips in a reasonable amount of time. Currently, nurses should be notified at least 2 weeks in advance of a field trip to allow time to ensure that staff are appropriately trained in medication administration in both scheduled and emergent situations. Additionally, this time will also permit the nurse to make certain that medications are labeled and secure, and to identify any student health conditions.

It seems as though this is something that we remind teachers about every year. And yet, there continues to be instances where the school nurse is either notified on the day of the field trip or not notified at all. This is a big safety concern. 

From Dan Dummit – check out this document for information on common safety violations found in classrooms and what the Fire Marshal looks for during inspections.  There is a new Fire Marshall  at some of your buildings and we need to be on point with following these guidelines.  

Interpreters from our liason, Carolina- To request an interpreter, you need to use LinguistLink, this link you will provide instructions on how to set it up.

This link will provide training on how to use LinguistLink.

If you have an immediate phone call need, use the option “Immediate OnDemand interpreter services.” ​​​​ Download and fill out the form. The district does get a charge per minute for this service, but please use as needed.  

When to use an interpreter:

• Phone calls home about grades, positive messages, behavior, etc. 
• In-person or Webex meetings 
• Conferences 
• Anytime you need to speak to a parent that speaks another language 

When to use translation: 

• Anytime you need to send a communication to a parent this includes email, letters, evaluations, etc. 

Schools and families connect with the Spanish Speaking Liaison,  for various reasons. Here are a few: 

• Help parents and students navigate and understand the school system ​to connect and bridge the gap.  
• Acquire background knowledge on a student. In a lot of cases, I can help with some background information. 
• Bridge cultural understandings and assumptions:  For example, Depression is not viewed the same way in other countries. Liaisons can help parents navigate and understand with a culturally sensitive approach. 
• Assist by interpreting when there is a sensitive manner.  
• Advocate for families. 
• Working in the Family Engagement.

Upcoming Events

March 6- Staff Meeting- 2:30- library

March 8- SIW- Teacher Prep

March 9- 2nd Grade MTSS

March 9- Conference slips home

March 10- Fire Drill- 12:55

March 14- Sibling conference scheduling- 2:30- library

March 15- SIW- Erin’s Law Prep

March 16- 1st Grade MTSS

March 20- Staff Meeting- 2:30- library

March 20- Send home conference times

March 22- SIW- Writing PLC

March 23- Character Ed Assembly- Time TBD

March 23- Kindergarten MTSS

March 27-31- Spring Break- No School

April 5- SIW- Teacher work time

April 12 & 13- Conferences

April 14- No School

Thanks- Thanks to Sarah and the PTA for all of their work preparing for Bingo night. It is a huge undertaking and we appreciate all of their efforts.

Cyber Security- If you are not done with your cyber security training, please do so asap.

Conferences- We will be sending out our conference guidelines as well as timeline for notifications and scheduling in our notes next week.

Erin’s Law- We have been informed that Erin’s law instruction will need to be delivered in April. We are not to use Safe Touch. We will be using the Barbara Sanatra lessons. Do not start. We will provide a time at a staff meeting in March to review curriculum and work on a schedule with your grade level.

UKG Update

• Our Time and Leave Team continues to work on backend issues that are causing some leave accruals to be inaccurate.  This issue is actively being addressed and won’t cease until the data displayed within UKG matches our paper payroll records.
• Employees are instructed to only access UKG by signing into our internal UKG link with their BLS username and password.  Staff who attempt to login via the external BLS jobs link will be locked out of UKG.  To be unlocked, staff will need to submit a request through the IT Web Help Desk. BLS employees are to follow these instructions when applying for other BLS openings.
• We are in the process of updating the time-off choices with Frontline Absence Management/Aesop to match the choices within UKG.  Next week, we will provide a cheat sheet to assist staff in selecting the correct drop-down option.

Upcoming Events

March 1- SIW- Science PLC

March 2- 3rd Grade MTSS

March 6- Staff Meeting- 2:30- library

March 8- SIW- Teacher Prep

March 9- 2nd Grade MTSS

March 10- Fire Drill- 12:55

March 15- SIW- Reading Curriculum Update

March 16- 1st Grade MTSS

March 20- Staff Meeting- 2:30- library

March 22- SIW- Writing PLC

March 23- Character Ed Assembly- Time TBD

March 23- Kindergarten MTSS

March 27-31- Spring Break- No School

SIW- We are flipping the next two SIW activities. Both will be PLC’s, but we will do reading on February 22 and Science on March 1. For our reading PLC on Wednesday, February 22, we will begin in the library. We will have multiple sources of reading data (Dibels, lexia, playground) ready for your review and Marci will do a quick tutorial on delving into each before we excuse you to work with your teams. While you are working, we will have a set of questions the district has provided to help guide you through the data. We are asking that you submit your responses to the questions to Jon by Friday, March 10. You will have the majority of time on 2/22 to complete the activity, but if you need more time you have until 3/10 to turn it in.

Bingo Night- Bingo night is one week away. All are invited to help set up, tear down, attend or contribute in any way. We will be putting up as many tables as we can in the gym as well as moving in additional chairs. The end of the night is quite a clean up as well. Many hands make light work. Other Bingo nights we’ve been a part of have been extremely popular and we are expecting a full house.

KnowB4 cyber-security training– Please complete this training if you haven’t already.

IT wants to remind all staff that there is a very effective “phishing Reporting Tool” built into our email system.  If you suspect an email message addressed to you is a scam or in  anyway “phishy”, it is 100% okay to report the message using this tool.  Use it as much as you want!  Getting to the phishing tool can look a little different depending on the email client that you use.  Just know that you can always find it in the “meatball” menu (…) that is clearly visible near the top of your email tool bar.  

Finally, please try to resist the temptation of sending potentially fraudulent emails to our technology staff.  Forwarding these messages can have a multiplier effect on the reach of the scam.

State Testing- We are getting to that time of year when we start thinking about state testing for grades 3-5. That means anyone involved in testing will need to complete test security training. We will be announcing very soon a date to go over the training requirements, scheduling, accommodations and the like. A link to the opt out forms has been sent in this week’s newsletter. Some students have legitimate reasons for opting out of the tests, but by and large, we want our students participating if they are able. We should not be promoting opt outs. If a parent wants to opt out, they can access the form online.

Pilot Butte Band- The Pilot Butte band will be here next Thursday from 10:20-11:00 for an assembly to be attended by grades 3-5. We did not have a choice regarding the time as they are doing a tour around multiple schools. Because they will be ending late, we will be pushing back lunch times on that day. The following is the schedule for lunch/ recess next Thursday.

K, 2 and 3- Lunch 11:10-11:30/ Recess 11:30-11:50

1, 4 and 5- Lunch 11:40-12:00/ Recess 12:00-12:20

Yearbook Photos- If you have any more pictures to upload for the yearbook, please do so asap. Becky will be needing to submit for publishing in the near future and some folks still need to upload photos. Thanks to all who have already completed this.

Upcoming Events

February 20- Presidents’ Day- No School

February 22- SIW- Reading PLC- Library

February 23- Pilot Butte Band Assembly- 3rd through 5th grades

February 23- 4th Grade MTSS

February 24- Bingo Night

March 1- SIW- Science PLC

March 2- 3rd Grade MTSS

March 6- Staff Meeting- 2:30- library

March 8- SIW- Teacher Prep

March 9- 2nd Grade MTSS

March 10- Fire Drill- 12:55

March 15- SIW- Reading Curriculum Update

March 16- 1st Grade MTSS

March 20- Staff Meeting- 2:30- library

March 22- SIW- Writing PLC

March 23- Character Ed Assembly- Time TBD

March 23- Kindergarten MTSS

March 27-31- Spring Break- No School

Self Evaluations- We will soon release your self-evaluations on Talent Ed. The deadline will be May 1, 2023. We know that is a long time from now, but we wanted you to be able to put a lot of thought into it. The standards are excellent reminders of what good teaching looks like. Review and reflect on how you are doing in each of the areas. Again, you don’t need to complete it yet, but use it as a tool to improve and get it completed by May 1.

You will need to log into your Talent Ed account to access. You may need to reset your account for a new year. Let us know if you have any questions.

2023 KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training – Please complete the security awareness training by February 28th. If you have any questions, please contact Ted, or call the help desk at extension 1200.

ESOL Endorsement Opportunity- Reach out to Kinsey if you get questions:

Certified teachers: Interested in getting your ESOL endorsement for free?  

Bend-La Pine Schools has a partnership with OSU to cover all tuition and costs associated with ESOL certification.  Our goal is to increase the number of classroom teachers who are highly-trained in supporting culturally- and linguistically-diverse learners and families.  We have had several cohorts of teachers selected for this opportunity in prior years, who have earned their ESOL endorsement with no cost, moved over on the pay scale, and are better equipped to serve our students and families!

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, you must applyby April 3.  Additional details here.  

From Instructional Tech – Our instructional technology team is partnering with the Central Oregon STEM Hub to offer a Computer Science SIW on the Educator Network Day next week. This session will provide hands-on stations to learn more about the loanable equipment available, including Ozobots, Spheros, and Bee-Bots. The team would love to see as many schools represented as possible. If you are interested, you can sign-up here or in Performance Matters. Reach out to Tracy Howk or Robbie Faith with questions.

February 15 Educator Network Day- Educator network day From Julie W. – Educator Network Day is just around the corner on February 15th from 2:00-3:15.  Classroom Teachers will be able to choose which session they would like to attend.  We will have 15+ choices available.  Teachers will be notified of the options in the TLC blog on February 1st. Please take some time on Thursday or Friday to review the offerings and sign up for a choice.  This will allow the presenters to know how many to plan for in each session. 

Staff Appreciation Breakfast- Staff appreciation breakfasts are back this year. Admin from the ed center will be here on Tuesday morning, February 14, at 7:00 AM to cook omelettes, waffles and pancakes. We’ll hope that it is above 20 degrees so that you don’t have to be in rooms by 7:20.

UKG Live- UKG goes live on Monday.

Upcoming Events

February 14- Staff Appreciation Breakfast- 7:00 AM- library

February 15- SIW- Educator Network Day

February 16- Fire Drill- 9:25

February 16- 5th Grade MTSS

February 20- Presidents’ Day- No School

February 23- 4th Grade MTSS

February 24- Bingo Night

Thank You- Thanks to all of you who stepped up to lend a hand (or mop) at lunch on Wednesday. It made things much easier for Kevin and me.

Report Cards- Helpful information for report card completion this week:

• Please complete your report cards by next Friday, February 3. The district will be closing them and switching to second semester on Sunday.
• Print report cards and put in labeled envelope. Office will provide you with the labeled envelopes.
• Send report cards home with students on Thursday, February 9
• There is a 2500 character limit in the comments. Returns = 150 characters.
• Link to helpful hints from IT

Staff Meeting- We will have our first February staff meeting on Monday, February 6, at 2:30 in the library.

February 15 Educator Network Day- Educator network day From Julie W. – Educator Network Day is just around the corner on February 15th from 2:00-3:15.  Classroom Teachers will be able to choose which session they would like to attend.  We will have 15+ choices available.  Teachers will be notified of the options in the TLC blog on February 1st. Please take some time on Thursday or Friday to review the offerings and sign up for a choice.  This will allow the presenters to know how many to plan for in each session. 

STEM Club- Thank you to those who have been able to sign up to run a STEM club meeting beginning in April. There may still be a few spots if you are able/willing.

Fire Drill- We are changing the fire drill from February 14 to February 16 at the same time, 9:25. Apparently, there is a lot happening on February 14. Something about a holiday. It’s the second thing I’ve tried to schedule on this day. 🤷🏻‍♂️ This would be the time you have empathy for my wife and realize what she has put up with for 25+ years.

Sunrise- 7:20

Sunset- 5:16

Days are getting longer! 🌞

Upcoming Events

February 6- Staff Meeting- 2:30- Library

February 8- SIW STEM- NGSS Training

February 9- Kindergarten MTSS

February 9- Send report cards home

February 15- SIW- Educator Network Day

February 16- Fire Drill- 9:25

February 16- 5th Grade MTSS

February 20- Presidents’ Day- No School

February 23- 4th Grade MTSS

February 24- Bingo Night

Report Cards- Helpful information for report card completion next week:

• Please complete your report cards by next Friday, February 3. The district will be closing them and switching to second semester on Sunday.
• Print report cards and put in labeled envelope. Office will provide you with the labeled envelopes.
• Send report cards home with students on Thursday, February 9
• There is a 2500 character limit in the comments. Returns = 150 characters.
• Link to helpful hints from IT

February 2- Next Thursday is our PD day. The second half of the day (and all day Friday) is reserved for your work time. Thursday morning is reserved for building level PD. We won’t be meeting as a whole staff. The following are things you can work on during the morning.

Online curriculum trainings

Cyber Security- Mandatory- You will be receiving a link from the district on or before Thursday. The training is mandatory and will take approximately 30 minutes.

UKG- Use this time to catch up on any UKG training.

STEM- This is a great time for your grade level team review your PLTW materials and work on a unit plan and putting it on the yearlong science unit plan.

February 15 Educator Network Day- Educator network day From Julie W. – Educator Network Day is just around the corner on February 15th from 2:00-3:15.  Classroom Teachers will be able to choose which session they would like to attend.  We will have 15+ choices available.  Teachers will be notified of the options in the TLC blog on February 1st. Please take some time on Thursday or Friday to review the offerings and sign up for a choice.  This will allow the presenters to know how many to plan for in each session. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion- Please see this list of events and opportunities from our Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

PLC’s- As we mentioned at our staff meeting, we feel as if we are starting to get momentum back and make up some of the lost ground of the last two years. One of the reasons we believe this is happening is due to our focus on PLC’s. As a reminder, your grade level should be conducting PLC’s at least two times per month with a focus on the 4 PLC questions (do we really need to repeat them?) and notes in the monthly planner. Thank you for all of your work focusing on standards, assessment, intervention and enrichment (yep, snuck in the four questions). It is making a difference.

Upcoming Events

February 1- SIW- Teacher Prep

February 2- No School- AM inservice/ PM work time

February 3- No School- Work day

February 8- SIW STEM- NGSS Training

February 9- Kindergarten MTSS

February 9- Send report cards home

February 14- Fire Drill- 9:25

February 15- SIW- Educator Network Day

February 20- Presidents’ Day- No School

February 24- Bingo Night

Staff Meeting- We will have a staff meeting on Monday, January 23. This is not the first or third Monday, but due to the holidays on both the first and third Mondays, we need to have one on the 23rd. 2:30 in the library.

Bingo Night- This will be here before we know it. Please put your class name by the basket that you would like your class to put together for Bingo Night on this Bingo night sign up sheet. If someone has already taken the theme you are dying to do, we can do more than one basket with the same theme (as long as they’re not all the same). If you have an idea that is not on the list, go for it. You are not limited to the themes listed. There is also a sample letter that you can send home to parents.

STEM Night- STEM night is back and will be better than ever! Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 17, from 5-7 PM. One of the main attractions of STEM night is our community partners who come and show some of the great STEM careers and activities that are going on in our community. If you know of parents that are involved in a STEM career, reach out and see if they might be interested in setting up a booth that evening. If you don’t know, consider putting something in your class newsletter. More information re: STEM week and night will be coming soon. Questions- see a member of your STEM team.

Walking Field Trips – For walking field trips, please use the Field Trip / Activity Permission and Release of Liability Form ( in the portal). For the trip / activity description portion of the form, please use a description like “2022-23 school year walking field trip” and include any additional information that would be pertinent.  Only one form per student is needed for the school year.

From Instructional Technology – Computer Science SIW on February 15^thEducator Network Day Our instructional technology team is partnering with Central Oregon STEM Hub to offer a Computer Science SIW on the February 15^th Educator Network Day.

Please select one or two staff to attend this session; they can be teachers, media managers, EAs, or anyone who is interested in promoting computer science at your school; no prior knowledge or experience needed. Use this Computer Science SIW Sheet to submit attendees. Reach out to tracy.howkor robbie.faith with questions.

Please let Jon know by Jan. 31 if you would like to attend this session.

Youth Truth Survey- Please complete the Youth Truth Survey if you haven’t already. Thank you.

Upcoming Events

January 23- Staff Meeting- 2:30 Library

January 25- SIW- Goal Team Checkpoint- start in library at 1:45

January 26- First Grade MTSS

February 1- SIW- Teacher Prep

February 2- No School- AM inservice/ PM work time

February 3- No School- Work day

February 8- SIW STEM- NGSS Training

February 9- Kindergarten MTSS

February 14- Fire Drill- 9:25

February 15- SIW- Educator Network Day

February 20- Presidents’ Day- No School

February 24- Bingo Night

Lockdown/ Earthquake drill- Our lockdown drill is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, at 1:35. If Dibels is not completed by that time, we will do it on January 19 at the same time. We will also do an earthquake drill with the lockdown. Listen for directions on the intercom.

Dibels- Please see our Winter Dibels Schedule for JANUARY 17th. IT IS THIS TUESDAY.  Your time should not conflict with recess, lunch or specials, according to the master schedule, but please let Katie know if you see a conflict.  If you need to make a change with someone, please check with that person then let Katie know so she can change it.  In the fall our testers were running ahead of schedule, they probably will again so Alisha and Deborah, we should be able to get your classes earlier.  

STEM- A couple items to pass on from the STEM team.

1. There will be a STEM meeting in the STEM room at 1:00 on January 18th. All are invited to attend. As we have mentioned, the STEM team is a bit thin and this would be a great time to make a switch from PBIS or PLC team. Thank you in advance.
2. The new PLTW module kits are in teh STEM room in the library. Teams should come and get the boxes and try to get them organized and labeled as soon as possible and place them on the shelves in the STEM room or stage.

Testing- State testing is still a ways off and we have not yet received any information from the district regarding security and protocol. That being said, we want to have an initial meeting Tuesday, January 17 at 2:30 in Alicia Clawson’s room. We want to share some results from last year as well as resources for the next few months. We hope to be finished in about 15 mintues.

From Andrea in HR – Here is an updated link to our employee benefits webpage.  We want to draw your attention to the wellness resources that everyone has access to as well.  Our goal is to update this quarterly and that you are able to share it in your staff newsletter. 

Erin’s Law- We will most likely be doing the same thing for Erin’s law this year as we did last year, meaning that you will deliver a few short lessons to your students. We are still waiting for direction from ed center, as they are exploring the possibility of piloting a new curriculum at a few schools. You don’t need to do anything right now, but we wanted to put it on your radar. We will let you know when we know more.

Youth Truth Survey- Please complete the Youth Truth Survey if you haven’t already. Thank you.

Have a great three-day weekend. Take a moment to focus on what we remember on Monday.

Upcoming Events

January 16- MLK Day- No School

January 17- Winter Dibels

January 17- Lockdown- 1:35 (If we learn that Dibels won’t be done by that time of the day, we will change the lockdown to January 19 at the same time)

January 18- SIW- Teacher Prep

January 19- Vision Screening

January 19- 2nd Grade MTSS- 2:30

February 20- Presidents’ Day- No School

February 24- Bingo Night

PBIS- Thanks to the PBIS team for presenting some important reminders and keeping our PBIS efforts in the forefront. As mentioned, this is an important time for all of us to focus on clear and consistent expectations for our students. We have some great momentum as our students have been doing a terrific job this year. That being said, the next couple months are some of the hardest for students (and staff), so it’s imperative that we continue to apply and reinforce our PBIS strategies. When we let down, they let down. Thanks again to the PBIS team and let’s continue the positive trajectory we have been on all year.

January Character Trait- As we learned on Wednesday, January’s character trait is cooperation. Continue to look for and recognize students exhibiting cooperation. We will have our January character trait assembly on Thursday, January 26. Time TBD. This month’s character trait is also a pretty important one for the adults in the building. January and February can be challenging times for all. Try your best to remember that we all want the same thing- our kids to be successful- and that happens best when we all work together.

“For me, the issue revolves around the nature of adults’ personal and professional relationships within schools. The success of a school, I believe, depends above all on the quality of interactions between teacher and teacher and teacher and administrator.” Roland Barth- Improving Schools from Within.

I’ve seen it time and time again, when the staff works well together, lifts each other up, supports, encourages, and cooperates, a school can do amazing things for its students. On the other hand, gossip, selfishness, complaining and negativity are a recipe for student failure.

Staff Meeting- We have our first staff meeting of 2023 scheduled for Monday, January 9. It will start at 2:30 in the library and be a short, one item agenda. Marci will be sharing information on the reading adoption, specifically the core beliefs, and asking for feedback. Jon will be at a mandatory principal training that afternoon and Gary is taking his son to college and will also be out Monday, so Marci will start and end the meeting with her information.

Youth Truth- Jon will be sending the Youth Truth survey out in the newsletter soon for parents. Jon will have sent out the Youth Truth survey to you prior to the staff meeting, so with the abbreviated meeting, you are welcome to use the extra time to complete the survey.

Staffing Update- Good news for Sadie as her leave has been extended to March 20. In the meantime, Jodi Baxter finished her time with us yesterday and Victoria Allende will be taking over until Sadie’s return in March. Many thanks to Jodi for all of her work with the fifth graders. Welcome to Victoria who will be part of Buckingham until Sadie’s return.

Yearbook- If you haven’t already put pictures in the yearbook google doc, then please do so soon. Becky needs these pictures so she can get the yearbook completed. Thank you!

February 2nd- Classified staff highlighted in yellow will have required and optional professional development opportunities on Thursday, February 2 (no school, but it is a work day for all). Please refer to the link above for directions on registering for PD that day.

For certified staff and classified not highlighted in yellow, our morning will be site directed PD and our afternoon will be work time. The morning PD will include a required 30 minute cyber security training. More info to come.

Vision Screening- We have been scheduled for vision screening on Thursday, January 19. It will run much like the dental screening, with someone coming to get or calling for your class to go to a designated spot. It will be FOR ALL GRADES and we will start with 5th graders at 9:00ish, and move down from there. It shouldn’t take longer than about 10 minutes per class.

Bingo Night- We will be having a PTA Family Bingo Night on Friday, February 24. Be on the lookout for more info soon!

Upcoming Events

January 11- Fire Drill- 9:30

January 11- SIW- Educator Network Day- Lava Ridge

January 12- 3rd Grade MTSS- 2:30

January 17- Winter Dibels

January 17- Lockdown- 1:35 (If we learn that Dibels won’t be done by that time of the day, we will change the lockdown to January 19 at the same time)

January 18- SIW- Teacher Prep

January 19- Vision Screening

January 19- 2nd Grade MTSS- 2:30

February 24- Bingo Night

Congratulations- We all know Jean doesn’t want a lot of fanfare, so we will honor that request, but want to take this time to thank her for all she has done during her career. We’re sure that all of her colleagues over the years and hundreds of students and parents thank her for making a positive difference in their lives. Congratulations and best wishes on your next chapter.

This Week- Thanks to all who contributed to some great events this week. From all of the dress up days to the hot chocolate bar to the choir concert and the first annual fire pit sing along. Estimates were around 400 people attended our sing along on Wednesday- an amazing turnout and great community builder.

Sometimes the week or two leading up to the break can be stressful and many kids struggle a lot during this time. Overall, they have done amazingly well- a reflection of the work that’s been done not only this week, but in the months leading up to now. You’ve all done a great job of having fun, but keeping things stable for our students. Thank you.

Keys- Beginning this evening, outside doors will re-keyed. When complete, key #’s 119 and 125 will both work for all doors. No longer need two keys! Hopeful, but not sure if it will all be complete when we return.

LEAD Team Member- Please let Jon know if you are willing to be Buckingham’s representative on the district’s LEAD team.

Educator Network Day- Mark your calendar for the next Educator Network Day, which will be on Wednesday, January 11. We will be headed to Lava Ridge. More info to come after the break.

June 20^th Teacher Work Day -The last day for students has been moved from Thursday, 6/15, to Friday, 6/16. The district needed to push back the teacher workday to Tuesday, June 20^th, because of Juneteenth. Certified staff who have completed check out do not need to report on the 20^th. This is consistent with past practice when we have had to extend the school year due to unexpected circumstances (i.e. snowmaggedon).

February 2nd Work Day/Inservice Day –  Thursday, February 2,  was originally scheduled as an additional workday for all staff to prepare for a districtwide systems performance review. However, that process has been delayed. The district decided to keep this as a non-student contact day; however, it remains a paid day for ALL STAFF, certified and classified. For certified staff, the day will be divided into half site-directed inservice and half work time.  Some classified staff will be required to attend inservice on that day (more details to follow shortly after the break). For other classified staff, it will be a building-directed work time. More information to come.

From the Bend Science Station for our k-5 teachers – Announcing an exciting professional development opportunity at the Science Station! Over the past few years, they realigned the Amplify curriculum for grades 2-5 to make it manageable and relevant for Bend-La Pine teachers. In addition, they designed POP Science, which includes a short sequence of NGSS-aligned, hands-on science lessons for each grade level. This January, they will conduct teacher “refresher” trainings on 2^nd-5^th grade modified Amplify units and on K-1 POP Science lessons. These HANDS-ON workshops combine interactive instruction and time to collaborate with grade-level peers. You will practice and walk away with specific lessons for your classroom. Even if you’ve done these workshops before, we encourage you to participate again.

Sessions run from 3-6 pm and will take place at the Bend Science Station on the OSU-C campus. You will be compensated by the district at the curriculum rate for your time. In addition, the Science Station will be offering food and drinks. Click here for a list of the sessions and dates then follow this link to up:  Bend Science Station Amplify + POP Science Training – Google Sheets

That’s all for this week and 2022. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, happy new year, and a wonderful holiday season and break. See you in 2023.

Upcoming Events

December 19-December 30- Holiday Break

January 3- School Resumes

January 4- SIW- PBIS review

January 9- Staff Meeting- 2:30- Library

January 11- Fire Drill- 9:30

January 11- SIW- Educator Network Day

January 12- 3rd Grade MTSS

January 17- Winter Dibels

January 17- Lockdown- 1:35 (If we learn that Dibels won’t be done by that time of the day, we will change the lockdown to January 19 at the same time)

January 18- SIW- Teacher Prep

January 19- 2nd Grade MTSS