Our EME Focus
- Tier 1 Instruction
- Belonging
- Define what it means to be an Art Focused School
Thoughts of the Week
To My Elk Meadow Family,
This year has been fantastic! It is hard to believe that it is coming to an end. On these last two days of school, I want you to know that you have all amazed me in SO MANY ways.
I have enjoyed so many conversations with you all! Some of you have shared your joys with me and made me laugh. Others have shared heartbreaking experiences that made me cry. I have loved to hear about all the gones (I know it is not a real world, but they are real experiences) that you prioritized over the do-overs this year! These are moments that you will never forget! These experiences with you are memories that I will always treasure! All of you have made me very proud this year! Proud to be a part of something truly special!
Before you turn off your computer for the summer, write yourself a note to read on the first day of school next year. Remind yourself what you did well this year and what you want to improve. Remind yourself of a few things that you want to focus on for next year – and WHY. Remind yourself that I believe in you. Read your note in August, and then post it where you can see it every day. Next year will come with the same distractions and disruptions, some of the same pains and joys, maybe even more, so it will be important to follow your own advice. Most importantly, keep believing in yourself. Let yourself continue to do great things!
I will miss you this summer and am grateful that I had and have the opportunity to work with you. Thank you for a great year!
Ben
The Coming Week
- Monday
- June 17th Nicole Garroutte’s Birthday!
- June 17th 3rd Grade Field Trip 9:00-2:00
- Tuesday
- June 18th LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UPCOMING DATES:
- Summer Break!!
Updates from Downtown
Almost!! Just 2ish days left!
Reminders:
- August Professional Learning Calendar
- Tentative BEA Agreement can be found HERE
- Curriculum checklists: Curriculum Checklists Folder.
- Inservice Week Certified work calendar for 24-25.
- From Culture of Care: Check out our latest news and workshop offerings!
- June 12th Elementary TLC Update
New Notes:
From Scott and Becca in Communications: We know you’re counting down the days left in the school year but we are already hard at work on the Welcome Back program on Tuesday, August 27. This year’s virtual presentation will have a direct feed to every building! That means your school community will have a moment to stand out and shine. Throughout the program, we’ll go live to each school for 20 seconds. Find a unique way to say HELLO to all of Bend-La Pine Schools across the district. There will be prizes to the most creative greetings. Let the idea buzz around your head this summer and be ready to offer ideas to your school when you return in August. Have a great summer!
From Kinsey in Policy, Advocacy, and Equity:
Free and Reduced Lunch. With the great news about all our schools moving to CEP status (and school-wide free lunch), we need a thoughtful game plan for supporting families in accessing the district and community benefits that come with the traditional Free and Reduced Lunch application/status specific to their family. Our first step in this process is to identify every possible component of our system that requires a FRL application in order to access/benefit (AP exam discounts, fee waivers, etc). Can you please do two things: 1) Add any items here that you are aware of that are directly connected to a student’s qualification for Free/Reduced Lunch, and 2) Share this with your staff so they can contribute to creating a comprehensive list. We will use this information to coordinate alternative ways to access these benefits, and/or to enhance supports for families in submitting applications even in CEP settings. Thank you!
Upcoming professional learning opportunities: Please see my June 11th email about professional learning opportunities. CFEE and Taking It Up are district priorities for professional learning, so please review and register for those as applicable. Also, encourage your ICCL team or whole staff to attend Taking It Up. Hearing that this matters to you as their building supervisor is a big motivator in increasing participation!
From Jackie Mueller in Sustainability: Summer Energy Conservation and SOP Here is the Holiday SOP as a reminder about shutting down the schools when the last of the staff and students depart for the summer holiday. Completing building walk-throughs, we have seen high participation in closing schools over the breaks which is translating into savings. Here is an alternative reminder for staff and a checklist that can be shared.
Schools are going into unoccupied mode on June 24th. The morning purge is still active to try and get the schools down to 70 but the AC will be off. Please try to be cognizant of lighting and open windows and doors in schools to try and keep it cool.
Wonders Big Boxes: The Wonders hard back recycling boxes are being filled and your efforts and support are greatly appreciated. I will be working on a pick-up plan after the 19th. Please reach out with any questions.
Waste Stations in Cafeteria’s: Next school year, we will be sharing waste reduction efforts for the cafeterias, where all schools will have silverware and boat stacking. We are currently in the design process of creating classy waste stations. Until these are complete, the sustainability, custodial, and admin teams will work together to assist any schools that do not have systems in place at the start of the year. We will also be providing education and training for staff and students at the commencement of the 2024-2025 school year.
And finally…
This week, we were reminded during a graduation speech by Interim Principal Zach Harju at REALMS, of an inspiring story, heard long ago, about lessons we can learn from geese. As you watch the video below, reflect on lessons you learned this year as a leader, how you supported others, who was there to lift you up, and what lessons we still want to continue to work on in 24-25 together as a flock.https://youtu.be/y-