Our EME Focus
- Tier 1 Instruction
- Belonging
- Define what it means to be an Integrated Arts School
Thoughts of the Week
On July 31, 1968, a young, black man was reading the newspaper when he saw something that he had never seen before. With tears in his eyes, he started running and screaming throughout the house, calling for his mom. He would show his mom, and, she would gasp, seeing something she thought she would never see in her lifetime. Throughout the nation, there were similar reactions. What they saw was Franklin Armstrong’s first appearance on the iconic comic strip “Peanuts.” Franklin would be 57 years old this year. Franklin was “born” after a school teacher, Harriet Glickman, had written a letter to creator Charles M. Schulz after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death outside his Memphis hotel room.
Glickman, who had kids of her own and having worked with kids, was especially aware of the power of comics among the young. “And my feeling at the time was that I realized that black kids and white kids never saw themselves [depicted] together in the classroom,” she would say.
She would write, “Since the death of Martin Luther King, I’ve been asking myself what I can do to help change those conditions in our society which led to the assassination and which contribute to the vast sea of misunderstanding, hate, fear and violence.””
Glickman asked Schulz if he could consider adding a black character to his popular comic strip, which she hoped would bring the country together and show people of color that they are not excluded from American society.
She had written to others as well, but the others feared it was too soon, that it may be costly to their careers, that the syndicate would drop them if they dared do something like that.
Charles Schulz did not have to respond to her letter, he could have just completely ignored it, and everyone would have forgotten about it. But, Schulz did take the time to respond, saying he was intrigued with the idea, but wasn’t sure whether it would be right coming from him. He didn’t want to make matters worse, and he felt that it may sound condescending to people of color.
Glickman did not give up, and continued communicating with Schulz, with Schulz surprisingly responding each time. She would even have black friends write to Schulz and explain to him what it would mean to them and gave him some suggestions on how to introduce such a character without offending anyone. This conversation would continue until one day, Schulz would tell Glickman to check her newspaper on July 31, 1968.
On that date, the cartoon, as created by Schulz, shows Charlie Brown meeting a new character, named Franklin. Other than his color, Franklin was just an ordinary kid who befriends and helps Charlie Brown. Franklin also mentions that his father was “over at Vietnam.” At the end of the series, which lasted three strips, Charlie invites Franklin to spend the night one day so they can continue their friendship. The original comic strip of Charlie Brown meeting Franklin is attached in the initial comments below, the picture attached here is Franklin meeting the rest of the Peanuts, including Linus. I just thought this was a good re-introduction of Franklin to the rest of the world – “I’m very glad to know you.”
There was no big announcement, there was no big deal, it was just a natural conversation between two kids, whose obvious differences did not matter to them. And, the fact that Franklin”s father was fighting for this country was also a very strong statement by Schulz.
Although Schulz never made a big deal over the inclusion of Franklin, there were many fans, especially in the South, who were very upset by it and that made national news. One Southern editor even said, “I don’t mind you having a black character, but please don’t show them in school together.”
It would eventually lead to a conversation between Schulz and the president of the comic’s distribution company, who was concerned about the introduction of Franklin and how it might affect Schulz’ popularity. Many newspapers during that time had threatened to cut the strip.
Schulz’ response: “I remember telling Larry at the time about Franklin — he wanted me to change it, and we talked about it for a long while on the phone, and I finally sighed and said, “Well, Larry, let’s put it this way: Either you print it just the way I draw it or I quit. How’s that?”
Eventually, Franklin became a regular character in the comic strips, and despite complaints, Franklin would be shown sitting in front of Peppermint Patty at school and playing center field on her baseball team.
More recently, Franklin is brought up on social media around Thanksgiving time, when the animated 1973 special “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” appears. Some people have blamed Schulz for showing Franklin sitting alone on the Thanksgiving table, while the other characters sit across him. But, Schulz did not have the same control over the animated cartoon on a television network that he did on his own comic strip in the newspapers.
But, he did have control over his own comic strip, and he courageously decided to make a statement because of one brave school teacher who decided to ask a simple question.
Glickman would explain later that her parents were “concerned about others, and the values that they instilled in us about caring for and appreciating everyone of all colors and backgrounds — this is what we knew when we were growing up, that you cared about other people . . . And so, during the years, we were very aware of the issues of racism and civil rights in this country [when] black people had to sit at the back of the bus, black people couldn’t sit in the same seats in the restaurants that you could sit . . . Every day I would see, or read, about black children trying to get into school and seeing crowds of white people standing around spitting at them or yelling at them . . . and the beatings and the dogs and the hosings and the courage of so many people in that time.”
Because of Glickman, because of Schulz, people around the world were introduced to a little boy named Franklin.
THE COMING WEEK:
- Monday
- President’s Day – No School!
- Tuesday
- ICCL Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- Wednesday
- OBOB Pool Play 8:00-8:30
- SIW – Teacher Prep 1:00-2:30
- Thursday
- Smart Reading (Kindergarten) 9:45-10:45
- Sped Team Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- Title Night – Elk Meadow Learning Summit 5:00-7:00
- Friday
- EET Weekly Meeting 8:00-9:00
UPCOMING DATES:
- February 24 – Committee Meeting 2:30-3:15
- February 25 – Care Teams Meeting 7:00-8:00
- February 26 – Amanda Waldron’s Birthday!
- February 26 – Office Admin Meeting 7:00-7:30
- February 26 – OBOB Pool Play 8:00-8:30
- February 26 – SIW – Staff Wellness Event 1:00-2:30
- February 27 – Heather Korman’s Birthday!
- February 27 – Smart Reading (Kindergarten) 9:45-10:45
- February 27 – Sped Team Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- February 28 – Nicole Dewes’ Birthday!
- February 28 – EET Weekly Meeting 8:00-9:00
- March 3 – Classified Employee Appreciation Week!
- March 3 – Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
- March 4 – Safety Meeting 7:00-7:30
- March 4 – ICCL Meeting 2:30-3:15
- March 5 – Emma Keeton’s Birthday!
- March 5 – Office Admin Meeting 7:00-7:30
- March 5 – OBOB Pool Play 8:00-8:30
- March 5 – SIW – Teacher Prep 1:00-2:30
- March 6 – Smart Reading (Kindergarten) 9:45-10:45
- March 6 – Sped Team Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- March 7 – EET Weekly Meeting 8:00-9:00
Updates from Downtown
Important Links
- February 5th Elementary TLC Update
- Topics of Interest/Problem of Practice–Someone is looking for a Field Trip Checklist!
- FAQs for Special Education Inclusion Topics—Keep checking in here! BEA and BLS supported
Notes from our Team:
Curriculum and Instruction – Julie Richards and Kerry Morton
The Amplify Desmos Math materials will be displayed at your school for the next few weeks to allow community members to view and provide feedback around the materials. Please share the information below with caregivers.
Dear Bend-La Pine Caregivers,
Would you like to learn more about the recommended K-5 math curriculum? Bend-La Pine Schools is seeking public feedback on the proposed new elementary math program
Caregivers and community members are invited to review the curriculum materials in two ways:
- In person: Visit your child’s elementary school to view program samples.
- Online: Explore digital sample lessons and program summaries using the links below.
🔍 Program Overview (English | Español)
💻 Sample Digital Lessons
We value your input! Please share your feedback by completing the survey below:
📝 Feedback Form (English | Spanish)
Thank you for partnering with us in shaping the future of math learning for our students.
Human Resources – Trish Uhart and Candy Gelatt
Hello! The Bend La Pine Board of Directors acted on the renewal/extension of licensed contracts during the February 11, 2025, Executive Session. Over the course of the next couple of days, we will be initiating the Contract Letters for the 2025-26 school year through UKG. You will receive an email notification stating you have a To Do item to complete – this is your Contract Letter to be reviewed and signed. The letters are assigned one at a time so you may not receive a notification at the same time as your collogues. We ask for your patience while we work through all our licensed staff. If you have not received a notification by Monday, February 17th, please let us know.
The steps to access your letter are outlined below:
- Access your letter from your To Do list in UKG (click on the bell in the upper right-hand corner of your UKG profile to find your To Do tab)
- Click Modify at the bottom right corner
- Read your letter
- Click in the signature box
- Enter the last four digits of your social security number to electronically sign your letter
- Click modify again in the upper right-hand corner
- You will receive a pop up, choose “modify” again and “okay” to complete the submission to the Certified team.
You must sign and submit your letter no later than April 15th.
If you are not planning on returning for the 2025-26 school year, you will reject your letter, add a comment as to why you are rejecting the letter and then you will need to submit a formal letter of resignation to [email protected] no later than April 15th.
Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.
Facilities Development Office – Paul Dean
The FDO project management team has been working on major construction projects. For Bond Project Updates – visit: https://www.bend.k12.or.us/district/news-events/2022-bond. And a recap of all the Bond Projects in this upcoming 2022 Bond Cycle – visit: https://www.bend.k12.or.us/application/files/3116/7407/4163/2022_Bond_Management_Plan.pdf
March Leadership Team Meeting: COO Ops leaders from Transportation, Facilities/Maintenance, Safety, IT and Custodial/Sustainability will be facilitating the Please submit at least one question, concern, curiosity or comment that you have for one or more of our departments at this link.
Network Outages: Be prepared for power/internet outages by printing a copy of Power & Internet Outage Emergency Protocols
Field Trip/Athletic/Club Transportation All district staff are required to communicate with their administrators and the Transportation Department prior to scheduling an off campus trip. Below are reminders to keep everything moving smoothly and in compliance.
- Submit ALL trip requests through BusHive as early as possible (months ahead).
- Questions about your trip? Call Daniel Lopez X5706 (Bend) Call Scott Steinhauer X5753 (La Pine)
- Don’t have a BusHive log in- Call Daniel Lopez X5706 (Bend) Call Scott Steinhauer X5753 (La Pine)
- Charter Buses- We do NOT use these unless we have no other options.
- Schools cannot book these trips directly. You must contact Daniel Lopez X5706 (Bend) Call Scott Steinhauer (La Pine)
- We are required to document use of any charter plus, plus a copy of the parent notification letter. ODE requires we maintain a documentation file for charters.
- We have not used charters for several years. We have drivers & school buses available.
- Drivers of students must hold an ODE certificate (Bus, Type 20, Type 10) for school sponsored event transportation.
- Student transportation must be provided in an ODE approved vehicle. (Bus, Type 20, Type 10).
- Rental vehicles- contact Transportation prior to renting any vehicle being used to transport students.
- What about after a game? A student wants to go home with another family, but came to the game on a bus? This is between the student and the parent. The teacher, AD, coach should not be involved in this conversation, other than you know the student has permission from their parent to go home another way. If the teacher/AD arranges or organizes transportation for a student, the liability is on the school district- meaning we use ODE approved transportation. This area can be “grey”. Be very careful not to organize transportation outside of ODE approved transportation.
- We understand that trips have been taken in the past that do not follow these protocols- we are working to clarify policies and procedures.
- Staff members who fail to follow these requirements may be subject to disciplinary action.
- Questions?? Give us a call- we are here to help! 541-355-5702
Important Dates
- February 17: Just a reminder that this is Presidents Day and it is a contracted BLAST day. If you are taking it off, you will need to use non-contract time. No students/staff this day
- February 19: Administrator Professional Development from 3:00 – 5:00–Perseverance Hall
- March 3-7: Better Lesson will be here to do school walk-throughs this week–if we haven’t notified you that they will come to your school, no need to note this.
- March 5: All Admin Professional Learning at Perseverance Hall, 3:00-4:30
- March 11: Horizontal Meeting 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Pine Ridge hosted by PRE and NSE
- March 19: Elementary Safety Cadre, 1:30-3:30–thanks Scott and Kayla for moving it for us!
- March 24-28: The long awaited Spring Break!
And finally….. Send us any fun photos of snow structures at your schools!
