We can train our brain to focus on positive thoughts, improving our well being and reducing the impacts from stress and anxiety.
The brain cannot respond to anxiety and gratitude at the same time. It is an “either/or” situation. We can feel anxious and other negative feelings, or we can feel grateful and all of the positive emotions that are associated with it. Our brain operates in either a sympathetic (fight or flight) or parasympathetic (rest and digest) mode. The purpose of the sympathetic mode is to protect us in life-threatening emergency situations, so our body can respond quickly (think hunter about to be attacked by a lion). The parasympathetic mode is our “rest and digest” mode and this is the state we should be in most of the time. However, in modern society, the constant stressors in our life can cause us to stay in the “sympathetic/fight or flight” mode. So, how do we train ourselves to move out of fight or flight and back to a restful, calm state? Being in a state of gratitude has a potent effect on moving us to a parasympathetic (rest or digest) stage. When we express gratitude and receive the same, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions, and they make us feel better, immediately enhancing our mood. There are a number of health benefits to regularly practicing gratitude. In Alex Korb’s article, “How Gratitude Shapes your Brain,” he shares how studies have shown that a consistent gratitude practice helps with the following: 1. Releasing negative emotions 2. Reducing pain 3. Improving sleep quality 4. Reducing anxiety and depression Being aware of the powerful benefits of a gratitude practice, some people consider creating a gratitude journal to list the things they are thankful for on a regular basis. While this activity is helpful, a more powerful way to deepen your positive neural circuitry is with story. In the Science of Gratitude podcast by Andrew Huberman, we learn about the latest neuroscience about gratitude and a method for repeating a gratitude story as a practice. Remembering a time when you received sincere gratitude for something and repeating that memory on a regular basis is more positively impactful to your neurocircuitry than simply being thankful for something (although being thankful certainly has its purpose too—counting our blessings is beneficial to our spirit and approach to life).
The Coming Week
Monday
Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
Tuesday
Safety Meeting 7:00-7:30
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
Train You Brain (3rd Grade) 10:00-11:00
ICCL Meeting
Wednesday
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
Fire Drill 12:30
SIW
Anna Boise Retirement Party 4:00-6:00
Thursday
Anna Boise Birthday!
Ben Virtual Meeting 9:00-10:00
Beginning Admin Meeting 5:00-7:00
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Art in the Meadow 5:30-7:00
UPCOMING DATES:
June 10th-18th Spirit Week+
June 10th 2nd Grade Field Trip 9:30-1:10
June 10th Staff Meeting – 2:30-3:15
June 11th Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
June 11th 4th Grade Field Trip 11:30-2:00
June 11th Kinder Forest Field Trip
June 11th Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
June 12th Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
June 12th EA Meeting 1:00-1:30
June 12th SIW 1:00-2:30
June 13th 3rd Grade Field Trip 9:00-2:00
June 13th 5th Grade Kona Ice 10:30-12:00
June 13th Kindergarten Celebration 1:00-1:30
June 13th 5th Grade Move Up Program 5:00-6:00
June 14th Field Day 8:00-2:00
June 14th EOY Staff Celebration 3:30-???
June 17th Nicole Garroutte’s Birthday!
June 16th 3rd Grade Field Trip 9:00-2:00
June 18th LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Updates from Downtown
If you’re around this weekend join Family Advisory group is hosting a booth at Pride in the Park! Click on the image above for more information about Pride Month.
Do Now:
Don’t forget to share your YouthTruth information with families in the next week or so. Dan shared a great example two blogs ago if you’re looking for inspiration.
Reminders:
Roger White support: Want to help? Click this link. or Venmo Patrick to help with a bike for Roger!
Disposal plan for Wonders and Maravillas curriculum materials
Summer PD opportunities from the Culture of Care team at HDESD
End of year activities from Wayfinder
Movement moments
From Tammy and Lisa:
Thank you Tim for supporting our dear North Star this year. We are excited to hear what your next years have in store for you as you launch into retirement! As we move forward to fill your shoes (no one ever will btw), we will be looking to have some type of internal process in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more information.
Important Dates
June 4: Seal of Biliteracy (Bronze Seal) @ 5:30 at HDMS
My great grandmother was a member of the Minnesota Anishinaabe or Ojibwe Tribe and I remember her telling me this story as a kid! The story of the two wolves is an ancient tale that has been a part of the Native American tradition for generations. Although the exact two wolves’ story origin is unknown, historians typically attribute the tale to the Cherokee or the Lenape people.
The grandfather explains to his grandson that there are two wolves fighting within him, which is an image that serves as a metaphor for mans’ inner sense of conflict.
“I have a fight going on in me,” the old man said. “It’s taking place between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”
The grandfather looked at the grandson and went on. “The other embodies positive emotions. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. Both wolves are fighting to the death. The same fight is going on inside you and every other person, too.”
The grandson took a moment to reflect on this. At last, he looked up at his grandfather and asked, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee gave a simple reply. “The one you feed.”
What a powerful reminder of the fight that every human being must face. Regardless of the type of person you are or what kind of life you lead, you will find yourself battling two conflicting emotions at some point in your life. Whether the fight is between anger and peace or resentment and compassion, it’s important to recognize the conflicting feelings inside you and to feed the values and choices that matter most.
The Coming Week
Monday
No School
Tuesday
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
Elementary Leadership Meeting 3:00-5:00
Wednesday
Brooke Vossler’s Birthday!
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
SIW Art in the Meadow prep
Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
Thursday
Counselor Celebration 8:00-3:00 Downtown
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Weekend
Train Your Brain Presentation for 3rd Grade 9:00-10:00
Congratulations to our new Deputy Superintendent! We are so lucky to have you championing leadership and the support of all students in Bend-La Pine Schools! (and I’m not just saying it because she will be my boss–ha-ha–it’s true!). We are proud of you Lisa!
Reminders:
Roger White support: Want to help? Click this link. or Venmo Patrick to help with a bike for Roger!
Inservice Week Certified work calendar for 24-25. (note–we will be talking about some required training for Instructional EAs on the 29th and 30th, that may influence your PD time. We’ll go over this at our May 28 Horizontal
Dibels Testing Dates: Here is the schedule. (make 12 stations, let them test all K-5 kids, clear schedules and make testing the priority)
ICCL Hiring: Please refer to this document on ICCL posting/hiring.
New Notes:
From Julie Walker, Curriculum and Instruction: Please share with your classified staff
Are you interested in helping to check-in, unpack and label our new Elementary Language Arts Curriculum? If so, we are hiring 7 internal classified employees to work for 2+ weeks from July 29th-August 9th. If you would like to apply to be a part of this team follow these steps:
login to UKG
Go to 3 bars at top
click on my info
click on my career
click on search for jobs
search for “Language Arts Materials Distribution”
click on Apply Now
Please reach out to Julie Walker with any questions you have.
Wonders Recycling–PDF of the two pages below is here.It needs to be printed and posted in important locations in your school. You can also send it to staff as a pdf. Let’s work on our sustainable practices in BLS as we get ready to transition to a new curriculum!
From Jenny White, Life and Career Readiness: Planning and Prioritizing Collections in Wayfinder: Enhance students’ organizational and time management skills with this collection of activities and lessons. Through planning templates, prioritization exercises, and goal-setting strategies, students will learn how to effectively manage their tasks, responsibilities, and commitments. These resources promote efficiency, accountability, and a balanced approach to academic and personal life.
Directions on how to find the collections on Wayfinder
From Scott in IT: CHANGE IN i-PAD information. A majority of schools were slated for either a complete swap of their student iPads or were going to be receiving replacements for 6th and 7th gen iPads. This swap is currently on hold. A purchase is still anticipated, but the timeline has changed. The determining factors for this delay are:
**Moving to the next generation of iPad involves investment in peripheral technology that is greater than anticipated – namely keyboard and headphone adaptors.
**Logistical and instructional considerations that may impact school locations that actually need to swap devices.
At this time, plan on your roll-in to continue as planned outside of any devices being retired. iPads will need to be stored like in years past by student last name, next year’s teacher, etc. The Tier 1 website will reflect these changes as soon as possible. Please reach out to your building’s IT Client Services tech, a fellow Tier 1 or Roy Fuller for help or idea’s for rolling in. For a quick reference see below for all Elementary iPads:
o K-4th grade iPads will stay with the current student
o 5th grade will roll down to incoming KG
We will continue to remove any 6th gen iPads that have issues or swap any 6th or 7th gen iPad for a student who needs a newer device for OCR support as we’ve always done. High Schools will continue to receive 9th gens as replacements to keep device types consistent.
From Tammy and Lisa:
School Counselor Celebrations, May 30 in the board room. We are looking forward to seeing every school represented who currently have counselors and hoping that even those who do not, will come see the great work that our counselors are doing, knowing that next year, all elementary schools will have some level of counseling. What a celebration! Hats off to Jennifer Hauth, for her steadfast work in making this happen for our students.
Important Dates
May 28: Horizontal Meeting @ Rosland 3:00-5:00 (Please add in travel time, as we will be starting on time)
I want to give you another song breakdown. I would love it if you would listen to this song while thinking about that angry child in your classroom, who got the shaft when It comes to a loving, supportive family. They do not know how to process the incoming stimuli and I think this song captures some of those feelings
No one knows what it’s like To be the bad man To be the sad man Behind blue eyes And no one knows what it’s like To be hated To be fated to telling only lies
I know it is hard to imagine that there are students who truly feel hated and home. They really believe they are alone and that no one knows what it is like… They lie as a mechanism to protect themselves. I know you see it sometimes when you ask a question and their quick first response is a lie, even about things that don’t matter. That is not calculated but a reaction, a learned reaction.
But my dreams they aren’t as empty As my conscience seems to be I have hours, only lonely My love is vengeance That’s never free
Sometimes we look at these kids and think, “they don’t feel anything”, “they are always angry”. What do they someday dream to do? Everyone Dreams! So many kids have unconditional love, but… for others love is conditional. “If you do this, you will be loved and if you do that you won’t”. Everything becomes a transaction. Transactional love is impossible; you can never do enough and your head is always on a swivel.
No one knows what it’s like To feel these feelings Like I do And I blame you (you, you, you) No one bites back as hard On their anger None of my pain and woe Can show through
This is why I always try not to take things personally when kids say hurtful things to me. They need someone to blame and sometimes it is easier to blame the people who care because they show emotion and they get the reaction of someone who cares back. I can’t imagine the pain that some of these kids hold in. You know the kid that comes everyday with a smile and you just cannot figure out why. They work so hard to not let it show in their happy place… Many successfully hold in their anger, while feeling alone in their pain. What do they dream of?
But my dreams they aren’t as empty As my conscience seems to be I have hours, only lonely My love is vengeance That’s never free
No one knows what it’s like To be mistreated, to be defeated Behind blue eyes And no one knows how to say That they’re sorry and don’t worry I’m not telling lies
I think this is the most powerful stanza in the song. I think we all can relate on some level to the things these kids are going through, some of us even through personal experience. “I’m sorry, don’t worry, and I’m not telling lies.” How powerful is it to hear that? I know we can’t always give to every child. We just don’t have it to give at times. I know some of these students drain us and make it hard to have empathy, compassion and understanding in the moment, but we have to. It is our calling, our purpose! What do they Dream about?
But my dreams, they aren’t as empty As my conscience seems to be I have hours, only lonely My love is vengeance That’s never free
When my fist clenches, crack it open Before I use it and lose my cool When I smile, tell me some bad news Before I laugh and act like a fool And if I swallow anything evil Put your finger down my throat And if I shiver, please give me a blanket Keep me warm, let me wear your coat
I feels like a daily task to “break open clenched fists”, or bring kids back from the point of no return. How often do we see kids who don’t smile or the ones that are worried they will look like a fool? How do we give the metaphorical “blanket” or “coat”? That reassurance that lets them know that we got them in that moment!
No one knows what it’s like To be the bad man To be the sad man Behind blue eyes
The Coming Week
Monday
Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade (Ben Out)
Tuesday
Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade (Amanda Out)
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
Wednesday
Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
Tonya Myers’ Birthday!
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
SIW Lexia 1:00-2:30
Thursday
Kinder Orientation 5:30-6:30
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Weekend
May 25 Chris Hill’s Birthday!
May 26 Josh Hayden’s Birthday!
UPCOMING DATES:
May 27 No School
May 28 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 28 Elementary Leadership Meeting 3:00-5:00
May 29 Brooke Vossler’s Birthday!
May 29 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 29 SIW Art in the Meadow prep
May 29 Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
May 30 Counselor Celebration 8:00-3:00 Downtown
May 31 Train Your Brain Presentation for 3rd Grade 9:00-10:00
May 31 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Updates from Downtown
Who has voted? So far, 14 percent of Deschutes County voters have returned their ballots for the May 21 primary election, which includes measure 9-167, the Learning Levy for Bend-La Pine Schools.
Election Day is just one week from today! If you haven’t voted yet, now is the time to mark and return your ballot. You can mail it or drop it off at one of the county’s ballot drop boxes, located here: deschutes.org/clerk/page/ballot-drop-box-locations
If you need more information about the 5-year Learning Levy, please visit bls.fyi/levy.
Do Now:
Please add one last effort to your families to encourage everyone to vote. The levy page has information about the levy as well as videos that you may want to share with others to increase information access. LEVY VIDEO
For those of you who have a reader board at your site, please put up a levy message to stay up between now Tuesday, Election Day. Thank you!
Please meet with your 5th grade teachers and take this survey by Wednesday regarding Camp Tamarack. We need your input to move forward. Thanks!
Reminders:
Curriculum checklists: Consider attaching these to your school’s checkout list so that everyone has what they need as they start the year in the fall. The documents live here: Curriculum Checklists Folder.
Lewis and Clark Admin Cohort: If you know of anyone who is interested in starting their administrative (Principal) licensure program this next fall please share the flyer below with them. Flier for more information.
Packing Up Wonders: Please refrain from boxing any hardbound books as we are finalizing a specialized box for shipment to a recycling facility in Vancouver. If books are already boxed, please leave them as is until the next steps are finalized. Soft-cover books and paper product manipulatives can be recycled in the large blue co-mingle bins or go home with students. Please start this process early so as to not overload the carts.
From Scott in IT: Bend-La Pine Schools IT is rolling out a security change to staff Macs that you may need to be aware of if you have installed personal software on your Mac.
If you run into any issues with this process, you can contact the IT Help Desk at ext. 1200 or open an IT support ticket at https://help.bend.k12.or.us
TBD: Last Horizontal meeting/celebration of the year will be rescheduled! Stay tuned!
And finally…
Give some extra kuddos to our Speech and Language Pathologists this month! May is a time to celebrate their often unseen, but so important work! Thank you SLPs!
Finding your purpose in life can be an exciting journey of self-discovery! It’s totally normal for your “why” to change over time, and that’s a good thing because it means you’re growing and evolving. A great way to start uncovering your new purpose is to take some time to reflect on what lights you up, what you’re passionate about, and what makes you come alive. Ask yourself things like:
What do I care deeply about? What brings me joy? What causes or issues am I naturally drawn to?
As you gain a better understanding of these things, start thinking about how they align with different goals, projects, or activities in your life. Don’t be afraid to try new things, talk to people who inspire you, volunteer, and seek out the advice and mentorship of those who have achieved what you’d like to achieve. Remember, finding your purpose is a process and it may take time, so be kind and patient with yourself. Keep pushing forward, because the best is yet to come!
The Coming Week
Monday
Emily Winchester’s Birthday!
Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
Tuesday
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
Wednesday
Lisa Bjorback’s Birthday!
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
SIW Teacher Prep
Admin PD 2:00-5:00
Thursday
MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
UPCOMING DATES:
May 20 Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
May 21 Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
May 21 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 22 Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
May 22 Tonya Myers’ Birthday!
May 22 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 22 SIW Lexia 1:00-2:30
May 23 Kinder Orientation 5:30-6:30
May 24 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
May 25 Chris Hill’s Birthday!
May 26 Josh Hayden’s Birthday!
May 27 No School
May 28 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 28 Elementary Leadership Meeting 3:00-5:00
May 29 Brooke Vossler’s Birthday!
May 29 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 29 SIW Art in the Meadow prep
May 29 Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
May 30 Counselor Celebration 8:00-3:00 Downtown
May 31 Train Your Brain Presentation for 3rd Grade 9:00-10:00
May 31 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Updates from Downtown
Reminders:
Give the Middle School Transition and Math Bypass Testing for 5th grade
From Roy Fuller in IT re: iPads. We’ve almost reached the end of another school year. Always funny how slow it seems to go, until May hits and it’s all about over. Even if we’ve had fresh snow fall! I’m reaching out to give everyone some updates to the questions some of you have been asking. Our Tier 1 website has been updated with the latest information regarding the end of year plan when it comes to iPads. We will removing all the remaining 6th/7th gen iPads from school’s this summer. The breakdown should look like this for the fall of 2024:
· High Schools – 9th gen iPads
· Middle Schools – 8th and 9th gen iPads
· Elementary Schools – 8th, 9th 10th gen iPads
We will be introducing the 10th gen iPads into 10 schools for next year. Swapping out the entire school will make it easier since those iPads have USB-C only charging port (lightning port is gone), plus are slightly larger than the previous gen iPads. The 8th/9th gen iPads from the schools we are swapping out will roll out to the remaining elementary schools to remove their 6th/7th gen iPads. For the schools listed below, please follow the Roll-In Overview on the Roll-In Elementary page (top of the page). The schools receiving 10th gen iPads include:
Elk Meadow
Pine Ridge
Miller
Lava Ridge
Ponderosa
Buckingham
RE Jewell
Highland
Three Rivers (K-8)
Westside Village (K-8)
For the remaining elementary schools you’ll find your Roll-In Overview listed below the schools receiving new iPads. Please read through for helpful information and slideshows that can be followed in the classrooms, or library when it comes time to turn in the iPads. Included for all is a helpful checklist, station signs and an iPad Inspection form if needed. Some of you received a full school swap with 9th gens last year, so you won’t be swapping out anything. Those that didn’t will be swapping out 6th/7th gen iPads for new to them 8th/9th gen iPads.
All middle schools will be turning in their iPads at the end of the year. Your roll-in overview can be found on our Roll-In for Secondary page. The information on that page should help answer questions you might have, with slideshows that can be used with the teachers or in the library depending on how your school plans their roll-in.
High schools will run the same like previous years. Students will be keeping their iPads over the summer outside of 12th graders who’s iPads will be collected and rolled down to incoming 9th graders. The overview of that process can be found on the Roll-In for Secondary page below the middle school’s information.
Please review all the information on our Tier 1 page for spring iPad information and talk with your client services tech to start planning. I believe some of you have already dug in with the planning process and hopefully with the information provided that will help fill in the any missing pieces. Feel free to reach out directly to me if you have any questions. Enjoy the warming trend headed our way finally! Thanks everyone for another great year.
From Jackie in Sustainability: Thank You!! A big shoutout to everyone involved in the Walk and Roll to school day—staff, students, admin, PTO, and Commute Options—for making our Spring Walk and Roll to School Day an absolute blast! Across our 19 schools, 13 reported to provide data for 105 classes. Big shout out to Pine Ridge and Ponderosa for the most classes reporting. Here’s the breakdown: 334 students walked, 270 biked or rolled, 324 used the bus, and 1,190 arrived by car.
From Colleen and Josh in Special Programs: 504 Training
From Stuart in HR re: Job Posting and Hiring. Elementary Pool postings have gone live and we have reduced the postings to only 4 pools. We have added a sort feature to sort by location, so you can sort by people who apply for Sunriver and La Pine as well as Bend.
1.0 FTE K-2 Classroom Teacher–Regular1.0 FTE K-2 Classroom Teacher – Temporary1.0 FTE 3-5 Classroom Teacher – Regular1.0 FTE 3-5 Classroom Teacher – Temporary Within the application, there is a question asking the candidate to select locations where they would be willing work and they can choose Bend, Sunriver, and La Pine.
From Tammy and Lisa:
Lewis and Clark Admin Cohort: If you know of anyone who is interested in starting their administrative (Principal) licensure program this next fall in an all in-person, small cohort, central Oregon focused program, please share the flyer below with them. All instructors are central Oregon leaders. Please also share with your principals or other leaders who would know teachers who might be interested. Flier for more information.
We will be holding an information session: Thursday, May 23, 2024, 4:30-5:30 at the HDESD in the Cascades Conference Room
Please let Lora, Lisa or Paul Andrews at the ESD know if you have any questions.
Important Dates
May 15: Monthly Admin PD at Mountain View High School, 3:00-4:30
May 15: Excellence in Education right after admin meeting at MVHS
Dibels Testing Dates: Here is the schedule. (make 12 stations, let them test all K-5 kids, clear schedules and make testing the priority)
New Notes:
From Colleen FunderburgRe: Acadience Math Benchmark Testing
As we gear up for the spring reading DIBELS schedule (starting May 9th), let’s seize this opportunity to complete Acadience math assessments!
📚📽️ Resources:
Access our digital scoring materials through the provided link here.
For a quick refresher on administering the test, we’ve embedded helpful instructional videos right here.
Need additional booklets? Contact Lisa McNulty in Student Services
🙋♂️🙋🏽♀️ Support: Remember, our dedicated Student Services Coaches are just a message away! Whether you have questions, need assistance with materials, or require help entering scores post-assessment, they’re here to ensure your experience is seamless.
From Brad Henry Re: Pace, More than Just Insurance
Many of you are aware that our property, liability, auto, cyber and other insurance is provided by an insurance pool, Pace. Pace was formed in 2006 by the Oregon School Boards Assoc and Special Districts Assoc of Oregon. With the exception of three large school districts, all school districts and community colleges in Oregon are members of the pool. This unique insurance structure not only provides for great coverage when there are claims but also allows Pace and these two organizations to provide many risk prevention strategies, trainings and tools across risks like cybersecurity, playground safety, athletics, and CTE classrooms. One area that cannot receive enough attention and resources is the prevention of abuse, including sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse prevention education is crucial for all students and staff, despite its discomfort. Empowering district employees with the knowledge and skills to protect students’ physical and mental well-being is paramount. Understanding signs of potential abuse, recognizing grooming behaviors, and responding effectively are critical roles employees play in fostering a safe learning environment. When employees are well-informed about prevention strategies, it promotes transparency, communication, and collaboration, strengthening relationships within the school community and enhancing overall safeguarding measures.
If you would like more information, please visit the Pace website for lots of information and tools regarding sexual abuse prevention and reporting requirements. While on the website, check out the other items available on the “resources” tab at the top of the page. You can find District policy GBNAB/JHFE-BP on Suspected Abuse of a Child Reporting Requirements here and District Administrative Regulation GBNAB/JHFE-AR on Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse here.
Thanks for all you do to help create an environment where students and staff can thrive!
Instructional coaches will only be in buildings on Tuesdays and Thursdays during May and June. They will be busy prepping for summer professional learning!!
Life and Career Readiness with Jenny White: Help students navigate the complexities of friendships with this collection of lessons and activities. It offers guidance on resolving conflicts and cultivating healthy and supportive friendships.
How to find the Navigating Friendships Collections in Wayfinder.
NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE DAY IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024!!!
Nurses practicing in the school setting play such a crucial role in keeping students healthy and safe. Please take a moment to honor the nurse in your school for their dedication and hard work with supporting students, staff, and families.
Architects in School Summer Opportunities. Please share with families! I am excited to share some architecture and design related resources and opportunities with you, in hopes that you will spread the word to your network of families, students, educators and more!
Virtual Architects in Schools Summer Camp (designed for youth ages 8-12)
Please help us in sharing our Architects in Schools Summer Camp information (see attached English and Spanish flyer). Our virtual camp held from June 24-28 is free and designed for youth ages 8-12. During this camp, students will learn about the benefits of adaptive reuse and how the built environment must evolve with cultural, societal, and environmental changes. They will take on the role of an architect and builder to redesign a structure for their community. Learn more here or through the link in the attached flyer. Register by June 14 to participate (Oregon residents can request a free supply box by June 7).
2024 Summer Camp Catalog (for students K-College)
There are several great camps for Oregon students to explore design this summer (including our Architects in Schools Camp, NOMA PDX’s Project Pipeline, ELSO’s Wayfinders and more) and we have compiled those opportunities into our 2024 Summer Camp Catalog (please see PDF attachments, English and Spanish version). Registration deadlines are approaching soon. Here are the weblinks in case those are easier for you to share: English Catalog, Spanish Catalog.
Oregon Student Opportunities Hub (for students K-College)
Our Hub is a resource for students, Kindergarten through Post-Secondary, to explore architecture, engineering, construction, and design opportunities across Oregon. This includes programs, camps, internships, scholarships, events, and more. Check it out and share with a student!
Please let me know if I can supply you with anything else to help spread the word. Thank you and have a great rest of the school year! Candice Agahan (she/her). Education Program Manager, [email protected]. work: 503-542-3823. cell: 858-243-8720
From Walt and Jackie (Custodial and Sustainability). Thank you for your patience as we work on retiring/removal of the Wonders Curriculum books. Please refrain from boxing any hardbound books as we are finalizing a specialized box for shipment to a recycling facility in Vancouver. If books are already boxed, please leave them as is until the next steps are finalized. Soft-cover books and paper product manipulatives can be recycled in the large blue co-mingle bins or go home with students. Please start this process early so as to not overload the carts. Thank you for your cooperation.
From Tammy and Lisa:
Self Care: We are in the middle of the long stretch to the end. It’s important to take care of yourself. You know the ol’ adage, you can’t pour from an empty cup? Here are some self-care tips—are you able to do 2-3 of these on a daily basis? Remember, don’t live to work, but rather, work to live!
Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. …
Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. …
Make sleep a priority. …
Try a relaxing activity. …
Set goals and priorities. …
Practice gratitude. …
Focus on positivity. …
Stay connected.
….and more!
Important Dates
May 4: Official Star Wars Day—May the 4th be with you!
May 6-May 10: Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 8: Deputy Superintendent Forum in the Board Room 5-6 dinner, 6-7 Forum
May 15: Monthly Admin PD at Perseverance Hall, 3:00-4:30
June 15-16: Juneteenth Community Celebration in Drake Park
And finally…
Help! Please reach out to your friends and family connections within the community to help find a house to rent for Beth Martin and family. Beth is our newest administrator who will be leading North Star next year and they are on their way….but are struggling to find something to rent. Preferably a 3+ bedroom, 2+bath (family of 5), and a yard for a 4 legged friend! You can email Beth any leads at [email protected].
The Time is Now, Tend to the People Around You and Always Seek to be Kind!
“The Three Questions” is a short story by Russian author Leo Tolstoy that was published in 1903. I have linked it here. It is a little long, but a great read if you have never had the chance! The story follows a king seeking answers to three questions:
What is the best time to do things?
Who is the most important person?
What is the right thing to do?
The king offers a reward for the answers to these questions and seeks the advice of many advisors and wise men, but none can give him sthe response he is looking for. Eventually, he learns the answers to his questions through his own experiences and actions.
“The Three Questions” portrays the importance of living in the present moment and taking personal action. The story emphasizes the futility of worrying about the past or the future and highlights the importance of engaging fully in all of life’s moments.
The story teaches that the answers to life’s big questions can only be found through action and experience rather than through intellectual inquiry alone. Tolstoy shows that the best way to live is with compassion and kindness toward others. It also encourages readers to cultivate a sense of mindfulness, rather than being preoccupied with the past or the future.
The Coming Week
Monday
MCT Jack in the Beanstalk
Committee Meetings 2:30-3:15
Tuesday
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
MCT Jack in the Beanstalk
Wednesday
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
SIW Jump Start New EL Program 1:00-2:30
MCT Jack in the Beanstalk
Thursday
MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
MCT Jack in the Beanstalk
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
MCT Jack in the Beanstalk – Performances 12:30 and 6:00
UPCOMING DATES:
May 6 2nd Grade Field Trip
May 6 Levy Presentation 2:30-3:00
May 7 Safety Meeting 7:00
May 7 5th Grade Field Trip
May 7 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 7 Head Start Tour 10:15-10:50
May 7 ICCL Meeting 2:30-3:15
May 8 Fire Drill 8:00
May 8 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 8 SIW Jump Start New EL Program 1:00-2:30
May 9 Olivia Variel’s Birthday!
May 9 Kinder Forest Field Trip
May 9 MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
May 10 Jolene Kepler’s Birthday!
May 10 Assembly 1:30
May 10 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
May 13 Emily Winchester’s Birthday!
May 13 Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
May 14 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 14 Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
May 15 Lisa Bjorback’s Birthday!
May 15 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 15 SIW Teacher Prep
May 15 Admin PD 2:00-5:00
May 16 MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
May 17 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
May 20 Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
May 21 Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
May 21 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 22 Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
May 22 Tonya Myers’ Birthday!
May 22 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 22 SIW Lexia 1:00-2:30
May 23 Kinder Orientation 5:30-6:30
May 24 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
May 25 Chris Hill’s Birthday!
May 26 Josh Hayden’s Birthday!
May 27 No School
May 28 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 28 Elementary Leadership Meeting 3:00-5:00
May 29 Brooke Vossler’s Birthday!
May 29 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 29 SIW Art in the Meadow prep
May 29 Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
May 30 Counselor Celebration 8:00-3:00 Downtown
May 31 Train Your Brain Presentation for 3rd Grade 9:00-10:00
May 31 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Updates from Downtown
We are learning a lot about what it means to create AUTHENTIC family engagement and we can’t wait to share more with you all! Click on the icon above for access to a great tool that your school could use when creating your family engagement plan. Check out page 26 for a way to monitor your programming over time. There is a lot to think about!
Do Now:
Levy Talk: Consider the ways in which you might educate your PTOs related to the upcoming levy. Tammy and I are happy to support you with this type of connection too. Ballots will go out in just a week! HERE is some information that Scott has put together if you’re looking for a bit more information than the flyers.
Middle School Transition and Math Bypass Testing for 5th grade: An assessment needs to be given for some 5th grade students who could potentially skip 6th grade math if they meet the requirements. This assessment will only be given to 5th grade students whose teacher nominates them based on their math proficiency being exceptional, parents request their child take the test, or students who nominate themselves. This assessment will use iReady and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete on the iPad.
Schedule this assessment for some time in May and pull the identified students to a space and administer the assessment before the end of the year.
Be sure to set up the testing area with 12 stations
Clear schedules for school testing staff so they can also test students on testing day
Reminders:
Interested staff members must indicate their interest in having their child attend KIDS Inc by filling out the KIDS Inc Interest Form and submitting an application to the program that can be found on the KIDS Inc website. The application period is May 6- May 17.
Please look for an e-mail coming from Aimee Snyder, our District/County Partnership Health Supervisor. She is sending an invite for parents/caregivers of students in grades 4th-10th to participate in a 20-minute online survey. This survey is part of a county-wide assessment of prevention needs for families around topics like substance use and mental health. And, the first 85 English respondents and 85 Spanish respondents will receive a $15 Visa gift card for their participation!
Important Dates
April 30: Transfer interviews: High Lakes Elementary, 3:15-5:15
May 1: BRYT Focus Groups for SSCs/SSEAs during SIW
May 6-May 10: Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 15: Monthly Admin PD at Perseverance Hall, 3:00-4:30
June 15-16: Juneteenth Community Celebration in Drake Park
June 18: Last Horizontal meeting of the year @ Hollinshead Barn, 3:00-5:00.
And finally…
When did you last make a wish? Was it on your previous birthday? All wishes are all important. After all, if you don’t have wishes and dreams, you don’t have hope! Start your week off right by making a wish for yourself and helping someone else’s wish come true on this World Wish Day (April 29).
We Help Create Great Human Beings, and They Get to Learn Math and Reading as Well!
I had a parent once tell me that my job was to teach academics…only, and when I went to college, I went to. learn how to teach math, reading, science, music, PE, history, etc. But… this is what I ended up teaching the most and I know you can all relate. The list below from Robert Fulghum‘s best-selling book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.
1. Share everything. 2. Play fair. 3. Don’t hit people. 4. Put things back where you found them. 5. Clean up your own mess. 6. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. 7. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. 8. Wash your hands before you eat. 9. Flush. 10. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. 11. Live a balanced life — learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. 12. Take a nap every afternoon. 13. When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. 14. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. 15. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup — they all die. So do we. 16. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned — the biggest word of all — LOOK.
From Robert Fulghum‘s best-selling book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.
Does this sound familiar to you? The book was written over 38 years ago, and here we are still teaching these on a daily basis. Its core message is as relevant today as it ever was. We have added so many more things in the last 38 years to this list, such as, how to cope with loss, how to cope with neglet, how to protect yourself from those that want to do you harm. The list goes on and on. I am so proud of what we do! Math, Reading, Science, History, etc… what we truly do is help to create great human beings!
The Coming Week
Monday
Miss Nelson (Presentation) Mountain View High School 12:15-12:45
OSAS Test Training in the Library for any Certified Staff who may be helping with testing – 2:30-3:15
EA Test Training will be on Wednesday at 1:00
Tuesday
Fire Drill 8:00
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
Care Teams Meeting 2:20-3:15
Elementary Admin Meeting 3:00-5:00
Wednesday
Spring Picture Day
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
EA Meeting OSAS Training in the Media Center 1:00-1:30
SIW ED Network 1:00-2:30
Thursday
MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
April 25 Beginning Admin Meeting 5:00-7:00
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
UPCOMING DATES:
April 29-May 3 MCT Jack in the Beanstalk
April 29 Committee Meetings 2:30-3:15
April 30 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 1 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 1 SIW Jump Start New EL Program 1:00-2:30
May 2 MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
May 3 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Updates from Downtown
A big thank you to 17 staff members from many of your schools, who have signed up to meet with incoming kindergarten students and their families this coming Saturday. We are excited to welcome the class of 2037 to the 24-25 school year! Out and about on Saturday? Swing by one of the parks at the time above to check it out!
Do Now:
Change!!! From Julie. April 24 locations for all staff for Ed Network Day—share with staff Now! Lava Ridge and Highland, please note your location changes, so if you have already shared the location, please share this version and location change instead. This link also has locations for Co-Curricular teachers, Specialists, and more. Thank you!!
Please let your staff members know that they can indicate their interest in having their child attend KIDS Inc by filling out the KIDS Inc Interest Form specific to BLP employees for the 2024-2025 school year. As a reminder, they also MUST submit an application to the program that can be found on the KIDS Inc website in order to be considered. Indicating interest does not guarantee a spot in the program but BLP employees will be prioritized. The application period is May 6- May 17.
With conferences in the rearview mirror, many families may be asking about Lexia, Dreambox, or Sora access at home for additional learning. Here are a few frequently asked questions to help with this and to prepare for the upcoming summer as well.
Are students allowed to bring iPads home during the school year? Yes, students can bring the iPad home if the family and school agree, a specific learning goal is provided, and the family knows in advance that the iPad is coming home.
How do students access Clever programs such as Lexia and Dreambox from a personal device? The directions for accessing Clever from home on a personal device can be found here. Please note that this requires students to set-up multi-factor authentication. Your media manager or tier 1 support should have the Student MFA set-up directions.
Can students bring the iPad home for the summer? In most cases, we would recommend that the iPad remains at school for the summer. If a student does not have access to a personal device and the family is requesting access to our district learning programs, then they can check out the iPad for the summer. The student and guardian will need to complete the Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement Student/Parent Summer Form. You can get this form from your site tech or instructional technology.
How long will students be able to access Clever programs (Lexia, Dreambox, Sora, etc.) this summer? Student access to Clever will end in early August in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year.
From Jenny White: Life and Career Readiness
Flexible Thinking and Growth Mindset Collections
Develop students’ ability to think flexibly and adapt to new situations with this collection of activities and lessons. Through problem-solving activities, perspective-taking exercises, and cognitive flexibility tasks, students will learn to approach challenges with an open mind and consider multiple viewpoints. These resources foster resilience, creativity, and the ability to navigate change.
Directions on how to find the collection on Wayfinder
From Jennifer Hauth: Social, Emotional, and Mental Well Being
BRYT Focus Groups on May 1st for SIW: We wanted to share an exciting opportunity for our Student Success staff coming up on Wednesday, May 1st. Our BRYT partners from Boston are coming out to visit Bend-La Pine that week, and we have a chance to meet with them Wednesday afternoon in elementary and secondary focus groups. We understand this is a building-discretion SIW. If you are able to release your SSC/SSI and SSEA to join us, we’d be so appreciative. The coaches sent a separate to communication directly to your student success staff as well. Thank you!
April 23: Horizontal 3:00-5:00–mandatory EL training– at Highland. We need the full 2 hours, so please be on time. No school share outs this time–we’ll catch you up later!
April 30: All goals, formal observations, and most mini observations finalized in UKG
April 30: Transfer interviews: High Lakes Elementary, 3:15-5:15
May 30: School Counselor Celebration in board room 8-9:30
Initiate Self-Reflections (SRs) for your staff this week if you haven’t already. Directions are in the reminder section.
Please let your staff members know that they can indicate their interest in having their child attend KIDS Inc by filling out the KIDS Inc Interest Form specific to BLP employees for the 2024-2025 school year. As a reminder, they also MUST submit an application to the program that can be found on the KIDS Inc website in order to be considered. Indicating interest does not guarantee a spot in the program but BLP employees will be prioritized. The application period is May 6- May 17.
Reminders:
Roger White support: Thank you Patrick for sharing the information about how we can help Roger and his family as they rally around helping their husband and dad. While it is a Meal Train link, it is also a place to send gift cards and donate money as well. What to help? Click this link.
Here is an instruction video to share with your staff on how to complete self-reflections
From Julie: Curriculum, Instruction and Systems: Expeditionary Learning (EL Education, Language Arts adopted materials) launch will be on our next Educator Network Day, April 24th from 2:00-3:15. Trainers will be here in-person to give us our first look at the “why” behind the curriculum and the components. We will be travelling to 4 locations. The expectation is everyone is there on time and ready to learn.
Transfer Interviews: Update, they have now been moved to April 30 instead of April 23.
Coordination of TItle IX responsibilities are transitioning from Steve Herron to Kinsey, to align better with current practices and with other Civil Rights-related coordination duties.
As a reminder, Title IX protections cover:
discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity;
sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking;
athletics, academics, and activities;
admissions, hiring, access;
pregnant and parenting students
If you have a potential incident or complaint that involves one of the above topics, please promptly:
Report it via the bias incident reporting form, or
Contact Kinsey 🙂
Upcoming Office of DEI district-wide events:
Mark your calendars! Please share a ‘save the date’ with your staff as applicable (flyers and details to follow):
Queer Prom = Saturday, May 4th 7:00pm at BTA (Star Wars theme, of course)
KínderFiesta = Saturday, May 18th 10:00am-1:00pm at the Ed Center (for newly-enrolling Spanish-speaking kindergarten families)
GSA in the Park = Thursday, June 6th 10:00am-1:00pm at Troy Field/Ed Center
Community celebrations (BLS family advisory groups will host booths):
Pride = June 1, Drake Park
Juneteenth community celebration = June 15-16, Drake Park
More details to follow. If any staff wants to volunteer or participate, please reach out!
From Jackie Mueller- SUSTAINABILITY
EARTH DAY RESOURCES: Looking for something to use with students during Earth Day? Here are two great resources to explore:
FOOD WASTE REDUCTION VIDEOS: Food waste reduction week, which took place April 1-7th provided an opportunity to challenge students to make changes in their choices. This initiative not only aims to reduce waste but also plays a crucial role in our greenhouse gas reduction and climate change mitigation.
If you have not had the chance to view them yet, you can watch the food waste reduction video created for elementary schools here and for middle/high schools here. These videos will help you and staff and students learn about the meal program requirements and how to reduce waste through choices.
IDLE-FREE CAMPAIGN: School green teams are preparing for Earth Week, and many will be working on Idle-Free campaigns at schools. Here is a PDF you can share with parents and driving students about idling. Here is some information that was created by the green team at BSH. And lastly, here is newsletter and parent letter ideas.
MAY 8TH WALK AND ROLL TO SCHOOL: New this year, we will be distributing a google sheet to each school for each teacher to log a simple tally of who walked, biked, took the bus, or drove to school on May 8th. It will take less than 30 seconds and we really appreciate your help with this!
Please join us in celebrating the May Walk + Roll to School Day Event on May 8th! If your school is interested in participating please contact ([email protected]) She can drop off Walk + Roll swag, posters, and informational flyers for to distribute to students. In addition, feel free to use this poster and take-home flyers. The following language can be sent to students and parents: * Please join us in celebrating May Walk + Roll to School Day on May 8th by walking or rolling to school. Log your trip for a chance to win a prize!See the following link to log your trip and for more information. Thank you!
Unirse a nosotros celebrando el día de Mayo de Walk and Roll a escuela el 8 de Mayo con caminando o rodando a escuela. ¡Registre su viaje para una oportunidad a ganar un premio! Para más información y registrar su viaje, ve este enlace. ¡Gracias!
From Tammy and Lisa:
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education is announcing an opportunity for 5th grade classrooms to be invovled in designing and proposing microgravity experiments to fly on the International Space Station (ISS) in the fall of 2024. Read more here!
Important Dates
May 7: Transfer interviews: High Lakes Elementary, 3:15-5:15
What is the weight of a pencil? I looked it up and it is about 25 grams. That is pretty light. Feels like you should be able to carry that forever… what happens if you carry it out in front of you with your arms extended. Believe me, it does not take long for 25 grams to be impossible to carry. The song below is one of my favorite songs. When we have burdens, often we try to carry those by ourselves. At first they feel like the pencil in your pocket. Nobody know and it is pretty easy to “shoulder the burden.” Eventually though our arms start to extend and that burden becomes impossible to carry on our own. I had a rough week right before spring break, but I was so fortunate to be able to lean on some of the staff here and I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! Let’s either lean on the people around us when needed or be that person to lean on!
Lean on Me
Song by Al Green
Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have sorrow.
But, if we are wise, we know that there’s always tomorrow.
How true, I don’t know anybody in the world who escapes without pain and sorrow, but the song gives us a great reminder… there is always tomorrow!
Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend,
I’ll help you carry on. For it won’t be long, till I’m gonna need
somebody to lean on.
Please, swallow your pride, if I have
faith, you need to borrow. For no one can fill those of your
needs, that you won’t let show.
Pride does get in the way of a lot of things. How do we give it up and lean on the people around us? To start we have to show our needs or people do not know how to lend a hand!
You just call on me, brother when you need a hand,
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand,
we all need somebody to lean on.
We might not understand all problems, but… we all understand what it is like to have a problem, let’s be that someone to lean on!
Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend,
I’ll help you carry on. For it won’t be long, till I’m gonna need
somebody to lean on.
You just call on me, brother when you need a hand,
we all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand,
we all need somebody to lean on.
If, there is a load, you have to bear, that you can’t carry,
I’m right up the road, I’ll share your load, if you just call me.
“Up the road” at Elk Meadow is everywhere.! Find someone, anyone and let them help bear your load!
The Coming Week
Monday
Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
Tuesday
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
ICCL Meeting 2:15-3:15
Wednesday
Conferences 8:00-8:00
Thursday
Conferences 8:00-8:00
Friday
No School
Nicole Sieh’s Birthday!
Saturday
Emily McLarty’s Birthday!
UPCOMING DATES:
April 16 Travis Hanson’s Birthday!
April 16 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
April 16 ICCL Admin Meeting 3:00-5:00
April 17 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
April 17 EA Meeting 1:00-1:30
April 17 SIW Collaborative Problem Solving #2 – Mary and Natalie 1:00-2:30
April 17 2nd Grade Performance 5:00
April 18 MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
April 19 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
April 23 Fire Drill 8:00
April 23 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
April 23 Miss Nelson (Presentation) Mountain View High School 12:15-12:45
April 23 Care Teams Meeting 2:20-3:15
April 23 Elementary Admin Meeting 3:00-5:00
April 24 Spring Picture Day
April 24 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
April 24 SIW ED Network
April 25 MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
April 25 Beginning Admin Meeting 5:00-7:00
April 26 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
April 29-May 3 MCT Jack in the Beanstalk
April 29 Committee Meetings 2:30-3:15
April 30 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 1 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 1 SIW Jump Start New EL Program 1:00-2:30
May 2 MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
May 3 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Updates from Downtown
Do Now:
From Julie: Curriculum, Instruction and Systems
Please share the following information with your staff now.
Wonders Materials
More information will be shared in the coming weeks on the plan for disposing of Wonders and Units of Study materials
The Wonders and Wonderworks decodables are great resources. I recommend teachers keep these as resources for the coming years.
The Leveled Readers are also a great resource. Teachers are welcome to keep these in their classroom libraries.
During April conferences teachers can give away shared read and anthology books (lock and key)
Expeditionary Learning Launch
Expeditionary Learning (EL Education, Language Arts adopted materials) launch will be on our next Educator Network Day, April 24th from 2:00-3:15. Trainers will be here in-person to give us our first look at the “why” behind the curriculum and the components. We will be travelling to 4 locations. The expectation is everyone is there on time and ready to learn.
Digital Citizenship for 3rd – 5th graders in Wayfinder’s Collections
Equip students with essential digital literacy skills and promote responsible online behavior, empowering them to navigate the digital world safely, critically evaluate information, and become responsible digital citizens. Direct Link. Directions on how to find this collection in Wayfiner
Game Collections in Wayfinder
Engage students in fun and interactive games that promote engagement. This collection includes games that encourage cooperation, adaptability, and connection. Directions on how to get to the collections in Wayfinder. Here are the direct links: Kindergarten, 1st – 2nd 3rd – 5th
For Principals or Teacher Leaders a fun Wayfinder Activity you can use in a SIW or Staff Meeting. Rock, Paper, Scissors Battle
From Paul in HR:
Here is an instruction video to share with your staff on how to complete self-reflections
From Tammy and Lisa:
Conferences and Levy Information: This next week, you will be receiving information informing families of the upcoming levy and what it means for Bend-La Pine Schools. You will get a stack of fliers that are to be distributed to each classroom teacher to pass out to each family at conferences. As a reminder, we can educate all about the levy, but we cannot tell people how to vote for it.
Transfer Interviews: Update, they have now been moved to April 30 instead of April 23.
Roger White support: Thank you Patrick for sharing the information about how we can help Roger and his family as they rally around helping their husband and dad as he fights the hardest fight of his life to recover. While it is a Meal Train link, it is also a place to send gift cards and donate money as well. What to help? Click this link.
Important Dates
Please check that your calendars have all these dates.
April 10: Youth Truth Training 1-3 pm in the Board Room (all Elementary Admin)
April 10-11. Spring Conferences W: 3:15 pm -7:15 pm , Th 7:15 am-7:15 pm
April 19: Staffing plans due
April 23: Horizontal 3:00-5:00–mandatory EL training– at Highland. We need the full 2 hours, so please be on time. No school share outs this time–we’ll catch you up later!
April 30: Transfer interviews: High Lakes Elementary, 3:15-5:15
I was reminded of a couple of things, on the plane, while watching a movie with Addalyn. One of my favorites, Cinderella (2015)! Both points always stick with me because it wraps up the essence of teaching today.
“Have Courage and be Kind”. If that is not an education motto, I do not know what is!
E. Lockhart once said, “See the world as it is, not as you wish it would be.” I disagree!! I don’t want to see it as it is or as I wish it to be. I want to see it as Cinderella saw it. “See the world not as it is, but as it could be”. Is that not what we do everyday as educators?
So I challenge you to continue to be kind, continue to have courage, and continue to see the world not as it is, but as it could (should) be! Look at each day as a gift, weather the things that are thrown at you are good, bad, scar,y or ugly. They get thrown at you because you are lucky enough to still be on the right side of the dirt, revolving around this sun. Take each thing as an opportunity and lean on the people around you!!
The Coming Week
Monday
Care Teams Meeting 2:30=3:15
Tuesday
Dexter’s Birthday!
Safety Team Meeting 7:00-7:30
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
SBAC Training 2:30-3:15
Wednesday
Noah’s Birthday!
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
SIW Conference Prep Time
Thursday
Educator Job Fair 1:00-6:00
1st week of MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
UPCOMING DATES:
April 5 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
April 8 Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
April 9 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
April 9 ICCL Meeting 2:15-3:15
April 10 Conferences 8:00-8:00
April 10 Admin PD 3:00-5:00
April 11 Conferences 8:00-8:00
April 12 No School
April 13 Emily McLarty’s Birthday!
April 16 Travis Hanson’s Birthday!
April 16 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
April 16 ICCL Admin Meeting 3:00-5:00
April 17 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
April 17 EA Meeting 1:00-1:30
April 17 SIW Collaborative Problem Solving #2 – Mary and Natalie 1:00-2:30
April 17 2nd Grade Performance 5:00
April 18 MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
April 19 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
April 23 Fire Drill 8:00
April 23 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
April 23 Miss Nelson (Presentation) Mountain View High School 12:15-12:45
April 23 Care Teams Meeting 2:20-3:15
April 23 Elementary Admin Meeting 3:00-5:00
April 24 Spring Picture Day
April 24 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
April 24 SIW ED Network
April 25 MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
April 25 Beginning Admin Meeting 5:00-7:00
April 26 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
April 29-May 3 MCT Jack in the Beanstalk
April 29 Committee Meetings 2:30-3:15
April 30 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 1 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 1 SIW Jump Start New EL Program 1:00-2:30
May 2 MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
May 3 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Updates from Downtown
April is National Volunteer Month! How are you spreading the goodness of volunteerism in your school this month? How are you celebrating your volunteers this month? Learn more about National Volunteer Month HERE.
Support students to develop healthypersonal boundaries through activities and discussions that promote self-confidence, character, and the ability to set and maintain boundaries in various contexts. Directions on how to find the collections on Wayfinder.
The current supply of COVID-19 iHealth tests for BLS expires at the end of March. There has not been an expiry extension notice provided from the FDA. OHA will no longer be distributing free iHealth tests to schools. Unexpired COVID-19 tests can be obtained at a local pharmacy or through a health care provider.
From HR: The HR Department is moving from the 3rd floor of the Ed Center to the 2nd floor (in the space previously occupied by HDESD). Because of the move, our physical offices will not be accessible during the week of April 1-5, but HR staff will be available via phone (you may use our current extensions) and email throughout that time.
April 10: Youth Truth Training 1-3 pm in the Board Room (all Elementary Admin)
April 17: Office Staff training in the board room from 1:15-2:15.
April 19: Staffing plans due
April 23: Transfer interviews (Location and time TBD)
May: SBAC for Math and Science
May 30: School Counselor Celebration in board room 8-9:30
And finally…
Are you a poisson d’avril? April Fool’s Day is just around the corner! What a way to start the week! Click on the pic above to learn more about the origins of this wacky holiday.
