Week at a Glance

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  Staff Meeting @ 2:30 (Media Center)
• Wednesday:  Kindness Assembly @ 12:00 (loading @ 11:57); SIW- Teacher Directed Time
• Thursday: Safety Snack Celebration @ 8:30 (B1); MTSS 4^th (C5), PLC: K-3^rd & 5^th @ 2:30
• Friday:  Leave Sheets Due

We’re planning to have lunch outside on Monday…and as many days as possible this spring! During Monday morning meetings, please review the Outside Lunch Expectations with your class. Thank you! With students able to choose who they sit by when we eat outside, we’re going to pause Fun Friday’s until January 2027.

At the recent Safety Team Meeting, we discussed safety related to the spring and warming weather, below is a list of items for your radar:

• Bee stings- Thank you for having an epipen with you on field trips and knowing the signs/symptoms of allergic reactions to stings.  
• Sun Protection-Hats and Sunscreen can be great for prevention.  Sunscreen is treated similarly to other medications in Bend-La Pine with families needing to fill out an authorization for medication distribution form for a student to apply during the day at school.  There is no paperwork required for good ol’ wide rim hats. 
• Spring/Warm Weather Recess Items:  We have lots of fun options at Lava Ridge for students to play with and we ask that students not bring baseballs, softballs, and frisbees to recess.

From Kinsey Martin: 2026’s Day of Silence is Friday, April 10.  You will may have students observing this day.  Students have the right to express themselves (including through silence, in this case) as long as it is done in an orderly and non-disruptive manner—see related policy.  Thank you for accommodating your participating students by:

• Planning nonverbal or written options for class participation that day
• Letting substitutes know to be prepared to accommodate students as well
• Learning about the day and its significance to your students
• Promptly interrupting and reporting any harassment or bias incidents

Staff Room Tidy Team: Office Crew

Next Week is an A week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Wednesday:  Care Team Meeting @ 8:00 (Den); SIW: K-2^nd Literacy  Focus and Team Time; 3^rd – 5^th State Testing Training @ 1:45 (Media Center)
• Thursday: PTO Meeting-1 team member per grade K-4^th to attend. Thank you! @ 2:30 (Media Center); 5^th MTSS @ 2:30 (C5)

We will be announcing Character Trait Awards for Safety on the announcements beginning Tuesday.

Ariah Waller will be substituting for Liz Johnson for the remainder of the school year while Liz Johnson is on leave. As many of you know, Ariah interned with Jen Hamilton during 2024-25 and has been substituting this school year.

From Tami Pike, Director of Student Services: In your mailbox are some new High Speed Hand Washing signs for the sinks in your classroom.

The Lava Ridge staff were asked, “If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would you choose?”…

• Can’t think of a person, but I’d switch with my cat 😉
• Oprah
• National Geographic Photographer in the Arctic!
• Someone that is very musically talented
• My fluffy cat
• A hummingbird
• Yungblud
• Lainey Wilson
• Someone whose on a relaxing vacation
• Tommy Emmanuel
• Trump. I would do so many things in a day, and then resign.
• Someone filthy rich
• My cat
• Anyone in Heaven, so I could visit people I miss and question people and get answers to unsolved mysteries.

Staff Room Tidy Team:  EA Team

Next Week is a B week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:

• Monday: The Book Fair begins!
• Wednesday: Work in Classrooms 7:15-3:15; Conferences 3:15-7:15 (Dinner provided by PTO @ 2:00 in the Staff Room)
• Thursday: Conferences 7:15-7:15 (Dinner: Pizza @ 2:00 in the Staff Room)
• Friday: Enjoy!

Thank you for participating in the recent, Oreo Taste Off! Here are the final results:

• 1^st place: Toffee Crunch
• 2^nd place: Mint
• 3^rd place: Original

This week we received our initial staffing numbers for next school year. We will be working through a draft plan in the coming weeks and will be asking for input into grade level teaching preferences soon.

Staff Room Tidy Team:  Specials Team

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  Staff Meeting @ 2:30 (Media Center)
• Wednesday:  EA Meeting @ 1:00 (A6);  SIW- Teacher Work Time
• Thursday: Lion Pride Drawing @ Lunches; Lava Teams @ 2:30

Congratulations to Alisha Clawson, Sarah Kamasz, Sara Blanchard and Megan Williams, all winners in the Inspiring Displays Contest in honor of Black History Month! These classrooms will be celebrating in the coming weeks with prizes from the Advocacy Team.

We need your help in selecting a Certified and Support Staff member from Lava Ridge for the Bend-La Pine Schools, Excellence in Education award. This honor is designed to recognize BLS employees who have distinguished themselves during the 2025-26 school year with their leadership, innovation, outstanding professional practice, and positive contributions at work and in the community.  Thank you for submitting your nominations by March 17th.

Excellence in Education Nomination Form

Principals received this Conference Information for Teachers document. Please let me know if you have any questions and if Laci or I can assist in anyway.

A Summit High School student, Nia Sirstins, has reached out to see if any staff members are interested in participating in an AP research project on mandatory reporting. She’s looking for people who would complete a 15 minute interview (phone or in-person) on these questions. She can be reached at [email protected]

Staff Room Tidy Team:  5th Grade Team

Next Week is an A week

Happy Classified Employee and SSC Appreciation Week!

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  ICCL Meeting @ 2:30 (C5)  
• Tuesday:  Sibling Conference Scheduling @ 2:30 (Media Center)
• Wednesday:  Care Team Meeting @ 8:00 (A3); SIW- Educator Network Day
• Thursday: Math Core Effectiveness PLC Meetings K-5^th @ 2:30 (Media Center)

We’ve budgeted $100 per grade level for any expenses teams might incur as you begin to think through the Lava Ridge Showcase (April 24; 5:30-7:00) The format and focus for the Showcase is the same as last year. This is a drop-in event for families to spend about 10-15 minutes in our classrooms experiencing/learning more about what their child’s day is like. During this time students might share work samples with families, experience a math center, navigate a scavenger hunt in the classroom, it’s up to you!  

Madison Mooney is beginning a leave for the remainder of the year on Monday. Congratulations in advance, Madison!

On Tuesday, Matthew is launching a 5th grade after school group, the Mallet Masters. This group will be meeting every Tuesday and Thursday for 30 minutes to further build their marimba skills. The Mallet Masters will be performing at Promotion in June.

Staff Room Tidy Team:  4th Grade Team

Next Week is a B week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  ICCL Meeting @ 2:30 (C5)   
• Tuesday:  SVMS Band, Choir, Orchestra & 5^th grade @ 1:15 (gym)
• Wednesday:  SIW-OT Supports with Sarah Belanger & News from K-2^nd Literacy Team
• Thursday: Lion Pride Drawings @ Lunches; MTSS: K (C5), PLC: K, 1^st -5^th @ 2:30

We will be announcing Character Trait Awards for Safety on the announcements beginning Tuesday.

Staff Room Tidy Team:  3^rd Grade Team

Next Week is an A week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  Enjoy!   
• Tuesday: K-2 Literacy Team (A3)
• Wednesday:  Care Team Meeting @ 8:00 (Den); SRO Fun Activities @ Lunches; Regular ED EA Meeting @ 1:00 (A6); SIW-Teacher Discretionary Time
• Thursday: MTSS: 1^st (C5)  PLC: K, 2^nd-5^th @ 2:30

Thank you for letting me know if you would be interested in being part of the Lion Dash planning team.

Notes for you about March Conferences

-On Tuesday, we’re planning to send home conference scheduling sheets to families. You’ll find these in your mailbox in the morning.

–Sibling Conference scheduling is March 3rd @ 2:30 (Media Center). Thank you for waiting to schedule conferences until after this event.

-Wednesday we included this conference information in the newsletter. Please let Laci or I know if we can provide any support with questions/issues that may arise.

-Below is a is a mutually developed message from Bend-La Pine and BEA that principals have been asked to share about conferences:

If a family requests a virtual or phone format for their conference, please honor this request.  Here are some details for you and the why behind it:

Our expectation is that teachers reasonably accommodate individual requests for need-based circumstances.  However, if the request is due to vacation, leisure travel, or related discretionary activities that the family chose to take during conferences, you are not required to honor a modified format request.  If you feel a family is making an unreasonable request or the request unfairly burdens your time, contact your admin team for support.

A family might request a modified format due to illness, lack of transportation, lack of safety being in public spaces right now, or other personal reasons.  Families are not required to disclose personal details of their circumstances in order to access a phone or virtual option. 

Staff Room Tidy Team:  2nd Grade Team

Next Week is a B week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  Staff Meeting @ 2:30 (Media Center)  
• Tuesday: Dental Screening Follow-up Day (A3)
• Wednesday:  SIW-Core Effectiveness/SLGG Meetings or Time to Meet with EAs/Plan Reading @ 1:45 (Media Center)
• Thursday: MTSS: 2^nd (C5)  PLC: K-1, 3rd-5^th @ 2:30
• Friday: Dress-Up Day:  Fancy Day!

When asked, “What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done yet?” Our awesome staff said…

• I’ve always wanted to learn to scuba dive and dive in Belize or somewhere in the Caribbean. It’s not too late!!
• Retire
• Hike the PCT.
• Travel the world
• See Lady Gaga Live
• Travel to Greece
• Skydiving
• See Machu Picchu
• I have always wanted to travel to Australia and New Zealand.
• Go to Greece
• Take a trip to Nashville.. I love country music!
• I’ve always wanted to go to Dollywood and the Smokey Mountains. Someday!
• Travel to Europe
• Travel to Asia
• Follow college football game day and stay to watch the games.
• Retire
• Visit a foreign country
• Write a book
• Ski in Japan!
• A week-long yoga retreat somewhere fabulous
• Some portion of the PCT

Staff Room Tidy Team:  1^st Grade Team

Next Week is an A week

Happy Spirit Week!

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  Dress Up Day: Mustache Monday
• Tuesday: Dress Up Day: Sports or Book Character; Candid Photo Day
• Wednesday:  Dress Up Day: Crazy Hair or Silly Hat Day; Care Team Meeting @ 8:00 (Den); Safety Assembly @ 12:00 (Loading @ 11:57); SIW-Core Effectiveness/SLGG Meetings or Time to Meet with EAs/Plan Reading @ 1:45 (Media Center)
• Thursday: Dress Up Day: Lava Ridge Spirit or Class Color; Responsibility Refreshment @ 8:30 (B1); Lion Pride Drawings @ Lunches; Bingo @ 5:30 (doors @ 5:00)  
• Friday: Dress Up Day: PJ or Cozy Wear; Leave and Time Sheets Due

It’s National School Counselor Week! Thank you, Sally for everything you do for Lava Ridge!

Below is the schedule for School Improvement Wednesday for February 4th and 11th. You’ll see that each grade level will have time to meet with the educational assistant that provides support during Extension of Core followed by time to meet as a grade level to discuss reading data and plan for Extension of Core & EL. Each grade also has a SIW for reading Core Effectiveness/Mid Year SLGG check-ins. Please connect with an ICCL Leader, Laci or me if you have any questions.

On Tuesday we’ll have a photographer on-site taking candid pictures for the yearbook.

Field trip approaching? Need a First Aid class for the new 1 certified staff:60 student ratio? You can sign up here (First Aid/CPR Course) and once completed attend an in-person check-off with Oliver Tatom to receive your card.

Staff Room Tidy Team:  Kinder Team

Next Week is a B week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  ICCL Meeting @ 2:30 (C5)
• Wednesday: SIW-Teacher Directed Time
• Thursday: 3^rd MTSS (C5) & K-2^nd , 4-5^th PLC @ 2:30  
• Friday: Progress Report Preparation Day; Office Hours 7:15-3:15; Operation Rec in gym until 5:30

If you weren’t able to pick-up your prize yesterday for taking the YouthTruth survey, please see Laci. 🙂

We will be announcing Character Trait Awards for Responsibility on the announcements beginning Tuesday.

We are planning to have a lockdown drill next week. Here are the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) lockdown lesson slides to review with your class on Monday or during Tuesday morning meetings. We are planning to have our SRO, Drew Fanaika and potentially other SROs join us for the drill.

Staff Room Tidy Team: Office Posse

Next Week is an A Week