Week at a Glance

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  Welcome back Grace! ICCL Meeting @ 2:30 in C5
• Tuesday:  K-2 Literacy Team in C3; Karen Rush Site Visit @ 9:30
• Wednesday:  SST @ 8:00 in C5; OBOB Pizza Party @ Media Center (lunches); Elementary Safety Cadre @ 1:30 (Silver Rail); SIW-Educator Network Day Part II @ 1:45 (Media Center)
• Thursday: 5^th MTSS in C5 & K-4^th PLC Meeting @ 2:30
• Friday:  Mismatch/Mustache Dress Up Day

We will be announcing Kindness awards on the announcements Tuesday-Friday

This week we will announce the March recipients of the Recess Awards. The outside supervision team will be selecting students monthly for this honor and we will recognize recipients on the announcements. This month students are being selected for kindness on the playground.

Special Programs has started Learning Specialist interviews for next year. These are group interviews and we are one of the schools participating. This position will fill the vacancy from Sara Towne’s resignation. KC Weary, who begins on April 2nd, will serve in this role temporarily for the remainder of the year.

Lava Ridge recently received a generous donation of snacks! These snacks, along with mustaches for next Friday, will be arriving in your classroom soon.

This week the Maintenance Department installed a keyless entry access point at the bus entrance. We are waiting for more details on when staff will be able to use this entry system.

Last call! 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 2024-25 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.

Nomination for Certified Staff Member

Nomination for Support Staff Member

Staff Room Tidy Team:  5^th grade

Next Week is a B week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:  

• Monday:  5^th grade forecasting with Skv View @ 10:00 (Friendship Mountain Commons) TAG Meeting @ 3:45 @ Ed Center
• Wednesday:  EA Meeting @ 10:30 in A6; Sped EA Meeting @ 1:00 in A1; SIW-Educator Network Day @ 1:45 (Media Center)
• Thursday: Dr. Cook Virtual Meeting @ 3:05; Open House for 5^th grade families at Sky View @ 6:00

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 2024-25 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.

Nomination for Certified Staff Member

Nomination for Support Staff Member

From Instructional Technology, Tracy Howk and Robbie Faith: Students in grades K-8 will now find a new icon on their iPad home screen directing them to the research databases hosted on our media center websites. Utilizing carefully curated research databases, instead of generic search engines, is crucial for fostering responsible information-seeking in the vast sea of online resources. Check out Quick Access to Safe and Reliable Research for more information. If you’d like support with research projects in your classrooms, please reach out to your instructional coach or our instructional technology team, Robbie Faith and Tracy Howk.

You’ve been granted a one-way ticket to another country of your choice. Where are you going?

• Italy (listed by 3 people)
• Greece (listed by 2 people)
• Israel
• Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
• Thailand
• Ireland/Scotland
• Spain
• Bora Bora
• Australia
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Ireland
• Norway sounds nice – or maybe Ireland
• Mexico
• New Zealand

Staff Room Tidy Team:  4^th grade

Next Week is an A week

Thank you Classified Staff for all of your hard work! You are the best!

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:

• Tuesday:  Sky View Music & 5^th grade @ 1:20-2:00 (gym); Staff Meeting @ 2:30 in the Media Center
• Wednesday:  SST Meeting in C5 @ 8:00; SIW-Work in Classrooms; Lava Ridge Showcase @ 5:00-6:30
• Thursday: Lava Team Meetings @ 2:30
• Friday:  EL Learning Walks with Lindsley AM; Deschutes Brewery PD Session @ 4:00

Thank you for welcoming the team that is updating the fire alarm system. When we are fully integrated to the new system (likely, post-Spring Break) we can expect:

• A voice evacuation message first in English and then in Spanish with no more industrial-strobe sound 🙂
• Less pull stations. There will be one in the office and by Mike’s work area. The new system will have improved detection which warrants less pull stations, and the reality is they’re often pulled by mistake (costs district $$$)
• New panel – any fire alarm company can work on the alarms in the future, non proprietary brand (current brand is specific and outdated)

From Director of Multilingual Services -Liza Huet: SIGN UP HERE. *Space is limited

From Information Technology – Scott McDonald: Help us to keep our organization and personal data safe.  Email phishing and scams continues to be our number one threat.  And lately, the bad guys have been busy. Please remember:

Report any suspicious email message– Use the “Phish Alert” button in Microsoft Outlook to flag any suspicious message.  Of course, do not click any links in the email before reporting!

Note External Messages– Along with the yellow banner, you will now see the label “External” beside any message that is not from a Bend-La Pine user. In some cases, you may  also see additional information about the sender.

Only use Microsoft Outlook!-The security features that we invest in and maintain as a district are only available on Microsoft Outlook mail clients and tools.  Please do not add your work email to any other mail application (examples include Apple Mail, Gmail, etc.).

A reminder that on Thursday, March 13, Superintendent Cook will be hosting 30-minute virtual meetings that are open to all District employees (times below)

Dr. Cook will provide updates on bills making their way through the state Legislature and how they could impact our work to build a budget for next school year. He also will touch on directives related to public education coming out of Washington, D.C. Dr. Cook will leave time to answer a few staff questions. PICK YOUR TIME!

• 3:05 to 3:35 p.m. (best for elementary schedules)
• 3:50 to 4:20 p.m. (best for secondary schedules)

Staff Room Tidy Team:  3rd grade

Next Week is a B week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:

• Monday:  ICCL Meeting @ 2:30 in C5
• Tuesday:  Karen Rush/Tammy Doty Site Visit @ 9:30
• Wednesday:  SST Meeting in C5 @ 8:00; SIW-Module 3 Preview and Planning Time @ 1:45 in the Media Center
• Thursday: Lion Pride Drawings @ Lunches; K MTSS in C5; 1-5^th PLC Meetings @ 2:45

We are planning to have a fire drill next week.

Thank you for updating the Erin’s Law planning document with the dates your students will learn the Barbara Sinatra curriculum once you have them set.

The Bend-La Pine Education Foundation Spring Cycle of Classroom Enrichments closes on Friday, February 28. Grant requests can be for up to $500 for project supply replenishment or up to $1,000 for an innovative project. Here is the link to the application : https://forms.gle/kDp6DJMUiFSomxcN8

Staff Room Tidy Team:  2nd grade

Next Week is an A week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:

• Monday:  Enjoy!
• Tuesday: ELPA Testing Begins! Staff Meeting @ 2:30 in the Media Center
• Wednesday:  SST Meeting in C5 @ 8:00; SIW-Work in Classrooms
• Thursday: 1^st MTSS; K, 2-5^th PLC Meetings @ 2:45

On February 26, the focus of SIW will be for teams to have time to preview and begin planning EL Module 3

Staff Room Tidy Team:  1^st grade

Next Week is a B week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:

• Monday:  3^rd grade Walk to Skill Planning Day (Conference Room); ICCL Meeting @ 2:30 in C5
• Wednesday:  Kindergarten Walk to Skill Planning Day (Conference Room);  EA Meeting @ 10:30 in A6; SIW: Erin’s Law Training or EL/Wayfinder/LRE Showcase Planning @ 1:45 in the Media Center
• Thursday: 1^st grade Walk to Skill Planning (Conference Room); Lion Pride Drawings @ Lunches; 2^nd MTSS; K, 1, 3-5^th PLC Meetings @ 2:45
• Friday:  Valentine’s Day!  No Walk to Skill groups

We’ve invited Keely Cashman-Caceres to Lava Ridge on Tuesday @ 11:00-12:00 so we can recognize her for everything she does to keep us safe. We are planning to present Keely with a banner and t-shirt in celebration of SRO Appreciation Week in the cafeteria during this time. If your class has plans to write thank you notes to Keely, feel free to give them to her at this time or they can be sent via interschool mail to Mt. View.

Black History Month and Door Decorating reminder: a reminder that you are invited to join a friendly and fun competition to honor Black History Month across Bend-La Pine! Read here about how to participate and keep these resources in mind throughout the month and beyond to engage students in honoring the heritage, achievements, and contributions of the Black community in the U.S.

Staff Room Tidy Team:  Kindergarten

Next Week is a A week

It’s Spirit Week! Here’s a link to the flyer.

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge

• Monday:  2^nd grade Walk to Skill Planning Day (Conference Room)
• Tuesday:  4^th grade Walk to Skill Planning Day (Conference Room)
• Wednesday:  5^th Grade Walk to Skill Planning Day (Conference Room); Kindness Kick-off Assembly @ 9:00; SIW: Experience Math preview with Sara S followed by Erin’s Law Training or EL/Wayfinder/LRE Showcase planning time @ 1:45 in the Media Center
• Thursday: Lion Pride Drawings @ Lunches; Lava Teams @ 2:30; Bingo Night @ 5:30 (doors @ 5:30)

Sally Brown supports Lava Ridge and our students in so many ways! Thank you for everything you do, Sally. Happy National Counseling Week!

The ICCL Team recently discussed the Barbara Sinatra Fight Child Abuse sexual abuse prevention program and having students learn the content prior to Spring Break. To support teams with this, you can either attend a brief meeting (followed by planning time) on February 5th* or February 12th during SIW. The other date (either 2/5 or 2/12) your team can use for EL or Wayfinder planning or preparing for the Lava Ridge Showcase. Here’s a link to the Barbara Sinatra curriculum.

*The Barbara Sinatra training and planning time for EL/Wayfinder, etc. will take place after Sara Swedlund previews the Experience Math curriculum for us on Wednesday @ 1:45 in the Media Center.

As your team thinks through the Lava Ridge Showcase, here is a Canva scavenger hunt idea from Laci to consider. Lava Ridge Showcase Canva Please make a copy if you would like and see Laci if you have any questions.

Earlier this week, Jeff and Carrie Larmel resigned their educational assistant positions. These positions are posted on the district web site and if you know of a great candidate, please encourage them to apply. Thank you!

Staff Room Tidy Team:  Office Staff 

Next Week is an B week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:

• Monday:  Walk to Skill groups resume; ICCL Meeting @ 2:30 in C5
• Tuesday: Dorian Photographer on Campus Taking Candid Pictures (Really!)
• Wednesday: SIW: Work in Classrooms
• Thursday: 3^rd MTSS @ 2:30 in C5; K-2, 4-5^th PLC Meetings* @ 2:30
• Friday:  Progress Report Preparation Day

*The YouthTruth Staff Survey closes Friday and we hope that you will use PLC meeting time to complete the survey if you haven’t yet. Thank you!   ytsurvey.org/lrestaff25

We will be announcing Belonging trait awards during the announcements Tuesday-Friday

We are planning to have an earthquake drill next week.

Here is the flyer for Spirit Week, Feb 3-7th

Heads Up…SRO Appreciation Week is February 10-14. Keeley Cashman can be reached via inter-school mail at Mt. View HS. if your class would like to recognize her.

The Giving Plate has paused the Backpacks for Bend program for the remainder of the school year. This program provided weekly food packs for some of our students and can still be accessed by families by visiting the Kid’s Korner Market @ the Giving Plate.

If our staff received 3 wishes, these are things we would wish for:

• My own fully paid off house, never to have a headache again, and an unlimited supply of garlic parmesan pretzel twists
• Free vacation, new car, perfect sleep!
• Taco Bell in my house, a room with fluffy blankets, and endless time with my family
• Free caffeine every day for life, universal healthcare, and free gas for life.
• A clean house every day, a spot on a college soccer team for my son and no more health issues for my daughter
• Free concert tickets for life, a chef, and beer to become the equivalent of a health food with no ill health effects
• Plane tickets to a destination of my choice, a healthy body for as long as possible, and free time.
• Health, happiness and stability for my friends and family, and to do and learn fun craft and Household projects, and finally, to be by the beach.
• Health, happiness, and wealth for all
• Family and friends to forever be happy and healthy, dogs to live as long as humans and to teleport anywhere in the world.
• A plane ticket around the world for a yearlong vacation

Staff Room Tidy Team:  EA Team  

Next Week is an A week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:

• Monday:  Enjoy!
• Tuesday: Dorian Photographer on Campus for Candid Pictures; Staff Meeting @ 2:30 in the Media Center
• Wednesday: SIW: Educator Network Day Part II @ 1:45 in the Media Center
• Thursday: DIBELS Day; 4^th MTSS @ 2:30 in C5; K-3, 5^th PLC Meetings* @ 2:30
• Friday:  Karen Rush & Tammy Doty Site Visit @ 9:30

On Tuesday after the Presidential Inauguration there’s the potential that some of our students may experience some big emotions. Please reach out to Laci or I if we can support in any way.

*Please use a PLC Meeting in the next two weeks to complete the YouthTruth Staff Survey.  Thank you!  ytsurvey.org/lrestaff25

We will not have Walk to Skill groups this week as we familiar test students and those who are absent on DIBELS Day.

A reminder that January 31st is progress report preparation day and certified staff can work remotely. An early heads-up that progress reports need to be submitted in Synergy by 5:00 on February 2nd as Tech Services will initiate the Synergy roll-over to Second Semester late that day.

Bingo Night is scheduled to begin on Feb 6 @ 5:30 (updated time!) and will be in the gym.

Staff Room Tidy Team:  Specials Team  

Next Week is a B week

Happenings Next Week at Lava Ridge:

• Monday: Winter Clothing Drive begins and continues through Friday
• Wednesday:  SIW-Educator Network Day @ 1:45 in the Media Center
• Thursday: Lion Pride Drawings @ Lunches; 5^th MTSS in C5; K-4^th PLC Meetings @ 2:30

I’ll be at the District Safety Cadre meeting on Wednesday @1:00

We will not have Walk to Skill groups the week of January 21-24 as we familiar test students and those who are absent on DIBELS Day (1/23)

Here are the notes from the December Climate Meeting.

At this point, next week’s weather is looking favorable for a January Fire Drill.

Hi Lava Ridge – It was nice to be with you for our speedy overview of MagicSchool! Here is a MagicSchool Resource Guide with access instructions and the MagicSchool AI Slides from the SIW. Please be in touch if you’d like support with MagicSchool, or anything else related to instructional technology, as always.  [email protected] & [email protected]

From Kinsey Martin, Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy, & Equity: There are a number of upcoming cultural events taking place in the Bend-La Pine Schools. Here is the full list

As we discussed on Wednesday, January 31st is progress report preparation day and certified staff may work remotely. An early heads-up that progress reports need to be submitted in Synergy by 5:00 on February 2nd as Tech Services will initiate the Synergy roll-over to Second Semester late that day.

Staff Room Tidy Team:  5^th grade

Next Week is a A week