May 13, 2022

Staffing Update

Thanks for the patience with the staffing updates. We had some last-minute moving parts that I was waiting on and that delayed things. Next year’s staffing plan is complete and we are in the process of interviewing and hiring for some of our positions. Because of declining enrollment across the district, as well as the addition of the class of 2026 to Caldera High School, there are some people from other sites who will be transferred to PCMS next year to fill some of our vacancies.

Personnel matters are private matters, and the news of who is leaving PCMS is not mine to share publicly, so there is not going to be a mass email with those announcements. I am happy to answer questions as to who is coming to PCMS with you individually, but a mass announcement introducing the new faces will have to wait until y’all come back in the fall.

That said, I am SO VERY HAPPY to share that Dan Curfew will remain at PCMS as the Dean of Students next year. Dan has exceeded the sky-high expectations we had for him in this role that he was forced into this year, demonstrating each day that visibility and a relationship-focus are the best approach to student management, and I am heartened to know that he’ll be here to continue in that manner next year.

Excellence in Education Honorees

Speaking of shout-outs, congrats to Deb Mullen and Lynn Neemann for all the amazingness they do that led me to recognize them as our Excellence in Education honorees for this school year. Building principals are asked to submit an explanation along with their nomination, and I’ve included those words below.

It is impossible to spend any time at all at Pacific Crest and not feel Deb Mullen’s impact. When you are dropping off students in front of school, her kind smile is there to greet you and her welcoming wave is there to direct you to pull forward to keep traffic moving. Rain, sun, sleet, or snow, you’ll find Deb at her post to help everyone’s day get moving. Once the day started, you can be sure everyone is where they need to be, as Deb has been up all morning – and last night – dutifully checking the substitute requests to ensure all of our students can learn. Oh, and those treats in the staff room? Those are from Deb, who knows how hard the teachers and staff work and how a food is the universal language of love. Walking the halls, you’ll see Spirit Week posters created by students under Deb’s guidance as our Activities Director. Our Sparrow fundraiser is a big success thanks to all the thought and care Deb puts into the effort, knowing what an important endeavor this is for our Sparrow and their family, but also for our students who are gaining the benefit of learning about service for others thanks to Deb’s constant encouragement. At lunch time, Deb can be found in the cafeteria, perfecting the figure-eight walk that ensures she’ll come in contact with as many students as possible, smiling and reminding them to pick up after themselves. When lunch is over, Deb can be found with a tabletop mop, cleaning to help our custodial staff’s efforts in keeping things clear. After lunch, she is helping to make sure that the building principal has taken time to eat his lunch, reminding him of his upcoming events, ensuring essential communication is shared with students and staff, and reconciling the budget before heading back out to the parking lot to greet families coming to pick up students with her warm smile and firm wave that reminds them to pull forward. There is no place Deb’s warmth, care, and love is not felt at Pacific Crest.

I should probably buy Lynn Neemann a hat rack to store all of the various hats she wears in any given day in her role as our 6^th grade PE & Health teacher. She is a motivator, reminding them of the benefits of exercise and the added benefit of having fun while doing it. She is a cheerleader, constantly pushing kids to do better with a smile and a kind word. She is an expectations-setter, as she understand that adolescents need limits and boundaries – and need adults to set and consistently maintain them. She is a teammate, developing pickleball and geocaching units with her 7^th grade counterpart. She is an influencer, showing colleagues that comfortable shoes and professional demeanor are not mutually exclusive. She is a role model, showing students and staff alike how facing the hardest things one might face, and doing so with a smile and intent to learn and better one’s self, is part of the daily experience at Pacific Crest. She is an advocate, for students and staff alike know that Lynn will champion them and ask for what they need to be successful and supported. For all these reasons and more, it’s a privilege to nominate Lynn Neemann for the Excellence in Education recognition.

End of the Year Events

Last Week of School Spirit Week Our WEB Leaders are determining the themes for Monday – Wednesday, but on Thursday, 6/16 it is Advisory Choice (common theme to unify your students during field day).

Leaving the Nest (8th Grade Promotion Ceremony) On Tuesday evening, June 14 from 6:00 – 7:30 we will celebrate our students completing their middle school years and moving onto their high school years. Staff attendance is optional. Shannon Cramer is producing a photo slideshow. Our PCCO will be putting together gift bags for each student so that we can send them off to high school with a tangible memory of PCMS to go along with all the intangible memories they made here. Unlike years past, there will not be a dance after the ceremony.

Last Day of School I am aware the last several weeks of the school year go by furiously fast and there is so much to wrap up for all of us. I appreciate Jane Ward and Mandy for taking on the bulk of the planning for a fun-filled last day for students and staff. The plan was shared earlier this week at SIW and is being refined. More to come on this over the next couple of weeks.

ICCL Opening

We will have one ICCl posting for the next two years, and we’d like to have that position filled before we head out for the summer. If you are interested, here are instructions for applying. A reminder that ICCL positions are only open to Regular employees (don’t love that term) and not Temporary employees.

Interested teachers will submit an application through Frontline Recruit/Hire. This is a one page application that should only take them a few minutes to complete. https://www.applitrack.com/bend/onlineapp/
A colleague recommendation form will no longer be required.
Paper applications will not be accepted. Applicants must apply through Frontline Recruit/Hire.
There will be an option for applicants to upload a cover letter, resume and letter of recommendation, but this will not be required.
Once they start their application they will be able to select what school they are applying to.

Personal Days

According to our collective bargaining agreement, certified staff may NOT take personal leave the last two weeks of school (June 6-17), unless there are “unusual or highly extenuating circumstances.” If you have a request for personal leave during that time, PLEASE SEE ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, as it requires explanation and approval beyond just my signature.

Drive and Apply Events Every Thursday in Bend, La Pine

Community members are invited to test drive a school bus on an obstacle course, enjoy a free pizza lunch and get a job interview on the spot during interactive transportation job fairs hosted by Bend-La Pine Schools every Thursday for the next six weeks. Join us: Thursdays May 5, 12, 19 and 26; and June 2 and 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bend: 501 SE Second Street and La Pine: 16350 First Street, La Pine. Starting pay is now $25 per hour for drivers and paid training is provided to new hires looking to obtain or renew a Commercial Driver’s License. Learn more on our Jobs webpage or call 541-355-5700.

SLGG Update

I have finished scoring the SLGGs and have asked my Excel guru to compile them so we can measure growth. As soon as I get that back, I’ll write it up and provide instructions on how to upload it to TalentEd. Hopefully next week.

Sunglasses

A reminder that sunglasses are not permitted to be worn inside the building (students with light sensitivities/vision impairments are excluded from this prohibition). I’m behind the times, fashion-wise, but sunglasses seem to be a trendy look these days (typing that sentence made me feel 100 years old, btw). Please remind students of this if you see them wearing sunglasses. Much like cell phones and AirPods, this is something where a unified front will get the results we want. Not wanting to “be the bad guy” in telling someone they are violating a rule is setting your colleague up to “be the bad guy” when they follow through and remind students of the expectations we have for them. Keeping students safe and compliant is in fact being the “good guy” in all ways.

STEM Week Oregon (May 14-22)

All Oregonians are invited to join in the 8th annual STEM Week Oregon – May 14th through 22nd – by participating in one of the daily challenge activities or engaging in other STEM activities. Register and learn more about events and how to get involved at stemoregon.org. Below are links to activity booklets in English and Spanish that can be used in your classrooms or shared with families. ENJOY!

STEM Activity Booklet – English

Stem Activity Booklet – Spanish

STEM Summer Professional Development

Here is the schedule with links to register and find more information. All summer professional development offered by the STEM Hub is free and project pay for Central Oregon educators is provided. Register soon to reserve your spot!

Staff PD Library

Recently, the office staff put together a mini PD Reference library with books that were found throughout the main and counseling offices. Whether or not these materials are relevant or not, you can decide. We just wanted to organize them and make you aware that they are available. The PCMS PD Staff Reference Library is located in the copier/file room on the Counseling/Student Services near Renee. She, or anyone of our support staff can help you if you wish to check something out or if you decide you have books to a to our PD library.

NEW BLS ID Badge/Access Cards

Over the next several weeks new cards will be delivered to Deb for distribution to staff. All old badges must be surrendered at the time the new badge is issued. Each staff member will be required to sign a copy of the End User Access Card Agreement form.

Once a new badge is issued to an employee it becomes the only badge authorized by BLS for door entry and display purposes. Bend-La Pine Schools requires that all staff members wear their employee ID badge in a location that is clearly visible while on duty as an employee. This requirement is in place to assure the safety and well-being of our staff and the students we serve.

A district standard was created to assess access levels for each staff member. Once we have completed our distribution of all the badges we will review the district standard and make changes when necessary. If you have any questions, contact Deb.

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