Good evening Golden Eagles and families!
During this week, a number of decisions in our district were shared with our public. On Tuesday, our board announced our new Superintendent Dr. Steve Cook. You can read more about him here. He will begin working in Bend La Pine on July 1; however, will likely be part of many of the conversations and upcoming plans our district makes during the next few months. The role of a superintendent is pivotal in any community. As you know, Pacific Crest is grounded in Identity, Relationships, and Community. We look forward to having Dr. Cook work with our Golden Eagles as we strengthen our community bonds in the years to come.
Additionally, we continue to ask that our parent community takes a few moments to answer questions related to the school experience we deliver at PCMS. This listening endeavor was one that was planned well-before COVID entered into the picture and it remains a commitment from our district that we periodically solicit and reflect on the voices of those we serve. Please take a few moments to complete THE SURVEY, which is only available until January 22, regarding your experience at PCMS. All schools are hoping to have their complete parent population participate if possible. Try to give answers as they relate to a typical year if possible. If that is unknown to you at PCMS, feel free to share your experience as you know it this year.
Finally, and obviously most importantly, the plan for Hybrid Instruction was shared and discussed. Due to recent grant dollars and a public interest in a continued option for CDL, our district now has 3 options available to students. They are described below in the survey in which we are asking for each family’s response. Options include HYBRID: B (2 days a week in person, 2 days independent, 1 day in Webex), CONNECTED: C (Bend- La Pine Online- independent digital program designed for flexible scheduling and highly independent), and DISTRICT CDL: D (CDL at the district level- New teachers hired at the district level dependent upon the number of students indicating this option. Students are in live webex as they were in CDL formerly and will be in courses with students across the district.)
I know that even these three options do not meet the needs of the hopes and wishes of all Golden Eagle families. I have heard from families who would like us not to go into Hybrid at all, those that want to continue with CDL with their teachers, and those who are lamenting the loss of a favorite class that they may no longer have access to. Similarly, these options do not encompass the complete hopes and wishes of all teachers and school leaders either. Teachers will be now planning for two quite different groups (A and B cohort) and will be letting go of relationships with students that they have worked hard to build this year. Although it may seem that a CDL option could simply be added to their plates, the new CDL option has been added at the district level to ensure that our teachers can plan for and focus on the two new groups before them, while another group of teachers can plan for those that will not be coming into the building. I know that in some cases, this changes course plans. This pandemic has caused us to all make what can feel like impossible decisions. As we move forward, I encourage you to make the best decision possible for your child and understand that it likely will not be perfect. I will do my best to keep you and yours informed of your options as we progress together into second semester. Thank you, as always, for your continued support. If you have further questions, please contact me.
Last week there were many pieces of important information regarding Area Change requests for next year, High School choices, yearbook information, and more. I encourage you to scroll down and continue to read last week’s message if you haven’t already.
I hope that on this celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, you and yours were able to spend time together. On this day I hope that you worked in service to one another, your neighbors, and/or learning about and strengthening the community around you. I am grateful to do this work with all of you and know that we are always stronger together. Go Golden Eagles!
Urgent – Response Needed!
“The Spotlight,” the district newsletter came out with a very important survey concerning your intentions for your child in coming back to school. Bend-La Pine Schools is pleased to announce the launch of the new District Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) option – bringing the number of learning options for students and families to three for the 2020-21 school year:
- All-in for grades K-3 or Balanced/Hybrid for grades 4-12
- Connected for students in grades K-12
- District CDL (New program), which pairs local students with local teachers for daily instruction, much like the current CDL model being used in classrooms today.
We need all families to complete this survey by Wednesday, January 20, which asks for identification of your student’s preferred learning model – A/B, C or D for the upcoming second semester. Additional information: New Learning Options.
We also need all families to let transportation know if they plan to have their child ride the bus to and from school by completing completing this survey. Apparently, depending on the browser you may be using, the options that pop-up in this transportation survey may be unusual. If that occurs, please consider Y to be Yes and N to be No.
There are TWO surveys above. We need all families to fill out both.
Openings at PCMS!
Currently on the district jobs website, we have posted a 7th grade head football coach and an 8th grade head football coach. As our fantastic past coaches have students who are now older, we are excited to find new Golden Eagle Coaches to support our student athletes.
Additionally, we have a district opening for an Educational Assistant position and another one at our school is likely to post soon. If you or someone you know might be interested, please visit or encourage them to visit our district jobs site or contact me directly. These postings typically last 10 days.
New Night – Family & Friends Virtual Trivia Night
Our Family & Friends Virtual Trivia Night has been moved. Join us on Wednesday, March 3rd at 6:00pm. If you loved Family Bingo Night you are going to love our upcoming Trivia Night that will benefit our local Family Access Network (FAN). Cost is $10 per family.
Calendar
- Jan. 20 | Last day to complete Learning Option and Transportation Surveys
- Jan. 25 | Transition Week – No live Webex Instruction
- Feb. 1-4 | Last Week to complete assignments for first semester
- Feb. 1 | Orientation 6th Grade cohorts A-K | 10:30am – 1pm
- Feb. 2 | Orientation 6th Grade cohorts L-Z | 10:30am – 1pm
- Feb. 3 | Orientation 7th & 8th Grade cohorts L-Z | 10:30am – 1pm
- IF STUDENTS NEED TRANSPORTATION HOME THIS DAY, THEY WILL STAY UNTIL 2PM DUE TO BUSSING CONFLICTS
- Feb. 4 | Orientation 7th & 8th Grade cohorts A-K | 10:30am – 1pm
- Feb. 5 | No School | All Schools
- Feb. 8 | In-person Hybrid Begins | A-K Cohort M & R, L-Z Cohort T & F | ALL students in live Webex on Wednesday (schedule coming soon)
- Feb. 15 | President’s Day | No School | All Schools
- Mar. 1 | Area Change Requests (ACR) Deadline
- Mar. 3 | Family & Friends Trivia Night | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
- Mar. 19 | High School Choice Options
Helpful Links