Upcoming Lockdown Drill
This Tuesday, October 25th we will be running a lockdown drill at PCMS. All the drills we do are not only required by Oregon law, but prepare staff, students and our community on how to respond in the event of an emergency. We take these drills seriously, and we expect our students to take them seriously as well. Our students and staff have prepared for the drill by watching a Standard Response Protocol video in Advisory last week, and subsequently discussing specific safety plans with our School Resource Officer. During our drill, Bend Police Department will be on site to support our efforts. You can find more information about Standard Response Protocol (SRP) in the following guides.
Student Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Overall, student drop-off & pick-up has been going well, however there are still things we need to improve. [I know this feels like a lot to read, but please keep going . . . it’s important!]
For the safety of our students, staff and others, we ask that everyone entering the parking lot be cautious, courteous, alert and follow signage and guidance. Please take time to review our Drop-off / Pick-up Map.
During morning dropping off and afternoon pick-up please pull as far forward as possible towards the bike racks at the north side of the school, make sure your student(s) are prepared to make a quick exit from or entry into the right side of your vehicle. Please continue to move forward slowly, stay in line and move through the line towards the parking lot exit.
For the safety of students and better flow of traffic, we are asking drivers of students to STOP dropping off and picking up in the parking lot which leads to an increase in congestion, as cars have to stop while staff escorts students through the crosswalk and cars re-entering the flow of traffic to exit the parking lot does further stall the line. We also ask that your student(s) are picked up and dropped off at the red curb only.
Bike Safety (including E-bikes)
We would like to commend the high number of students who ride their bikes to school each day, it’s impressive to see the number of bikes in the bike racks (and elsewhere, as the bike racks are typically overflowing) each day. If your student rides their bike to school, please help them be safe by requiring helmet use and the proper following of traffic laws. It’s important to know that we do not permit bikes to be ridden anywhere on campus, as cars and busses are trying to focus on navigating a crowded parking lot and it is not safe to co-mingle cyclists, scooter-riders or skateboarders and our students and staff walking or standing on the sidewalks.
Additionally, if your student rides an e-bike to school, we’d like to specifically address that we have received a number of emails and phone calls from parents and people in our surrounding neighborhoods reporting students riding e-bikes in an unsafe manner, including having multiple passengers on the bike, zigging in-and-out of traffic, riding on the sidewalk, and riding without helmets. Here is a good primer on some basic bike safety tips.
In addition, here is a pocket guide on two-wheeled modes of transportation that outlines the legality of operating each. In short, the operation of E-Bikes on public roads is restricted to those individuals 16 years of age or older.
Important Social & Dance Updates | Friday, October 28, 2022
- Thank you to those folks who have signed up to donate food and decor items insure our students an enjoyable event. Click here for social & dance flyer. There are still a few items we need, so please click here if you are able to help. Donations can be dropped at the Main Office before 1:00pm on Thursday, 10/27.
- We are NOT selling tickets at the door. Tickets will only be pre-sold Monday, 10/24 – Thursday, 10/27 before school and at lunch in the Upper Nest and in the Main Office any other time throughout the day.
- If a student is in need financial assistance for this event, please contact our FAN Advocate, Heidi Odman at [email protected] by Wednesday, October 26.
Delays, Early Release or Closures
- School Closure: Schools are closed for the day due to weather or emergency. In this scenario, the school building will not be used. Unless otherwise noted, all evening meetings and activities are cancelled.
- Delayed Start: School will have a delayed start. Most often, this is a two-hour delay. In this scenario, buses will run two hours later than normal schedule and will drive slowly, adjusting to conditions and may be delayed.
- Early Release: Students who ride the bus can be released early in order to give the buses extra time to complete routes.
- Early Closure: Schools may be closed early due to weather or emergency. In this scenario, the school building will not be used. Unless otherwise noted, all evening meetings and activities are cancelled, including KidsInc.
Always refer to the BLS Website for the most up-to-date information regarding the above.
Sixth Grade Identity Week
Last week, all sixth graders participated in Identity Week! Students worked in their community classes to consider who they are as people and students to create the following final products:
- a video introducing themselves as a scientist
- a plaster mask of their own face–decorated with symbols that represent their unique identities and an artist statement explaining their work
- an original “I Am From” poem to share what has most significantly shaped them into the people they are today
- images from Tech Design and artist notebooks
The project culminated in an after-school Identity Showcase for students to share their work with friends and family as an authentic audience.
Fantastic work sixth graders! We are all so proud of you!!
Spirit Week
Get your SPIRIT on! Our first spirit week kicks off on Monday, October 31st, and we are looking forward to students and staff dressing up thematically to show their school spirit.
- Monday, 10/31: Halloween Costumes
- Tuesday, 11/1: PJ Day
- Wednesday, 11/2: School Colors
- Thursday, 11/3: Twin Day
- Friday, 11/4: Neon Day
When selecting costumes for the week, we are directing students to put some thought into their costumes to avoid costumes that are offensive, mock cultural or religious symbols or beliefs, trivialize human suffering or oppression. For more info, see these guidelines. Additionally, the increasingly popular blow-up costumes are not allowed, as they are too large. Students not in line with our expectations will have to call home to change clothes.
Girls Middle School Basketball Registration Now Open
This is a joint program between Bend-La Pine School District and Bend Park & Recreation District. The middle school basketball program is open to all girls who are in grades 6 – 8 for the 2022 – 23 school year and live in the Bend-La Pine School District. This program emphasizes skill development, maximum participation, good sportsmanship and fun. Teams will practice during the week. Games will be played on weeknights. Uniform tops are provided. Registration deadline is December 20th or until FULL. Space is limited and filling up quickly! Click here to register.
BLS Board of Directors Work Session | October 25, 2022, at 5:30pm
The public is welcome to attend the meeting either in-person or via BLS SchoolBoard YouTube. To Request to Attend an in-person meeting, please complete the Google Form linked here. If assistance is required to complete the request to attend form, please contact the District Office, 541-355-1000. When meeting in person, audience capacity is limited to 50. Advance sign up is recommended, but not required. If more people request to attend than can be accommodated, the selection of attendees will be determined randomly from the requests received. ALL individuals wishing to attend, including staff, are encouraged to sign up in advance and are required to check in at the main entrance.
Representatives from the news media are welcome to attend without advance sign up, but are asked to check in at the main entrance upon arrival.
The agenda and meeting packet are available here.
Calendar
- Oct. 24 | Volleyball (7th & 8th) vs. Crook County Middle School | 4:15pm @ Crook County MS
- Oct. 25 | Photo Retake Day
- Oct. 25 | Connect Parent Workshop | 6:00pm | PCMS Library
- Oct. 26 | Volleyball (7th & 8th) vs. Sisters Middle School | 4pm @ PCMS
- Oct. 26 | Football (7th) vs CMS | 5:15pm @ SHS
- Oct. 26 | Football (8th) vs. CMS | 7pm @ SHS
- Oct. 28 | Halloween Social/Dance | 4:00 – 6:00pm
- Oct. 31 | Spirit Week
Helpful Links