March 22, 2024

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families!

I hope you have an awesome spring break! Remember that we have two new policies starting Monday, April 8. The first is our iPad policy, and the second is our e-bike/e-scooter policy.

For iPads, these will no longer be the default learning tool at PCMS. They will be used as just one tool of the student’s tool box. At the start of class, iPads will be placed on racks in the classroom. Whenever possible, pencil and paper will be used for learning tasks.

For e-bikes and e-scooters, these will no longer be allowed on any Bend-La Pine school campus if the student is under 16 years of age. Starting April 8, students will first be warned and parents contacted. After the first warning, we will hold the bike at school and only release the bike to the parent.

Before we leave for break, I want to kindly ask everyone to purchase a school yearbook if you can. We want every student to get a yearbook, and many of you have purchased your own yearbook as well as a book for a student who cannot afford one.

But so far, only 40% of our families have purchased a book. At that rate, we will not be able to afford giving each kid a yearbook. Please help us and buy a yearbook if you can! Your student will thank you when they get in their hands at the end of the year.

Sean

Reminder! Purchase a Yearbook

There is still time to purchase a yearbook for your student(s). Each book is $22.00. To pay with a credit card, go to TouchBase and click on “Yearbook”. You may also pay with cash or check (payable to PCMS) which can be dropped off at the main office.

Spring Conferences

We will have conferences on Wednesday evening, April 10 and all day Thursday, April 11. This is a chance to speak with your student’s teacher. If your student is demonstrating grade-level proficiency and earning mostly 3’s and B’s, please consider refraining from conferences and giving your spot to a family whose student needs more support.

We will have two types of conferences. Wednesday will be open house, drop-in-style conferences from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. (Classrooms will be closed from 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM for teachers’ dinner.) Thursday will be scheduled conferences in 15-min slots, starting at 8:00 AM and ending at 8:00 PM.

We will send conference information, including a link to sign up, on Wednesday, April 3.

A Message from PCCO | April Staff Dinner Sign -ups

Let’s have a pasta night! In support our staff during parent-teacher conferences, we are providing dinner on Wednesday, April 10 at 5:00 PM. You may drop non-perishable donations to the office anytime starting Monday, April 1 until Tuesday, April 9. Perishable food can be dropped off Wednesday, April 10 before 4:30. Crockpots and other dishes can be picked up after 6:00 PM or on a following day. Here is the sign-up!

The Results Are In! Coins for Bryson

A huge thanks to all students and families who donated to our week-long coin collection for Sparrow Bryson. Students busted into their piggy banks to give to this great cause. We collected $630.00 which includes our online donations. Every cent collected will go directly to Bryson and his family. Even though the collection ended on Wednesday, we are continuing to collect monetary donations (cash, check or credit card) for Bryson until May 1, 2024. Cash and checks payable to PCMS (w/note Sparrow Donation) can be dropped off at the main office. If credit card is easier for you, please go to TouchBase and click on Sparrow and make your donation.

Lots of Thanks!

Sending a huge THANK YOU to the Bliss, Chung, DeRose, Heimerdinger, Manresa, Meyer, Riley, Sabat, Schumacher, and Soronen families for donating to and supporting the PCMS Robotics Club!  Also, we thank our PCCO for a generous $850 matching grant and to the Education Foundation for a $1,000 grant this past Fall. Through these generous donations and support from our school administration, we have been able to replace our aging robot ‘fleet’ with eight new Spike Prime robots and several accessory packs!

Welcoming Japanese Exchange Students

Earlier this week we were honored to host students and faculty from Chisholm High School in Chiba Japan. Our new friends were exited to receive PCMS swag and other items. to give them the ultimate American school experience, they enjoyed lunch from our cafeteria. In the spirit of welcoming all, some of our students shared their treats from the Snack Shack with them.

Good News | Oregon Battle of the Books

Sending out a huge congratulations to Team Salty Cheez-Its who went to the regional OBOB tournament last Saturday. They won ¾ battles in the rounds and lost by 1 question in the Sweet 16 bracket. This 6th-grade team is ready to go for it again next year for the win and for the fun of it!

Rube-a-Thon Fun!

Carey Kraybill and Dan Curfew took a group of 8th graders to the 1st Annual Rube-a-Thon sponsored by the Central Oregon STEM Hub on March 8. PCMS had four teams (shown below) out of 19 at the event. What’s super awesome is that two of our teams won prizes! The challenge was to create a Rube Goldberg in 1.5 hours that got toothpaste on a toothbrush! The team at the upper left won the “Most Innovative Chain Reaction” and the team at upper right won for “Best Overall Design”. Congratulations to all!

Spring Break Care for Families

The countdown to spring break is on and for many, it’s a time for rest and a little adventure. It also comes with stress and challenges. It’s important to stay mindful and take care of ourselves. Below are some helpful tips for a more stress-free spring break.

  • Consider ways to modify plans that may negatively impact your mental health. 
  • Don’t forget the power of “no.” It’s okay to say no to plans if you are feeling overwhelmed.
  • Plan ahead. Keeping a calendar of events can help you stay on track and be ready. 
  • Talk about your feelings. You might be overwhelmed or missing a loved one. Talking about your feelings with a trusted friend or family member is okay. You are not alone.
  • Take time for self-care. It’s important to take care of ourselves before caring for others. 

It’s okay to ask for help and support is available. Acknowledge your feelings and talk to a professional when needed. 

988: If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988. You are not alone. Call or text 988 to connect to staff prepared to provide compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. 

  • English: Text or Call 988
  • Español: Llame 988 or envia “AYUDA” al 988

YouthLine is a free and confidential teen-to-teen help line. Students are encouraged to contact YouthLine via phone, text, chat, and email to talk about anything that may be bothering them. Teens are available to help daily from 4-10 p.m. Pacific Time (adults are available by phone at all other times).

CareSolace supports the well-being of our community and can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance. If you or your family members are looking for help with mental health or substance use, this is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Bend-La Pine Schools. Call 888-515-0595. Support is available 24/7/365 in over 200 languages. Visit caresolace.com/bls and either search on your own or click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

SafeOregon allows students and families to report information that involves students, the safety of their fellow students or their school 24-hours-a-day. With SafeOregon, students can report anything from vandalism to cyberbullying via text, phone, email or online.

We hope you have a safe and restful spring break!

Calendar of Events | Mark your Calendar

  • March 25 – 29 | Spring Break | No School
  • April 9 | 8th Grade Career Day | 9:00 – 11:00 AM
  • April 10 – 12 | Conferences | NOTE! No School for Students all 3 days
  • May 27 | Memorial Day | School not in session
  • May 30 | 5th Grade Family Night | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
  • June 12 | School in Session all day | 8:50 AM – 3:45 PM
  • June 14 | NEW DATE! 8th Grade Promotion to High School | Leaving the Nest
  • June 18 | Last Day of School | Released at 2:15 PM

Helpful Links

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