August 16, 2024

Posted on August 17, 2024 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Hello, Pacific Crest Families!

I’m excited to write my first message of the school year!

I’m Sean Keating, and I’m principal here at PCMS. I taught high school English for 7 years before moving into administration. I’ve been in middle or high school admin now for 11 years. This will be my 6th year as a middle school principal.

My two kids attend Bend-La Pine Schools, and my wife is a mental health therapist. Both my parents were teachers, and my mother-in-law was a teacher. I feel grateful to work in schools, as the rhythm of the year, student laughter, and classroom culture all bring me joy.

I’m especially grateful to enter my third year with the staff here at PCMS. We had almost zero turnover this year, and we have a ton of fun together. We’re a strong team, and I learn so much from them all the time. Your kids are gonna love it here!

Take care, and see you soon!

Sean

Weekly Communications

It is a goal of PCMS to keep families and students up-to-date and well informed. PCMS will continue to update you each Friday via this weekly blog. With that said, due to the start of the school today’s News from the Nest may seem to be an overwhelming amount of information. We highly encourage you take time to read it.

Student Class Schedules

Student schedules will be accessible via ParentVue and StudentVue on August 30 after 4:00 PM. Please note that the counseling department is still making changes to them and will continue to tweak schedules until September 4. Please wait until that time for accurate viewing. 

Building a master schedule is an intricate process that takes 100’s of hours of work. Even seemingly minor changes can have a dramatic effect. Due to its complexity, we are not accepting any schedule changes. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

First Day of School Schedules

Throughout the District, the first day of school varies by grade level. Grades 1-6 and grade 9 start Wednesday, September 4. Our 6 grade families should have received a Welcome email earlier in the week which included a schedule. Grades 7-8 and 10-12 start Thursday, September 5. Refer to schedules below. This is to give sixth-graders a full day of orientation without other grades be on campus.

BLS Start and End Times (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

  • Elementary:  7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. 
  • Middle school: 8:50 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
  • High school: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
  • Three Rivers School: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Schools release 90 minutes early, on Wednesdays starting September 11 for staff professional development time. Pacific Crest release time is 2:15 p.m. per our 2024/25 School Schedule.

School Meal Services

Did you hear the scrumptious news? All schools in the District qualify for the federal Community Eligibility Provision program. All students are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. No application is required.

Daily menus including nutritional information and allergens can be found on our website: bls.fyi/menu. Parents/guardians of students with special dietary needs may reach out to their school nurse.

Student School Supplies

In Bend-La Pine Schools, all of the materials students need for instruction are provided. Families are welcome to provide personal items such as backpacks, water bottles, and headphones.

If, however, your student would like to choose their own supplies, feel free to purchase them. These are the supplies our teachers typically need students to have:

  • 1 three-ring binder (2.5” or 3”)
  • 1 package of dividers
  • 1 single subject notebook
  • 1 package of three-ring notebook paper
  • 2 lined composition notebooks
  • 1 pencil pouch
  • 1 package of #2 Pencils or mechanical pencil with extra led
  • 1 package of colored pencils
  • 1 pack of pencil cap erasers
  • 1 large pink eraser
  • 2 glue sticks
  • 1 pair of earbuds or headphones

Back-to-School Shopping | District Dress Code

With back-to-school coming up and many of you starting clothes shopping we are asking students and families to take a moment to review and reflect on our district Dress Code Policy. These early conversations will help us be proactive and transparent in understanding school expectations and values, and will set everyone up for success, respect, and safety. 

Within the first few weeks of school your student will participate in reviewing a lesson on the Dress Code. We encourage families to be part of this conversation alongside us! It is important that our whole learning community shares a common understanding and interpretation of the Dress Code in order to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment. Proactive conversation helps avoid misunderstandings, surprises, or unintended harm later. Thank you for your partnership, and happy shopping! 

Fall Athletic Programs & Registration

Students will find a connection to athletic activities in which they can participate and find enjoyment during their middle school careers. We encourage parents to actively support their children in both their academic and athletic pursuits. For information regarding our Fall Athletic programs click this link. Note that Football and Volleyball registration ends in August 30, and Cross Country registration ends September 5.

To become a volunteer for athletics, please follow this link to sign up.

Annual iPad Insurance

It is highly recommended that families purchase the optional annual iPad insurance for $30 for each of their students with a family cap of $60. Insurance should be purchased PRIOR to the iPad being issued. Insurance is effective for the current school year. iPad insurance can be purchased online (at the beginning of the school year). After this period, iPads must be inspected at the school for damage before insurance can be purchased. Please refer to BLS  iPad Insurance webpage for more information.

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement

Whether you purchase iPad insurance or not, it is extremely important that all parents and guardians review the Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement to be very clear of the responsibilities of technology usage.

Visitors

Reminder for families that during regular school hours, all visitors to schools must report directly to the school office with a valid drivers license or government issued ID to obtain a visitor badge that must be worn at all times while on campus. All visitors must report to the school office and sign in and out through the visitor management system. Learn more about visitor policy.

Volunteers

We invite our PCMS community members to volunteer for a number of opportunities throughout the school year. To become a volunteer, please refer to the BLS Volunteer webpage for all the details of become a volunteer.

Transportation Registration

Does your student plan to ride the bus this fall? If so, make sure to register them for transportation as soon as possible. This year, only students who are registered will be able to ride the bus (this includes current bus riders as well as new riders). Please log into your ParentVUE account and use the Online Registration tool to walk you through the registration process. If you have questions about accessing your ParentVUE account, please refer to our Online Enrollment Information webpage for detailed information. For more information on transportation eligibility, please refer to the School Buses website for information and links to Bend-La Pine Schools policies.

BLS School Year Calendar

Check out the BLS at-a-glance 2024-25 school year calendar. You may soon or have already have received your copy of the annual BLS Family Handbook & Calendars. If not, check in our main office for a copy.

Become a Classroom Substitute!

Interested in helping students and teachers? The High Desert Education Services District (HDESD) helps find and manage substitute teachers and educational assistants. They are currently looking for qualified individuals. Visit the HDESD website for more information.Get

Mark your Calendar

  • Aug. 23 | Fall Athletic Registration Ends | Football, Volleyball, X-Country | 5:00
  • Aug. 30 | WEB Leader Training, Day 1 | 10:00 – 3:00 | Gym
  • Sep. 3 | WEB Leader Training, Day 2: | 10:00 – 3:00 | Gym 
  • Sep. 4 | First Day of School – 6 Grade Students Only | 8:50 – 3:45
  • Sep. 4 | 7 & 8 Grade New Student Orientation | 2:00 – 3:30 (more to come soon)
  • Sep. 5 | First Day of School for all grade levels (see bell schedule above)
  • Sept. 26| School Portrait Day (more to come soon)
  • Sep. 26 | Back to School Night (more to come soon)

Helpful Links

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