Principal’s Hello
Dear PCMS families,
It was another fun and dynamic week of middle school here in The Nest! And we have a lot to look forward to: spring conferences next week, elective forecasting for our rising 7th and 8th graders, an all-school assembly, a super cool and informative presentation for parents on May 5th, state testing, FIELD DAY! (Shh! This last one’s a surprise!)
I hope you all have a nice weekend with family. Hopefully the sun pokes through!
Sean
State Testing Reminder
Pacific Crest Middle School will be implementing the annual state testing in Language Arts, Math, and Science. Testing will take place during class time (Humanities, Science, Math). Testing dates are below:
- Language Arts: April 24 – 28
- Science (8th grade only): May 1 – 5
- Math: May 22 – 26
Our testing coordinators are Anne-Marie Schmidt & Dan Curfew. We are excited to see the growth of our students and appreciate your support!
*** The window to submit Opt-Out paperwork has closed for this school year.
Upcoming Assembly with MOsley WOtta
On Tuesday, April 18th we have the privilege of having Jason (McNeal) Graham, better known as MOsley WOtta, speak at our all school assembly. Jason is a Windy City Heartland transplant living in Central Oregon. WOtta’s work spans nearly two decades of exploration in multiple mediums including writing, painting, performance and video. “Jason is an incredibly engaging speaker. Marked by rapid-fire thought and an infectious warmth and enthusiasm, the cadence of his voice almost implores listeners to perk up and join in” (Jerad Walker). This assembly will focus on being kind, making good choices, and learning how to positively express yourself.
Addressing our Dress Code
We want to share a few things regarding dress code as we near the end of the school year.
Have you heard of the brand “Cookies”? Or has your student asked for a Cookies shirt or sweatshirt? See information below:
- America’s first $1 billion marijuana/weed brand is here and it’s named Cookies.
- Cookies is arguably the most recognizable cannabis brand in the world.
- Cookies was founded by Bay Area recording artist, Berner. His vision was to create a cutting edge streetwear brand that represented a blend of trend forward fashion, music, marijuana and an urban lifestyle.
Although PCMS appreciates students expressing individuality, we expect our students to represent Golden Eagle culture in a better way.
Code of Dress: Clothing and jewelry should not display pictures or insignias that are crude, profane, or sexually suggestive, or which advocate racial or religious prejudice, or which depict drugs, or alcohol or any illegal activities.
Also, as the weather starts to get warmer (we hope that actually happens soon!), we will start seeing a lot of tank tops and shorts at school.
Code of Dress: Student code of dress, at all regular school activities, will include the guideline that all clothing shall be worn in a reasonable manner that does not expose underwear (with the exception of straps) or private parts.
Upcoming Conference Information
Open House Style Conferences: Wednesday, April 12th, 4 PM – 8 PM – During this time, all teachers will be available in their classroom. Please stop by with your student to see what they are working on and chat with their teachers on their progress. Conversation privacy is not guaranteed. No appointments are necessary.
Scheduled Conferences: Thursday, April 13th, 8 AM – 8 PM – Use the link below to schedule a brief 12-minute conference with any teacher. These are one-on-one conferences where you might want to dig a little deeper with a particular teacher. The link will become active at 6:00 PM, Tuesday, April 4th. Many slots fill up quickly, so do not hesitate to select a time.
https://www.myconferencetime.com/pcms/
Please bring your student to either night.
Secondary Language Arts Updates
Families are invited to learn what’s happening with language arts classes in our middle schools and high schools next week. We have scheduled a short update covering the adoption of instructional practices and how we review and approve new texts. This update is available at five schools and will be repeated at each school. All sessions are open to any families in our district. Each one includes an opportunity to ask questions.
- Bend Senior High School: Monday, April 10, 5:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m., location to be determined
- Summit High School: Tuesday, April 11, 4:30 p.m. & 5:00 p.m., auditorium
- La Pine High School: Wednesday, April 12, 5:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m., auditorium
- High Desert Middle School: Thursday, April 13, 5:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m., media center
- Cascade Middle School: Thursday, April 13, 5:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m., library
Actualizaciones de artes del lenguaje en la educación secundaria
Las familias están invitadas a enterarse de lo que sucederá con las clases de artes del lenguaje en nuestras escuelas secundarias y preparatorias la próxima semana. Hemos programado una breve actualización que cubre la adopción de prácticas de instrucción y cómo revisamos y aprobamos nuevos textos. Esta actualización está disponible en cinco escuelas y se repetirá en cada escuela. Todas las sesiones están abiertas a cualquier familia en nuestro distrito. Cada una incluye una oportunidad para hacer preguntas.
- Escuela Preparatoria Bend Senior High: lunes 10 de abril, 5:00 p.m. y 5:30 p.m., lugar por determinar
- Escuela Preparatoria Summit: martes 11 de abril, 4:30 p.m. y 5:00 p.m., auditorio
- Escuela Preparatoria La Pine: miércoles 12 de abril, 5:00 p.m. y 5:30 p.m., auditorio
- Escuela Secundaria High Desert: jueves 13 de abril, 5:00 p.m. y 5:30 p.m., centro de medios
- Escuela Secundaria Cascade: jueves 13 de abril, 5:00 p.m. y 5:30 p.m., biblioteca
Youth Art Takeover – First Friday Art Walk
Our fall term 8th graders have some of their work displayed downtown this month! Today is First Friday Artwalk and this month is the Youth Art Takeover.
Congratulations to our 8th graders!
Brennan Colt, Kai Dholakia, Charlie English, Nickolas Virgilio, Rose DeGrazia, Greta Morgan, Jayda Wikler, Izaiah Palmer, Ei Bodo, Lani Shaunghnessy, Nora Spitznagel, Anabelle Sutton, Jade Sinasek, Dominic Abedrabbo, Cade Nitzschke, Max Pagano, and Dylan Rudin.
Come see their work at Smith Rock Records downtown.
Mark you Calendar: Coffee Talk with Principal Keating
Our NEW DATE for the next informal chat with Principal Sean Keating will be on Friday, April 28th from 9:00 – 10:00 AM (changed from (April 21). This is a chance to ask questions, share ideas, and just chat about PCMS, education, Bend, whatever! You can stay for the whole hour or just a few minutes. It’s casual.
To be clear, this is not a time to talk about individual student or teacher concerns. To address a student social-emotional concern, please schedule a time with your student’s counselor. To address a student behavior concern, please schedule a time with Assistant Principal Schmidt. To address a staff or program concern, please schedule a time with Principal Keating.
NOTE: A drivers license is always required to check in at the main office before entering the building.
Calendar
- Apr. 13 – 14 | No School | Middle School Conferences
- Apr. 26 | Track Meet vs. Pilot Butte MS @ PCMS | 3:15pm
- Apr. 28 | Coffee Talk with Principal Keating | 9:00-10:00am | PCMS Nest
- May 3 | Track Meet vs. Sky View MS @ PCMS | 3:15pm
- May 4 | Introduction to Executive Function – Be the Boss of your Brain | 6:30 – 7:30pm (see more info above)
- May 10 | Track Meet @ High Desert MS | 3:15pm
- May 17 | Track Meet vs. Cascade MS | @ PCMS | 3:15pm
- May 18 | 5th Grade Family Night | 6:00-8:00pm
- May 29 | No School | Memorial Day
- June 7 | NJHS Induction Ceremony @ 6:00pm | PCMS Gym
- June 15 | Leaving the Nest | 8th Grade Ceremony & Reception | 6:00 – 7:15 PM | PCMS Gym
- June 16 | All School Field Day | Last Day of School |Early Release at 2:15 PM
Helpful Links