August 25, 2023

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Hello, PCMS Families!

This is our last weekend of summer before our teachers come back next week! I’m excited for you to meet a few new people who will be teaching at PCMS this year (and hopefully for many years to come)!

Be sure to mark Thursday, September 28 on your calendar. This is our Back to School Night, and it’s a great event. You’ll get to meet your student’s teachers, our counselors and administrators, and our new PCCO president. Also, you’ll see the beautiful school where your child spends a majority of their time from September to June. We’ll send more info at a later time, but please mark your calendar!

Yesterday we met with our new PCCO president, and I’m excited for this partnership. We have a sweet treat planned already for the first week of school, and I know this team will help us create even more fun for our students this year.

I wish you all an awesome final week of summer, and I look forward to the new year! Let’s go, Golden Eagles!

Sean

Bell Schedules (Click this link to view & print)

First Day of School for 6th Graders Only!

We are very excited that your child will be attending Pacific Crest Middle School. We look forward to seeing them on Wednesday, September 6th, for their first day of school. Their day will start with an orientation led by our PCMS WEB Leaders to help your 6th grader get off to a great start! District bus transportation is available, and your student must be registered. Click here to find all information regarding bus transportation, bus registration and view pick-up/drop-off times and locations for your student.

What is WEB? (Where Everybody Belongs) 

WEB is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 6th graders by connecting them with WEB Leaders who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 8th graders. Your student’s WEB Leaders will help them feel more comfortable as well as help them achieve success in their first year of middle school. Doesn’t that sound great? It is! 

What happens next? 

  • Your student will arrive at school by 8:50 am, and we will begin our WEB activities that will last until 12:00 pm. Students will be treated to a free school lunch on this day only. After lunch, they will attend their classes for the remainder of the day. The day will end at 3:45. Schedule of events for this day is available here. 
  • Your student is advised not to bring backpacks, purses, or similar items, as the day will involve a lot of physical activity.
  • Because the day is active, please ensure that your student wears comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement.
  • Students will be issued their iPads as well!

Invite for New Incoming 7th & 8th Graders

We will be hosting a brief information session for 7th and 8th grade students that are new to Pacific Crest this school year. Join us on Wednesday, September 6th, from 1:00-2:00 pm. During this time, we will hand out schedules, test out lockers, tour the building, and get to meet some of the wonderful 8th grade WEB leaders. Families will need to provide transportation to and from Pacific Crest. If this is something that you would be interested in having your student join, please fill out this form so that we can have an accurate headcount of students. If you have any questions, contact our main office at (541)-355-7804. 

What is PCCO?

You might be asking yourself, “how can I get more involved at my child’s school?” Well the Pacific Crest Community Organization (PCCO) is our parent group at PCMS that teams-up to provide school support in many ways. This organization is akin to a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). We are a non-profit 501C (tax ID# 47-4312566) which was established many years ago, but due to Covid, the PCCO has not been as active. That is all about to change!

In the next several days, look for a dedicated email message from PCCO that will provide more specifics on how you can help support our school through donations and volunteering for school events, classroom helpers and much more. PCCO would love to have your suggestions as well. To become an approved volunteer, please visit the Volunteer page on the BLS District website to learn more and to apply.

Currently, the PCCO is current looking for a volunteer to fill their secretary board position. If interested, please contact Rendy Tucker at [email protected].

Introducing SchooLinks! (Español version below)

We are excited to introduce some new programming to our students this year. SchooLinks is a modern, college and career readiness platform to prepare students for what comes after graduation. For middle school students, SchooLinks helps them begin to discover their interests and strengths, and begin to explore colleges and careers that match those interests and strengths. SchooLinks at Bend-La Pine Schools is accessible in 6th-12th grades by students and their parents/caregivers.

All of the SchooLinks features are designed with students in mind to help them become career, college, and life ready. SchooLinks features are incredibly user-friendly and content can be easily comprehended by middle school students.

Using SchooLinks, middle school students can:

  • Access career interest, strength and mindset surveys
  • Explore 2-year and 4-year colleges
  • Take virtual reality college campus tours
  • Explore traditional, fast-growing, and military career fields
  • Start creating digital portfolios / resumesCommunicate with counselors

Using SchooLinks, 8th grade students will be able to really dive into post-secondary education and exploration by:

  • Creating course plans based on career pathways
  • Creating digital portfolios / resumes
  • Learning about financial aid
  • Searching for scholarships
  • Begin building their build their Oregon educational plan and profile

Introducing SchooLinks! (Español version)

SchooLinks es una plataforma moderna de preparación universitaria y profesional para preparar a los estudiantes para lo que viene después de la graduación. SchooLinks ayuda a los estudiantes a descubrir sus intereses y fortalezas, explorar universidades y carreras, y crear un plan de graduación personal que refleje mejor sus objetivos post-secundarios. Los estudiantes y sus padres/cuidadores pueden acceder a SchooLinks en las escuelas de Bend-La Pine desde sexto a duodécimo grado. 

Todas las funciones de SchooLinks están diseñadas pensando en los estudiantes para ayudarlos a prepararse para la carrera, la universidad y la vida. Las funciones de SchooLinks son increíblemente fáciles de usar y los estudiantes de preparatoria pueden comprender fácilmente el contenido. 

Usando SchooLinks, los estudiantes de preparatoria pueden: 

  • Acceder a encuestas de interés, fortaleza y mentalidad profesional 
  • Construir su plan educativo y perfil. 
  • Explora universidades de 2 y 4 años 
  • Revisar su plan educativo y perfil. 
  • Realizar recorridos por el campus universitario en realidad virtual 
  • Buscar becas 
  • Obtener más información sobre la ayuda financiera 
  • Encontrar oportunidades de pasantías y voluntariado 
  • Explora campos profesionales tradicionales, emergentes y militares. 
  • Crear portafolios/currículums digitales 
  • Comunicarse con los consejeros 

    Usando SchooLinks, los estudiantes de duodécimo grado podrán: 
  • Realizar un seguimiento de las solicitudes universitarias y solicite expedientes académicos
  • Solicitar cartas de recomendación

Substance Use Connect Workshops for Parents/Guardians

English Flyer

The Connect Workshop is a FREE, 2-hour opportunity for parents and guardians in Deschutes County to learn factual, unbiased information and skills to start conversations with their kids about marijuana and other drugs. Each participant will receive a $15 Visa Gift Card after completing the workshop. Parents/guardians will leave the workshop with:

  • A greater understanding of your child’s brain development and the impact substance use can have on their brains
  • Strategies for navigating difficult conversations with your child

Register for a workshop here.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Spanish Flyer

El taller Connect es una oportunidad GRATUITA de dos horas para que los padres y tutores del condado de Deschutes aprendan información y habilidades objetivas e imparciales para iniciar conversaciones con sus hijos sobre la marihuana y otras drogas. Conéctese y aprenda con otros padres en un entorno sin prejuicios.

Regístrese para un taller aquí.

Para obtener más información o registrarse para un próximo taller,  comuníquese con [email protected].

Calendar

  • Sep. 1 | WEB Leader Training
  • Sep. 6 | First Day of School – 6 Grade Students Only | 8:45am – 3:45pm (see 8/18 blog)
  • Sep. 6 | 7 & 8 Grade New Student Orientation | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
  • Sep. 7 | First Day of School for all grade levels (see bell schedule above)
  • Aug. 24 | Last day to register for Football and Volleyball | 5:00pm
  • Aug. 31 | Last day to register for X-Country | 5:00pm
  • Sept. 28| School Portrait Day

Helpful Links

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