News from the Nest

Good afternoon Golden Eagles and Families!

This has been an awesome week back! It is so nice to see everyone after some time to take a breath and relax, even if it was just for a bit. We are continuing together for three weeks before another time for rejuvenation and there is a lot to learn at PCMS! Now is a great time to get caught up if you are feeling behind before we have a two week re-set as we begin the new year. Remember, your teachers are here to help, problem-solve, and are willing to lighten the load if you are not sure where to start. It is difficult for them to help if they don’t hear from you so don’t be shy. We are always happy to connect with you!

As we move into next week, we will also be starting some frequent adult check-ins for any students who currently have a D or F in any class. If you fall into this category, one of our staff members will be reaching out to you and your parent via e-mail to get a time on the calendar for a quick weekly check-in. This is NOT something to be afraid of. It is just a way that we can connect with students when we see they might be sliding in a negative direction in order to help get them back on track. It might only take a couple of check-ins and you are back in action! We want to have as many supports as possible to help you stay the course. 

If you are a student who has managed to continue school with high marks, congratulations! We are so proud of you! We also know that this could NOT have been possible without great supports at home so please be sure to give a special “thank you” to your support system at home. Thank yous go a long way right now. 

Below are a couple of updates as we head into the new week.  

Grading “No Zero” Change

 Moving forward, any missing work in our grade books will reflect a 50% along with a notification that it is MISSING. This is a change from in the past. This change was made in an effort to be more equitable in our grading practices and provide a system that allows for students who may have scores that represent an “F” grade to not be so daunted that they give up. This means that if you see a 50% in the grade book, it does NOT mean that the assignment is good to go or was completed. It means that this is waiting to receive points and must be either turned in or turned in again with revisions to earn more points. Don’t be fooled. If you see a 50%, it is a good time for students to reach out to a teacher to find the best way to get back on track. Grades assigned after December 1, 2020, will reflect this new policy beginning Thursday. In some cases, you may see evidence of this in grade books prior to the Dec. 1st date as well.

Middle School Grading Update

This was shared last week. It reflects the end of grade marks for Middle School courses this year- GRADING UPDATE

Middle School Hybrid Schedule

 Although we do not know when our schools will move into the hybrid schedule, here is what it will look like when we make the move HYBRID SCHEDULE

Wrestling Posting

Unfortunately, our fantastic wrestling coach Dustin took another path this year and consequently will not be leading our Golden Eagle wrestlers. If you or someone you know are interested in this position, please see Lisa or Brooke Walton (AD) and apply using THIS LINK. This position is contingent on a wrestling season taking place.

Weekly Yearbook Theme for Advisory

This week’s yearbook theme is Sustainable Mask Fashion & Being Green. Students will submit photos of them wearing their fashionable reusable cloth masks in any setting and how they live a “green” sustainable and covid safe life. Please upload photo(s) to HJ eShare using school code “goldeneagles”, include description of either  “Mask” or “Green”” and include the first and last name of who is in the picture. Questions? Email Julia Reynolds.

Facility / Building Closure Update

Until Deschutes County leaves the “Red Zone” in terms of COVID-19 spread, our building will remain closed to the public. However, during this time, the office will be minimally staffed and curbside pickups will continue.

Curbside Pick-ups Update

We are now designating pick-ups for Monday – Friday, from 9:00am – 3:00pm. We have many items just waiting to be claimed so continue to communicate to your students to follow the instructions below when picking up and/or dropping off items.

• Pull up to the front of the school.
• Remain in vehicle.
• Wear a mask.
• Call the front office at 355-7804.
• Give student’s name and item for pick up or drop off.
• A staff member will deliver curbside or pick up items.

Library Book Pick Up Incentive

We just have two Wednesdays left before we head out for Winter Break which is a great time to hunker down and enjoy a good book. On Wednesday, December 16th there will be an added incentive to check out books. If you wear your ugliest sweater while picking up a book, your name will be entered into a prize drawing. We will also take a quick photo for the yearbook. If you don’t know what to read, just stop by and let the experts help pick something out for you on the spot! Questions, contact Marni Hanna. We will be following Covid-19 safety protocols. Please follow the instructions above.

Going “Green” with Covid-19

The Green Team is encouraging everyone to stay safe and save money while saving Mother Earth. Check out these great ideas . Students have an opportunity to win a $10.00 Downtown Bend Gift Certificate and this information will be shared during Advisory on Monday. The deadline for video submissions is December 15th. 

Family OBOB Teams

The past couple of years we’ve had a staff Oregon Battle of the Books team in addition to our student teams. This year, we are going to allow families who are interested to join in the battles. If your family would like to have a team or your child is interested in joining a student team, please contact Marni Hanna for more information. 

FAN Optional Gift Card Giving

Family Access Network is continuing to support local families. If you wish to help during the holiday season and beyond, you may do so by purchasing a gift card from one of the establishments listed below and mail it directly to Family Access Network Foundation at 2125 NE Daggett Lane, Bend, OR 97701 OR you may deliver them to Deb Mullen and she will make sure FAN Foundation receives them.

• Fred Meyers
• Target
• Walmart
• Gas Cards
• Grocery Stores

End of Year Giving

Although we did not do our yearly Fill Our Nest giving campaign and will not be asking for school donations, several families have contacted me regarding donations that often happen as a result of corporate end of year giving or matching. If you traditionally give to the school and are interested in doing so this year as part of your regular planning, please connect with our PCCO by contacting our president Anne Westerhoff.

Winter Spirit Week

Let’s shake it up a bit the week prior to Winter Break. Get ready for a week of SPIRIT and FUN!

• Monday, 12/14:  Crazy hair day
• Tuesday 12/15:  Ugly sweater day
• Thursday, 12/17:  Festive Winter Party Style – dress to party or dress to keep warm (hats and scarves), or like you’re headed for the slopes/winter sport gear
• Friday, 12/18:  Show us your MUGS – Hot Cocoa Party

Upcoming events

• Dec. 11 | PCMS Spirit Day
• Dec. 14 – 18 | Winter Spirit Week
• Dec. 15 | Handwashing Video Submission Deadline
• Dec. 21 – Jan 4. |  Winter Break

Looking Ahead

In the next News from the Nest, you can expect to see information related to an upcoming podcast group that has been extended to our community from another middle school group in town. We will be following the Class of 2025 and sharing our experiences together in Webex sessions. Stay tuned for more info. Additionally, we will begin our parent/community book club in the new year. This club focuses on race, equity, parenting, and raising excellent 21st century leaders. Finally, we will be moving to a blog format for our News from the Nest for the future. This way, you will be able to reference information in the weekly update easily by going to one spot rather than sifting through a mountain of e-mails for information from PCMS.  

Helpful Quick Links

• BLS District Return to School

Hav e a wonderful weekend. Go Golden Eagles!

Ms. Birk

Good evening Golden Eagles and families!

During this break I hope you are able to take time with your family to reflect on all of your accomplishments this year. During the past 9 months, you have learned new skills, demonstrated perseverance, and connected with new friends in new ways. Everyone at PCMS is so proud of you for all that you have done during this time away. Golden Eagles are truly impressive! We look forward to a time when we can all be together again but in the meantime it is very important to give yourself a huge pat on the back for a job very well-done.

If you are going into break thinking that there are some things you’d like to change for the future, please know that we are all here to help you. If you feel like you have many missing assignments, please contact your teacher. It is never too late to get on the right track and our teachers are flexible and thoughtful and they truly want to help you to succeed. They are ready to help you make a plan and each day they do what they do FOR YOU! Please don’t hesitate to send them an e-mail and they will help you make the next few weeks better than those before.

I want you to know that I am so thankful each day to work with all of the fantastic staff at PCMS. We have created a place that is special and it is special because of the students that fill our classes each day and the families that support all of us along the way. To all of our students, I want you to know that you bring us all so much joy and excitement and you are inspiring. To all of our families, thank you for your continued support, connection, and ideas to continue to make this special place so great even while we are a part.

Below are important messages to be aware of as we move into this holiday break.

Middle School Hybrid Schedule: We look forward to the day when we can advance from Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) to a Hybrid model of instruction that brings all students onto campus. Currently, we are not at that point, but we are making plans for when the day comes. This is the schedule for when this does happen. Again, please know that we do NOT have a date for when Hybrid instruction will start. We share this information with you so that you’ll have a basic understanding of what we are planning. More details will follow as we identify a date when we can have our fantastic students on campus with us again.

Grading Guidance for Middle School (2020-2021): We know that COVID-19 has created many barriers for families. For this reason, we will be using the attached grading practices for all middle school students moving forward this year. Please let us know if you have questions.

BLP School Nurse Newsletter: You should have received this as a stand-alone message today but if you haven’t seen it yet, this is a message from our school nurses regarding ways to stay safe during this break.

Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB): This is a fun, trivia style, team competition that encourages kids to read. Each year 16 titles are chosen for the 6th-8th grade division. OBOB will look different this year, as there will be no Regional or State competition, however we will still have a school-wide competition. This year it may be harder to find teammates so please encourage your child to let Mrs. Hanna or their Community Teachers know if they want help connecting with other kids looking for a team. Even better, join your student and make it a family affair. That’s right, this year parents and guardians can join the fun! Five years ago we started a staff team, which has been really fun for both staff and students. Take a look at the 2021 Titles. Here is some general information to get you started:

• • Teams consist of 4 people. Each team will come up with a team name. We will begin battles around the end of January/beginning of February. Battles will be on Webex during student lunch breaks. Battles usually take 15-20 minutes and consist of 16 questions. Teams can be made up of all students or a combination of students, parents, and siblings.
  • Please contact [email protected] with any questions and/or to get your team signed up. Remember, “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” -Mason Cooley

Turkey Bingo Fundraiser Update: While having a fun time at our Family Turkey Bingo Night, we raised $400 benefiting the American Red Cross Western Wildfire Relief Fund. Now that is certainly something to gobble about! Thank you to all of the 50 families who participated and congratulations to all bingo round winners, best turkey costume, and grand prize winner.

PCMS College Day Pride Collage: Take a look at our PCMS staff showing off our college pride!

Last Year’s Golden Feathers Paper Slips: Due to our abrupt closing last March 13th, students did not have the opportunity to redeem their golden feather slips. Many students have asked if we will be redeeming them. The answer is yes, we will redeem these golden feathers this school year and will send out a communication early 2021 as to how we are going to proceed.

Teacher Feedback Notification turned on in Canvas: During break is a great time to check Canvas and make sure that your Teacher Feedback notification is turned on. This is the main way that teachers communicate to students about assignments and we have noticed that several students don’t have this functioning. Thanks for checking!

Webex Security and Updates: Just a reminder that our WebEx will be upgraded to be more secure on Monday, November 30th. At that time, students who are logged in will be able to go directly to their teacher’s WebEx room, whereas those who are not logged in will be in the waiting room until they are let in by their teacher. All students should have logged into Webex this week but if you haven’t, please do this so you are ready for Monday. It is also a great time to back up any documents and to make sure to do any iPad updates so apps function correctly.

Thanksgiving Breakout: Thanks to Jane Shein for this idea. Use a Virtual Breakout Box with your holiday crew for a fun spin on a time together!

New Learning Opportunities: If you are feeling like you’d like to learn something new un-related to distance learning, this source was shared with me from a parent. A lot of free learning options.

Have a wonderful break!! ✌️ & ❤️ &

Good Monday morning Golden Eagles!

There is a lot going on this week and I hope you can join us for one of our events listed below.

The Choose Kindness Campaign began last week in Bend. Click on the link to learn more!

Turkey Bingo Fundraiser: Bingo kits are still available for purchase on Touchbase. Each kit includes 10 bingo cards and 1 dauber, cost is $5 per kit. All proceeds go to American Red Cross Western Wildfire Relief Fund. More information is available on this flyer. You can pick up your bingo kits on Monday, 11/16 – Wednesday, 11/18 between 9:00 – 3:00. One name of winners of each round will be drawn from a hat for a grand prize which is a $50.00 Safeway gift card so you can select your turkey or anything you wish!

Yearbook Corner Help be content creators for our Yearbook! This week’s yearbook theme is Crazy Quarantine Hair & Round One Photography Challenge. Please share photos of students showing their quarantine hair and/or any cool, artsy photos they’ve taken this past year. Upload all pics to HJ eShare (password: goldeneagles) with the description “Hair” + “Photo” and include the first and last name of student(s) in the picture. Uploads must be .jpg or .jpeg format. Questions? Email Ms. Reynolds

Parent Workshop Series: Engaging your child in conversation | Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 pm | Join your PCMS Counselors on Thursday 11/19/20 for a Parent Workshop! During this interactive workshop, our counselors will share tips and tricks for supporting your child during distance learning. We will share strategies in the areas of organization, time management, and engagement in online learning. Additionally, we will review technology tips to help you and your student(s) navigate our online platforms. Lastly, we will take time to talk about engaging your child in conversations around mental health. We will cover signs and symptoms to watch for and how to start the conversation if you notice any changes in your child. This night will place an emphasis on your voices. You will have time to talk with other parents in small groups to share successes, seek out ideas, and brainstorm together. We will be using Cisco WebEx for this virtual event. Please take time to download the Cisco WebEx App prior to the night. The link to download the free app is here. Because we want to ensure that this event is productive and helpful for you, we would like to hear from you first. Please take a moment to fill out this form to let us know how many people we can expect and to ask any questions you may have. We will do our best to address any questions that you send our way. Thank you! We hope to see you on Thursday 11/19/20 at 6pm in Andrew Krauthoefer’s WebEx Room.

PCMS Swag Orders: Swag orders are arriving on or around Nov. 16th. An email communication will be sent to notify purchasers when their order is available for pick-up.

Golden Eagle Spirit Day: Every Friday is spirit Friday. Show your pride by wearing your PCMS gear or colors.

Upcoming Events

• Nov. 18th | Family Virtual Turkey Bingo Fundraiser Benefiting American Red Cross Western Wildlife Relief Fund | 6pm – 7:30pm | In Liza Huet’s WebEx Room
• Nov. 18th | Miller Elementary Food Drive | Thanksgiving theme | 2-4pm
• Nov. 18th | Canvas Help for Students, Parents & Guardians | 11:30-12pm
• Nov. 18th | PCMS Library and Item Pick-up | 1:30-3:30pm
• Nov. 19th | Parent Workshop Series: Engaging your child in conversation | 6:00 pm
• Nov. 20th | Golden Eagle Spirit Day
• Nov. 22-29 | Thanksgiving Break

Although we are only virtually together this week during our events, we are excited to see everyone. Please join us this week if you are able. See you soon!

Go Golden Eagles!

Ms. Birk

Good evening Golden Eagles and families!

This week has been full of perseverance in PE as our students work on their SMART goals, inspiration in Science as our students get to interact with famous scientists around the globe from NASA and National Parks, intrigue as our 8th graders learn about elections while watching one in action, and pride as our 6th graders recognize how much they have learned in new languages and leadership. Around our world there may be uncertainty and divisiveness at times, but in the classroom excitement, connection, and curiosity are on constant display. It is a great time to be a Golden Eagle!

In the bullet points below, there are a number of ways that we can be together and connected in the next few weeks and months. There are also a few ideas for families as we launch into a Kindness Campaign around our area. We look forward to hearing your stories or seeing you at one of our upcoming events!

Quarter 2 Messages:

• • So many of our students have done an outstanding job during the first quarter despite many challenges. Thank you all for persevering and doing your best each day! We are proud of you!
  • If you are feeling like you have too many incomplete assignments and it’s too late, we want you to know IT’S NEVER TOO LATE! We are here to help! Second quarter is a great time to review progress in Synergy with your child and make a plan to visit office hours or send e-mails so we can get back on track. We are here for you and are ready to do whatever it takes to get you moving forward and feeling successful again!
  • 6th Grade New Classes! It’s time to switch your language/leadership class starting on Monday. If you were in:
    • Mrs. Zepnewski’s Japanese class: You now have French with Stephanie Charnay (webex: https://bls.webex.com/meet/stephanie.charnay)
    • Mrs. Charnay’s French class: You now have Spanish with Liza Huet (webex: https://bls.webex.com/meet/liza.huet)
    • Mrs. Huet’s Spanish class: You now have Leadership with either Steve Remer (1st period: https://bls.webex.com/meet/steven.remer) or Jane Shein (4th period: https://bls.webex.com/meet/jane.shein)
    • Mr. Simpson’s Leadership class: You now have Japanese with Ami Zepnewski (webex: https://bls.webex.com/meet/ami.zepnewski)

World Kindness Day and Bend Kindness Campaign: Bend-La Pine Schools is partnering with several local organizations to positively influence the Kindness we see in our community. During the next few News from the Nest issues, I will include an idea for families to join in the campaign. We’d love it if you could share a photo or e-mail about your experience! Since Bingo is on the mind, here is a good place to start: 30 Days of Kindness Bingo Board

Nurse’s Information: Although we are not in hybrid yet, it is important to know the common messaging we are now and will be using with students, staff, and families. HERE is the latest messaging.

Webex Enhanced Security: As of November 30th, Webex will have increased security features. Students will need to navigate slightly differently. I will also send an announcement in Canvas to complete this next week with directions as to how to do so. Here is the information you need to know to be ahead of the game: Webex and iOS Updates

New iOS and Backing Up Data: The new iOS will be ready for students to update on 11/11. It is a good idea for students to backup data in Keynote, Notability, iMovie, and other apps just in case before students update. Please use the link included above to tackle this task as well.

Spirit Week Costume Collage

Pacific Crest Community Organization (PCCO): Introductory and General Meeting on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:00 PM. Learn what the organization does to support PCMS, review goals and 2020/21 budget, and hear a bit of information from me. Please join us in the following Zoom meeting room

• https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71106058514?pwd=V1RRUzdJS0U4aWdCTVFuK3pyVTBGUT09
• Meeting ID: 711 0605 8514
• Passcode: emW1gJ

Join us for a Turkey Bingo Fundraiser on November 18th: Bingo kits are still available for purchase on Touchbase. Each kit includes 10 bingo cards and 1 dauber, cost is $5 per kit. All proceeds go to American Red Cross Western Wildfire Relief Fund. Only 3 kits have been sold as of 11/6/20!!! Come and get yours today!

Parent Night: Join us and our fantastic counselors for a Parent Night on Thursday, November 19th at 6 pm. We will give you some tips for supporting at home and tackling mental health needs and concerns. See below for more information.

Yearbook Corner: Help be content creators for our Yearbook! This week’s yearbook theme is New Skills & Bold Books. Did your student pick up a new skill, talent or hobby this past year or find a good book? Please share photos of students doing the above activities or holding their favorite book. Upload all pics to HJ eShare (password: goldeneagles) with the description “New Skill” or “Books” and include first and last name of student(s) in the picture. Uploads must be .jpg or .jpeg format. Questions? Email Ms. Reynolds

PCMS Swag Orders: Swag orders are arriving on or around Nov. 16th. An email communication will be sent to notify purchasers when their order is available for pick-up.

Golden Eagle Spirit Day: Friday, Nov. 13th is our first Golden Eagle Spirit Day. Show your PCMS pride by wearing black and gold or your PCMS swag.

Upcoming Events:

Nov. 10th | PCCO General Meeting | 6:00pm (see info above)

Nov. 11th | No School | Veterans Day

Nov. 13th | Golden Eagle Spirit Day

Nov. 18th | Canvas Help for Students, Parents & Guardians | 11:30-12pm

Nov. 18th | PCMS Library and Item Pick-up | 1:30-3:30pm

Nov. 18th | Miller Elementary Food Drive | Thanksgiving theme | 2-4pm

Nov. 18th | Family Virtual Turkey Bingo Fundraiser Benefiting American Red Cross Western Wildlife Relief Fund | 6pm – 7:30pm | In Liza Huet’s WebEx Room

Nov. 19th | Parent Workshop Series: Engaging your child in conversation | 6:00 pm

Nov. 20th | Golden Eagle Spirit Day

Nov. 22-29 | Fall Break

More than anything, we want you to know that we are here to help. We know that some weeks can be more challenging than others and when you are feeling like you are unsure or need anything at all, please e-mail, call, and ask questions during class. We are here for you!!

As a reminder, this week we will not have classes or office hours on Wednesday due to Veterans Day. Please take some time during this day (or any day) to recognize and thank those in and around our community in uniform. Too often it is easy to overlook the sacrifices these people make for all of us. Please thank them for their service.

Have a wonderful (and maybe snowy) week.

Go Golden Eagles!

Ms. Birk

Hello Golden Eagles and families!

This week was a week full of creativity from students and staff at PCMS. Thank you to all who participated by showing-off your pets, your drawing skills, and your creative ideas for costumes. We had some wonderful conversations and a lot of fun! We also launched our new Wednesday attendance system and this will continue in the weeks to come. Please make sure to complete your attendance survey before each Thursday morning to make sure you are marked in attendance each Wednesday.

Next week begins with a close to our election season and ends with a close of our first quarter. Just as the results of elections always do, Tuesday’s will cause a multitude of emotions for everyone in our community. Pacific Crest is a place that is so special because Golden Eagles take time to think about the impact of our actions and words. I encourage everyone to continue to act in the days to come with the compassion and kindness that is expected of every Golden Eagle while remembering that having different ideas and opinions actually make us strong.

As we close our first quarter together, I am so proud of everything that all of you have shown you can do even while we are apart. You can do SO much and your teachers and I continue to be impressed and inspired by the work you produce and tenacity that you demonstrate. Sixth-graders will move to new classes on Monday the 9th within the wheel! Please ask your teacher if you have any questions as to where to go for your new 9-week rotation. Additionally, please try to complete all work for your current class by Tuesday afternoon so our teachers can be sure that grades are recorded prior to your new rotation.

A few items to be aware of: 

• Camera Use: During the next 9 weeks we will also be asking for students to use their cameras more. We are seeing much higher engagement and consequently success from those that have cameras on. We’re looking forward to seeing you all!
• Pacific Crest Community Organization (PCCO): General Meeting on Tuesday November 10 at 6 pm. Learn what the organization does to support PCMS, review goals and 2020-2021 budget. All parents are automatically part of this group and invited to attend.
  • • • • Please join us in the following Zoom Room: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71106058514?pwd=V1RRUzdJ…
        • Meeting ID: 711 0605 8514
        • Passcode emW1gJ
• National Novel Writing Month begins! Make sure you announce your intention to write to Ms. Marr at [email protected]
• New Clubs!: Check out the options HERE

Upcoming Events:

• • Nov. 1st I Daylight Saving Time |Turn clocks back 1 hour
  • Nov. 6th I End of first quarter
  • Nov. 10 | PCCO General Meeting | 6:00pm (see info above)
  • Nov. 11th | No School | Veterans Day
  • Nov. 18th | Family Virtual Turkey Bingo Fundraiser Benefiting American Red Cross Western Wildlife Relief Fund | 6pm – 7:30pm | In Liza Huet’s WebEx Room
  • Nov. 18th | Miller Elementary Food Drive | Thanksgiving theme | 2-4pm
    • Please bring non-perishable items and drop at the front of Miller Elementary. All items will go to The Giving Plate

Have a spooktacular week Golden Eagles!

Ms. Birk

Good morning Golden Eagles and families!

This has been a wonderful week at PCMS. We saw students complete art projects using beautiful examples of value gradation, evaluate and enhance personal narratives, begin to dive into research writing, and share and connect more with teachers and one another in class. It is a great time to be a Golden Eagle! 

Here are some things to be aware of as we move into the new week:

Grade Updates: On Wednesday of last week, all families should have received notification if students had a current D or F in the class. As I described last week, this provides a good opportunity to reach out and make a plan for success moving forward. As a result of this messaging, we had floods of work being turned in and several students reaching out to connect during office hours! Moving forward, we encourage all students and/or families to do the following:

• • • • Make a weekly plan to check grades. When there are trouble spots, reach out to meet with the teacher and make a plan.
      • Do not wait to contact the teacher! Even if you don’t know where to start or are not sure what questions to ask, reach out! Each day you fall behind makes it harder to move forward and make a plan. It also is hard to trouble-shoot when frustration and difficulty is high. We want to problem-solve with you and are ready to help!
      • If you notice that there are several areas where you need support, it may be beneficial to reach out to your counselor. Because we are all operating far away from one another, it is helpful to give us insight as to what you think the barrier might be for you. For example, some students struggle due to organization, others due to technical glitches, others due to not understanding the actual content, while still others have difficulty with the volume of work. All of these barriers require different solutions so when you can help us understand your personal situation, we can better support you going forward. In future weeks, we will likely be reaching out to you to ask for your input regarding this question.

PCMS Swag for Sale: We will resume Golden Eagle Spirit Fridays with prizes for the most spirited Advisories! Our PCMS Online Store is now open to purchase Golden Eagle swag. We have extended the deadline to purchase until Sunday 10/25. Swag will be available for pick-up by 11/16 or sooner. Click here for swag promo video!

Tech Help: If you need help with any tech problems or Canvas questions, please join Mr. Curfew in his webex room on Wednesdays from 11:30-12:00. (https://bls.webex.com/meet/dan.curfew)

Clubs!!:

• • HERE are the clubs that are currently available for students. As of now, there are only a few. Remember, at PCMS, clubs are by students, for students so if you have an idea for a club, please talk with a teacher to see if they can be an advisor, complete this form, and we can begin! If you’d like to join a club this week, simply contact the advisor or show up in the webex group.

NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month is in two weeks! If you are interested, make sure that you announce your intention to write by contacting Ms. Marr at [email protected]. Click HERE to learn more!

Upcoming Calendar Items

• • This Friday during Advisory, we will have a school-wide assembly. It will include info about our school and upcoming events. See your Advisory teacher for more information!
  • During this time of the year, many students are excited about upcoming dress-up days and lots of questions arise about costumes. To make sure you are in-line with our school expectations, use THE PCMS COSTUME FLYER as your guide. Please ask if you have any questions!
  • Around the world, fall represents a time for many types of celebrations. Below are just a few:
    • • Día de los Muertos
      • Chongyang Festival
      • Native American Heritage Month

I hope you and your family are able to spend some time in the fall leaves and maybe even pick up a pumpkin or two this week. Thank you for continuing to do your best each day! Our PCMS community is strong and there’s no place I’d rather be!

Go Golden Eagles!

Ms. Birk

Good morning Golden Eagles and families,

It is starting to feel like fall! I hope you and your family are able to spend time outside this weekend enjoying what might be the waning days of our summer temperatures. Being outside is a great way to balance the time you spend behind a screen during the week and it will continue to help you balance the internal stressors that you may be feeling. Yesterday was World Mental Health Day. I think this day comes at the perfect time for all of us as Golden Eagles. This is a great reminder to examine your weekly and daily routines. How do they make you feel? Are you getting enough time with the people you love? Are you getting enough time doing the things you love? Are you accomplishing the tasks and learning challenges that are presented to you? If you feel like one of these areas is out of balance for you, I encourage you to talk with your family this week to make adjustments if necessary. Remember, this is a marathon- not a sprint. How will you adjust your routine so you can go the distance? As you make adjustments, you are practicing being the best at getting better and that is what being a Golden Eagle is all about!

One easy adjustment that you might consider is to attend office hours with your teacher(s) or make a private appointment to meet with them. Teachers hold office hours on Tuesdays and Fridays and they hold extended time with students who need support on Wednesdays. They also are pretty creative with the use of private messaging during class so if you are needing support, please do not wait. E-mail your teacher to find the best time to meet with them because they want nothing more than to help you be successful!

Sometimes students report that they feel overwhelmed and are unsure where to start. If this sounds like how you are feeling and you could benefit from some help organizing your daily systems for many classes, please e-mail your Advisory teacher or your counselor. Students with last names beginning with A-K can contact Mr. K ([email protected]) and students with last names beginning with L-Z can contact Mrs. Girard ([email protected]). Again, please do not wait. We are here to help!

Another adjustment that may help with connection and clarity happens during class. Sometimes, there are reasons that students need to have their cameras off. Our teachers understand this and will remain flexible to personal needs; however, if bandwidth supports it, please consider having your camera on during class. During the past 6 months, we have all felt disconnected from one another and during our brief times together each week, cameras are one way to support connection. This simple action will increase learning because teachers can better understand what difficulties students may be having and as a result, students who are feeling behind, may get the help they need sooner. Additionally, we will foster stronger connections between students (particularly in breakout rooms) and we continue to create a strong school. No one likes to be part of a group that is not talking or not connected. We have the power to make these changes so we can continue to LEARN with, CARE for, and INSPIRE one another.

Below are some updates for this week.

SUPERINTENDENT SURVEY: Bend La Pine Schools’ Board of Directors invites community members to share thoughts about attributes and qualities they would like to see in a new superintendent via an online survey which will be open through Oct. 21. The information gathered through this survey will be added to existing data collected earlier this winter and spring and used by the board in consideration when reviewing and interviewing the candidates. Learn more on the Superintendent Search website.

• • • Superintendent Survey – English
    • Superintendent Survey – en Español

CONFERENCE UPDATE: Conferences that were once planned for the end of October are now going to be regular school days. If you have any questions about the progress of your student, please reach out to the classroom teacher at any time. All of our teachers are working extremely hard to support students and families and we often don’t know the struggles that a family is experiencing until frustration is at an all-time high. When this happens, communication can be emotionally charged and it can be difficult to problem-solve. Please don’t wait to contact teachers for clarity, ideas for routines/support, or just to provide insight into your reality at home. The more we are connected, the better experience our students will have.

• • • By Wednesday, all of our teachers are required to contact families with students who have a D or F in any class. This is simply an informational contact; however, it does provide an opportunity for us to come together to make a plan for moving forward. Remember, at this time, parents can see student progress best by becoming an observer within Canvas. You can go to the District page for more information regarding how to do this. Please encourage your child to contact their teacher for a time together or reach out to the counselor to help make a plan. We want what you want- happy and successful kids so please let us know when you or your child could use support.

A MESSAGE FROM THE LIBRARY: As of Friday, 10/2, all students will have had the opportunity to learn about how to access digital, audio and printed books from the library. Teachers have made the link share-able to students, via Canvas, so they can access this information as needed. There are videos showing how to use Sora, how to link your public library account in Sora, and how to request a regular book from our school library. Books requested by the end of the day on Mondays will be available for pick up on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30-3:30 via the student curbside pick-up location. Just follow the signs when you enter the parking lot. If you have any questions or if students cannot come on the designated day or time, please contact Mrs. Hanna at [email protected].

7th GRADE SCIENCE KIT PICK-UP: On Wednesday, 10/14 from 9:00am – 3:00pm, 7th grade students/parents can stop by school, curbside to pick-up science kits. Just pull up to the open garage doors, stop at the curb and you will be greeted by a staff member. Please wear a mask. This would be a good day to pick up a library book too! See above message for more info.

CANVAS HELP FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS & GUARDIANS: Dan Curfew will be hosting Webex sessions on Wednesdays from 11:30 – 12:00 to answer questions or provide assistance with Canvas. Go to: https://bls.webex.com/meet/dan.curfew

PCMS SWAG FOR SALE: Beginning Friday, 11/13, we will resume Golden Eagle Spirit Fridays! Our PCMS Online Store is now open to purchase Golden Eagle swag and will remain open until Sunday, October 18. Swag will be issued the week of 11/2. The students in the advisory that has the highest participation will receive a prize!

HELP BUILD OUR YEARBOOK: Although we are currently apart, we want to make our memories last! This year is no different despite COVID-19. Our yearbook advisors are committed to creating and publishing, once again, a fabulous memory book for our students…one you will want to participate in! Throughout the year, please share any photos you wish by going to www.hjeshare.com and use the school passcode: goldeneagles. Click here for a short video on how to upload photos.

PURCHASE YEARBOOK ONLINE: Don’t miss out…purchase a yearbook now to guarantee that your student will receive a book packed full of memories at the end of the school year. Cost is $20 and you may purchase online via TouchBase.

FREE SOCK AND UNDERWEAR POP-UP

• • • Free Sock and Underwear Pop-up
    • Spanish: Free Sock and Underwear Pop-up

We are off to a great start, in a groove, and creating strong connections with one another. We thank you, as always, for being engaged members of our Golden Eagle family and supporting all of us along the way.

Go Golden Eagles!

Lisa

Dear Golden Eagles and families,

This week was another great week at Pacific Crest. Overall, the name of the game was getting better. Everyone from teachers, to students, to parents are starting to feel more and more comfortable navigating this new normal. We are not in a groove yet but we are getting really close. This week students will continue to learn more about Canvas and its uses as well as begin to feel more connected to classroom content rather than simply navigation. I hope that your family begins to feel the same this week and by Friday we can really say that we are settled. Here are some updates for this week.

Lunch Connection

Mr. Kelling and Ms. Birk would love to connect with students outside of the classroom. Last week we held a student virtual breakfast and this week we invite you to join Mr. Kelling for lunch on Tuesday from 11:30-12:00. Please log into his webex to share a meal or simply say, “Hi!”

Attendance

Attendance tracking is an important part of our teachers’ jobs and, because of the newness of our virtual attendance, this process has had some early glitches that we are working out. If you could, please contact Tami Nielsen directly for any planned absences or illnesses. This will be helpful in keeping our records accurate. One common difficult area has come up during Wendesday attendance. Each class will have some sort of task to be completed on Wednesday. The completion of this task allows our teachers to take attendance for this day that does not include webex meetings. Last week, some students reported that they were unable to submit an assignment that was assigned for Wednesday. If this happens, students MUST contact the teacher via e-mail before the end of the day in order for them to enter attendance into the system. If a student does not contact the teacher by midnight of Wednesday evening, it is highly likely that parents will receive a phone call regarding an absence for this class on Wednesday. If you receive an attendance call saying your student was not in attendance and you believe this is a mistake, please have your student contact the teacher to clear up the issue. Thank you for your patience as these new, district-wide systems continue to get smoothed out.

Grades

At this time, all student tasks and assignments are graded within the Canvas system. In the future, we hope to have Parent VUE (Synergy) and Canvas linked together so parents can see grades on Parent VUE as well. Until the two systems are synched (our district is working on this synchronization), please refer to Canvas for all grade information and feedback. Parents can access Canvas by going through the process outlined on the district website. HERE is a link on how to be a Canvas Observer.

iPad information

ALL students/families must complete the Acceptable Use Policy form and indicate their preference regarding insurance each year. If you have not completed this already, please follow THIS LINK to complete the form.

Yearbook Photos

Please continue to share any photos you have throughout this year to the following website: www.hjeshare.com and use the password goldeneagles. Click here for a short video on how to upload photos. We look forward to a wonderful yearbook with content being gathered directly by our families this year!

Clubs

At Pacific Crest, our student clubs are by students, for students. If you would like to start a club at Pacific Crest, please contact Ms. Birk or Mr. Kelling. We will ask that you contact a teacher to be a space facilitator for your club and then we will begin to let everyone know how to join. Clubs will begin the second week of October.

As we move into October, we look forward to starting student clubs, beginning to share school spirit, and getting into a groove with course content. Although we have felt good about our school launch into this new year, we know that there are bugs still left of figure out. If you need support along the way, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your teachers or anyone in the front office. We are here for you! I am out of the state this week for a family emergency and will return this weekend. I will be checking e-mails periodically; however, my turn-around timing will not be typical. Please contact Ryan Kelling if you need any immediate support.

Have a wonderful week! Go Golden Eagles!

Lisa

Hello Golden Eagles and Families!

Congratulations!! You’ve made it to the end of your first week of the 2020-2021 school year and that is no small feat. Although this week included some glitches, it was also full of connection, collaboration, care, learning, and inspiration. I felt so proud to join a variety of virtual classrooms this week and see all of our teachers and students working together, supporting one another, sharing, and learning. What a great start! I’m happy we’re all back together!

This week we have also had two new people join our team. Bri Agenbroad was just hired as our brand new Registrar and Counseling secretary and Steve Simpson is the newest addition to our counseling team. Both new eagles jumped right in on Monday and are so excited to be part of our community. It is likely if you call PCMS, you may get to connect with Bri in the front office as she is learning the ropes and you may see Steve as he begins to teach all of our 6th graders in the Leadership classes. We welcome them to the team!

Below are a few things that you should be aware of as we move into our second week.

Canvas and Other Tech Questions

 We are all getting used to re-connecting using our devices and becoming familiar with our new learning management platform, Canvas. The district continues to offer supports for families using the Tips and Tricks page. Additionally, our tech team at PCMS has been fielding some recent common questions, primarily related to submitting work. We’ve created a Cheat Sheet for Submitting Assignments to help you get your work turned in. If you continue to have any difficulties at all, please reach out to your classroom teacher or anyone here at the school. We’re here to help!

First Day Photos

Even though we’re apart, we want to make our memories last! I hope you all took a moment to snap a First Day photo to share with us for the yearbook. Please share any photos you have from the first day by going to the following website: www.hjeshare.com and use the password golden eagles. Click here for a short video on how to upload photos. You can also use this website moving forward throughout the year for any other fun photos you want to share.

Acceptable Use Policy 

ALL FAMILIES MUST COMPLETE and Acceptable Use Policy Form for the 2020-2021 school year. Please do this this week if you haven’t already done it electronically. If you are new to BLP, you may have done this in person and iPad pickup. Follow the directions outlined on THIS FORM.

PCMS Parent Survey (Counseling)

 As you have heard before, at Pacific Crest we focus on delivering Inspiration, high levels of Learning, and high levels of Care. One way we deliver care is through our counseling team. Our team of nationally recognized counselors stand ready to support your child (and your family) with anything that they/you may need in middle school. Please provide us with some information about your child by completing our PCMS Parent Survey. You are your child’s first teacher and you know your child best. We look forward to supporting you and your family during the middle years.

Golden Eagle Breakfast 

Mr. Kelling and I miss you! In the next few weeks, we will be offering some times that students can come and connect with us just to say, “Hi,” and share about what is happening in their lives. We will start this Monday at 8:30 with breakfast. Students are invited to join Mr. Kelling and Ms. Birk in Ms. Birk’s webex room (https://bls.webex.com/meet/lisa.birk) to listen to music, get ready for the day, and simply connect. This is not mandatory but we’d love to see you if you’re interested.

Clubs and Extras

 The first couple of weeks are all about getting established. As this month closes, we will look to begin some of our other activities. If you have ideas for a club and would like to create one, please contact Ms. Birk.

Remember, this is not a sprint. Think of this year as a marathon and this is only the beginning. What things can you do for yourself to make your load feel lighter now so you can go the distance? You may be feeling overwhelmed. This article from the Greater Good Science Center out of Berkeley has some ideas for things parents and students can think about as our year begins. In the article, it describes the importance of gratitude as way to cultivate well-being. I can honestly say that I am so grateful for the Pacific Crest community. During the million phone calls and e-mails that our team fielded this week, it was clear that we are part of a community where everyone wants to work together to be the best we can be. Thank you for supporting our school and the excellent educators and students that make this place so special. Have a wonderful weekend.

Go Golden Eagles!

Lisa

Hello Golden Eagles and families!

Happy second day of school!! I hope that today has gone much more smoothly than several of you experienced yesterday. We continue to be diligently answering messages and phone calls in order to trouble-shoot any needs that you may be experiencing. Please continue to reach out to us with your questions.

I have three quick updates regarding today’s common themes: Webex links, Attendance systems and Wednesday processes.

Webex Links

You can access Webex by going to the Home or Syllabus section of your class Canvas. If you have difficulty, use the Teacher Webex Links document to get where you need to go using a browser of your choice.

Attendance Systems

Attendance is being taken during Webex times. If for some reason you cannot attend class, you must e-mail your teacher (parent or student) and complete any activities that are posted within Canvas later that day. Any student who has been marked absent (which is determined by not having attended webex or having completed the activity listed) by 9 am the following day will remain in the system as absent. This means that a robotic-generated phone call will go home to the family to alert them of non-attendance. If you want to excuse your child ahead of time because of something pre-planned (i.e. doctors apt, etc), please call our attendance line ((541) 355-7820) and leave a message. This line is checked frequently (approximately every 10 minutes) and the changes will be made. You can also e-mail us at [email protected].

Wednesday Process

On Wednesdays, all students have approximately 20 minutes of classwork to engage in per period. Students will need to check the Canvas classes for each period every Wednesday and complete the task listed. Attendance will be taken using turned in assignments that teachers designate for Wednesday. If students do not complete the tasks outlined on Wednesday for each class (except Advisory), they will be marked absent for that class.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. We are here to help.

Go Golden Eagles!

Ms. Birk