February 21, 2025

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

What beautiful weather we’re having to end the week. I hope you get outside to enjoy the warmer temperatures.

Today we celebrated our 7th graders with their second all-class assembly. We applauded the students who’ve yet to earn a tardy, and we welcomed to the stage five more winners of our prestigious CLASS Award.

One of the joys of my job is seeing the good that students do for each other when they don’t know anyone’s watching. This is the true test of all those parenting talks and character-building lessons. Today I saw students, at different times of the day, help a student who’s on crutches. One student helped him up the stairs; another student offered to carry his things.

I noticed this at two different times of the day. They were unrelated. And both acts of kindness were done by boys. I wish to point this out because middle school boys often get a bad rap. Having spent almost two decades now working with adolescents, I’m beginning to see these invisible acts of kindness undertaken by all different kinds of students, and it makes my job deeply rewarding.

Finally, I wish to end today’s greeting by extending my warmest regard of Renee Skjersaa, a longtime teacher in our schools. She taught here at Pacific Crest and worked with many of our teachers for many years. We remember her fondly, especially her sense of humor and adventure.

We will miss you, Renee.

Sean

8th Grade Fly Up Day Permission Slips

Just another reminder to parents and guardians of 8th grade students who have not brought one home, to make sure this Fly Up Day Field Trip form is downloaded, printed, completed, signed and returned to the main office or to your student’s advisory. If we do not have a form on file your student will not be able to attend the fly up day on Monday, March 3.

PCMS Athletics

Registration for Track & Field in now open! Please go to the PCMS Athletics website to find more information on how to register. Registration ends March 21st and no late registrations will be accepted.

Life & Career Readiness Night

Peek into the future at Life & Career Readiness Night! Students and families are invited to explore the future at Life & Career Readiness Night on Wednesday, March 12 at Caldera High School from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

At our second annual Life & Career Readiness Night, visit with higher education representatives and regional employers in the private and public sectors. Students can explore college and trade school options, regional employers, educational travel, internships, volunteer opportunities and much more.

Organized by high school students with assistance from district staff, this event aims to inform students and their families about the array of professional and educational opportunities available in Central Oregon – both before and after graduation.

There’s still time to sign up as a vendor! Email [email protected].

The National Charity League: Bend Chapter

The Bend Chapter of The National Charity League started its annual membership drive for rising 7th, 8th and 9th grade girls and their mothers (or guardians).  NCL works with local and national nonprofits to understand and serve the immediate and global community by contributing philanthropy hours from its membership.  The program aims to develop leadership skills through team building, mentoring and problem solving by practicing those skills through class officer roles.  And, NCL creates an environment that values differences and nurtures positive identity by appreciating the growth that comes from connecting with different cultures and communities.

Our upcoming interest meetings will be held:

  • Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM @ Westside Church
  • Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM – Thump Coffee at the Grove
  • Saturday, March 1, 2025 is the New Member application deadline. 

Middle School Rugby | 7/8 Girls & Boys

Open to all 7th and 8th grade girls and boys in Central Oregon. No experience necessary. No tryouts. Flexible with other sports and obligations. Experienced coaches, positive environment and fun with friends. Informational flyer.

Mark your Calendar

  • Mar. 3 | 8th Grade Fly Up Day | High School Visits | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Mar. 13 | 5th Grade Family Night | 6:00 – 8:00 PM (more to come soon)
  • Mar. 20 | 8th Grade Science Fair | 6:00 – 8:30 PM
  • Mar. 21 | Track & Field Registration Ends
  • Mar. 21 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance – Tropical Theme |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 11 | Full Day of School | 3:45 PM Release
  • June 11 | 8th Grade Promotion & Reception | 6:00 – 7:45 PM | more info to come
  • June 12 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 12 | Field Day | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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February 14, 2025

Posted on February 15, 2025 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

While middle school principals typically dread Valentine’s Day, given all the extra sugar and relationship drama, this week, our “Share the Love” campaign, turned out to be one of the most joyful of my career!

We started the week listening to big-band music and selling hot cocoa before school, with proceeds going to Bethlehem Inn, a local shelter for families experiencing houselessness. We then continued the week collecting non-perishable food in advisory, with all items donated to Bend Food Project, another local resource providing food to our neighbors in need.

We also continued our celebration of Black History Month, learning about important Black Americans who’ve helped to make our country a unique, dynamic, and diverse place. A message I stressed this week with students was DIVERSITY MAKES US STRONGER! At a time of life when conformity reigns (remember middle school?!), it takes courage to be yourself, to be unique, to simply be YOU!

The world wants us to be ourselves. Science tells us that diversity is a boon to life in an ecosystem. Diversity is a protective factor! How lucky we are to engender these big ideas in the lives of our students.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sean

Career & Technical Education – 8th Grade Fly Up Day

On Monday, March 3rd, our 8th grade students will have the opportunity to visit their forecasted high school to participate in a “fly-up day.”  The goal of this day is to get students into their high schools to learn about the many options they will have the following year.  We will be busing students to their forecasted high school this day and are looking forward to them experiencing a little bit of the high school experience.

If your student is attending another high school on an Area Change Request (ACR), please touch base with our main office to discuss options for transportation on this day.  Students on ACRs are not provided transportation to their school.  

We may, however, have some options available this day depending on which school your student chooses to attend on an ACR. Students attending Realms or Bend Tech Academy WILL be provided transportation for this event.

Please look for field trip permission slip from your student in the coming days.

Share the Love Campaign Update

This week, our PCMS families and staff brought in non-perishable food to our Advisory classrooms. School-wide, we collected just over 600 items! We held a grade level competition to see which class could bring in the most donations. The winning Advisory classes are Ms. Harms (6th Grade), Mr. McLaughlin (7th Grade), and Ms. Zepnewski (8th Grade). These three classrooms will receive fresh donuts on Tuesday, 2/18. Well done, PCMS!

Just a few of our WEB Leaders who helped with food collection.

In addition to our food drive and as the week’s weather dropped to frigid temperatures, students and staff enjoyed a week-long offering of hot cocoa each morning. A huge thanks to our WEB Leaders for doing an excellent job promoting and serving-up the morning treat. We raised close to $450.00 for Bethlehem Inn.

To end our week of sharing the love, we treated our School Resource Officer, Dan Koehnke, to lunch from Mt. Burger for SRO Appreciation Day which is technically tomorrow.

PCMS Athletics

Registration for Track & Field opens Monday February 17th. Please go to the PCMS Athletics website to find more information on how to register. Registration ends March 21st and no late registrations will be accepted.

A Message from PCCO | February Staff Lunch Sign-ups

This month is cold…so let’s warm up the amazing PCMS staff with some yummy soups and salads. The staff lunch will be on Friday, February 21st at 11:30am. Please have all food and drinks dropped off by 10:30am on Friday. Remember to label your dishes and grab them that Friday afternoon from the cart located in the main lobby. Thanks for all your continued help and support. Click here to sign up and thank you.

The National Charity League: Bend Chapter

The Bend Chapter of The National Charity League started its annual membership drive for rising 7th, 8th and 9th grade girls and their mothers (or guardians).  NCL works with local and national nonprofits to understand and serve the immediate and global community by contributing philanthropy hours from its membership.  The program aims to develop leadership skills through team building, mentoring and problem solving by practicing those skills through class officer roles.  And, NCL creates an environment that values differences and nurtures positive identity by appreciating the growth that comes from connecting with different cultures and communities.

Our upcoming interest meetings will be held:

  • Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM @ Westside Church
  • Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM – Thump Coffee at the Grove
  • Saturday, March 1, 2025 is the New Member application deadline. 

Mark your Calendar

  • Feb. 17 | No School | President’s Day
  • Feb. 17 | Track & Field Registration Opens (see info above)
  • Mar. 13 | 5th Grade Family Night | 6:00 – 8:00 PM (more to come soon)
  • Mar. 20 | 8th Grade Science Fair | 6:00 – 8:30 PM
  • Mar. 21 | Track & Field Registration Ends
  • Mar. 21 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance – Tropical Theme |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 11 | Full Day of School | 3:45 PM Release
  • June 11 | 8th Grade Promotion & Reception | 6:00 – 7:45 PM | more info to come
  • June 12 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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February 7, 2025

Posted on February 8, 2025 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

What a beautiful Friday! Our Snow Day Calculator said we had a 99% chance of getting a snow day today, and I’m so glad it was wrong! The kids are happy and learning a ton today.

We celebrated 6th grade excellence this morning with our quarterly class assembly. A huge shout out to all those 6th graders with no tardies! Also, a big congrats to the five new students who won our CLASS Award. Well done, guys!

Next week we have our Share the Love Campaign, leading up to Valentine’s Day on Friday. This campaign is our chance to express love and inclusion to all members of our community. We will raise money with hot chocolate sales and also have a canned food drive.

Please remind your student to dress in the spirit! Here are the themes for each day:

Have a beautiful weekend with your family!

Sean

OSAS Testing

Oregon State Testing is scheduled for all 6th – 8th students later this spring. We are expecting all students to participate in the assessment. We plan to conduct testing at PCMS starting in mid-April. If parents choose to opt their student(s) out of testing, please complete and return the opt-out form to our main office no later than March 1, 2025.

These tests are designed to be one tool that assesses students’ mastery of Oregon content standards. OSAS includes the English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and English Language Proficiency assessments.

Share the Love Week Starts this Monday!

We are gearing up for our Share the Love Week, dedicated to kindness to all. Below are the highlights of what our students are looking forward to, but click here for all the details.

  • Spirit Week – Appropriate Attire
  • Mon, 2/10 – Hearts Full of Love – wear red, pink, or heart-themed outfits
  • Tue, 2/11 – Love Your Friends Day – twin day
  • Wed, 2/12 – Pink Out – wear as much pick as possible
  • Thr, 2/13 – Throwback Valentine’s – wear styles from your favorite decade
  • Fri 2/14 – Celebrity Crush Day – dress like your favorite celebrity
  • Morning Hot Cocoa Service
  • Mon. 2/10 – Fri. 2/14 from 8:15 – 9:45 AM
  • $2.00 per cup / cash only please
  • Located at the Student Store/Snack Shack
  • Beneficiary is Bethlehem Inn
  • Bend Food Project Non-Perishable Food Drive
  • Mon. 2/10 – Fri. 2/14
  • Students can bring non-perishable food items to their advisory
  • Please do not bring perishable items, dog food, personal items
  • Grade level who collects the most items will be treated to donuts
  • You are Loved – Paper Hearts
  • Each student will find their personalized “heart message” placed somewhere on campus
  • Students will receive a treat once they find their heart

Bend

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English Text: 

Your student is learning how to build relationships with others – including friendships and, eventually, romantic partners. Talking with your student about healthy relationships can help keep them safe. Click here for tips on talking to your student about healthy and positive relationships. 

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Spanish Text: 

Su estudiante está aprendiendo a construir relaciones con otros, incluyendo las amistades y, eventualmente, las parejas románticas. Hablar con su estudiante sobre las relaciones saludables puede ayudar a mantenerlo(a) a salvo. Haga Clic aquí para obtener consejos sobre cómo hablar con su estudiante sobre relaciones sanas y positivas.

BTA Madness | Competitive 3v3 Basketball Tournament

For the past 3 years Bend Tech Leadership students have successfully directed and coordinated what they call “BTA Madness”. BTA Madness, inspired by March Madness, is a competitive 3v3 basketball tournament that gives middle school players from our community the opportunity to showcase their skills. The games are officiated by high school basketball players from various schools, adding a unique and collaborative aspect to the event. Middle school players will be competing in a fun and friendly bracket while building connections within their community. Each year we gather local sponsors to support our financial and marketing needs. All proceeds are put towards Bend Tech Academy’s future events. Here is the registration link to sign up and the BTA Madness flyer.

Mark your Calendar

  • Feb. 10 – 14 | | Share the Love Week | (see info above)
  • Feb. 17 | No School | President’s Day
  • Mar. 13 | 5th Grade Family Night | 6:00 – 8:00 PM (more to come soon)
  • Mar. 21 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 11 | Full Day of School | 3:45 PM Release
  • June 11 | 8th Grade Promotion & Reception | 6:00 – 7:45 PM | more info to come
  • June 12 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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January 31, 2025

Posted on February 1, 2025 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

Today we finished entering our grades for Semester One. I hope you feel that your student learned valuable academic and social skills these past few months. 

As we embark upon Semester Two and move closer to summer vacation and, for our 8th graders, promotion to high school, remember that we strive to train both the head and the heart. We want students who can think scientifically as well as emotionally. We yearn to foster a love of logic and a love of the arts. 

We show up every day to work with 600 adolescents knowing that this work we do builds the future community in which we, our children, and our children’s children will work, play, and love. 

We could not do this holy work without you. Thank you, and onward!

Sean

Important: Parking Lot Procedures & Safety Guidelines

Parents/Guardians please take a few minutes to watch this important video regarding PCMS Parking Lot Procedures & Safety Guidelines for student pick up and drop off. It would be great if you could watch the video with your student as well! Thank you for partnering with us to make our parking lot as safe as possible. 

Get Ready! Share the Love Week is Coming!

We are gearing up for our Share the Love Week, dedicated to kindness to all. Below are the highlights of what our students are looking forward to, but click here for all the details.

  • Spirit Week – Appropriate Attire
  • Mon, 2/10 – Hearts Full of Love – wear red, pink, or heart-themed outfits
  • Tue, 2/11 – Love Your Friends Day – twin day
  • Wed, 2/12 – Pink Out – wear as much pick as possible
  • Thr, 2/13 – Throwback Valentine’s – wear styles from your favorite decade
  • Fri 2/14 – Celebrity Crush Day – dress like your favorite celebrity
  • Morning Hot Cocoa Service
  • Mon. 2/10 – Fri. 2/14 from 8:15 – 9:45 AM
  • $2.00 per cup / cash only please
  • Located at the Student Store/Snack Shack
  • Beneficiary is Bethlehem Inn
  • Bend Food Project Non-Perishable Food Drive
  • Mon. 2/10 – Fri. 2/14
  • Students can bring non-perishable food items to their advisory
  • Please do not bring perishable items, dog food, personal items
  • Grade level who collects the most items will be treated to donuts
  • You are Loved – Paper Hearts
  • Each student will find their personalized “heart message” placed somewhere on campus
  • Students will receive a treat once they find their heart

Create a Family Tech Plan

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One way to help your student balance the screen time and media in their lives is to make a family tech plan. 

You can use one of these Family Tech Planners to spark a conversation about boundaries and expectations. 

Ask your student questions to help them think critically about technology use and media.  Create a plan together. 

Sample Questions to Ask:

  • How will we stay safe online?
  • What other activities will we do to balance screen time?
  • How will we limit our screen time?

To learn more about how to use technology safely, attend a SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Choices® workshop.  KIDS Center offers multiple SafetyNet® workshops a year, including virtual options.  These workshops are free and cover hackers and scams, cyberbullying, social media, online gaming, inappropriate posts, and online predators.  Click here to learn more or sign up for a training. 

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Elaborar un plan tecnológico familiar

Una manera de ayudar a su estudiante a equilibrar el tiempo frente a la pantalla y los medios en su vida, es hacer un plan de tecnología familiar.

Puedes usar uno de estos Planificadores de Tecnología Familiar para iniciar una conversación sobre límites y expectativas.

Hágale preguntas a su estudiante para ayudarle a pensar críticamente sobre el uso de la tecnología y los medios. Creen un plan juntos.

Preguntas de ejemplo para hacer:

  • ¿Cómo nos mantendremos seguros cuando estemos conectados en línea?
  • ¿Qué otras actividades haremos para equilibrar el tiempo frente a la pantalla?
  • ¿Cómo limitaremos nuestro tiempo frente a la pantalla?

Para aprender más sobre cómo usar la tecnología de manera segura, asiste a un taller de SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Choices®. KIDS Center ofrece múltiples talleres de SafetyNet® al año, incluyendo opciones virtuales. Estos talleres son gratuitos y cubren temas como hackers y estafas, ciberacoso, redes sociales, juegos en línea, publicaciones inapropiadas y depredadores en línea. Haz clic aquí para obtener más información o inscribirte en un entrenamiento.

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. Becoming a substitute is a fantastic opportunity for parents, grandparents, and community members to make a difference in our schools while enjoying a flexible schedule, and the pay range is now between 18.00 to $26.00+ per hour depending on the role/level of the Substitute.

Thank you so much for your partnership in supporting our schools. Together, we can create brighter futures for our students! View this Informational Flyer or visit the HDESD website for more information.

Mark your Calendar

  • Feb. 10 – 14 | | Share the Love Week | (see info above)
  • Feb. 17 | No School | President’s Day
  • Mar. 13 | 5th Grade Family Night | 6:00 – 8:00 PM (more to come soon)
  • Mar. 21 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 11 | Full Day of School | 3:45 PM Release
  • June 11 | 8th Grade Promotion & Reception | 6:00 – 7:45 PM | more info to come
  • June 12 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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January 24, 2024

Posted on January 25, 2025 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

Thank you so much for participating in the YouthTruth Survey! We’ve seen a significant increase in responses, from 17% to nearly 40% in just a week! If you haven’t had the chance yet, here’s the link one more time: http://www.ytsurvey.org/bendfamily25. Please take just a few minutes to complete it—we’d love to have one response from every family.

We’ve also recently reviewed our state test results and discussed them as a staff. This year, we want to place more emphasis on these tests. While we don’t intend to “teach to the test,” we do believe it’s important for students to understand the role of standardized tests in modern American life. From the ACT and SAT to professional exams like the GRE, as well as tests for medical, law, military, and trade certifications, these “high-stakes” assessments are a significant part of growing up and entering a profession.

With that in mind, we’ll approach our state tests as an opportunity to practice this important benchmark. In middle school, the stakes are lower, of course, but we still expect your support of this approach. If a student opts out of a standardized test, they will take an alternate assessment—designed by the classroom teacher—that is similar in scope and purpose.

We also hope to incorporate these tests into student grades, pending faculty support and the timely release of test results. While Pacific Crest consistently performs above state averages, we believe we can do even better. However, what really matters isn’t how we compare to other schools—it’s our sense of pride in knowing we’re doing our best every day, growing as individuals, and preparing our students for what lies ahead.

More information will be shared as we move into testing season!

Sean

Another Huge “Thank You” to PCCO

Did you know that several times a year, Heidi McHugh takes it upon herself to rally other PCMS parents to contribute food and drink for amazing staff lunches. Here are some thanks and a photo from the staff.

“Dear PCCO…thank you so much for all you do for the staff at PCMS! We so appreciate the time and effort all of you put in to make our day brighter and better. You are the best!”

“PCCO…ummm! Thanks to all our families who provided us lunch today. It is nice to sit and socialize with other staff members during lunch occasionally. These lunches allow that to happen!”

“Pasta, lasagna, garlic bread, salads and desserts…great way to start the weekend. Thank you.”

“These lunches are varied in cuisine, which is fun and always delicious. Thanks for filling my tummy today.”

The Grove – Student Hours

Just another reminder that until the management at The Grove decides to invite PCMS students back onto The Grove premises on early release Wednesdays (2:30 – 4:00 PM) students are still NOT ALLOWED on the premises on Wednesdays before 4:00 PM. If a student stays on the premises once they are asked to leave, they may be trespassed. Thank you for understanding. Hopefully, this can be lifted in the future.

Robotics Club

Our Robotics Club, under the guidance of Crary Kraybill and several volunteer parents, hosted a scrimmage last Saturday. Don’t let their serious faces fool you, they had a blast.

PCMS Wins at Inventerprise Competition

Inventerprise is an annual problem-solving contest open to all Central Oregon K-12 students. The contest was founded in 1992 as an outgrowth of a business-education partnership between Bend Research (now Lonza) and the Bend-La Pine School District to promote science education and enrich students’ educational experience. It aims to inspire and challenge students. It fosters problem-solving skills and research, critical thinking, and creativity.

The theme for this year’s contest was “We are the Martians”. Imagine if we actually made it to Mars. How would we have to adapt our lifestyle to live in this new environment? Out of 542 projects submitted from 781 students.

We are thrilled to announce and congratulate PCMS students Adelyn Keever who won at the Middle School level as well as Boone Fowles and Parker Kang who received honorable mentions. Awesome job!

Bike Bus | A safe, healthy and fun option

A Bike Bus is an organized group of children and families riding bikes to school together along a set route. It can go to one or multiple schools, have one or multiple starting points, and can have a few or a lot of children and families, but all Bike Buses have similar joy, positivity, community feel, and transformative energy. You can get a sense for Bike Bus by watching this video.

Interested in helping start a Bike Bus this spring? Reach out to Dan Pilver at [email protected] or 541-385-5320 for more information.

Mark your Calendar

  • Jan. 28 | Internet Safety Workshop | 6:00 7:30 PM
  • Jan. 31 | Asian Family Night | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Jan. 31 | No School | Workday for Staff | End of 1st Semester
  • Feb. 10 – 14 | | Share the Love Week | (more to come soon)
  • Feb. 17 | No School | President’s Day
  • Mar. 13 | 5th Grade Family Night | 6:00 – 8:00 PM (more to come soon)
  • Mar. 21 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 11 | Full Day of School | 3:45 PM Release
  • June 11 | 8th Grade Promotion & Reception | 6:00 – 7:45 PM | more info to come
  • June 12 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

Posted in News from the Nest | Leave a comment

January 17, 2025

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

I wish you a great three-day weekend. On Monday I’ll remember the ultimate sacrifice Dr. King made to help our country be a more perfect union.

I have three things I wish to address.

First, our cell phone policy–cell phones are to stay in lockers, no exceptions. (We have a few students who use their phones to monitor insulin levels. That’s different.) If parents are coming to pick up students who’ve called them or texted them from school, the student will receive a cell phone violation. If students need to contact a parent, they may do that with a school phone in the front office, the attendance office, or the health room. If they want a private space to talk, we can grant that space.

Second, the YouthTruth survey–the last time I checked, only 17% of our parents had completed the survey. That’s not a representative sample. Please take the 10 minutes to complete the survey. This is the main way our district assesses leadership, safety, and communication across the school sites. (Survey link: http://www.ytsurvey.org/bendfamily25)

Finally, the dropoff line–please pull all the way forward. Cars should not stop at the front doors. This creates a backup. Please pull as far forward as you can. It does mean your student has to walk a bit farther, but it’s good for them. When they’re complaining that you’re not stopping, tell them Mr. Keating said you have to pull all the way forward to minimize the traffic jam behind you. =)

Thank you for your teamwork, everyone! I appreciate you.

Sean

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Area Change Requests (ACR)

Internet Safety Workshop for Adults & Students

Join us at Pacific Crest Middle School for a very informative and interactive workshop on Tuesday, January 28 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. Some things you will learn are listed below. For more details, refer to this informational flyer.

  • implementation and safety and privacy settings
  • creation of family tech agreements
  • aspects of internet usage

YouthTruth Survey | We’d like your feedback!

We are asking for ~15 minutes of your time to complete an online survey that will help us improve your child’s school. We have asked YouthTruth – a nonprofit organization that supports hundreds of schools and districts across the country – to conduct a anonymous survey on our behalf.

Please take the survey by clicking this link: http://www.ytsurvey.org/bendfamily25

Please note:

  • The survey needs to be completed in one sitting.
  • If you have more than one child who attends the same school, you may respond to the survey multiple times – one time per child.
  • If you write any comments, please do not include your name or anything else that might identify you. Your responses are anonymous, and they will be combined with the responses of other parents and guardians before being shared back with school and district leadership.

We sincerely thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. Your response is incredibly valuable to us!

Upcoming Asian Family Night

Build cultural pride and community with families, students and district staff on Friday, January 31, 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Pilot Butte Middle School. Click here for Informational Flyer.

Mark your Calendar

  • Jan. 20 | No School | Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Jan. 28 | Internet Safety Workshop | 6:00 7:30 PM | (see flyer above)
  • Jan. 31 | No School | Workday for Staff | End of 1st Semester
  • Jan. 31 | Asian Family Night | 5:00 – 7:00 PM (see flyer above)
  • Feb. 17 | No School | President’s Day
  • Mar. 13 | 5th Grade Family Night | 6:00 – 8:00 PM (more to come soon)
  • Mar. 21 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 11 | Full Day of School | 3:45 PM Release
  • June 11 | 8th Grade Promotion & Reception | 6:00 – 7:45 PM | more info to come
  • June 12 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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January 10, 2025

Posted on January 11, 2025 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

It was nice to get back into the swing of things this week. While I enjoyed my time away, I also love working alongside our staff and hearing the laughter of our kids. We had a good week back. Students followed expectations, and some exciting things were happening around campus.

One small change was our seating arrangement in the cafeteria for our 6th and 7th graders. We’re now sitting only on the first step of the blocks in order to minimize trash and increase safety and walkability. The students made this change seamlessly.

We also had our midyear check-in as a staff, just to see how we’re doing and where we might want to improve. I’ll keep you apprised of what comes from that. Things seem to be going well overall. As a staff and leadership team, we’ve now been working together for three years, and I think we’re paddling together.

Over the course of the school year, I have just a few big asks of you. First is to support our fundraiser, “Fill the Bucket.” Second is to show up to our events, like Back to School Night or Promotion. Third is to take the YouthTruth survey.

This is the big, important survey our district does every year. It gives us vital feedback on our communication, how safe the school feels, and whether or not the trains are running on time. I hope you’ll take just 10 minutes to give us your feedback. It really matters.

Enjoy your weekend with your family, and see you Monday!

Sean

YouthTruth Survey | We’d like your feedback!

We are asking for ~15 minutes of your time to complete an online survey that will help us improve your child’s school. We have asked YouthTruth – a nonprofit organization that supports hundreds of schools and districts across the country – to conduct an anonymous survey on our behalf.

Please take the survey by clicking this link: http://www.ytsurvey.org/bendfamily25

Please note:

  • The survey needs to be completed in one sitting.
  • If you have more than one child who attends the same school, you may respond to the survey multiple times – one time per child.
  • If you write any comments, please do not include your name or anything else that might identify you. Your responses are anonymous, and they will be combined with the responses of other parents and guardians before being shared back with school and district leadership.

We sincerely thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. Your response is incredibly valuable to us!

2024/25 Yearbook Information

A dedicated email was sent out to all PCMS families yesterday and was packed full of information regarding all yearbook related items. Don’t miss out on the opportunities to contribute yearbook photos, order yearbooks, become a donor and to purchase a personalized celebration message for your 8th grader.  Click here for all the yearbook information you need. If you have questions, please email Deb Mullen at [email protected] or call her at (541) 355-7801.

Personalized Celebration Yearbook Message | Families of 8th Graders Only

Do you have an 8th grade student you would like to wish success as they leave the PCMS Nest to soar onto high school? How about a special message from family, relatives and friends that will permanently reside in our 2024/25 yearbook and to be enjoyed forever! This was an absolute hit last year!

You may upload one photo of your student enjoying their favorite sport, hobby, adventure etc. Your student’s photo can be at any age you desire…toddler, elementary or middle school age.

Please note that yearbook space is limited and this is only for families of 8th graders. Once you have purchased your message space, via our online TouchBase payment system, you will receive an email with instructions and a link for submitting your message and photo by Monday, March 3, 2025. No exceptions. If you wish to purchase with cash or check (made payable to PCMS), deliver it to the main office.

Volunteer Opportunity Sign-up | PCCO Hosted Staff Lunch

Happy New Year! Our first staff lunch of the year is quickly approaching and we are going to treat them to an Italian themed meal. Please help show our appreciation for this amazing group of staff and teachers by signing up for some items. Lunch is on Friday, January 24th at 11:30am. Please bring in all items by 10:30am on the 24th (non perishables can be dropped off on the 23rd). We have two warming trays or items can be sent in labeled crockpots which can be picked up at the end of the day. Items will be placed on a cart in the main lobby.

BLS Academic Information Night at Summit High School

Bend LaPine School Counselors will be hosting our “BLS Academic Information Night” on Thursday January 23rd at Summit High School. This event is essential to our CSCP and district goals, as we aim to provide families with valuable resources for high school academic planning. Forecasting and the SchooLinks Course Planner are integral parts of our CSCP programming, aligning with our responsibility to support students with their Educational Plan and Profile, which we update annually. While forecasting might differ slightly across schools, the information and resources leading up to class selections and course planner are quite similar.  

We will have a general presentation followed by breakout opportunities for families to ask questions about their specific school site curriculum pathways and forecasting processes. You can utilize ASPIRE funds to compensate for your time, as this aligns perfectly with future planning efforts. We hope to have at least 1-2 representatives from each high school. Please refer to the sign-up sheet for various needs for the night.

Upcoming Workshop for Adults & Students

Click here for informational flyer.

Jr. Wolfpack Cheer Clinic

All kindergartners through 8th grade students are welcome to join the Caldera Cheerleaders for a cheer clinic on February 19, 2025 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. The cost is $40/wolfpup. The deadline to register is February 12, 2025 via Google Forms at: https://forms.gle/TXeDMMbZtRafPtY26. Click on flyers below for more information.

The Grove – Student Hours

Until the management at The Grove decides to invite Summit students back for lunch or Summit and PCMS students for early release Wednesday, students are still not allowed on the premises between:

  • 12:15-1:30PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays
  • 11:15-12:30PM and 2:30-4:00PM Wednesdays

 If a student stays on the premises once they are asked to leave, they may be trespassed.

Thank you for understanding. Hopefully, this can be lifted in the future.

Mark your Calendar

  • Jan. 9 | Bend Senior High School International Baccalaureate Info Night
  • Jan. 20 | No School | Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Jan. 31 | No School | Workday for Staff | End of 1st Semester
  • Feb. 17 | No School | President’s Day
  • Mar. 21 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 11 | Full Day of School | 3:45 Release
  • June 11 | 8th Grade Promotion & Reception | 6:00 – 7:45pm | more info to come
  • June 12 | Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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December 20, 2024

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

Happy Friday!

In January, when we come back, we’re going to be standing on the front curb in the mornings, asking folks to pull all the way forward. This should really help with our minor traffic jam that we create every morning. It seems that our old plastic sign asking folks to pull forward is just not doing the job on its own.

We had a great spirit week this week. So many students and staff dressed up. This kind of thing might seem silly, and of course it’s not our sole focus, but it does create a fun and positive school culture, the kind of place where you trust adults, treat your peers well, and learn some cool things along the way.

Finally, this week, we welcomed the founder and CEO of Wayfinder, the curriculum we use for Advisory. He observed a lesson and loved what he saw. He said that our school and district are doing amazing work.

Have a great two-week break, everyone! Please enjoy this magical holiday time with your families!

Sean

Ms. Harms’ band and orchestra students performed for us yesterday. Great job and thank you for sharing.

REMINDER: Wrestling Registration Closes on Friday January 10th.

Wrestling registration is now open! Registration will close January 10th and we will not be accepting late registrations. Please follow this link to find all the steps to register your student.

Attention 8th Graders | BSH IB Information Night

  • WHAT: BSH IB Information Night 
  • DATE: Thursday, January 9, 2025
  • TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
  • LOCATION: BSH Commons

Students in grades 8, 9, and 10 and their parents are encouraged to join us! 

The IB mission is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

Come learn about the IB Programme’s philosophy and what is required to take IB classes or become an IB Diploma candidate. 

At 6:30 PM there will be an IB presentation followed by an exhibit showcasing current IB Diploma students’ experiences. The IB coordinators and students will be available to answer questions.

The BSH IB Programme is a priority consideration for Bend-LaPine Schools. If you do not reside in the BSH boundary you will need to fill out an Area Change Request (ACR) form. Acceptance into Bend High School will be based on space and availability. 

ACR forms must be turned in by Friday, January 24, 2025. For more information about ACR’s, please go to: BSH ACR information.

Bend Senior High School is proud to be an IB World School, part of a network of more than 8,000 programs offered across 5,900 schools in 160 countries. Bend High IB coursework is open to ALL 11th and 12th-grade students. We encourage students and families to pursue our most rigorous, college preparatory classes, many of which will translate into college credits.

Mark your Calendar

  • Dec. 23 – Jan. 3 | No School | Winter Break
  • Jan. 9 | Bend Senior High School International Baccalaureate Info Night
  • Jan. 20 | No School | Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Jan. 31 | No School | End of 1st Semester
  • Mar. 21 – Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 12 – Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 11 – Full Day of School | 3:45 Release
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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December 13, 2024

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families!

Happy Friday! One more week ’till winter break!

We had fun this week hosting our arts showcases: our fine and performing arts programs all displayed their hard work. These programs encompass all grades here at PCMS, and, upon promotion to high school, every student can say they had an arts education at PCMS. How cool is that?

As I mentioned at last night’s concert, there are so many benefits to an arts education, including cognitive and social-emotional benefits. Thank you to Ms. Cramer, Ms. Harms, and Mr. Roberts for all your hard work!

Have fun in the snow this weekend! Spirit Week next week!

Sean

Find Calm and Connection During the Holiday Season

Sources of Strength has put together a handful of conversation starters and activities your family can try out to calm, to cope, and to connect with one another over the break. Need mental health resources for you or your student? Look on page 3 of the link below.

CLICK HERE for conversation starters, activities and mental health resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide call 988.

Sources of Strength ha reunido un grupo de temas de conversación y actividades que su familia pueda probar para calmarse, sobrellevar, y conectarse entre sí durante las vacaciones ¿Necesita recursos de salud mental para usted o su estudiante? Mire en la página 3 del enlace a continuación.

HAGA CLICK AQUÍ para temas de conversación, actividades y recursos de salud mental. Si usted o alguien que conoce está luchando con pensamientos suicidas, llame al 988.

Golden Eagle Athletics | Wrestling

Wrestling registration is now open! Registration will close January 3rd and we will not be accepting late registrations. Please follow this link to find all the steps to register your student.

Lost & Found Gets Donated on Friday, Dec. 20

Is your student missing a hoodie, jacket, gloves, hat, lunch box, schoolwork? If so, those items just might be in Lost and Found. Continue to remind your student to check for their missing items each day. Unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity in need on Friday, Dec. 20. Pacific Crest is not responsible for unclaimed items.

Reminder: Choice Option & Priority Area Change Requests Opens Jan. 2

Are you ready for the Choice Options and Priority Area Change Request (ACR) window? Don’t let January 2 sneak up on you. Be ready!

Bend-La Pine Schools’ choice options provide learning opportunities that are significantly different from our traditional programs, while meeting the same standards and requirements as other schools within the district. From Dual Immersion to Career Technical Education, the choice option schools have many programs to meet the individual focus of its students.

IMPORTANT❗️ Get your documents ready. Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year opens January 2. Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment into Bend-La Pine Schools for the school year requested.

Lottery schools:
Kindergarten: Amity Creek, Highland, Juniper, Westside Village
Dual Immersion Kindergarten: Bear Creek, R.E. Jewell
Grades 1-12: Amity Creek, Bend Tech Academy, Highland, Juniper, Realms Middle and High, Westside Village

Want to learn more about the high-quality instruction and Career Technical Education programming at Bend Tech Academy? Thinking about academic excellence through Expeditionary Learning at Realms Middle and High School? Check out the linked videos.

Learn more about our schools at bls.fyi/options2025. And stay tuned for school info nights coming in January!

Mark your Calendar

  • Dec. 20 – Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Dec. 23 – Jan. 3 | No School | Winter Break
  • Jan. 20 | No School | Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Jan. 31 | No School | End of 1st Semester
  • Mar. 21 – Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 12 – Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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December 6, 2024

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

I hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving break with your family! I traveled to Hawaii to see my sister’s family. They live there full time, and I’m not jealous at all because we have awesome skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, and so many other things, like our 7th grade badminton tournament! It went off today!

In all seriousness, we’re having a ton of fun here and doing some serious learning as well. Our 6th graders just dissected some frogs, our 7th graders are debating the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, and our 8th graders are learning about the effects of westward expansion on native peoples.

I have the best job in the world, because I get to see all this great teaching and work with your awesome kids every day. Let’s keep this momentum! Next week we have our choir and band concerts!

Sean

Choice Option and Priority Area Change Requests (ACR) Window Opens Soon

Are you ready for the Choice Options and Priority Area Change Request (ACR) window? Don’t let January 2 sneak up on you. Be ready!

Bend-La Pine Schools’ choice options provide learning opportunities that are significantly different from our traditional programs, while meeting the same standards and requirements as other schools within the district. From Dual Immersion to Career Technical Education, the choice option schools have many programs to meet the individual focus of its students.

IMPORTANT❗️ Get your documents ready. Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year opens January 2. Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment into Bend-La Pine Schools for the school year requested.

Lottery schools:
Kindergarten: Amity Creek, Highland, Juniper, Westside Village
Dual Immersion Kindergarten: Bear Creek, R.E. Jewell
Grades 1-12: Amity Creek, Bend Tech Academy, Highland, Juniper, Realms Middle and High, Westside Village

Want to learn more about the high-quality instruction and Career Technical Education programming at Bend Tech Academy? Thinking about academic excellence through Expeditionary Learning at Realms Middle and High School? Check out the linked videos.

Learn more about our schools at bls.fyi/options2025. And stay tuned for school info nights coming in January!

Choir and Art Show

This Wednesday, December 11th, the Choir Concert and Visual Art showcase will take place here at PCMS. The art gallery runs from at 6:30-07:30pm, and the concert starts at 7:00. Please join us for a night of celebration and fun.

Golden Eagle Athletics

Wrestling registration is now open! Registration will close January 3rd and we will not be accepting late registrations. Please follow this link to find all the steps to register your student.

Spirit Week Daily Dress Themes

  • Monday 12/16: Holiday PJ Day
  • Tuesday 12/17: Snow Gear/Winter Sports Day
  • Wednesday 12/18: Hoodie Day
  • Thursday 12/19: Holiday Character Day
  • Friday 12/20: Ugly Sweater Day

Volunteer Opportunity

Green Team is seeking a volunteer with a truck or large vehicle to drop 15 bags of cans off at Bottle Drop Bend on Thursday, December 19th after 9:20am or anytime on Friday, December 20th.  Please reach out to [email protected] if you are available to support this Green Team project.  Proceeds from Bottle Drop go to our Sparrow each year!  

Mark your Calendar

  • Dec. 11 – Choir Concert & Art Showcase | 6:30 PM
  • Dec. 12 – Winter Band & Orchestra Concert | 7:00 PM
  • Dec. 20 – Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Dec. 23 – Jan. 3 | No School | Winter Break
  • Jan. 20 | No School | Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Jan. 31 | No School | End of 1st Semester
  • Mar. 21 – Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance |4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 12 – Lost & Found is donated to local charity
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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