{"id":1093,"date":"2021-09-13T20:40:04","date_gmt":"2021-09-13T20:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/pcms\/?p=1093"},"modified":"2021-09-17T22:54:33","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T22:54:33","slug":"september-17-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/pcms\/2021\/09\/13\/september-17-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"September 17, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

School Items Gone Missing<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our custodial staff noticed a number of our bathroom signage missing last week. What we originally suspected was typical, yet still bothersome, adolescent hijinks turned out to be something more sinister – students are taking a cue from a TikTok trend to steal various items from our school<\/a>. In particular, the soap dispensers and restroom signage have gone missing from many of our restrooms on campus. Not only are these items costly, but they have removed paint from the wall in many cases as well – creating a further nuisance that is also expensive for us in terms of the labor and materials required to repair the destruction. Further, the bathroom signs are legally-required per the American with Disabilities Act because they include braille signage. The soap dispensers are a hygienic necessity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please, if your student is using TikTok, talk with them about not following a trend by stealing from school. You can check out CommonSenseMedia’s rundown on TikTok<\/a> if you, like me, are not too familiar with TikTok. The bottom line is what some students have said, “it is just a joke” is actually vandalism and\/or theft and it is unacceptable. Thank you for your support in helping our students understand the importance of not following harmful trends and in taking pride in their community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remote Curriculum Night<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In lieu of our typical in-person Curriculum Night, we will be hosting a WebEx Curriculum Night<\/a> event on Wednesday the 22nd from 6:30 – 7:30. We will review some basic Pacific Crest information, go through the class offerings here at Pacific Crest, and share some information on how you can stay more involved with your student’s learning this year. For those unable to attend, I will record the event and will share it in next week’s “News From the Nest”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drop-Off\/Pick-Up Update<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drop-off and Pick-Up have continued to go smoothly each afternoon and each morning, thank you for that. The high number of bicyclists, walkers, and bus riders help to keep congestion down. For drivers of those students who are dropped off via car, please continue to pull forward <\/strong>and stay in line<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had a parent share that, despite my repeated pleas not to do so, they prefer to drop their student off in the parking lot to avoid spending time in the long line of cars. I replied that dropping off students in the parking lot actually leads to an increase<\/em> in the line, as cars have to stop while staff escorts students through the crosswalk and cars re-entering the flow of traffic to exit the parking lot does further stall the line. Please, think of the greater good and use the flow of traffic as designed for drop-offs and pick-ups. Thank you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Counseling Questionnaire <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here at Pacific Crest, we believe in a strong relationship between our school staff and our families allows us to create a partnership that leads to great outcomes for all of our learners. Our Counseling Department plays a huge role in fostering that relationship, as they are the resources in our building for students and families alike to utilize to get a wide-range of information to help navigate the formative adolescent years. In order to help them learn how to best serve your individual student(s) and the community at large, our Counseling Department has created a Google Form to gain more information about your student’s personality, goals, and needs – as well as how they might be a better resource for you as a parent. Please take a few moments to complete the form and help them in their work<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schedule Adjustments<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that we’ve settled in to the routine of a school year, we have started to look at ways we can balance some classes. As a result, we’ve made some moves in a select number of math classes to balance the load between classes. Families whose students are moving math classes were contacted, so please be sure you are checking your email and voicemail in case we were unable to connect via phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All other schedule change requests will be not be considered until the semester ends in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deschutes County Health Services Parent Workshops<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/strong>Connect Workshops<\/em><\/a>,<\/strong> a free 2-hour workshop designed for parents or guardians of 5th<\/sup>-12th<\/sup> graders, to equip them with the information, skills and coaching to have effective prevention conversations with their children around substance use. DHS has 12 virtual workshops which will take place September through November (10 in English, 2 in Spanish). Do you need more info, see English<\/a> and Spanish<\/a> flyers or go to Coalition Facebook page (https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SharedFutureCoalition\/<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hispanic Heritage Month<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month<\/a>, which began September 15th<\/sup>, a month dedicated to recognizing the heritage, culture, and important contributions of Hispanic\/Latino Americans in the U.S.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A high number of our students and families of color district-wide have shared that they don\u2019t always feel represented in our curriculum as compared to our white students, and that in some cases the only time their heritage is included is in the context of hard history, struggle, or deficit. With over 12% of Bend-La Pine\u2019s population identifying as Hispanic\/Latino, it is critical that we take proactive opportunities to acknowledge, affirm, and honor the assets these students and families bring to our community and classrooms. Recognitions like Hispanic Heritage Month<\/a> bring about an opportunity and responsibility to share a complete history of contributions to our great nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please, ask your student throughout the month about what they’ve learned about these important people and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crossing Guard Needed<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are SO delighted to have such a large amount of students walk and ride their bikes to school. Not only is this easing congestion in our parking lot, it’s teaching students the joy of functional exercise and building the habit of alternative transportation options. Win-win-win! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help ensure all of our cyclists and walkers get to school safely, we’ve typically had a crossing guard at the intersection of NW Skyline Ranch Rd and NW Lolo Dr to help facilitate the final intersection students encounter on their trip to and from school. This year, we are looking for parent volunteers to take on this responsibility. If you are interested in helping out with a shift or two, or have more questions, please email Christina Johansen <\/a>for more information. We appreciate the support!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covid-19 Information & Case Reporting<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To limit the spread of COVID-19 within the school setting, parents should monitor
their student\u2019s daily health and keep them home for any of the scenarios listed on the
Guidance for Parents<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between Monday and Friday, please contact Anita Garland<\/a>, our amazing School Nurse, if your child tests positive for Covid-19 or is identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive for Covid-19 so she can ask clarifying questions and provide direction on next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post Covid-19 Vaccination Symptom Reminder<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although many of us who have received the COVID-19 vaccination have experienced our immune systems working hard (aka side effects). Please remember, even if you think that your symptoms are related to your vaccine, you are still expected to follow these guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve already told you that you\u2019ll hear this a lot from me this year, so I’m not going to shy away from repeating it here \u2013 we need to stay safe so we can stay open<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calendar<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n