{"id":1512,"date":"2022-02-01T20:13:57","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T20:13:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/pcms\/?p=1512"},"modified":"2022-02-08T03:25:24","modified_gmt":"2022-02-08T03:25:24","slug":"february-4-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/pcms\/2022\/02\/01\/february-4-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"February 4, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New Principal Selected<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am thrilled to share the news that the principal search is over and that Sean Keating will be taking over as the next principal here at PCMS. Sean has a wide variety of experience and came across as calm, supportive, and student-focused in the public portion of the interview process. To read more about Sean, please check out our district’s website<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black History Month<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

February brings with it Black History Month, a great time to, as then-President Gerald Ford said when he became the first president to officially recognize the celebration, \u201cseize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year’s theme for the recognition is Black Health and Wellness, and we will be creating and sharing mini-lessons that students will view in their Advisory classes as well as other recognitions throughout the month. Heritage months like these are a great opportunity to recognize and share a more-complete version of our nation’s history and I encourage you to ask your student about their learnings during this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green Team Grant<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are fortunate to have a Green Team here at PCMS, where students take a hands-on approach to recognizing humans’ impact on the environment around them and in taking some proactive, as well as corrective, measures to mitigate those negative impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week, the PCMS Green Team was awarded a $600 grant from a local non-profit organization, Earth Win.  The grant will cover the costs of trees that the Green Team intends to plant on PCMS campus to offset carbon emissions of students commuting to school.  Green Team is also running a month-long competition between Advisories to inspire students to reduce emissions by finding greener ways to commute to school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just another example of our students connecting their learning to the community!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School Preparations<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our 8th grades students and families, high school is now just one semester away! As you prepare for next year, we want to share information on our district’s choice high schools, Realms and Bend Tech Academy. I have experience in alternative education (even in this district), and know that there is tremendous value in the rare atmosphere and opportunity schools can offer all students, even those who may not be an obvious candidate for the experience only a small school can provide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both schools will host information nights at their respective schools for prospective students and families to learn more about their offerings, as will Bend High, to discuss its International Baccalaureate program. Dates below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n