To Do Reminder

Reminder: The Waypoints Assessment for grades 3-12 is open NOW: 

This required assessment opens September 18th and closes October 25th for grades 3-12. Student results will become available for all admin/counselors on the Wayfinder MTSS dashboard once all schools have completed the assessment, or October 27th. If all schools are done before October 24th, we will close the assessment so the data is available sooner.

This is a good data point to include in your School Improvement Plan under your Climate and Culture goal.

End of the year assessment is scheduled for: April 28^th – May  30^th

From Departments

From Educational Technology

We have some exciting things to share! The first one is an especially big deal. Please pass these onto your staff. 

New Resource: Swank 🎥

Swank is our district’s new streaming service for feature films, offering a library of 215 titles, with the option to request additional films when needed. It provides a simple, legal way for teachers and administrators to use movies in the classroom and for school events, while replacing personal streaming services and hardwiring devices. Learn more in our Introducing Swank blog post.

Getting Started with typing.com 

With keyboards now in the hands of high school students, typing.com is available through Clever to help build typing skills. Learn more in our Getting Started with typing.com blog post. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

From Kinsey – Policy, Advocacy, and Equity:

1. Student Anti-Bias Lessons:

The 25-26 anti-bias student lessons are here!  As a reminder, this is an annual lesson for all students K-12, required to be completed before Oct 31.  While there is a sequence of suggested lessons, there is only one required lesson.  For self-contained classes or longer advisory periods, you can fit it into one session; for shorter periods, plan on two sessions to complete it.

The lessons have been refreshed with improved slides, updated content, and new activities.  For 6th-12th grades, there is a new video featuring the voices and experiences of our very own students!  (Fun fact: it was filmed and produced by a recent BLS graduate.)  

Principals, please be sure to:

1. review the materials yourself (watch the student video!),
2. consider adding in your own message to personalize the lesson (see Slide #3 on the HS slide show for an example of a principal’s message to the school)
3. share all lesson materials with your teachers asap,
4. ideally, provide planning time for teachers to review the updated materials,
5. make a copy of the Family Letter, hyperlink your level’s slides, edit any of the message as you see fit, and send to your families at least a few days before the lesson is taught,
6. contact the Advocacy Coaches if you’d like prep or co-teaching support for your teachers,
7. be in classes and participate in the lesson with students if possible,
8. send any feedback from your teachers or families afterward, if applicable.

2. Policy note on requests to distribute information from community members: 

If you have local community partners or external groups requesting to share information with families or students, please direct them to the Community Bulletin Boards in your lobby area.  Some select partners and organizations can distribute materials more directly, but those are limited:  

Here is policy guidance on those levels of distribution, and here is a reference chart.  Principal or designee needs to approve, and all materials should support our values.  Related: Here is our Advertising policy on what businesses or groups can be displayed for donation/advertising-related purposes.  

Let me know if you have questions!  

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Ryan Kelling in Human Resources:

We have gotten some questions on the application of Article 15.4 of the BEA/BLS CBA should apply to itinerant staff – that is, those employees who work at more than one site – and are asking for some input on current practice. The contract language outlines expectations for Certified Employees to attend a set number of after-school/evening events each year. For itinerant staff, however, the application of this requirement is less clear and may require collaboration between sites.

To help us determine a standard practice moving forward, we’ve created a short Google Form with background information and a request for feedback. Please take a few minutes to review the form and share your perspective. https://forms.gle/4yqAkmMwbYLSMqKNA

Only administrators who currently supervise itinerant staff need to respond. Your input will be important as we work to establish clear and consistent expectations for these situations. Please fill this out by Wedensday, September 17, so that we can review and offer guidance.

Let Ryan know if you have any questions.

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From Scott in IT

iPad Keyboards and Headphones

We’ve received several questions regarding peripheral purchases (keyboards, headphones) for iPads—specifically whether IT will be providing anything further to support the new devices at both middle and high schools.

Keyboards

• IT purchased 5,900 keyboards for high schools and 1,500 lightning dongles for middle schools so existing keyboards can continue to be used.
• In the coming weeks, keyboards no longer needed at the high school level should begin trickling down to middle schools.
• This should allow all keyboard needs for grades 6–12 to be covered at no additional cost to schools.

Reminder: Last spring, we communicated that the replacement cost of lost bricks and cords would be forgiven for all families and schools. This normally represents a significant expense, so schools should not incur these charges this year.

Headphones

Headphone replacements will need to be handled by schools. Many of you have already placed orders through IT—thank you. Melissa is expediting these as they come in.

• Pricing:
  • Headphone adaptors (USB-C to 3.5): $9
  • USB-C headphones (without mic): $16

For middle schools purchasing new keyboards, an updated option is now available that includes an additional USB-C port. Pricing is very similar to what schools have paid in the past.

Special Programs
Many special programs are providing headphones for their students (e.g., Read180, ROAR). Students may also use their own headphones if permitted by the school.

Please share this information with your staff, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

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From Gabe:

Athletics and Activities SMORE

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From: Dave Van Loo, Director of School Improvement:

Rapid Online Assessment of Reading (ROAR)

• What is ROAR?

This year ROAR is a new assessment tool to screen students for potential reading difficulties. ROAR consists of a suite of measures that have been validated K-12 in over 20,000 students across 20 states; each measure is delivered through an online platform, is fully automated, and does not require a test administrator. ROAR rapidly provides precise indices of reading ability with greater precision than many standardized, individually-administered reading assessments. easyCBM is not required or recommended as a screening tool. Our plan is to give ROAR to all 6th-8th graders this fall, by the end of September or early October. Two key purposes this will serve are (1) Universal screening for potential reading difficulties and (2) To provide us with data on the adequacy of currently available curriculum and intervention supports to meet student needs in our middle schools. ROAR is available to use with individual students in grades 9-12 as is helpful. Contact Dave VanLoo with any questions or to find a time to meet about ROAR. 

• Information for school staff

Here is a resource for school staff to support implementation of ROAR. 6th-12th Grade ROAR Assessment Help Sheet

• Information for middle schools to share with families via newsletters or other communication methods. (Please note that opting out of ROAR applies only to research happening at Stanford University. This does not opt the student out of taking ROAR at their school.) Feel free to edit this text to meet your school’s needs. 

Our school is using a new tool to help meet students’ learning needs. The Rapid Online Assessment of Reading (ROAR) is a set of student-friendly, game-like activities that assesses important reading skills and provides valuable information to teachers. More detailed information and resources for families are available at this link ROAR Family Guide.pdf. 

ROAR comes from Stanford University and results are used in research to improve teaching, learning, and assessment in schools. If you wish to have your child’s performance on ROAR excluded from this research, complete the form linked in this letter ROAR Research Information Sheet – English and Spanish.pdf. Submitting this form does not exclude your child from participating in our school’s universal screening assessment systems. It simply means that their results will not be included in Stanford’s research studies.  

2025-26 District Assessment, Testing, & Surveys

Here are two updated documents summarizing common standardized tests and surveys for the current school year. One is a schedule showing when different assessment activities occur. The other is a general overview of the purpose and logistics of these assessments. Both of these documents will continue to be updated throughout the year as is beneficial. Please reach out with any questions.

BLP Testing Schedule 2025-26

Major Tests & Surveys 2025-26 Bend-La Pine
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From our Operations Team:

From The Facilities Custodial Team:

Thank you for your survey feedback.  Here are links with more information.

•  BLSD Custodial Memo Survey Feedback.docx
•  BLSD Custodial Survey Analysis.docx

From Paul:

We are initiating a districtwide enrollment forecasting study in partnership with FLO Analytics, a firm specializing in K–12 demographic and facility planning. Their work will support our ongoing efforts to align resources, programs, and facilities with student needs.

FLO will be analyzing:

• Historical and current enrollment trends
• Housing development and land use data
• Grade progression and demographic patterns
• Heat maps identifying where students live, what school they attend and how this is expected to change in the next 10 years

The forecast will be completed in the first quarter of 2026  and is designed to inform future planning conversations. We will share the findings in a way that supports transparency and collaboration as next steps emerge.  Please direct any questions about the process to me

From Transportation:

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through our backlog of requests from families.  If you have an immediate need don’t email [email protected].  Instead, please contact our office directly via phone.

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From: Aimee Snyder, DrPH | Adolescent and School Health Supervisor

Sources Adult Advisor (AA) Refresher Training, Sept 22 12:30-4pm, Bend High Perseverance Hall

All existing Sources of Strength Adult Advisors (AA) working with your school’s Peer Leaders are expected to take a refresher training this year. 

We’re offering a district-wide AA Refresher training on Sept 22 from 12:30-4pm in Bend High’s Perseverance Hall.  Direct AAs to register for the Refresher Training using this link.  

Sub costs will come out of your school’s $5,000 Sources budgets.  Direct staff who need subs to include “Sources AA Refresher” as the reason for their sub requests in lieu of an account code.  Contact Kristan Shobe with any questions about Sources budgets and account codes. 

Each school should have 2-3+ AAs to meet fidelity criteria: usually one Lead AA and 2+ supporting AAs.  The 1:7 adult-to-student ratio is how the program works using social networks to connect students to supportive adults for help and mentorship. 

The district is working on making extra duty stipends available for AA supporting and mentoring Sources Peer Leaders.  To qualify, the AAs will need to have taken a new AA or refresher training in the past year or this year.  More details to come on the stipends, which are pending formal agreement with BEA and processing from HR.

A new AA training will be offered in Spring.  If you have new AAs who will need to be trained, talk to your Public Health Specialist about whether the new AA could attend the Fall Refresher training or if they would need to wait until Spring for the new AA training.  

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From Culture of Care and COREN:

As you may know, COREN and Culture of Care will be merging. While we are still determining the structure of this consolidation, we want to ensure you have access to our ongoing services and the data for the work Culture of Care completed with your district last year. 

• Culture of Care 2025 Update for Districts

Please let us know if you have any questions.

MS Only

Please ensure your TAG admin and ICCL are up to date in the Teams and Leads document.

HS Only

Pay for ACT and PSAT Proctors: We will pay for the cost of proctors for both tests.  Staff earn curriculum rate ($37.86 per hour) and it’s usually for about 3 hours.  Please send the timesheets to April J.

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From Jenn Hauth:

Please remember to add this to your newsletters/socials this week and next for senior families. Please include the flyer link, the time and the location. We really want to make sure we have a good turn out as this is the only college night for seniors.

We are excited to announce our upcoming College Application Kickoff Night! This event will take place on Wednesday September 17^th from 6-7:30 pm at Caldera High School. This event is designed to support our 12th grade students and their families as they begin the college application process.

During the evening, families will:

• Receive an overview of the college application process
• Learn how to navigate the College Application Manager in SchooLinks
• Gain awareness of the many postsecondary planning supports available at our schools
• Connect directly with school counselors and STCs from each high school

📎 Please see the attached communication that can be shared directly with families. We encourage you to include and highlight this event in your schoolwide communications and post it on your school’s social media channels.

Calendar

September 16: HS Administrator WS 9-11@ LPHS

September 18: HS Counselor/Administrator PLC 8-10 @ BSHS/ Perseverance Hall – Admin overseeing counseling departments required to attend

September 25: MS Horizontal @ PCMS 3-5

September 29: LA Book Club Training 8-1@ Ed Center Board Room- Admin overseeing LA required to attend

Coming mid November: Course Requests DUE! We will share more info soon.

Where in the World

Congratulations to our winner from last week: Ashley Cooper, Assistant Principal at Summit High School! The picture was of Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island.  A must see if you’ve never been!

Each week there will be an image of a landmark from someplace in the world. Any admin who responds with the correct location (be specific!) by Monday morning will be entered in a drawing for coffee/tea or morning beverage of choice to be delivered by Katie or Stephen. Note: This contest will be limited to MS and HS admin.

Here is the image for this week: