Happy First Day of Winter this Weekend! I do love the Solstice!
From Tammy and Karen
As we wrap up the final blog of the year and head into winter break, I’m feeling grateful and hopeful. This season has been full of hard work, laughter, collaboration, and countless moments of care and connection that make a difference every day.
Winter break is a chance to pause, rest, and enjoy the simple things. We hope it brings you warmth, joy, and time to recharge. Thank you for all you do, and wishing you a peaceful break and a bright start to the new year ahead.
Over the Break, Tammy and Karen will be working the first part of next week. From Christmas Day through January 2, Tammy will be out of the country, so please reach out to Karen with any urgent concerns. Enjoy any travel or fun plans you might have and we look forward to sharing stories in January!
Important Links
- December 10th Elementary TLC Update
- Special EDge Student Services Blog (December 18)
- 1-Page Student Management guide
- Topics of Interest/Problem of Practice
- FAQs for Special Education Inclusion Topics—Keep checking in here! BEA and BLS supported
- Dates to recognize groups
Notes from our Team:
From Kinsey – Office of Policy and Advocacy
Community Engagement: Don’t forget about the chance to win a gift card ($25-$49.99) to places like El Sancho, Spork, downtown shops, and more! Just a little motivation and token of appreciation for getting outside your building/office and into the community we serve.
All you have to do: Join your colleagues for quick tours of local service providers, tag along with your family liaison or FAN advocate on a home visit to check on a student, and continue the school-specific efforts you’re already doing. (Bingo card here)
Thanks to all of you who visited The Giving Plate this fall! (If you missed that round, it’s not too late–reach out to me.) Our next community partner visit is in January, to the Bethlehem Inn. Sign up here to participate.
From Dave VanLoo–School Improvement
Here is a brief resource to help administrators with YouthTruth implementation. YouthTruth goes live on January 5. Contact Dave VanLoo with any questions about YouthTruth surveys.
YouthTruth January 2026 Admin One-Page Sheet
Action Items
- Check out the Special EDge blog this week for the first Campus Kudos featuring Silver Rail and RE Jewell! Review the calendar for your school’s turn!
- Sign up for a visit to Bethlehem Inn
- Get ready for Youth Truth! How will you get more staff and families to take it this year?
- Enjoy your last day with students and have fun on your break!
Important Dates
- December 22 – Jan 2: Winter Break
- January 13: Horizontal Meeting 3:00 – 4:30 at Highland Elementary
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr Day – No School
- January 20: PLCs 1 and 2 from 3:00 – 4:30
- January 21: Educator Network Day
- January 27: PLCs 3 and 4 from 3:00 – 4:30
- January 28: All Admin PD 3:00 – 4:30
- January 30: Progress Reports – No school for students
And finally… Congratulations to our Next Duck Drawing winner Lybe Hawkins!
Lybe Hawkins brings both deep experience and joyful curiosity to her role as principal of Silver Rail Elementary. She has spent 22 years serving Bend-La Pine Schools, teaching at LaPine Elementary and Ensworth, supporting students and administrators at Lava Ridge, and now leading Silver Rail for the past four years. Lybe is known for her fun, adventurous spirit and her genuine love of the world around her. When she’s not at school, you’ll likely find her in the garden, out with her two fuzzy and adorable dogs, Clyde and Charlie, or binoculars in hand embracing her self-described role as a “Bird Nerd,” always on the lookout for her next feathered friend. Congratulations Lybe, we look forward to bringing you a hot drink in January – hopefully on a snowy day!
