From Tammy and Karen
When I read the quote above, it reminded me of our PLC group 4 meeting this week. We were sharing the observations admin had made, specific to discourse, they were looking for during mini observations over the last few weeks. One of the take aways was that when we focus on something we had not been specifically focusing on ( like the types and quantity of discourse) during a classroom visit, we start to see discourse everywhere. What is something you may be struggling with, but can look at differently? What one sees as a problem, another sees an opportunity!
In addition to PLCs this week many APs have been trying out a new observation tool created from the 5D framework and incorporating some debrief questions for each dimension. Strong instructional leaders have quality debrief conversations in which teachers leave knowing what is going well and having next steps to move student learning forward. Here is a link to the tools. The first couple of pages are overviews of the 5 dimensions and look-fors (thanks for the model Beth!) The next pages are the 5 dimensions made to print back to back. Feel free to check them out and use them. We are open to feedback as we want to design a tool that supports you and your teachers. Based on feedback from a group, the tool is designed to collect information on the front and having the debrief questions and next steps on the back.
Important Links
- February 18th Elementary TLC Update
- Special EDge (February 19)
- NEW: BLS School Libraries Newsletters!
- 1-Page Student Management guide
- Dates to recognize groups (Coming soon: March 2-6 Classified Appreciation Week)
- CPI Trained Staff List (let Sara Young know if you see staff who are not at your school)
Notes from our Team:
From Jennifer in Student Well Being
🎉In honor of School Social Work Week and Classified Appreciation Week (March 2 -6th), we want to take a moment to specifically honor our Student Success Coordinators, Clinicians, Instructors, and Educational Assistants.
The ongoing need for specialized and compassionate support for students makes the Student Success team a central role in bridging the gap between home and school, ensuring that social, emotional, and mental health needs are met with expertise and empathy.
Whether they are providing intensive care coordination, fostering family engagement, or offering a steady hand during a mental health crisis, they work to bridge between a student “getting by” and truly thriving. The effort they put into building safe, trusting relationships that extend from the classroom to the home with students is essential.
Please take a moment at your school the first week of March to thank them for their service!
🌟 You’re Invited! Mark Your Calendars!
Join us for end-of-year presentations led by our dedicated Bend-La Pine Schools counselors. During these brief school updates, each team will share progress on their annual goals, highlight key programming initiatives, and reflect on the data gathered throughout the year. These presentations offer an opportunity to see how counseling programs are supporting students academically, socially-emotionally, and in their college and career readiness. Teams will share successes, lessons learned, and how this year’s work will inform future planning within our coordinated system of student support.
This reflection helps us continue strengthening a comprehensive, responsive support system for all students across Bend-La Pine Schools. Your presence matters as we celebrate growth, learn from one another, and look ahead to the next year of impact. I will send a calendar invite for each school. We hope you’ll join us! (From Tammy and Karen—it is an expectation that every school who has a counselor sends at least one administrator to the presentations.)
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Elementary School | 7:30–10:30 a.m.
Location: Education Center Boardroom & Room 312
From Kinsey–Office of Policy and Advocacy
Guidance on Email Communications and Student Information:
Here is the guidance we reviewed at horizontals recently, and the quiz activity you can use when introducing this to staff. Please don’t only email this guidance out to staff—it’s not urgent, but take some time to review and discuss it together at some point between now and your August launch next year.
Policy Updates: Here is the policy we reviewed and discussed together recently. This sets out specific expectations for administrators, certified educators, and all employees. As a reminder, it replaces and covers Staff Responsibilities, Assignment, Employee Dress Code, and more. Worth being very familiar with!
Here is our policy on showing movies/films in class. As discussed, it’s not necessarily intuitive in all cases—please share with your teachers.
Ramadan and Religious Practices: This week marked the beginning of Ramadan, which continues through March 19. Please be mindful of both employee and student needs related to religious observances:
If an employee requests accommodations for fasting or prayer (or any other religious purpose throughout the year), contact me so we can ensure we meet our Civil Rights obligations and coordinate with Benefits.
Please also remind your staff that students may request accommodations related to religious observances. This could include adjustments connected to fasting, prayer, PE participation, or assessments. When these arise, loop me in so we can support the student’s civil rights appropriately and consistently.
From Andrea in Human Resources
A friendly reminder to please make sure anyone helping with school traffic or crossing guard duties is wearing a high-visibility vest and/or clothing.
Wearing a vest helps reinforce safe practices for our students and families. We appreciate your attention to this and your continued support in keeping our campus safe.
If your site needs a vest, please email Andrea Wilson.
In the spirit of the Olympics, here is an opportunity you may be interested in
Last year, Silver Rail, Elk Meadow, and Bear Creek hosted Paralympian, Rudy Garcia‑Tolson as a guest speaker during an assembly, and the impact was tremendous. Rudy presents on national stages, yet has a unique ability to connect meaningfully with elementary students through stories, humor, and hands‑on interaction with his prosthetics.
This May, Rudy will again be in Central Oregon. His travel, lodging, and most of his time are being covered by the Dean Family Kids Triathlon, making school visits highly accessible.
Why it aligns well with elementary priorities:
- PBIS Support: Rudy’s message reinforces core PBIS themes—perseverance, positive choices, resilience, and inclusive community behavior. Schools last year shared that his assembly strengthened their existing PBIS culture.
- Career Readiness: As the first double amputee to complete an Ironman, a five‑time Paralympian, and a gold‑medal athlete, Rudy provides a powerful example of goal-setting, grit, and exploring future possibilities—foundational elements of early career readiness.
He can present between two to three schools per day, and typically schools contribute a $500 honorarium (often funded through PTO or PBIS/SEL allocations).
If you’re interested in scheduling Rudy, please reach out to Mark Dean (503-403-8548) for available times and additional details. You can also connect with any of last year’s hosts—Brian Raber, Mary Dean, Amanda Gylling, Lindsey Manitsas—to hear firsthand about the student impact.
Action Items
- Mark your calendar for the counselor presentations (6/2, from 7:30-10:30 at the Ed Center)
- Be mindful of our new policies and Ramadan practices
- Make sure everyone on crosswalk and parking lot (and recess) duty has a reflective vest!! Yes, you too!
Important Dates
- February 24: PLC3PO at Silver Rail 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
- March 3: Elementary Horizontal 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the Board Room
- March 4: Educator Network Day
- March 18: Teacher work day (8 hours) Conferences (4 hours)
- March 18: Elementary Admin PD (3-4 hours–more to come)
- March 19: Conferences (12 hours)
- March 20: No School
- March 23-27: Spring Break!
And finally… Congratulations to our Next Duck Drawing winner Amanda Gylling!
Amanda Gylling is currently in her first year as Assistant Principal at Juniper Elementary, where she has increased her leg strength going up and down all those steps! Prior to Juniper, Amanda was AP at Elk Meadow for two years, Student Services at Bear Creek, Student Services in Redmond and a teacher at Lava Ridge! She has lots of experiences to draw from. In case you don’t know Amanda that well yet, she is the world’s best baseball mom, as she and her husband (who is also a teacher and coach in BLS) travel all over supporting their son and his ball team, who were playing at the national level last year. On any given weekend in the spring and summer, she can be found on the ball field. She also has an amazing therapy dog, who occasionally makes an appearance for all the wildcats at Juniper to enjoy. Congratulations Amanda! Let us know your beverage of choice and we will deliver!
