From Tammy and Karen
First full week of May and the weather did not disappoint! Sure hope you have all been able to get out and enjoy the sun–it does wonders for the soul!
We know you have all been working hard to show appreciation to your staffs this week and have gotten a kick out of the variety of themes we have seen all around. I mean, a picture of Kit from the early 90’s is kind of hard to beat!
We just wanted to extend our appreciation to you, for entering this busy time of the year with a smile, gratitude, and can-do spirit, even on some heavy days. You’re the best!
Important Links
- May 6th Elementary TLC Update
- Special EDge (May 7 Edition)
- BLS School Libraries Newsletters!
- 1-Page Student Management guide
- Dates to recognize groups
- CPI Trained Staff List (let Sara Young know if you see staff who are not at your school)
Notes from our Team:
From Kinsey, Office of Policy and Advocacy
“Do Not Schedule” Dates: – Action required –
Here is the updated (26-27 through 28-29 school years) list of key religious observance dates to protect when scheduling any academic or extracurricular events. This applies to field trips, family nights, info sessions, tests and exams, special one-time assemblies or events, etc.
Please be sure you have shared that document with all relevant staff: office managers, activities and athletics, counselors, family engagement team, PTA/Booster Club leadership, ICCL team, etc.
Those key observances are also all populated into our 26-27 district-wide Family Engagement calendar in Outlook. If you add that calendar to your school or dept calendar, those “do not schedule” dates (along with any district-wide family events) will be visible to you, to avoid scheduling conflicts.
From Julie in Curriculum and Instruction
Reminder: DIBELS starts next week. Here is the schedule.
Please plan to have testing area set up. Plan to have 8-9 people from the testing team and also the testers available from your building. Send me the testing schedule so I can share it with the team. Plan to have a runner who is bringing classes to the testing area. If you have had new students in grades 3-5 be sure to have them tested.
End of Year Assessment Windows: Please share with your staff and ask that these required assessments are complete by the end date.
- MClass and ROAR- May 15-June 5th
- Wayfinder Waypoints- April 28th- May 22nd
From Ryan in Human Resources
Staffing Update: We are continuing our Classified staffing reconciliation process to ensure that all staff entitled to positions for next school year are appropriately placed. As we complete this work, we are going to temporarily pause posting additional Classified positions until those staff impacted are notified.
We expect communication regarding employees who will be involuntarily transferred to go to building leaders on Wednesday, May 13th, with the expectation that conversations with staff occur by Friday, May 15th.
Following that process, we will move forward with posting Classified positions for next year. In an effort to align our Certified and Classified staffing processes, we will also pause posting new Certified positions for the 2026–27 school year until May 15th.
A quick reminder of expectations under Policy GCPC/GDPC-AP: Reemployment of PERS-Retired Staff. Policy Summary: Employees who retire under PERS may request to continue working through the end of the school year. Requests to be rehired upon retirement must be submitted in writing at least 30 days before the end of the school year.
Approval is based on:
- District need
- Satisfactory performance history
If the request is approved:
- Continued employment is Temporary through June 30
- There is no guarantee of continued employment beyond the current school year
- Final decisions are made at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee
The district may choose to reemploy a PERS retiree beyond the year of retirement:
- Employment may be offered for a maximum of one year for each hiring action
- All employment is Temporary for the single school year
- Licensed staff may be rehired for up to three years following retirement
- Different rules and limitations may apply for licensed and non-licensed staff
- A shortened hiring process may be used
From Jessica Scott, Talented and Gifted Program
Hello–we are asking that each Admin TAG Coordinator send this flier to rising 4th and 5th-grade TAG-identified student families.
From Scott and Kayla in Safety on behalf of Bend PD
Just giving you a heads up that your school SRO may be contacting you about gathering some student generated art that they can display in the Bend Police Department. We are unsure about the amount of space they have to display these works, so please talk with your SRO before doing anything. There is also talk that it may be theme related (Nature, animals, F1 cars-wink-wink, etc.) Your SRO may know about that as well. Thanks for considering helping make their space feel fun and celebrated.
Action Items
- Document your “Do Not Schedule” dates for next year and see that they are honored
- Send Julie your DIBELs Schedule ahead of time so the team can come prepared
- Share End of Year assessment windows with teachers and see that all assessments are done
- Share TAG information with rising TAG identified 4th and 5th grade families
Important Dates
- May 11: Phly Like Canadians at Lava Ridge 3:30 to 4:30
- May 12: Horizontal Meeting, 3:00-4:30 at Pine Ridge Elementary
- May 13: All Admin PD at Mt. View High School from 3:00-4:30, (note the change of venue due to the next event)
- May 13: Excellence in Education—plan on attending to honor your two staff—at Mt. View
- May 14: Latino Family Night and KínderFiesta, 5:30 at Mt. View High School
- May 19: PLC1 Meeting at Westside Village 3:00 to 4:30
- May 21: Karen Mapp Family Engagement Training–New East Bend library, 8-noon
- May 25: Memorial Day Holiday, no School
- May 26: PLC3PO at Silver Rail and We are the Winners at Bear Creek 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
- May 28: School Design Plan Showcase 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- June 2: Horizontal Meeting, 3:00-4:30–Site to be determined (not the boardroom)
- June 15: End of Year Administrator Celebration (and lunch!), High Desert Middle school 11:30-1:00
And finally… Congratulations to our Next Duck Drawing winner, Brian Uballez !
We are thrilled to celebrate Brian Uballez, who is now in his 6th year as Assistant Principal at Bear Creek Elementary! Brian brings a wealth of experience to the Bears, having previously served as an AP at Sky View and High Desert Middle Schools, as well as a teacher at Pilot Butte. He has a special talent for connecting with students who are having a tough time; his calm and caring approach provides exactly the kind of steady presence they need to feel supported. Outside of school, Brian stays busy embracing the outdoors, whether he’s working on his latest yard projects, mountain biking with Dan, or relaxing at his cabin on the McKenzie. Nature is truly his lifeline! Congratulations, Brian—please let us know your favorite drink so we can bring a treat your way!
