COACH’S CORNER
Changes to First Step App:
The First Step app, which includes important safety resources such as the Safe Oregon Tip Line and 988, is being removed from secondary student iPads due to technical issues. The BLS IT department will be pushing the two apps out individually to student iPads so that students may access help for school safety and/or mental health anytime they need it. School Counselors, School Psychs, and Student Success staff are being notified directly so they can educate students about the changes.
Safe Oregon Tip Line
School Safety tip line to report and respond to student safety threats.
988
Talk or text for mental health struggles, emotional distress, drug or alcohol support, or if you just need someone to talk to; mental health counselors are here to support 24/7/365.
This change will be effective Feb 24th, 2025.
Questions or need support? Reach out to Jamie Gunter, [email protected].
SCHOOL BUS CHANGES
COLLEGE CREDIT THROUGH WESTERN PAIFIC UNIVERSITY
We have TWO Bend-La Pine Partnership classes that are available this year for college credit through Western Oregon University! Hungerford Online and Best Practices in Special Education If you are interested in a class, you will need to follow these next steps:
- Submit your tuition reimbursement application to Bend-La Pine’s HR department at [email protected] for approval.
- Instructions to apply
- There is a $30 application fee that will be waived.
- By the middle of March, you will receive an email with the information to register for your specific class(es). You will need to register with Western Oregon University. Each class is $80 per quarter graduate credit.
- Registration deadline is March 28, 2025.
IMPORTANT DATES AND UPCOMING EVENTS
Important Dates and Upcoming Events:
- Year-Long Professional Development Plan
- Upcoming Educator Network Days:
- March 12
- April 23
- Upcoming Job-Alikes:
- May 7
- Upcoming Educator Network Days:
- ESY Dates: *Locations and forms coming very soon!
- Upcoming CPI Trainings:
*Please register in UKG: My Career > My Learning > Access Learning (button at the top) > Training > Events > Set the date > Click on the Training > Register
- Refresher:
- Date: Tuesday, February 25
- Time: 8-11:30
- Location: Trinity Episcopal
- Verbal De-Escalation:
- Date: Tuesday, March 11
- Time: 8-11:30
- Location: Trinity Episcopal
UPDATE ON $8.9M SPED STIPENDS
The district submitted the grant application on January 13, 2025, and we received notice that the stipend amount for each qualifying employee is estimated to be $445.86 before taxes. Currently, we are waiting for ODE to send the grant Inter-governmental agreement (IGA) for signature. As of Feb. 17, ODE has not been able to provide a timeline for when we will receive the IGA for signature. Once the IGA is signed, the district can claim the money for the stipends in EGMS, and Payroll can begin processing the stipends for disbursement through employee paychecks. Please be on the look-out for additional communication regarding the timing for issuing the stipends. For more information, please see the Special Education Staff Stipends Guidance.