ESY 2021

From Krista Baker
I wanted to let you know that the postings are up for the ESY/Summer Enrichment Programs.  IF you are wanting to work the ESY program as a teacher or EA, please go on and apply to the following postings:
EA – 108839TMP
Elementary – PS108791TMP
Middle – 108837TMP
High School – PS108838

If you are interested in working the Summer Enrichment program but in a position outside of Sped., you will also apply to these same postings.  You will complete a simple survey prior to your interview that will indicate to us what you are interested in working. 

Please note:  if you are applying for a Sped. position, you will work a full day, although the posting is for a partial day, you will be time sheeted for the remainder of the day on M,T,W,Th.  Friday will be a prep day for teachers ONLY, EA’s will only work M,T,W,Th. 

Please reach out to me if you have any questions. 
Krista Baker

ESY Case Managers:

New Info:
1. For our ESY students, the ESY Consent Form will be a guarantee that our SpEd students getting SDI during summer school are enrolled in the summer program. There will not be another form/registration that will need to happen.
We’ll get the list of students to the directors of the summer program.

2. Short days. If parent selects ‘short day’ on the ESY Parent Consent form – the student’s day will be as long as is needed to get their SDI. Parent will then need to pick up their student. 
      – Please make sure parents put in the start/end time next to the ‘short day’ box.

From last week…
ESY Timeline, Parent Consent Forms, GRO EXCEL flyer and other documents are available at this link.

Consent & GRO/EXCEL forms will be due to Denise Sevigny on
Friday April 30th

– Timeline/checklist – Please read through the timeline as it will have drop dead dates on it that you will need to meet.

– Parks & Rec’s programs will be held in July.
          – We will still pay for our qualified students to attend even though they are running a                      month earlier than the Summer Enrichment Program in August
          – Parents will need to transport their student to GRO/EXCEL         

Transportation Plan
You will now be filling in a transportation plan for Summer Enrichment ONLY
*** You DO NOT need to send a copy to Denise Sevigny

From Behavior Coaches

NOMINATE A CO-WORKER FOR THE POWER OF ONE!
Do you work with someone who is an example of the Power of One? Do they show up each day as a caring adult, forging strong relationships in order to facilitate positive growth and build resilience in our students?  If so, please email one of the Behavior Coaches below.  Please be sure to include 2-3 detailed sentences outlining the reason why your nominee should be selected to receive the Power of One award.  These awards are open to ANY Bend – La Pine employee.  Thank You.

Self Help For Trauma Through Tapping In Your Classroom  The effects of emotional and post-traumatic stress are debilitating and invisible, but they can be diminished and sometimes even resolved in a short time with a simple and efficient self-regulation technique called tapping. The Trauma Tapping Technique is a proven self-help method for relaxing emotional stress that you can perform in your classroom to help students regulate and get into their working brain.  This technique takes less than 5 minutes and can be utilized by anyone.   What Is Tapping?, Tapping To Start Your Day For Kids 

NEUROSEQUENTIAL MODEL – Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting Dr. Bruce Perry’s work, The Neurosequential Model in Education.  Dr. Perry’s work is based on an understanding of the structure and sequential nature of the brain, which can help educators increase their students’ engagement in learning and mitigate behavioral problems. Listen as Dr. Perry describes the model and its significant impact on how we interact with our students, our own children, and each other.

State-dependent Brain Functioning: Neurosequential Network Stress & Trauma Series  This 21-minute video discusses the shift in functional capability of the human brain with a shift in internal ‘state.’  This principle is relevant for anyone interested in human behavior including parents, educators, and clinicians.

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.

Bend_La Pine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to  9:00 PM

ESY 2021

ESY Case Managers

I’ve got a bit more information to share on our forms for School Enrichment.
Please note that this information is still in transition so some information may change!

Summer Enrichment Timeline, Parent Consent Forms, GRO EXCEL flyer and other documents are available at this link.

Consent & GRO/EXCEL forms will be due to Denise Sevigny on
Friday April 30th

– Timeline/checklist – Please read through the timeline as it will have drop dead dates on it that you will need to meet.

– Parks & Rec’s programs will be held in July.
          – We will still pay for our qualified students to attend even though they are running a month earlier than the Summer Enrichment Program in August
          – Parents will need to transport their student to GRO/EXCEL         

Transportation Plan
You will now be filling in a transportation plan for Summer Enrichment ONLY
*** You DO NOT need to send a copy to Denise Sevigny

From Behavior Coaches

NOMINATE A CO-WORKER FOR THE POWER OF ONE!
Do you work with someone who is an example of the Power of One? Do they show up each day as a caring adult, forging strong relationships in order to facilitate positive growth and build resilience in our students?  If so, please email one of the Behavior Coaches below.  Please be sure to include 2-3 detailed sentences outlining the reason why your nominee should be selected to receive the Power of One award.  These awards are open to ANY Bend – La Pine employee.  Thank You.

Self Help For Trauma Through Tapping In Your Classroom  The effects of emotional and post-traumatic stress are debilitating and invisible, but they can be diminished and sometimes even resolved in a short time with a simple and efficient self-regulation technique called tapping. The Trauma Tapping Technique is a proven self-help method for relaxing emotional stress that you can perform in your classroom to help students regulate and get into their working brain.  This technique takes less than 5 minutes and can be utilized by anyone.   What Is Tapping?, Tapping To Start Your Day For Kids 

NEUROSEQUENTIAL MODEL – Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting Dr. Bruce Perry’s work, The Neurosequential Model in Education.  Dr. Perry’s work is based on an understanding of the structure and sequential nature of the brain, which can help educators increase their students’ engagement in learning and mitigate behavioral problems. Listen as Dr. Perry describes the model and its significant impact on how we interact with our students, our own children, and each other. 

Patterns of Stress & Resilience: Neurosequential Network Stress & Trauma Series  This is a brief video (20 min) describing the sequential processing of experience in the brain.  The Regulate-Relate-Reason heuristic is explained. This simple but powerful concept can help minimize miscommunication and behavioral challenges (especially with dysregulated adults and children).

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.  

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.  

Bend-La Pine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to  9:00 PM

From Behavior Coaches

NOMINATE A CO-WORKER FOR THE POWER OF ONE!
Do you work with someone who is an example of the Power of One? Do they show up each day as a caring adult, forging strong relationships in order to facilitate positive growth and build resilience in our students?  If so, please email one of the Behavior Coaches below.  Please be sure to include 2-3 detailed sentences outlining the reason why your nominee should be selected to receive the Power of One award.  These awards are open to ANY Bend – La Pine employee.  Thank You.

Self Help For Trauma Through Tapping In Your Classroom  The effects of emotional and post-traumatic stress are debilitating and invisible, but they can be diminished and sometimes even resolved in a short time with a simple and efficient self-regulation technique called tapping. The Trauma Tapping Technique is a proven self-help method for relaxing emotional stress that you can perform in your classroom to help students regulate and get into their working brain.  This technique takes less than 5 minutes and can be utilized by anyone.   What Is Tapping?, Tapping To Start Your Day For Kids 

NEUROSEQUENTIAL MODEL – Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting Dr. Bruce Perry’s work, The Neurosequential Model in Education.  Dr. Perry’s work is based on an understanding of the structure and sequential nature of the brain, which can help educators increase their students’ engagement in learning and mitigate behavioral problems. Listen as Dr. Perry describes the model and its significant impact on how we interact with our students, our own children, and each other. 

Stress, Trauma, and the Brain, Episode 5  Educator Strategies for the Classroom  Research shows that traditional behavioral modification techniques and full reliance on rewards and consequences are often ineffective with the students who need it the most. Dr. Perry lays out several easy-to-implement strategies for teachers and their classrooms, resulting in a significant impact on the overall social, emotional, and academic functioning of the students.  The video is 7-minutes long and will change how you think about your students. 

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.  

Bend La Pine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to  9:00 PM.

                        ******ESY DATE CHANGES *****

ESY is getting incorporated into the district’s Summer Enrichment Program. August 2nd through August 20th, four days of the week.

Please watch for more information via email or here in the Edge!

I don’t know yet how it will affect ESY or GRO/EXCEL paperwork/options, transportation, locations, postings, etc. I will let you know when I know! So far all I have is the dates.

From Sean Reinhart

I hope you all have had a restful spring break.  I want to update you on all the happenings from late winter as we move into spring. 

First, we have started our first round of interviews for certified special education staff.  At this time, we are replacing staff that are retiring or resigning current positions.  That said, we are hoping to see an increase of Special Programs FTE though our Student Success Initiative dollars and we will know more very soon.  We plan on holding several rounds of EA interviews beginning in May and throughout the summer.  We are hoping by August, there will be more awesome people ready to get back into the workforce and join our teams.

We are also in the planning stages for an August Summer Enrichment Program for students.  The program will be K-12 and will be held Monday-Thursday from August 2-20.  We are looking for both certified and classified staff that are interested in supporting this program.  The Summer Enrichment Program is not a special education program (not ESY), so we will not necessarily be implementing IEP goals.  More likely, you would help implement programming for all student participants.  Stay tuned for more information.

From Josh Marks

Welcome to our new ICCL’s:
Jon Williams
Sara Young
Alisha Schmidt
Alicia Covell
Annie Moseley
Haley Gembarowski
Jill McKae

This team will be working closely with SPED leadership to help guide the future direction of the department as well as be a liaison between SPED leadership and all of our staff. We appreciate all who applied and interviewed. The pool of staff interested was really deep.  

From Heidi Hanson

CURRICULUM ORDERS:  It is time to look ahead to the next school year and project your curriculum needs. 

I will be adding the order forms to the Staff Portal in the “Accounting Forms” section under Special Programs for the following curriculum:

• Corrective Reading
• Q-Reads
• Quick Reads
• Reading Mastery
• Cars and Stars
• Zoom In
• Phonics for Reading
• Rewards

If you are in need of something other than those curricula, please find the “Equipment/Material Request” in the same section on the Portal and fill that out.  Please be sure to include order #’s and/or ISBN #’s.  ALL of these orders MUST be returned to me before you leave for your summer break. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

From Behavior Coaches

NOMINATE A CO-WORKER FOR THE POWER OF ONE!
Do you work with someone who is an example of the Power of One? Do they show up each day as a caring adult, forging strong relationships in order to facilitate positive growth and build resilience in our students?  If so, please email one of the Behavior Coaches below.  Please be sure to include 2-3 detailed sentences outlining the reason why your nominee should be selected to receive the Power of One award.  These awards are open to ANY Bend – La Pine employee.  Thank You.

Struggling to support your own resilience during these difficult times?  Please consider checking out one of these free virtual affinity spaces. The right group is waiting for you.  Just click the link to join.   Oregon Helpers Wellness Affinity Groups 

NEUROSEQUENTIAL MODEL – Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting Dr. Bruce Perry’s work, The Neurosequential Model in Education.  Dr. Perry’s work is based on an understanding of the structure and sequential nature of the brain, which can help educators increase their students’ engagement in learning and mitigate behavioral problems. Listen as Dr. Perry describes the model and its significant impact on how we interact with our students, our own children, and each other.

Stress, Trauma, and the Brain – Regulating Yourself and Your Classroom
Human beings are social creatures, and because of that, our moods and personalities are extremely contagious to one another. Dr. Perry explains how students and teachers can often impact each other’s mood and brain function, and shares effective classroom strategies that help keep students and adults calm and regulated, decrease behavior challenges, and improve academic engagement.  Episode 4 is is 8-minutes long and will change how you think about your students.

Looking to add a little Sleep, Meditation or Relaxation into your life or classroom?  Try the Calm App for Free!  

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.

Bend La Pine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to  9:00 PM

From Krista Baker

ECSE Transition Meetings

Please make sure when scheduling ECSE transition meetings that parents and ECSE staff have at least a week’s notice.  Once ECSE staff receive their invite, they will go in and update their progress reports.

From Behavior Coaches

NOMINATE A CO-WORKER FOR THE POWER OF ONE!
Do you work with someone who is an example of the Power of One? Do they show up each day as a caring adult, forging strong relationships in order to facilitate positive growth and build resilience in our students?  If so, please email one of the Behavior Coaches below.  Please be sure to include 2-3 detailed sentences outlining the reason why your nominee should be selected to receive the Power of One award.  These awards are open to ANY Bend – La Pine employee.  Thank You.

 
Struggling to support your own resilience during these difficult times?  Please consider checking out one of these free virtual affinity spaces. The right group is waiting for you.  Just click the link to join.   Oregon Helpers Wellness Affinity Groups 

NEUROSEQUENTIAL MODEL – Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting Dr. Bruce Perry’s work, The Neurosequential Model in Education.  Dr. Perry’s work is based on an understanding of the structure and sequential nature of the brain, which can help educators increase their students’ engagement in learning and mitigate behavioral problems. Listen as Dr. Perry describes the model and its significant impact on how we interact with our students, our own children, and each other. 
Stress, Trauma and the Brain Episode 3 –  The Power of Connection
Relationships are essential to human life. Research demonstrates that when teachers establish a true empathic connection with students, they are able to engage and reengage students in learning, and actually heal and grow children’s brains. Dr. Perry discusses the important role relationships have in learning, and gives us practical ways to do this in the school setting.  The video is 7-minutes long and will change how you think about your students.

Looking to add a little Sleep, Meditation or Relaxation into your life or classroom?  Try the Calm App for Free!  

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.  

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.  

Bend La Pine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to  9:00 PM

ESY 2021

Here’s your link to the ESY 2021 forms
ESY Decision Making Guidelines
ESY Checklist & Timeline
ESY Parent Info/Consent Form (Eng & Sp)
GRO-EXCEL Parent Consent (Eng & Sp)
ESY Informational Flyer
ESY Materials box tag
(all also found on our Portal – under ESY docs and forms).
https://portal.bend.k12.or.us/special-programs/content/esy-extended-school-year

GRO EXCEL information is still to come…
Parks & Rec usually has three offerings within GRO/EXCEL:  GRO or EXCEL, Extended Adventures and Camp. We will pay for any ONE of these. Please make sure to mark which on the parent consent form as there is a price difference for Camp.

ESY Transportation
** A transportation plan MUST be filled specifically for ESY. Here is the link.
** Please remember to send Denise Sevigny a PDF of the filled plan (for ESY teachers)

From Colleen Funderburg

In of NEW team members in our Special Programs department for 2021-22 school year!

Hiring a RECORDS CLERK This team does very important and incredible work behind the scenes to support our special education teams.  We’re very thankful for their contributions.  If you know of anyone that may be interested in joining the Records Clerk team here is a link to more information about the vacancy.  

Hiring SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
We have a variety of teaching positions available. Please encourage individuals to look on our website at all the postings if you believe they would be a great addition to our team. We are planning to hold interviews for these positions the week of March 29^th.  More specific information about our full-time, regular postings can be found here: Bend Area Teacher;   La Pine Area Teacher

Every student in GRADE 8 MUST have the transition portion of the IEP completed to finalize the IEP.  If you need support or resources, please reach out to any of our team members!

Tips and Tricks in Synergy – Behavior Intervention Plan
Did you know that the behavior intervention plan in Synergy carries forward just as the IEP does in each future process?  What a time saver!  When you are reviewing the behavior support plan that was created in Synergy SE in your IEP meeting you do not have to start over; you will be able to review what was finalized previously and then update or edit.

S.O.A.R. Update
Our S.O.A.R program is located at Pacific Crest Middle School. S.O.A.R. (Social Cognition. Organization. Advocacy. Relationships) is designed to meet the unique needs of middle school students who have an Individualized Education Program and eligibility of Autism who experience High Functioning Autism (HFA). The S.O.A.R team has conducted file reviews and teacher interviews and has finalized the selection of students for the 2021-22 school year.  Students selected will receive an official letter from the district offering a spot in the program. For the students not selected, email communication will be sent to the school team. This month the team will conduct additional observations, then in April and May transition IEP meetings for the prospective students will be held.

ESY 2021

Here’s your link to the ESY 2021 forms
ESY Decision Making Guidelines
ESY Checklist & Timeline
ESY Parent Info/Consent Form (Eng & Sp)
GRO-EXCEL Parent Consent (Eng & Sp)
ESY Informational Flyer
ESY Materials box tag
(all also found on our Portal – under ESY docs and forms).
https://portal.bend.k12.or.us/special-programs/content/esy-extended-school-year

GRO EXCEL information is still to come…
Parks & Rec usually has three offerings within GRO/EXCEL:  GRO or EXCEL, Extended Adventures and Camp. We will pay for any ONE of these. Please make sure to mark which on the parent consent form as there is a price difference for Camp.

ESY Transportation
** A transportation plan MUST be filled specifically for ESY. Here is the link.
** Please remember to send Denise Sevigny a PDF of the filled plan (for ESY teachers)

From Behavior Coaches

NOMINATE A CO-WORKER FOR THE POWER OF ONE!
Do you work with someone who is an example of the Power of One? Do they show up each day as a caring adult, forging strong relationships in order to facilitate positive growth and build resilience in our students?  
If so, please email one of the Behavior Coaches below.  Please be sure to include 2-3 detailed sentences outlining the reason why your nominee should be selected to receive the Power of One award.  These awards are open to ANY Bend – La Pine employee.  Thank You.

Struggling to support your own resilience during these difficult times?  Please consider checking out one of these free virtual affinity spaces. The right group is waiting for you.  Just click the link to join.   Oregon Helpers Wellness Affinity Groups 

NEUROSEQUENTIAL MODEL – Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting Dr. Bruce Perry’s work, The Neurosequential Model in Education.  Dr. Perry’s work is based on an understanding of the structure and sequential nature of the brain, which can help educators increase their students’ engagement in learning and mitigate behavioral problems. Listen as Dr. Perry describes the model and its significant impact on how we interact with our students, our own children, and each other. 

Stress, Trauma and the Brain Episode 2  – How Stress Impacts Brain Function Stress is a natural part of life and we all experience it daily. However, we don’t often think about what stress does to our brain, our ability to learn new concepts, get along with others, or recall information. Dr. Perry discusses the impact of stress on students and teachers, and explains how creating a safe, secure environment is critical to allowing students to reach their full potential.  The video is 5-minutes long and will change how you think about your students. 

Looking to add a little Sleep, Meditation or Relaxation into your life or classroom?  Try the Calm App for Free!  

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.  

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.  

Bend LaPine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM.

From Colleen Funderburg

Certified Special Education Teachers; Contract Status ONLY

Transfer interviews for Special Education positions (2021-22 school year) will take place on Monday, March 15^th. If you are a certified contract teacher interested in a transfer to a different site you will need to fill out this transfer request form by March 5^th. We will then contact you about an interview time for March 15^th. If you have questions please reach out to Sean, Josh, or Colleen. 

From Denise Sevigny

What do you do if your laptop or iPad is starting to misbehave.

This document will let you know:
1. Who to get help from 
2. What to do with your equipment if you are moving to a new site.

From Behavior Coaches

NOMINATE A CO-WORKER FOR THE POWER OF ONE!
Do you work with someone who is an example of the Power of One? Do they show up each day as a caring adult, forging strong relationships in order to facilitate positive growth and build resilience in our students? 
If so, please email one of the Behavior Coaches below.  Please be sure to include 2-3 detailed sentences outlining the reason why your nominee should be selected to receive the Power of One award.  These awards are open to ANY Bend – La Pine employee.  Thank You.

Stress, Trauma, and the Brain – Episode 1
Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting Dr. Bruce Perry’s work, The Neurosequential Model in Education.  Dr. Perry’s work is based on an understanding of the structure and sequential nature of the brain, which can help educators increase their students’ engagement in learning and mitigate behavioral problems. Listen as Dr. Perry describes the model and its significant impact on how we interact with our students, our own children, and each other.  The video is 7-minutes long and will change how you think about your students.

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.  

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.  

Bend-La Pine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM.

From Colleen Funderburg

Certified Special Education Teachers; Contract Status ONLY

Transfer interviews for Special Education positions (2021-22 school year) will take place on Monday, March 15^th. If you are a certified contract teacher interested in a transfer to a different site you will need to go to the posting in Applitrack and fill out the transfer request form by March 5^th. This posting will be up and available on Monday. We will then contact you about an interview time for March 15^th. If you have questions please reach out to Sean, Josh, or Colleen. 

From Behavior Coaches

TRACEs and Culture of Care have teamed up!  We have heard collective voices advocating for an intentional space for mental health providers and educators to seek connection and support.  These days are challenging!  Now, more than ever, we need connection and encouragement from others.  These opportunities are designed to empty your overflowing cup and explore ways to step into your wellness- without planning a trip to a spa. Come when you can- not a requirement to attend every time. 

Expect anxiety. For the past year, students and adults have been living on edge, many in fear of an invisible deadly virus. On one end, some students may have lost family members from Covid, but no student is going to come into the building unaffected by the experience of the past year. We can’t undo that experience, but we can set up a system that anticipates and begins to mitigate that anxiety. 

Start small. We don’t want students to come into a high-pressure situation where they feel like they are expected to academically compensate for the inconsistency of the past year. While academics are the primary purpose of our schools, we need to start small while transitioning students back into the building. You can do this by integrating SEL skills, checking in with students’ feelings, re-stating expectations, and taking the time to build relationships with students. When students feel safe again, the academics will come.

Bring the lessons. Whatever silver linings you have taken from this past year of education, whatever you have learned, don’t forget to bring that back to the classroom when you return fully. If you have learned to utilize a new technology resource, engaged your students differently, communicated more with families, or collaborated with educators outside of your building, try to keep the elements that helped you better support your students during those times. Just because we are going back into school buildings, doesn’t mean that we need to go back to an identical model to the one we had before.

Regulate with Routine.  Students and adults alike have been told to be cautious, to distance themselves, and to isolate for a year. While the country may begin to open up again more fully, we can’t turn those lessons off with a light-switch. Students are going to be a bit more on edge, so we should work to create atmospheres and routines that are regulating for them. Regardless of how much structure you typically put into place in your classroom, err on the side of having more routines and predictability, as this will provide comfort for the students to latch on to in the transition. Keep in mind, though, that routines and predictability are best employed when they come from a place of support– balance the structure with nurture. 

For many of us, the rollout of vaccinations and the re-opening of schools feels like the light at the end of the tunnel. We are hopeful that students will find the return to school comforting and regulating, but we also cannot underestimate the impact that the past year has had on students. If we prepare ourselves, our spaces, and our students for a return that feels safe, we can be confident that we can get into a supportive routine to begin building back some of what we’ve lost.

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.  

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.  

Bend La-Pine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM. 

From Behavior Coaches

Expect anxiety. For the past year, students and adults have been living on edge, many in fear of an invisible deadly virus. On one end, some students may have lost family members from Covid, but no student is going to come into the building unaffected by the experience of the past year. We can’t undo that experience, but we can set up a system that anticipates and begins to mitigate that anxiety.

Start small. We don’t want students to come into a high-pressure situation where they feel like they are expected to academically compensate for the inconsistency of the past year. While academics are the primary purpose of our schools, we need to start small while transitioning students back into the building. You can do this by integrating SEL skills, checking in with students’ feelings, re-stating expectations, and taking the time to build relationships with students. When students feel safe again, the academics will come.

Bring the lessons. Whatever silver linings you have taken from this past year of education, whatever you have learned, don’t forget to bring that back to the classroom when you return fully. If you have learned to utilize a new technology resource, engaged your students differently, communicated more with families, or collaborated with educators outside of your building, try to keep the elements that helped you better support your students during those times. Just because we are going back into school buildings, doesn’t mean that we need to go back to an identical model to the one we had before.

Regulate with Routine.  Students and adults alike have been told to be cautious, to distance themselves, and to isolate for a year. While the country may begin to open up again more fully, we can’t turn those lessons off with a light-switch. Students are going to be a bit more on edge, so we should work to create atmospheres and routines that are regulating for them. Regardless of how much structure you typically put into place in your classroom, err on the side of having more routines and predictability, as this will provide comfort for the students to latch on to in the transition. Keep in mind, though, that routines and predictability are best employed when they come from a place of support– balance the structure with nurture.

For many of us, the rollout of vaccinations and the re-opening of schools feels like the light at the end of the tunnel. We are hopeful that students will find the return to school comforting and regulating, but we also cannot underestimate the impact that the past year has had on students. If we prepare ourselves, our spaces, and our students for a return that feels safe, we can be confident that we can get into a supportive routine to begin building back some of what we’ve lost.

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.

Bend LaPine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM.

From Transportation

Transportation has asked that we now revert back to our regular process of requesting special transportation. 

Which means please use this transportation Google Form for a new request or update.  The Google sheet we used in preparation for All In-Person transportation is no longer being used.

From Josh Marks

Certified Special Programs Staff,

We are happy to be able to hire 6 Instructional/Curriculum Coaches within special programs. Staff in this position will receive an extra duty contract for $625 for the remainder of this school year and $1250 for next year as these are two-year positions.
It will be a 30 hour commitment for the rest of this year, and a 60 hour commitment for the whole 2021-2022 school year.
Staff who are selected to be part of this team will work with Special Programs leadership on future planning around professional development and the direction of the department. If you are interested, please submit a no more than one page essay describing why you would like to hold the position as well as one reference. Send these to Candy Gelatt in HR by February 12th. Interviews will be held after finalist are selected.  To access a job description and a reference form click here. 

For additional questions please feel free to reach out to me…Josh Marks

From Behavior Coaches

Educators, what can we do for you?

Feeling Stressed? Join Namaspa for a gift of free yoga, meditation and community support for your well-being.  CONNECT WITH NAMASPA and we will get you a pass for 5 Zoom classes, tuition to our 40 Days Program that begins February 2, and links to a 30 and 60 minute beginner flow.  Need yoga at your school? The Namaspa Foundation will bring it to you. Let us be helpers, too.

For over 30 years the Education Foundation has had a mission to support teachers and students in the BLPS by funding classroom grants and activity fee scholarships.  We know that this unprecedented time we are living in is causing many challenges for you to be able to do the work you are passionate about in a Comprehensive Distance Learning format.  We are expanding our mission this year and including efforts to deliver some support and appreciation directly to YOU.  Our hope is that the more you feel supported and appreciated by your community the better you will be able to stay energized and resilient to persevere in your mission to serve students during this challenging year. 

We are excited to partner with Banni Bunting to bring these mindfulness sessions specifically for you as BLPS educators and staff.  It is an invitation to take some time for yourselves – to rest and renew in order to be resilient this year.  It is with deep and sincere appreciation that we hope you will access and enjoy these mindfulness sessions.  Whether you choose to sit down and listen to them with a cup of tea or as a podcast out on a winter walk – know that your dedication to the students in Bend-La Pine Schools is acknowledged and greatly appreciated. 

Angie Cole, Allocations Chair on behalf of the entire Education Foundation Board

Banni Bunting Mindfulness Lesson One 

Relationships in the Classroom: 
Each week we will highlight one of our Top 10 Behavior Coaching Tools for reducing challenging behavior. This week, our topic is RELATIONSHIPS, something many of you are likely feeling the importance of as we move into in-person learning.

Who does the student connect with in the building?
Teacher – Student Relationships are important for learning. As we know from Hatte’s Visible Learning Research, they accelerate student achievement with an effect size of 0.52, which falls well into the zone for optimal results. 

For students who have experienced trauma, Teacher- Student Relationships are important for survival. The brains of students who have a safe and trusting relationship with their teacher experience reduced toxic stress and have the opportunity to heal, and eventually, learn.  Moreover, creating a family culture in the classroom, fostering positive student – student relationships, and establishing teacher – family partnerships increases resilience and growth for all students. 

Determine a regular check in routine for students to have with a safe trusted adult. Build in increased school community time such as having “jobs” around the school, helping younger students, etc. 

Tools:  2 x 10 Strategy; Therapeutic Dosing Article, Friendometry.com

Tools for Relationships:  Include Limbic Brain Breaks

NEUROSEQUENTIAL MODEL – The Power of Relationships and Connection
Relationships:  Stress, Trauma, and the Brain:    Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting Dr. Bruce Perry’s work, The Neurosequential Model in Education.  Dr. Perry’s work is based on an understanding of the structure and sequential nature of the brain,  which can help educators increase their students’ engagement in learning and mitigate behavioral problems.  In this video Dr. Perry talks about how relationships are essential to human life and student connections.  Research demonstrates that when teachers establish a true empathic connection with students, they are able to engage and reengage students in learning, and actually heal and grow children’s brains. Dr. Perry discusses the important role relationships have in learning, and gives us practical ways to do this in the school setting.  The video is 7-minutes long and will change how you think about your students.

CASEL SEL TOOLS – As Students Head Back To School
As we begin to transition from distance learning back to in-person learning, SEL remains as important as ever.   This is the perfect time to re-examine our efforts to make needed adjustments and refocus on supportive relationships, equitable environments, and the academic, social, and emotional development and overall well-being of all students and adults. 

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.  

Mental Health Provider Directory
Looking for a comprehensive list of Mental Health Providers in Central Oregon?  This website organizes medical providers by symptom, insurance, language, and specialization.  

Bend LaPine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crisis:  Contact the Deschutes County Crisis Clinic by phone at (541) 322-7500 extension 9, or call 1-(800) 875-7364.  Walk In hours are available Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM.