Category Archives: Newsletter

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

VRB Tickets are on Sale!

What is VRB?

A 21+ fundraiser at the Unitarian Church — equal parts fun, food, and community. We’ve handled the kids (childcare + dinner at WVMS), so you can show up, let loose, and actually finish a sentence. Join us Thursday, April 23rd from 5:30-8:30!

Your $50 admission ticket includes: Dinner catered by Parrilla, one set of BINGO cards (5 games), one drink ticket, and childcare with dinner for the little ones at WVMS.

Add-on extra BINGO cards, raffle tickets, heads or tails necklaces & golden tickets online or at the event.

5:30 PM — Doors open! Check in, mingle, grab a drink, snag your raffle tickets, extra BINGO cards, heads or tails necklaces and golden tickets.

6:00 PM — Dinner is served

6:30 PM — Game on! BINGO, raffle drawings throughout the night, a silly game of heads or tails and the BIG golden ticket reveal — one lucky winner takes home $500 cash! 

8:30 PM — Rock band closes out the night

Show up loud. Have a good time. Love your Village. 🖤

Now click this link to purchase your admission ticket and add-on packages or individual items to make check-in at the event a breeze. Every dollar goes right back to the Village. Can’t go but want to support? Buy a “supporter ticket” aka, a donation to Friends of Westside Village.

Make sure you name the 4th-8th grader that you want to receive credit when purchasing admission and supporter tickets!

This event is for 21+ only. Childcare is provided at Westside Village Magnet School with ticket purchase

SMILE! Spring Picture Day, Apr 28

Spring Picture Day is Tuesday, April 28th.  Picture forms will go home soon.  This is an optional picture day; only those that return their forms or order online BEFORE picture day will be photographed. 

2025-26 Oregon Statewide Tests (OSAS)

This school year our 3rd through 8th grade students will take the Oregon Statewide Tests. Parents have the right to opt their child out of the English Language Arts and/or the Math tests. We have made it a mission to be creative and smart about how we administer the OR Statewide Tests. We are not going to make students sit for hours at a time testing; we are going to offer them fun snacks, breaks when needed, and all the support we can give. We would like to take this opportunity to turn this challenge into a fun and meaningful experience. 

Here are links to the Annual Notice for Statewide Testing – this contains information about the testing and the Opt-Out Form.
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form English 25-26
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form español 25-26

If you have any questions about the test, please email Felicia at [email protected].

Naglieri Test

Every year, the Bend La Pine School District administers the Naglieri Test to all 2nd grade students as well as 3rd – 5th grade students new to the district. The Naglieri Nonverbal Test of Ability is a brief, nonverbal measure of general ability.

Recruitment

We need our families’ help; we want a full class of kindergarteners! We have room in other grades as well, especially our hard hit COVID years, 4th and 5th grade. Please send out flyers and postcards to family and friends!

News From Friends

WVMS Giveback Night at Bend TEAL (Tea + Art Lounge), May 19

Former Westside teacher, Sarah Swoffer, has opened a fabulous new spot downtown Bend called TEAL (Tea + Art Lounge). She invites our community to visit her space where we can slow down, sip intentionally and reconnect with creativity. TEAL will donate 20% of food and beverage sales back to Friends of Westside Village!

NexTrex Recycling Challenge, Collect Your Plastic Bags!

We’ve collected 360 pounds so far! Weigh your plastic at home and let us know how much you’ve taken to be recycled OR bring your plastic to school and we’ll weigh it for you.

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

NO SCHOOL Days in March

Reminder that there is NO SCHOOL this Weds-Fri or all next week for district conference days and spring break! We’ll see you back on Monday, March 30th!

Mar 18-20: NO SCHOOL for District Conference Days (Westside will have had conferences already). 

Mar 23-27: NO SCHOOL for Spring Break. 

Friends of WVMS is offering camp on all of these non school days. Sign up through Bend Parks and Rec!

High Desert Museum Field Trip, Mar 30

We will be taking our entire village to the High Desert Museum the day we return from spring break! Permission slips went home this week, or find it here. There is a suggested donation of $6 for this trip to help with museum entrance fees and transportation. Cash or check in the office is great, or make your donation here. If you know your student will not be here that day, please let us know.

Congrats to Our OBOB Team!

A huge congratulations to our Westside Village OBOB (Oregon Battle of the Books) team, Nerd Squad, who competed in regionals this past weekend! They worked hard to read 16 books and were 1 point away from making it to the Sweet 16 this year. Way to go, guys!

Track and Field Begins Mar 31

Track and Field starts after Spring Break for grades 5th-8th. Don’t forget to get registered and pay for bus passes. Reach out to Ms. Claar with any questions ([email protected]). If you qualify for a scholarship, apply it at checkout (friends site).

Village Rhythm & Bingo (VRB) is Apr 23!

What is VRB?

Westside Village Rhythm & Bingo is our biggest FUNdraiser of the year! An evening of live music, delicious food, BINGO, raffle prizes and more! 

The event will be held this year on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 at the Unitarian Church. 

VRB is more than just a fundraiser. This event gives the older/elder students an opportunity to apply for jobs at the event or at school, from kitchen/serving jobs to babysitting which gives them real life experience. 

It truly is such a fun event. Parent’s night out for a good cause! Adults attend the event and your ticket includes free babysitting at Westside Village!

If you know of any businesses in the community that may want to be a sponsor or donate items or services for raffles/prizes, please send them our way!

It truly takes a village to pull this event together. Thank you all in advance.

Recruitment

We need our families’ help; we want a full class of kindergarteners! We have room in other grades as well, especially our hard hit COVID years, 4th and 5th grade. Please send out flyers and postcards to family and friends!

Choice Options Lottery Will Close Mar 20

Visit this link for more information. If you know of any families that would be a good fit, send them our way!

Remember that all incoming siblings of Westside students MUST complete an application.  Current Westside Village students do not need to re-apply. 

The lottery for 1st-12th grade has closed, but applications are still being accepted. The lottery for Kindergarten will close on March 20th.

Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment in a Bend-La Pine School for the school year requested. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 is open.

Don’t hesitate to call Marcie with any questions.  541-355-2001

News From Friends

5th Six Weeks Extended Care & Club Sign Ups Are Open!

It’s time to sign up for 5th Session of Extended Care & Clubs! Visit www.friendsofwestside.com to sign up.

NexTrex Recycling Challenge, Collect Your Plastic Bags!

We’ve collected 170 pounds so far! Weigh your plastic at home and let us know how much you’ve taken to be recycled OR bring your plastic to school and we’ll weigh it for you.

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

4th Six Week Celebration & Elder Play, Mar 12

Join us for our 4th Six Week Celebration with a special showing of the Elder Play, “The Lion King, The Westside Way” at WVMS Thursday, March 12th from 4:30-6:30pm. Check in with teachers, check the lost and found, grab a bite to eat and then get ready for the show! In lieu of selling tickets to the play, we are accepting donations to support our drama and music programs. Please feel free to make a donation, but it is not required; we want all to enjoy the show!

High Desert Museum Field Trip, Mar 30

We will be taking our entire village to the High Desert Museum the day we return from spring break! Permission slips went home this week, or find it here. There is a suggested donation of $6 for this trip to help with museum entrance fees and transportation. Cash or check in the office is great, or make your donation here. If you know your student will not be here that day, please let us know.

Village Rhythm & Bingo (VRB) is Apr 23!

What is VRB?

Westside Village Rhythm & Bingo is our biggest FUNdraiser of the year! An evening of live music, delicious food, BINGO, raffle prizes and more! 

The event will be held this year on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 at the Unitarian Church. 

VRB is more than just a fundraiser. This event gives the older/elder students an opportunity to apply for jobs at the event or at school, from kitchen/serving jobs to babysitting which gives them real life experience. 

It truly is such a fun event. Parent’s night out for a good cause! Adults attend the event and your ticket includes free babysitting at Westside Village!

If you know of any businesses in the community that may want to be a sponsor or donate items or services for raffles/prizes, please send them our way!

It truly takes a village to pull this event together. Thank you all in advance.

Recruitment

We need our families’ help; we want a full class of kindergarteners! We have room in other grades as well, especially our hard hit COVID years, 4th and 5th grade. Please send out flyers and postcards to family and friends!

Choice Options Lottery Will Close Mar 20

Visit this link for more information. If you know of any families that would be a good fit, send them our way!

Remember that all incoming siblings of Westside students MUST complete an application.  Current Westside Village students do not need to re-apply. 

The lottery for 1st-12th grade has closed, but applications are still being accepted. The lottery for Kindergarten will close on March 20th.

Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment in a Bend-La Pine School for the school year requested. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 is open.

Don’t hesitate to call Marcie with any questions.  541-355-2001

Black History

We celebrated Black History Month by engaging in an activity to find people from the past and present that may have been overlooked using the lens of dangerous learners. We connected our theme of time travel and ancient learning to this activity. Students will continue to discover history’s biases in their tipping point research.

To be a Dangerous Learner means to believe that your mind is your greatest power. It means asking “Why?” when everyone else is silent. It means seeking the truth even when that truth makes powerful people uncomfortable.

For black learners throughout history, this path has had many extra hurdles. For centuries, racism was used as a tool to keep doors locked. Laws were passed to make it illegal for black people to read; “scientific” lies were told to claim black minds weren’t capable of complex math; and systems were built to ignore black discoveries. But as the author Tami Charles reminds us: “We break barriers, crush borders. We carry legacies of yesterday and today, and tomorrow.” Every person in this series didn’t just learn for themselves—they learned to prove the world wrong and to clear a path for you.

Lost and Found will be Donated over Spring Break

Please come take a look! We want you to have your things back! Any items that are not claimed by 4:00pm on March 17th will be donated. Lost and Found is located in the front office lobby.

NO SCHOOL Days in March

Mar 18-20: NO SCHOOL for District Conference Days (Westside will have had conferences already). 

Mar 23-27: NO SCHOOL for Spring Break. 

Friends of WVMS is offering camp on all of these non school days. Sign up through Bend Parks and Rec!

News From Friends

5th Six Weeks Extended Care & Club Sign Ups Are Open!

It’s time to sign up for 5th Session of Extended Care & Clubs! Visit www.friendsofwestside.com to sign up.

NexTrex Recycling Challenge, Collect Your Plastic Bags!

We’ve collected 117 pounds so far! Weigh your plastic at home and let us know how much you’ve taken to be recycled OR bring your plastic to school and we’ll weigh it for you.

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

Recruitment

We need our families’ help; we want a full class of kindergarteners! We have room in other grades as well, especially our hard hit COVID years, 4th and 5th grade. Please send out flyers and postcards to family and friends!

Black History

We celebrated Black History Month by engaging in an activity to find people from the past and present that may have been overlooked using the lens of dangerous learners. We connected our theme of time travel and ancient learning to this activity. Students will continue to discover history’s biases in their tipping point research.

To be a Dangerous Learner means to believe that your mind is your greatest power. It means asking “Why?” when everyone else is silent. It means seeking the truth even when that truth makes powerful people uncomfortable.

For black learners throughout history, this path has had many extra hurdles. For centuries, racism was used as a tool to keep doors locked. Laws were passed to make it illegal for black people to read; “scientific” lies were told to claim black minds weren’t capable of complex math; and systems were built to ignore black discoveries. But as the author Tami Charles reminds us: “We break barriers, crush borders. We carry legacies of yesterday and today, and tomorrow.” Every person in this series didn’t just learn for themselves—they learned to prove the world wrong and to clear a path for you.

Elder Play: The Lion King, The Westside Way!

Our students have been hard at work on the Elder play: The Lion King, The Westside Way!

We invite you to the evening performance for the public, friends and family on Wednesday, March 11. Doors open at 5:30, Showtime 6:00. Suggested donation of $15 ages 12 and up. 11 and under, FREE.  Please bring your family and friends! This donation goes towards our fabulous drama and music program. Cash is preferred, but a QR code will be available as well or make your donation ahead of time here.

Or, come see it during the 4th Six Week Celebration! Celebration is from 4:30-6:30, play will begin at 5:30.

Schedule for performers below:

Monday March 9:  Tech rehearsal

Tuesday March 10:  Full dress and tech rehearsal, please send your actor with costumes

Wednesday March 11:  Outreach Daytime Performance, call time for actors 9:00am,  showtime 10:15am. Evening Performance, call time for actors 5:00pm, showtime 6:00pm

Thursday March 12: Outreach Daytime Performance, call time for actors 9:00am, showtime 10:15am. Community Celebration Performance, call time for actors 4:30pm, showtime 5:30pm

4th Six Week Celebration & Elder Play, Mar 12

Join us for our 4th Six Week Celebration with a special showing of the Elder Play, “The Lion King” at WVMS Thursday, March 12th from 4:30-6:30pm. Check in with teachers, check the lost and found, grab a bite to eat and then get ready for the show! In lieu of selling tickets to the play, we are accepting donations to support our drama and music programs. Suggested donation of $15 ages 12 and up, 11 and under, free. Cash is preferred, but a QR code will be available as well or make your donation ahead of time here.

A Note From Mr. Ian:

Dear WVMS families, 

I never imagined I’d be bringing music to kiddos’ lives. And, yet, in the past 4 years I have grown so much and had so much fun bringing song, music, and, yes, some dancing, to Westside’s music program. So, it is not without sadness that I inform you that I’ve accepted a new, full-time job as Community Support Coordinator at Bridge Meadows in Redmond. I am leaving my part-time role teaching music at WVMS, for now.

As a parting gift, I’ve compiled a document for you here with the best songs we’ve sung both for littles and the 3rd-6th grade choir. I hope you listen to them and sing them at home, (even if you think you cannot sing). I want to continue to create low-barrier spaces where kiddos can sing together in Central Oregon without the pressure of performance. If you’re interested in those kinds of opportunities, please drop me a line. As I work on finding a stellar replacement, especially for the K-2nd graders and choir program, I wonder if you know anyone who may be available and interested? My contact is [email protected]

I apologize for leaving in the middle of the school year. With a new baby at home, everything is changing and I’m riding the wave. 

In gratitude and appreciation,

Ian Carrick

Reminder: Early Pick Up Policy/Limit Pick Ups After 2:45 Please

The end of the school day at Westside Village is an important time for fitness and community. Therefore, we ask that students not be picked up after fitness begins (between the hours of 2:45 and 3:35) unless it is an emergency. If your student leaves early for a regular sports practice, appointment or activity, please arrange to pick them up at or before 2:45. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

High Desert Museum Field Trip, Mar 30

We will be taking our entire village to the High Desert Museum the day we return from spring break! Permission slips will come home soon. If you know your student will not be here that day, please let us know.

Lost and Found will be Donated over Spring Break

Please come take a look! We want you to have your things back! Any items that are not claimed by 4:00pm on March 17th will be donated. Lost and Found is located in the front office lobby.

Lice

Unfortunately, it is the season for lice. Prevention is the best medicine. Remind your student that they should not share brushes, combs, hats, and/or headbands, etc. Sharing pillows or any place heads spend a lot of time (couches) can increase their chance of getting head lice. Because head lice live on heads, the most common ways to pick up these critters is with head to head contact. As a preventative measure, we encourage parents/guardians to check their student’s heads at least once per week. If your student or a close friend has had head lice, it may be a good idea to check your student’s head daily. 

Over the counter treatments are effective if directions are followed exactly and parents/guardians are diligent about daily head checks. There is no medical evidence that homeopathic remedies are effective for killing lice. While certain non-medicated shampoos, oils, etc. may ward off head lice, these treatments will not kill them. 

Bend-La Pine Schools follows the guidelines from the Deschutes County Public Health Department, regarding actions taken once active lice has been discovered on a student. If a student has a confirmed live lice infestation on their head, parents/guardians will be notified and directed to pick their student up from school for treatment. Upon return to school, a lice check will be done on the student to ensure active lice are no longer present. Once lice has been detected in two or more students in your child’s classroom, you will be notified.

NO SCHOOL Days in March

Mar 18-20: NO SCHOOL for District Conference Days (Westside will have had conferences already). 

Mar 23-27: NO SCHOOL for Spring Break. 

Friends of WVMS is offering camp on all of these non school days. Sign up through Bend Parks and Rec!

News From Friends

NexTrex Recycling Challenge, Collect Your Plastic Bags!

We’ve collected 83 pounds so far! Weigh your plastic at home and let us know how much you’ve taken to be recycled OR bring your plastic to school and we’ll weigh it for you.

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

Fly Up Day (8th Graders), Mar 3

March 3 is Fly Up Day, 10 am-12 pm. All 8th grade students will fly up to their high school to learn about CTE programming and other relevant info. Students are picked up at Westside Village and bussed to their high school. They spend a bit of time getting a tour, learning about electives and CTE programming and then return to school for lunch. If your student is on the wait list for an area change, they will attend their neighborhood high school. We still need a few permission slips back; find it here if it hasn’t made its way home.

Elder Play: The Lion King!

The Elders have been hard at work on the 8th grade play: The Lion King, The Westside Way!

We invite you to the evening performance for Friends and Family on Wednesday, March 11. Doors open at 5:30, Showtime 6:00. Suggested donation of $15 ages 12 and up. 11 and under, FREE.  Please bring your family and friends! This donation goes towards our fabulous drama and music program.

Or, come see it during the 4th Six Week Celebration! Celebration is from 4:30-6:30, play will begin at 5:30.

Schedule for performers below:

Monday March 9:  Tech rehearsal

Tuesday March 10:  Full dress and tech rehearsal, please send your actor with costumes

Wednesday March 11:  Outreach Daytime Performance, call time for actors 9:00am,  showtime 10:15am. Evening Performance, call time for actors 5:00pm, showtime 6:00pm

Thursday March 12: Outreach Daytime Performance, call time for actors 9:00am, showtime 10:15am. Community Celebration Performance, call time for actors 4:30pm, showtime 5:30pm

4th Six Week Celebration & Elder Play, Mar 12

Join us for our 4th Six Week Celebration with a special showing of the Elder Play, “The Lion King” at WVMS Thursday, March 12th from 4:30-6:30pm. Check in with teachers, check the lost and found, grab a bite to eat and then get ready for the show! In lieu of selling tickets to the play, we are accepting donations to support our drama and music programs.

Reminder: Early Pick Up Policy/Limit Pick Ups After 2:45 Please

The end of the school day at Westside Village is an important time for fitness and community. Therefore, we ask that students not be picked up after fitness begins (between the hours of 2:45 and 3:35) unless it is an emergency. If your student leaves early for a regular sports practice, appointment or activity, please arrange to pick them up at or before 2:45. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

High Desert Museum Field Trip, Mar 30

We will be taking our entire village to the High Desert Museum the day we return from spring break! Permission slips will come home soon. If you know your student will not be here that day, please let us know.

Lost and Found will be Donated over Spring Break

Please come take a look! We want you to have your things back! Any items that are not claimed by 4:00pm on March 17th will be donated. Lost and Found is located in the front office lobby.

Choice Options Lottery for Kindergarten Closes Mar 20

The Choice Options Lottery deadline for Kindergarten is Friday, Mar 20. Visit this link for more information. If you know of any families that would be a good fit, send them our way! We will have two info sessions:

Monday, March 2nd (Tour at 5:00, Info Session at 5:30)

Wednesday, March 4th (Tour at 1:00, Info Session at 1:30)

• Remember that all incoming siblings of Westside students MUST complete an application  
• Current Westside Village students do not need to re-apply for the lottery 

Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment in a Bend-La Pine School for the school year requested. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open.

Don’t hesitate to call Marcie with any questions.  541-355-2001

2025-26 Oregon Statewide Tests (OSAS)

This school year our 3rd through 8th grade students will take the Oregon Statewide Tests. Parents have the right to opt their child out of the English Language Arts and/or the Math tests. We have made it a mission to be creative and smart about how we administer the OR Statewide Tests. We are not going to make students sit for hours at a time testing; we are going to offer them fun snacks, breaks when needed, and all the support we can give. We would like to take this opportunity to turn this challenge into a fun and meaningful experience. 

Here are links to the Annual Notice for Statewide Testing – this contains information about the testing and the Opt-Out Form.
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form English 25-26
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form español 25-26

If you have any questions about the test, please email Felicia at [email protected].

NO SCHOOL Days in March

Mar 18-20: NO SCHOOL for District Conference Days (Westside will have had conferences already). 

Mar 23-27: NO SCHOOL for Spring Break. 

Friends of WVMS is offering camp on all of these non school days. Sign up through Bend Parks and Rec!

News From Friends

Thanks to Fire on the Mountain!

Thanks to Fire on the Mountain and all that supported this fundraiser! Friends of Westside Village earned $650!

Give Back Night @ Pastini, Mar 5

NexTrex Recycling Challenge, Collect Your Plastic Bags!

We’ve collected 83 pounds so far! Weigh your plastic at home and let us know how much you’ve taken to be recycled OR bring your plastic to school and we’ll weigh it for you.

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

Bend Science Station (4th Graders), Feb 20

Our 4th grade students will be visiting Bend Science Station on Friday, February 20th! They will be learning about Combustible Chemistry. They will leave around 9:15am and be back by 11:30am. Permission slips are going home today and can be found here.

Fly Up Day (8th Graders), Mar 3

March 3 is Fly Up Day, 10 am-12 pm. All 8th grade students will fly up to their high school to learn about CTE programming and other relevant info. Students are picked up at Westside Village and bussed to their high school. They spend a bit of time getting a tour, learning about electives and CTE programming and then return to school for lunch. If your student is on the wait list for an area change, they will attend their neighborhood high school. Permission slips will be coming home soon and can be found here.

Reminder: Early Pick Up Policy/Limit Pick Ups After 2:45 Please

The end of the school day at Westside Village is an important time for fitness and community. Therefore, we ask that students not be picked up after fitness begins (between the hours of 2:45 and 3:35) unless it is an emergency. If your student leaves early for a regular sports practice or activity, please arrange to pick them up at or before 2:45. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Choice Options Lottery for Kindergarten Closes Mar 20

The Choice Options Lottery deadline for Kindergarten is Friday, Mar 20. Visit this link for more information. If you know of any families that would be a good fit, send them our way! We will have two info sessions:

Monday, March 2nd (Tour at 5:00, Info Session at 5:30)

Wednesday, March 4th (Tour at 1:00, Info Session at 1:30)

• Remember that all incoming siblings of Westside students MUST complete an application  
• Current Westside Village students do not need to re-apply for the lottery 

Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment in a Bend-La Pine School for the school year requested. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open.

Don’t hesitate to call Marcie with any questions.  541-355-2001

Erin’s Law

Westside Village School is committed to developing future-ready students to meet the ever-changing landscape of the 21^st Century.  Our staff takes great pride in cultivating the whole child: academically, socially and personally.  As you are aware, the safety of all students is our highest priority, especially when it comes to abuse. 

Oregon State Bill 856 is legislation requiring public schools to educate students about safe/unsafe touch and secrets that are not okay to keep. We will begin teaching the Barbara Sinatra’s Fight Child Abuse sexual abuse prevention program to all Kindergarten through 5^th grade students.  This program is a personal safety and self-advocacy program that empowers children to feel good about themselves, recognize uncomfortable situations, and report inappropriate acts to trusted adults in their lives. Though the program does cover “stranger safety,”  it also empowers students to use assertiveness skills with people of all ages, especially individuals they know. 

You can access information about the specific program at this link:Erin’s Law Overview (2).pdf

If you have any questions, please call 541-355-2000.

All Bend-LaPine Kindergarten through fifth grade students receive this curriculum. Should you prefer that your child not participate in these lessons, please let your student’s teacher know and we will make arrangements to offer an alternative learning activity.

We very much look forward to working with your child to help them become more confident, safe and informed.

2025-26 Oregon Statewide Tests (OSAS)

This school year our 3rd through 8th grade students will take the Oregon Statewide Tests. Parents have the right to opt their child out of the English Language Arts and/or the Math tests. We have made it a mission to be creative and smart about how we administer the OR Statewide Tests. We are not going to make students sit for hours at a time testing; we are going to offer them fun snacks, breaks when needed, and all the support we can give. We would like to take this opportunity to turn this challenge into a fun and meaningful experience. 

Here are links to the Annual Notice for Statewide Testing – this contains information about the testing and the Opt-Out Form.
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form English 25-26
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form español 25-26

If you have any questions about the test, please email Felicia at [email protected].

NO SCHOOL Days in March

Mar 18-20: NO SCHOOL for District Conference Days (Westside will have had conferences already). 

Mar 23-27: NO SCHOOL for Spring Break. 

Friends of WVMS is offering camp on all of these non school days. Sign up through Bend Parks and Rec!

News From Friends

Give Back Night @ Fire on the Mountain, Feb 19

NexTrex Recycling Challenge, Collect Your Plastic Bags!

We’ve collected 43 pounds so far! Weigh your plastic at home and let us know how much you’ve taken to be recycled OR bring your plastic to school and we’ll weigh it for you.

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

Friendship Day, Feb 13

Valentine’s Day is celebrated at WVMS by celebrating healthy friendships and kindness. This is always an emotional time for students. Some children have unrealistic expectations with relationships. We really try to help everyone build relationships, reach out to those that they do not know as well, and have fun with friends. We DO NOT promote this as a romantic adult event.

-We remind our community that this day is about healthy friendships, not romantic love or the commercialism around the day.  It’s about having fun, being a great friend, and enjoying festivities.

-Please do not feel pressured to send Valentine cards.  If you do, please do not put names on the cards.  Students will make bags at school to collect any treats being passed out.

-If your child has a special gift for someone, please try to do it outside of school. In school, this can make other students feel excluded.

-Students can make big posters to share with communities, buy a small treat for their community (something that has at least 65 for the upstairs community, 50 for Centers and 65 for Elders), write quotes to put in bags, pencils, erasers, (preferably something that is not single use plastic).

Bend Science Station (4th Graders), Feb 20

Our 4th grade students will be visiting Bend Science Station on Friday, February 20th! They will be learning about Combustible Chemistry. They will leave around 9:15am and be back by 11:30am. Permission slips are going home today and can be found here.

Fly Up Day (8th Graders), Mar 3

March 3 is Fly Up Day, 10 am-12 pm. All 8th grade students will fly up to their high school to learn about CTE programming and other relevant info. Students are picked up at Westside Village and bussed to their high school. They spend a bit of time getting a tour, learning about electives and CTE programming and then return to school for lunch. If your student is on the wait list for an area change, they will attend their neighborhood high school. Permission slips will be coming home soon.

Choice Options Lottery for Kindergarten Closes Mar 20

The Choice Options Lottery deadline for Kindergarten is Friday, Mar 20. Visit this link for more information. If you know of any families that would be a good fit, send them our way! We will have two info sessions:

Monday, March 2nd (Tour at 5:00, Info Session at 5:30)

Wednesday, March 4th (Tour at 1:00, Info Session at 1:30)

• Remember that all incoming siblings of Westside students MUST complete an application  
• Current Westside Village students do not need to re-apply for the lottery 

Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment in a Bend-La Pine School for the school year requested. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open.

Don’t hesitate to call Marcie with any questions.  541-355-2001

2025-26 Oregon Statewide Tests (OSAS)

This school year our 3rd through 8th grade students will take the Oregon Statewide Tests. Parents have the right to opt their child out of the English Language Arts and/or the Math tests. We have made it a mission to be creative and smart about how we administer the OR Statewide Tests. We are not going to make students sit for hours at a time testing; we are going to offer them fun snacks, breaks when needed, and all the support we can give. We would like to take this opportunity to turn this challenge into a fun and meaningful experience. 

Here are links to the Annual Notice for Statewide Testing – this contains information about the testing and the Opt-Out Form.
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form English 25-26
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form español 25-26

If you have any questions about the test, please email Felicia at [email protected].

NO SCHOOL Days in February/March

Feb 16: NO SCHOOL for the Presidents Day holiday. 

Mar 18-20: NO SCHOOL for District Conference Days (Westside will have had conferences already). 

Mar 23-27: NO SCHOOL for Spring Break. 

Friends of WVMS is offering camp on all of these non school days. Sign up through Bend Parks and Rec!

News From Friends

Give Back Night @ Fire on the Mountain, Feb 19

NexTrex Recycling Challenge

We’ve collected 43 pounds so far! Weigh your plastic at home and let us know how much you’ve taken to be recycled OR bring your plastic to school and we’ll weigh it for you.

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

Book Fair Ends Tomorrow, Thursday @ 3:30

The Book Fair has been a huge success! What fun to see the joy that books bring to children. Tomorrow during the school day is the last opportunity to shop; we will close down right at dismissal time.

Choice Options Lottery for Kindergarten Closes Mar 20

The Choice Options Lottery deadline for Kindergarten is Friday, Mar 20. Visit this link for more information. If you know of any families that would be a good fit, send them our way! We will have two info sessions:

Monday, March 2nd (Tour at 5:00, Info Session at 5:30)

Wednesday, March 4th (Tour at 1:00, Info Session at 1:30)

• Remember that all incoming siblings of Westside students MUST complete an application  
• Current Westside Village students do not need to re-apply for the lottery 

Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment in a Bend-La Pine School for the school year requested. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open.

Don’t hesitate to call Marcie with any questions.  541-355-2001

Ice Skating Field Trip, Feb 11,12

Centers & Elders Ice Skating Wednesday, February 11th

Centers and Elders will be Ice Skating on Wednesday, Feb 11th to celebrate friendship!  Permission slips will go home this week, or find it attached here.  The cost is $7 per student (can be paid with cash, check or card in the office or online here.  We will start our day with a walk to the Pavilion!  We will leave right at 8:35.  We will arrive back at school around 11:45/12:00. Please make sure your student knows their shoe size or write it on their hand so that skate fitting will go smoothly and quickly and we can get more skating in!

Youngers & Olders Ice Skating Thursday, February 12th

Youngers and Olders will be Ice Skating on Thursday, Feb 12th to celebrate friendship!  Permission slips will go home this week, or find it attached here.  The cost is $7 per student (can be paid with cash, check or card in the office or online here. We will start our day with a walk to the Pavilion!  We will leave right at 8:35.  We will arrive back at school around 11:45/12:00. Please make sure your student knows their shoe size or write it on their hand so that skate fitting will go smoothly and quickly and we can get more skating in!

Friendship Day, Feb 13

Valentine’s Day is celebrated at WVMS by celebrating healthy friendships and kindness. This is always an emotional time for students. Some children have unrealistic expectations with relationships. We really try to help everyone build relationships, reach out to those that they do not know as well, and have fun with friends. We DO NOT promote this as a romantic adult event.

Friendship Day at School, Friday, February 13th

-We remind our community that this day is about healthy friendships, not romantic love or the commercialism around the day.  It’s about having fun, being a great friend, and enjoying festivities.

-Please do not feel pressured to send Valentine cards.  If you do, please do not put names on the cards.  Students will make bags at school to collect any treats being passed out.

-If your child has a special gift for someone, please try to do it outside of school. In school, this can make other students feel excluded.

-Students can make big posters to share with communities, buy a small treat for their community (something that has at least 65 for the upstairs community, 50 for Centers and 65 for Elders), write quotes to put in bags, pencils, erasers, (preferably something that is not single use plastic).

2025-26 Oregon Statewide Tests (OSAS)

This school year our 3rd through 8th grade students will take the Oregon Statewide Tests. Parents have the right to opt their child out of the English Language Arts and/or the Math tests. We have made it a mission to be creative and smart about how we administer the OR Statewide Tests. We are not going to make students sit for hours at a time testing; we are going to offer them fun snacks, breaks when needed, and all the support we can give. We would like to take this opportunity to turn this challenge into a fun and meaningful experience. 

Here are links to the Annual Notice for Statewide Testing – this contains information about the testing and the Opt-Out Form.
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form English 25-26
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form español 25-26

If you have any questions about the test, please email Felicia at [email protected].

NO SCHOOL Days in February/March

Feb 16: NO SCHOOL for the Presidents Day holiday. 

Mar 18-20: NO SCHOOL for District Conference Days (Westside will have had conferences already). 

Mar 23-27: NO SCHOOL for Spring Break. 

Friends of WVMS is offering camp on all of these non school days. Sign up through Bend Parks and Rec!

News From Friends

4th Six Weeks Extended Care & Club Sign Ups Are Open!

Last chance to sign up for 4th Session of Extended Care & Clubs and we’ve added a last minute club: Boxing Club will start on Tuesday, Feb 9! Visit www.friendsofwestside.com to sign up. Sign ups will close Friday, Feb 6.

Village Council Meeting will be Feb 11

Due to conferences and the Book Fair, we will push our Village Council meeting to Feb 11th. 8:00am social time, 8:15 meeting starts. All are welcome!

Feb & March Give Back Nights

NexTrex Recycling Challenge

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

Choice Options Lottery for Kindergarten Closes Mar 20

The Choice Options Lottery deadline for Kindergarten is Friday, Mar 20. Visit this link for more information. If you know of any families that would be a good fit, send them our way! We will have two info sessions:

Monday, March 2nd (Tour at 5:00, Info Session at 5:30)

Wednesday, March 4th (Tour at 1:00, Info Session at 1:30)

• Remember that all incoming siblings of Westside students MUST complete an application  
• Current Westside Village students do not need to re-apply for the lottery 

Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment in a Bend-La Pine School for the school year requested. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open.

Don’t hesitate to call Marcie with any questions.  541-355-2001

Youth Truth Survey Closes Friday, Jan 30

The Youth Truth Survey is a district-wide survey that we ask students, families, and staff to complete so that we can better our schools. Our Bend LaPine District and schools use the information from the survey to plan for school improvement.

Families, please take the time to complete the survey by Friday, January 30th: ytsurvey.org/blsfamily26. For more info: Family Survey Letter.

To opt-out your student or read more about the Student Youth Truth Survey: Family Opt-Out & Information Notice.

Friendship Day, Feb 13

Valentine’s Day is celebrated at WVMS by celebrating healthy friendships and kindness. This is always an emotional time for students. Some children have unrealistic expectations with relationships. We really try to help everyone build relationships, reach out to those that they do not know as well, and have fun with friends. We DO NOT promote this as a romantic adult event.

Friendship Day at School, Friday, February 13th

-We remind our community that this day is about healthy friendships, not romantic love or the commercialism around the day.  It’s about having fun, being a great friend, and enjoying festivities.

-Please do not feel pressured to send Valentine cards.  If you do, please do not put names on the cards.  Students will make bags at school to collect any treats being passed out.

-If your child has a special gift for someone, please try to do it outside of school. In school, this can make other students feel excluded.

-Students can make big posters to share with communities, buy a small treat for their community (something that has at least 65 for the upstairs community, 50 for Centers and 65 for Elders), write quotes to put in bags, pencils, erasers, (preferably something that is not single use plastic).

2025-26 Oregon Statewide Tests (OSAS)

This school year our 3rd through 8th grade students will take the Oregon Statewide Tests. Parents have the right to opt their child out of the English Language Arts and/or the Math tests. We have made it a mission to be creative and smart about how we administer the OR Statewide Tests. We are not going to make students sit for hours at a time testing; we are going to offer them fun snacks, breaks when needed, and all the support we can give. We would like to take this opportunity to turn this challenge into a fun and meaningful experience. 

Here are links to the Annual Notice for Statewide Testing – this contains information about the testing and the Opt-Out Form.
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form English 25-26
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form español 25-26

If you have any questions about the test, please email Felicia at [email protected].

NO SCHOOL Days in January/February/March

Jan 30: NO SCHOOL for Teacher Work Day/End of Semester. 

Feb 16: NO SCHOOL for the Presidents Day holiday. 

Mar 18-20: NO SCHOOL for District Conference Days (Westside will have had conferences already). 

Mar 23-27: NO SCHOOL for Spring Break. 

Friends of WVMS is offering camp on all of these non school days. Sign up through Bend Parks and Rec!

News From Friends

4th Six Weeks Extended Care & Club Sign Ups Are Open!

It’s time to sign up for 4th Session of Extended Care & Clubs! Visit www.friendsofwestside.com to sign up.

Fuel the Staff for Conference Week!

Sign Up Here or with QR code below. Thank you!!

Roundabout Books Book Fair @ WVMS, Feb 3-5

We’d love to get a book into every student’s hands!  If you would like to donate to this cause, please make a donation in the amount of your choosing on the friendsofwestside.com site.  Any donations received between now and February 5th will go towards books for our students. Thank you in advance!

Village Council Meeting will be Feb 11

Due to conferences and the Book Fair, we will push our Village Council meeting to Feb 11th. 8:00am social time, 8:15 meeting starts. All are welcome!

Feb & March Give Back Nights

NexTrex Recycling Challenge

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.

Important Dates:

Click here for the full WVMS School Year Calendar.

Choice Options Lottery for Grades 1-12 and ACR Priority Window Closes TODAY, Friday, Jan 23

The Choice Options Lottery and Attendance Area Change Requests opened on January 5th.  The deadline is Friday, Jan 23 for ACR’s and 1st – 12th grade Choice Options Lottery.  The deadline is Friday, Mar 20 for Kindergarten Choice Options Lottery.  Visit this link for more information. If you know of any families that would be a good fit, send them our way! We will have two more info sessions:

Monday, March 2nd (Tour at 5:00, Info Session at 5:30)

Wednesday, March 4th (Tour at 1:00, Info Session at 1:30)

• Remember that all incoming siblings of Westside students MUST complete an application  
• Current Westside Village students do not need to re-apply for the lottery 

Entry into the Choice Options lottery, Dual Immersion lottery, and Priority Area Change Requests all require a current enrollment in a Bend-La Pine School for the school year requested. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open.

Don’t hesitate to call Marcie with any questions.  541-355-2001

Youth Truth Survey

The Youth Truth Survey is a district-wide survey that we ask students, families, and staff to complete so that we can better our schools. Our Bend LaPine District and schools use the information from the survey to plan for school improvement.

Families, please take the time to complete the survey by Friday, January 30th: ytsurvey.org/blsfamily26. For more info: Family Survey Letter.

To opt-out your student or read more about the Student Youth Truth Survey: Family Opt-Out & Information Notice.

2025-26 Oregon Statewide Tests (OSAS)

This school year our 3rd through 8th grade students will take the Oregon Statewide Tests. Parents have the right to opt their child out of the English Language Arts and/or the Math tests. We have made it a mission to be creative and smart about how we administer the OR Statewide Tests. We are not going to make students sit for hours at a time testing; we are going to offer them fun snacks, breaks when needed, and all the support we can give. We would like to take this opportunity to turn this challenge into a fun and meaningful experience. 

Here are links to the Annual Notice for Statewide Testing – this contains information about the testing and the Opt-Out Form.
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form English 25-26
OSAS Annual Notice and Opt-Out Form español 25-26

If you have any questions about the test, please email Felicia at [email protected].

Cell Phones: Off and Away All Day

Starting January 1, 2026, all Oregon K-12 public schools, including those in Bend-La Pine, must fully implement a statewide policy (Executive Order 25-09) banning student cell phone use during the entire school day (“bell-to-bell”) to boost focus and mental health.

NO SCHOOL Days in January/February/March

Jan 30: NO SCHOOL for Teacher Work Day/End of Semester. 

Feb 16: NO SCHOOL for the Presidents Day holiday. 

Mar 18-20: NO SCHOOL for District Conference Days (Westside will have had conferences already). 

Mar 23-27: NO SCHOOL for Spring Break. 

Friends of WVMS is offering camp on all of these non school days. Sign up through Bend Parks and Rec!

News From Friends

Roundabout Books Book Fair @ WVMS, Feb 3-5

We’d love to get a book into every student’s hands!  If you would like to donate to this cause, please make a donation in the amount of your choosing on the friendsofwestside.com site.  Any donations received between now and February 5th will go towards books for our students. Thank you in advance!

Village Council Meeting will be Feb 11

Due to conferences and the Book Fair, we will push our Village Council meeting to Feb 11th. 8:00am social time, 8:15 meeting starts. All are welcome!

NexTrex Recycling Challenge

Help us reach our goal of collecting 1,000 lbs of clean plastic bags and film in one year! Westside Village is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge starting in February and we need your help! You can collect at home and bring to the school OR collect at home, weigh it, and take it to one of our participating drop-off retailer locations for recycling. Make sure to email Ms. Marcie your weights so that we can log it! [email protected]

Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials SHOULD NOT be recycled in most curbside carts or single stream programs. Thankfully, many grocers and retailers and some communities provide specific collection bins for bags and film to be recycled separately from other recyclables.