Family Spotlight

The mountains are getting their winter coats, and snow is around the corner. Stay connected to find out about delays and closures due to inclement weather.

• Visit our website: www.bend.k12.or.us (an alert banner will be posted to every page in the case of a delay, closure or early release.)
  
• Visit our social media pages:
  
• Facebook English: @BendLaPineSchools
• Facebook Spanish: @EscuelasdeBendLaPine
• Instagram: @BendLaPineSchools
• Sign up for BLConnect, an emergency alert text messaging system. Register at this link: bls.fyi/blconnect
  
• Tune in to local news media.
  
• Subscribe to Mystop to receive push notifications on your mobile device about changes to your school bus schedule. Sign up today: bls.fyi/mystop. To install the app, simply visit the Google Play Store (for Android) or the Apple Store (for iOS), and search for "Versatrans My Stop" or log-in via the web at My Stop. Make sure you select Bend-La Pine Schools when prompted.

Learn more about how we make decisions at bls.fyi/inclementweather. And get your snow gear ready!

How can we reimagine education to develop a student’s sense of meaning, purpose and belonging?

That’s the question at the core of Wayfinder, a new partner of Bend-La Pine Schools. Wayfinder is helping the district provide a learning environment that nurtures students’ academic growth and fosters critical thinking, a sense of purpose, and future-ready skills to connect classroom learning to the real world. Wayfinder lessons also support students’ sense of belonging in their school communities, and reinforce a positive culture and climate in each school.

Bend-La Pine Schools and Wayfinder are helping students at all levels develop core skills in six areas: self-awareness, collaboration, empathy, adaptability, agency, and purpose.

• Elementary students learn to build community and foster relationships in the classroom and beyond.
  
• In middle school, students explore their strengths and begin to focus on career-ready skills through their Advisory period.
  
• High school students set goals for future-ready skills and approach post-secondary life with confidence.
  

Wayfinder is designed to complement the existing curriculum without replacing any essential academic content. It is being introduced through age-appropriate activities, discussions, and interactive experiences to foster a positive and engaging learning environment that promotes academic success.

To learn more:

Program Overview

Scope and Sequence

Mark your calendar for this Friday, November 17: It’s College and Career Day! This annual tradition spotlights postsecondary pathways in an effort to support our students as they begin to plan for their next steps after high school.

Headed for an Oregon university? Aiming to go into law enforcement, health care, or forestry? Students are encouraged to dress up as a professional from their career path or in the gear of their favorite postsecondary institution.

"We want students as young as kindergarten to be talking about their future. Many of our students are surprised to learn about the multitude of pathways out there that lead to viable and fulfilling careers. We hope everyone will participate and open their eyes to what's out there," said Stephen DuVal, Director of College and Career Readiness for Bend-La Pine Schools.

The engaging day will include a number of short activities that focus on student exploration of post-high school pathways.

Have you met the SRO (School Resource Officer) for our south county schools? Along with the kiddos from Rosland Elementary School pictured here, we're big fans. You will be too!

I’m Deputy Jeffrey Woods with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. I’ve been an SRO for almost three years and with the Sheriff’s Office for almost 13 years. I’m proud to serve Rosland Elementary, La Pine Elementary, La Pine Middle School, and the Hawks of La Pine High School.

I graduated from Bend High in 2001, but south county is a special place. La Pine is a small community that values hard work and helping out your neighbor, which I love being a part of. My favorite part of the job is working with kids and getting to see the difference that can be made in their lives and future possibilities, especially the ones that might be overlooked or written off by others.

When I’m not in uniform, I spend as much time as I can with my own four kids, whether it’s gaming, spending time outdoors, watching movies, or anything else.

Thank you, Deputy Woods, for all you do for our community!

The Mountain View Cadet Corps motto this year is, “Holding ourselves to a higher standard,” and they've done just that!

The US Navy conducted an inspection of the Cadet Corps on October 26. USN Commander Vincent Quidachay, Area 23 Manager, and his assistant, Mark Dills, conducted the inspection of 50 Cougar cadets. The inspection began with a tour of the building and Cadet Corps facilities, a staff brief of Cadet Corps highlights from the previous year and projections for the next year, a personal inspection of all cadets in uniform, and a pass in review where cadets marched in formation to honor Commander Quidachay. Following the inspection, the Mountain View Cadet Corps drill team performed a drill sequence for the first time in 12 years.

The Mountain View Cadet Corps received a rare overall “Outstanding” for the inspection—the highest grade possible! According to Major Buchanan, the Cadet Corps instructor, “I couldn’t be prouder of the way the cadets stepped up and gave their best over the past six weeks. They honored their school and themselves by giving their best, and they were highly rewarded for their efforts.” Five sophomore and junior cadets were recognized with achievement medals for their individual accomplishments in the Corps—Malachi Jappert, Kayla Cashwell, Nick Payne, Sage Wood, and William Moore.

The Board of Directors for Bend-La Pine Schools will hold its next board meetings on Tuesday, December 12 and Tuesday, January 9, both at 5:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 520 NW Wall St.

For information about board members, meetings and agendas, please visit our School Board page.

Are you curious which district policies and regulations are currently under review? To see proposed changes and give feedback on new language, click here.