Special EDge
November 13th, 2025
April 23, 2026
A Short Note
Recently, I got to go with my youngest to go to his first major league baseball game. Baseball is his favorite thing (at the moment). At the peak of his excitement he said, "Take a picture of me so you can send it to Mr. Gillette (his teacher)!"
For all the kids, who just can't wait to share their important moments with you - thank you!
Attention Case Mangers: The High Cost form has been automated!
From Kristan Shobe:
Please use this link to get to the Smartsheet High Cost form. Be sure to fill it out for all students with 1:1 time, and those who have multiple services, including NEST, Bridges, and Student Services Secondary. If you are unsure if a student qualifies, fill out the form and I will make that determination. Thank you!
ECSE Bridges Candidates
As a part of the ECSE transition process, ALL students that have a current ASD eligibility are considered for Bridges. That means the team from Bridges and coaches sit down and review a list of criteria that have been created. Based on the first review, then staff from the Bridges program go and observe students that we are "considering". With their observation, they also review current ABA data. Based on all of these factors, we then narrow down the list to students that are "recommended" to attend Bridges next year.
For those of you that have a student that is being "recommended" please watch for an email from Krista Hought. This email will connect your school team with the Bridges team, as well as explain the next steps for the transition process. If you do not receive an email, but have a student with ASD, then that means they are not being recommenced. If you have any questions, please reach out to Krista Hought.
Order Deadline: May 1st!
Learning Specialists, SLPs, and Psychs: If you have not yet used your $200 supply dollars from Student Services and you would like to, please get any and all remaining orders and/or receipts from purchases you've made into Kristan by MAY 1st.
ESY Case Managers
ESY Case Managers: Thank you for your support in connecting with families to find out which students intend to attend ESY! I appreciate you!
We have solidified locations for ESY! These locations are based on the students who have confirmed that they are attending with an effort to move as little equipment as possible and ensure the locations are close by one another to support transportation.
🏫 ESY Locations:
- Elementary - High Lakes Elementary School
- Secondary - Summit High School
📆 DATES for ESY: July 13-30 (Monday-Thursday ONLY)
HDESD Learning Labs!
Did you know that HDESD offers this Learning Lab website? It has many, many printable resources and even a video library!
Here's a little more information to learn about why learning labs was created!
Welcome back to Campus Kudos, where we will be celebrating ways that a school’s Student Services team has been working to promote inclusion, belonging for students, and working as a team to support each other. Stay tuned each week to see which school is highlighted and what kinds of amazing work they are doing to support students.
This week we are celebrating Bear Creek and Caldera!
BEAR CREEK
Marc Zollinger (Principal) shares “Our team is deeply committed to ensuring students are included in general education settings with the right supports in place. Our Learning Specialists design thoughtful, individualized supports, while our Inclusion EAs help bring those supports to life in classrooms. Together, they work to ensure students can access grade-level learning, participate alongside peers, and feel like full members of their classroom communities.
This team prioritizes relationships. They take time to truly know students—their strengths, needs, and interests—and use that knowledge to build trust and connection. Whether it’s supporting a student through a challenging moment or celebrating a small success, they consistently reinforce that students belong here. That same care extends to staff, as this team works collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues across the building. Collaboration is a strength of this team. Learning Specialists and Inclusion EAs communicate regularly, problem solve together, and adjust supports in real time. There is a strong sense of shared responsibility—team members step in to support one another and approach challenges with flexibility and a solutions-oriented mindset. This consistency helps create a stable and supportive environment for both students and staff.
The impact of this team is felt every day. Their work is often behind the scenes, but it is essential to creating an inclusive and supportive school environment. We’re grateful for the professionalism, care, and persistence they bring to Bear Creek, and for the way they advocate for students and help them thrive.”
CALDERA HIGH
Chris Boyd (Principal) shares that “making meaningful opportunities for inclusion is literally all the team members do on a daily basis. From supporting students in general education classes to supporting co-curricular activities, the CHS Special Education team centers students and their well-being at the center of everything they do. The CHS team is passionate about inclusion, which supports student participation in our performing arts programs, athletics, and our Leadership program.
The SpEd team is highly collaborative and supportive. Not only do they collectively support the needs of our students, they often find fun ways to connect with each other. Sometimes this occurs through the work, such as field trips to the swim center or to the mountain. Other times, this occurs by attending school events after school. This was evident last Friday when a group of Educational Assistants and the students the serve went to a CHS softball game to support one of our peer mentors. Pretty awesome!
The Caldera team helps facilitate opportunities for their students to participate in skiing at Mt. Bachelor, Swim at Juniper, Unified Sports, Choir Concerts, and Theater Musical.” Go Wolfpack!
Student Services Launchpad
Have you ever wanted all of the most important Student Services links all in one place?? You’re in luck! Look at our new Student Services Launchpad for tons of helpful links. We recommend that you bookmark this page or add a shortcut to your Drive for easy access!
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
- April 29: Teacher Directed SIW
- May 6: Job Alike SIW
- May 12: CPI Refresher Training
- May 13: Teacher Directed SIW
- May 20: Building Directed SIW
- May 27: Teacher Directed SIW
- June 3: Building Directed SIW
- June 11: Last Day of School with Students
*CPI Registration: Click HERE
Action Items
- Complete High Cosh
- Elementary Case Managers: ECSE Bridges Information from Krista
- Order Deadline
- ESY Case Managers - Please reach out to families and ask them to complete the form that was emailed
- Check out the Learning Labs
- Check out the incredible work of teams in Campus Kudos!
- Utilize the Student Services Launchpad
- Save the Date for upcoming events
Contributions to the Blog
Do you have something you'd like added to the blog? Please reach out to Sara Young at sara.young@bend.k12.or.us if you'd like to share something!
Previous Blogs
Previous Special EDge Student Services Blogs: