News from the Nest

August 21, 2026

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

Welcome to another awesome school year! This is my fifth year as principal at PCMS, and I'm thrilled for the staff we have this year.

We are welcoming a new media manager/librarian, a new 6th grade science teacher, new band and orchestra teachers, a new art teacher, a new English-language development teacher, a new educational assistant, a new assistant principal, and a variety of new coaches! Of course we're welcoming back our all-stars as well, including several board-certified teachers and past Teacher of the Year winners and nominees.

Our 8th grade class is extra special this year, posting very high state test scores and just being all-around cool humans. They are going to lead the school this year with positivity and good spirit.

There's a lot of important info in this newsletter, so I won't take up any more of your time. See you soon!

Sean

One of our goals at PCMS is to keep students and families informed and up to date throughout the school year. We will continue to share News From the Nest each Friday afternoon with important reminders, updates, and information about what is happening at school.

BLS School District has changed communication platforms. We will now use ParentSquare for district and school communications with families. ParentSquare is a user friendly and customizable platform that allows you to choose how you receive school updates and communications.

With the start of the school year, this first edition of News From the Nest may feel like a lot of information. We encourage you to take some time to read through it, as well as the BLS Family Spotlight, and refer back to these resources throughout the year for important news and updates.

Student schedules will be accessible via ParentVue and StudentVue in the evening on September 3rd.

Building a master schedule is an intricate process that takes 100’s of hours of work. Even seemingly minor changes can have a dramatic effect. Due to its complexity, we are not accepting any schedule changes. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Throughout the District, the first day of school varies by grade level. Grades 1-6 and grade 9 start Wednesday, September 9. Grades 7-8 and 10-12 start Thursday, September 10. This is to give sixth-graders a full day of orientation without other grades on campus.

• 6th Grade | First Day of School Schedule | Wednesday, September 9, 2026
• 6th, 7th & 8th Grades | First Day of School Schedule |Thursday, September 10, 2026

BLS Start and End Times (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

• Elementary: 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
• Middle school: 8:50 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
• High school: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
• Three Rivers School: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Important Note: Schools release 90 minutes early on Wednesdays starting September 16 for staff professional development time. Pacific Crest release time is 2:15 p.m.

We are continuing to focus on good attendance this year, especially during Advisory (Period 0) and Period 1. Please note that Advisory (Period 0) is also included in the weekly tardy count.

Students who are unexcused absent from Advisory and/or Period 1 will receive a detention. Simply running late to school is not considered an excused absence.

Parents/guardians have 48 hours to excuse an absence. After 48 hours, the absence will remain unexcused. Excused absences may include illness, medical appointments, or severe weather.

Thank you for supporting your student in arriving on time and ready to start the day!

The Attendance Office would like to remind families that student absences and early pick-ups work best with as much advance notice as possible.

If you know your student will be absent from school, please let us know ahead of time, or as soon as possible. When you know about an upcoming appointment, planned absence, or family situation, you are welcome to email Attendance right away at pacificcrest-attendance@bend.k12.or.us or call 541-355-7820.

For short-notice pick-ups, a minimum of 30 minutes’ notice is appreciated whenever possible.

If you are an incoming 6th grader, new to the BLS School District and attending PCMS for the first time, or have recently changed your address and will be using the bus, you will need to register for transportation. Please visit the BLS Transportation page for more information and registration details.

If your student attended PCMS last year, rode the bus, and has not had a change of address, their bus registration will automatically roll over for this school year.

In addition to registering for the bus, we highly encourage families to use My Ride K-12 to access important information about your student’s bus route and transportation details.

Drivers should:

• Review our Drop-Off/ Pick-Up Map before arriving.
• Do not use NW Lolo Drive. This area is for buses only.
• Be safe, patient, and courteous to one another.
• Follow all traffic laws and regulations.
• Pull as far forward as possible toward the bike racks on the north side of the school.
• Stay alert when approaching campus and while in the parking lot.
• Put cell phones away while driving.
• Slow it down and give yourself plenty of time.
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Students should:

• Enter and exit the vehicle from the curb side.
• Be ready to safely and quickly enter or exit the vehicle once you reach the curb.

Student iPads will remain at school for the 2026–2027 school year. This is a district-wide shift. Please read below for more information about iPad insurance.

We strongly recommend that every family purchase iPad insurance. The majority of iPad damage occurs on campus and insurance is a good way to protect your family from unexpected repair or replacement costs.

**Insurance protects against unexpected damage and certain major incidents.
It does not cover damage caused by misuse, neglect, or missing accessories.

Optional annual iPad insurance is $30 per student, with a family cap of $60.

Insurance can be purchased online through September 30th. After this period, iPads must be inspected at the school for damage before insurance can be purchased.

All schools in the District qualify for the federal Community Eligibility Provision program. All students are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. No application is required.

Refer to the School Meals website page to access daily menus including nutritional information and allergens. Parents/guardians of students with special dietary needs may reach out to their school nurse.

Snack Shack is a fun little “extra” treat for students after they have finished their lunch. It is open most days for students to grab a treat after their lunch meal has been served. We try to keep sweets in moderation, but here are examples of what they can enjoy:

• Goldfish – $1.00

• Chips – $1.25

• Ice cream – $1.25

• Rice Krispie treat – $1.25

• Bottled water – $1.50

• Capri Sun – $1.00

• Envy – $2.25

• Cookies – $0.50

With BLPay, snacks are easy, quick, and cash-free! Your student can enjoy treats without the hassle of carrying money. Your child can also bring cash or checks to school. We can add it to their account immediately. Just a heads-up: we don’t give change back, so any cash goes straight into the account.

In Bend-La Pine Schools, all of the materials students need for instruction are provided. Families are welcome to provide personal items such as backpacks, water bottles, and a binder.

If, however, your student would like to choose their own supplies, feel free to purchase them. These are the supplies our teachers typically need students to have:

• 1 three-ring binder (2.5” or 3”)
• 1 package of dividers
• 1 single subject notebook
• 1 package of three-ring notebook paper
• 2 lined composition notebooks
• 1 pencil pouch
• 1 package of #2 Pencils or mechanical pencil with extra led
• 1 package of colored pencils
• 1 pack of pencil cap erasers
• 1 large pink eraser
• 2 glue sticks

With back-to-school coming up and many of you starting clothes shopping we are asking students and families to take a moment to review and reflect on our district Dress Code Policy. These early conversations will help us be proactive and transparent in understanding school expectations and values, and will set everyone up for success, respect, and safety.

Within the first few weeks of school your student will participate in reviewing a lesson on the Dress Code. We encourage families to be part of this conversation alongside us! It is important that our whole learning community shares a common understanding and interpretation of the Dress Code in order to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment. Proactive conversation helps avoid misunderstandings, surprises, or unintended harm later.

At Pacific Crest Middle School, we want our students to be present, focused, and ready to learn each day. One way we support that goal is by limiting cell phone and recreational electronic device use during the school day.

Here is a quick overview of our expectations:

*Phones and Earbuds: OFF & IN THE LOCKER. *Smartwatches: SET TO SCHOOLTIME/ DO NOT DISTURB MODE.

During the school day, students should have their cell phones and wireless earbuds turned off and stored in their lockers. Smartwatches must be set to “Schooltime” if a student is wearing one during the school day.

This means:

• No cell phone use is permitted during the school day. Students who need to communicate with their guardian should use a phone in the school office.
• No wireless earbuds during the school day.
• Phones and earbuds should remain in lockers from the morning bell through dismissal.
• Devices should be completely off, meaning no ringing, buzzing, notifications, or other distractions.

The school day begins with the morning bell and ends when the final dismissal bell rings.

Need to Get a Message to Your Student?

We know there are times when families need to get important information to their student during the school day. Our office is happy to help!

Families: Please contact the PCMS Office at 541-355-7800 if you need to get a message to your student.

Students: If you need to contact your family during the school day, you may use one of the phones in the school office.

We ask families to please avoid calling or texting students directly during the school day. This helps us keep students focused on learning while still making sure important communication can get through.

To help keep classrooms safe, organized, and easy to navigate, backpacks and bags are not allowed in classrooms. Students should leave them in their lockers and bring only the materials they need for each class.

Keeping backpacks out of classrooms helps:

• Keep walkways clear and prevent tripping hazards
• Reduce distractions
• Protect personal belongings
• Support school safety
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Students will have plenty of time between classes to visit their lockers and gather what they need for their next class.

Students may use the bathroom during class. Only one student may leave the classroom at a time, and students must use a hall pass. Students have 5 minutes to use the restroom and return to class.

If a student takes longer than 5 minutes, the teacher will have a private conversation with the student to review the policy and make sure everything is okay.

If a student is using the bathroom every day and the teacher has concerns that they may be avoiding classwork or experiencing another issue, the teacher will meet privately with the student to better understand the situation. A counselor may also meet with the student as needed.

At PCMS, we strongly believe there are numerous benefits to having students dress down specifically for PE class. Wearing a designated PE uniform:

• Promotes hygiene and cleanliness by allowing students to change out of their school clothes after physical activity

• Increases comfort and safety during movement and exercise

• Encourages school unity and pride

• Helps students mentally transition into an active learning environment

• Promotes equity by providing all students with the same expectations and appropriate attire for participation, helping to minimize differences in clothing and reduce distractions or comparisons

Our goal is to ensure that every student is prepared, comfortable, and ready to fully participate in class. The PE uniform is an important part of that experience.

If you would like to make a donation to the school for the cost of the PE shirt for your student, we would greatly appreciate it. We understand that this may not be possible for every family, and that is okay.

Registration is open for fall sports through September 11! Visit our Athletics page for more information and to get your student registered today.

Interested in helping students and teachers? The High Desert Education Services District (HDESD) helps find and manage substitute teachers and educational assistants. They are currently looking for qualified individuals.

Visit the HDESD website for more information.

• 2026/27 PCMS Bell Schedule
• PCMS Athletics
• 2026/27 District Calendar
• Volunteering
• BLS Website
• Technology Resources for Parents (English)
• Technology Resources for Parents (Spanish)
• BLS News | Family Spotlight | Boletín Familiar
• BLS Nutrition