Family Spotlight

It’s official! Bend-La Pine Schools and all 33 of our schools have brand new websites.

• Check out imagery from our diverse school communities.
  
• Explore easier navigation.
  
• Find the information you need, designed with our students, families, and community in mind.
  

Go to our new url: blschools.org

Don’t forget to bookmark the page!

Has a teacher or staff member made a positive impact on your student or family this year? Take a moment to say thank you.

Whether they encouraged your student when they needed it most, created a welcoming and inclusive classroom, or went the extra mile to help them succeed, those moments matter.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating the people who make a difference every day. Share a note of appreciation or a story to help us recognize their impact.

Lottery registration for Bend Park & Rec 2026-27 Kids Inc. after-school care program is open now! Don't miss the deadline to apply. The application window closes Wednesday, May 13 at 11:59 pm.

Learn more and register here today.

Bend-La Pine Schools is hiring bus drivers with starting pay of over $30 an hour plus insurance benefits. Join a team that really moves people. The hours are appealing, with nights, weekends and holidays off.

Never driven a bus before? No problem! Come take one for a spin at our Drive & Apply event at our Bend Transportation facility, 501 SE 2nd Street.

• May 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• May 20 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Your passengers may be small, but the impact is huge.

Over the past two years, Bend-La Pine leadership has taken a thorough, step-by-step approach to strengthening and improving how fundraising works across our schools. Fundraising activities in our district have grown over the years, and we increasingly rely on partnership with community donors to make sure our students have the best possible experiences and programs.

Through listening sessions with students, staff, family groups, and community partners, and with a careful review of our policies and procedures, we worked together to identify areas that needed clarification, especially around approval processes, handling donations, and making sure practices align with legal and financial expectations. The work has been collaborative and ongoing, guided by a commitment to support school communities while ensuring fundraising is managed responsibly and consistently.

The next phase is putting these improvements into practice. In the coming months, updated policy language will be finalized, sharing clearer procedures and simple guidance for staff and volunteers. Training will be provided to make sure everyone feels confident and supported.

The goal is to create a reliable, easy-to-understand system that helps each school and program raise and access funds successfully, while maintaining strong transparency, accountability, and trust with all stakeholders. A huge thank you goes to our families, students, staff, and community partners for their partnership throughout this process. Your ideas, questions, and feedback have helped build a stronger system, to better allow our community to take collective care of our students.

To watch the presentation on this topic at a recent Board Meeting, click here (this topic begins at 1hr:55min).

This Wednesday, May 6, is the big day, Walk + Roll to School Day! Layer up (because spring is still cold), walk with your classmates to school, and start your day with some fresh air. Log your trip at commuteoptions.org for a chance to win prizes.

The following elementary school communities will be walking and rolling together, meeting between 7:00 and 7:15 am: Bear Creek, Buckingham, Ensworth, Juniper, Lava Ridge, Pine Ridge, Ponderosa

Reach out to your school to confirm the time and location of the Walk + Roll Day meet-up!

At the April 14 School Board meeting, two Bend-La Pine staff members were recognized for their positive impact on their school communities.

Meet Champion for Students Doug Hermanson. Mr. Doug, as he’s known to students, is a rockstar educational assistant at Silver Rail Elementary. What sets him apart is the way he connects with students. In Mr. Doug’s presence, they feel safe, seen, and motivated.

Beyond instructional support, he goes above and beyond in every aspect of school life. During recess, he naturally steps into a coach role for soccer and football, helping games run smoothly, inclusively, and positively. In duties such as crosswalk and lunchroom supervision, he brings the same warmth and enthusiasm, keeping students safe, handing out ketchup with a smile, and turning small moments like reading fortune cookies into meaningful connections. These everyday interactions contribute to a joyful, welcoming school environment. Bend-La Pine Schools is proud to honor Doug Hermanson as a true Champion for Students.

If you’ve visited Caldera High School, you surely know Darci Michaud. The Athletics and Activities Secretary goes above and beyond every day making a huge impact on the school community.

Whether sharing her lunch time with students to listen and encourage, remaining after hours to help a student in urgent need, or returning to campus to assist a colleague, her kindness strengthens the Caldera community. Her resilience inspires students and staff, modeling courage and perseverance. Through compassion and extraordinary commitment to others, Bend-La Pine Schools is honored to present Darci Michaud with the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award.

Safety is a primary concern as we return to nice weather. That begins with all of us doing our part to make sure students have safe ways to travel to and from school, whether by bus or car, bike or scooter, or on foot.

Here’s how DRIVERS can help: Slow down and watch for students making their way to buses, walking or rolling to school, and crossing streets and parking areas.

SAFE ROUTES: We have fun, safe and convenient walking/biking routes to many of our schools. See Safe Routes for Bend-La Pine Schools at commuteoptions.org/safe-routes-to-school

E-BIKES: Students 16 and older legally may operate e-bikes in Oregon. Anyone under 16 may not, according to state law. Be aware of this and use e-bikes legally and responsibly.

ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET if using a bike, scooter, skateboard or other wheeled device.

WATCH YOUR SPEED! Please slow down in high-traffic areas and around pedestrians.

DISMOUNT AND WALK your bike, scooter or skateboard when on school property. We ask that you not ride on school grounds, before or after school.

Thanks, and have a safe spring!

Summit High School sophomore Micah King is gearing up to represent Central Oregon on the 2026 Oregon Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School High School Task Force, a statewide leadership program empowering students to create safer, more walkable, bike-friendly communities.

As part of the program, Micah is working with our Active Transportation coordinator in a hands-on mentorship. He’s already designed and led a community action project, organizing tomorrow’s Walk + Roll to School Day routes for Juniper Elementary School. Bend-La Pine Schools partners with Oregon Safe Routes to School and other community, regional, and state partners to support healthy kids and safer streets.

On April 15, eight Bend-La Pine elementary staff members participated in ODOT Jump Start “Train the Trainer” bike and pedestrian safety education training in La Pine. The program enhances and grows the ranks of skilled bike and pedestrian safety educators. These new trainers can also support expanding school and volunteer program needs, as well as needs of the Central Oregon regional community.

The day was led by Jump Start trainers from Cycle Oregon. Jump Start curriculum is aligned with Oregon State Learning Standards.

If you have a new driver in your household, now is a good time to brush up on your knowledge as you model good driving skills. Both you and your new driver can help keep our community safe.

The Oregon Friendly Driver program is a FREE, statewide resource designed to make Oregon roads safer for everyone. Funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation and administered by Commute Options, this course helps drivers better understand the rights and responsibilities of all road users.

The Oregon Friendly Driver Course helps new and experienced drivers:

• Understand Oregon traffic laws
  
• Navigate safely around people walking and biking
  
• Build awareness and confidence behind the wheel
  
• Make respectful, informed choices on the road
  

The program offers free in-person classes, live webinars, and a convenient online course. The goal is to reduce crashes, prevent injuries, and create people-centered roadways where everyone feels safe.

Learn more about the Oregon Friendly Driver Course

Is your teen ready to learn how to drive? Oregon DMV offers online knowledge testing for Class C knowledge tests in eight languages. Save yourself some time and check out testing on the DMV website.

Find tech planner templates and additional information here.

For local support: KIDS Center has materials and free local trainings to help parents and caregivers protect youth from the potential harms of media and technology use. Start with this Grade by Grade Guide to Media Use and KIDS Center's Training Calendar to see what free local trainings are available. All KIDS Center trainings are available in Spanish.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

May 1 - National School Principals Day

May 1 - School Hero Lunch Day

May 1-7 - National Physical Education Week

May 4-8 - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 6 - National School Nurse Day

May 18 - School Pathologist Day

May 26 - Memorial Day

Mental health matters, this month and every month. The reality is that many people around us are struggling, and they deserve care, understanding, and support. Mental health challenges don’t define a person; they are simply part of the human experience. By having open, compassionate conversations, we can break the stigma and create a culture of support.

Let’s stand together to ensure no one has to struggle alone. If you or someone you know needs help, Care Solace is here for you. This complimentary and confidential mental health care coordination service, provided by Bend-La Pine Schools, can help connect you with a provider quickly and easily:

• Call 888-515-0595 for multilingual support, available 24/7/365.
  
• Visit caresolace.com/bls to search for a provider or click “Book Appointment” for personalized assistance via video chat, email, or phone.
  

You are not alone. Help is always available—don’t hesitate to reach out.

Getting help can be a daunting process. Care Solace provides 24/7/365 mental health care coordination Service for all employees of Bend-La Pine Schools, their family members, as well as our students and their families. Click the button above to connect with Care Solace.

If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here. At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone. Click the button above to learn more.

Top row from left: Board Chair Marcus LeGrand, Shirley Olson, Ross Tomlin, Jenn Lynch.

Bottom row from left: Cameron Fischer, Kina Chadwick, Board Vice Chair Amy Tatom

The Board of Directors for Bend-La Pine Schools will hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 520 NW Wall Street in Bend.

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

Catch up on all the news from the latest School Board meetings. Click here for Dr. Cook's recaps.

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