Family Spotlight

Collage of classified employees working in their positions including kitchens, buses, and IT

Bend-La Pine Schools is served by almost 900 classified employees who clean and maintain buildings, cook and serve meals, drive buses, support students in the classroom, ensure technology is performing well, answer phones, greet families and so much more.

This week we celebrate all of the support staff members and their contributions during National Classified School Employee Appreciation Week!

“Our classified staff includes bus drivers, nutrition staff, custodians, hundreds of dedicated individuals working on the front lines and behind the scenes every day. They are essential to fulfilling our mission and ensuring the success of every student. We are deeply grateful for their talents, dedication, and the care they show in nurturing our students and school communities,” said Superintendent Steve Cook. “Thank you for being an important part of our district family.”

Support staff by the numbers:

Bend-La Pine Schools is home to more than 800 classified employees – a wide range of staff members including office staff, Custodial, Maintenance, Transportation, Information Technology, educational assistance, Nutrition Services and more.
One hundred twenty certified bus drivers in our Transportation Department travel more than 1.5 MILLION miles every year. They transport approximately 6,000 students each morning and afternoon covering 110 bus routes.
Our Information Technology team has 28 staff members who support thousands of mobile and desktop devices across 33 schools.
Our maintenance and custodial teams are made up of 130 staff members. These crews maintain more than 3.2 million square feet of school building space and outside maintenance crews maintain 600 acres of grass, parking lots and landscaping.
Nutrition Services is run by 129 dedicated staff members. Between September 2025 and January 2026, they served 1.5 MILLION meals!

In honor of School Social Work Week and Classified Appreciation Week, we want to take a moment to specifically honor our Student Success Coordinators, Clinicians, Instructors, and Educational Assistants.

The ongoing need for specialized and compassionate support for students makes the Student Success team a central role in bridging the gap between home and school, ensuring that social, emotional, and mental health needs are met with expertise and empathy.

Whether they are providing intensive care coordination, fostering family engagement, or offering a steady hand during a mental health crisis, they work to bridge between a student “getting by” and truly thriving. The effort they put into building safe, trusting relationships that extend from the classroom to the home with students is essential.

Thank you for all that you do for our students, families, and the Bend-La Pine community!

How our new instruction and grading system is working at one high school

Last fall we introduced listeners to a major change, in our middle and high schools, known as Standards-Based Instruction and Grading. All secondary schools will have this fully in place next school year. We’re sharing information throughout this year to explain what the standards-based approach is all about and why it’s an improvement over the traditional model.

In this episode, Superintendent Cook is at Caldera High School to learn how the rollout of Standards-Based Instruction and Grading is going this year. His guests are Caldera Principal Chris Boyd and teacher Emilie O’Neill. Emilie teaches Literature and Composition 3 and College Writing.

Listen today!

Our third annual Life & Career Readiness Night will be Thursday, April 30 at Caldera High School! If you run a business or nonprofit, direct a trade school or are hiring, consider being part of the event. Contact us at lcr@student.bend.k12.or.us to secure your spot!

Not familiar with Life & Career Readiness Night? Organized by high school students with assistance from district staff, this event aims to inform middle and high school students and their families about the array of professional and educational opportunities available in Central Oregon both before and after graduation. Students can explore college and trade school options, regional employers, educational travel, internships, volunteer opportunities and much more.

Students and families, mark your calendars for the evening of April 30 for the opportunity to get plugged in and explore your future!

Are spring conferences on your calendar?

Last spring, we announced a change in this year’s school calendar. Spring conferences will take place just before spring break, March 18-19, 2026.

March 18-19, 2026: No school for elementary and middle school students
March 20, 2026: No school for all students
March 23-27, 2026: Spring break

Scheduling conferences and spring break back-to-back creates eight weeks of consistent learning days for students, from the end of spring break to the last day of school.

Conferences remain an important time for families and teachers to connect. It’s an opportunity to stay engaged with your student’s teachers and learn ways to support their success at school and at home.

Make the most of the time with your child’s teacher. Prepare by jotting down any questions you have, and ask your child if there’s anything they’d like you to bring up. After the meeting, share what you learned with your child to keep the conversation going. By staying engaged, you’ll help support your student's success both at school and at home.

Tuesday, March 3

Fly-Up Day - Incoming 9th graders will visit their high schools to learn about programs, meet staff, experience school culture, and explore class options. Your student will step onto their new high school campus for the first time and begin imagining the next step in their journey.

Monday, March 9

Incoming 9th Grade Family Night - Families of incoming 9th graders are invited to an evening event at their new high schools to learn about programs, curriculum, and opportunities that make the school unique. Explore academic pathways, extracurricular options, and supports. Connect with school culture and community!

Tuesday, March 10

Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night - Incoming 6th graders have an exciting transition ahead as well. Families will be invited to learn more about their new middle schools during Parent Night. Be sure to keep an eye out for more details. Your middle schools can’t wait to meet you!

Marie Perez, her husband, Superintendent Steve Cook, and Director of Transportation Kim Crabtree pose and smile in the BLS Board Room

We're putting on the brakes to recognize this month's Champion for Students, La Pine bus driver Marie Perez! She’s been driving a bus for La Pine families since 2022.

Her nomination came from Chris Mather, Assistant Director of La Pine Transportation. Here is a bit of what Chris shared: "She is a remarkably reliable bus driver who shows up every day with consistency, care, and a positive attitude. Rain, shine, or snow, she makes sure her students arrive safely and on time, creating a sense of trust and stability for both families and staff."

Marie demonstrates exceptional reliability and patience each and every day. Rain, shine, or snow, she ensures students arrive safely and on time, creating a strong sense of trust and stability for families and staff alike. She greets students with warmth and encouragement, always looking out for their well-being and making them feel seen and valued. Her dedication and genuine passion make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of the families you serve. Bend-La Pine Schools is proud to honor Marie Perez as a true Champion for Students!

Oregon Friendly Driver Course

Do you have a new driver in the house? Now’s the perfect time to build their confidence and 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.

Give your new driver the tools they need to succeed and help make our roads safer for all. Learn more and sign up today!

Learn more about the Oregon Friendly Driver Course

Join us for BLS College Information Night

You’re invited! Explore the many opportunities waiting for you at Oregon colleges and universities. Bend-La Pine Schools is excited to invite all 9th–11th grade students and families to our BLS College Information Night on Wednesday, March 11 from 6:00–7:30 pm at Summit High School.

This evening is designed to help students and families better understand the college landscape in Oregon and feel more confident about next steps in the post–high school planning process.

What to Expect:

An informative presentation from BLS School Counseling staff and representatives from Oregon colleges
A mini college fair featuring all nine Oregon public universities, Central Oregon Community College, and community partners
Opportunities to connect directly with BLS high school counselors and School-to-Career representatives from each school to learn how to best prepare for college

Whether your student is just beginning to think about college or already starting to build a plan, this event will provide helpful information, resources, and connections. Spanish interpretation will be provided throughout the event.

We look forward to partnering with you as we support students in exploring their options and planning for life after high school. Hope to see you there!

Spring break checklist

As spring break approaches, we encourage students to fully embrace this time for relaxation and rejuvenation. Step away from screens, reconnect with loved ones, and engage in activities that bring you joy.

Spring Break Checklist

Rest and recharge
Get fresh air
Exercise
Limit screen time
Organize and declutter

Enjoy your break, unplug, and return refreshed! It’s okay to ask for help and support is available. Acknowledge your feelings and talk to a professional when needed.

988: If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988. You are not alone. Call or text 988 to connect to staff prepared to provide compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress.

English: Text or Call 988
Español: Llame 988 or envia “AYUDA” al 988

YouthLine s a free and confidential teen-to-teen help line. Students are encouraged to contact theyouthline.org via phone, text, chat, and email to talk about anything that may be bothering them. Teens are available to help daily from 4-10 p.m. Pacific Time (adults are available by phone at all other times).

Care Solace supports the well-being of our community and can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance. If you or your family members are looking for help with mental health or substance use, this is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Bend-La Pine Schools.

Call 888-515-0595. Support is available 24/7/365 in over 200 languages.
Visit caresolace.com/bls and either search on your own or click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

SafeOregon allows students and families to report information that involves students, the safety of their fellow students or their school 24-hours-a-day. With safeoregon.com, students can report anything from vandalism to cyberbullying via text, phone, email or online.

We hope you have a safe and restful spring break!

REMINDER!

The Area Change Request application deadline for the Kindergarten Choice Option lottery and Kindergarten Dual Immersion lottery is Friday, March 20.

Explore options for your kindergartener here

Everyone can support the Bend-La Pine Education Foundation! Learn how here.

Click here to view current BLS job openings

Important dates and recognitions in March

Women's History Month

Music in Schools Month

March 2-6: National Classified Employees Week

March 2-6: National School Social Worker Week

March 2-6: National School Breakfast Week

March 6: Maintenance Workers Appreciation Day

March 8: Daylight Saving Time begins

March 19-20: Eid al-Fitr

March 23-27: Spring Break

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

Next School Board meeting is March 10

The Board of Directors for Bend-La Pine Schools will hold its next board meeting on Tuesday, February 10 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.

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

District policy review

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

More Bend-La Pine Schools news