Staff Spotlight
A refresher on our volunteer application procedure
As the holiday party season approaches, we would like to provide a refresher to all staff on our volunteer procedures. This school year we are no longer required to verify Covid documentation for volunteers, and we are now able to direct applicants to our District Volunteer Page. The district page includes step-by-step application instructions, volunteer guidelines, and the link to the application. In addition, the page includes a “Contact Us” link where applicants can ask our team questions and check on the status of their background check. Please direct any questions to background-check@bend.k12.or.us
Staff should inform potential volunteer applicants of an event at least 30 days in advance. This will provide a cushion of time for applicants to complete the application and seek troubleshooting help if needed. There is no way to expedite a volunteer background check, so ample notification will help prevent volunteers from missing any fun events.
Bend, Caldera high schools unite in ‘pink out’ for coach battling breast cancer
The Bend and Caldera high school volleyball programs wore all pink Oct. 11 in honor of Kaci Cox, assistant volleyball coach at Bend Senior High School and a counseling secretary at Caldera High School. Cox is fighting breast cancer at age 23. There were shirts and signs with “Kaci’s Fight Club” on them, along with flowers and cards for Kaci. There is a GoFundMe set up for Kaci.
Former student graduates from Navy basic training
Michelle Goodin, Behavior Support EA at Pilot Butte Middle School, shared that her son, Spencer Goodin, graduated from Navy basic training at Great Lakes Navy Recruit Training Command on Oct. 5. Spencer is a 2019 graduate of Pilot Butte Middle School and a 2023 graduate of Mountain View High School. He's now attending school in San Antonio, where he will finish a Master at Arms program before he receives his first duty station, which he hopes is overseas.
Congratulations Spencer!
How we can support our veterans
Veterans Day, celebrated November 11, is observed Friday, November 10 in our district. There will be no school that day, which is a holiday for Bend-La Pine Schools employees. To all our veterans on staff and in our community, we thank you for your service.
As we pay our respects to our veterans and honor their sacrifices, let’s also strive to understand the unique challenges veterans and their families face while in active service. Families may need to separate for long periods, move frequently, or experience anxiety as their loved ones put themselves in danger. After active duty, many veterans have a hard time adjusting to civilian life. Those who have experienced trauma may need professional help to heal. This is why it is so important as a school community to support our veterans and their families.
Here are three ways we can offer support:
Become a listening ear to veterans and their families. Let them know you are here for them and allow them space to discuss their feelings.
If needed, provide them with the Veterans Crisis Line, available 24/7, by dialing 988 and pressing 1.
Connect them to Care Solace, a mental health care coordination service provided by Bend-La Pine Schools, for ongoing support. If you or a family member would like to use Care Solace to help you find a mental health or substance use treatment provider:
- Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available.
Visit caresolace.com/site/bls and search on your own or select “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
