May, 2009:  Rotary Club of Greater Bend - Excellence in Education Awards

The Rotary Club of Greater Bend selected their Excellence in Education award winners.  Selection was  based on nominations from community members, teachers, other staff and students.  Elementary school winners:  Anna Park-Bear Creek, Lisa Hill-Buckingham, Steve Miller-Elk Meadow, Sandy Phillips-Ensworth, Karen Schlaich-High Lakes, Cami Green-Highland, Phyllis Shore-Juniper, Gary Tash-La Pine, Donna Lindsay-Lava Ridge, Jan Bawanan-Pine Ridge, Kimberly Bonner-Ponderosa, Nanda Webb-RE Jewell, Ned Myers-Three Rivers, Lisa Peterson-Westside Village.  Middle school winners:  Andy Slavin-Cascade MS, Elissa Freeman-High Desert MS, Kelly Beaudry-La Pine MS, Scott Olszewski-Pilot Butte MS.  High school winners:  Erika Schmid-La Pine HS, Dave Holmbert-Marshall HS, Rick Plants-Mt. View HS, LuAnn Smith-Mt. View HS, Doug McDonald-Summit HS.  Other:  Cate Hill-Teaching and Learning Center.

May, 2009:  High Lakes Elementary Teacher Completes and Publishes First Children's Book 

Rachel Schuetz, a second grade teacher at High Lakes Elementary, published her first book "The Long Road to Change" which takes children through America's beginnings, civil rights movement and the inauguration of our first African American President.  Rachel plans on donating a portion of the proceeds of each book to Bend-La Pine Schools! 

May 5, 2009:  Summit's Karen Rosch named 2009 Mary Hartman Oregon Journalism Teacher of the Year

Karen Rosch, Summit High School's Eye of the Storm student newspaper advisor, was named the 2009 Mary Hartman Oregon Journalism Teacher of the Year.  Dr. Tim Gleason, Dean of the School of Journalism at the University of Oregon, presented Rosch with a plaque and a $500 cash award during a school assembly today.

May 4, 2009:  Bus Drivers Win at Regional Bus Rodeo

Bend-La Pine Schools bus drivers competed at the Regional Bus Rodeo on May 2 - 3.  Gene Thrasher took first place in Conventional and Gabriel Veliz took fourth place in Conventional.  The team of Gabriel Veliz, Gene Thrasher and Randy Harris took first place in the overall team category, which allowed them to keep the travelling Jim Harris award from last year.  The state competition is May 30 in Redmond at the old Walmart parking lot.

March, 2009:  Bend High Culinary Teacher Named Oregon Restaurant Association Teacher of the Year

Louise Markland, Bend High's culinary instructor, earned high recognition for Bend High's award-winning culinary program.  Markland was named Teacher of the Year by the Oregon Restaurant Association Education Foundation and will attend the National Restaurant Association Salute to Excellence Awards Gala in Chicago on May 16.

December, 2008:  University of Chicago Outstanding Teacher Award

Peter Hawkins, Summit High School, received an Outstanding Teacher Award from the University of Chicago.  Mr. Hawkins was nominated by a former student who entered the university in the fall.  The award recognizes the teacher's contribution to the academic and personal development of students.

November, 2008:  BSHS Teacher Appointed to National Teen Book Review Committee 

Bend Senior High's teacher/librarian Jessica Lorentz-Smith has been appointed to the Young Adult Library Services Association's (YALSA) Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee, where she will share her literary expertise with a wide teen audience.  Jessica will review graphic novels and make recommendations for the association's annual graphic novel recommended book list.  In addition, Jessica earned BSHS $10,000 in new library books as a benefit of her committee service.