Summit High School is ranked number one in its 5A class in overall school excellence in athletics, activities, academics and sportsmanship. The school won first place out of 40 schools in the Oregon School Activities Association's (OSAA) Oregonian Cup.

The Oregonian Cup is an award sponsored by The Oregonian newspaper. Schools receive points for team and individual student qualification in state championship competitions and additional points for placing in the state-level events. The scoring system also includes points for the Dairy Farmers of Oregon Academic All-State program for academic achievements.

Summit had successful year, earning state championship titles in girls' cross country, track and golf and boys' tennis and swimming. In addition, the girls' golf team was ranked first in state in the Academic All-Stars program for highest average grade point average.

"We're very proud of our kids," said Summit Athletic Director Dan Munson. "This represents the hard work and pursuit of excellence of students in athletics and activities." Munson said more than 1,000 Summit students participated in events sponsored by OSAA last year, including athletics, music, dance and speech. The school will receive a banner and recognition for the award at an assembly next fall.

For more information, contact Dan Munson, Summit High School athletic director, at 322.3300 or Julianne Repman, communications director, at 383.6002.

After a lengthy interview process that included formal panel interviews, teacher observation and critiques, and writing and leadership tests, Paul Dean is named interim principal at Highland Magnet School at Kenwood.

Dean is currently the Assistant Principal at Cascade Middle School in Bend. Dean has 14 years of teaching and administration experience in Oregon.

"I am honored to join the Highland Magnet School's faculty, staff and parent community who are dedicated to instructing students in the Scottish Storyline method," said incoming interim principal Dean. "I look forward to building upon Highland's high academic achievements and extending the school's connection throughout the entire Bend community."

Superintendent Ron Wilkinson says the candidate pool was strong and Dean shone as the best match for the school's students, staff, and parents.

"Dean has been a strong assistant principal and I am confident that he will do a great job at Highland," said Wilkinson.

Dean will begin his one-year, interim assignment on July 1, 2009. His vacated position at Cascade Middle School will be filled internally.

The community is invited to meet the finalists for the Highland Magnet School at Kenwood interim principal position on Tuesday, June 16 at 3pm during a forum in the school library. Candidates will give short presentations followed by a question and answer session with audience members. Attendees will be encouraged to complete a feedback form following the forum.

The finalists for the one-year interim principal position are Josh Boehme, Paul Dean, Gene Dusan, and Teri Friesen. Each of the four finalists currently serves as a Bend-La Pine Schools assistant principal.

Boehme is currently the Assistant Principal at RE Jewell Elementary School in Bend. Boehme has 15 years of teaching and administration experience in Oregon.

Dean is currently the Assistant Principal at Cascade Middle School in Bend. Dean has 14 years of teaching and administration experience in Oregon.

Dusan is currently the Assistant Principal at Pilot Butte Middle School in Bend. Dusan has 28 years of teaching and administration experience in Oregon.

Friesen is currently the Assistant Principal at Elk Meadow Elementary School in Bend. Friesen has 23 years of teaching and administration experience in Oregon.

The community forums are the last step of a daylong interview process that will include formal panel interviews, teacher observation and critique, and writing and leadership tests.

The selected applicant will begin July 1, 2009 and will fill the interim position being vacated by principal Stephanie Clark through June 30, 2010.

Bend-La Pine Schools to graduate more than 1,100 seniors this week
85% of BLS graduates continue their education after high school

More than 1,100 Bend-La Pine Schools (BLS) students will don caps and gowns this week as they take center stage to accept their high school diplomas.

Graduation ceremonies will take place at:

Mountain View High School, 357 Graduates
June 4, 7 pm
Deschutes County Fairgrounds

La Pine High School, 114 Graduates
June 5, 7 pm
La Pine High School

Bend Senior High School, 336 Graduates
June 6, 2 pm
 Deschutes County Fairgrounds

Summit High School, 285 Graduates
June 6, 7 pm
Deschutes County Fairgrounds

Marshall High School, 35 Graduates
June 8, 6:30 pm

"I am looking forward to congratulating each of these fine students as they accept their diplomas," said Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Ron Wilkinson. "They have much to be proud - this is a group of exceptionally accomplished students."

Wilkinson says that more than 85% of BLS students continue their education after high school.

"Hundreds of students have already committed to trade schools, military programs, colleges and universities, and will continue their educations this fall," he says.  "Our graduates will be attending schools that include Duke, Cornell, COCC, Gonzaga, MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Carnegie Mellon, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, USC, Princeton, Air Force Academy, and Whitman, to name a few."

Bend-La Pine Schools Employees Committed to Students
Employee groups delay COLA and benefits to ensure more dollars in classrooms

Bend-La Pine Schools 1,800 employees have agreed to delay cost of living increases and some benefits next school year to ensure that every available resource is invested in student success, the district announced today.

"This is our staffs' way of saying that our students' success and that of our community are top priorities," said Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Ron Wilkinson.

Wilkinson says that the staff agreements will allow the district to retain nearly $2.8 million for the classroom and will allow the district to avoid cutting instructional days next year.

In all, the savings will allow the district to:
•   Hold K-1 class sizes at 21 or less
•   Sustain school improvement efforts at all levels
•   Continue all-day kindergarten pilots through Title I dollars
•   Continue early intervention activities to assure early readers
•   Maintain School Improvement grants at 75% funding
•   Dedicate $500,000 to instructional technology
•   Continue International Baccalaureate program toward full implementation
•   Continue college readiness testing program at grades 8-11
•   Athletic programs continue with budget reductions

"Our business is educating students, even in these tough economic times," he said. "Thanks to their (staffs) selflessness we will be just that much closer to maintaining full program offerings and continuing to prepare our students for the future."

Wilkinson says that a high quality, world-class education for every one of the districts 16,000 students remains the vision for Bend-La Pine Schools.

"Priorities established over the past decade for improving student achievement and the quality of instruction cannot waiver as we move into the 2009-10 budget year," Wilkinson said. "With that said, the realities of the largest economic downturn that Oregon and our nation has experienced in decades will cause us to look for - and find -strategies to do much with less."

Wilkinson adds that Bend-La Pine Schools has worked incredibly hard to balance the 2009-2010 fiscal budget based on state shortfalls to education and an unclear revenue picture. Bend-La Pine Schools 2009-10 operating budget is expected to be nearly $10 million less than what is considered necessary to continue current program offerings into the next school year.

"Although reserves were used to balance the current state fiscal year budget shortfall, the ending fund balance will be maintained at the policy level of 3.5% of our operating budget," he said. "Maintaining an ending fund balance will provide Bend-La Pine Schools with a buffer in case state economic conditions worsen in the months to come."

The School Board is expected to ratify the agreements at tonight's School Board meeting, beginning at 6pm, Education Center, 520 NW Wall Street, Bend, room 314.

Employee group contacts:
 
OSEA, Linda Bradetich, 355-4821
BEA, Bob Markland, 480-8656
Confidential, Deena Wegner, 322-5433
BLAST, Bob Jones, 383-6028 

Summit's Eye of the Storm Newspaper Named Best in State
Summit's Karen Rosch named Mary Hartman Oregon Journalism Teacher of the Year

Summit High School's newspaper team is making headlines today with word that their news team and advisor are the recipients of prestigious state newspaper awards.

Eye of the Storm newspaper advisor Karen Rosch was named the 2009 Mary Hartman Oregon Journalism Teacher of the Year Award, and NW Scholastic Press named Summit's Eye of the Storm student newspaper the best in the state.

This is the eleventh year for the Teacher of the Year award and the first time that a recipient has been honored east of the Cascades.

Rosch, a long-time Bend-La Pine Schools newspaper advisor, gives all of the credit for her achievement to her dynamic team of student writers, editors, and photographers who make up the Eye of the Storm newspaper.

"This is an exceptional group of students," Rosch said. "They bring a diverse perspective to the paper and are enthusiastic about sharing a unique viewpoint about student life at Summit with their peers and our community."

"I couldn't be more proud of their efforts and wouldn't be where I am today without their passion for news," she adds. "Newspaper writing is a great venue for instilling the importance of creative thinking and the written word."

Caitlin Young, junior and Editor at Large, says that Rosch has been a great leader and understands that the school newspaper is a critical tool for students to use as they communicate with their peers and community.

"We feel that the Eye of the Storm is important because students need an outlet for expression, she says. "Because a lot of teenagers are unfairly stereotyped, we feel our newspaper is a way for us to show that these stereotypes aren't always true."

Junior Jennifer Edwards, Co-Editor and Chief agrees, "The Eye of the Storm is a fantastic paper because we, as the student-staff, greatly care about it."

"We spend much of our free time working on it, and it's nice to be recognized for our efforts and the efforts of Ms. Rosch," she adds.

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 activities are scheduled at neighborhood schools around the district. Parents, friends and community members are always welcome to visit the schools, participate in events or connect with the staff and students of Bend-La Pine Schools.

Juniper Elementary School Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Book Give Away
Library
April 30


High Desert Middle School Drama Presentation
Commons
April 30 - May1
7:15 p.m.


Lava Ridge Elementary School All-School Clean Up
May 1


Pine Ridge Elementary School Volunteer Breakfast
Gymnasium
May 1
8 a.m.


2009 Oregon Department of Education Celebrating Student Success Awards Banquet
Oregon Convention Center, Portland
May 1
6-8 p.m.
Jewell Elementary School was named a Champion School Award Winner.
For more information, contact the Jewell Elementary School Office at 383-6150.

Artist in Residence: Debra Fisher~Maskmaker
Juniper Elementary School
May 4-15


La Pine Elementary School Family Math and Science Night
May 5
5:30-7 p.m.


Lava Ridge Elementary School PTA Meeting
Library
May 5
7 p.m.


Pilot Butte Middle School PTSA Meeting
Library
May 5
3-8 p.m.


La Pine High School's Hawk Country Greenhouse Mother's Day Plant Sale
La Pine High School, 51633 Coach Rd., La Pine
May 5-6, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
May 7-8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call La Pine High School at 523-5371.


Highland Elementary School Site Council Meeting
May 7
3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Lava Ridge Kindergarten Farm Program
Gymnasium
May 7
6:30 p.m.


High Desert Middle School Fifth-Grade Parent and Student Night
May 7
6-7:30 p.m.


Sky View Middle School Incoming Sixth Grade Parent Orientation
Cafeteria
May 7
6 - 7 p.m.

Elk Meadow School Site Council Meeting
May 8
8 a.m.


Elk Meadow Choir Performance
Gymnasium
May 8
2:50 p.m.


An ARTful Evening: Student Art Show
Highland Elementary School
May 8
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Presented free of charge by Highland Elementary School PTO.
For more information, contact: Vina Marz at 382-7634.


Jewell Elementary School SMART Program Recognition Luncheon
Media Center
May 8
12 p.m.
For more information, contact Susie Conte' at  383-6150.


Juniper Elementary School Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser for PE
May 8
9:30-11 a.m.


Juniper Elementary School Family Fiesta Night
Hollinshead Barn
May 8
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Games, food, piñatas, family fun for all!


Smokey the Bear Visit
Lava Ridge Elementary School: Grade 1
May 8
9-11:30 a.m.


All American BBQ to benefit the FACS Cafe
La Pine Middle School
May 8
To raise money for Family and Consumer Science Projects: $8


Summit High School  Spring Production: "The Importance of Being Earnest" By Oscar Wilde
"A trivial play for serious people"
Auditorium
May 8, 15-16, 7 p.m.
May 9, 16, 2 p.m.
Admission: $7, students and seniors; $10, adults
Tickets are available online at www.summithighschool.ticketleap.com.


Elk Meadow School Academic Triathlon
May 11-15
All students participate in reading, math facts or running for 15 minutes each morning.  Pledges are collected in advance for the event.


Lava Ridge Elementary School Discovery Falls: The Garden Show, Grade 1
May 12
6:30 p.m.


Pilot Butte Middle School Incoming Sixth-Grade Parent Orientation
Gymnasium
May 12
6-7 p.m.


NJROTC Change of Command and Awards
La Pine High School Auditorium
May 12
6 p.m.
For more information, contact: Lt. Jerry Hollis at 322-5477.


Highland Elementary School PTO Meeting
Cafeteria
May 13
9:15 a.m.


Pine Ridge Elementary School Character Trait Assembly
Gymnasium
May 13
2:45 p.m.


Elk Meadow School Music Performance: Grade 5
Gymnasium
May 14
7 p.m.

Jewell Elementary School PTA Meeting
Media Center
May 14
6 p.m.
For more information, contact Kristen McGee, PTA President, at 383-6151.


Juniper Elementary School TAG Parent Meeting
Library
May 14
6 p.m.


Lava Ridge Elementary School Site Council Meeting
Library
May 14
4:15 p.m.


Lava Ridge Rainbow Valley Music Program
Gymnasium
May 14
6:30 p.m.


Spring String Fling Orchestra Programs: Cascade and High Desert middle schools, Bend Senior and Summit high schools
Bend Senior High School
May 15
6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Brenda Simmons at 503-383-6290.


La Pine High School Honors Assemblies
Auditorium
May 15
First assembly for grade 9-10 students and their families: 1:10 p.m.
Second assembly for grade 11-12 students and their families: 2 p.m.
For more information, contact Jill James at 322-5359.


Ensworth Elementary School Spring Music Program: Grades 3-5
Gymnasium
May 17
7 p.m.
For more information, contact Thiel Larson, at 693 2200.


La Pine Middle School Family and Consumer Science Desserts and Open House
May 18
For more information, contact the school at 536-5967.

High Desert Middle School Band, Choir and Orchestra: 6th Grade
High Desert Middle School
May 19
7 p.m
For more information, contact Brenda Simmons at 503-383-6290.


LaPine Elementary School Spring Production: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: Cast 1
May 19
7 p.m.


Pilot Butte Middle School Band/Choir Concert: Grades 6-8
Cafeteria
May 19
7 p.m.


La Pine Elementary School Spring Production: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: Cast 2
May 20
7 p.m.


La Pine Elementary School Spring Production: Our Beautiful World: Cast 3 (Kindergarten)
May 21
6 p.m.


Three Rivers School Sixth-Grade Concert
May 21
7 p.m.
For more information, contact Rebekka Nores at 593-3555.


La Pine Middle School Fifth-Grade Jump-Up Day
May 21


La Pine High School "Music Concert"
Auditorium
May 21
7 p.m.
For more information, contact: Michael Chavarin at 322-5553.


Jewell Elementary School Site Council Meeting
Conference Room
May 26 
4 p.m.
For more information, contact Bruce Reynolds at 383-6152.


Fifth-Grade Bike Safety Program with Commute Options
Jewell Elementary School Playground
May 26
For more information, contact the school office at 383-6150.


High Desert Middle School National Junior Honor Society Ceremony
May 26
7 p.m.


Jewell Elementary School Music Visitation Days
Music Room
May 26-28
For more information, contact Jim Mockaitis at 383-6150.


Lava Ridge Elementary School Volunteer Recognition Day
Library
May 27
Time TBA


Jewell Elementary School Art Fair and Family BBQ
May 28
5:30 p.m.
Visual and performing arts scheduled throughout the building.
For more information, contact Penny Watkins at 383-6150.


Cascade Middle School Choir Concert: 7-8 Grades
Gymnasium
May 28
7 p.m.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Renner at 383-6230.


Sky View Middle School Band Concert: 6-8 Grades
Gymnasium
May 28
7 p.m.


La Pine High School Drama Department Presents "Macbeth"
Auditorium
May 28-29, 7 p.m.
 June 1-2, 7 p.m.
General Admission: $5; Senior Citizen and Student Admission: $4
For more information, contact Director Jeff Parker at 322-5544.


Pine Ridge Elementary School PTA Carnival
Gymnasium
May 29
5:30-7:30 p.m.


Highland Volunteers for United Way Day of Caring
May 30
8 a.m. to noon
Volunteer hours will benefit Highland's Sparrow
For more information, contact: Susan McLean at 408-5532.


Three Rivers School Concert: Grades 7-8
Otter Hall
June 4
7 p.m.


La Pine High School Senior Baccalaureate Service
Auditorium
June 4
5:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Kim Testerman at 322-5377.

La Pine High School Senior Scholarship and Awards Evening
Auditorium
June 4
7 p.m.
For more information, contact: Stacey Yeager @ 322-5357.

La Pine High School Graduation
Gymnasium
June 5
7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
For more information, contact: Stacey Yeager at 322-5357.


Sky View Middle School Choir and Orchestra Concert: Grades6-8
June 9
Gymnasium
7 p.m.


Three Rivers School 8th Grade Promotion
Otter Hall
June 10
6 p.m.

Student leaders demonstrated their knowledge of a variety of job skills at the Oregon SkillsUSA competition Linn Benton Community College on April 18. Fourteen students from Bend and Mountain View high schools placed in the top five in a range of skills, including photography, advertising design and trades such as welding and automotive technology.

"Only one of the students had competed before, so this is quite an accomplishment for all of the kids," said Pat Garcia, said Mountain View SkillsUSA Advisor.

Awards were given to the following students:
Mountain View High School
Bryan Zivney (grade 12): 1st Place, Automotive Technology (Qualifies for Nationals)
Carl Henning (grade 11): 2nd Place, Power Equipment Technology (Small Engine Repair)
Quin Mansfield (grade 11): 2nd Place, Advertising Design; 4th Place, Job Skill Demonstration
Alexis Mastrud (grade 11): 3rd Place, Job Skills Demonstration
Juan Murguia (grade 11): 3rd Place Power Equipment Technology
Kenny Echternkamp (grade 12): 3rd Place MIG Welding
Niki Bost (grade 12): 4th Place, Photography; 5th Place, Job Skill Demonstration
Shelby Denham (grade 11): 5th place, Advertising Design
Scott Collister (grade 12): 5th Place, Automotive Technology

Bend Senior High School
Kayla McKenzie: 3rd place, Photography
Jared Doolan, Jack Siemens, Kayla McKenzie and Shane Moss: 4th place, Quiz Bowl

The first place winner in Automotive Technology was senior Bryan Zivney, who will compete against 52 other students at the national competition in Kansas City, Missouri from June 22-26.

Garcia said that the student leadership organization teaches valuable job skills for specific jobs and the skills needed to get hired. "It is not only the skills needed to do the job, but the skills to land the job-resumes, interview skills& leadership," he said. "SkillsUSA prepares students for the rest of their lives. The self-confidence boost is incredible, and this energy is infectious to other students."

In addition to marketable skills, the winning students receive scholarship prizes from SkillsUSA.  The automotive students are awarded scholarships to trades schools. First place winner Bryan Zivney won two automotive trade school scholarships: $3000 to Wyotech, and $10,000 to Universal Technical Institute (UTI). Additional scholarships are awarded at the national competition.

More than 150 Bend High School students are joining special education classmates to demand that the only acceptable "R" word is "Respect." The students are taking part in Project Unify, a Special Olympics campaign to build respect, courage and acceptance for and among special education students.

The campaign involves taking an online pledge against using the word "retard" or "retarded" in casual language and has pledges from thousands of people around the United States and around the world.

"When you use words like "retard" or "retarded" it hurts people," said Jonathon Firkus, a Life Skills student. "Choose your words carefully," he said.

Bend High School students will unite against the special education stereotypes and labels and stand together for a group photo on April 30 at 10:55 a.m.

"This affects students with and without disabilities-becoming advocates and joining causes that touch their hearts for the remainder of their lives," said Life Skills teacher Robert Tadjiki. "When students with intellectual disabilities are able to advocate for themselves and get their peers and friends to step up for them by recognizing the personal human value of each person, I am simply amazed."

Project Unify is a national program funded to develop school communities that foster respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities. More information about the project is available online at www.specialolympics.org/project_unify.aspx.

For more information, contact Bend High School Life Skills teacher Robert Tadjiki at 541-383-6336.

Bend Senior High School's Restaurant Management team was crowned National Champion last night at the National ProStart Invitational in San Diego, California. This is Bend Senior High's third national championship in as many years.

Casey Anderson, Jackie Baird, Katelynn Cockrum, and Mimi Seeley beat out teams from 36 states to take first place in the Restaurant Management and Culinary Knowledge after three days of competition.

"This event helps students experience competition at a high level, which forces them to push themselves to greater levels of achievement than they ever thought possible," said advisor Louise Markland. "They realize dreams can be achieved."

Markland says the team has been unstoppable this year and was fresh off a win at the state level when coming into the ProStart Invitational.

"These students have proven their skill and commitment to the industry through vigorous coursework and on-the-job training," she said. "They were rock-solid, confident, and poised all weekend."

Markland says the national competition exposes students to the vast opportunities in the food industry, creating connections for future networking, jobs, and scholarships.

"It emphasizes the knowledge and academic side of the culinary field, which leads to careers in management," she said.

In addition to the national trophy, each student earned more than $50,000 in scholarships and full ride offers to several culinary institutions around the world -- including Switzerland. They  also receive professional cutlery to use in their own kitchens, college culinary programs or restaurants in the future.

Markland said that the competition had extra 'hype' this year as Food Network camera crews followed students throughout the weekend for a new program, Top of the Class, which will air in the months to come.

"This win is a thrill for our team, Bend, and the entire state of Oregon," said Markland. "We can't wait to get home to celebrate this amazing victory."

The Lava Bears team placed first in the nation at their first appearance at the ProStart Invitational in 2005 and again in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The team placed third in 2006.

The team arrives at the Redmond airport at 7:15pm tonight on an Alaska Airlines. 

About the National ProStart Student Invitational: The National ProStart Student Invitational, presented by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), attracts top high school students from around the country that are enrolled in the ProStart restaurant and food service management program. These students have proven their skill and commitment to the industry through vigorous coursework and on-the-job training.

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