February 2, 7 to 8:15 p.m.
Anxiety and Suicide Panel Discussion at Pacific Crest Middle School
Community members and families are invited to attend a panel discussion about adolescent anxiety, depression and suicide awareness. The panel will include health professionals trained in these subject areas including Rebecca Battleson from Deschutes County Behavioral Health, Barbara Hendrix from Deschutes County Behavioral Health and Natalie Houston a private therapist. The goal of the event is to provide parents with information and tools necessary to talk with students about these subjects. The following week, seventh- and eighth-graders at Pacific Crest will receive instruction on these subjects as part of the Look, Listen and LINK curriculum and will focus on teenage stress and depression and supporting peers who may be at risk of suicide. The parent event is free and open to the public.

February 3, during lunch
First Friday at Mountain View High School
During lunch time on the first Friday of every month, Mountain View’s leadership students host a special event to highlight the wide range of student activities and clubs available at Mountain View. Student musicians perform, art students display and sell their artwork and culinary students make appetizers for students to try. The commons area of the school is always packed for this fun, interactive event.

February 7, during lunch
Mix it Up at Cascade Middle School
Students will participate in the Mix It Up event during lunch. Students will sit at tables they do not normally sit at and talk to students they have not talked with before.

February 9, 6 p.m.

Talented and Gifted (TAG) Information Night at Cascade Middle School
Families, with students who have been identified as TAG, who are interested in learning more about the TAG program at Cascade Middle School can attend this information night session.

February 10

No school

February 11, 1 to 2 p.m.
Scholastic Art Reception for Students at Pinckney Gallery at COCC
Central Oregon Scholastic Art Awards will be honoring local art students during an awards ceremony at the Pinckney Gallery and Auditorium at Pence Hall at Central Oregon Community College. More than 700 works of art will be on display at the gallery, which will be open to the public Feb. 11 to March 17.

February 13, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pint Size Heroes at Silver Rail Elementary School
As a culmination of student giving efforts for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Silver Rail will host a blood drive that is open to the community. The Red Cross will be on hand and individuals can schedule an appointment.

February 14, all day
Val-O-Grams from Mountain View High School
The Jazz Choir will serenade Valentines on and off campus. Contact Susan Evans for pricing and scheduling [email protected]

February 14-16, before school and during lunch
Eighth Grade Community Project Fair at Pilot Butte Middle School
As part of the International Baccalaureate program, eighth-graders at Pilot Butte complete a community project. During this community fair, students will set up tables and booths promoting their project and asking fellow students and others for contributions.

February 15
Immunization Exclusion Day
All students must be up-to-date with immunizations or have completed exemption requirements. Visit our Health & Immunization webpage for details.

February 16, all day

Egypt Exhibit at Sky View Middle School
Sixth-graders display creative Egyptian-inspired projects in the media center at Sky View Middle School.

February 16, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Preschool Story hour at Juniper Elementary School
Families of preschoolers are invited to a special story hour at Juniper Elementary School from the Deschutes Public Library. Families can listen to a story and then children can enjoy a free lunch.

February 16, 6:30 p.m.
Information Night at Pacific Crest Middle School
Families of incoming sixth-graders are invited to learn more about the academics and activities offered at Pacific Crest Middle School.

February 17, 6 p.m.
Daughter Dance at Bear Creek Elementary School
The Bear Creek Parent Teacher Organization will host a Daughter Dance in the gym.

February 19, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2017 Oregon ProStart High School Culinary Championship at Salem Convention Center
Culinary teams from Bend Senior High School and Mountain View High School will compete in this statewide culinary competition. Teams of five students will prepare a 3-course meal in 60 minutes in front of a crowd using only two butane burners and no running water or electricity. Culinary teams will be preparing for this contest in the weeks prior; members of the media can set up a time to see their prep work in action.

February 20
No school in honor of President’s Day.

February 21, 6 p.m.
Information Night at Summit High School
Students and families of incoming freshmen can learn more about the activities, programs and academic offerings at Summit High School during this information night.

February 21, 6:30 p.m.
Information Night at High Desert Middle School
Families of incoming sixth-graders are invited to learn more about the academics and activities offered at High Desert Middle School.

February 22, 6 p.m.

Information Night at Mountain View High School
Students and families of incoming freshmen can learn more about the activities, programs and academic offerings at Mountain View High School during this information night.

February 23, 6 p.m.
Information Night at Sky View Middle School
Families of incoming sixth-graders are invited to learn more about the academics and activities offered at Sky View Middle School.

February 25, noon to 5 p.m.
Improv Workshop at Summit High School
Summit High School’s Drama Club will host an improvisational theater workshop for younger students as part of the group’s education outreach program. This workshop is for students ages 8-14 and will be taught by members of the Improv Troupe VIP. The workshop lasts from noon to 4 p.m., with a showcase from 4 to 5 p.m. The showcase is free and open to the public. The workshop is $25 per student. Contact Lara Okamoto to enroll at [email protected]

February 27 to March 1
Invention Convention at William E. Miller Elementary School
Students of all ages at the school create inventions, which are on display throughout the day. Typically about 200 inventions are on display during this creative annual event at William E. Miller Elementary School.

February 27, 6:30 p.m.
Information Night at Bend Senior High School
Students and families of incoming freshmen can learn more about the activities, programs and academic offerings at Bend Senior High School during this information night.

March 1
Deadline for Attendance Area Change Requests
Families may opt to send students to schools other than their neighborhood school. This option allows families to select a school that is convenient for transportation or to access a specific program available at a neighborhood school outside of their attendance area. Families must submit an Attendance Area Change Request. Download an application and learn more about this policy.

NOTE: Magnet schools and other choice options for families are hosting information sessions and tours for families throughout February and March. Magnet applications are due March 24 Check our Choice Options Webpage.

More News:

• Diabetes Kits: Five Bend Senior High School students in the International Baccalaureate program competed a service project recently to create 125 emergency sugar supply kits for Type 1 Diabetics at Bend Senior High School and Sky View Middle School. The students raised money for the supplies and put them together. The boxes are there for students if they find themselves in an emergency blood sugar situation and don't have any sugar with them or cannot get to the nurse's office.

• Artist in Residence: Musician Dale Largent is the Artist in Residence at Elk Meadow Elementary School from Feb. 6-17.

• Kindness Month: Elk Meadow Elementary School is celebrating the theme of kindness throughout the month of February, with many activities planned around that theme. Contact the school for details.

• Engery Winners Announced: Our schools have been engaged in energy-saving contest this year and have saved more than 175,000 kWh this year compared with last year, a savings equivalent to approximately $23,000 for our district. The top energy-saving schools at each level received a grant award of $1,500 each. Congratulations to Highland Magnet at Kenwood School, Cascade Middle School and Summit High School.

• Plastic Bag Recyling Underway: Three of our schools — Silver Rail, Pine Ridge and Bear Creek elementary schools — are collecting clean plastic bags and wrapping to recycle through a company that makes composite decks. The school with the most recycled plastic items will win a bench from the company. Check out this video that explains how the recycling works from Silver Rail Elementary School: Silver Rail Green Team Video

• New School Readiness Workshop Begins: Pre-K students are engaged in a new School Readiness Workshop, for families of students who will enter kindergarten in the fall. The program runs Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays from Feb. 6 to June 1. The new program, located at Bear Creek Elementary School, is designed to prepare students for a successful transition to kindergarten and will help students develop social and emotional learning skills and other foundational skills. Contact: Maria McClain-Madden at [email protected]