PRESS RELEASE:

Bike Safety at Elk Meadow Elementary School
Fourth-graders at Elk Meadow will learn about bike safety thanks to instructors from Commute Options. Many schools throughout the district also partner with Commute Options to offer bicycle and pedestrian safety instruction to students.

October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Wear Blue at Three Rivers School
Students and staff at Three Rivers School are encouraged to wear blue in support of October being National Bullying Prevention Month.

October 1
Luna Evening Program Opens
Luna, an afternoon and evening program for high school students, will begin serving students for a second year on Oct. 1. Learn more about Luna.

October 3, 4:30 p.m.
La Pine Fall Festival at La Pine Elementary School
All of the schools in La Pine are combining forces to put on a fall festival for the community. Families and students are invited to meet representatives from more than 20 community partners, receive information about healthy behaviors, receive free vegetables, partake in a free dinner, meet Smokey Bear and have the chance to win prizes. Free and open to the community.

October 5, all day
Otter Walk and Run at Three Rivers School
This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Three Rivers School and funds raised support enrichment activities for all students.

October 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mini Mudder at R.E. Jewell Elementary School
Elementary students take on an obstacle course to raise money for the school.

October 5
Bear Creek Elementary School Starts Elective Club Rotations
Bear Creek students can choose to join in a wide range of elective clubs on Friday afternoons including yoga, ballet, Harry Potter, coding, board games, gardening and more. This is the second year the school has offered this rotation to students. Principal Anissa Wiseman says students learn new skills, get exposure to activities and work alongside students and staff they might not otherwise encounter. “It builds our community and sparks students’ imagination and passion while increasing their engagement.”

October 8-12
Fitness Week at Elk Meadow Elementary School
During morning recess throughout the week, students at Elk Meadow will engage in a different physical fitness activity led by staff. This is a way to encourage healthy movement and fitness in a fun atmosphere.

October 8-12
National Fire Prevention Week at Local Schools
Many schools are participating in fire safety and prevention activities at this time in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week through Central Oregon Fire Prevention Co-op. Contact schools for details.

October 10
Walk and Bike to School Day
Many schools are hosting events in conjunction with Walk and Bike to School Day. Contact Brian Potwin with Commute Options for information about participating schools [email protected]

October 11, 8 a.m.
Coffee at Cascade Middle School
Parents and guardians are invited to meet with school administrators and have an information conversation about what’s going on at the school.

October 11, 5:30 p.m.
Fall Festival at Silver Rail Elementary School
Families are invited to take part in this carnival event featuring food, games and family fun.

October 12, 10:30 a.m.
Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame at Bend Senior High School
Bend Senior High will induct two new members into the school’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame and also crown the school’s Homecoming court during this schoolwide assembly.

October 18, 10:18 a.m.
Great American Shakeout
Many schools are participating in this statewide earthquake preparedness drill on Oct. 18. Learn more about the event at http://www.shakeout.org/oregon

October 19, 5:30 p.m.
Fall Festival at Highland Magnet at Kenwood School
Families and students are invited to don their costumes and enjoy games, entertainment and more during this evening event.

October 19, 6 p.m.
Family Fall Fun Night at William E. Miller Elementary School
Families are invited to this fun evening event sponsored by the school’s PTO.

October 22, 4:30 p.m.
Attendance Area Committee Public Meeting at Sky View Middle School
Community members are invited to share general thoughts about the boundary process to the committee members. The committee will use the information to guide their work to review and adjust school attendance areas throughout the fall and winter. Learn more about this process: www.bend.k12.or.us/boundaries

October 27, 4 to 8 p.m.
Fall Carnival Benefit for Three Rivers School
The community fall carnival is open to the public and will take place at Thousand Trails RV Resort.

Other story ideas and photo opportunities:

• Picture Day: Schools are hosting picture day and this can make for great photo opportunities as students and staff prep for the photos.
• Conferences: Elementary and middle schools host parent-teacher conferences in late October.
• Winning Art Student: Cedar Zagurski, a junior at Summit High School, is the youngest artist ever to be selected to paint the pillars inside the Bend Visitor Center.
• Peer Mentoring at La Pine High School: New this year, freshmen at La Pine High were paired with junior or senior mentors to help the younger students connect with school and ask questions.
• Financial Aid and College Help: Future centers at our comprehensive high schools are in full swing helping students search for and submit applications for college. These centers include numerous volunteers who help walk students through the process.