PRESS RELEASE:

March 4-8
Classified Staff Appreciation Week
Bend-La Pine Schools celebrates the contributions of more than 890 classified staff members throughout the week. These staff members include nutrition services staff, bus drivers, custodians, maintenance crew members, office staff, bookkeepers, technology support, educational assistants and more.

March 5, 6 p.m.
Information Night at La Pine High School
Incoming freshmen and their families are invited to this information night that includes free dinner.

March 6, times vary (every Wednesday in March)
Jewell Jumble at R.E. Jewell Elementary School
Every Wednesday in March, students at R.E. Jewell will participate in a wide range of electives that focus on the the 4Cs – communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Activities will include archery, coding, cooking, knitting, break out boxes, derby cars and more. Contact: Jesse Rasmussen at [email protected]

March 6, 1:15 p.m.
Information Session at Juniper Elementary School
Prospective families are invited to learn more about this choice option school. Learn more at http://bit.ly/BLSchoice

March 6, 5 p.m.
Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash at Three Rivers School
Families celebrate Dr. Seuss with fun interactive event honoring all things related to the author. Event is for students in grades K-3 and their families.

March 6, 6 p.m.
Choir Concert at Silver Rail Elementary School
Free and open to the public.

March 6, 6 p.m.
Information Session at Realms Middle School
Prospective families are invited to learn more about this choice option school. Learn more at http://bit.ly/BLSchoice

March 6 and 7, 6:30 p.m.
Lorax the Musical at Cascades Theatrical Company
This special performance of the show will be performed by students from Westside Village Magnet at Kingston School at the theater, 148 NW Greenwood Ave, Bend.

March 6-10, times vary
Disney’s High School the Musical at Mountain View High School
Mountain View High School students will perform Disney’s High School the Musical. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults. Showtimes are 7 p.m. March 6-9 and 2 p.m. March 9-10.

March 7, 5:30 p.m.
Information Session at Juniper Elementary School
Prospective families are invited to learn more about this choice option school. Learn more at http://bit.ly/BLSchoice

March 7, 6 p.m.
Information Session at Realms Middle School
Prospective families are invited to learn more about this choice option school. Learn more at http://bit.ly/BLSchoice

March 11, all day
Spring College Tour for La Pine High School
Oregon state colleges and universities will visit La Pine High School.

March 11, 4 p.m.
Meet Candidates for New High School Principal at the Education Center
Community members, staff and students are invited to learn more about the principal candidates for the new high school in southeast Bend.

March 11, 6 p.m.
Information Session for Dual Immersion Program at Bear Creek Elementary School
Prospective families are invited to learn more about this choice option program. Learn more at http://bit.ly/BLSchoice

March 12, 5 to 7:45 p.m.
Hope, Help & Heal at La Pine High School
Families are invited to this interactive teen suicide prevention session in partnership with Deschutes County Health Service, Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance, Safe Schools Alliance and local mental health professionals. Free dinner and childcare, programming in English and Spanish. Free and open to the public. Learn more at www.preventsuicideco.org

March 13, lunchtime
Meet the Professional at La Pine High School
Several local nurses will visit La Pine High School to talk with students about their career as part of the high school’s new series called “Meet the Professional.” The series is funded in part through the school’s Gear Up grant, which is designed to encourage students to purse post-secondary education.

March 13, 6 p.m.
Musical at High Lakes Elementary School
Third grade students perform a musical for families.

March 14, 6 p.m.
Information Session at Westside Village Magnet at Kingston School
Prospective families are invited to learn more about this choice option school. Learn more at http://bit.ly/BLSchoice

March 14, 7 p.m.
Band Festival Preview Concert at Mountain View High School
Free and open to the public.

March 16, all day, concert at 3:30 p.m.
Kids Choir Festival at Bend Senior High School
Students from five Bend-La Pine Schools elementary schools will come together for an all-day festival of choral music. Fourth- and fifth-graders spend the day learning more about music and will be joined by a guest conductor for a concert that is open to the public.

March 16, 6:45 p.m.
Trivia Night for Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools
This annual fundraiser for the Education Foundation takes place at the Tower Theatre. Learn more.

March 18, 9:15 a.m.
Kindergarten Orientation at William E. Miller Elementary School
Incoming kindergarten students and their families are invited to this orientation.

March 19, all day
NJROTC Annual Military Inspection at La Pine High School
An inspector from the U.S. Navy will be on hand to review and inspect the approximately 35 students enrolled in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at La Pine High. The Navy boss will review each student’s uniform and ask questions about military knowledge and current events.

March 19, 6 p.m.
Band and Choir Concert at La Pine High School
Free and open to the public.

March 19, 7 p.m.
Spring Orchestra Concert at Mountain View High School
Free and open to the public.

March 20, 4 p.m.
Information Session at Westside Village Magnet at Kingston School
Prospective families are invited to learn more about this choice option school. Learn more at http://bit.ly/BLSchoice

March 21, 5 p.m.
Community Celebration at Westside Village Magnet at Kingston School
Parents are invited to this community celebration that includes dinner and student performances.

March 21, 6 p.m.
Spring Concert at Three Rivers School
Middle school spring concert includes choir, beginning band, advanced band and guitar. Free and open to the public.

March 22, 3 p.m.
Choice Option Applications due for Elementary and Middle School
Prospective families must apply by 3 p.m. on March 22. Learn more and apply at http://bit.ly/BLSchoice

March 25-29
Spring Break No School

Looking ahead:

• April 4 – Job Fair at Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond (1 to 6 p.m.)
• April 23 - Hope, Help & Heal youth suicide prevention event at Mountain View High School (5 to 7:45 p.m.)
• April 24 - Kindergarten registration (time varies, contact neighborhood school for details)

Other story ideas:

• Robotics competitions: Several local schools are competition at top levels in robotic regional and statewide robotics competitions including High Desert Droids out of Mountain View High School; Chaos Theory from Summit High School; and VEX Robotics Club at Bend Senior High School.
• DECA Accolades: Bend Senior High School’s DECA chapter earned the 2019 Oregon DECA Chapter of the Year at the recent state conference and 10 students qualified for the upcoming international competition held in Orlando in April. Advisor Kristen Torkelson was honored for her years of service with the Oregon State DECA Honorary Life Member award. DECA’s mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marking, finance, hospitality and management.
• Climate Resolution at Bend High: Bend Senior High School’s student council became one of the first in the nation to pass a call to climate action resolution. The school’s Design Justice class worked to create the resolution and presented it to the council. Contact Matt Fox – [email protected]
• Snowshoeing Adventures: Students at Westside Village Magnet at Kingston School are slated to take part in snowshoeing adventures during the month. Contact the school for details.
• Energy Savings: Bend-La Pine Schools is in its third year as part of the Strategic Energy Management program with Energy Trust of Oregon aimed at energy savings, which can come from bond projects such as new boilers, lighting upgrades or low cost/ no cost initiatives such as school-wide behavior shifts or changes in heating times and lighting controls. Seven schools are currently taking part in the program (three are new this year). As an example: thanks to new controls, an active green team and staff efforts, Sky View Middle School reduced its energy costs about $8,000 over the course of three months. Learn more from Jackie Wilson [email protected]