Bend-La Pine Schools is asking families and staff to share their thoughts about what a return to learning for Silver Rail Elementary School students could look like. On Thursday, Bend-La Pine Schools issued an update about its return-to-school process for the school community that was rocked by a deadly shooting that killed three students and a teacher. Another student and educational assistant were also shot and are recovering.
Classes and activities were canceled across the district for several days following the shooting, though other schools returned to normal schedules Oct. 21.
“The district has asked all parents and guardians of Silver Rail students to participate in a return-to-learning survey that will be used to inform the process,” BLPS stated in a press release Thursday. “Alongside family outreach, the district is working directly with teachers and staff to better understand their needs and ideas for a safe, thoughtful transition back to school.”
The survey asks families to rate their first, second and third preferences for returning to learning, including options for returning to Silver Rail, moving to another BLPS school, attending online courses or enrolling outside the district. The survey also asks families to indicate the timeline in which they’d like their child to return to learning and what supports they may need.
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for BLPS students the week of October 26 to 30, with all BLPS students out of school October 28-30. Silver Rail will not hold its parent-teacher conferences.
“To support local families during this period, the Boys & Girls Club has extended child care openings specifically for Silver Rail families through the duration of next week,” BLPS said. The district’s Nutrition Services Department is also providing free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch for Silver Rail students from 10:45 am to 11:45 am at R.E. Jewell Elementary School, located at 20550 Murphy Road in Bend.
“We thank our families and community for their ongoing consideration, messages of support, and patience as we navigate each day,” said Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steve Cook in the news release. “Your voice is essential as we navigate our return to school and determine our next steps together.”
District officials will begin reviewing surveys from Silver Rail families on Oct. 26, though the survey will stay open longer than that, Becca Burda, assistant director of communications for BLPS told the Source, as they continue to collect feedback.
As of Thursday, district officials removed the impromptu memorial in front of the school, under advisement from the FBI, which indicated its removal would allow the community to “reclaim the school” more quickly.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
