Bend-La Pine schools’ application window open for choice option and dual immersion schools for incoming kindergarteners
If you have a child entering kindergarten next fall in the Bend-La Pine School District, now is the time to decide whether a choice option school might be right for your family. Applications for kindergarten choice option schools and for the dual immersion (English and Spanish) program are due by March 22 at 3 p.m.
Choice option schools provide learning opportunities distinct from traditional school programs. While students are expected to meet the same standards and requirements of traditional schools in the district, they also benefit from unique programs that cater to individual interests and learning styles.
The district uses a lottery system to select students for both choice option schools and the dual immersion program.
There are several family information nights happening in March:
- Dual Immersion – March 4, 6-7pm at R.E. Jewell Elementary
- Amity Creek – March 7, 5-6pm at Amity
- Highland – March 5, 3-4pm & 5-6pm
- Westside Village – March 13, 1:30-2:30pm & March 14, 5:15-6:30pm
To find out more about choice option schools and dual immersion, go to: bend.k12.or.us/district/academics/choice-options.
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Central Oregon Gives raises over $1 million for local nonprofits
The Source Weekly announced a remarkable milestone for the 2023 Central Oregon Gives campaign. The campaign, renowned for its end-of-year philanthropic efforts, amassed over $1 million in donations for the second consecutive year. Since its inception in 2018, Central Oregon Gives has helped raise nearly $4 million, benefiting over 100 local nonprofits.
Last year’s runner-up, Saving Grace, a crucial support organization for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, emerged as the top fundraiser this year. The organization earned $252,292.
In addition to their fundraising achievements, Saving Grace unlocked an additional $15,000 from an anonymous donor for winning the top fundraising prize.
The nonprofit in the Education, Family and Children category that raised the second most earned $5,000 from First Interstate Bank. This year that nonprofit was Desert Sky Montessori.
In addition to Saving Grace and Desert Sky Montessori, five other organizations are taking away $27,500 in $2,500 grants for their fundraising successes across several categories, including:
- Basic Needs: Furnish Hope
- Animal Welfare: Street Dog Hero
- Arts & Culture: World Muse
- Health & Environment: Healing Reins
- Largest number of $25 donations or less: Desert Sky Montessori
Aaron Switzer, founder of Central Oregon Gives and Publisher of the Source Weekly, remarked, “This year has been a pivotal one for Central Oregon Gives. We are thrilled with the outcome and look forward to achieving even greater heights in collaboration with our nonprofits and the broader community.”
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What to call baby?
If you’re anxiously awaiting the Social Security Administration to release their list of most popular baby names in 2023, you’ll have to wait a little bit longer. Looking at 2022 data, Liam came in number one for the male names, while Olivia topped the female list. Noah, Oliver, James and Elijah completed the list in that order for the boys, and Emma, Charlotte, Amelia and Sophia made the top five for the girls.
Interestingly, for U.S. births in 2022, the top 1,000 names represent about 71 percent of all names. Oregon followed closely the national trend for baby naming, except for Henry making the top five for males, and for the girls, Evelyn nudged out Sophia for a spot up top.
This article appears in BendNest Spring 2024.
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