During their lunch break, a handful of tweens bounce back and forth from several giant containers of water and a long table scattered with test tubes, eye droppers, additives and charts associating colors with chemicals in parts per million. The entire scene could easily be mistaken for a mad scientist’s laboratory. But creating a monster […]
Bend Nest
Bend Nest is a place to discuss, consider and laugh about all that parenting brings. A quarterly magazine produced by some of the finest writers, editors and photographers in Central Oregon, Bend Nest is smart and informed.
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Best Children’s Optometrist
Best of the Nest: Dr. Gabby Marshall, Elemental Eyecare
Dr. Gabby Marshall 1. Why did you decide to specialize in treating children? I realized that although I completely and thoroughly love everything about being an optometrist, the best part was helping kids. Not everyone likes to have kids in their office all day long, but since I enjoy it, I decided to make a special […]
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Best Day Camp for Older Kids
Best of the Nest: High Desert Museum
Carolyn Nesbitt, Curator of Education 1. How did you come up with the idea of a day camp for kids? We wanted to offer local families, especially our members, a way to engage with the Museum in more meaningful ways. Camp themes connect to the Museum’s mission and exhibitions, giving kids the opportunity to delve deeper […]
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Best Kid’s Menu and Best Family Restaurant
Best of the Nest: Jackson’s Corner
Aaron Christenson, Manager/Owner 1. How did Jackson’s Corner get so good at keeping kids happy? Trial by fire. We have kids ourselves and know the struggles that can come with attempting to go out with them. If you take care of the kids first, parents can relax. Happy kids, happy parents. We try to offer […]
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Best Place for a Child’s Haircut
Best of the Nest: Sprouts Kids Salon
Shawnde Russell, Owner 1. Obvious first question: How do you keep kids relaxed and happy while cutting their hair? We now have multiple televisions for kids to view Netflix or a DVD of their choice. We also have lollipops—which are a huge hit. Plus, we have plenty of toys for kids to play with before, […]
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Best Dance Studio
Best of the Nest: Vibe Dance Center
Sarah Hall, Owner/Director 1. How do kids benefit from dance? Dance is a great way for kids to progress in motor skill development, engage multiple senses and gain an understanding of a classroom/studio community environment. As dancers grow in age, dance can become an amazing opportunity to learn the value in creativity, self-expression, confidence, body […]
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What is IB Anyway?
Exploring the International Baccalaureate program for Central Oregon students
Imagine the scene: An auditorium of young teens and their parents or guardians, sitting down to listen to a program detailing how they can make their high school careers even more challenging. Yes, this really happens. As a parent, you’ve probably heard of Advanced Placement, often called AP, offering students a more rigorous high school […]
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Stepping Up Sexual Abuse Prevention Measures
Erin’s Law keeps Bend-La Pine School District’s kids safe
With stories of gun violence in schools splashed across the Internet, newspapers and television screens, it is hard to escape the feeling that you are alone in the effort to protect your children—especially when they are not in your care. While the debate over gun control and school safety rages on, there is news to […]
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Pure Gold
Meet freshman artist Miina McCown
Miina McCown has always loved to draw. This Bend High freshman’s talent was recently recognized with one Silver and three Gold Keys from the 2018 Central Oregon Scholastic Art Awards. Not bad for a 14-year-old whose schedule is too busy for art classes. I met up with Miina at COCC’s Pinckney Gallery, where the almost […]
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Nest News
Bend-La Pine Schools’ Graduation Rate Highest in History, My Bus Stop app and teen brain plasticity
Hurray for Hard-Working Students! Bend-La Pine Schools’ Graduation Rate Highest in History Last year’s Bend-La Pine Schools Class of 2017 marked an all-time high for the percentage of students graduating on time, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The Department of Education computes an adjusted graduation rate for states by tracking students beginning in […]
