Bend-La Pine Schools Closed Through Tuesday as Community Grieves Shooting Deaths

Bend-La Pine Schools will remain closed Monday and Tuesday in the aftermath of the Oct. 15 shooting at a southeast Bend elementary school that left three children and a teacher dead, the district announced Friday evening.

That doesn’t include Silver Rail Elementary, where the shooting occurred. The school is still the site of an active investigation into the crime, and will “remain closed until further notice,” the district said Friday.

A separate plan for Silver Rail has been shared with families and staff, the district said.

Bend-La Pine Schools Communications Director Scott Maben said absences will be excused for students who aren’t ready to return Wednesday.

“Counseling supports will be available in all school buildings, and law enforcement presence will be heightened across our community,” the district said in a social media post.

School events and activities will also be canceled Monday and Tuesday, the district said.

As more details emerged about the tragedy — including the names of some victims and the shooter — hundreds of people sought free emotional crisis support at the Bend Central Library Friday, the day after the shooting. The previous evening, hundreds also gathered at vigils in downtown Bend to mourn the loss.

With schools closed on Friday, businesses offered free food and other services while groups like parks and museums hosted free events.

Parents and students are still grappling with the reality of students returning to school next week. Delta Thompson, an 8-year-old who goes to Pine Ridge Elementary in southwest Bend, said the thought of going back to school is scary.

“I think every parent’s going to dread that first day,” said Thompson’s mother at a memorial at Silver Rail Elementary on Saturday. She said the thought of a school shooting is “always in the back of your head,” but the Silver Rail tragedy showed just how real it could be.

Rebecca Peterson, the mother of a 10-year-old who attends High Lakes Elementary in west Bend, said that while everyone is nervous about children returning to school in Bend, students will benefit from seeing each other again.

“In a lot of ways it’ll be really good,” Peterson said. “I think the kids need each other.”