COVID caught schools off guard when it first swept across the country in 2020. A lack of available testing and digital teaching tools resulted in mass quarantines, confusion among parents and students and the enactment of COVID-safe practices like wearing masks, daily surface disinfections and social distancing. Bend-La Pine Schools and Redmond School District will […]
students
Posted inNews
Hotspots for Kids in Bend-La Pine Schools
With learning going virtual April 1, district comes up with a solution for those without internet at home
With schools closed at least through April 28 statewide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students have spent the last week in something of a “emergency weather closure” mode, as it pertains to staying home and doing no school work. With spring break scheduled for next week, that pattern continues for another week. But starting the […]
Posted inCulture
Young Audiences Brings Artists to Central Oregon Classrooms
Program offers opportunities for bringing performances, workshops and supplies to area schools
An exciting new opportunity is available to Central Oregon schools and artists: Young Audiences of Oregon/SW Washington now serves the Central Oregon community, bringing artists directly into the classroom. The program is expanding its roster and looking for artists interested in teaching, as well as seeking schools where educators want the added benefit of bringing […]
Posted inNews
Kids on Climate
Three young activists weigh in on last year’s accomplishments and the outlook for 2020
Students around the globe have been inspired into action by the courage of 17-year-old Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate activist who was named Time’s “Person of the Year” in 2019. Two years ago, Thunberg began walking out of school, spending the days in protest outside the Swedish Parliament to demand stronger climate action from political […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Food on the Run
COCC Launches a Food Truck
The Cascade Culinary Institute at Central Oregon Community College has a new project that foodies are going to love. A newly purchased food truck, named the “Shirley Ray,” is yet another exciting opportunity for culinary students, launched by COCC. The truck’s namesake honors the late Shirley Ray, whose donations funded the project. The food truck […]
Posted inNews
Students, Stress and Suicide
A recent City Club forum took a closer look at Oregon’s new ‘Mental Health Days’ law and how it could help students
In February, a group of Central Oregon students proposed a new bill to the Oregon Legislature—one that would allow high school students the opportunity to take five mental health days over a three-month period without academic consequences. The bill was inspired by the nationwide effort among youth to change the stigma surrounding mental health, by […]
Posted inOutside
Helping Wildlife Get By
Think Wild prepares to start taking in creatures at its rehab facility
On a Saturday and Sunday afternoon in July, the brand-new wildlife rehabilitation facility, Think Wild, east of Bend, created a traffic jam with its open house. A lot of people from Bend, Tumalo, LaPine, Sisters and Redmond came out to check out what Think Wild was all about. So, here’s the skinny. The facility once […]
Posted inNews
Scenes from the Youth Climate Strike
Students walked out of school, urging leaders to take more action to slow global warming
Posted inNews
Snow Storm Causes School Year Extension
Last day of school now June 14
The area’s record-setting snowfall in February resulted in Bend-La Pine Schools canceling four days. On March 7, the district announced it would extend the school year until Friday, June 14. The revised 2018-2019 calendar is as follows: BEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS · Wed., April 10 —School Improvement Wednesday schedule · Thu., April 11 — Full school […]
Posted inNews
Last school year, nearly 22,000 Oregon kids didn’t have a home
New report shows 884 homeless students in Deschutes County
The good news: The number of students in Oregon who don’t have a home of their own is down from last year. The bad news: The number of students in Oregon who don’t have a home of their own is still close to 22,000. Last week, the Oregon Department of Education released its data on […]
