January 24, 2020
Contents
- Update from the Principal
- Noche para las familias latinas / Spanish Latino Night
- Parent Workshop Series #2
- Author Visits PCMS: Alexandra Diaz
- High School Information Nights for 8th Graders
- NJHS Reminder
- Winter Athletics
- Ways to Support our Sparrow, Alaric
- PCMS Robotics Update
- Looking Ahead
- Stay Connected
Update from the Principal
This week has been full of showcasing student learning. On Thursday night, our 7th grade students all got information regarding Winter Wellness at Camp Tamarack followed by an exhibition of recent projects related to reducing plastics in watersheds around the world. These were all so creative and it was fun to watch our students shine! Thank you to our 7th grade teams who have created this learning experience for students! See below for some photos of this evening.
Next week we are looking forward to connecting with families at our Tuesday evening Parent Night on the topic of social media and again on Wednesday as we welcome author Alexandra Diaz to our state and school. Please see below to join us for both of these events. Both are open to the public so please feel free to grab a friend and get ready to learn!
Next week also marks the end of our first semester. As I have said in the last three weekly updates, don't let grades catch you or your child by surprise. Please visit Parent VUE frequently and check in directly with teachers if you have questions. We also continue to have our Wednesday tutoring option open for customers so if this will help your child, consider signing up for future sessions.
Finally, I am excited to start a book club for interested family members that will begin meeting on February 11th. I will have more information about this club in our next weekly letter so stay tuned for more. Have a great weekend. Go Golden Eagles!
Lisa
Parent Night: Social Media & Peer Relationships
Tuesday | January 28 | 6:00 - 7:30pm PCMS Nest/Commons
Dan Seigel, in his book "Brainstorm", describes one aspect of adolescence as Social Engagement. Teens begin to turn more towards peers than parents. They seek acceptance and feedback from peers. The upside to this Social Engagement is the idea that adolescents are building supportive relationships. Relationships, Seigel describes, are a key factor associated with medical and mental health, longevity, and happiness. The downside is falling prey to peer pressure in order to become part of a group or remain a member of the group.
The ways in which adolescents are engaging with each other are changing rapidly. They are engaging less in face to face interactions and instead turning towards social media as a means of relationship building. While these apps may be used positively, they are often a source of stress as navigating them can be challenging for teens.
This workshop will focus on the importance of developing positive peer relationships for adolescents, how they are developing these relationships, the potential dangers and the incredible potential that lies within social media, and how to engage and have difficult with adolescents regarding peer relationships and social media. There will be time to engage in discourse with fellow parents, ask questions, and develop skills to talk with your teens in a constructive way that provides open and honest conversation that supports their development of positive peer relationships.
Author Visits PCMS!
Wednesday | January 29 | 6:00 - 7:30PM
Tickets are $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family and can be purchased now by clicking the button below.
The Only Road is a 2020 Oregon Battle of the Books title and we are thrilled to host her at PCMS! We encourage our families to read this timely book together prior to the event. You may order a copy now by visiting or calling Round About Books. You may also complete this order form and return after winter break to Marni Hanna in the library. Remember to bring your book on January 29 to get the author's autograph!
High School Informational Nights
Attention: All 8th Grade Students & Parents of Class of 2024
Mark your calendars! Local high schools are inviting all incoming ninth-graders in Bend-La Pine Schools and their families to learn about our seven high schools during upcoming information nights set to take place in February. During these orientation nights, families will learn more about the programs and opportunities available for their students at each school, from academics to activities.
Students wishing to attend one of the district’s three small choice option schools— Bend Technical Academy at Marshall High School, Realms High School or Skyline High School — can apply online now for the 2020-21 school year. Deadline to apply is Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Click on the links below for more information.
- Feb. 3 - Realms High School
- Feb. 4 - Bend Technical Academy at Marshall High School
- Feb. 5 - Skyline High School
- Feb. 10 - Bend Senior High School English | Spanish
- Feb. 12 - Mountain View High School English Spanish
- Feb. 12 - La Pine High School
- Feb. 19 - Summit High School
Students may choose to apply to attend a neighborhood high school outside of their attendance area where space is available with an approved Attendance Area Change Request (ACR). Families must submit an ACR form to their home area high school for approval by Monday, March 2. Learn more at our Attendance Area webpage.
NJHS Reminder
As we approach the mid-way mark of the year, it is a great time for our National JUNIOR Honor Society (NJHS) members to review the amount of hours they’ve earned so that they can be sure to be on-track to accumulate the 30 amount of hours needed for recognition at the end of the school year. A reminder, students need to maintain a 3.50 minimum grade point average in addition to compiling the 30 service hours.
If your student has questions about their hours or if they are a member of NJHS, please ask them to talk to Mr. Kelling.
Winter Athletics
Track coach needed. All interested please apply. Ideal candidate will have some high jump experience. However we are looking for anyone interested in helping.
Upcoming Athletic Events
- Jan 28 - Wrestling Match | 4:00PM | LaPine Middle School
- Jan 31 - Wrestling City Championships | 9:00AM | Bend High
- Feb 3 - Girls Basketball Games | Click below for details
- Feb 4 - Wrestling Match | 4:00PM | Sisters Middle School
- Feb 8 - Wrestling CO Duals | 10:00AM | SkyView Middle School
- Feb 10 - Track Registration Opens
Click the button below for the most up to date athletics information.
Sparrow Clubs USA
In addition to supporting our community, PCMS students and families can earn money for our Sparrow, Alaric while volunteering! With the help of an excellent sponsor, Kendall Toyota, Alaric's family can receive $10 for every hour of community service our Golden Eagles complete. See a few examples of community service below or click here to find an organization who needs support:
- Serving food at a shelter
- Yardwork for elderly
- Working at a food bank
- Picking up trash
Community service vouchers are available in Student Services and the Main Office.
Val-O-Gram Fundraiser for Alaric
Sales Begin Monday | January 27
- Surprise someone with a message of kindness and friendship, while supporting Alaric.
- PCMS Val-O-Grams will be on sale beginning Monday, January 27 and ending Friday, February 7 during lunch or in the office.
- Cost is $1.00 per Val-O-Gram and includes, a card with special message, red glow-stick bracelet and delivery if these items on Valentine's Day, Friday January 14.
- Students, parents, guardians and staff members are welcome to participate and you can send as many as your heart desires!
Sparrow Rummage Sale
Saturday | February 29 | 8:00 - 1:00
Our NJHS students are sponsoring this event to raise money for our Sparrow. More information will be coming your way soon regarding drop-off of items, but we ask that you begin setting aside items that you would love to donate in support of Alaric.
This fundraiser is open to the general public, so start spreading the word to your family, friends and co-workers.
Acceptable items are SAFE, NOT BROKEN, NOT SOILED, NOT TORN, FULLY INTACT & FUNCTIONAL, meaning no missing parts. We will not be accepting furniture.
- CLOTHING (no under garments please)
- HOUSEHOLD DECOR ITEMS (pictures, artwork, vases, throw pillows, etc., no furniture please)
- KITCHENWARE (dishware, pots, pans, small working appliances, etc.)
- RECREATIONAL GEAR (all functional & safe)
- TOYS / PUZZLES / GAMES (fully intact, not broken)
PCMS Robotics Update
Team goes to Super Qualifier Tournament!
The PCMS robotics team, ranked first among Central Oregon FIRST Tech Challenge teams, came home last Sunday from their qualifying tournament with first and second place trophies for robot design and engineering notebook. As the youngest team there, they competed against and cooperated with high school teams from around the state.
The team will be advancing to a Super Qualifier Tournament in February, which is the final competition before the state championship. Go, Order of Van-archy!
Looking Ahead
Week: 1/26 - 2/1
- Jan 27 Val-O-Gram Sales Begin
- Jan 27 - Bend High IB Info Night
- Jan 28 - Latino Family Night / Noche para las familias latinas
- Jan 28 - Wrestling Meet @ LaPine MS
- Jan 28 - Parent Night #2: Social Media and Peer Relationships
- Jan 29 - Golden Eagle Tutoring
- Jan 29 - Author Visits PCMS: Alexandra Diaz
- Jan 31 - No School
- Jan 31 - Wrestling City Championship @ Bend High School
Week of 2/2 - 2/8
- Feb 2 - First Semester Grades available on StudentVue and ParentVue
- Feb 3 - Second Semester begins
- Feb 3 - REALMS High School Information Night 6:00 pm
- Feb 4- Golden Eagle Tutoring
- Feb 4 - Wrestling Meet @ Sisters Middle School
- Feb 4 - Bend Technical at Marshall High School Information Night 6:00 pm
- Feb 5 - Skyline High School Information Night 6:00 pm
- Feb 7 - 6th Grade Movie Night 6:00 pm
- Feb 8 - Central Oregon Middle School Wrestling Classic @ Sky View Middle School
Credits:
Created with images by Ben Hershey - "untitled image" • Ben Wicks - "This is my kitchen clock taken with a Nikon 60mm macro. It was just messing about with the macro and seeing what the shallow Depth of Field could do."