Today’s podcast takes on a serious, disheartening subject: bias incidents in our schools. Superintendent Steven Cook, Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Kinsey Martin and Assistant Director of Student Services Eric Powell walk listeners through what we are seeing in schools and how our staff are responding. Listeners will learn how many bias incidents have been reported this year, how each report is investigated and what restorative practices are in place to help after an incident.

It’s School Library Month and Dr. Cook is connecting with two outstanding teacher librarians, Eila Overcash (Summit High) and Donna Layne (Mountain View High), to get an inside look at our thriving libraries. The duo share tips on how to find a book to reach even the most reluctant reader, how they approach books with controversial subjects and how they have turned their libraries into the center of the school (Wordle, a mannequin, a prize wheel and WWII museum all play a part). Plus, four book recommendations worth checking out!  

In today’s episode, Dr. Steven Cook talks with two athletic directors about the moment everything changed in their worlds, how they handle ever-changing protocols, and the transformative power of athletics. Caldera’s Dave Williams and Mountain View’s Lance Haas share the importance of staying flexible and why they know their work matters for kids.  

What does a School Resource Officer do? Superintendent Steven Cook talks with longtime School Resource Officer Amy Ward from Bend Police Department about her day-to-day duties, how she collaborates with Bend High Principal Chris Reese, and why relationships are at the heart of everything she does. 

In this episode, Superintendent Steven Cook learns about a key local resource for mental health support for students – YouthLine, a free teen-to-teen crisis support and help line. Dr. Cook talks with two of YouthLine’s local student volunteers who share the kind of issues and challenges they are hearing from students, how youth today are breaking the stigma of reaching out for help and what’s giving them hope right now. This is part 2 in a series on student mental health. 

Note: This podcast episode may cover sensitive topics including but not limited to suicide, mental health illness and grief. You are advised to refrain from listening to the podcast if you may be adversely impacted to these topics.

If you or someone needs mental health support, reach out:

Snow is here! Learn how to find out if school is in session. In this bonus clip, learn how we decide whether to delay or close schools during inclement weather (staff hit the roads at 3 a.m.!) and find out how to learn about those decisions as soon as they happen. Featuring Transportation Director Kim Crabtree and Superintendent Steven Cook.

BLConnect: https://bls.fyi/connect

My Stop: https://bls.fyi/mystop

NOTE: This is a short excerpt from an interview Superintendent Steven Cook conducted with Transportation Director Kim Crabtree earlier this year. Listen to the full episode now

In this deep dive, Superintendent Steven Cook talks with two dynamic school counselors about why this time of year can be challenging for some families, finding our strengths, how to talk to teens about serious issues and why our students make them hopeful for the future. Thank you to Bend Senior High School’s Christine Ewing and La Pine High School’s Kelsey Jaeckel for sharing your stories and passion for supporting students with listeners.

Note: This podcast episode may cover sensitive topics including but not limited to suicide, mental health illness and grief. You are advised to refrain from listening to the podcast if you may be adversely impacted to these topics.

Resources highlighted during episode:

• First Step App

Many other resources available on District Student Mental Health website also available en Espańol

Note: BRYT, mentioned by Christine Ewing during the episode, is the name of the organization that Bend-La Pine Schools is partnering with to build our Student Success Program at each of our school sites. Middle and high school students and families can reach out to counselors for support; elementary school students and families can reach out to school administrators. 

Today on the Supe’s on!, Dr. Steven Cook talks with Kinsey Martin, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, about new Every Student Belongs legislation, the difference between bias and hate, pushing back on the notion that our community isn’t diverse, and the importance of empathy and staying at the table during uncomfortable conversations. 

With cold, blustery weather on the horizon, it’s a good time to get prepared for inclement weather. Today on the Supe’s On! Podcast, Superintendent Cook talks with our Transportation Director Kim Crabtree about how we make decisions about when to call snow days and how our drivers prepare for inclement weather of all kinds. Learn what it’s like behind the wheel, the numerous ways Crabtree and the crew have adapted during the past two years and what’s making her hopeful for the future. 

Did you know Bend-La Pine Schools has its very own Executive Chef? On this episode Tracie Surgeon takes us into the high tech production kitchen at Bend High, where she and Superintendent Steven Cook talk supply chain issues, buying local, the surprisingly sophisticated palates of kindergartners and why she is proud to be called THE Lunch Lady. Plus the pride she feels of preparing to feed from-scratch chili and cornbread to 1,200 community members at Caldera's ribbon cutting Oct. 21.