Supe‘s On! With Dr. Steven Cook

No one denies the teen years can be tough on many levels. A program in our secondary schools called Sources of Strength is helping students lean on support systems to help them through struggles big and small. Sources debuted in Bend-La Pine Schools four years ago at Bend Tech Academy, and in this episode Dr. Cook sits down with two BTA seniors who have been instrumental in growing this unique program. Phoebe Karpstein and Linzie Harris are our guests for The Supe's On! podcast. (Theme music by Zakhar Valaha)

For students contemplating high school and beyond, two big events are right around the corner! CTE and Elective Exploration Fly-Up Day for all 8th grade students is March 3. And on March 12 we present the second annual  Life & Career Readiness Night at Caldera High School, which caters to middle and high school students and their families. This episode is a two-parter: Dr. Cook first visits with Lisa Keown, CTE Coordinator at Bend Senior High School, to learn about Fly-Up Day and exploration of Career Technical Education programs in our high schools. Then he sits down with two students at Caldera, Chloe Grissen and Jack Strycharz, who are instrumental in planning this year's Life & Career Readiness Night, which will bring regional employers, trade schools and colleges together to help our students explore the possibilities after graduation.

Mountain View High School has rolled out a digital hall pass this year that helps students maximize the time they're in classrooms and engaged in learning, and reduces problems that arise when students take longer than necessary with a hall pass. Dr. Cook sits down for a conversation with Assistant Principal Becky Aylor and Allie McIntosh, a senior at Mountain View, to discover why the school thought this change was needed and how it's going so far. (Theme music by Zakhar Valaha)

What's cooking in the department that offers breakfast and lunch to 17,000 students in Bend, Sunriver and La Pine? In our latest superintendent's podcast, Garra Schluter, Director of Nutrition Services for Bend-La Pine Schools, sits down with Dr. Cook for a chat about current trends and challenges in feeding students in our 33 schools.  Their conversation covers the huge move this school year to extend free meals to all students, how many more meals we're serving now as a result, and the staffing needs in kitchens across the district. (Guess what: We're hiring!) Garra also describes the extensive “made from scratch” meal prep that happens in our district and reveals the dishes students love the most. Tune in for this fun episode of the Supe's On! Podcast.

This school year Bend-La Pine Schools rolled out a new Student Code of Conduct, which is available on the District website – GO HERE to read or download it. The Code of Conduct outlines how our schools respond when we have student behavioral issues that may lead to discipline, and how we are making sure those responses are consistent and fair from one school to the next. Eric Powell, a Director of Student Services for the District, is Dr. Cook's guest for this episode. Eric played an instrumental role in developing this new resource and talks about what it is, how it works, and why it's an important tool for ensuring students are able to succeed and thrive in their school communities.

In Bend-La Pine Schools, we're in our third year of managing restrictions on students' personal technology during the school day. For middle school students, their phones are off and away throughout each school day, allowing them to focus fully on learning. Superintendent Steven Cook speaks with Gabe Pagano, Principal of Cascade Middle School, on how this rule is working this year, and what the reaction is from students and their families. (Theme music by Zakhar Valaha)

In this episode of the Supe's On! podcast, Dr. Cook sits down with Deputy Superintendent Lisa Birk. Dr. Birk is new to this role but has been a leader in our district for 13 years, including at Bear Creek Elementary, Pacific Crest Middle School and Juniper Elementary. Primary responsibilities of the Deputy Superintendent include supporting the planning and coordination of district-wide educational programs. In their discussion, Dr. Cook and Dr. Birk explore the district's mission of “educating thriving students” and what that looks like in our classrooms. They also address why Bend-La Pine Schools emphasizes thriving teachers and staff as an essential component of helping students to thrive in our schools. Our theme for this new school year is “You bee-long,” and that means our students and employees should feel they are part of their school community. This episode also touches on some of the questions families have as the 2024-25 school year begins, from student transportation to the expansion of no-cost breakfast and lunch districtwide, as well as how parents and guardians can monitor and support their students' academic progress, and our stance on student cell phone and personal technology.

Three years ago we opened Caldera High School in southeast Bend, and this week the first senior class will graduate. That's a big deal – big enough that we've dedicated two podcasts to it this year. Last fall we met two members of Caldera's senior class, and this spring we meet two other students preparing to graduate: Harry Jennrich and Halle Gruetzmacher. Dr. Cook asks them what it's like being among the school's first graduating class, how they helped prepare for the big day, their plans for next year, and their advice for future seniors at Caldera.

Our students are connecting with their futures through Career Technical Education programs in all of our high schools. In one school, that means students are making their own axes and learning how to operate chainsaws. Today Dr. Cook visits La Pine High School, where students are able to take classes like Natural Resource Science, Fisheries and Wildlife, Recreation Resource Management, and Advanced Forestry. CTE instructor Cameron Salvitelli and La Pine High junior Jaret Lorimor, a state champion in forestry competitions, join Dr. Cook for today's podcast to talk about these unique CTE offerings for students in our district.

Have you heard about WEB in our middle schools? It stands for Where Everybody Belongs and features 8th grade students volunteering to welcome new 6th graders and help them adjust to middle school life and feel welcome and included throughout the school year. In this episode of The Supe's On! podcast, Dr. Cook visits High Desert Middle School, where language arts teacher Elissa Freeman coordinates WEB and speaks to the impact this approach has on building positive school culture. Also joining Dr. Cook is Abby Johnson, one of the school's 8th grade WEB leaders. (Theme music by Zakhar Valaha)

Caldera High School is so new, this is its first year with a senior class. And what a special year this will be for the 250 members of Caldera's Class of 2024! In this episode of The Supe's On! podcast, Dr. Cook visits the school to meet with two of these students: Harlee Miller, a senior class officer and a member of the cheer team; and Jose´ Vera Venegas, who's on the soccer and wrestling teams and part of our Dual Immersion program. Listen to Harlee and Jose´ reflect on what it's like to be part of the first class that will graduate from Caldera, and what they look forward to as they help establish an identity and culture for our newest school. (Theme music by Zakhar Valaha)

You may know this school from a different time, with a different name. Bend Tech Academy today is entirely different: a small but mighty “choice option” high school with an emphasis on career-technical education, preparing students for college and careers. Dr. Cook visits BTA for a chat with the new Principal, Dr. LaKisha Clark, and BTA parent Sharon Miller, a member of the school's Site Council. Hear them discuss what makes BTA an exciting high school option for students in Bend-La Pine Schools. (Theme music by Zakhar Valaha)

Winter can be a tough time of year for many families, as cold weather means increased heating bills and a need for warm clothing. When our families seek basic needs, there's someone at school they can turn to for help: Family Access Network (FAN) advocates. On today's podcast, Superintendent Steven Cook is joined by FAN Executive Director Julie Lyche, who shares the hardships families are facing right now, as well as they joy and hope she feels thanks to the powerful work of this local nonprofit.  

Vaping is impacting our schools. While we know that a majority of students are not vaping, the number who are need support. In Superintendent Steve Cook's latest podcast, he examines this topic alongside Becky Aylor, Assistant Principal at Mountain View High School, and Aimee Snyder, Prevention and Health Promotion Supervisor at Deschutes County. Together they discuss the size of the problem locally, the steps our schools are taking to help students and what we can all do to prevent vaping or intervene once a student has started. Listen now: bls.fyi/podcast Prevention Resources: Tip sheet for talking to teens about vaping Marijuana Talk Kit "Talk. They Hear You" Recovery/Intervention Resources: Text DITCHVAPE to 99709: Text-based, youth-focused support to quit nicotine/ vaping Oregon Quitline (for 13 years and older): Phone, online and text counseling to quit nicotine and cannabis: English: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) quitnow.net/oregon or Español: 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1-855-335-35692) quitnow.net/oregonsp Youth can also text or call Youthline to talk to a peer about what they're experiencing that may be influencing their substance use and to learn more about options they could consider from a peer: Text Teen2Teen to 839863 or call 877-968-8491 (link available on student iPads) Use Care Solace to have a Care Companion help access treatment: CareSolace.com/bls or call 888-515-0595. Their school counselor or school nurse can help them connect to a Care Solace Care Companion.

Season 2 of Supe's On! With Dr. Cook is here and today he's covering the school construction bond on the November ballot. He goes on a tour of Bend Senior High with Principal Chris Reese to learn about 70-year-old classrooms, butterfly roofs, a boiler system run on steam and the incredible Lava Bear culture that puts people first. 

Did you know nearly 20 percent of middle and high school students in Bend-La Pine Schools identify as LGBTQ? It's true … and it's also true that students who identify as LGBTQ+ reported having the most negative experiences out of any demographic group in our schools. So what can we do to change this? On today's podcast, we are focusing on our LGBTQ+ youth and what life is like for them in our schools. Superintendent Steven Cook is joined by teacher and advisor Mark Koopman and three students who identify as LGBTQ+ to talk about their school experiences, how our schools offer support and ways our community can do better.   Join us for a great discussion about allies, belonging, pride and identity in Bend-La Pine Schools.  Note: Today's podcast includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, connect with the teen-to-teen crisis and help line Oregon YouthLine at 1877-968-8491 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For additional resources, visit our student mental health webpage. 

Grab your mortarboards and get ready to toss some confetti, it's senior week on the podcast! This week, two seniors at Realms High take Superintendent Cook on a tour of their small choice high school, reflect on how the pandemic affected their high school experience and share their plans for the future. 

It's Teacher Appreciation Week and that means Dr. Cook is headed to a middle school classroom to celebrate two outstanding educators. Cascade Middle School math teacher Brian Kent and special education teacher McKenna Johnsen share what they love about middle school (blunt, hilarious students who keep them young), how working together is building students' confidence and what's giving them hope. Plus, find out which of our teachers (who is still teaching today) inspired Kent as a high schooler by making it “cool to know stuff.”

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: First Step App, firststeporegon.org Deschutes County crisis line - 541-322-7500 ext. 9 (bilingual) Oregon YouthLine (a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line; teens are available 4 to 10 p.m. daily; adults available all other times) 1-877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863 (bilingual) National Suicide Prevention hotline: English 1-800-273-8255 and Español - 1-888-628-9454 Many other resources available on District Student Mental Health website also available en Espańol

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 Deschutes County Stabilization center Deschutes County crisis line - 541-322-7500 ext. 9 (bilingual) Oregon Youthline (a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line; teens are available 4 to 10 p.m. daily; adults available all other times) 1-877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863 (bilingual) District Student Mental Health website also available en Espańol How to help a friend resource Partners in Care Dougy Center The Trevor Project - Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth ages 13-24 WeRNative National Suicide Prevention hotline: English1-800-273-8255 and Español - 1-888-628-9454 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.

Fruit math and four square:  Today, in a change of pace, Superintendent Cook goes back to school and gets a taste of what fifth grade at Amity Creek is like thanks to tour guide Quinn. He learns about fruit math, the importance of four square and finds out when Quinn would advise “don't bite yourself!” 

Director of Schools play a critical role for our schools – learn what these folks do, their vision for what challenges lie ahead, unforgettable first days and whether they think families and staff can dare to get excited for the first day. Thanks to Juan Cuadros, Tammy Doty, Katie Legace and Skip Offenhauser for joining Dr. Cook to share their insights.    

For part three of Dr. Cook's series on Return to School Planning, we flipped the script a bit and instead of Dr. Cook conducting the interview, he is interviewed by Alandra Johnson, Assistant Director of Communications for Bend-La Pine Schools. Alandra and Dr. Cook have a good conversation about how the district is preparing for school in the fall, with information on the district's Continuation of In-Person Learning plan which includes information on masks, vaccinations, quarantines, and much more.

This week's episode of Supe's On! With Dr. Steven Cook features an interview with Tami Pike, Assistant Director of Health Services for Bend-La Pine Schools. Tami and Dr. Cook cover a lot of ground about how the district is preparing for school in the fall with good information on masking, vaccinations, quarantines and more.  

This episode contains information about how the district is preparing for school to resume in the fall, including current information on masks, vaccinations, quarantines and summer school guidelines.