Dear Cougar Students and Parents,
It’s hard to believe we are in November already! I feel like the year just began…but here we are shoveling snow and transitioning to our winter wardrobes. As you can see from the photos below, we had great student and staff participation on Halloween. Morale in our building is really high, and this year has allowed our students and staff to get back into the flow where learning and growth is happening on an hourly basis. It feels good!
We have been intentional about our focus on reestablishing our school culture, and what it means to be an MVHS student and staff member. In short, this means showing up on a daily basis, giving your best effort, and treating others with kindness. In a complex world sometimes it’s that simple 😁
If you want to take an “inside peek” of campus life, you can check out my principal Instagram page here — @mvkicks.with.hicks
Keep reading for a few important reminders and highlights of happenings coming your way.
Go Cougars! 🐾
Michael Hicks, Principal
MVHS Student Handbook
The 2022-23 Student Handbook is your parent and student resource for all of our school policies. We appreciate families taking a few moments this month to review important topics such as tardy practices, cell phone policy and reporting safety concerns and/or bias incidents.
Attendance Reminders
If your student has an excused absence or needs to be released early, please:
- Send the student with a signed note that includes a release time & reason, or
- Call our Attendance Office at 541-355-4415 to excuse over the phone/message
- Students will receive a GREEN RELEASE SLIP noting the appropriate excuse time and will show that to a teacher as their ticket out of class
- Students may then leave to meet parent in parking lot or walk/drive home. Parents do not need to come inside to check their student out.
Inclement Weather Resources
As the flakes begin to settle on the mountain tops (and now in your driveway), it's a great time to remind families about how to stay connected to information regarding delays and closures due to inclement weather.
BLS will share information the following ways:
- 💻 Visit the BLS website: www.bend.k12.or.us (an alert banner will be posted to every page in the case of a delay, closure or early release.)
- 📞 Call our hotline, which will be updated with weather delay or closure information: English 541-323-7669 or Spanish 541-355-0044.
- 📱 Subscribe to Mystop to receive push notifications on your mobile device about changes to the school bus. Sign up today: bls.fyi/mystop. To install the app, simply visit the Google Play Store (for Android) or the Apple Store (for iOS), and search for "Versatrans My Stop" or log-in via the web at My Stop. Make sure you select Bend-La Pine Schools when prompted.
- 📲 Visit our social media pages: Facebook English: @BendLaPineSchools, Spanish: @EscuelasdeBendLaPine, Twitter: @BLPSchools
- 💬 Sign up for BLConnect, an emergency alert text messaging system. Register at this link: bls.fyi/blconnect
- 📺 Tune it to local media
Learn more about how we make decisions during : bls.fyi/inclementweather
Digital Citizenship Resources
October brings a refreshed emphasis on digital citizenship. Bend La Pine Schools leans on the expertise of Common Sense Education and their vast resources, including ready-made free digital citizenship lessons for all grade levels.
Learn More About The School Construction Bond
Every school benefits. No increase to current tax rate expected. Sustains jobs in our community. BLS is requesting community support to issue $249.7 million in general obligation bonds to improve safety and modernize aging schools and classrooms in Bend-La Pine Schools.
Read more about the proposed bond projects here: https://www.bend.k12.or.us/district/news-events/news/2022/10/information-about-school-construction-bond
Registration Deadline For AP Testing
For all students who wish to take an AP exam, online registration is open through Friday, Nov 4th. Students have been informed in class of the two-part registration process. Click Here to view full details on how to register. Have your student connect with their AP teacher or AP coordinator, Mrs. Johnson, with any specific questions.
Congrats to all of our fall sports athletes in football, boys soccer, and girls soccer for making it to playoffs and to boys cross country for making it to state!
OSAA Championships are digital tickets and cash events. Students must buy tickets for state championship events, ASB stickers will not be allowed. Buy tickets online early here: https://www.osaa.org/shop/tickets
Connect Workshop, 6pm Nov 14th
A FREE two-hour opportunity for parents and guardians to learn factual, unbiased information and skills to start conversations with their kids about vaping and other drugs. Click Here for full details and online registration.
All About Seniors - Class of 2023
This month seniors will begin receiving information from our Counseling Office regarding ordering caps & gown and the major dates in their near future. We ask both senior students and parents to visit the Senior Information page of our website (and bookmark that page) as your information hub regarding everything graduation. Posted on this site is the Fall Senior Newsletter.
Here are some quick details we want everyone to make immediate note of:
- The 2023 graduation ceremony will once again be held at Mountain View's Jack Harris Stadium at 10am on Saturday, June 10
- Seniors have their first Senior Meeting on Monday, Nov 7th in the cafeteria (will be released to the meeting during at 12:00pm during the Class Meeting time of our special schedule)
Sign Up For Free Lunch!
This year there are expanded Federal and State income guidelines that allow many families who did not qualify in the past to be approved! Students who qualify are also eligible for reduced or waived fees in Athletics, college applications and AP testing.
We are encouraging ALL families to apply so your student can take advantage of free meals and more!
MVHS Booster Club - Parent Leaders Needed!
Are you a parent looking to get involved with our school community? The Mountain View High School Booster Club is an organization made up of parents and alumni dedicated to supporting ALL student academic, fine arts, clubs, activities and sport organizations at MVHS.
The MV Boosters are in need of new leadership and board members. To get involved, contact Mark Tumilson at by email at markt@bendcable.com or mvcougarboosters@gmail.com.
- November 2 : Día de los Muertos Celebration, at lunch in the Media Center
- November 3 : Jazz Choir Night Out, 7pm in MV Auditorium, $10 admission (9 under free)
- November 4 : AP Test Registration Deadline
- November 7 : Class Meeting bell schedule
- November 8 : Remember to vote!
- November 9 : Winter Sports Registrations due by 3:00pm
- November 11 : NO SCHOOL, Veterans Day
- November 12 : Robotics Garage Sale, 9:00am-3:00pm. Open to the public.
- November 14 : First Mandatory Practice / Athletic Office Closed
- November 14 : Community Food Drive Begins
- November 21-25 : NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break
Check out our weekly MVHS Announcement webpage for continued school announcements.
Be sure to visit the MVHS website and like/follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on what is happening around campus. Go Cougs!
Credits:
Go Cougs!