Bend-La Pine Schools Education Center
Instructional Supports
At Bend-La Pine Schools, we endeavor to develop the whole child, promoting dignity, empathy, kindness and support for others, while fostering curiosity about their world and assisting all students in realizing their full potential as they navigate their journey to find their passions and purpose.
Individually Focused. Committed to All.
Our instructional supports reflect this commitment by addressing the diverse strengths and needs of every learner. We offer a continuum of programs and services from special education to English language development to talented and gifted education, all designed to ensure equitable access to meaningful learning opportunities. Through collaborative partnerships with students, families, and staff, we strive to remove barriers, honor individual differences, and empower each student to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Special Education - Serving All Students
Bend-La Pine Schools Special Programs Department is committed to providing a rigorous and meaningful education for all students. The district provides a full continuum of services in order to meet the needs of all students experiencing a disability in order for them to lead fulfilling lives and thrive as citizens in their community.
Identifying Children with Disabilities
Bend-La Pine Schools seeks assistance locating children with disabilities (birth through age 21) who have not graduated from high school and who are not currently attending or receiving other special services from public schools.
Oregon and federal law mandate educational services for children with disabilities. Bend-La Pine Schools provides educational programs and services for eligible children from kindergarten through high school. Services provided are appropriate to each child's disability.
Parents, guardians and anyone who knows of a child (ages 5 through 21) with a disability currently not receiving educational services are asked to notify the special education contact person in the child's home school or contact the District's Special Education Department at 541-355-1060.
Contact Us
- Sean Reinhart: Executive Director of Student Services
- Colleen Funderburg: Director of Student Services
- Josh Marks: Director of Student Services
- Eric Powell: Director of Student Services
- Sara Young, Director of Student Services
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 541-355-1060
Fax: 541-355-1069
Talented and Gifted Program (TAG)
Each school in the district has the obligation to meet TAG students’ rate and level of learning, whether through individual plans or curriculum modifications.
According to Oregon law:
Talented and Gifted Education is “needs-based” instructional programming for which a student should be identified to receive services.
This population of students demonstrates exceptional performance when compared to applicable development or learning progressions with consideration given for variations in student’s opportunities to learn and to culturally relevant indicators of ability.
As of Spring of 2023, the Oregon Department of Education requires every district to have a district TAG Plan. This is the Bend-La Pine Schools Plan for Talented and Gifted Education (PDF).
If you think your child is gifted, or want to learn more about it, check out the resources for parents on the ODE's TAG page, the Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted and the National Association for Gifted Children.
TAG Options at Bend-La Pine Schools
Each and every one of our schools serves students identified as TAG. However, we provide an additional choice for families of students grades 4-8, if desired.
Juniper Elementary
1300 NE Norton Avenue
Bend
OR
97701
Cascade Middle School
19619 Mountaineer Way
Bend
OR
97702
Enrollment Process
If a parent wishes to enroll their TAG-identified student into either Juniper Elementary or Cascade Middle School, they should contact the school directly and request a program enrollment form.
Transportation
If a family chooses to attend either Juniper Elementary or Cascade Middle School TAG programs there is transportation available.
If the student resides in the boundary of either school, they will ride their regular route to school. If the student lives outside of the school boundaries, MIT bus routes are available.
Transition Co-Op
Transition Co-Op is a community-based Bend-La Pine Schools program serving young adults ages 18-21 year old with transition needs. Our mission is to enable students to achieve their personal adult goals through training and community experiences in the areas of self-advocacy, employment and life skills. Our students strive to be active, contributing members of the community.
