Supe‘s On! With Dr. Steven Cook Superintendent Steven Cook

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.