Bend-La Pine Schools

10/20/2026

Today, staff across Bend-La Pine Schools spent the day preparing to welcome students back to their classrooms tomorrow. Through heartfelt artwork and messages of love, they are making sure every student who walks through the doors knows they are cared for, supported and loved. 💜

10/19/2026

Bend is coming together for our community. 💜 Thank you to the following local businesses offering free lunch/kids' meals to any Bend-La Pine Schools students in need, especially those whose families struggle financially and who depend on school meals for food access. The student or family just needs to mention this offer when they go into the restaurant, Monday and Tuesday, October 19-20.

Wetlands Taphouse - 51375 Hwy 97, La Pine
Chick-fil-A - 20508 N E Robal Ln, Bend
Valentine's Deli - 555 NW Arizona Ave #25, Bend
El Rancho Grande - 63455 N Hwy 97 Ste 23, Bend
Rancho South - 19550 Amber Meadow Dr Ste 120, bend
Americana - 536 NW Arizona Ave, Bend
Lucky's Woodsman - 319 SW Century Dr, Bend
Jackson's Corner - 845 NW Delaware Ave, Bend
Mountain Burger - 2747 NW Crossing Dr, Bend

If your family-friendly business would like to join in supporting our students in need of meal access, please tell us in the comments. Thank you, Central Oregon!

10/19/2026

The Community Support & Healing Gatherings continue. Deschutes County Health Services, St. Charles Health System, and Bend-La Pine Schools offer two more free community support events this week. These drop-in sessions will provide crisis stabilization, emotional support, and a safe space for community healing.

There is no community support event planned for today, Monday. Teams will focus on supporting the students, families, and staff of Silver Rail Elementary School.

These events are known as CISM. What is CISM? Critical Incident Stress Management is an opportunity to come together in a safe, supportive space following a traumatic or difficult experience. Led by trained peers and professionals, these conversations help us better understand the physical, mental, and emotional responses that can follow stressful events. It’s a time to connect, share experiences if you feel comfortable, and learn practical tools to help care for yourself and one another as we process and move forward.

The CISM events are open to families, staff, and community member who would like support processing their feelings following the tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary.

Tuesday, October 20, and Wednesday, October 21
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Location: Deschutes Public Library - Central Library, 61956 SE Santorini St., Bend
Cost: Free and open to all students, families, staff, and community members

Immediate 24/7 Crisis Resources:
The Deschutes County Stabilization Center is open 24 hours a day for immediate, walk-in mental health support at 63311 NE Jamison St. in Bend. Individuals can also call the local crisis line at 541-322-7500 ext. 9 or call/text the national hotline at 988.

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

October 18, 2026

10/19/2026

Last Thursday, a senseless act of violence stole three of our students and left one critically wounded at Silver Rail Elementary School. This unimaginable attack has left our community reeling. We hold each of these students, their families, and everyone who loves them close in our hearts as we mourn together as one community.

May their families, their teachers, and their loved ones be surrounded by love, compassion, and support. Their lives matter, their stories matter, and they will not be forgotten. 💜

10/18/2026

To the Journey in Bend community, thank you for stepping up without hesitation on Thursday and standing as the reunification center for the Silver Rail Elementary parents and children.

With barely a moment’s notice, you opened your doors and hearts and filled every need, and there were many. Your generosity and grace on this community’s worst day will never, ever be forgotten.

From our community to yours, thank you.

10/18/2026

In an important step toward supporting our students, families, and staff through this painful period, there are continuing opportunities to speak with crisis counselors through Deschutes County Health Services. These are drop-in opportunities for our entire community.

These opportunities are called CISM, Critical Incident Stress Management, explained here by Deschutes County Health Services Director Holly Harris. And they are for everyone! For upcoming CISM events, go to bls.fyi/hub.

Also view the video at bls.fyi/cism.

10/17/2026

On October 15, our Silver Rail Elementary community suffered an unthinkable tragedy, one that stretches far beyond the building. Our hearts are broken as we mourn the loss of a beloved teacher, and hold another employee, who was injured, close in our hearts. They responded to an attack on their school in a way for which we are forever grateful.

We lost Megan Lambert, a Special Education teacher who graduated from Mountain View High School and joined Bend-La Pine Schools as a teacher this fall. Megan was a bright light for her students, family, and our community. She will be missed beyond words can express.

We continue to wrap our arms around Becky Drury, an Inclusion Educational Assistant, who is recovering from her injuries. In addition, a Learning Specialist responded with extraordinary courage and engaged directly with the shooter. We are so thankful for her safety and forever in her debt.

These educators dedicated their lives to teaching, inspiring, and caring for our exceptional learners.

We grieve with their families, fellow staff members, students, and the entire Central Oregon community. We honor Megan’s life, surround Becky with love, support, and hope for healing, and stand with all those whose lives have been forever changed.
Our hearts are with you, Silver Rail.

10/17/2026

We are proud of our community for the patience and care you have given one another during this incredibly difficult time. Here is the plan for next week:

Monday–Tuesday: All schools remain closed to students. Events and activities remain canceled and will be rescheduled.
Wednesday: Students return on the early-release Wednesday schedule.
Thursday–Friday: Schools follow regular schedules.
Silver Rail Elementary will remain closed until further notice. A separate plan for the Silver Rail community has been shared with those families and staff.

Counseling supports will be available in all school buildings, and law enforcement presence will be heightened across our community.

Find family support, updates and additional community resources: bls.fyi/hub

As we move forward together, we will make room for grief, care for one another, and keep our students, families, and staff at the center of our decisions.