Bend-La Pine Schools to hold community sessions after Silver Rail tragedy

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend-La Pine Schools will host engagement sessions following the Silver Rail Elementary School tragedy. The district announced the upcoming meetings to give students, staff, parents and community members an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns.

A broad community engagement session will take place on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Pilot Butte Middle School in Bend. School district leadership, school board members and Bend Police Department representatives will attend to listen to public concerns and answer questions.

The Nov. 5 meeting is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and the room has a maximum capacity of 400 people. Spanish interpretation will be provided and a live-stream link will be accessible through the Silver Rail Community Information Hub.

Facilitators from the National Mass Violence Center will guide the conversation during the Thursday session. The center provides victims and survivors of mass violence with access to recovery resources and assistance professionals.

Representatives from Deschutes County Behavioral Health Services will also attend to offer mental health support.

Ahead of the broad community gathering, the district will hold an engagement session on Wednesday, Nov. 4, specifically for families and staff of Silver Rail Elementary School.

District officials have also opened an online community survey conducted by the Donovan Group. The survey allows family and community members to submit written questions and share additional feedback with Bend-La Pine Schools leadership.

The online community survey will remain open for submissions through Nov. 9.